Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1998-98
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The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Monday 28 June 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Monday 28 June 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.

MONDAY 28th JUNE

1
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the relative risk to operators in the application of lindane (a) in closed systems for seed treatment and (b) in open systems for fumigation or other purposes.

(88377)

2
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the alternative pesticides to lindane for the treatment before sowing of (a) cereal seed against wireworm and (b) oil seed against flea beetle.

(88376)

3
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will defer withdrawal of lindane for those applications for which no suitable alternative pesticide is available.

(88375)

4
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what are the criteria which determine whether farmers may call their products free range.

(89009)

5
N   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish the European Commission's response to his letter seeking clarification on the existence of derogations for smaller abattoirs and cutting plants which go beyond purely structural requirements.

(88232)

6
N   Mr Andrew George (St Ives):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if the low-throughput abattoirs identified under Directive 64/433 are required to have the same level of veterinary supervision as the fully approved premises defined in Article 10 of the same directive.

(88233)

7
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if the Government will introduce regulations to impose the same standards of traceability and quality assurance on imported pig meat products as apply to UK-produced pig meat.

(88856)

8
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if the Government will restore rendering subsidies for the UK pig industry.

(88853)

9
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to make the labelling of food by country of origin compulsory; and if he will make a statement.

(88854)

10
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if the Government will cover the cost to pig farmers of offal and waste disposal; and if he will make a statement.

(88852)

11
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will seek to ensure that Government departments, local authorities and other related agencies purchase only UK-produced pigmeat products.

(88855)

12
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the consequences to the beef sector of discontinuing the calf processing scheme from the end of July.

(88349)

13
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the costs of veterinary medicines in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries.

(88355)

14
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has made to the European Commission on the EU subsidy for the supply of milk to certain school children.

(88373)

15
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the number of farmers who would undertake extensification schemes if the stocking rates were set at (a) 1.6, (b) 2.0 and (c) 2.5 animals per hectare.

(88346)

16
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he plans to make to the Commission to ensure that the extensification proposals take account of the larger stocking densities on British farms.

(88347)

17
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the current average time it takes to obtain a bovine passport.

(88348)

18
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received on the reform of hill livestock compensatory allowances.

(88354)

19
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will oppose proposals in the Council of Ministers for the allocation of extra milk quota to Ireland and Spain.

(88356)

20
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88865)

21
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the chemical residues retained as a result of crop treatment in (a) imported US genetically-modified soya and (b) imported non-genetically modified soya.

(88942)

22
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when his officials first learnt of the contamination of Belgian food products.

(88628)

23
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has made to the Belgian Government about their handling of the contamination of Belgian food products.

(88631)

24
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has made to the European Commission about the Belgian Government's handling of the contamination of Belgian food products.

(88632)

25
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he first learnt of the contamination of Belgian food products.

(88629)

26
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, from whom information about the contamination of Belgian food products was first received by his officials.

(88630)

27
   Mr David Lepper (Brighton, Pavilion):    To ask Mr Attorney General, if he will announce the Government's final response to the recommendations contained in Sir Ian Glidewell's report following his review of the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement.

(88910)

28
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask Mr Attorney General, on what date his Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88798)

29
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date his Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88793)

30
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the estimated cost is of servicing the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee.

(88836)

31
   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make a statement on his expenditure plans for tourism for the next three years.

(88813)

32
N   Mr Eric Martlew (Carlisle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many children have visited national museums and galleries since 1st April.

(87212)

33
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what is (a) the cost and (b) the design life of the Millennium Wheel; and how long it is planned to remain at its County Hall location.

(88838)

34
N   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of troops earmarked for Operation Joint Guardian are at present deployed in (a) Kosovo, (b) Macedonia and (c) Albania.

(88781)

35
N   Mr Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of how many Yugoslav (a) tanks, (b) surface-to-air missiles, (c) fighter aircraft, (d) armoured infantry fighting vehicles, (e) armoured personnel carriers, (f) towed artillery pieces, (g) self propelled artillery pieces and (h) helicopters were destroyed in (i) Kosovo, (ii) the Republic of Serbia, excluding Kosovo and (iii) Montenegro during Operation Allied Force.

(88782)

36
   Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, who provided to the Saville Inquiry the series of documents released in October 1998 to lawyers acting for those killed or wounded in Londonderry on 30th January 1972, with particular reference to the document which identified the names, rank, number and appointment of individual soldiers; and by the authority of which Government department they were handed to the Saville Inquiry.

(88812)

37
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many TA soldiers have left the service since November 1998 (a) voluntarily and (b) compulsorily.

(88364)

38
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many RAF pilots are serving in (a) the Balkan theatre, (b) Turkey, (c) Kuwait, (d) Saudi Arabia, (e) Cyprus, (f) the Falkland Islands, (g) Northern Ireland and (h) elsewhere outside the United Kingdom.

(88369)

39
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the cost of training a pilot in the RAF from entry into service to active flying service for (a) fast jets, (b) transport and other aircraft and (c) helicopters.

(88371)

40
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) parity of standards and (b) equality of opportunity between service children's education and local authority provision in the UK.

(88361)

41
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the Territorial Army units which have been disbanded since 28th November 1998.

(88365)

42
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with representatives of commercial airlines since May 1997 on the recruitment of former servicemen as pilots; and if he will make a statement.

(88372)

43
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract or service level agreement between RN Hospital, Haslar and the local NHS trust for the provision of district hospital services.

(88423)

44
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the criteria and rules governing priority for the secondary treatment of service personnel at his Department's hospital units at (a) Peterborough, (b) Frimley Park and (c) Derryford.

(88425)

45
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) estimates he has made of the number of cases involved and (b) provision his Department has made in respect of future compensation claims for sexual discrimination.

(88374)

46
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the total number of (a) fast jet pilots, (b) transport and support aircraft pilots and (c) helicopter pilots on active service in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

(88370)

47
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met representatives of the Army Families Federation; and what was discussed.

(88362)

48
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many registered disabled people work in (a) civilian and (b) uniformed posts in the Ministry of Defence; and if he will make a statement.

(88367)

49
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the TA units due to be disbanded within the next six months.

(88378)

50
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he last met representatives of Annington Homes to discuss service accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

(88363)

51
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on his policy on the employment of disabled people in the armed forces.

(88368)

52
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if (a) terms and conditions of service of his Department's employees and (b) arrangements for priority treatment of service personnel are laid out in (1) legally binding contracts or (2) service level agreements at his Department's hospital units at (i) Peterborough, (ii) Frimley Park and (iii) Derryford; and if he will make a statement.

(88422)

53
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library copies of the contracts or service level agreements governing relations between the relevant NHS trusts and his Department's hospital units at (a) Peterborough, (b) Frimley Park and (c) Derryford.

(88424)

54
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has paid in each of the past five years in respect of compensation claims for injuries incurred during (a) military service and (b) non-military service; and if he will make a statement.

(88366)

55
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date his Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88795)

56
   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries occurred during (i) territorial, (ii) regular units and (iii) special forces training in the Brecon Beacons and Eppynt Range between 1974 and 1999.

(88937)

57
N   Chris McCafferty (Calder Valley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of the United Kingdom's strategic stock of (a) ordnance and (b) fuel was used during NATO operations in Kosovo; what assessment he has made of the impact on the United Kingdom's defence capability; and what estimate he has made of (i) the length of time required and (ii) the cost to replace the stock used.

(87196)

58
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88862)

59
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is his projection on the strength of the Army in terms of front line-troops, for the next three years, taking into account any increase in premature voluntary release which may occur as a result of the extra deployments in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement.

(88622)

60
   Mr Alan Simpson (Nottingham South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place copies of the minutes of the nine meetings of the Aldermaston Health and Safety at Work Committee in the Library.

(89018)

61
   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he will reply to the Question from the honourable Member for Chichester of 22nd April Ref (82417) on special advisers

(89064)

62
   Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the numbers of children who attained level 6 at Key Stage Two SATS in 1998 in English; what conclusions were reached; and what future work is planned on this subject area.

(88834)

63
   Charlotte Atkins (Staffordshire Moorlands):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what steps he has taken to encourage schools with able children to take up the opportunity to sit level 6 tests in English, Mathematics and Science at Key Stage Two SATS.

(88833)

64
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when he plans to respond to the Bett Report on higher education remuneration.

(88624)

65
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what advice he has circulated to schools in connection with the desirability of insurance cover for (a) residential courses involving at least one night away from home, (b) day visits starting and concluding within school hours and (c) day visits extending beyond normal school hours; and what asessment he has made of difficulties for schools in meeting insurance liabilities in connection with such courses.

(88235)

66
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when the Further Education Funding Council expects to announce firm allocations of finance to further education colleges to promote proposed curriculum changes.

(88234)

67
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what representations he has received from local educational authorities about difficulties in modifying computer systems to reflect changes in the system of student support.

(88623)

68
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what recent representations he has received from NATFHE concerning pay and conditions for further education lecturers; and what reply he has sent.

(88236)

69
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what collaborative work he is undertaking with health ministers to ensure that all looked-after children receive a high-quality education.

(88851)

70
   Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many (a) men and (b) women have been sanctioned under the New Deal to date (i) in each of the New Deal geographical units of delivery, (ii) for the gateway and (iii) for each of the four options.

(89021)

71
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88859)

72
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will publish the criteria used to determine what sums are awarded to each individual higher education establishment in the form of research grants.

(88831)

73
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much was awarded (a) in total and (b) to each higher education establishment in the form of research grants in each year since 1995.

(88830)

74
N   Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what role there will be for the New Deal in the recruitment by Sport England of the new Active Schools co-ordinators.

(87221)

75
N   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will place in the Library the scientific advice received from English Nature concerning the notification of the River Tweed as a candidate special area of conservation under the European Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora.

(88617)

76
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which non-departmental public bodies do not have aims or objectives under the public service agreements, related to environmental protection or environmentally sustainable development; and if he will list them.

(88909)

77
   Mr Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which Government departments do not have aims or objectives, under the public service agreements, relating to environmental protection or environmentally sustainable development.

(88908)

78
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what powers he has to require a train operating company to implement a refurbishment of a particular station.

(88401)

79
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 22nd June, Official Report, column 334, on oil and fat waste, what factors underlay his decision not to commission research.

(89007)

80
   Mrs Anne Campbell (Cambridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment his Department makes of previous spending patterns by individual local authorities in its calculations of total standard spending for that authority.

(89023)

81
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the principal reasons for the use of consultants in relation to London Transport matters (a) in each of the last three years and (b) currently.

(89013)

82
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what (a) negotiations and (b) consultations took place prior to his Department selling the site of Leyton Yard to Asda; which other potential purchasers expressed an interest and how the sale decision was determined; what amount was agreed; how much of the proceeds will be paid to Government and how much to other parties; what conditions were attached to the sale agreement; and if he will make a statement.

(89017)

83
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the figures for each of the financial years 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98 in respect of the operations of London Underground Limited for (a) total sales revenue from (i) fares, (ii) elderly and disabled concessions and (iii) other sources, (b) staff costs, including pensions, (c) energy, including power distribution, (d) train movement and maintenance, (e) track and signalling maintenance, (f) stations and escalators and (g) other revenue costs including administration, excluding costs arising from the extensions to, and adaptation of, the Jubilee Line.

(89015)

84
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what has been the amount spent on consultants in relation to London Transport matters in each of the last eight years; and how much is currently (a) committed and (b) estimated to be spent.

(89012)

85
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received concerning the decision of London Underground Limited to dispense with its own means of electricity generation in London; and if he will make a statement.

(89010)

86
   Mr Cynog Dafis (Ceredigion):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assistance he is providing to the Environment Agency to further the promotion of eco-tourism on the Somerset Levels.

(89019)

87
N   Mr Mike Gapes (Ilford South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on transport links and access to the Millennium Dome from East London and Essex.

(87234)

88
N   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is his estimate of the amount of greenfield land that will be required to meet the Government's targets for new housebuilding by (a) 2010 and (b) 2015.

(88785)

89
N   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what meetings he or his junior Ministers have had with (a) Friends of the Earth and (b) the National Farmers Union to discuss genetically-modified crops.

(88784)

90
   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what evaluation he has undertaken of the relative effectiveness of economic instruments and other measures designed to minimise pesticide use.

(88844)

91
   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will set out, for each pesticide or group of pesticides, the scientific basis which would underlie the introduction of additional financial or other measures designed to minimise their use.

(88845)

92
   Mr Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what compensation regime would apply to farmers and agricultural producers to reflect the adverse impact of a pesticide tax.

(88846)

93
N   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment the Government has made of the effects of rate relief granted to charity shops on the development of small and medium-sized towns.

(88615)

94
N   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what financial assistance is available through local government to support small and specialist shops in small and medium-sized towns; and if he will make a statement.

(88616)

95
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will issue guidance to councils on their obligations under section 143 of the Highway Code relating to designated parking spaces near a junction on double yellow-lined highway; and if he will make a statement.

(88174)

96
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects to publish proposals permitting horse riders to use certain footpaths; and if he will make a statement.

(88351)

97
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he expects to announce a decision on the funding of the Cumberland Gap section of the M6 in Cumbria.

(88350)

98
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88857)

99
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the percentage of properties undergoing major repairs and renovation that have been empty for over 12 months.

(88839)

100
   Ms Debra Shipley (Stourbridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if there will be specific mechanisms proposed in the Urban White Paper to encourage the planting of trees in urban areas.

(88807)

101
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will visit Tunstall Floral Hall, Stoke on Trent.

(88810)

102
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his estimate of the value of tax receipts from corporation tax on privately rented residential accommodation in the last year for which statistics are available.

(88818)

103
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the value of tax receipts from income tax on privately rented residential accommodation in the last year for which statistics are available.

(88817)

104
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what basis statistics are compiled by his Department on the revenue raised in the case of (a) privately rented residential property and (b) privately rented commercial property.

(88815)

105
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of the rent-a-room scheme for each year since the introduction of the scheme.

(88820)

106
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is his estimate of the value of tax receipts from capital gains tax on privately rented residential accommodation in the last year for which statistics are available.

(88816)

107
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will undertake a pilot survey in three different tax districts including West Cumbria into the actual cost to the Exchequer in terms of lost revenue arising from the rent-a-room scheme.

(88821)

108
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on progress towards Gibraltar becoming passported to provide banking services.

(88848)

109
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 24th June, Official Report, column 464, how many people are currently employed in the Shrewsbury and Atcham local authority district.

(89048)

110
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the amount of public funds to be spent on preparing for the possibility of UK entry into the single currency before a referendum.

(88907)

111
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received with regard to the European Commisson's proposal for reduced rates of VAT on labour intensive services not subject to cross border competition.

(88914)

112
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to adopt Article 4.4 of the EC Sixth VAT Directive; and if he will make a statement.

(88913)

113
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the value of the Exchange Equalisation Account following the proposed sale of gold and relative to its value at 6th May.

(88825)

114
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make extra provision for debt relief in the highly indebted poor countries whose export revenues and central bank reserves have been affected by falls in the gold price.

(88824)

115
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 10 (Other Comments) of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Summary of Responses (May 1999) to the VAT: Consultation Document on European Commission Proposal for Revised Rules on Input Tax Deduction, how many contributors (a) questioned what exchange rate would be used if foreign invoice amounts had to be converted to sterling, (b) suggested that it would be beneficial if all accounting were in euros and (c) suggested that the periodic rates of exchange published by Customs and Excise should be used.

(88917)

116
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what evaluation he has made of the cyclical convergence of the British economy with those of North America.

(88842)

117
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of the revenue generated by stamp duty arose from duty charged on the purchase of commercial land and property in the last year for which figures are available.

(88828)

118
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the (a) number and (b) total value in sterling of (i) secured and (ii) unsecured loans made by the Bank of England during the last two years; and if he will make a statement on the Bank's status as lender of last resort.

(88919)

119
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consultations the Treasury held with (a) Bank of England officials, (b) foreign governments, (c) the World Bank, (d) the International Monetary Fund, (e) the European Central Bank and (f) private institutions on the proposed sale of UK gold reserves prior to the Treasury announcement of 7th May.

(88841)

120
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) basic and (b) higher rate taxpayers there have been in each year since 1979.

(88827)

121
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much gold was held in the UK Exchange Equalisation Account on (a) 6th May and (b) 6th June; and in each case what was its value.

(88826)

122
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to the European Commission with regard to the Commission's proposal for reduced rates of VAT on labour intensive services not subject to cross border competition; and if he will make a statement.

(88915)

123
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has made to the European Commission with regard to the six month time limit on claiming VAT in other member states.

(88916)

124
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Information Sheet (June 1999) regarding excise duty and VAT arrangements following the withdrawal of duty free sales of goods to intra-Community travellers, what is the VAT liability on goods liable to UK VAT in the domestic market purchased on a flight from London to New York which is subsequently diverted to Paris (a) when the passengers are permitted to disembark at Paris to join a new flight to New York and (b) when passengers remain on the same aircraft until it is able to continue to New York.

(88918)

125
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what evaluation he has made of the structural divergence of the British economy with the economies of the rest of the EU.

(88843)

126
   Mr Francis Maude (Horsham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the number of families earning more than (a) £20,000, (b) £25,000 and (c) £30,000 a year who will be eligible for the working families tax credit.

(88906)

127
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what prior consultations were held by Customs and Excise with trade sectors concerned by the legislative changes enacted by the VAT (Finance) Order 1999; and if he will make a statement.

(88920)

128
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what legal advice he sought on (a) the vires of the VAT (Finance) Order 1999 and (b) its compatibility with European law; and if he will make a statement.

(88922)

129
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects Customs and Excise to produce written guidance on how the provisions of the VAT (Finance) Order 1999 will be applied; and if he will make a statement.

(88926)

130
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88860)

131
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish the list of questions put to the VAT authorities of the other member states and the Commission on the interpretation of Article 13.B(d)(1) to (6) of the Sixth Directive and the responses received.

(88921)

132
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will review with Customs and Excise how they propose to handle judgments of VAT tribunals where both the financial sector and Customs and Excise have agreed beforehand to treat such judgments as test cases; and if he will make a statement.

(88923)

133
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on what date his Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88794)

134
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has received from (a) non-governmental organisations and (b) others about the security situation in East Timor.

(88341)

135
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received concerning casualties from the conflict in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

(88359)

136
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how Her Majesty's Government, in consultation with its IGAD partners, intends to monitor cease-fire declarations in Sudan.

(88343)

137
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the governments of (a) Ethiopia and (b) Eritrea, concerning the conflict between the two countries.

(88360)

138
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what contribution Her Majesty's Government has made to the UN Assistance Mission to East Timor; and if he will make a statement.

(88357)

139
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in East Timor.

(88345)

140
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of Sudan's treatment of (a) Christians, (b) Animists and (c) Muslims in relation to the UN Commission on Human Rights' Resolution 1999/5 on Sudan.

(88342)

141
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received concerning the meeting of the heads of seven African states in Pretoria on 17th June to discuss the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(88358)

142
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received concerning the violation of cease-fire in February in Twic County, Southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

(88344)

143
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations Her Majesty's Government has made to the United Nations concerning the National Islamic Front's bombing of Southern Sudan during Christian festivals.

(88412)

144
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the benefits which will derive from the Eastman Hospital Centre of Excellence for Dentistry.

(89011)

145
   Mr Harry Cohen (Leyton and Wanstead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the (a) total national cost, (b) the average cost to Health Authorities and (c) the cost to Redbridge and Waltham Forest Health Authority for the screening of blood products for CJD infection; if he will make a supplementary allocation from central health funds available to cover these costs; and if he will make a statement.

(89016)

146
   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement about NHS waiting times for heart by-pass surgery.

(88925)

147
   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to discuss with commercial organisations the availability of sites for the development of GP facilities; and if he will make a statement.

(88823)

148
   Mr Christopher Gill (Ludlow):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will visit South Shropshire to examine the accident and emergency provisions in that area.

(88847)

149
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what mechanism is in place for updating the National Donor Register to include those people who have changed their name to ensure that they remain on the register.

(88712)

150
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many kidneys have been donated, in the last year, as a direct result of the National Donor Register being contacted.

(88710)

151
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times in the last year the National Donor Register has been contacted by the donor co-ordinators in order to find out if the potential donor is registered.

(88709)

152
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if all the donors listed on the National Donor Register are still alive; and what mechanism is used to delete from the National Donor Register those potential donors who have died without donating.

(88711)

153
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many honourable Members are listed on the National Donor Register.

(88714)

154
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what mechanism is in place to target those people aged 18 years to go on the National Donor Register.

(88713)

155
   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of hospital trusts which have in place a system of quality control for hospital food; and what advice his Department has given to trusts on the introduction of such quality control systems.

(88866)

156
   Helen Jones (Warrington North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital trusts in England and Wales have in place a system of nutritional screening for newly-admitted patients; and what advice his Department has given on the introduction of such systems.

(88867)

157
N   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out the criteria to exclude products from NHS prescription which he has notified to the European Commission to comply with Article 7 or Council Directive 89/105 EEC (the Transparency Directive).

(88504)

158
N   Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what are the terms of South Essex Health Authority's contract with London Chest Hospital in relation to heart by-pass operations; and if he will set out the annual number of operations (i) covered by the contract and (ii) performed, for the health authority over the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

(88175)

159
   Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what data his Department has collated on the change in morbidity en route to hospital when the journey is greater than eight miles.

(88932)

160
   Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the average mileage by ambulance from collection of the patient to the nearest accident department.

(88931)

161
   Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital trusts are reconfiguring acute services in England where they occupy more than one site, with particular reference to (a) maternity services, (b) intensive care and (c) accident and emergency services.

(88933)

162
   Laura Moffatt (Crawley):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the midwife lead maternity units without a full consultant unit on site.

(88930)

163
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88858)

164
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research he has commissioned into xenotransplantation; and if he will make a statement.

(88941)

165
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many organs for transplant were brought into the UK from EU member states; and what percentage came from living donors in the most recent year for which figures are available.

(88837)

166
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many intensive care beds were available to admit new patients detained under the Mental Health Acts on 16th, 17th and 18th May.

(88829)

167
   Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the salary scales for trainee and newly qualified biomedical scientists.

(88832)

168
   Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what are the costs per batch of the (a) whole cell and (b) acellular DTP vaccine.

(89008)

169
   Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 16th June, Official Report, column 185, on DTP vaccine, where the batch was manufactured by Behring; what was its number; and what other batch numbers were manufactured on 18th June, by the same Behring plant and purchased by UK NHS trusts.

(88939)

170
   Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 16th June, Official Report, column 185, for what reasons the whole cell DTP vaccine is used in the UK, in preference to the acellular vaccine; and if he will make a statement.

(89050)

171
   Mr Ian Stewart (Eccles):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the present methods of reporting adverse reactions to vaccination; and if he will make a statement.

(88806)

172
N   Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will set out the reasons for the disparity in remuneration between speech and language therapists and other healthcare professionals of similar qualification.

(88625)

173
   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the total cost, including travel and accommodation, of each occasion when a special adviser from his Department travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2nd May 1997, whether accompanied by a Minister or not, indicating the place visited.

(89066)

174
N   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the honourable Member for Walsall North will receive replies to his letters of 6th May (ref. POH(2)5608/22) and 18th May (ref. POH(2)5608/22) regarding constituents.

(88618)

175
   Mr A. J. Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 28th January, Official Report, column 371, concerning the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, when he intends to announce the appointment of an independent reviewer of those provisions of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 which were not incorporated into the Prevention of Terrorism (Termporary Provisions) Act 1989; when the first review will take place; and if he will make a statement.

(88809)

176
   Mr Iain Coleman (Hammersmith and Fulham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum applications were received from (a) Serbia and (b) Colombia in 1998; and how many of the applications (i) were agreed, (ii) were refused and (iii) await decision; and if he will make a statement.

(88835)

177
   Lorna Fitzsimons (Rochdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he has taken to ensure that police data on racial harrassment and racially motivated crime is documented on the same basis by all police forces.

(88911)

178
   Lorna Fitzsimons (Rochdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he has take to ensure that the data gathered by local race relations councils under the Commission for Racial Equality on racial harrassment is comparable and gathered in the same way.

(88912)

179
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to ensure that the structure of application fees for the Criminal Record Bureau does not discourage volunteering.

(88850)

180
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his plans for new legals powers for the detention of people with dangerous personality disorders with the European Convention on Human Rights.

(88626)

181
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received about his plans for new legal powers to detain people with dangerous personality disorders; and if he will make a statement.

(88516)

182
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) telephone and (b) written enquiries have been received in each of the Passport Agency's six offices in each of the last 12 months.

(88621)

183
   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations he has received about the new distribution mechanism for civil defence grants.

(88840)

184
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many passport applications in each month since January 1996 have been endorsed with a two year extension; and if he will make a statement.

(88505)

185
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects to receive the Passport Agency's business plan for 1999-2000.

(88512)

186
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what dates (a) he first sought legal advice about the status of Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Emergency Provisions) Act 1989, (b) he received that legal advice and (c) he advised the police not to rely on those Parts of the Act.

(88732)

187
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what date instructions were given to draft the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (Revisal of Parts IVA and IVB) Order 1999; and if he will make a statement.

(88801)

188
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress and conclusions of his Department's survey of prison and probation officers' experience of risk assessment scales.

(88518)

189
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress he has made in providing telephone answering facilities at each of the Passport Agency's offices.

(88507)

190
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children's applications for passports have been received at each of the Passport Agency's six offices in each month from January 1996 to date.

(88514)

191
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress and conclusions of his Deparment's Study on assessing dangerous offender risk in practice.

(88520)

192
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress and conclusions of his Department's comparative study of risk assessment scales in use by the Prison Service and Probation Service.

(88519)

193
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the progress and conclusions of his Department's evaluation of the Sex Offenders' Register.

(88517)

194
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of telephone calls from members of the public to each of the Passport Agency's offices which were left unanswered in each of the last 12 months.

(88506)

195
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many members of the public the Passport Agency has agreed to pay (a) compensation and (b) ex-gratia payments to during the last 12 months; and what is the total sum of money involved.

(88513)

196
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for (a) new passports and (b) renewed passports the Passport Agency has received in each month since January 1996.

(88783)

197
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 15th February, Official Report, columns 601-3, when he plans to publish a consultation document on powers for the detention of people with dangerous personality disorders.

(88500)

198
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list in respect of each office of the Passport Agency the number of unprocessed passport applications which were outstanding at the end of each month from January 1996 to date.

(88511)

199
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what, in each month from January 1994 to date and in respect of each of the Passport Agency's six offices, was the time taken to process (a) new applications and (b) renewal applications; and if he will make a statement.

(88627)

200
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the revenue which the Passport Agency will forego in the current financial year as a result of the extension of the period of passport validity free of charge.

(88510)

201
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what has been the average period of time for determining passport applications in each of the Passport Agency's six offices in each month from January 1996 to date.

(88515)

202
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff are employed currently (a) in total and (b) broken down by grade at each of the Passport Agency's offices.

(88802)

203
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of emergency planning requirements in Cumbria.

(88352)

204
N   Mr David Maclean (Penrith and The Border):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proposals he has for the future funding for emergency planning services in (a) England and Wales and (b) Cumbria.

(88353)

205
   Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will make an announcement about the outcome of the consultation exercise seeking views on the proposal to ban the sale of gas lighter refills to people below a certain age.

(89020)

206
N   Mr Humfrey Malins (Woking):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many mandatory drug tests on prisoners proved (a) positive and (b) negative in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and in what proportion of positive tests disciplinary action was taken.

(88708)

207
   Mr Bill Michie (Sheffield, Heeley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the impact plea before venue has had on elections for trial.

(88927)

208
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88863)

209
   Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 15th June, Official Report, column 101, on the proceedings relating to the dismissal of police officers, if he will publish Independent Tribunal's reasons and their recommendation.

(88940)

210
   Mr Roger Stott (Wigan):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which class of vote covers expenditure incurred on protection of ministers and other current and former parliamentarians; and what is the total of this expenditure in the current financial year.

(88849)

211
   Mr David Winnick (Walsall North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his Answer of 11th June, Official Report, column 420, when the honourable Member for Walsall North will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 27th April regarding a constituent.

(88814)

212
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what guidelines have been issued to magistrates in respect of the sentencing of young offenders under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

(88928)

213
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what training has been given to magistrates regarding the sentencing of young offenders under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

(88929)

214
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, on what date his Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88797)

215
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on what date her Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88800)

216
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what is the cost to date of implementing the provisions of the Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997.

(88811)

217
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the President of the Council, on what date her Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88799)

218
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Prime Minister, on what date (a) he and (b) his Office were first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88731)

219
   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list the total cost, including travel and accommodation, of each occasion when a special adviser of the Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury has travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2nd May 1997, whether accompanied by a Minister or not, indicating the place visited.

(89047)

220
   Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant ot his Answer of 13th April, Official Report, column 1, on special advisers, if he will list the total cost including travel, accommodation and subsistence allowances, and place visited of each occasion that his (a) Chief of Staff and (b) Chief Press Secretary travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2nd May 1997, whether accompanied by him or not.

(89065)

221
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many meetings his staff have had with representatives of the American Government where the proposed merger of Wal-Mart with Asda was discussed.

(88509)

222
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many meetings he has had with representatives of the American Government where the proposed merger of Wal-Mart with Asda was discussed.

(88508)

223
N   Mr Tim Yeo (South Suffolk):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many meetings (a) he and (b) his staff have had with representatives of Wal-Mart in connection with their proposed merger with Asda.

(88803)

224
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, on what date his Department was first informed that Parts IV A and IV B of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 were no longer in force.

(88796)

225
   Mr David Marshall (Glasgow, Shettleston):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what measures the Government will take to implement the recommendations of the Scottish Office/Pieda Study, Towards a Strategy for Vacant Land, that (a) dereliction considered to have adverse environmental effects should be dealt with by 2010 and (b) no local authority should have more than 0.5 per cent. vacant land by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

(89022)

226
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if the Board of Scottish Natural Heritage has considered the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the European Council Directive 92/ 43/ EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora; and what was their decision.

(88787)

227
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will place in the Library the scientific advice received from Scottish Natural Heritage concerning the notification of the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the European Council Directive 92/ 43/ EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora.

(88788)

228
N   Mr Michael Moore (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what advice he has received from Scottish Natural Heritage concerning the notification of the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the European Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora.

(88786)

229
N   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the notifications under the Genetically-Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 (as amended) for work on genetically-modified fish to be undertaken in Scotland.

(88730)

230
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what was the cost to housing benefit relating to (a) local authority rents, (b) housing association rents and (c) private sector rents for the last year for which statistics are available.

(88819)

231
   Mr Stephen Hesford (Wirral West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what progress has been made on the implementation of The Activities for Management of Life test for entitlement to disability living allowance, suggested by the disability benefits forum; and if he will make a statement.

(89046)

232
   Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many claims for benefit under the industrial injuries scheme were refused on the grounds that polyostropathy is not a prescribed condition, in the last three years for which records are available.

(88938)

233
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88861)

234
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what independent assessment he plans to make of the Year 2000 compliance of his Department's business-critical information technology systems.

(88402)

235
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will place in the Library the conditions he has set for the government investment in Rover, Longbridge.

(88503)

236
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the impact of the new BMW-Rover deal on United Kingdom suppliers to the company.

(88501)

237
N   Mrs Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the criteria under which government investment in Rover will be expected to meet best value.

(88502)

238
N   Mr Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what is the current number of public textphones; and what plans Her Majesty's Government has to increase the level of provision.

(88411)

239
N   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what financial assistance is available from his Department to support small and specialist shops in (a) small and medium-sized towns and (b) Bewdley; and if he will make a statement.

(88613)

240
N   Mr David Lock (Wyre Forest):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment his Department has made of the continuing commercial viability of small and specialist shops in small and medium-sized towns; and if he will make a statement.

(88614)

241
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on investment company share purchases using capital profits.

[R] (88612)

242
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to table regulations on the issue of investment company share repurchases using capital profits.

[R] (88611)

243
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what responses he has received to the consultation document, Investment Companies Share Repurchases Using Capital Profits; and when he expects to announce his conclusions.

[R] (88610)

244
   Mr Ian Pearson (Dudley South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what estimate he has made of (a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced.

(88864)

245
   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people are currently waiting (a) 0 to six months, (b) six to 12 months and (c) over 12 months for heart by-pass operations in each NHS trust in Wales.

(88924)

246
   Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what consultations he has had with the Welsh Administration and Welsh local authorities about the implications of the Immigration and Asylum Bill for refugees in Wales.

(89049)

247
   Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is the average waiting time for appointments with consultants in (a) obstetrics, (b) trauma and orthopaedics, (c) ENT, (d) coronary, (e) general surgery, (f) urology, (g) ophothalmology, (h) oral surgery, (i) gynaecology and (j) other specialities in each health authority area in Wales.

(88904)

248
   Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is the average waiting time between first appointments and any surgery deemed necessary in (a) obstetrics, (b) trauma and orthopaedics, (c) ENT, (d) coronary, (e) general surgery, (f) urology, (g) ophthalmology, (h) oral surgery, (i) gynaecology and (j) other specialties in each health authority are in Wales.

(88905)

249
   Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many people in each health authority area in Wales were referred to hospital out-patient departments between 1990 and the last year for which figures are available to see consultants in (a) obstetrics, (b) trauma and orthopaedics, (c) ENT, (d) coronary, (e) general surgery, (f) urology, (g) opthalmology, (h) oral surgery, (i) gynaecology and (j) other specialties.

(88934)

250
   Mr Don Touhig (Islwyn):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many consultants there are in each health authority area in Wales working on (a) full-time contracts and (b) part-time contracts in (i) obstetrics, (ii) trauma and orthopaedics, (iii) ENT, (iv) coronary, (v) general surgery, (vi) urology, (vii) ophthalmology, (viii) oral surgery and (ix) gynaecology and (x) other specialities.

(88936)

251
N   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will make a statement about the letter from Keith Blake of the Health Services and Management Division of the Welsh Office, addressed to Gwynfor Hughes of Porthmadog, dated 9th June, in relation to the future of the proposals for the new community hospital at Porthmadog.

(88588)

252
N   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if the business plan submitted by North Wales Heath Authority for a new community hospital to serve North Meirionydd and Eastern Dwyfor was accepted by his Department; and what the current position is with regard to this project.

(88620)

253
N   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if it is his Department's policy that the decision on whether to include in the 1999-2000 Capital Programme provision for a new community hospital to serve North Meirionnydd and Eastern Dwyfor, at Porthmadog, is a matter for the North Wales Health Authority.

(88619)

254
   Dr Tony Wright (Cannock Chase):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many state schools have (a) cricket nets, (b) cricket squares and (c) inter-school cricket fixtures.

[Transferred] (88935)

255
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on progress in establishing a labelling regime for food genetically-modified ingredients/additives and derivatives in human and animal feed.

[Transferred] (89014)

256
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what research his Department has commissioned on the condition of historic public buildings in urban parks.

[Transferred] (88902)

257
   Joan Walley (Stoke-on-Trent North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to (a) discuss the protection of non-listed historic public buildings in urban parks with local authorities and (b) publish guidance on the conservation of non-listed historic public buildings in urban parks.

[Transferred] (88903)

258
   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what progress has been made on his Department's research into reform of the housing benefit system.

[Transferred] (88822)

259
   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will estimate the effective marginal tax rates on income from savings for pensioners, and the number of pensioners at each level.

[Transferred] (88808)