Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1998-98
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Monday 5 July 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Monday 5 July 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 5th JULY

1
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he intends to answer parliamentary question 81263, a holding answer for which was given on 19th April.

(89743)

2
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89688)

3
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans he has to encourage individual identifications of wild boar on farms; and if he will make a statement.

(89939)

4
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the number of boar living in the wild in the United Kingdom.

(89954)

5
   Bob Russell (Colchester):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what regulatory powers he has over the level of fees charged by veterinary surgeons; and if he will make a statement.

(89967)

6
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will set out the terms of reference for the inquiry he has established into the unauthorised disclosure of material relating to the public presentation of genetically-modified issues.

(89452)

7
   Mr Peter Bradley (The Wrekin):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress has been made on the Government's policy to protect the terms and conditions of public sector staff when they transfer to a new employer; and if he will make a statement.

(90060)

8
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89693)

9
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89690)

10
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that commercial operators in the Millennium Dome use non-HFC refrigerants; and if he will make a statement.

(89934)

11
   Mr Richard Spring (West Suffolk):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 30th June, Official Report, column 201, if he intends to publish the representations reporting the impact of the national minimum wage on activity holidays.

(89956)

12
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many project licence applications for animal procedures at Porton Down have been (a) approved unamended for submission to the Home Office, (b) approved in amended form for submission to the Home Office and (c) rejected for each month since 1st January 1997.

(89451)

13
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many animals have been bred for use in experiments at Porton Down in (a) 1997-98 and (b) 1998-99; and how many of each year's total were subsequently killed without being so used.

(89453)

14
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89692)

15
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the occasions in the last 15 years when a service aircraft crashed because of an uncommanded flight manoeuvre without pilot error.

(90083)

16
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what occasions the findings of gross negligence against the pilots of a Chinook helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 have been reviewed; by whom; and if he will publish the findings of the review.

(89943)

17
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the software design and systems integration problems experienced from February to July 1994 as referred to in a note by the Assistant Director, Helicopter Projects on 11th January 1995.

(89944)

18
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was able to read FADEC software without the use of automated tools prior to the crash of a Chinook helicopter on the Mull of Kintyre in June 1994.

(89946)

19
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of the FADEC software was rewritten, and when, prior to the Chinook Mk 2's release into service.

(89945)

20
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the RMAS 'Arrochar', based in Portsmouth, is being disposed of.

(89968)

21
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the incidents involving electrical problems on Chinook helicopters between 1992 and 1996.

(89969)

22
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what guarantees his Department received from EDS-SCICON that it found the FADEC software on the Chinook Mk 2 to be satisfactory.

(90081)

23
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the occasions when his Department discounted pilot error as a cause of an aircraft crash which involved fatalities in the last 10 years.

(90082)

24
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what reports his Department has received from the United States Army about the FADEC-equipped Chinook which crashed in the US in March 1996.

(89962)

25
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under his Public Private Partnership proposals for DERA, if, when property is transferred to a new private sector owner, his Department retains liability for clearing contaminated land and unexploded ordnance.

(89195)

26
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the location and size of common land owned by DERA.

(89196)

27
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in what ways DERA's relationships with the research councils will be affected by his Public Private Partnership proposals for DERA.

(89197)

28
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under his Public Private Partnership proposals for DERA, if DERA will lose Crown immunity.

(89198)

29
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under his Public Private Partnership proposals for DERA, if liability for insurance cover against catastrophic accident will be transferred to private sector partners from his Department.

(89199)

30
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, under his Public Private Partnership proposals for DERA, if Boscombe Down airfield will be upgraded to civil airfield standards; and at what cost.

(89200)

31
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what were the terms of risk analyses and the risk assessments carried out on his proposals for a Public Private Partnership for DERA.

(89201)

32
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the cost-benefit analyses carried out in connection with his proposal for a Public Private Partnership for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

(89202)

33
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposals for a Public Private Partnership for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on his smart procurement initiative; and if he will make a statement.

(89203)

34
N   Mr Robert Key (Salisbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is (a) the current asset value of and (b) the revenue stream derived in the last financial year from, the intellectual property rights of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.

(89204)

35
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has for his Department's houses in Leeming Village; and if he will make a statement.

(90085)

36
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the percentage of the total value of the Eurofighter which is to be manufactured in the United Kingdom.

(89928)

37
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what measures he is taking to ensure that all public buildings and facilities comply with the standards set out in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

(89209)

38
   Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the guidance issued since 1992 to local education authorities regarding the provision of, and funds for, safe play surfaces for (a) nursery schools and units, (b) infant and junior schools and (c) secondary schools.

(89964)

39
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published.

(89699)

40
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of the individual schools budget as a percentage of the value of the local schools budget; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant maintained schools in 1998-99.

(89739)

41
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of the schools components of its standard spending assessment for 1999-2000 as a percentage of the value of those components for 1998-99; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant maintained schools in 1998-99.

(89738)

42
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list the local education authorities which failed to meet the statutory deadlines (a) for notifying their fair-funding budget shares to schools and (b) for supplying to him details of their fair-funding schemes for 1999-2000, stating in each case the date by which the information was supplied.

(89700)

43
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the differences beween spending shown in local education authorities' section 52 statements and that shown in their section 122 statement for 1998-99 which are attributable to the existence of grant maintained schools.

(89745)

44
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the amount of special needs provision (a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire in terms of children with (i) moderate learning difficulties, (ii) severe learning difficulties and (iii) emotional and behavioural difficulties, in the most recent year for which figures are available.

(89744)

45
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of its individual schools budget for 1999-2000 as a percentage of the value of its Aggregate Schools Budget for 1998-99; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant maintained schools.

(89737)

46
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of its budget for strategic management in 1999-2000 as a percentage of that for management and administration in 1998-99; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant maintained schools in 1998-99.

(89740)

47
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, in respect of the New Deal for Lone Parents, how many (a) participants have been invited to interview, (b) interviews have been booked, (c) interviews have been attended by participants and (d) jobs have been attained.

(89706)

48
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he intends to answer parliamentary question 81262, a holding answer for which was given on 19th April.

(89741)

49
   Mr Tony Colman (Putney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress he has made with the possibility of using electronic equipment in the Greater London Authority elections.

(90057)

50
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to discourage parking on public footways; and if he will make a statement.

(89933)

51
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the costs to the water industry of complying with EU directives on environmental and water quality standards for the period 2000 to 2005.

(89445)

52
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress the Government has made in producing guidelines for water companies on alternative payment arrangements to water metering.

(89205)

53
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans the Government has to review water rates, with particular reference to help for pensioners.

(89206)

54
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will take steps to ensure long-term reductions in water charges to domestic consumers.

(89701)

55
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what measures his Department has taken to reduce the level of energy inefficiency in pensioner households.

(89440)

56
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published.

(89698)

57
   Mr Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what assessment he has made of the performance of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in meeting its targets over the past 12 months for the issue of driving licences.

(90062)

58
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans (a) he and (b) his Ministerial colleagues have to meet representatives of Friends of the Earth; and when the next such meeting is due to take place.

(89951)

59
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps he is taking to encourage the use of alternatives to HFCs in refrigeration; and if he will make a statement.

(89953)

60
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many refrigeration units are operating in his Department's buildings.

(89936)

61
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what percentage of the refrigerators inside his Department use HFCs as their refrigerant.

(89935)

62
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to designate wild boar as (a) vermin and (b) game; and if he will make a statement.

(89938)

63
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps he has taken to encourage the use of non-HFC refrigerants inside Government buildings; and if he will make a statement.

(90061)

64
   Mr John Horam (Orpington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will arrange for London Transport to disclose the terms regarding times, frequency and interchange arrangements sent to those invited to tender for any bus service.

(89942)

65
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received about applications to erect telecommunication masts in the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty.

(89867)

66
   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what timetable the Government has for the introduction of the direct high-speed access to the Channel Tunnel from York; and if he will make a statement.

(90084)

67
   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when construction work is scheduled to commence on the Lamberhurst Bypass in Kent.

(090078)

68
   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when detailed plans for the landscaping and design of the Lamberhurst Bypass will be published.

(90079)

69
   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, on which dates the last traffic surveys were carried out at the western end of the Pembury bypass on the A21 in Kent; and when the Government plans to carry out the next traffic survey at the western end of the Pembury bypass on the A21 in Kent.

(90080)

70
N   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    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 genetically-modified oil seed rape, when an application to release genetically-modified crops on East Lodge Farm, Stanton, Gloucestershire was made; and when the applicant was notified of the outcome.

(89747)

71
N   Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the cost to the local economy of his Department's traffic census on the M56 in May.

(89441)

72
N   Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he will bring into force the commencement order for the remand provisions associated with section 152(2)(b) of and Schedule 15 to the Housing Act 1996.

(89443)

73
N   Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what was the cost to his Department of the traffic census carried out on the M56 in May.

(89444)

74
   Derek Wyatt (Sittingbourne and Sheppey):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans his Department has to issue guidelines to local authorities regarding concessionary fares for children travelling to and from school in order to reduce the volume of school traffic at peak times.

(89918)

75
N   Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to limit the impact on pension funds of the abolition of the advance corporation tax dividend tax credits.

(88046)

76
N   Mr Peter Bottomley (Worthing West):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect on pensions of abolition of the advance corporation tax dividend tax credits.

(88047)

77
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, of the extra £40 billion allocated to health and education spending over the next three years in the 1999 budget and the Comprehensive Spending Review, how much has been allocated to specific programmes; and if he will give a breakdown of how the allocated funds will be spent.

(89528)

78
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published.

(89697)

79
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what percentage of the reduction in employers' national insurance contributions in compensation for the climate change levy will go to public sector bodies.

(89952)

80
   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 5th March, 15th April and 27th May with regard to Mrs M. Wilson from the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton.

(89958)

81
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on reducing the rate of VAT on sanitary products.

(89965)

82
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the amount of money invested in cash ISAs to date as a proportion of overall investment in ISAs.

[R] (89703)

83
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many investors have so far taken out mini or maxi ISA schemes who previously did not have (a) PEPs or (b) TESSAs.

[R] (89702)

84
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many different types of ISA are currently being marketed by ISA providers.

[R] (89705)

85
N   Mr Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the amount of money invested in life insurance ISAs to date as a proportion of overall investment in ISAs.

[R] (89704)

86
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what current length of time is taken to process and issue juvenile national insurance numbers.

(89875)

87
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the annual cost of the disabled person's tax credit is estimated to be in 2010.

(89874)

88
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) adult registrations and (b) juvenile registrations for National Insurance numbers are currently outstanding; and how long it will take to clear the outstanding juvenile registrations.

(89876)

89
N   Mr David Rendel (Newbury):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance he has issued to (a) Benefits Agency staff handling juvenile jobseekers allowance claims and (b) employers concerning the issuing of juvenile NI numbers.

(89877)

90
N   Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the effect on pensions of the abolition of the advance corporation tax dividend tax credits.

(88028)

91
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role the Government played in monitoring the recent elections in Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

(89207)

92
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what role the Government played in improving electoral administration in Indonesia.

(89208)

93
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published.

(89696)

94
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the costs to his Department of complying with the Working Time Directive in all foreign posts.

(89870)

95
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if all British embassies are applying the Working Time Directive.

(89871)

96
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the British embassies in which locally engaged staff are paid less than the UK national minimum wage.

(89872)

97
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the conditions of ethnic minorities in Burma.

(89937)

98
   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 15th March, 22nd April and 27th May, with regard to Mrs J. Otakoro, from the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton.

(89957)

99
   Mr Peter Bradley (The Wrekin):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the estimated additional cost to the NHS of the use of branded drugs to generic drugs on the NHS category D list for the periods (a) June 1998 and (b) June 1999, assuming average dispensing levels for such drugs.

(90054)

100
   Mr Peter Bradley (The Wrekin):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many drugs have appeared in the NHS category D list in each of the last six months; and what is the average number of drugs which have appeared in the list over the last 12 months.

(90052)

101
   Mr Peter Bradley (The Wrekin):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the cost differential between the branded and generic versions of the drugs which appeared in the most recent NHS category D list.

(90053)

102
N   Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many members, in each health authority area, of (a) the health authority and (b) the NHS trusts have declared a record of political activity in the (i) Labour, (ii) Liberal Democrat, (iii) Conservative and (iv) other political parties since 19th March.

(89840)

103
N   Mr Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which existing private finance initiative contracts in the National Health Service provide for the automatic transfer of assets back to his Department after the expiry of the contract or for his Department to have first right of refusal to buy back the units after the expiry of the contract; and if he will make a statement.

(89873)

104
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89691)

105
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for modernising the way in which the NHS handles clinical negligence claims.

(89920)

106
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to raise public awareness of toxic shock syndrome; and if he will make a statement.

(89966)

107
   Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the total cost to the NHS of the anti-depressants prescribed by doctors in England in 1998; and what proportion of this was attributable to SSRIs.

(90076)

108
   Dr Doug Naysmith (Bristol North West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what quantity of each individual (a) benzodiazepine and (b) anti-depressant was prescribed by doctors in England in 1998.

(90075)

109
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the dates since 1st July 1998 when the named veterinary surgeon appointed under section 7(5)(b) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 visited Harlan UK Ltd, indicating which visits were announced and which unannounced; and on which occasions he considered that the welfare of an animal gave cause for concern and so invoked the procedure laid down in section 7(b) of that Act.

(89533)

110
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the use of beagles in animal experimentation.

(89450)

111
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the findings of the recent British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection report into the Harlan UK in relation to alleged infringements of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

(89534)

112
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to end the practice whereby more animals are bred for research purposes than are used in experiments.

(89448)

113
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he requires research, breeding and supply establishments to keep full records detailing the numbers of research animals killed each year, and where such animals have had their (i) blood, (ii) tissue and (iii) organs sold.

(89455)

114
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many project licences issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedure) Act 1986 are currently in force at Harlan UK; and how many of these are classified as (a) mild, (b) moderate and (c) substantial severity.

(89532)

115
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will instigate an investigation into Harlan UK Ltd to establish whether infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have occurred.

(89535)

116
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it a requirement under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for establishments to keep full records of (i) the number of animals bred for research purposes and (ii) the number of such animals subsequently destroyed without being so used.

(89454)

117
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the dates since 1st July 1998 when his Department's Inspectorate has visited Harlan UK Ltd under section 18(2)(d) of the Animals (Scientific Proceedings) Act 1986, indicating which visits were announced and which unannounced; and what reports were made to him in accordance with section 18(2)(e) of that Act.

(89531)

118
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the death of two primates en route from Oxford University to Harlan UK Ltd.

(89449)

119
   Mr Roy Beggs (East Antrim):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the (a) consultancies, (b) companies and (c) project managers involved in the computerisaton and modernisation of (i) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (ii) the Passport Agency.

(89924)

120
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many young offenders received a caution plus in 1998-99 in each police authority area in England.

(89922)

121
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the average time accused young offenders spend between being charged by the police and first appearing in court in each police authority area in England.

(90051)

122
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89694)

123
   Mr Damian Green (Ashford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many refugees from (a) Bosnia and (b) Kosovo have arrived in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years.

(90049)

124
   Mr Nick Harvey (North Devon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress he has made in reviewing the future arrangements for the Family Court Welfare Officer Service; what plans he has to amalgamate their Service with that of the guardians ad litem; when such changes will be made; and if he will make a statement.

(90077)

125
N   Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when plans he has to introduce drug-testing kits for police to check people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs.

(89746)

126
   Mr Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 19th March, 22nd April and 27th May with regard to Mr Kochi Ahmed, husband of Mrs S. Khan, from the Right honourable Member for Manchester, Gorton.

(89959)

127
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the criteria which he is currently applying to decisions to extend expired passports for two years; and what plans he has to review these criteria.

(89866)

128
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the dates since 2nd May 1997 on which the Chief Executive of the Passport Agency submitted his quarterly reports to ministers.

(89865)

129
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the present members of the Passport Agency's Advisory Board.

(89863)

130
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the dates on which (a) the Passport Agency's Management Board and (b) the Passport Agency's Advisory Board have met since 2nd May 1997.

(89864)

131
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy during the present delays at the Passport Agency to waive or reimburse the £10 additional fee due from applicants in person; and if he will make a statement.

(89843)

132
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to allow in urgent cirumstances the two year extension of passports which include the names of children aged under 16 years; and if he will make a statement.

(89844)

133
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many unprocessed passport applications were outstanding at each office of the UK Passport Agency and in total at the end of the week beginning 27th June.

(89845)

134
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many telephone calls were made to the UK Passport Agency in June; and how many of those received the Agency's courtesy message.

(89846)

135
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the number of crimes involving Rohypnol in the last year; and what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to raise public awareness on this issue.

(89941)

136
N   Mr Ken Maginnis (Fermanagh and South Tyrone):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made by the Northumberland Police in identifying those involved in the attempted murder of Martin McGartland at Whitley Bay on 17th June; and if he will make a statement.

(89356)

137
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the proposed changes to the distribution mechanisms for civil defence grants.

(89960)

138
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he has responded to Shropshire County Council's letter of 18th June regarding the proposed distribution mechanism for civil defence grants; and if he will make a statement.

(88961)

139
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence received sentences of (a) custody, (b) community service and (c) probation; and in each case of what lengths, in each of the last 10 years.

(89267)

140
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people working with children have been (a) arrested for and (b) convicted of a criminal offence broken down by category of offences in each of the last 10 years.

(89266)

141
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will estimate the cost to public finds for each of the last 10 years of those people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence and who have received (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a suspended sentence, (c) community service, (d) a conditional discharge, (e) an absolute discharge, (f) a fine, (g) a probation sentence and (h) a police caution.

(89270)

142
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will estimate the cost to public funds for each of the last 10 years of those people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence and who have subsequently re-offended.

(89269)

143
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence have subsequently re-offended in each of the last 10 years.

(89268)

144
N   Mr Martin Salter (Reading West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence have received (a) a suspended sentence, listing the length of that suspension and the sentence, (b) a police caution, (c) a fine, and of what value, (d) an absolute discharge and (e) a conditional discharge in each of the last 10 years.

(89265)

145
   Angela Smith (Basildon):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the report of the review of principles, policies, and procedures relating to mothers and babies/children in prison will be published.

(90056)

146
N   Mr Graham Stringer (Manchester, Blackley):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the level of personation in (a) the 1999 European elections, (b) the 1997 general election and (c) the 1999 local elections.

(89442)

147
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the countries with which her Department held discussions in 1998 with regard to the use of child labour for making goods imported into the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

(89925)

148
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the conclusions of the conference at London Zoo on 29th to 30th June relating to overseas dependent territories on the importance for poor people of coral and mangrove ecosystems.

(89930)

149
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published.

(89685)

150
   Mr Paul Marsden (Shrewsbury and Atcham):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on what assistance the Government is giving to support a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan.

(90050)

151
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published.

(89695)

152
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if the Lord Chancellor will open meetings of the Advisory Council on Public Records to the public; and how many representations the Lord Chancellor has received on this matter since May 1997.

(90058)

153
   Mr John M. Taylor (Solihull):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will make a statement on the response of the Chairman of the Advisory Council on Public Records to June 1997 petition from the census historians seeking the right to inspect 50-year-old decennial censuses of population for England and Wales; and if he will list the honourable Members who have made representations to the Lord Chancellor on this matter.

(90059)

154
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published.

(89686)

155
   Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what are the age criteria for admission to specialised stroke units in each Southern Health Board general hospital which has such a unit.

(89949)

156
   Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which general hospitals sited within the boundaries of the Southern Health Board (a) have specialised stroke units and (b) do not have specialised stroke units; which of the latter have plans to establish such units; and what are the target dates.

(89947)

157
   Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to which units stroke clients (a) under 65 years of age and (b) 65 years of age and over, living within the boundaries of the Southern Health Board, are sent if there is no stroke unit available at a Southern Health Board general hospital.

(89950)

158
   Mr David Trimble (Upper Bann):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list the existing and planned specialised stroke units in Southern Health Board general hospitals which are established to treat stroke clients in (a) the acute phase, (b) the rehabilitation phase and (c) both phases.

(89948)

159
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the President of the Council, what is the forecast cost of the State Opening of Parliament in 1999.

(89927)

160
N   Norman Baker (Lewes):    To ask the Prime Minister, when he intends to answer parliamentary question 81450, a holding answer for which was given on 20th April.

(89742)

161
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Deputy Prime Minister's Oral Answer of 30th June, Official Report, column 339, what British police contribution has been provided for policing activities in Kosovo.

(89931)

162
   Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the oral Answer of 1st July, Official Report, columns 419-20, which is the lead ministerial department on Her Majesty's Government's policy on coral reef degradation.

(89963)

163
N   Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham):    To ask the Prime Minister, what plans he has to amend the Ministerial Code as recommended by the Committee on Standards and Privileges in its Eighth Report of Session 1998-99 (HC 807).

(89869)

164
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will publish an account of the official overseas visits made by the former Minister Without Portfolio during the time he held that office, listing the venue, the event, the number of officials accompanying him and the total cost of the visit to public funds.

(89841)

165
N   Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list all the overseas visits since December 1998 by honourable Members funded by the Government.

(89842)

166
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Prime Minister, what representations have been made on his behalf to Wycombe District Council about planning applications to erect telecommunication masts in the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty.

(89868)

167
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89684)

168
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the cost of the opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1st July.

(89926)

169
N   Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioners claiming income support in the Coventry South parliamentary constituency will benefit from (a) winter fuel payments and (b) the guaranteed minimum pensioner income.

(89456)

170
N   Ms Roseanna Cunningham (Perth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if school ancillary staff who were in term-time employment were entitled to claim jobseeker's allowance during the summer vacation of 1998; whether they are entitled to claim it during the summer vacation of 1999; if he will list the changes to jobseeker's allowance rules over the last 18 months which affect term-time employees; and if he will make a statement.

(89288)

171
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what percentage of households below half average income have any earnings; and what the (a) median and (b) mean amount of their earnings is.

(89530)

172
N   Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, of those households below half average income whose main source of income is welfare benefits, what proportion have income from earnings; and what is the (a) mean and (b) median amount of those earnings.

(89529)

173
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89689)

174
N   Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the administrative cost of the single gateway to benefits.

(88030)

175
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate the potential liability for compensation incurred by his Department from advice from (a) Benefits Agency offices to widows on changes to their SERPS entitlement and (b) the new hotline to advise people on Stakeholder pensions and other pension schemes.

(89707)

176
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list the matters within his Department's responsibility in respect of which it has had to pay out compensation to members of the public since May 1997.

(89708)

177
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how much compensation has been paid to people who have been underpaid benefits as a result of the NIRS2 computer breakdown.

(89709)

178
   Mr Bill Etherington (Sunderland North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the United Kingdom patents which have been (a) applied for and (b) granted since 18th May 1998 in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals.

(89932)

179
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Deparment, its agencies and non-deparmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89687)

180
   Mr David Kidney (Stafford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the potential for incorporating renewable energy sources in the rebuilding works in Kosovo.

(89919)

181
   Mr Tony McNulty (Harrow East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has for stimulating the availability of finance for SMEs through the regional venture capital funds element of the Enterprise Fund.

(89955)

182
   Mr Gordon Prentice (Pendle):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what assessment he has made of the growth of tele-conferencing in United Kingdom business; and if he will make a statement.

(89929)

183
N   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what assessment he has made of the arrangement for disabled access to Skenfrith Castle in Monmouthshire.

(89447)

184
N   Mr Huw Edwards (Monmouth):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what statutory responsibilities CADW has to ensure that ancient monuments in Wales are accessible to people with disabilities who need wheelchairs.

(89446)

185
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-department public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published.

(89683)

186
   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list the number of university and higher education entrants from each county in Wales in (a) 1998-99 and (b) 1999-2000; and if he will make a statement.

(89940)

187
N   Mr Andrew Hunter (Basingstoke):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the working of the Child Support Agency.

[Question Unstarred] (88021)

188
N   Mr Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what his Department is doing to help disabled people obtain jobs.

[Question Unstarred] (88025)

189
   Dr Vincent Cable (Twickenham):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will refund the vehicle excise duty of new car owners whose engine capacity exceeds 1.1 litres by 0.05 litres.

[Transferred] (89932)

190
   Mr Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he has agreed, with the relevant professionals, guidance on the conduct by corporate clients which they should regard as evidence of overseas tax evasion in cases where they are obliged to report suspicion thereof to the NICS.

[Transferred] (89921)