Order Book Part 1

House of Commons

Session 1998-98
Publications on the internet
The Order Book

Part 1: Written Questions for Answer on Wednesday 21 July 1999

Here you can browse the Written Questions for answer on Wednesday 21 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.

WEDNESDAY 21st JULY

1
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what powers he has to invoke Article 36 of the Treaty of Rome to restrict the importation of pig meat; and if he will make a statement.

(92429)

2
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what action he proposes to take to counter the rise in TB in dairy herds.

(92432)

3
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make it his policy that each British embassy in each EU member country has an agricultural attache«.

(92433)

4
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make it his policy not to increase the number of lay holdings over 10 hectares owned by corporate bodies.

(92430)

5
   Sir Richard Body (Boston and Skegness):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will pay 80 per cent. of the beef premium on the first instalment.

(92431)

6
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will amend the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 in order to allow non-vets to carry out acupuncture and homeopathy on animals.

(91992)

7
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will make a statement on the means by which he will introduce pet passports.

(91996)

8
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what assessment he has made of the relative prices for farm medicines in the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic; and if will make a statement.

(91994)

9
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has received about the cost of farm medicines; and if he will make a statement.

(91993)

10
N   Mr David Drew (Stroud):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he plans to end the system of quarantine for animals arriving in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

(91995)

11
   Mr James Paice (South East Cambridgeshire):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what representations he has made to the EU Commission to allow the export of (a) breeding cattle, (b) bovine semen, (c) bovine embryos and (d) breeding sheep.

(92399)

12
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what plans SCIMAC has to review their guidelines for separation distances between GM and non-GM crops; and if he will make a statement.

(92395)

13
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury regarding an exemption for protected horticulture from the proposed climate change levy.

(92299)

14
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate his Department has made of the effect of the proposed climate change levy on protected horticulture; and if he will make a statement.

(92298)

15
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on what dates his Department asked the United States Government to comment on the recent reports of the presence of BSE in the USA; to which United States department these requests were addresssed; and on what dates the United States Government replied.

(92250)

16
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will publish before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft concordat between the Department of Agriculture and the National Assembly for Wales.

(92331)

17
N   Mr Vernon Coaker (Gedling):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what measures he is taking to make Government departments more accessible to schools and members of the public, with particular reference to open days.

(90890)

18
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has met ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1st January 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting and the names of the Irish ministers and officials at each meeting.

(92271)

19
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what meetings the former Minister without Portofolio held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visit in January 1998 to Florida and Washington; and if he will list the date and location of each meeting and the names of the United States officials who took part in each meeting.

(92285)

20
   Ms Candy Atherton (Falmouth and Camborne):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, where the petition handed in to the Government by United Christian Broadcasters in 1990 is now kept.

(92265)

21
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what meetings the previous Parliamentary Under Secretary, the honourable Member for Coatbridge and Chryston, held with officials of the United States Government during his visit in January 1998 to Los Angeles; and if he will list the date of, location of, and names of departments of the US officials who took part in each meeting.

(92267)

22
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many United Kingdom service personnel have been disabled in the course of their duties in Bosnia during the last three years; and what percentage of these have been found alternative work within the armed forces.

(92215)

23
N   Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many United Kingdom service personnel have been killed in Bosnia in the last three years.

(92214)

24
   Mr Michael Colvin (Romsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what are his plans for the future of RAF Scampton.

(92468)

25
   Mr Jim Cousins (Newcastle upon Tyne Central):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Buckingham of 15th July, Official Report, column 286, on weapons exports, from which section of the defence budget the costs are to be met; what is the size and timing of the expenditure involved; and by what means Parliament will be informed of the expenditure after it has been incurred.

(92423)

26
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what physical constraints would prevent Portsmouth Naval Base becoming the home base port for the two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy if their overall weight displacement was over 46,000 tons.

(92422)

27
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the (i) name, (ii) length, (iii) weight, (iv) type, and (v) displacement of the largest ship to have docked at the (a) Portsmouth Naval Base and Dockyards, (b) Rosyth Dockyard and (c) Devonport Dockyard; and if he will make statement.

(92372)

28
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, by what criteria the Government will decide what proportion of the costs incurred by the British armed forces (a) during the air campaign over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and (b) as part of the contribution to KFOR, will be met from the Treasury Contingency Reserve and what proportion from his Department's budget; and if he will make a statement.

(92295)

29
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which United Kingdom shipbuilders have facilities to build an aircraft carrier with a displacement in excess of 45,000 tons.

(92400)

30
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what applications his Department has made to the Treasury Contingency Reserve for funds in each year since 1989; how much was requested; how much was received; and if he will make a statment.

(92283)

31
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contracts exist with suppliers outside the United Kingdom for the replacement of ordnance and ammunition expended in operations by the British armed forces; which companies service those contracts, and for which items; and if he will make a statement.

(92284)

32
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what options have been considered for aircraft types to operate from the two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy.

(92420)

33
   Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the proposed (a) displaced weight and (b) overall length of the two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy.

(92421)

34
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what design changes were made to the FADEC software for RAF Chinook MK2 after May 1994; and what was the cost to his Department of this work.

(92329)

35
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 13th July, Official Report, column 96, on Chinook helicopters, what was the cost to his Department of the redesign changes incorporated in the FADEC software by Textron Lycoming between 1989 and June 1994.

(92323)

36
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13th July, Official Report, column 96, on Chinook helicopters, if the redesign changes incorporated in the FADEC software undertaken by Textron Lycoming between 1989 and June 1994 were covered by warranty.

(92324)

37
   Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many representations he has received since 1st May, requesting that he re-open the inquiry into the loss of the RAF Chinook on the Mull of Kintyre.

(92330)

38
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff from the United States Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board have been stationed at the Atomic Weapons Establishment as part of an exchange of staff since 1st January 1997.

(92257)

39
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with which organisation within the United States Department of Defense his Department is holding discussions to obtain replacements of stocks of Tomahawk missiles used in the Kosovo theatre; on what date these discussions began; and when his Department expects to conclude these discussions.

(92254)

40
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the collaboration between the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the United States Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board; and if he will list the co-operative agreements between the Atomic Weapons Establishment and the United States Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board which have been in existence since 1st January 1990, indicating when each agreement was made.

(92258)

41
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff from the Atomic Weapons Establishment have been stationed at the United States Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board as part of an exchange of staff since 1st January 1997.

(92256)

42
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many times members of staff from the Atomic Weapons Establishment have visited the United States Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board since 1st January 1997; on what dates each visit took place; and what was the purpose of each visit.

(92255)

43
   Mr Alan Williams (Swansea West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what analysis has been undertaken of the effectiveness of the Apache helicopter since the Kosovo campaign.

(92477)

44
   Mr Alan Williams (Swansea West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Apache helicopters are (a) in service and (b) on order for the RAF.

(92494)

45
   Mr Alan Williams (Swansea West):    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to be able to provide a figure for the number of Serbian tanks destroyed in Kosovo.

(92493)

46
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what research he has commissioned on the impact of staff recruitment and retention in sixth form colleges of the salary differentials between the further education and secondary school sectors.

(91818)

47
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what monitoring his Department undertakes of the flows of teaching staff between sixth form colleges and secondary schools; and if he will publish the available data for each of the last five years.

(91819)

48
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what assessment he has made of the likely impact on staff recruitment and retention in sixth form colleges of the current proposals to reform the salary structure in primary and secondary schools.

(91815)

49
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many schools in the Bolton area were damaged by (a) vandalism and (b) arson during each of the last five years; what was the cost to the education authority of this damage; and if he will make a statement.

(92287)

50
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many teachers joined the profession in state schools in each of the last five years; how many left; and if he will make a statement.

(92288)

51
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many students are currently taking engineering courses at universities in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

(92289)

52
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many people aged 40 years and over have trained since 1994 to become teachers and are now employed in state schools; and if he will make a statement.

(92290)

53
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his Answer of 28th June, Official Report, columns 56-8 on education initiatives, if he will list for each initiative, the amount spent by his Department on external consultants and advisers.

(91820)

54
   Mr Paul Keetch (Hereford):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many disabled people have found work as a result of (a) the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds, (b) the New Deal for lone parents and (c) the New Deal for over 50 years olds in each claimant area to date.

(92266)

55
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will publish, before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft concordat between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales.

(92332)

56
   Mr David Amess (Southend West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received on the use of (a) trains and (b) monorail systems in London.

(92475)

57
   Mr David Amess (Southend West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many local authority dwellings were sold under the right to buy scheme in 1998-99.

(92476)

58
   Mr David Amess (Southend West):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what representations he has received on the more effective use of the River Thames for commuters and freight.

(92474)

59
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which persons acted as independent assessors in the sift and interview of candidates for appointment to the Board of the North West Development Agency.

(91473)

60
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate has been made of the freehold value of English Partnerships' offices in Cockermouth on the basis of English Partnerships remaining as a tenant.

(91472)

61
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what potential conflicts of interest were taken into account when appointments were made to the Board of the North West Development Agency.

(91474)

62
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the ownership of the freehold of the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships will be vested in the North West Development Agency.

(91456)

63
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which organisation will receive the moneys raised from the sale of English Partnerships' offices at Homewood in Cockermouth.

(91457)

64
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 6th July Official Report, column 447, what estimate has been made of the letting value of the English Partnerships offices in Cockermouth.

(91458)

65
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if all offices to be occupied by the North West Development Agency have or are to have BREAM ratings.

(91459)

66
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what were the annual (a) office-related costs and (b) total of salaries and estate-related costs for the English Partnerships offices in Cockermouth for each of the last two years.

(91460)

67
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list English Partnerships property portfolio in Cumbria.

(91461)

68
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the names of individuals and other bodies who nominated persons to the Board of North West Regional Development Agency.

(91470)

69
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what has been the budget for English Partnerships in the North West of England in each year since 1994; and what are the proposed budgets for the next three years.

(91462)

70
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will establish an independent inquiry into the change in the costs of mileage allowances arising from the transfer of English Partnerships' offices from Cockermouth to Penrith.

(91463)

71
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will instruct the North West Development Agency to carry out an internal inquiry into the change in the costs of mileage allowances arising out of the transfer of English Partnership offices from Cockermouth to Penrith.

(91464)

72
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what guidance has been provided to members of development agencies as to circumstances in which conflict of interest might exist and the action which should be taken when such guidance is ignored.

(91465)

73
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 6th July, Official Report, column 449, what estimate has been made of the additional costs of relocating English Partnerships' offices from Cockermouth to Penrith in (a) this and (b) the next financial year.

(91466)

74
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish (a) the information concerning the tranfer of staff from the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships' offices to Penrith which was taken into account when the value for money aspects of the move were considered by the North West Development Agency and (b) the report into the value for money aspects of the move which was considered by the Agency prior to the decision being taken.

(91467)

75
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if the report into the value for money aspects of the move from Cockermouth to Penrith by English Partnerships was made available to the two members of the Development Agency from Cumbria prior to the decision being (a) taken and (b) announced.

(91468)

76
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, in what journals a general advertisement was placed seeking nominations to the Board of North West Regional Development Agency

(91469)

77
N   Mr Dale Campbell-Savours (Workington):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the location is of the office in his Department which held the data relating to nominations to the Board of the North West Development Agency.

(91471)

78
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the changes to procedures adopted by his Department and its agencies following the Government's signing of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Environmental Information.

(91817)

79
N   Mr David Chaytor (Bury North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to ratify the Aarhus Convention on Access to Environmental Information; and if he will make a statement.

(91816)

80
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many London borough councils run emission tests of motor vehicles travelling within their borough.

(92242)

81
   Mr Michael Jabez Foster (Hastings and Rye):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what progress has been made on the Access to Hastings Study announced by his Department in July 1998; what the terms of reference are for (a) the study and (b) the steering group for the study; if the proposed steering group will have an agreed constitution or rules of operation; if the steering group will have autonomy in controlling the study, and what reserve powers his Department will have; if his Department will have a power of veto over the steering group's decisions; and what timetable is envisaged for completion of the report and his Department's decision upon it.

(92294)

82
   Mr Michael Jabez Foster (Hastings and Rye):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what legal obstacles there are to visits by himself or his ministerial colleagues to Hastings to examine the adequacy of its roads infrastructure.

(92293)

83
   Mr Michael Jabez Foster (Hastings and Rye):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he or one of his ministerial colleagues responsible for roads will visit Hastings to examine the adequacy of its road infrastructure.

(92292)

84
N   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who have been driving regularly in the United Kingdom with non-UK driving licences in each of the last five years.

(92023)

85
N   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many and what proportion of road accidents have involved people driving with non-United Kingdom driving licences in each of the last five years.

(92022)

86
N   Mr Brian Jenkins (Tamworth):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many non-United Kingdom passport holders have made an application to take a UK driving test in each of the last five years.

(92024)

87
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on the progress of his Safer Stations Policy in London.

(92402)

88
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what new railway agencies were introduced in London during (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.

(92401)

89
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of people who travelled by bus in London in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.

(92427)

90
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many affordable houses to rent were developed in each London borough in 1998; and if he will make a statement.

(92428)

91
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the Millennium pier at the Dome site will be ready for river boat services.

(92403)

92
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of passenger miles undertaken by London Transport bus services in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99; and if he will make a statement.

(92426)

93
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement on progress in improving accessibility to public transport for people with disabilities in London.

(92404)

94
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many councillors were elected in 1998 for each London borough, broken down by gender and ethnicity.

(92397)

95
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what estimate he has made of the number of passengers using rail transport (a) to commute into London and (b) to travel around London in (i) 1995-96, (ii) 1996-97, (iii) 1996-98 and (iv) 1998-99.

(92398)

96
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Answer of 24th June, Official Report, column 440, on what dates special advisers from his Department travelled to the United States of America on official business; and how many meetings each special adviser held with members and officials of the United States government during each visit to the United States of America, indicating (a) the date and location of each meeting, (b) the names of the special advisers and members and officials of the United States government at each meeting and (c) the name of the United States departments to which they belong.

(92252)

97
N   Mr Stephen Twigg (Enfield, Southgate):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discussions he has had with London Underground regarding service (a) on the Piccadilly Line and (b) at Arnos Grove Station.

(91444)

98
   Mr Bob Blizzard (Waveney):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the regulation of mortgages.

(92362)

99
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the tax revenue raised from tobacco products in 1998.

(92240)

100
   Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) weekly and (b) monthly paid people in the United Kingdom, are estimated to earn in excess of (a) £20,000 (b) £25,000 and (c) £50,000 per annum.

(92286)

101
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will list the sums paid to the Exchequer by political parties reimbursing the Government for the cost of services supplied by special advisers to backbenchers of the governing party (a) from 1st May 1987 to 1st May 1997 and (b) since 1st May 1997.

(92074)

102
N   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to extend the first round of Invest to Save pilot projects.

(90884)

103
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish, before the summer adjourment, the most recent draft of the concordat between the Treasury and the national Assembly for Wales.

(92327)

104
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will publish for each year from 1990 the numbers of (a) maternities and (b) sets of twins, triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, sextuplets and septuplets born in England and Wales.

(92262)

105
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the Palestinian Authority in developing its economy.

(92239)

106
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the trial in the Yemen of British citizens.

(92241)

107
N   Mr Colin Pickthall (West Lancashire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what actions he is taking to assist the Saharawi refugees to return home.

(91903)

108
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many times ministers in his Department held meetings with ministers and officials of the Irish Government between 1st January 1998 and 31st December 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the ministers involved and the Irish ministers and officials at each meeting.

(92273)

109
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many patents have been registered by (a) his Department and (b) the Government Communications Headquarters since 1st January 1990.

(92253)

110
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish, before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft of the concordats between his Department and the National Assembly Wales.

(92326)

111
   Mr Colin Breed (South East Cornwall):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will intervene to prevent the cleft palate unit at Derriford Hospital being closed; and if he will make a statement.

(92296)

112
   Tom Cox (Tooting):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many pensioners living in the Tooting parliamentary constituency are able to obtain free eye tests; and if he will make a statement.

(92238)

113
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were waiting for treatment in Barnet Health Authority area in (a) May 1997, (b) May 1998 and (c) May 1999.

(92368)

114
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, since May 1997 how much money has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority to tackle (a) waiting lists and (b) winter pressures.

(92369)

115
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when NHS direct will be made available to people living in Hendon.

(92363)

116
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what special allocations and assistance funding has been given to Barnet Health Authority since May 1997; and on what it has been spent.

(92364)

117
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what was the average length of wait for hospital treatment in Barnet Health Authority area in (a) May 1997, (b) May 1998 and (c) May 1999.

(92367)

118
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, since May 1997, how much funding in addition to original expenditure plans has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority for additional cancer treatments; and on what the money has been (a) spent and (b) allocated.

(92415)

119
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding in addition to original expenditure plans has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority since May 1997 for its core work.

(92417)

120
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding in addition to original expenditure plans has been allocated to mental health services in Barnet Health Authority area since May 1997; and on what the money has been (a) spent and (b) allocated.

(92418)

121
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority from the modernisation fund; and on what the money has been spent.

(92366)

122
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding, in addition to original expenditure plans, has been allocated for capital projects in Barnet Health Authority since May 1997; and on what the money has been (a) spent and (b) allocated.

(92416)

123
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much funding, in addition to original expenditure plans, has been given to (a) Barnet Health Authority and (b) Barnet Council to improve continuing and community care since May 1997; and for what purposes the money has been allocated.

(92419)

124
   Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people failed to attend appointments arranged for acute treatment at Barnet Hospital in 1998-99.

(92365)

125
   Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 16th July, Official Report, column 362, on primary care groups (management allowances), when he expects the information requested to be available centrally.

(92394)

126
   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made on the National Beds Inquiry, announced on 30th September 1998; what is the remit; what evidence has been heard; and when he intends to publish the results.

(92263)

127
   Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list by NHS region the number of beds available at (a) 30th September 1997, (b) 30th September 1998 and (c) currently.

(92264)

128
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what initiatives he has announced to enhance the care and treatment of children.

(92439)

129
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his estimate of the number of male and female nurses in training.

(92435)

130
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many visits he has made to National Health Service hospitals since May 1997; and if he will make a statement.

(92437)

131
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been recruited to take part in the AD 2000 trial based at the Clinical Trials Unit University of Birmingham; what the target number of participants is; and when he expects the trial to be completed.

(92434)

132
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will establish a statutory scheme for registration of operating department practitioners; and if he will make a statement.

(92440)

133
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the average salary of (a) male and (b) female nurses.

(92436)

134
   Mr Barry Jones (Alyn and Deeside):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his estimate of the number of (a) professional and (b) ancillary staff employed in the National Health Service.

(92438)

135
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients were given myelography with myodil between 1971 and 1987; and of those how many subsequently developed arachnoiditis.

(92472)

136
   Sir Nicholas Lyell (North East Bedfordshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many junior doctors' posts in the (a) Bedford, (b) Luton and Dunstable Hospital, (c) North Herfordshire, (d) Addenbrookes and (e) Milton Keynes General NHS trusts do not comply with the working hours laid down in NHS Circular 1998/240; and if he will make a statement.

(92291)

137
N   Shona McIsaac (Cleethorpes):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has to tackle the problem of the misuse of prescribed methadone.

(90893)

138
   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospitals in the NHS have no (a) piped oxygen facilities and (b) air conditioning or temperature control in their acute wards.

(92371)

139
   Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many acute care hospitals in the NHS have (a) dual sex wards and (b) shared toilet facilities.

(92370)

140
   Mr Chris Pond (Gravesham):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the health implications of the siting of mobile phone transmitter masts.

(92361)

141
   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with national representatives of trading standards officers about implementation of the proposed Draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations 1999.

[R] (92249)

142
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will publish, before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft concordat between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales.

(92333)

143
N   Mrs Ann Winterton (Congleton):    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he proposes to set targets for the reduction in waiting times for drug treatment services.

(90899)

144
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what percentage of the Merseyside Police Authority revenue budget was spent on civilian support staff in the last year for which figures are available.

(92260)

145
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women left the police service before reaching normal retirement age in each of the last five years; what were the reasons for their early retirement; if he will list the number and reasons for women's early retirement in Merseyside Police; and what initiatives he has to retain in and recruit women to the police service.

(92259)

146
   Mrs Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the crime reduction and community involvement programme, Operation Arrow, in the South Sefton district of the Merseyside Police Authority; and if he will make a statement.

(92261)

147
N   Mr David Lidington (Aylesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the (a) objectives and (b) progress of the planned re-location of Home Office headquarters from Queen Anne's Gate.

(92195)

148
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under what circumstances police may make public a defendant's prior convictions in cases where anonymity has been granted in a criminal trial.

(92109)

149
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the membership of the National Co-ordination Committee for the 1997 European Year Against Racism; what reports he has received on the Committee's work; and if he will place copies in the Library.

(91536)

150
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the principal functions of the Community Relations Unit and set out its priorities for 1999 and 2000.

(91535)

151
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the purpose of the concession to immigration rules in respect of the one year rule and women suffering domestic violence.

(92471)

152
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to monitor the impact of the concession to immigration rules on domestic violence and the one year rule.

(92470)

153
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to review the concession to immigration rules in respect of the one year rule and domestic violence.

(92467)

154
   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with the Magistrates' Association about implementation of the proposed Draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations 1999.

[R] (92247)

155
   Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions he has had with national representatives of trading standards officers about implementation of the proposed Draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations 1999.

[R] (92248)

156
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will review the decision to close the Bargoed Fire Station.

(92243)

157
   Mr Ted Rowlands (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what evidence he received about the possible time it would take for a fire appliance to reach New Tredegar from the Cefn Forest Fire Station, during his consideration of the proposed closure of the Bargoed Fire Station.

(92245)

158
   Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people in London have been charged with offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 following incidents at London clubs.

(92396)

159
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) British passports and (b) visitor's permits have been issued to (i) male and (ii) female Albanians in each of the last two years; what estimate he has made of the number of Albanians who are in this country illegally; and if he will make a statement.

(92217)

160
N   David Taylor (North West Leicestershire):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are the terms of reference given to the inquiry into procedures at Harlan UK's breeding establishment in North West Leicestershire; how many inspectors are engaged in the inquiry; and what is its planned timescale.

(91814)

161
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many meetings he held with (a) officials in the United States Department of Justice and (b) the Baltimore police department during his visit to the United States of America between 4th and 6th February 1998; and if he will list the date of each meeting, the location of each meeting and the names of the United States officials who took part in each meeting.

(92282)

162
N   Mr Harry Barnes (North East Derbyshire):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she has resumed sending aid to Zanzibar.

(91859)

163
N   Dr Jenny Tonge (Richmond Park):    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, by what criteria the Government will decide what proportion of the costs incurred by her Department during the Kosovo crisis between and including March and July will be met from Treasury Contingency Reserve and what proportion from her Department's budget; and if she will make a statement.

(92230)

164
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will list the dates of judicial appointments in Northern Ireland since 1969, in each case describing the perceived community origin of the appointee.

(91539)

165
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, on how many occasions and on what dates since 1969 his Department has reviewed the method of judicial appointments in Northern Ireland; and what steps have been taken to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of religion or community origin.

(91537)

166
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, if he will estimate the overall composition of the judiciary in Northern Ireland according to (a) perceived community origin, (b) gender and (c) age.

(91538)

167
   Mr Eddie McGrady (South Down):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, following the Judicial Review, in respect of D5's planning application for a shopping development at Sydenham on the Belfast Harbour estate, what plans she has for an investigation into (a) this matter and (b) other planning cases where misleading information may have been given to the Minister for the Environment in advance of a decision.

(92297)

168
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will publish the guidelines, procedures and rules governing the town centre CCTV challenge competition; what criteria will be used to make financial allocations; and if the scheme is subject to policy appraisal fair treatment guidelines.

(91531)

169
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what measures she has taken to ensure that victims of sectarian crimes of violence and their relatives are consulted and encouraged to become involved in local partnerships receiving funding through town centre CCTV challenge competitions.

(91530)

170
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what studies her Department has commissioned on the age, gender and social and economic profile of the perpetrators of sectarian assaults.

(91534)

171
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what rules govern the use of recordings made as a result of town centre CCTV cameras; and what safeguards are available to protect against (a) the unauthorised use of a recording and (b) the abuse of an authorised use.

(91533)

172
N   Mr Kevin McNamara (Kingston upon Hull North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will require the Police Authority to make public police objections to partnerships seeking funding through the town centre CCTV challenge competition; at what level of command the decision to make an objection must be taken; and what body will assess in the first instance that an objection meets the requirement of reasonableness.

(91532)

173
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list for the week ended (a) Saturday 3rd July, (b) Saturday 10th July and (c) Saturday 17th July the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups.

(92424)

174
   Mr William Ross (East Londonderry):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will list for the week ended (a) Saturday 3rd July, (b) Saturday 10th July and (c) Saturday 17th July the number of (1) punishment beatings and (2) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups.

(92425)

175
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many times ministers in her Department held meetings with ministers and officials of the Irish Government between 1st January 1998 and 31st December 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the ministers involved and the names of the Irish ministers and officials at each meeting.

(92268)

176
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many times ministers in her Department held meetings with ministers and officials of the United States Government between 1st May 1997 and 1st January 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the ministers involved and the US representatives at each meeting.

(92269)

177
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the President of the Council, how many orders in council have been made since 1st January 1998.

(92244)

178
N   Mr Don Foster (Bath):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 6th July, Official Report, column 433, on special advisers, if he will set out the terms of the similar arrangements which applied under previous administrations as they relate to briefing honourable Members of the party in government.

(91858)

179
N   Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle):    To ask the Prime Minister, if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 21st July.

(91813)

180
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Answer of 25th June, Official Report, column 480, on United States visits by his Policy Unit, how many meetings each member held with members and officials of the United States Government on each visit, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Policy Unit members involved and the names of the United States ministers and officials at each meeting.

(92302)

181
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Prime Minister, on how many occasions members of his policy unit have visited the Republic of Ireland on official business since 1st May 1997, indicating the name of the member and the dates of travel in each case.

(92272)

182
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Prime Minister, how many times he has held meetings with ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1st January 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting and the names of the Irish ministers and officials at each meeting.

(92270)

183
   Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will make a statement on the impact of the New Deal on the incomes of lone parents who have been helped into work.

(92473)

184
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assessment he has made of the feasibility of reclaiming public funds from liable relatives in instances where such support may be given to those subject to the concession in the immigration rules in respect of domestic violence and the one year rule.

(92469)

185
   Ms Margaret Moran (Luton South):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will provide public funds for those eligible under the concession to immigration rules in respect of domestic violence and the one year rule.

(92466)

186
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioners have so far received £10 compensation as a result of NIRS2 problems; and how many are still due to receive payment.

(92194)

187
N   Mr David Willetts (Havant):    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many pensioners have suffered unreasonable delays in receiving contributory benefits as a result of NIRS2 problems.

(92193)

188
   Mr Matthew Taylor (Truro and St Austell):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the Minister for Science has completed his examination of the growth of biotechnology clusters announced on 16th April; and if he plans to publish the report of the findings.

(92246)

189
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will publish, before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft of the concordats between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales.

(92325)

190
N   Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when the Government plans to issue the concordats for the National Assembly for Wales; and if he will make a statement.

(90897)

191
   Mr Dafydd Wigley (Caernarfon):    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will publish, before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft concordat between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales.

(92328)

192
N   Helen Jackson (Sheffield, Hillsborough):    To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he is making in developing family-friendly employment policies within Government departments; and if he will make a statement.

[Question Unstarred] (90875)

193
N   Mr Anthony Steen (Totnes):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will instruct the Immigration Appellant Authority to send an explanatory statement to Mr Wright of Holne, near Buckfastleigh, Devon, in relation to its decision of 2nd December 1998 to refuse a visa to his wife Mrs Miranda Musraj (Wright); and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (92216)

194
   Mr Peter Viggers (Gosport):    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make representations to the French Government about its extensions to the season for shooting songbirds.

[Transferred] (92414)

195
   Dr Ian Gibson (Norwich North):    To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans he has to introduce restrictions on the use of genetic testing by employers; and if he will make a statement.

[Transferred] (92251)