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Lindisfarne Gospels

Mr. Beith: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had about the displaying of the Lindisfarne Gospels in (a) Durham, (b) Newcastle and (c) Holy Island; and if he will make a statement. [115941]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 23 March 2000]: I very much welcome the work done by the British Library and Northumberland county council to enable the display of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the North East. Although primarily a matter for the two parties involved, I have taken a keen interest in this partnership and am pleased that they have reached an agreement which will allow the people of the North East to see the Gospels when they are loaned to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle later this year. Thanks to the British Library, the North East will also have a permanent digital copy of the Gospels using the Library's award winning "Turning the Pages" technology.

30 Mar 2000 : Column: 247W

Nuclear Weapons

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister when NATO will commence a review of its nuclear weapons policy. [116505]

The Prime Minister: At the Washington Summit in April 1999, the Alliance approved a revised Strategic Concept which set out NATO's political and military policy, including nuclear policy. All aspects of this policy are kept under regular review.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister how he has responded to the request from the United Nations Messenger of Peace, Michael Douglas, that he take the lead in promoting a new round of multilateral negotiations on nuclear weapons non-proliferation and disarmament. [116506]

The Prime Minister: When they met on 21 March, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs emphasised to Mr. Douglas our commitment to advancing the goal of nuclear disarmament and to reaching a successful outcome to the forthcoming Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Mr. Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a special representative to promote non- proliferation of nuclear weapons. [116504]

The Prime Minister: I have no plans to do so. We are unequivocally committed to nuclear non-proliferation, and to the goal of nuclear disarmament. This can be best achieved through the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), who has responsibility for non- proliferation issues, will represent the United Kingdom at the Review Conference of the Non-proliferation Treaty in New York from 24 April to 19 May.

Genetics

Mr. David Heath: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent discussions with President Clinton on the subject of the human genome project; [115656]

(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the United States on patent law with regard to genetic sequencing. [115659]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 27 March 2000]: On 14 March President Clinton and I agreed a joint statement on access to information produced by researchers into human genetics. Our statement recognised that research into human genetics offers enormous potential for new ways of understanding, treating and curing disease. It goes on to say:

To realise the full promise of this research, raw fundamental data on the human genome, including the human genome, including the DNA sequence and its variations, should be made freely available to scientists everywhere. Unencumbered access to this information will promote discoveries that will reduce the burden

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of disease, improve health around the world, and enhance the quality of life for all humankind. Intellectual property protection for gene-based inventions will also play an important role in stimulating the development of important new health care products.

Mr. David Heath: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what proposals he has to seek to amend the law relating to patents with regard to genetic sequencing; [115657]

(2) what recent discussions he has had with (a) other European Union Governments and (b) the European Commission on reform of patent law with regard to genetic sequencing. [115658]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 27 March 2000]: A European Directive on legal protection of biotechnological inventions which establishes rules for patents relating to gene sequences, has been adopted with the support of the United Kingdom and passed into European law in July 1998. It is due to be implemented in all member states including the United Kingdom by 30 July 2000. Implementation of the Directive will require amendment of the Patents Act 1977. An Order under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to make the required changes is being prepared. Comprehensive discussions with the European Commission and all Governments of our European Union partners over several years culminated and are reflected in the adoption of this Directive. No further discussions have taken place since the adoption of this Directive.

Lisbon Summit

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Prime Minister what the breakdown was of the cost of Cabinet Ministers' flights to the European summit in Lisbon. [116569]

The Prime Minister: A detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' visits overseas, and information on spend by all Ministers on travel overseas for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

Mr. Lansley: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many meetings Cabinet Ministers attended in their official capacity during the European summit in Lisbon; [116652]

(2) if he will publish the itineraries of the Cabinet Ministers attending the European Union summit in Lisbon. [116568]

The Prime Minister: Together with my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I attended a special meeting of the European Council from 22 to 24 March in Lisbon. The main purpose of the meeting was to agree measures to bring about comprehensive economic reform within the European Union. I refer the hon. Member to the Oral Statement I made on the outcome of the Council on 27 March 2000, Official Report, columns 21-23.

In addition, my right hon. Friends and I held meetings with EU counterparts and others during which a broad range of issues were discussed.

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SCOTLAND

Assisted Areas

Mr. Maclennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 29 February 2000, Official Report, column 260W, on Assisted Areas, if he will place in the Library the representations he has received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise about the Assisted Areas map proposals. [115782]

Dr. Reid [holding answer 21 March 2000]: Following the consultation on the Assisted Areas map carried out in 1998, all replies to that consultation were made available for inspection in the library of the Department of Trade and Industry, including the response from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I am arranging for copies of this response to be placed in the Library of the House.

Workplace Parking

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116770]

Dr. Reid: There are six car parking spaces available at buildings used and controlled by my Department.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Prime Minister's Summit

Dr. Naysmith: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Prime Minister's summit on the Government's strategy for agriculture. [117545]

Mr. Nick Brown: I have placed in Libraries of both Houses a paper outlining the Government's strategy for agriculture as discussed at the Prime Minister's summit today.

Departmental Contracts

Mr. Willis: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number and value of contracts let by his Department since May 1997 to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. [109455]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 10 February 2000]: From records held centrally, since May 1997, the Ministry has let 11 contracts to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. The total value of these contracts is £345,265 excluding VAT.

BSE

Mr. Todd: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if traces of agents thought to be sources of BSE have been found in meat imported into the United Kingdom since 1996. [115092]

Ms Quin: No test has been validated for the purpose of detecting the BSE agent in meat.

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Over-30-months Scheme

Mr. Cotter: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is taking to reduce the backlog in payments due under the over-30-months scheme. [116012]

Ms Quin: Compensation payments under the over-30-months slaughter scheme (OTMS) are usually made within the Intervention Board's published target of 21 days. However, in the run-up to the extended Millennium break demand for the scheme reached the highest level since 1996, typically 20-25 per cent. above forecasts. This unexpected surge led to some payments being made outside target.

I am pleased to report, however, that since the end of February all payments have been made within the target.

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