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Low Flying Aircraft

Mr. Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review procedures for the regulation of

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low-flying aircraft following the report of the UK Airprox Board into incidents over Northumberland in October 1999. [135126]

Dr. Moonie: As the third UK Airprox Board report makes clear, the military low flying adviser to the Board briefed members on a number of trial measures, agreed between military and civil bodies, following three Airprox involving military aircraft over Northumberland in October 1999. These measures aim to enhance flight safety in this area, minimise the risk of recurrence, and will be reviewed towards the end of the year.

Army Base, Pirbright

Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Army base at Pirbright. [134419]

Mr. Spellar [holding answer 26 October 2000]: The Army base at Pirbright comprises an Army Training Regiment (ATR), a Recruit Selection Centre (RSC) and a Regular Army Battalion. Although we are currently undertaking several Army-wide reviews, there are currently no plans to dispose of the site.

PRIME MINISTER

Annual Report

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Prime Minister (1) pursuant to his answer of 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 809W, on the Common Agricultural Policy, when he was first informed of the drafting errors on page 15 of the Government's Annual Report; what steps he is taking to publish a correction; and when the errors were corrected on the Government's website; [134067]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 23 October 2000]: Several factual errors occurred in this year's Annual Report 1999-2000, all of which were the result of oversights in the drafting and editorial process. The errors are as follows:

p3, column 1, para 6:


should read:


p7, column 1, para 1:


should read:


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should read:


p37, caption with map:


should read:


p47, column 1, para 4:


should read:


All these errors have been corrected in the internet version of the Report; and an erratum slip included with the printed version wherever possible, including in the bound version held by the House.

Medical Treatment

(Withholding and Withdrawal)

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Prime Minister from whom he has received representations on the legality of the British Medical Association's guidelines for the withholding and withdrawal of treatment. [134465]

The Prime Minister: As far as I am aware I have not received any representations on this issue.

Euro

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister what factors other than economic ones he would take into account in deciding whether to support the replacement of the pound by the single European currency. [135003]

The Prime Minister: The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on joining the single currency is whether the economic case for UK joining is clear and unambiguous.

Engagements

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list his official engagements on 17 September; [135018]

The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence represented the Government at the Battle of Britain Memorial Service in Westminster Abbey. I paid my respects at a private church service with my family. I had no public engagements.

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Summer Adjournment (Recall)

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he received from hon. Members during the summer adjournment calling for a recall of Parliament because of the fuel crisis. [134571]

The Prime Minister: In accordance with convention, correspondence received by Departments from hon. Members is treated in confidence.

EU Employment Directive

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received alleging that there was a threat to religious freedom posed by the EU directive on employment agreed between the Governments of the EU on 17 October. [135065]

The Prime Minister: The information is not held in the form requested.

Iraq Hijack

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will hold discussions with the Iraqi Government concerning the recent hijack of an aircraft in Iraq. [135706]

The Prime Minister: The Government welcome the peaceful resolution of the recent hijacking of a Saudi Arabian aircraft and the safe return of all British citizens to the UK. We have no plans to hold discussions with the Iraqi Government on this subject.

WALES

GDP

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his calculation is of the percentage contribution made in the current financial year by each industry and service to the gross domestic product of Wales after deduction of the subsidies paid from UK Government and European sources. [134498]

Mr. Paul Murphy: No estimates have been made for the current year. In 1997, the most recent year for which figures are available, the contribution to GDP of each major sector was as set out in the table:

SectorPercentage of GDP
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing1.8
Mining and quarrying, including oil and gas extraction0.2
Other mining and quarrying0.3
Manufacturing27.3
Electricity, gas, and water supply2.2
Construction5.3
Wholesale and retail trade10.2
Hotels and restaurants3.4
Transport and communication6.0
Financial intermediation3.5
Real estate, renting and business activities14.2
Public administration and defence6.2
Education6.0
Health and social work8.6
Other services4.7

There are no readily available estimates of direct subsidies across all sectors.

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Ministerial Visits

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times he visited for official engagements the counties of (a) Gwynedd, (b) Ynys Mon, (c) Conwy, (d) Denbigh, (e) Flint, (f) Wrexham, (g) Powys, (h) Ceredigion, (i) Carmarthenshire and (j) Pembroke, between 1 August and 30 September. [135805]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Between 1 August and 30 September 2000 the Secretary of State for Wales made visits to Conwy, Denbigh and Pembroke.

Over the same period the Under-Secretary visited Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Carmarthenshire.

National Assembly Legislation

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the legislation enacted during the present session which has made specific provisions for Wales arising from representations made by the National Assembly for Wales. [135742]

Mr. Paul Murphy: I take very seriously my duty to consult the National Assembly on the Government's legislative programme. In addition to formal participation in an Assembly plenary session each year, this involves ongoing dialogue at both ministerial and official levels. It is largely by this means, rather than through representations, that we are able to take account of the Assembly's interests in current or forthcoming Bills.

To date, the following Acts have included specific provisions for Wales which emerged from this partnership approach:








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