Sitting of 28 July 2000

Preamble
The House met at half-past Nine o'clock
PRAYERS
[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

Adjournment (Summer)
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Kevin Hughes.]
9.33 am
Mr. Tom Cox: Madam Speaker, this is the last day that you will preside over the House. Having just seen the procession and the enormous number of Members who were watching it, I feel that I have the right to say that, in view of the glowing tributes that were paid to you on Wednesday, today is a very sad day for very many of us, who were privileged to be Members of the House during your speakership. For those like me, who have had a long friendship with you, Madam Speaker, you will be sadly missed. However, as colleagues said on Wednesday, we look forward to seeing you in the Palace of Westminster on many occasions in the future. I thank you for all the kindness that you have shown not only to me, but to all Members of the House. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]
I shall speak on Cyprus, as I have often done. I chair the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Cyprus group, which has members from all the main parties. We have always campaigned for the rights of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots and for their security on the island of Cyprus. Since the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974, there have been many attempts to find an honourable solution to the continuing division and occupation of about one third of the northern part of the island.
The United Nations has issued many resolutions; I and many Members have always found those resolutions to be fair and honourable. We believe that they should be the basis of the talks between President Clerides and Mr. Denktash. To the credit of President Clerides and leaders of political parties in Cyprus, that is also their view.
Regrettably, the problem has always come from the Turkish Cypriot side, led by Mr. Denktash. After about 26 years of occupation, there has been no real progress. Another round of talks has begun. I and all Members of the House who want a settlement hope that those talks will succeed, but that rests with the attitude taken by Mr. Denktash. I hope that the British Government, as one of the guarantor powers for Cyprus and because Cyprus is a Commonwealth country, will be in the forefront of those discussions. We must make it clearly known that we want a settlement and that one is possible.
The text of the UN resolutions is the basis for the talks. I have great respect for and trust in the role and views of the UN. Over the years, as the talks have continued, there
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have been many hopes. For example, the return of Famagusta to the Republic of Cyprus was promised. Twenty-six years after the invasion and the departure of its people, because of the presence of the Turkish military, Famagusta—formerly one of the most beautiful towns in Cyprus—is a ghost town. Its return was promised by Mr. Denktash. He reneged on his promise, so great opportunities for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to live and work together were, sadly, lost. The UK must be foremost in seeking the return of Famagusta to the Republic of Cyprus so that those opportunities can be restored.
Cyprus is seeking membership of the European Union. I am delighted that its application is going well. President Clerides has repeatedly asked Mr. Denktash to join him in those talks for the benefit of Cyprus and its people—Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Sadly, Mr. Denktash refuses to join in those talks, in which the future of Cyprus would undoubtedly be developed.
My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office is aware that, since the invasion of Cyprus, we have heard much about the independent state that Mr. Denktash has created in the occupied area. However, that independent state is recognised only by Turkey. I am one of the UK representatives on the Council of Europe—a parliamentary organisation with 41 member states. With the exception of Turkey, the Council of Europe refuses to recognise the so-called state.
It is also wise to point out that the United Nations refuses to recognise the state. However, we have heard repeatedly from Mr. Denktash that until his state—which he created with the support of the Turkish army—is recognised, he will not enter any discussions on the future of Cyprus. He has not shown any willingness to work for a settlement until this supposed state is recognised. I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister will clearly say that this country and this Government will not recognise this supposed state.
Early-day motion 952 is headed "Cyprus Talks". Among other things, it clearly states what could be the basis of a settlement of the Cyprus issue. It refers to
a bright and prosperous future for all Cypriots in an independent, federal, sovereign—
state—
with basic human rights guaranteed for all.
Can anyone who cares about his community, as I am certain that Mr. Denktash cares about his, object to supporting and working for the objective that the early-day motion clearly suggests could be achieved?
Cyprus is a member of the Commonwealth, for which many Members have a great respect. In September, the 46th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference will take place in London and Edinburgh. It will be opened in Westminster Hall by Madam Speaker and it will be attended by Her Majesty the Queen, by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and by senior representatives of Commonwealth countries from throughout the world. In attendance will be the delegation from the Republic of Cyprus—the only country in the Commonwealth that is divided and occupied by foreign troops. I will attend as an officer of the CPA, and the occupation of Cyprus and the division that has sadly existed for 26 years will be a black cloud hanging over that important conference.
There are people in Cyprus—Greek and Turkish—who want to live, work and meet together. However, many of us in the House, irrespective of our political party,

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know how difficult it is to achieve those objectives because of the restrictions that are put on meetings by Mr. Denktash. I ask my hon. Friend the Minister whether he will make inquiries via the British special negotiator for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay, on the political pressures that are now being put on opposition politicians and parties in northern Cyprus.
Early-day motion 1008 is headed "Cyprus" and it clearly gives details of the abuses that have taken place. It refers to a rally of 10, 000 Turkish Cypriots that took place in northern Cyprus in recent days to demand the return of their country from the influence of Turkey. I hope that my hon. Friend will make inquiries not only about the rally, but about the arrest of trade unionists in northern Cyprus who are now clearly showing their opposition to Mr. Denktash and his lack of willingness to enter into the negotiations that President Clerides and, I have no doubt, the British Government want to take place in the current round of talks.
Many of us in the House have known for years of the opposition in northern Cyprus to the policies that are followed by Mr. Denktash. However, whenever we refer to that matter, we are always told that it is lying propaganda which seeks to diminish the status of Mr. Denktash. However, because of the recent events in northern Cyprus, we know that that opposition has now surfaced. Turkish Cypriots clearly want Cyprus to develop a meaningful, prosperous future from which they will benefit. They want the UN-sponsored talks to succeed. For years, their voice has been controlled and threatened. However, as in country after country throughout the world, there comes a time when people say, "We've had enough." That is what Turkish Cypriots are clearly now saying of Mr. Denktash. Will my hon. Friend ask the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to inquire further into the recent events that have taken place in Cyprus?
We all know that Turkey wishes to become a major player in Europe and wishes, in due course, to become a member of the European Union. I have been told that clearly by Turkish politicians. We also know of the influence that Turkey has over Mr. Denktash and the affairs of northern Cyprus. I therefore hope that the British Government and other members of the European Union will make it very clear to Turkey that, if it wants progress to be made in its desire to become a member of European Union, it will have to play a much more constructive and involved role in the affairs of Cyprus than it has done in the past. I very much hope that the British Government will say that.
Like many other colleagues in the House, irrespective of our party, I wish the present round of talks to succeed. I want a Cyprus in which Cypriots—be they Greek or Turkish—are proud of their country and see their future together, with all the rights and security in place to ensure that future. I hope that the present round of talks will start to develop that aim. I cannot believe that the House, the Government and this country can continue to see a Common-wealth country divided by a foreign power, as it has been, sadly, for the past 26 years.
9.48 am
Mr. Christopher Fraser: May I apologise for the fact that, because of a meeting with charities, I shall not be present for the winding-up speeches?
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My remarks will be brief, but they are relevant because the House is about to enter its annual long recess. They relate to the communications system in the Palace of Westminster. We live in a technological age, and this place is not exempt from progress. For example, we need only consider all the technological advantages that Portcullis House will offer hon. Members as we carry out our work.
Hon. Members have an excellent e-mail service and our fax machines, which are sometimes tied to our computers, all work efficiently and effectively. We have internet access across the Palace of Westminster and much of the information that we glean from the internet is invaluable. We are able to telephone mobiles when we need to get hold of people at short notice or when our secretaries or offices need to get hold of us. More importantly, we have an 0800 number for direct access to the PDVN, which is invaluable to the work that we do.
However, there is one aspect of communications in the Palace that needs to be addressed. We are all about to go to our constituencies, and this place will close partially for a period of time. Secretaries and other people will work here on our behalf. I hope that we will all be working tirelessly in our constituencies—as we should and always have done—in the best interests of the people whom we represent. However, an aspect of the way in which a constituent may contact us during the recess gives me great concern.
Currently, we have a voicemail system, and constituents telephoning our offices throughout the Palace of Westminster are given a message. If they do not telephone us directly, they may call a central number and receive a message from us saying, "Please contact me on another number." That has two detrimental effects on our constituents. First, they must telephone a London number, although our constituencies are across the country, and secondly, they are so often asked to telephone a second number. Constituents who get in touch regularly are not always those who can afford to do so, yet the issues that affect them must be dealt with straight away.
My request before we rise for the summer recess is that the House considers what I put to the Information Committee on 2 February: that we should have a proper, serviceable call-diverting system on our telephones in the Palace. I have spoken to people at BT, and that is possible.
Mr. Patrick Nicholls: Good God.
Mr. Fraser: If we are to work efficiently and effectively, it would on occasion be a great advantage for a constituent to be able to get hold of us directly, or for us to be able to access a constituent's call more easily. When a constituent telephones, the message reaches us remotely.
Mr. Andrew Rowe: I am listening closely to my hon. Friend, but I am slightly be-mused. Since I became a Member of Parliament, my telephone number has been in the local directory. My constituents have no problem getting hold of me.
Mr. Fraser: Nearly all of us have our numbers in the local directory. Mine is also on any publication that I put out. It is nevertheless surprising how many people choose to telephone the Palace of Westminster. I have heard such

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comments across the Chamber and the political divide. I make my point on behalf of those people who, for whatever reason, are not aware of our numbers, but need access to their Member of Parliament. I certainly would not be standing here this morning if I had not already made every effort, as I shall in future, to allow my constituents to contact me. Such an anomaly in the system can be dealt with efficiently and effectively, allowing our constituents direct access—and vice versa—even when they correctly telephone the Palace and not a local number that we may have given.
The other aspect that I want to raise concerns telephoning abroad from this building on legitimate parliamentary business. To do so, one must go through a long-winded process of having the call logged and then claiming its cost accordingly. An example of the process was given to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight), who is chairman of the all-party Hong Kong group. He took the decision to set up that group, and I shall not pass comment on that, but he informed me yesterday that, when telephoning Hong Kong on parliamentary business to set up meetings and make representations, he must pay for the calls.
All I am asking is that the House consider the issue of communication and call diversion. That may be something of which not all Members approve, but there are certainly occasions on which constituents have pointed out that they could not access us directly when we might have preferred them to be able to do so. I draw the problem to the attention of the House and ask that through your good offices, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the matter be considered, via either the Information Committee or the Government.
9.54 am
Dr. Rudi Vis: I shall also raise the issue of Cyprus. I followed my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) in doing so in the debate on the Christmas recess, too. He is very good at putting the case for Cyprus, leaving one with very much less to say than one may have prepared. The issue of Cyprus is the main issue on which I want to touch, but I shall try to explore matters behind some of the figures and to identify the problems before us.
There are several problems in Cyprus. There are more than 1,600 missing people, and others live in enclaves, surrounded by occupied territories. Since 1974, 37 per cent. of the island has been occupied. The Anatolian settlers from Turkey are not at all the same culturally as the Turkish Cypriots. We have no problem with the Turkish Cypriots; Turkish and Greek Cypriots get on very well. There are tens of thousands of troops on the island, who should be withdrawn, and all churches in the occupied territories have been destroyed. I shall not expand on such points, as my hon. Friend has already made them. I should therefore like to make other comments about some of the causes of and reasons for the situation in which we find ourselves.
I am a delegate of the Council of Europe, which is closely connected to the European Court of Human Rights. Ten thousand human rights cases have arisen among the 41 member nations of the Council of Europe, but by far the most concern just one country: Turkey. As of March 2000, about 2, 150 cases of human rights violations concerned Turkey. There are 455 cases land
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appropriation, 418 cases of alleged forced evacuation of villages in south-east Turkey, which is of course the Kurdish section, 350 cases of torture or mistreatment of suspects, 134 cases of mystery killings, 75 cases concerning freedom of expression and 94 cases of alleged unfair trials. That is a very long list of awful incidents.
I could say a great deal more about Turkey. The Loizidu case is before the European Court of Human Rights at the moment. It was decided 22 months ago that Turkey should pay Mrs. Loizidu for her not being able to use her home in the occupied territory, but nothing has happened. Turkey, as a member state of the Council of Europe, and therefore a country that subscribes to the Court, should have acted directly. Britain also has cases before the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, and, like most countries, we adhere to the Court's decisions—not so Turkey.
I could speak for a long time on such matters, but I do not want to make life difficult for my colleagues who want to speak. I could talk for a long time about the Kurdish issue, but I shall say just one thing. The case of the Ilisu dam has come before us several times over the past couple of weeks. It has been discussed in Adjournment debates, and questions have been raised about it, so we are reasonably familiar with the matter. The dam will affect 36, 000 Kurdish people, who will have to move from what they regard as their homeland. The ancient Kurdish town of Hasankeyf will be flooded and that architectural treasure will be lost. Already, 19 villages have been cleared at gunpoint by the Turkish army. One could go on.
It still appears that the British Government are minded to support Balfour Beatty with £200 million backup from the United Kingdom Export Credits Guarantee Department—for the country of Turkey, which is violating human rights thousands of times over. The real fight is about water. Water shortages in that part of the world are extremely important. If the Ilisu dam is built, one can expect military struggles between Turkey, Iraq, Syria and other nations. The country in that area that controls water and the water supply will conquer everything before it. That is how I think the Turkish Government will proceed in the Ilisu dam project. My message to the Minister is, therefore, that the British Government should insist that Turkey plays a full part in human rights, and until it does so, the Government should resist its advancing further in the European Union.
10 am
Mr. Patrick Nicholls: On 19 April, in Westminster Hall, in one of my longest and most complicated speeches, I spoke about a west country computer firm, AllVoice Computing plc. I am sure that the House is pleased to hear that I do not intend to make a similar contribution today unless I am seriously provoked.
On that occasion, I told hon. Members that AllVoice is a specialist computer company with some extraordinarily innovative products. For instance, it has made the technology of voice recognition a reality. AllVoice did not invent the technique of computers being able to write out dictated speech, but it produced software that turned that invention into a reality. Before that, it was almost as if a car had been invented, but could never get out of first gear. AllVoice produced the gear box that turned a theoretical possibility into something that worked.

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As I said, the story is long and complex and it is sufficient for my purposes simply to make the point that, although AllVoice patented its invention, it soon found out that it was a minnow in a sea full of sharks. IBM and Dragon Systems Inc. systematically exploited AllVoice's innovation, took it away and used it in their products. Without my going into great detail, one can imagine the effect on this small, innovative west country computer company if that practice had been allowed to go on unrestrained. To try and restrain IBM and Dragon Systems from behaving like that, AllVoice began proceedings in the United States to enforce its patent.
An extraordinary series of events in the American judicial system then followed. AllVoice applied for interim relief in the form of an injunction. Injunction proceedings are well known to Members of the House and to anyone with any acquaintance with the law, and they provide instant relief to ensure that there is no damage in the interim that would ultimately make a court case ineffective. Almost a year after the judge heard the application, he was not prepared to say whether he would grant temporary relief, so All Voice, in desperation, asked me to bring the matter before the House of Commons. It wanted to ask Ministers for assistance, and argued that, through the small firms merit award for research and technology and other grants from the Department of Trade and Industry, a substantial sum of taxpayers' money had been paid to it to enable it to develop its products. At the very least, AllVoice hoped that Ministers would say that, in relation to that investment, they had an interest in what happened to that company.
To be fair, the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce gave a surprisingly helpful and encouraging response. Indeed, judging by the faces of the civil servants who were present, she was more helpful than she had been briefed to be. I made the point that I was not asking the Minister to attempt to interfere in the American judicial process. However, I said that it seemed appropriate for Ministers to express surprise and concern that it should take a year to deal with an application for temporary interim relief. At that time in April, the application had not yet been dealt with. The Minister also conceded that something might be done under the trade-related intellectual property agreement or TRIPS, as I suggested. TRIPS conventions provide that a signatory to the proposition that patent law should be enforced across international boundaries is under an obligation to ensure that that patent legislation is applied in its own country. Uniquely, in the experience of the American lawyers acting for AllVoice, the judge took more than a year to consider interim relief and, each time he received a motion asking for direction, refused to consider the matter. On any showing, that suggests that the TRIPS conventions were not followed properly.
At the end of our debate, the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce was content that she had given a proper response to my argument. The civil servants looked miserable, but there is nothing wrong with that. There were some grounds for thinking that action would be taken. As I said, that debate took place on 19 April, and at least had the effect of taking matters forward, as, after a year, the judge quickly decided that he would not grant temporary relief at all. I then had a rather curious exchange of correspondence with the Minister. In those
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early days, it was an exchange, but it has now become a one-sided attempt to produce a response. At one stage in our correspondence, the Minister seemed to suggest that, if there was any mediation to be done, perhaps it was my job to mediate. I am not All Voice's American-based lawyer, and it would confuse matters extraordinarily if I were to attempt to start to mediate with international companies. I do not believe that that is my role.
The company is now faced with continuing litigation against IBM and Dragon Systems, two of the most powerful companies in the world. There seems to be no end in sight or, if there is, it is the outcome that happens all too often, especially on the other side of the pond, in which big predatory computer companies simply steal the innovations developed by smaller companies. When the smaller companies litigate in defence, the big companies simply drive them into the ground. On the broader argument that it is in the public interest that innovation should be protected and taken forward, as well as on the narrower ground of consideration for a company that has received large sums of taxpayers' money, Her Majesty's Government cannot stand idly by.
Certain action could be taken. First, Ministers could take account—and should already have done so—of the fact that Dragon Systems has been taken over by Lernout and Hauspie, which is known as L&H; that is an easier way of referring to it. In the course of the public filings that L&H had to make with the Securities and Exchange Commission in America, it was required to state specifically whether there was litigation pending against it. Extraordinarily, L&H said that no litigation at all was pending, even though AllVoice had litigation pending against Dragon Systems in America. It is extraordinary that Ministers can stand idly by—as, I am afraid they are, as I shall explain—during such takeovers, when British companies are involved and it is stated publicly that no litigation is pending, although, in fact, it is. Ministers could take a view on that.
In our debate on 19 April, the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce said that about £750 million had already been paid in DTI grants to companies such as AllVoice to enable them to take forward innovative programmes. The irony is that, in this country, IBM itself benefits from Government grants such as those for regional assistance. In certain areas, IBM is practically subsidised to come to this country. We therefore seem to be in a position in which companies can come here, receive Government assistance and, at the same time, drive—or attempt to drive—into extinction British companies that have done innovative work. The Government should consider whether it makes sense for one hand to pay out to companies such as AllVoice and the other to subsidise those who would put such companies out of business. As I said, I understand why Ministers cannot interfere directly in the judicial process in America or this country, but there is no reason why they should not be entitled to take a view on the track records of those companies that they subsidise. Before they subsidise a company such as IBM, it is appropriate that they should look at what that company is doing and consider what sort of company it is.
The House may recall the Dyson case, when the inventor of the bagless vacuum cleaner had an appalling time trying to see off predatory litigation.

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I have always taken the view that it is all too easy to bring problems to Ministers, but the least that one can do is to attempt to offer a solution as well. In correspondence with the Minister, I have pointed out that things could be done and that she should look at the way in which assistance is given to companies such as IBM. At the very least the Minister could meet AllVoice and hear about the work that it has done, the good use to which it has put taxpayers' money, and listen as it explains why it is essential that action is taken.
I wrote to the Minister on 2 July and 14 July. I accept that they were long and somewhat complex letters in which I asked her to meet AllVoice. So far—although I have not checked my post this morning—I have heard nothing back. Why? Before I became a Minister, I saw an episode of "Yes, Minister" many years ago, when Hacker arrived and saw that the contents of his in-tray were a nightmare. Those of us who have been in government will know that that is close to the bone. Sir Humphrey sorted it out; he picked up the in-tray and dropped it in the out-tray, saying "We will deal with it for you, Minister."
The problem sometimes with being a junior Minister is that the system can accommodate only those situations to which it is used. I have no doubt that when officials read the debate that I initiated on 19 April and the lengthy letters that I have written since, they said that the matter did not fit into the mainstream of their activities. Perhaps they thought that they should pause for reflection; perhaps over the summer recess. That is all fine and dandy, but for companies trying to survive in the marketplace, it is lethal.
Ministers must understand that this is not a usual situation; It is not something to which their civil servants will be used. We need Ministers to look at this and take an innovative view. One of the things that I find remarkable about this Administration, with their huge majority, is the lack of confidence among their junior Ministers. As I am addressing the Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office—whose help I greatly value—I am restraining myself massively from saying that some of the outer members of the Cabinet suffer from that lack of confidence, also.
I see a number of other ex-Ministers in the Chamber, and I believe that if a junior Minister really wants to do something, he very often can. He may not have much power, but, very often, he has influence. If one looks at a problem without attempting to find reasons not to do something, and if one looks positively at how one can help, very often one can achieve extraordinary things.
I am bringing the Parliamentary Secretary a problem and a solution. I would like an assurance from him; not that he will begin to understand the complex details of the case—that would be outrageous—but that he will acknowledge the concerns that I have expressed. He and I have known each other long enough, so I hope that he realises that I do not turn up here every week making such requests. I hope that he will specifically draw this debate to the attention of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
If Ministers do not act, and act soon, there will be two consequences—one national and one specific to All Voice. The national consequence is that if we keep subsidising major companies which use predatory litigation to steal the software and inventions of small British companies, we will make this country a breeding ground for overseas predatory companies which will use taxpayers' money to rip off the taxpayer.
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More specifically, AllVoice is not some dot.com company. It is not a flyby-night company, but one with a proven track record in terms of profits and patents. This company has shown an ability to work at the forefront of technology and has received a substantial imprimatur from the Government with the investment of taxpayers' money. Even as I speak, the company is working on innovations which could bring billions of pounds of investment to this country. Ministers may do nothing and may allow themselves to hide behind the formula that this is about litigation which must be left to the courts. They may believe that it will be fine; at the end of the day, no Minister will be found responsible for not dealing with the matter as I have suggested. The safe option for Ministers, as always in these circumstances, is to do nothing. The right option is to look at the matter and say, "How can we help?"
10.15 am
Dr. George Turner: Most of us will go back to our constituencies with a lot of good news to relate; the Chancellor's spending review has made sure of that. As we look to what it will mean locally to health and education and in terms of addressing the problems of crime, many of us will be in good heart that it is time to deliver.
However, I thought that it was important to be here today to raise the concerns of one group from my constituency—the large number of pensioners. I understand the technicalities of the spending review, which addressed departmental budgets and not the totality of Government expenditure, the rest of which is addressed in the Budget. However, pensioners do not understand that, although the Chancellor went out of his way to make it clear that he would be doing more work over the summer and would make announcements in the autumn.
The Government must bear in mind the disappointment there has been among many pensioners, despite the good start that the Government have made in addressing the problems that they inherited. My pensioners entirely recognise the roots of the problems. The very fact that for so many years, their campaign has been to restore the link between pensions and earnings—taken away at the outset of the Tories' period in power—shows that they know who was to blame for the problems that they face and the poverty that many have had to endure for far too long.
I represent a wide range of income groups among pensioners. My constituency is an attractive part of the country; the north Norfolk coast has a unique appeal. It is a designated area of natural beauty and protection, and has many sites of special scientific interest. It is an attractive area to live in, and many come there to retire. Some are well off, and many did very well under the last Government. A fairly typical figure nationally is that one in three saw their incomes rise more than those in work during those years.
To their credit, a fair number of those joined in the campaigning for others. Some are well known; Moss Evans comes to mind. In his retirement, he has been among the leaders in my area in the campaign for poorer pensioners. Certainly, at least a third are impoverished. Many pensioners retire to park homes. They have modest capital and have bought cheap homes for their retirement, in some cases having sold a house elsewhere, in the hope that they might use some of the capital to see them

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through their latter years. They are among those who have been thrifty in the past, with an eye to the future. They have a little capital and believe that, as the Government reverse the economic position of so many others in the nation, they deserve help and recognition for what they had to endure for 18 years.
In the middle group are many pensioners who worked for the state. I have very active branches of Post Office and British Telecommunications pensioners. They are typical of a group of people who have modest pensions from various sources. They are not rich and they have not had an easy time.
The Government have done much to address the needs of the poorest pensioners in my constituency. Many thousands have benefited from the minimum income guarantee. It is widely appreciated that the Government have done much good for pensioners across the board. The introduction of and the large increase in the winter fuel allowance were greatly welcomed. There was a huge response to the reintroduction of free eye tests. In Norfolk, there was a 90 per cent. increase in the uptake of national health eye tests—a dramatic increase which suggests that many pensioners had been suffering from poor eyesight, following the imposition of charges by the previous Government.
All these forms of assistance have been welcomed, but when pensioners hear announcements such as those that have been made over the past week or two concerning the future of the health service, education, the police and other public services, they feel that more needs to be done for them. That is the message that I bring to the House.
If I am to do my job of representing pensioners, I must pass on what they tell me. They tell me that what they want, and what they have been arguing for for many years, is the restoration of the link. I have explained to them that Government policy has been more targeted than that, but pensioners do not want to hear that message. However, reasonable folk that they are, they have sat down with me and discussed alternatives and priorities for which local pensioners groups seek support.
I have some extremely active groups—the King's Lynn and District pensioners group, the Post Office and BT groups to which I referred, and the North-West Norfolk pensioners group. I have many meetings and exchanges of correspondence with them. Among the most assiduous campaigners is Mr. Roland Worth, who is involved in at least two of those organisations, and Mr. and Mrs. Martin, from the King's Lynn and District group.
It is clear that pensioners understand the need to help those in most need first, but when the Chancellor introduces his proposals for the pensioners credit, they want it to be targeted not only at the poorest, but at those who, through their own thrift or because of their modest pensions, are only a little better off than those who have been helped so far.
I hope that, during the lifetime of this Parliament, we deliver on the promise that we made at the last election that we would ensure that pensioners shared in the economic prosperity that the Government brought the nation. We must therefore make sure that the scale of the help is in proportion to the benefits that we deliver to other parts of the economy. Pensioners must be seen to receive their fair share of the benefits.
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There remains a concern among many pensioners that more should be done for older pensioners. In answers to written questions, I have been told that a £5 increase in the basic pension at age 75 would cost £700 million net, and that a £10 increase at 80 would cost £700 million. Those are large sums of money, but not in comparison with the sums that have been discussed in the House in recent weeks.
Despite the extra help that we have given through the free television licence, many of my constituents would welcome some cash as well, especially as that age group includes not only some of the poorest pensioners, but, I suspect, a larger proportion of those who fail to take up their entitlement under the minimum income guarantee. There is a good case for targeting older pensioners.
I hope that the Chancellor will bear in mind a further factor. I believe that the Government have a healthy lifetime ahead, and I am confident of the outcome of the next election, but it would be a foolish parliamentarian who did not want to make sure that pensioners' well-being did not depend on which party happened to be in government.
At the first opportunity, the previous Conservative Government undid what the preceding Labour Government had started to do a relatively short time before to safeguard the interests of pensioners. We must ensure that the measures that we introduce are protected, as far as that is feasible, against future changes in political control. There must therefore be as wide a consensus as possible on the ways in which we act to help the pensioner population. That must be tightly tied into law, so that it will not be easy for a future Government of a different hue to change it.
We must ensure that the changes that we have introduced in the pension regime for those in work will survive and be difficult to overturn. We must also ensure that when, as I hope, pensioners receive a boost this autumn, the Conservatives would find it politically difficult, if not impossible, to undo it if they gained power in the future. I hope that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary will assure me today that work is going ahead at full speed in Whitehall to make sure that the announcement this autumn will meet the needs of the many pensioners for whom I speak.
10.28 am
Mr. John Horam: I wish to raise a topic that, at present, is of concern only to my constituents and the residents of the borough of Bromley, but which, in due course, will concern all hon. Members—that is, the proposed merging of health authorities throughout the country. I refer specifically to the proposed merger of the Bromley health authority with the neighbouring Bexley and Greenwich health authority. The consultation on the proposed merger has been launched and will be concluded before Parliament returns in October, which is the reason why I raise the issue before the recess.
The proposed merger in my area is a guinea pig, or a stalking horse, to allow the Government to work out the consequences for a merged authority, before rolling out a programme of mergers across the country. It is intended that the merger will take place in April 2001, to be followed by a series of mergers, possibly a year later.
The proposed mergers are necessitated by a change in the role of the health authorities following the creation of primary care groups, and in particular, primary care trusts,

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which are taking more of the burden of allocating the moneys that they receive from the Government. Therefore, there is a reduced role for the health authority. Obviously, that has been a matter of controversy between the two major parties. We thought that it was not sensible to make a further bureaucratic change. We supported the old system. Bromley health authority was happily contiguous with the Bromley local authority, and, therefore, there was a good relationship between the two. Beneath that level there were GPs and fundholding GPs.
The Government, however, have made the change, and I do not wish to argue about that now. I do not wish to contest the principle behind merging health authorities in the way that the Government intend to do. If they merge them properly and sensibly, there may be savings in bureaucracy. However, I am concerned—I know that my right hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) and my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) are also worried—about the effect on the funding of health care in Bromley as a consequence of the proposed measures. It seems to us that the effect will be unequivocally bad. No doubt the Minister is delighted that my right hon. Friend is not present to make the point in his inimitable way.
That follows from what is called the pace-of-change policy, which has been put forward by the Department of Health. At present, every health authority receives a target allocation that is based on its needs. For historic reasons, some health authorities have an allocation above their target. Some allocations are lower and some are equal. If there is an historic allocation above an authority's target, it will receive less than it otherwise would, so that ultimately there is convergence on target allocations. Bromley is on its target whereas Bexley and Greenwich is above it. Therefore, Bexley and Greenwich receives less each year than Bromley.
A combined health authority would come into the above target category. It would then receive less than the two separate authorities. The Library has calculated that this year, for example, Bromley and Bexley and Greenwich combined would receive £700, 000 less than the two separate authorities would receive. Bromley health authority more or less concurs with that figure. It says that there would be a difference of £800, 000. That will not happen only this year. As the pace-of-change policy will be unrolled over several years, millions of pounds will be lost to the funding of health care in the area that I represent.
The point was made clearly—perhaps more succinctly than I am making it—in an article in The Health Service Journal. It says:
A financial "mismatch" could derail a health authority merger seen as a "blueprint for changes elsewhere". "Plans agreed at Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich are likely to become a blueprint for changes elsewhere in London as local decision-making is passed to PCGs, and HAs develop their more strategic role", said Bexley and Greenwich … Bromley HA chair Selwyn Ward said: "If you sit down and work out what the new authority looks like, it comes out closer to Bexley and Greenwich than Bromley. It would get very little growth money. There would be no advantage to merging if we end up with less money in the health economy as whole", he added, "I have made that clear to region."
That is the problem. In addition, the Bromley health authority has underspent over the past two or three years by a total of £3.7 million. Underspending on health may amaze some of our constituents, but underspending is a common problem throughout government. It affects
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health as much as anything else. We should all be concerned about the famine-and-feast approach to public spending that the Government have adopted. It is quite difficult suddenly to step up spending, even when funds are available. For all sorts of reasons relating to contractual obligations, it is sometimes not possible to spend the money in the appropriate period.
For whatever reason, the Bromley health authority has accumulated funds. It seems to me, and to those who are in charge of these matters locally, that the region is, in effect, using these funds as a sanction to persuade the health authority to go along with the plans. In other words, they are saying, "You cannot spend this money, even though it is your money, unless you agree to our plans for the health authority." When the merger takes place, there will suddenly be an announcement of an extra £.7 million for Bromley. That will be its own money, which it should have had anyway. That seems to be a rather dubious way of proceeding.
There is no doubt that the money is urgently needed in Bromley. For example, the accident and emergency department has come under much criticism recently. We could spend money now, and certainly over the next 12 months, on improving conditions in that area. Despite the heroic efforts of staff, there are long trolley waits and other great difficulties. That is another problem which I should like the Government to consider.
In considering the merger of health authorities, there is the problem of the deficit that is attached to any particular hospital or NHS trust. Bromley has been cautious and does not have a deficit. It has hardly ever had one. However, neighbouring hospitals—for example, Queen Mary's and Greenwich health care trusts—have had deficits and in some instances still do. There is concern in Bromley, which has been careful, that money will suddenly be taken away from it and poured into dealing with the deficits of neighbouring hospitals. That could easily happen if there were no rule to prevent it.
I have no quarrel with the principle behind merging and, in a broad sense, I wish it well, but I seek an assurance that, following the consultation that will take place, Bromley will not be financially disadvantaged by any merger that takes place. If that assurance can be given, many of us would wish the merger to proceed. Until the assurance is given, my colleagues and I will be opposing the merger.
It is in the Government's interests that the matter is handled sensitively and well. As I have said, it is effectively a blueprint for other mergers that will be unrolled throughout the country. If the merger between Bromley and Bexley and Greenwich goes wrong, suspicions will be aroused among Members who are concerned about health funding in the areas that they represent.
While I am on my feet, may I raise another matter? As we all know, palliative care has come about because of huge voluntary efforts by many people throughout the country. The charitable work that has gone into the hospice care movement cannot be praised too much. I know from my own experience that South Bromley Hospice Care has been excellent in raising money over the years. Many people have made a huge effort, for which they should be praised. As it happens, little money comes to hospice care facilities from government.

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Only 21 per cent. of the money that comes to South Bromley Hospice Care comes from government. The rest comes from charitable fundraising.
As we all know, the demand for hospice care facilities and palliative facilities is rising almost exponentially. We know that hospices help to some extent to take the burden off local hospitals by providing for facilities to enable people to remain at home and receive appropriate care. Those are people who otherwise might have to go into hospital. It is a vital but underfunded part of the health care system.
However, South Bromley Hospice Care, like other such organisations, has run into charitable fatigue, as it were. Along with other good causes, it has had difficulties and funding problems. As a result, it has had to lay off staff and cut its provision of facilities. That has had a repercussive effect on the local hospital. There is a plan, which originates from the health authority, to increase funding from 21 to 50 per cent. over a five-year period. However, in the short term, there has been no help. I have corresponded about that with the Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper). She recognises the problem because, in recent letter to me, she said:
From the recent national survey of palliative care provision we know that at present about 50 per cent. of health authorities have developed strategies for palliative care. This suggests that a more comprehensive strategy is needed.
A more comprehensive strategy certainly needed, but so is more immediate help for hospice care. In my case, South Bromley Hospice Care, which has laboured with great success, now finds itself in difficulty for those obvious reasons.
St. Christopher's—a well-known hospice care organisation—has benefited from Government help. It is ironic that it has received help, given that it had a much deeper crisis, involving much more money, whereas the hospice in my area has not. Obviously, I wish St. Christopher's well and do not want to cavil about its help, but those who have laboured hard and been successful should not be penalised because of those who have not done quite so well. The NHS report, which we received yesterday, states:
The NHS has to move from a culture where it bails out failure to one where it rewards success.
I hope that the Government will take that on board in relation to South Bromley Hospice Care.
10.41 am
Mr. Keith Darvill: I wish to raise several constituency issues that have more general relevance, the first of which relates to the swimming pool in Central park, Harold Hill. It is partly a good news story in that it has recently benefited from a major lottery award of £4.2 million. That grant will be used to replace and refurbish the swimming pool and extend other sporting facilities, as well as to create a healthy living centre. Of course any community receiving such benefits applauds all those involved, as I do. It may seem churlish to criticise when one has the benefit of such an award.
The total refurbishment and reconstruction project will cost £6.4 million. The balance in excess of the lottery grant will be provided by a capital advance from the local
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authority. The difficulty with the scheme is that the replacement swimming pool will be smaller than the existing one. I am told that the old pool has a life of only about two or three years, so the matter is urgent. A mixture of community and competitive sports use the existing pool. Several swimming, diving, life-saving clubs and so on use the facility in an organised and competitive way. The pool is used from first thing in the morning to last thing at night.
The dilemma is that reducing the size of the pool means that some of the community use or the organised use will be squeezed out. Although the local community recognises the benefit of having a new pool, the major issue is whether the new facility will provide adequate facilities for all those involved. Such matters are of national concern because those considering such bids—Sport England and the various associations involved—need to consider the wider regional and sub-regional activities that take place in a particular pool.
Those organisations have informed me that there are few facilities for diving in east London and Essex, so not only the local community, but those in a wider area, benefit from that pool. Therefore, those who use the pool have to travel some distance, often in the early hours of the morning, just to get their pool time. Given the large sum involved—£6.4 million—one might have thought that all the various uses could be accommodated, but they have not been. The local community may lose out in a small way, and the organisations that use the facilities may be squeezed out or may have to travel much further to continue their activities. Much wider consideration is needed when planning such facilities to ensure that they are adequate.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport made an extremely good announcement on sport this week. We all hope that our national sports will be more competitive internationally. We need to balance the needs of competitive sport and community sport and to encourage more people to take advantage of the benefits. However, we do not want to squeeze the organisations, almost all of which are voluntary. Much hard work is involved in running those clubs for the benefit of others. The local authority and all those involved are reexamining the project. I hope that a resolution will be found so that the pool can be increased in size. That will involve additional capital.
The second issue relates to access to railway stations for disabled people. There are two mainline stations in my constituency—Harold Wood and Upminster—neither of which has very good access for those with disabilities. Such facilities should be improved in partnership. I have made representations to Railtrack, the train operating companies and others and have got the various bodies together. One of the big failings of rail privatisation is that it is difficult for the transport organisations to plan strategically. A loose partnership has been formed in this case, and Members of Parliament have a role to play in trying to get organisations together.
Railtrack has been helpful and has informed me that it and the train operating companies estimate that the cost of addressing accessibility issues nationwide is about £00 million. Given the funding involved, it will clearly take some time to improve access for disabled people across the country, but that delay is too long for those who will suffer in the meantime. There are ways in which

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to get parcels of money together from the train operating companies, local authorities, Railtrack and, in some cases, businesses to improve such access.
Upminster station has four platforms, one of which is not served by a lift. That station is a major link between Romford and Lakeside, and Southend and Romford. Colleagues in the House may know the area. In effect, people with disabilities cannot make those journeys even if they wish to do so. We need to address those issues more quickly than is predicted by Railtrack and the train operating companies, especially in sub-regional hubs, as they are called in the parlance. I hope that the money allocated to transport in the comprehensive spending review will help to improve such access. I urge the Government to encourage local partnerships wherever possible.
Thirdly, I want to talk briefly about mobile phone masts. No doubt, that issue has been raised with other hon. Members. In recent months, there has been a proliferation of mobile phone masts in my constituency. I do not know whether that is a result of the recent inquiry and the Government's announcement of changes in the planning mechanism, but those involved seem to be getting in fast and putting them up wherever they can.
My message to the Government is that we should get on with the changes in the regulations quickly, because consultation is needed. One of the big failings of the current system is that mobile phone masts are suddenly erected with only a few local people knowing about them. People find it difficult to make representations to their local authority and suddenly there is a big outcry. That is of particular concern—some of it perhaps unwarranted—because of the issues raised in the Stewart report.
The final issue that I wish to raise concerns local government finance. I know that all hon. Members say that their local authority does not get enough money, and I am no different, but local government finance needs to be reviewed. My local authority is embracing much of the Government's programme, especially education spending, the community legal service and crime reduction partnerships, and putting efforts into all those programmes. However, Government policies always impact on local funding. Yesterday in Westminster Hall, we discussed crime reduction partnerships and heard of good examples around the country, and those are certainly working in my area.
The standard spending assessment for my local authority does not meet the needs of the area and leaves it strapped for cash. It means that the local authority cannot deliver as it would like. The best example of that is social services spending. In the past four months, some 90 beds a week in the local hospitals have been occupied week in, week out mainly by elderly people who could have been cared for in other parts of the care system. That delays operations in the acute sector.
Local authority financing cannot be ignored in relation to delivery of the Government's programme. Will the Government look urgently at that matter, so that local authorities such as mine, which want to deliver their programme, not only for political reasons but for the benefit of local people, have adequate funding to do so?
10.52 am
Mr. Andrew Rowe: In principle, this could be the last time that I ever address the House because, if the Prime Minister wakes up one
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night in his Tuscan retreat and decides that he would really like to spend more time with his baby, he might call an election this autumn, which means that I would retire.
The House should not adjourn without considering two related issues. Men of my age and stage are expected to be gloomy. We are expected to believe that the country is going to the dogs and that the young are decaying beyond repair. I believe none of that, but I do believe that the Government are neglecting two issues to the peril of us all.
The first is the real value—actual rather than rhetorical—that the Government put on people. We hear constant repetition of the mantras about respect for people. We heard almost the whole mantra canon yesterday in the Prime Minister's statement on the health service. However, when we look at what is happening in the public services, we are entitled to question the real value of the mantras.
Let us take, for example, social services. In 1997, 7,722 social workers were in training; in 1998, there were 6,254; last year, there were 5,1764. No matter how much social workers or other workers in the public services are praised by Ministers, we shall see no improvement in the services if there are no workers to call on.
Another example is teachers. In education authority after education authority, the story is the same: teachers are simply not applying for vacancies and the numbers leaving early have become a haemorrhage. Part of the trouble is that the Government, building on the bad example set by us, have so increased the bumf and the controls that professional staff prefer to walk away from the stress. Another element of teachers' disaffection, however, is that the growth of abuse, in language and physical violence, has reached proportions that, in these days of high employment, make the jobs very unattractive.
The Government appear to have no answer to the problem. Ministers often appear to accept that bad language is now so common that nothing can be done about it. On playing fields, in the streets and, increasingly, in schools, hospitals and refuges, foul language and the depersonalisation of staff that that implies is taken for granted by those in authority, while the staff subjected to it take it for a while and then leave.
If the Government do not start to take this epidemic of crude behaviour seriously, we shall all be undone. Instead of wittering away about inclusiveness—a principle of great importance to which I greatly subscribe, but which in practice often means making a teacher's life impossible—Ministers should think about how they can give an effective lead in a campaign to restore the idea of dignity and good manners to hundreds of thousands of adults and children. The challenge may be less dramatic than that of drugs, but it is no less important. Indeed, the two are connected.
What is so sad is that the Government, who claim to believe in joined-up government, wander along ignoring the damage that they frequently do to those who try to stem the flood. For example, Kent has 1, 400 armed service cadets, devotedly looked after by volunteers, who give up two nights a week and many weekends to nurture boys and girls who would otherwise be on the streets making trouble. What happens? New dispositions for the regular services are brought in, making it impossible for them to continue the former level of support for the cadets. However, this joined-up Government take no steps

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to make those losses good. Little by little, that successful way of bringing children to a decent adult commitment to society will be whittled away, and the Government will not even notice.
I wish to draw the House's attention to an even more fundamental issue. Some weeks ago, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland declared that the age of representative democracy was drawing to a close. His grounds for making that assertion were primarily that the new forms of electronic communication mean that we can ascertain quickly what the public believe about a particular issue and then fashion policies to take account of their expressed views. I have since heard on the radio Mr. Morris, an adviser of President Clinton, explaining that the electronic age has changed politics to such an extent that a Government have to fashion a new agenda each day or lose their popularity. The British Government appear to be doing that by allowing confidential memorandums to seep out into the press, although I am not sure whether that is deliberate.
Mr. Morris recommended that, not only should tiny elements of a policy be drip fed to the media each day but, more importantly, that the policy should be amended according to the daily popularity polls and other information available to the Government. That is the advice of one of the principal advisers to the President of the United States.
Moreover, the new communications age will make it ever easier and cheaper to hold referendums—I hope that you notice, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that I deliberately used the spellcheck version of the plural to fit in with the electronic age.
The threat, not only to this place, but to democracy as we have known it, is so clear from those two examples that the House should have a full debate on them at the earliest opportunity. Let me put on the table at least some of my reflections on the scheme, and hopefully the Minister will take them seriously when he replies to the debate.
Let me deal first with representative democracy. At its weakest, our system of electing men and women who are expected to exercise their own judgment on the issues of the day can lead to an arrogant disregard of the opinions of those who send us here. It may be many years, if at all, before the electorate exercise the ultimate sanction of throwing out those in safe seats. That disregard is not common among Members of Parliament, who are nearly all conscientious in their desire to ensure that their constituents' views are taken into account.
When representative democracy is at its strongest, we have powerful debates occasioned by the determination of individual Members to hold fast to their own beliefs. It is clear that, on many issues, the short-term reaction of our constituents to a particular event is one that they would not hold over a longer time. The idea that policy of lasting value can be made on the basis of a daily thermometer reading of public opinion is as absurd as it is dangerous.
Secondly, every Member of Parliament knows that the first reactions of men and women in our constituencies to new ideas are usually hostile. That hostility is based on some of the commonest features of mankind: a desire to hold on to any privileges that we currently enjoy, a fear of the unknown, and, in particular, a fear that often leads
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to hostility to people who are perceived as different from ourselves. If it is suggested, for example, that a community should play host to asylum seekers, the mentally ill, or even a new housing development, a surge of self-interested hostility rolls out, and tries to drown out those who advocate the change. How should policy be devised if that is what the thermometer readings are telling the policy makers?
Thirdly, what part can principles play in the electronically driven computer game of policy making? If we are busily engaged in tailoring our policies to ensure that we stay ahead of the game each day, how do we make room for little awkwardnesses such as the idea that a person has the right to be deemed innocent until he or she has been proved guilty? Is it because the new philosophy is gaining ground at No. 10 that we have seen in this Parliament a weakening of even that ancient principle?
Yet, even for the Ministers who are most enthusiastic about the new democracy, there are some difficulties. Even they have some personal beliefs—or at least pretend that they have, for the sake of their activists. Among those beliefs may well be, for example, the idea that people should be treated equally, regardless of creed, nationality or colour. They may oppose the death penalty, or the smacking of children. Some may believe that it would he to the country's advantage to join the euro. If their beliefs are sufficiently strong, they will no doubt manoeuvre carefully in order to avoid altogether asking the public for their view. As a result of that, rather than the House being an arena for debate on matters of principle or the shape of our society, a handful of elitists close to the Prime Minister of the day would define for us all issues that are too important to be subjected to the activities of the otherwise ubiquitous pollsters.
I do not believe that the age of representative democracy is dead. I firmly believe that it remains the surest bulwark against short-termism in policy making and the vagaries of political fashion—and I trust that long after you and I have left this place, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it will be the forum in which issues of principle and practice are debated on behalf of all our people.
11.3 am
Mr. Christopher Leslie: I want to raise with the Minister an issue that is important to my constituency: the proposal for a landfill site at a former quarry, known as Buck Park quarry, in Denholme.
The history of the problem is long and complex, but I firmly believe that the proposal should not go ahead, for a number of reasons. The first is the harsh environmental impact that its implementation would have on the surrounding water courses, especially as the disused quarry—an enormous hole in the ground—is immediately above the Hewenden reservoir, which eventually seeps into the drinking water serving the surrounding locality.
I am concerned not just about the effect of leachates on the reservoir, but about gases and other problems associated with landfill sites. The nearby Many wells quarry and landfill site has demonstrated those problems to many residents—environmental hazards, as well as, for instance, the mess caused by seagulls.
I am also worried about the traffic that the scheme would generate. I am thinking of all the heavy lorries and other vehicles going to and from the site, and the

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congestion that would develop on local roads. Moreover, residential amenities would be blighted. In short, there are many reasons why the proposal should be rejected.
I think it was back in 1992 that permission was given for the original Buck Park quarry. A number of conditions were imposed in connection with landscaping on a phased basis. As local people know, many of those conditions have been breached. Rather than "backfill" taking place as stone was removed, the hole has got bigger and bigger. There is now an enormous scar on our landscape, and—in contrast to the original intention of landscaping and filling in the hole bit by bit—the current proposal is to fill it with waste and rubbish, over the brim, in a very visible area.
Many residents are very upset and angry. Around this time last year, a referendum took place. There was a turnout of 53 per cent.—which is unusual in the case of local referendums—97 per cent. of whom voted against the proposal. I myself am angry that the local council has failed for so long to enforce properly the conditions attached to the quarrying operations. There is a history not just of poor monitoring and insufficient landscaping, but of a host of problems relating to the removal of footpaths and a failure to provide adequate bunds to mask the area. I have had many letters and calls from worried constituents. Although they were not surprised when the proposal came along, they are worried nevertheless. There have been several big marches through Denholme, one of which I was able to join.
This is a not a party political matter locally; there is all-party opposition. Any planning application, however, involves difficulties relating to local democracy. The local council has to deal with such matters. The original planning application for this landfill site was submitted to the council recently—in the past year—and I was pleased when it was rejected for reasons connected with highways and residential amenities. Unfortunately, the council hired banisters to give an opinion about the likelihood that the refusal could be defended at an appeal. The banisters suggested, wrongly in my view, that the rejection was unsustainable. The council declared that at any public inquiry, it would be unable to defend its grounds for rejection. We were left in limbo, uncertain whether the applicant would pursue the matter in view of the council's failure to defend its rejection of the application.
For some reason, the applicant then decided to lodge a fresh application. The council considered it last Monday, 24 July, and rejected it again. However, the rejection was based not on the reasons of the environment, highways or residential amenity that I have described, but on the ground that the landfill would be detrimental to visual amenity.
I agree with that conclusion, but I am disappointed that it is now the only reason for the rejection. Given the big business interests behind the landfill development, it is likely that an appeal will be made to a planning inspector, who will be able to determine the case only with reference to visual amenity. I am worried about the outcome of that appeal. I despair about our chances, as I fear that the inspector will not decide for the local authority. We will try to persuade him of our case, but the council has a lot to answer for.
Why did the council give only reasons of visual amenity when it rejected the application? Surely it should have raised the serious environmental problems and
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highway dangers created by the proposal? What about the views of residents? I fear that the council's decision to turn down the application on the ground of visual amenity alone will be hard to defend.
Although I do not hold out much hope about the appeal, there is still a chance that the Environment Agency, which licenses landfill sites, will reconsider the environmental argument. Bradford council should have raised the question of licensing with the Environment Agency before the case began, and I am disappointed that it did not even take account of the proposals for further quarrying. The behaviour of the council's planning committee needs to be reviewed later, but I hope that the council will refer the matter to the Environment Agency.
I urge my hon. Friend the Minister to convey my strong feeling that the Environment Agency must call in the licence application for the landfill site. I believe that the site's impact on local watercourses means that the licence application should be rejected.
The residents have done stirling work in opposing the landfill proposal, which I considered important enough to bring to the House's attention. The fight goes on to try to stop the proposal.
11.13 am
Mr. David Amess: I want to raise several points with the Minister. He is always courteous, and although I do not expect him to respond today, I hope that on my behalf he will gee up the relevant Government Departments over the summer.
I misread the Order Paper earlier, and what I thought was a three-hour debate will in fact last until 2.30 pm. I apologise for that, and for the fact that a surgery that I am holding in my constituency at 3 o'clock means that I will not be present to hear the Minister's response. I do not want to be done for speeding, nor to be caught on film by the cameras along the A 127. I hope that the Minister accepts my apology.
In addressing the House this morning, I want to secure help for Southend, and for some organisations there. The Minister will recall that the result of the local elections was that the Conservative party took control of the council from the previous Liberal Democrat-Labour administration. I was delighted at that, and the new administration has done a remarkable job in just two months, restoring all the difficulties suffered by residents under its predecessor.
However, the new council is keen to get a Government response on several matters. First, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that £180 billion would be spent on the transport system. Such sums are so huge that they go over people's heads. The right hon. Gentleman said that there would be cash for 100 new bypasses—70 local schemes and 30 national schemes.
The Minister knows that people are queueing up to visit Southend, the country's premier seaside resort. As a result, we are experiencing dreadful traffic congestion. Councillor Roger Weaver, deputy leader of Southend council, advises me that the best relief for that congestion would be a new bypass. I should be grateful if the Minister would find out how much of the £180 billion will find its way to Southend. I am glad that the previous administration's barmy schemes—for a dedicated bus lane along the length of the A13, and for traffic calming measures—have been dropped or moderated.

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I was delighted by the comments of the hon. Member for Upminster (Mr. Darvill). I agree with him about the swimming pool, and although I am sick of his local swimming squad beating Southend's, I shall not dwell on that matter. However, the hon. Gentleman made some very well judged remarks about telephone masts.
As the Minister will recall, the problems associated with telephone masts were aired in the Whitsun Adjournment debate. Although all hon. Members will welcome the Government's proposals in that regard, the masts are still being erected at great speed. I hope that the Minister will gee up the relevant Department, as action must be taken quickly. Many local residents are upset about the masts.
Southend is undertaking a review of special needs provision. Under the previous administration the officers appear to have decided to take advantage of the Government's plans to include such provision in mainstream schools. As a result, all hell has broken loose; try as we might to reassure them, parents of children at the five special schools in Southend are distraught, and feel that their children will not receive proper treatment in mainstream schools.
We have tried to tell parents that officers under the previous local administration had only launched a consultation scheme, but they are very upset. Other hon. Members with Essex constituencies will find that some children from their areas are educated at the five special schools in Southend, four of which are in my constituency.
I know that the Secretary of State for Education and Employment feels strongly about this issue. The House will be aware of the right hon. Gentleman's experiences in a special school, but such experiences are not always shared by people who attend such schools. My brother-in-law is blind, and my wife's sister has very little sight; they were educated in special schools. It is incredible that anyone could think that the children who go to the schools in the area that I represent, such as Lancaster, St. Christopher, Kingsdown and Fairway, or the school in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor), could be helped in mainstream schools.
I shall quote from a letter that I received from a constituent, who says:
Our eldest son has so many psychological scars from mainstream schools. Parents will get to the stage where they feel backed into a corner, and for their children's emotional and psychological well-being will opt for no school rather than a mainstream …Children like ours are at serious risk of bullying, ridicule and being ostracized.
Will the Minister find out from the appropriate Department how we can reassure those parents that after Southend has gone through the special needs review, the Government will not insist that those children are taken out of the schools that they are so delighted with at the moment?
The next local issue that I wish to raise is socially affordable housing. Mrs. Gwen Horrigan, the chairman of our housing committee, was delighted with the Green Paper on housing. She welcomes the proposals for affordable housing. However, she is right to draw my attention to the document, because she wonders how the
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Government intend to fund their proposal. Southend is such a popular place in which to live that house prices have rocketed over the past year. Yesterday I phoned an estate agent, who reckoned that there had been an increase of 20 to 30 per cent. in the past year. Young professional people cannot afford the mortgage on a flat. An efficient implementation of the programme—with enough funding—would certainly benefit the Southend economy, which continues to struggle; that is why we have objective 2 status. I should be grateful if, during the summer recess, the Minister could find out how the Green Paper will help Southend.
The Kennel Club is concerned about the distressing situation in Germany regarding the treatment of some dogs. It has advised me that the German Government are attempting to pass legislation to ban the breeding and import of bull breeds, including the Staffordshire bull terrier. I should be grateful if the Minister could find out from the appropriate Department whether we are in talks with our German opposite numbers, because this issue is causing great distress to dog owners in this country.
The dogs that the German Government are classifying as dangerous are mainly British breeds—Staffordshire bull terriers, bull terriers, bull mastiffs, old English mastiffs, Neapolitan mastiffs and Rhodesian ridgebacks. I think that the British bulldog is not included. Those breeds are registered in the United Kingdom, and the Government do not consider them to be fighting dogs or a threat to public safety. I should be grateful if the Minister could find out what our response will be if the German Government go ahead with that legislation.
A little while ago we had a debate in Westminster Hall on volunteering, and I was told that I had spoilt the party. I suspect that that debate was planned to coincide with the Prime Minister's address to the Women's Institute. Much as I welcome the opportunity to rejoice in volunteering. I found it nauseating that although everyone was praising volunteers, voluntary organisations in my constituency had undoubtedly struggled under this Government. I shall bring to the Minister's attention the problems of two voluntary organisations, the first of which is the scouts.
We all enjoyed a splendid tea party in Speaker's House recently. The scouts in particular will be affected by the imposition of the requirement for a criminal records certificate, which will cost £10. I listened carefully to the response of the Minister of State, Home Office, the right hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng) when we had the debate in Westminster Hall, and I have received much correspondence from the Scout Association. The Minister's response has been unconvincing, and the scouts reported him as having said that free checks would be an unsustainable burden on the public purse. If funding checks would be an unsustainable burden on the public purse, it will be even more of an unsustainable burden on voluntary organisations. It is ridiculous to expect voluntary organisations to cough up £10 a time.
We all understand that carrying out those checks is not compulsory, but we know only too well what the reaction would be if organisations did not do it. The Scout Association said:
We need to see genuine "joined up thinking" being applied to volunteering, especially in areas of social exclusion—action not rhetoric.
Voluntary organisations in areas of social exclusion will find a charge of £10 per person difficult to pay.

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The Home Secretary apparently told voluntary organisations to apply from grant assistance from the lottery. That is either naive or disingenuous. I cannot see how those organisations can apply for £750, 000 a year in additional core costs. Will the Minister gee up the Home Office on this important issue, because Members' postbags will be flooded with letters about this problem when the project goes ahead?
The other voluntary organisation to which I pay tribute is the Women's Royal Voluntary Service. I had the honour to be attached to it for a few days, and it has 115, 000 members, including 18, 000 men. Last week I went to St. James's park on the morning of the Queen Mother's pageant, and I saw the volunteers preparing the food for the people who were taking part in the pageant. Those people do a magnificent job. We turn up when they ask us to present badges, and we say they are marvellous, but what on earth do we do to help them?
Since 1 May 1997, the Government have done everything they can to undermine such people. Will the Minister persuade the appropriate Department to embark on a television advertising campaign to encourage more recruits to voluntary organisations, because they cannot afford to do it themselves? They tell us that volunteers are getting older and that there are not enough new volunteers coming through. If all those voluntary organisations dry up, we will be in a difficult situation.
I shall end my speech with a few thoughts. The hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Dr. Turner) is no longer present, but he waxed lyrical about the Government. I do not have a good word to say about them. I find Wednesday afternoons increasingly difficult to cope with when I listen to the patronising claptrap spoken at the Dispatch Box.
Today murderers are being released, which the relatives of the victims will find difficult to cope with. Yesterday we had a statement about the health service. My goodness, Southend, West is 31st out of the 659 constituencies—but it cannot wait until 2005 or 2008 to get help. I recently visited St. Thomas's hospital, and it was interesting to talk to nurses who had met the leader of the Labour party when he was involved in that public relations exercise a few weeks ago. They were deeply unconvinced by what he had to say.
Morning, noon and night, we listen to soundbites, and all the talk of "billions of pounds", and "joined-up government". In reality, however, the general public and the media no longer accept anything that the Government say about any issue.
This time last week, however, was a great occasion, because of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill. I do thank the Government, and hon. Members on both sides of the House, for their support for that measure. I also hope that it is a very happy summer recess for everyone.
11.30 am
Mr. Gareth R. Thomas: I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) for his work on the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill. However, my view on the NHS plan differs completely from his. I think that it is an excellent document, and that the problems that it addresses are so serious because of the mess that was left to us by the previous Government.
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I do not want to address the issues raised in yesterday's NHS plan, but I should like to talk about two important, although perhaps less high profile, health policy issues. The first is wheelchair provision. Quality of life for wheelchair users and their carers is often determined by the make or break issue of whether a high quality wheelchair is provided. As many people will realise, wheelchairs can be the crucial factor in wheelchair users' independence and greater dignity and self-esteem. High quality wheelchairs often also improve their life chances by improving education and employment opportunities.
On 5 March 2000, the Audit Commission published a report highlighting serious problems with NHS and social services equipment provision. I shall concentrate on the report's findings on local provision by the wheelchair service. The report chronicled increasing pressures on equipment services. Demand is rising as the population ages, and expectations are rising thanks to advances in technology and science. The success of community care and the commitment of all parties to helping people to maintain their independence are also increasing demand for equipment services, particularly wheelchairs.
My interest in the issue was sparked by the mother of a young disabled person who came to my surgery and said that a wheelchair was absolutely vital to ensuring her child's full engagement in a school environment. She highlighted the totally unsatisfactory response that she had received from the local wheelchair service. After looking into the matter and examining in detail the conclusions of the Audit Commission report, I realised that, across the country, despite the rolling out by the Department of Health of good practice standards on wheelchair service provision, there is still great inequality in wheelchair provision.
Some NHS trusts offer a wide range of wheelchairs and do not place restrictions on wheelchair type or cost. Other NHS trusts have very tight eligibility criteria and limit wheelchair provision to intensive, permanent wheelchair users. Other trusts restrict the types of wheelchair they provide, although they may make wheelchairs available more widely and not only to intensive, permanent users.
The Audit Commission could find no evidence that the variations in wheelchair provision related to variations in local need. The commission found instead that the problem had more to do with historic patterns of wheelchair provision. The commission also chronicled wide variations in waiting times for assessment of need, receipt of wheelchair, and, in some cases, wheelchair repair.
The commission conducted a survey, at six wheelchair centres, to determine wheelchair users' opinion on the quality of service. It revealed that 40 per cent. of wheelchair users had not been shown how to maintain their wheelchair; 30 per cent. had not been given written information on using their chair; and 25 per cent. did not receive all the equipment that they needed. Perhaps the most telling statistic was that more than 30 per cent. of wheelchair users had not been asked what they wanted in their wheelchair. Another key statistic is that up to one in five wheelchair users have to wait more than two months for their wheelchair to be delivered. It confirmed that wheelchair service standards vary greatly.
It is crucial that the Department of Health should establish as soon as possible minimum core standards for all wheelchair centres. The Department must ensure that

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skilled assessment teams are available to provide technical and administrative support to the wheelchair service. There is also a clear need for more investment in wheelchair equipment. In some cases, local health authorities need to reconsider funding for the wheelchair service.
The Audit Commission report made two key recommendations: that health authorities review current service standards and urgently introduce quality improvement programmes; and that they introduce systematic reassessment programmes for all wheelchair users.
I know that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health is deeply concerned about the very stark picture of a second-rate service in some parts of the country, and that an extra £40 million will be made available for the service. Nevertheless, I hope that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office will encourage our hon. Friends in the Department of Health to speed up their response to the Audit Commission report.
I should also like to raise the issue of patients' complaints. When patients make a complaint about the care that they or their relatives have received and the NHS trust decides to convene an independent review panel, they do not always receive clear guidance on the contents of medical files. I raise the issue because of the visit to my surgery by Mr. Alex Eady, of Field End road. He came to see me after his mother, Mrs. Iris Eady, died. He was concerned that she had suffered poor care at the local hospital, that she had not received proper medication and that hospital staff sometimes displayed a negative attitude towards her.
Mr. Eady had a number of meetings with health care professionals at the local hospital. Ultimately, however, he asked for an independent review panel to convene to consider his mother's care in greater detail. The local trust refused the request. I believe that we may need to consider whether NHS trusts should be allowed to make the decision on establishing independent review panels.
Subsequently, Mr. Eady sought to gain access to his mother's files to examine the contents in detail. Although he was successful in that, he lacks the medical expertise necessary to analyse information on the quality of care given to his mother and other information provided by the doctors and nurses who treated her. My staff and I have attempted to secure support for him by working with voluntary and nongovernmental organisations such as Inquest, and Action for Victims of Medical Accidents. Thus far, however, we have been unsuccessful. I suggest to Health Ministers, through my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, that it might be useful to provide community health councils with access to a doctor to examine precisely such cases.
Another issue that I should like to raise before the recess was brought to my attention by Mr. Bustin of 14 Wyvenhoe road, in my constituency. He highlighted the sell-off by Prudential of Egg shares, which could be bought only on the internet. If services become internet-exclusive, there is a real danger of exclusion for constituents such as Mr. Bustin, who do not have or do not want access to the internet. They are in danger of suffering if services or business operate only on the internet.
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Prudential claimed that that method of trading shares reduced the costs to those who wanted to buy shares, but as my constituent highlighted to me, there is an element of discrimination against those who do not have access to a computer, or those who live in parts of the countryside where there is no cyber café or library with internet access. There is potential for some form of exclusion if we are not careful.
The last issue about which I wanted to speak was the story of the Tower colliery in south Wales. Not every hon. Member is as lucky as I am in having Welsh roots. However, many hon. Members, especially Labour Members, know the story of the Tower colliery and of the campaign to save it. That campaign was led in part by my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd). Those of us with an interest in mining communities, such as my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, or with roots in the Cooperative movement, are proud of the Tower colliery.
The story has been made into an opera, which was performed throughout Wales and, on several occasions, in Europe. My hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley tells me that it will shortly be made into a film. However, the opera has not been widely performed in England. The Arts Council of England turned down the application for support to help the company tour. I hope that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary will take issue with the urban peasants at the Arts Council of England and urge them to review their decision.
I hope that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary and other hon. Members have an excellent summer recess.
11.42 am
Mr. John Wilkinson: I associate myself at the outset with the memorable remarks of the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox), who paid the warmest tribute to Madam Speaker at the beginning of our proceedings, after prayers. I am delighted that, in addition to her responsibility in chairing the September conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association—an organisation which we hold in the highest regard—she will take time during the recess to visit the Baltic states and Ukraine. Those countries have regained their freedom and enjoy independence, which they did not have in the bad old days of the Soviet Union.
The Adjournment procedure provides an invaluable opportunity for me to consider the future of
Harefield hospital—one of the best-known heart hospitals in the national health service. I am grateful for the opportunity to describe the high regard in which we hold its services.
Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of premature death in the United Kingdom. It accounts for about a quarter of deaths under the age of 65 and is on the increase.
In 1997–98 in England, 389 heart and lung transplants were performed. of which around a quarter were undertaken at Harefield … This year, NHS providers in England will receive a total of £49 million for spending on research. The Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS trust is the health service's preeminent provider of research into cardiac and respiratory diseases and is receiving £20 million—just under 6 per cent. of that total.
Many people are aware that, under the inspirational leadership of Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, Harefield hospital has become a world leader in heart and lung transplantation. It has the largest transplant programme in Europe … and has accumulated experience over the past two decades that is second to none, not just in this country or in Europe, but in the world. Since its programme was set up in the early 1980s, Harefield has completed well over 2, 000 transplants.

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I pay tribute to Sir Magdi and the whole team at Harefield, who have helped so many people over so many years to live a rich and fulfilling life.
Harefield not only provides top-quality medical care, but makes a major contribution to world-class research into cardiac disease through its links with the Imperial college school of medicine. The research output of the cardiac and respiratory sciences department at Imperial has been recognised in successive assessments by the Higher Education Funding Council for England as of the highest international quality. Some 20 per cent. of the UK's research output in cardiac and respiratory diseases is completed at Imperial and its associated NHS hospitals. Perhaps even more impressively, two thirds of top-quality research citations in the UK are generated by the same department.—[Official Report, 2 December 1998; Vol. 321, c. 1020-21.]
The words are not mine, but those of the then Minister of State, Department of Health, who is now Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn), who was replying to my Adjournment debate on the future of Harefield hospital.
The Secretary of State and the Government now wish to close the hospital. I am delighted that my hon. Friends the Members for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve) and for Uxbridge (Mr. Randall) are on the Opposition Front Bench this morning. From their local experience, they fully appreciate the enormous merits of Harefield hospital, which is an incomparable national institution of international repute. Unless the Government have a change of heart, it will close shortly.
A three-month consultation period on the proposals outlined in the document "Modernising Specialist Acute Hospital Services in West London" began on 13 July. It is therefore opportune that we have the debate this morning. When we return in the autumn, only three weeks of the consultation period will be left, and the vagaries of the ballot system mean that I cannot be certain of securing an Adjournment debate in those remaining weeks.
It is important to get some vital facts on the record. First, the document's proposals are more orientated to building up the Paddington basin site, through new developments, and economically and socially regenerating that part of west London, than to addressing the future of cardiothoracic medicine in this country. The study's remit is far too narrow. I acknowledge that the specialist advice was given by the West London partnership forum. Perhaps it is therefore understandable, to some extent, that its vision should be so limited. However, we do not need to have limited vision. We should try to ensure that Harefield hospital, which the Secretary of State acknowledged as pre-eminent in its field, should continue and go from strength to strength.
The consultation document makes proposals for other specialist services with which I can readily concur. It suggests concentrating renal services at Hammersmith hospital and the movement to and concentration of paediatric services at St. Mary's hospital, Paddington. It also proposes two cardiac and thoracic centres for west London, and I do not demur. What is wrong is that both should be concentrated in inner London. We need one unit in inner London, at Paddington, and one in outer London—one must call it that, although I prefer "rural Middlesex"—at Harefield.
Harefield takes its patients primarily from outside London. Only 10 per cent. come from Hillingdon—the borough in which it is located—although 90 per cent. of patients in the borough with heart, chest and lung problems are referred to Harefield. The hospital is vital to
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us locally, both clinically and for employment in the village and that area of my constituency. There is no other comparable employment. The hospital is at the heart of the village economically and contributes greatly to its spirit.
Harefield's catchment area is wide; patients come from the whole of this country and from abroad. Earlier this week, I visited a patient who had received a transplant, without which he would certainly have died. His condition had degenerated and he was helicoptered from the south coast back to Harefield. He has been there for more than two months and, I am glad to say, is recovering well. Patients cannot be helicoptered into Paddington as they can be to the rural location of Harefield.
The patient's devoted wife has been at his bedside during the two months. She can stay in the hospital for £20 a night. She eats in the canteen. Those possibilities would not exist in central London—in Paddington.
The correct model is not necessarily to incorporate a specialist centre in a large general hospital. That is the model which the Government are pursuing, and I am happy for it to be set up at Paddington as they desire. However, at Harefield, not only is the most sophisticated treatment available—including heart-lung transplants—but there is a range of other services, such as angioplasty, bypass surgery and out-patient treatment.
The fact that the hospital offers the whole gamut of heart-lung treatments is its strength. This could be the model for the future. The Government should not put all their eggs in the general-hospital, central-London basket. They should build on the strength of Harefield and ensure that it has a real future.
Furthermore, Harefield has always benefited from private sector finance. In the NHS plan announced yesterday, with much fine rhetoric from the Prime Minister, the Government had something to say about that. The conclusion to the chapter dealing with changes in the relationship between the NHS and the private sector states:
A closer working relationship between the NHS and the private and voluntary sector will be mutually beneficial. By putting the relationship on a new footing NHS patients will benefit. It will, in particular, contribute to winning the war on waiting for treatment in the NHS.
Let the Government translate that into action. Let them allow us to build up Harefield as a centre of excellence based on partnership between the private sector and the NHS.
Since the consultations on specialist hospital services in west London began, the financial background has changed dramatically, not least because of the expenditure review announced by the Chancellor, but also because of the NHS plan. On investment in coronary heart disease, chapter 14 states:
We shall be investing an extra £230 million a year in heart disease services by 2003/04. There will also be an extra £120 million of capital funding from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund over the two years to March 2002, to expand capacity and modernise services.
According to current plans, the Paddington basin site will not be operational until 2006. The Government are pursuing a strategy to combat heart disease with great vigour—one hopes. Let them do so now by putting some of that extra money into Harefield. It would be the simplest and most cost-effective solution, as well as the one most appreciated by my constituents.

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Paragraph 14.23 of the NHS plan states:
The National Service Framework pledged an expansion of 3, 000 extra heart operations in the two years to March 2002 at a cost of £50 million. We shall now boost this with a further £10 million in the current year backed by £120 million over two years from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund, to support more rapid expansion of existing services and begin the development of new cardiac centres. This will enable the NHS to achieve the 3, 000 target ahead of time, and to bring on stream at least a further 3, 000 operations on top of this by 2003.
The first of the three consultation meetings about Harefield hospital was held yesterday in Hayes. It was noteworthy that one of the nurses, who works in the transplant unit and whom I had met on a visit to the patient to whom I referred earlier, said that the staff will not move to inner London. Their homes and schools are in the locality. They have a pattern of life in rural Middlesex and beyond that they enjoy; they do not want to move to congested, overcrowded central London.
The plan notes:
Decades of underinvestment in coronary heart disease services will come to an end.
If that is so, the Government need to enact the pledges in their plan. They state:
The Coronary Heart Disease Partnership Programme, starting in October 2000—
before we even return from the recess—
will work with a group of cardiac networks across the country to streamline the delivery of high quality, patient-centred care and—
I stress—
get the most out of existing capacity.
Either that is all baloney or the Government must review and change their strategy to close Harefield hospital. It is my earnest desire that Her Majesty's Government will see sense in this matter. They will be judged by what they do.
I shall end my remarks as I began, with a short quote from the debate on 2 December 1998. The debate needs to be reread by anyone studying the issue. I said:
Harefield hospital's situation in rural green belt, at the nodal point of the M1, M25, M40, M4 and M3 motorway network, near to Heathrow and Luton airports, with its very own helicopter pad, ample space, surrounding quiet countryside, clean air and cheaper housing, is surely the right one to make it the right place for the country's premier cardiothoracic transplant centre, now and well into the century that is to come.
Developers, PFI financiers and the great and good committee men may have other ideas, but I simply pray that Our Lady of Harefield—whose image in glass glorifies a window in the hospital chapel—and of the parish church dedicated in her name may bring advent wisdom to Ministers and allow the work of the healing of hearts to continue in the village where England's first and only Pope, Nicholas Breakspear—Adrian IV—was born.—[Official Report, 2 December 1998; Vol. 321, c. 1019-20.]
We have moved on. It is not advent; it is trinity and we are on the threshold of the recess. Let us use the quiet and tranquillity of our recess to reconsider policies which may not be wholly wise. It would certainly be damaging to cardiothoracic care in this country if Harefield were to close. I urge Ministers to think again.
12 noon
Mr. Barry Gardiner: The subject that I raise is by far the most distressing case with which I have had to deal since I became a Member of Parliament.
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One of the things that parents come to realise is just how intimately their own happiness is bound up with that of their children. Therefore, one of the things that parents dread is the diagnosis that their child has meningitis. The disease strikes fast and can be fatal, and I remember the pain of my own son and his fear as he submitted to a lumber puncture when he had meningitis five years ago.
My son is now 15, the same age that Wassan Khatib was in February this year. In February, her father wrote to me as follows:
I am writing to you with reference to my only child Wassan who died on 6th of February 2000 and to the circumstances surrounding the twenty-four hours prior to her death.
Wassan was 15 years of age. She was born on 26th of June 1984 at Portland Hospital in London. She has lived all her life in the UK and attended Heathfield School in Pinner. Wassan was always in good health and was a happy child.
On Friday 4th of February Wassan attended a party at her school. We collected her from the school at 10.30 p.m. and she was safely in bed by 11 p.m. She awoke on Saturday the 5th complaining of a severe headache. She was vomiting and had a high fever. I considered the situation serious enough to call our GP at the Chalkhill Medical Centre and ask him to make a house call. I was advised that Dr. David Rapp, with whom Wassan was registered, would call as soon as possible. Dr. Rapp arrived at Midday. He asked Wassan what was wrong and she told him of her headache and vomiting. She evidently had a high fever although Dr. Rapp never actually took her temperature. He examined her chest and back with a stethoscope and visually examined her throat.
As a normal father, I was concerned about my daughter's situation. I was aware of the fact that there had been a number of cases of meningitis recently and that the government was undertaking a vaccination programme at all schools. I specifically told Dr. Rapp twice, once before and once after he examined Wassan. that she had not been inoculated against meningitis.
Dr. Rapp's diagnosis was that Wassan had a slight throat inflammation and told me that "there was nothing to worry about".
Dr. Rapp advised Wassan's parents to give her sips of water and paracetamol. Mr. Khatib says that he had never seen a slight sore throat cause high fever and vomiting, but he accepted Dr. Rapp's professional opinion, as did his wife, and they did what they were told.
Wassan's condition continued to deteriorate in the afternoon and by 7 o'clock that evening, her parents had become sufficiently worried to call the emergency number at the Chalkhill health centre. They requested another doctor to make a house call to see Wassan. Dr. Chowdhury, a locum, arrived at about midnight—five hours later. By that time, Wassan's condition was very bad. Her father says:
To my mind there was no doubt that Wassan was very ill. Once again I took comfort that she was being attended to by a doctor.
Dr. Chowdhury asked Wassan about her condition and she told him that she had a severe headache, had been vomiting and that she was very disturbed by light. Dr. Chowdhury examined her chest and back using a stethoscope and visually examined her throat. Her parents advised Dr. Chowdhury of his colleague's diagnosis. Dr. Chowdhury diagnosed that Wassan had a migraine. Wassan had never complained of a migraine before, and her parents could not understand how that explained her vomiting. They asked Dr. Chowdhury to explain. His response was simple: "Oh, it happens."
Dr. Chowdhury gave Wassan's parents four capsules of solpadol, with a prescription for further tablets if required. Once again, Wassan's parents deferred their doubts in favour of the doctor's professional opinion. Solpadol is a

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strong painkiller and it alleviated some of the headache from which Wassan was suffering, and she slept for a few hours.
At 7.30 the following morning, Mr. and Mrs. Khatib checked on Wassan to discover that her body was covered with a rash and that she was extremely weak. She continued to vomit and have a high fever. They decided that she must go to hospital and told her to dress, only to find that she was unable to support her own body weight. They called an ambulance, and it took Wassan to Northwick Park hospital in my constituency. The parents were left in no doubt about the seriousness of the matter by the ambulance crew, who radioed ahead to tell those at the hospital to prepare an intensive care bed. That was seven hours after Dr. Chowdhury had told Mr. and Mrs. Khatib that Wassan had a migraine.
The staff at Northwick Park acted promptly and efficiently. A specialist unit at St. Mary's hospital was requested. Wassan arrived at Northwick Park at 10 o'clock in the morning and staff spent the next few hours attempting to stabilise her condition for the transfer to St Mary's. She was finally moved to St Mary's at about 3 o'clock. She survived at St Mary's for a further two hours before her fight for life ended at about 5 o'clock.
A formal complaint was submitted to the General Medical Council about the conduct of Dr. Rapp and Dr. Chowdhury. I obtained a copy of the medical notes of both doctors at the time of their examinations of Wassan. Dr. Rapp's notes were not contemporaneous; they were printed on a computer system on the Monday morning, the day after Wassan had died. They seemed to indicate a level of 20:20 hindsight at variance with Wassan's parents' recollection of Dr. Rapp's visit. Under the heading "Comments", Dr. Rapp recorded:
slight fever 2/7 slight vomit, alert, slight red throat, no nodes, no photophobia, no neck stiffness, no rash, chest clear, abdomen soft.
I believe that those notes are not a true record of Dr. Rapp's examination of Wassan. I believe that they were manufactured subsequently to protect Dr. Rapp against the repercussions of his failure properly to diagnose the disease that subsequently killed that young girl. Dr. Chowdhury's notes, which were contemporaneous, record no tests for photophobia, body rash, or any other classic symptom of meningitis. The diagnosis is simply: migraine.
What Mr. and Mrs. Khatib did not know when they wrote to me or when they registered the complaint—indeed, they do not know now—was that Dr. Chowdhury was already very well known to the General Medical Council. On 12 August 1994, Dr. Chowdhury was telephoned by a registered general nurse and asked to visit a seriously ill patient whom the nurse thought was dying. Dr. Chowdhury refused to attend the patient. On 9 September 1996, the national health service appeals authority had exhausted its complaints procedure and, owing to the seriousness of the case, submitted the complaint to the GMC.
It took a further one year and two months until, on 10 November 1997, the professional conduct committee of the GMC found Dr. Chowdhury guilty of "serious professional misconduct". At the conclusion of the proceedings, the chairman announced the committee's determination as follows:
Dr. Chowdhury: The Committee are seriously concerned that, on the facts admitted by you, you culpably failed to respond to the needs of a gravely ill patient. Your conduct fell grossly below the standards which patients are entitled to expect of their doctors.
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The Committee have judged you to have been guilty of serious professional misconduct in relation to the facts admitted on your behalf and found proved against you in the charge.
In the light of your failure of care towards your patient, the Committee have considered most carefully whether they should direct the erasure of your name from the Register or the suspension of your registration.
However, the Committee have taken account of your expressions of regret, the assurances that you have learned from the event, and the evidence from your patients and colleagues about your general standard of practice. They expect you to ensure that your future practice is never open to such criticism again.
In all the circumstances the Committee have determined to conclude your case with a severe admonishment.
The House will note two extremely disturbing matters. First, Dr. Chowdhury continued to practise for three years and three months until he was finally found guilty of serious professional misconduct. Secondly, he was not suspended during that period. I ask the House to compare that with the complaints procedure that is applied to teachers, when anyone who is the subject of a complaint of serious professional misconduct is subject to an instant suspension from teaching duties pending an investigation. It is the same with the police force, as senior police officers have the power to suspend from service any officer accused of gross misconduct. The Government must examine why medical complaints take so long to determine and why doctors are so rarely suspended after the GMC has established that there is a prima facie case for the doctor to answer.
Sadly, the GMC's severe admonishment in November 1997 is not the sum total of complaints against Dr. Chowdhury. On 8 April 1998, less than six months later, Dr. Chowdhury began to sexually harass a patient. On 2 November 1998, that case too was brought to the GMC as a formal complaint. At this point, it might be thought that, with full knowledge of Dr. Chowdhury's disciplinary record, the GMC would act to suspend him. It did not do so. It did not even hold a preliminary proceedings committee until 9 September 1999, almost a year later. When it met, the committee still did not suspend the doctor, but referred the matter to the professional conduct committee, which did not meet for a further nine months until 2 June this year. On that occasion, it determined as follows:
Dr. Chowdhury:
Patients are entitled to have trust and confidence in the character and integrity of their doctors, particularly when doctors attend upon patients in their own homes. The Committee have found that, on a number of separate occasions, you attempted to pursue an improper emotional and sexual relationship with your patient, Mrs "A", who was at that time vulnerable and unwell. Furthermore, you did so on visits to her home in the evening when she was alone. You also persistently made unsolicited telephone calls to Mrs "A". By your conduct you gravely and repeatedly abused the trust Mrs "A" should have been entitled to place in you as a registered medical practitioner. You sought subsequently to dissuade Mrs "A" from pursuing her legitimate complaint, by seeking to involve one of your practice staff.
The Committee have also heard evidence of your previous history. That history includes an appearance before the Professional Conduct Committee in November 1997 when you were found guilty of serious professional misconduct. Although the facts found proved on that occasion were different in character to those we have now found proved, you should nevertheless have been left in no doubt by the terms of the severe admonishment issued to you on that occasion as to the possible consequences were you to appear again. The Committee note with considerable concern that, despite that severe admonishment, the events in relation to Mrs "A" happened within a matter of months of your previous appearance here.

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The Committee have carefully noted the evidence and testimonials given on your behalf. But in view of your grave abuse of your patient's trust, and your previous history, they have found you guilty of serious professional misconduct in relation to the facts found proved in the charge, and have directed the Registrar to erase your name from the Register.
That was on 2 June this year. Wassan Khatib died on 6 February, after Dr. Chowdhury had failed to diagnose her as having meningitis.
The Government must review the procedure and the length of time taken whereby doctors can continue to practise for years until they are eventually the subject of disciplinary procedures. There must be a proper process for suspending doctors.
Mr. Khatib wrote:
Wassan was our only child. She was the apple of my eye and my life revolved around her. She was a well-loved and happy teenager with everything to live for … There is something basically wrong in life when parents have to bury their own child. Believe me when I tell you that these two Doctors have condemned my wife and myself, as well as Wassan. It is imperative that you act immediately to ensure that no one else need go through the suffering that we are going through now and through that which is yet to come.
12.16 pm
Mr. Paul Tyler: I hope to have time to respond to a number of contributions, not least the distressing case raised by the hon. Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner). First, however, I want to make my own contribution.
I make no apology for saying something about the holiday industry—not only because it is topical, but because my constituency is one of the most important holiday destinations, outside London, in the United Kingdom. Some 21 per cent. of the county of Cornwall's gross domestic product comes from the holiday industry—five or six times the national average.
In the week of the Concorde crash, it is a sobering fact that we are far more likely to suffer serious ill health—even fatal consequences—from the conditions in the aircraft cabin than we are to be victims of an air crash. The Aviation Health Institute, which I have consulted, and whose representative I met yesterday, tells me that of the 1, 000 deaths that take place in flight and on board worldwide each year, more are due to heart attacks than to air crashes.
I became interested in the subject because it was discovered that organophosphates—the House may know that I chair an all-party group on that subject—are used as lubricants in aircraft engines. It was discovered that dangerous vapours from OPs can leak into the cabin in certain conditions, with a damaging effect on the short and long-term health of pilots, flight attendants and passengers. I have recently met Senator John Woodley from Australia, who is conducting an inquiry into the matter. There is also a House of Lords inquiry, and in a recent debate in Westminster Hall I referred to the lack of attention given by Ministers to the problem.
Recently, I became aware of other health conditions that can arise as a result of long-haul air travel in particular. Those include deep-vein thrombosis, infectious diseases, some cancers, and the effects of reduced oxygen supply. It is the last of those that most people are aware of. I am grateful to the Aviation Health Institute for drawing my attention to the experience of Lufthansa's medical director, Dr. Luntz Bergkau, who said:
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What passengers do not realise is that they fly in an artificial environment where there might be up to 20-25 per cent. less oxygen. This is equivalent to being on the top of a mountain and for people with heart or lung conditions, it can tip them into a crisis phrase.
In those circumstances, it is ironic that our present Government and their predecessors seem to be pursuing policies that encourage holidaymakers from this country to fly abroad for their summer holidays. I shall highlight three examples of the way in which that seems to be happening: VAT, the differential between regulation and overhead costs in this country compared with our competitors, and the artificial value of the pound.
Until last year, there seemed to be a steady increase in overseas visitors to the United Kingdom; indeed, the number doubled in 20 years. There were an estimated 25.7 million visits, which made a major contribution to the economy. However, especially in parts of the country outside London, there is evidence of slackening growth, or possibly even a fall, in the number of overseas visitors this year.
Businesses that had already cut their prices to impossible margins during the Conservative recession, to try to survive, have had to cut still further until, unfortunately, many of them have gone out of business or have had to increase their prices. They simply could not pull their belts in any more tightly. That is particularly true in my county, Cornwall, and in the west of England.
I turn to the factors that seem to have caused the problem, of which the first is VAT. The House may know that value added tax on hotel accommodation in France is 5.5 per cent., in Greece 8 per cent., in Spain 7 per cent., in Portugal 5 per cent., in Ireland 12.5 per cent.—and in the United Kingdom, of course, it is 17.5 per cent. Anyone, whether in Berlin or Birmingham, who looks at a hotel brochure recognises the disparity between the tax that must be paid in any of those other countries and the tax payable in the UK. That has an effect on both our domestic tourists and our overseas visitors.
Deloitte and Touche was asked by the British Tourist Authority to examine the economic effects of changing VAT rates on the British tourism and leisure industry. It found that a cut from 17.5 to 8 per cent. would mean a loss of £400 million to the Treasury in the first year, but that the gains would be £400 million in that first year, going up to £700 million in 10 years' time, from increased income tax and corporation tax, and savings in social security. Perhaps just as importantly in areas such as mine, which still have relatively high unemployment, 50, 000 new jobs would be created.
The report also highlighted the fact that in Ireland in the 1980s, having carefully considered the balance of advantage, the Government halved VAT on accommodation and meals, with a major impact on the holiday industry. That was confirmed to me when, with several of my Cornish colleagues, I met Government officials in Dublin this week.
The rate of VAT affects the relative value for money for UK and continental holidaymakers. Although there may be a good case for differences and discrepancies in the VAT rates on some commodities, people do not travel from London to France, or vice versa, to buy a newspaper simply because lower VAT makes it cheaper in one place than another. However, when it comes to holidays, the competition is intense.
Secondly, on regulation and overheads, it was extremely interesting to find that the Irish Government had tackled the matter with great alacrity and success.

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There are no water charges in Ireland. Compared with the south-west, where high water charges are imposed on our holiday industry, our competitors across the Irish sea have a major advantage. The same is true of local taxes. The uniform business rate can be a considerable imposition, particularly if it is set at a level that does not recognise the seasonal nature of the industry. The fire, hygiene and trade refuse charges imposed on the industry are a great deal higher than in other competitor countries on the continent or in Ireland.
Those penalties on legitimate businesses are made even worse because there is an degree of unfair competition at home. Any Member who represents a holiday area must know that the six-bed rule, and the pirates who exploit it, either by pretending that they have fewer than six beds or by ignoring the rule, are causing considerable difficulty. In opposition the Labour party said that it would deal with the discrepancy, but sadly, after three years of Labour government, the discrepancy still exists. The easiest way to deal with the problem would be to introduce local income tax. Account can then be taken of the ability to pay. Surely that must be at the root of a sensible local taxation policy.
Thirdly, there is the value of the pound. After agriculture, the industry worst affected by the failure to benefit from a stable currency environment must be the holiday industry. In Dublin I saw how well the holiday industry in that country was benefiting from being linked to the euro. That was very hard to take. There is a 20 per cent. competitive disadvantage to the United Kingdom holiday industry, and that is affecting a large part of the country—although perhaps not so much in London, where prices are higher anyway. It is certainly true of many of the more peripheral parts of the United Kingdom. The long delay in establishing a stable currency relationship will be devastating to the holiday industry.
My hon. Friend the Member for Torbay (Mr. Sanders), who takes a close interest in these matters, has asked the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting a number of questions. The Department has admitted that it is impossible to forecast the effects of exchange rates on the holiday industry. However, the omens are extremely bad. The evidence this year, in terms of the number of continental visitors to the south-west, including Cornwall, is that there is a real impact.
It is not all doom and gloom. I would hate to think that any right hon. or hon. Member leaving the Chamber today would not have his or her spirits lifted by the prospect of a happy holiday in Cornwall, so I shall be positive for a minute. First, we have a listening Minister. I pay tribute to her. The hon. Lady is coming to my constituency next week for at least the second time, and if I do not pay tribute to her, she might decide to go elsewhere. She is proving an effective advocate for what otherwise, I fear, is rather a Cinderella industry.
The three taskforces that have been set up—especially the resort taskforce, which my hon. Friends the Members for Torbay and for Southport (Mr. Fearn) have been urging to take action and to be more effective in getting real results—seem to be languishing in a bywater. There seems to be no effective reduction in regulation. Seaside resorts in particular have yet to see any real new investment or assistance.
The beach clean-up issue is in the news again this morning. It is a real problem. I absolve the occupants of the Government Front Bench from the problems that were
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caused by privatisation. Labour Members were on my side on that issue. We recognised from the outset that the privatisation of the water and sewage industry would impose intolerable burdens on some areas, not least because we are unable to take up the opportunities of EU funding that other countries, including Ireland, have had. The proposed legal action reported this morning must give the Government cause for real concern. I hope that it will mean that they will take action to help the worst affected areas.
On behalf of my Liberal Democrat colleagues, I shall respond briefly to some of the other points that have been made. I am struck by the way in which some themes have run through many speeches. Health and the environment have been mentioned very often today, as they have on previous occasions, as I am sure the Minister will acknowledge. The way in which we bring to Parliament our constituents' concerns on those subjects is important.
The hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) talked about the health facilities for his constituents. The hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) referred to Harefield hospital. I think that we all recognise that that is a centre of excellence. Some of my constituents have received excellent treatment there. I hope that the Government will listen carefully to the hon. Gentleman.
What the hon. Member for Upminster (Mr. Darvill) said about the link between leisure, sporting opportunities, fitness and health was interesting. That is extremely important, as are the concerns about mobile phone masts and the health of children.
The hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie) referred to the connection between the environment, health and a landfill site in his constituency. Again, other hon. Members will have had similar experiences.
I was struck by the fact that the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) talked about patients' complaints before we heard the very harrowing experience recounted by the hon. Member for Brent, North. Clearly there is a major problem. Every hon. Member will recognise that unless we can improve the speed and efficiency of the complaints system, especially when something so serious as the death of a child is involved, our constituents will not be happy, whatever funding goes into the health service. Until that matter is dealt with, there will be something basically wrong at the heart of the health service.
Today's speeches have been dominated by the personal contributions and obvious heartfelt sincerity of several hon. Members. I cannot ignore the contribution of the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe), who, sadly, is not now in his place. I pay tribute to him; he is absolutely right to say that this country's public services benefit greatly from the personal contribution of huge numbers of individuals. We do not recognise that sufficiently. His very sincere and thoughtful contribution strikes echoes on both sides of the House.
On a lighter note, I will cherish for some time the statement by the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) that the new Conservative-led council in his borough was "restoring" the difficulties of a former era. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings!
I shall detain the House no longer; I simply wish you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and every other Member a very relaxing and refreshing recess before Parliament reassembles in the autumn. I know that there are other

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strains and stresses, and that most of us will have a great work load, but I hope that the recess will at least provide some Members with an opportunity to come to the delectable Duchy of Cornwall, where I can assure all Members that their health with be restored—and it does not have to be reached by aeroplane.
12.32 pm
Mr. Bill Rammell: I am pleased to be able to make a short contribution to the debate. I wish to raise two issues that are of particular concern to my constituents in Harlow and to apologise for the fact that I will not be able to stay for my hon. Friend the Minister's summing-up because I have a constituency engagement, but I have already spoken to him.
First, I wish to raise the crucially important issue of access to university education. I know from my own experience—I was the first member of my family to go to university—how enormously beneficial a university education can be in offering opportunities, broadening horizons and genuinely empowering people. It is to the Government's enormous credit that they want greatly to expand the proportion of our young people who have the opportunity of a university education.
The target to get 50 per cent. of the under-30s into higher education by 2010 is long overdue. The fact that, for the first time in a generation, funding for universities will be increased by 11 per cent. in real terms during this Parliament is to be welcomed. The fact, which was not much commented on at the time, that the per capita funding for students will increase, instead of decrease, under the comprehensive spending review is especially welcome. All of that is enormously beneficial, and none of it would have been possible were it not for the tough and difficult decision to introduce tuition fees that the Government took when they came to power.
I was a university manager for nine years before being elected to the House, and that decision gave me pause for thought. At the time, I had some qualms and concerns about it, but I eventually became convinced that there is genuinely no alternative way in which to get the funds that we need to expand the higher education system. I say that because the figures show that dealing with the problems that the Government faced in the university sector when they came to power—such as the per capita cut in student funding, student poverty and the cap on access at 30 per cent. of the eligible age range that the previous Government instituted—would have cost the equivalent of three or four pence on the standard rate of income tax. I, and many other Members, were persuaded that no Government of any party would levy such a tax increase and spend all the proceeds on the universities and their students.
By 2002, 50 per cent. of students will not be paying tuition fees. The Government have introduced a fairer and more progressive loans system. That difficult decision, which was made to fund expansion, was taken in the fairest way possible.
However, I am raising this issue today because I believe that the recent proposal in the Greenaway report, on behalf of the Russell group of universities, to allow universities to charge differential top-up fees would blow that compromise apart and be a significant step too far.
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The Russell group universities already regard themselves as the elite institutions of this country. I used to work for one of them. Many of them are determined to charge increased fees and, in the process, increase their perceived exclusivity. That would be enormously damaging.
It is worth looking at the evidence around the world. Australia has gone through an experience similar to ours. In 1989, the then Labour Government in Australia introduced a tuition fee system similar to our current one. It did not impact on access, just as ours is not impacting on access. However, in 1996, the then Conservative Government in Australia introduced differential top-up fees and seven Australian universities now charge full fees of more than £8,000 a year. That change has had predictable results: a drop in overall applications; a slump in applications by mature students; and, particularly worrying, a significant narrowing of the social backgrounds of students attending those universities.
The United States of America has a two-tier system based on differential top-up fees and allows universities to charge whatever the market will bear. Proponents of the American system here argue that bursaries and scholarships are available to support the poorest students. I am not convinced that that works. Even if one accepts the argument that bursaries for the poorest students are the way forward, that scenario is based on a system of philanthropic private donations to universities, which this country is light years away from achieving. I am not convinced that a system of charitable postgraduate donation would ever be fully accepted in this country, because we have a different social model and a different attitude, rightly, to welfare, taxation and spending.
Thus the evidence around the world shows that top-up fees have been damaging. Were we to introduce them in this country, we would run the huge risk of creating institutions that were accessible only to students from the most prosperous backgrounds, and everyone else would be denied access and be forced to go to universities regarded as second rate. We would also force institutions to choose what kind of university they wanted to be. The choice would be between having a socially inclusive student population and not receiving additional funding, or receiving additional funding through top-up fees.
I refuse to accept the implication of the Greenaway report on behalf of the Russell group of universities that the best in higher education is limited to a small group of elite institutions—Oxford, Cambridge, University college London and the rest—and that those are the only ones that need additional funding.
When the proposals were first made, about a year ago, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, while making clear his opposition to top-up fees, challenged the Russell group to engage in an open and honest debate and to justify how top-up fees would be consistent with expanded access. I welcome the challenge that he laid down because it put the ball firmly in the Russell group's court, and the Greenaway report is the group's response to that challenge. I have read and reread the report, and the only real suggestion that it comes up with to deal with that challenge is the scholarship proposal, but it gives no detail whatever of how that would genuinely meet the challenge of giving poor students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds a university education.

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It is clear from the report that the universities have not even reached first base in terms of meeting the Secretary of State's challenge. The silence from the Russell group since the report's publication makes it plain that the universities are split. I think that, having noted the lack of substance in the proposals, many are resiling from the proposition that top-up fees are the answer.
I approve of the Government's present stance. The Secretary of State has made it clear that the Government still oppose top-up fees, as the Prime Minister did here on Wednesday. Yesterday, I tabled early-day motion 1049, which opposes the Greenaway proposals and which was signed by 100 Labour Members. I put it together in about a week: I have never found it easier to obtain support for an early-day motion. That demonstrates the strength of feeling in the Labour party.
I think it right to oppose the Russell group's proposals, not just in principle, but politically. Opposing them creates either clear blue water or clear red water between us and the Conservative party. We oppose top-up fees, while the Conservatives have a different view. The Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 created the present system of tuition fees. At an early stage in the passage of the Bill, the right hon. Member for Charnwood (Mr. Dorrell), the then Opposition spokesman, made it abundantly clear that the Conservative party wanted to retain the option of top-up fees.
The second issue is pensions. I do not think that, since April, so much concern has been expressed on doorsteps in my constituency, and elsewhere, as has been expressed about the pensions increase. There was a perception on the part of some pensioners—a false perception in my view, but nevertheless a perception—that the 75p a week increase indicated the Government's disregard for pensioners' needs. I fear that that perception has obscured the Government's real achievement.
Since the general election, we have added £6.5 billion to pensions. We have done far more for pensioners than the last Government ever did. The winter fuel allowance, the free television licence, the reintroduction of free eye tests—which has led to 3, 000 additional eye tests in my constituency—and, crucially, the minimum pension guarantee targeted at the poorest 20 per cent., are significant measures. The Conservative party had 18 years in which to introduce them, but it did not do so.
This is worth saying, in view of the Conservatives' false protestations. Pensioners, and people generally, do not judge politicians by their words; they judge them by their actions. During its longest uninterrupted period of peacetime office, the Conservative party had the opportunity to do something about pensions, but it did nothing.
Pensioners in my constituency have criticised the Government with regard to pensions over the past few months, but in all that time not one has said to me, "We believe the Conservatives would do better." They know from their experience that that is not true. Nevertheless, I believe that we must do more for pensioners. We said at the last election that we wanted them to share in growing prosperity. We have made a start—indeed, I have never known such prosperous times in most of my adult life—but we have the opportunity to do more. Let me give three examples.
First, I welcome the Government's review of the minimum pension guarantee, and the attempt to taper extra income to pensioners above income support levels.
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That is crucial, because it deals with the widespread perception among pensioners that people who play by the rules and save are penalised because they get no additional state help.
However, I urge the Government and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor to go further and raise the basic state pension substantially this year. That is the right thing to do, but it is also necessary politically: we must convince pensioners that we are on their side.
In addition, I urge the Government to consider restoring the link between pensions and earnings as soon as possible. That is not a fashionable view in the House. The Conservative party opposes the restoration of that link, which the then Conservative Government broke in 1980. The present Government are not yet convinced about restoring the link, and although the Liberal Democrats talk a lot about pensions, the detail of their record is revealing.
The Liberal Democrat general election manifesto did not call for the restoration of the link between pensions and earnings. Although the party has attempted to rewrite that and say that matters have moved on, its alternative Budget submission this year contained no costed commitment to restore the link. That was puzzling, given that leaflets pushed through my door in Harlow stated that the party was in favour of restoring the link.
Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: The hon. Gentleman and the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Dr. Turner) have both talked about pensioners, but does he not agree that the Government's minimum income guarantee for pensioners is meaningless as long as only pensioners claiming income support qualify for it? Is not it high time that the poorest pensioners should not have to rely on any form of benefit, and that they should be able to survive on the state pension as a minimum income?
Mr. Rammell: I welcome the fact that mine is the first speech today to attract an intervention. The minimum pension guarantee is paid through income support, and the Government are launching the biggest ever advertising campaign to ensure that pensioners apply for it. That is vital, as some pensioners—especially the most elderly—may not be aware that they can claim it, or may find the relevant forms difficult to complete.
The Government have been in power for three years; is what the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) said the view of his party? If so, why did the previous Conservative Government introduce no proposals along those lines in the 18 years that they were in power? Claims made in opposition ring hollow in such circumstances.
Mr. Clifton-Brown:Will the hon. Gentle-man give way?
Sir Richard Body rose—
Mr. Tony McWalter rose—
Mr. Rammell: I will not give way, even to a Labour Member, as other hon. Members want to contribute to the debate.
Restoring the link between pensions and earnings is the best way to ensure that pensioners share in prosperity as the economy grows. However, there is a longer-term

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problem. The Government acted with the best of intentions when they introduced the minimum pension guarantee but, if the basic state pension remains indexed only to prices, the gap between it and the minimum pension guarantee will grow smaller. As a result, more people will become eligible for the minimum pension guarantee, and therefore for means-tested benefits.
In the longer term, that will reduce the incentive to save. I am not sure that that is the objective that the Government set out to attain when they made the essential and very welcome changes with regard to the minimum pension guarantee. I know that the Treasury has made projections about the consequences and cost of restoring the link between pensions and earnings, and I acknowledge that money has to come from somewhere.
However, I think it is possible to restore the link in practice, even if we do not restore it in principle. By that, I mean that we have to provide the public expenditure required, but that part of the problem is confidence in the City and elsewhere that our longer-term public spending plans and projections of public spending as a proportion of national income add up. If we make that longer-term commitment, the figures rise and there is a confidence problem. If we uprate pensions yearly according to the increase in wages instead of prices, we will get a better and shorter-term solution.
The Government have done far more for pensioners than the Conservative Government ever did, but I want us to go further and introduce a substantial rise in the basic state pension this year. I should like us to consider the restoration of the link between pensions and earnings. If that could all be achieved by the time we come back from the summer recess, I would be enormously grateful.
12.51 pm
Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: I am delighted to catch your eye, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in this summer Adjournment debate. Before I raise two constituency issues that have national implications, I shall respond to the hon. Members for Harlow (Mr. Rammell) and for North-West Norfolk (Dr. Turner), who have been trying to curry favour with pensioners by suggesting that the Labour party will give them a better deal than the Conservative party will. They have both misrepresented my party's views, as articulated by my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Hague). Under his proposals, pensioners over 75 would have £10 a week more in certain circumstances. To say that we have no proposals to improve the lot of pensioners is simply not true.
Mr. Rammell: I do not want to prolong this discussion, but is the hon. Gentleman aware of the House of Commons Library analysis showing that his party's proposal would simply take money from one pocket and put it into another? It would raise the income of pensioners over the age of 75 by only 18p a week.
Mr. Clifton-Brown: I do not accept that. As I understand it, my right hon. Friend's proposals involve £300 million of new money. What is more, they would reduce the bureaucracy that pensioners face when they have to claim for payments. I came across a pensioner in
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my constituency the other day who had a degree in social sciences. She said that by the time she had ploughed through the five pages of gobbledegook to claim the winter fuel payment, she still did not understand it. If she cannot understand it, that shows that there must be red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy. We will cut through some of that unnecessary red tape, and thereby reduce the cost of government. However, I do not want to be tempted too far down that line.
The first issue I want to raise concerns the National Fire College at Moreton-in-Marsh. I obtained a leak from the commandant of the college, Mr. Terry Glossop, to whom I pay tribute. He was brought in after the college had been making losses for years and had had problems with the Home Office. He introduced a new management team, turned the budget round, and the college is now making a profit.
Faced with the problem of the college, the Labour Government announced an options review when it came to power in 1997. It has taken all this time to come to a conclusion on that review. I heard from the commandant yesterday that the Government were planning to answer a parliamentary question. The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), confirmed that. I tabled a written question yesterday. The answer still has not come through: I gather that there is some problem with the drafting. I thank the Minister for what I believe will be in that answer, which is that the college is to remain open. My constituents will be very grateful for that. They will be pleased that the college has a future training United Kingdom firefighters, and that the Government are considering transferring defence firefighting training to the college, thus ensuring it an even better future. That was also part of the previous Government's proposals for the college.
The problem now is that, having taken three years to announce the conclusion of the review, the Government intend to bring in consultants to work out the way forward. Although my constituents will be pleased that the college is to remain open, there is still no assurance on its way forward.
The college needs that assurance rapidly. Foreign firefighters thinking of coming to the college have to know what facilities the college is likely to be able to offer. The college desperately needs investment in new facilities, but it cannot obtain it until the consultants' report has been finalised. I therefore urge the Minister to urge Home Office Ministers to get on with ensuring completion of the consultants' report, so that my constituents can know the way forward for the college.
The second, and more substantive, issue that I wish to raise concerns the strategic road A419/A417. I shall try to describe to the House just where the road is, the problems, and then, very briefly, the solution. If one were travelling westwards from London on the M4, left the M4 at Swindon and took the A419/A417—almost completely on dual carriageway—one would reach the M5 at Gloucester. The road bisects the triangle that would be created if one went on the M4 all the way down to Bristol and then up the M5. The road saves about 50 miles compared with following that triangle.

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One can drive all the way from Sicily, in southern Italy, to Glasgow on dual carriageways, with the exception of two little links. The first is at Blundson, outside Swindon. I think that that link will be dealt with soon because Swindon is such a rapidly expanding city.
The other link is one of the most environmentally difficult bits of necessary road building in this country. Its environmental significance is similar to that of Twyford down. It is situated right at the top of the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty, on the scarp that goes down into the Cheltenham and Gloucester valley. Standing on the top of that scarp, one has one of the best views in the country. It is a magnificent bit of country. The problem is that no one has yet found a satisfactory way of building a safe dual carriageway over the top of that hill.
We have already had fatalities on the road, and I believe that we shall have more. The road must be completed urgently. Minor works are being proposed, but they are really only tinkering at the edges. They include building a right-hand lane for turning into the Golden Hart pub at Nettleton Bottom; a 40 mph restriction at Stockwell lane; and minor traffic calming as one enters Stockwell. Those minor works will in no way affect the problems.
There are three problems. The first is that there have been fatalities on the single-track road at Nettleton Bottom. We had an horrific case in which an articulated lorry shunted a car into the pub wall and the car's occupants were all killed. There have been other fatalities.
The second problem is that we have very considerable congestion, in the middle of what I call the missing link, at the Air Balloon pub. On a busy summer's morning, the traffic queues can extend six miles towards Cirencester. It is a very considerable environmental problem for my constituents.
The third problem is that not only do my constituents have to put up with long traffic queues—which are caused by national traffic on a national motorway system and are not generated by them—and deal with the fatalities, but some cars leave the road and start, as they say in the trade, rat running through some beautiful Cotswolds villages. It is a very considerable strategic national problem. It is also quite capable of solution.
The most expensive but best solution, which has been investigated by the consulting engineers Mott MacDonald in a desktop study, would be a tunnel. Mott MacDonald estimates that the tunnel would cost about £75 million to £100 million. I have no doubt whatsoever that if we were in France or Switzerland, we would adopt the tunnel solution, because it is by far the most environmentally friendly solution to this national strategic road problem. However, I accept that, in a practical and pragmatic world, that is unlikely ever to happen in this country. One therefore needs to look for other solutions.
The county council, with the Highways Agency and the Government office for the south west, has identified a readily identifiable solution. I urge them all now to get together to pursue that solution, which is a dual carriageway relief road at Nettleton Bottom, a proper roundabout and gyratory system at the Air Balloon pub, and—perhaps the most difficult of all—a fourth lane up Crickley Hill.
Those solutions have been costed at less than £25 million. That sounds a great deal of money, but, in the context of a national road network, I urge all those
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agencies that I have already mentioned—the county council highways department, the Government office for the south west, the regional development agency and the Highways Agency—to get together to examine the solution, be ambitious and include It in the 10-year road plan.
The money was announced by the Chancellor last week; the solution is perfectly feasible, and should be effected. I hope that my contribution today will hasten a solution so that too many more fatalities do not occur in my constituency before something is done.
1 pm
Dr. Doug Naysmith: I want to consider some aspects of mental health services, which are important to some of my constituents. I know that they are important because three constituents came to see me here on 7 June. They came with approximately 2, 000 others from all over England and Wales as part of a lobby that the Mental Health Alliance organised. The alliance is a consortium of 51 organisations which represent mental health service users, carers, professionals and service providers. It includes many well respected names and organisations in mental health.
I found through talking to other hon. Members that my three north-west Bristol residents, Judy, Phil and Gladys, were typical of the lobbyists: they were gentle, polite, well briefed but persistent in making their points and in asking why mental health service users seemed to be treated differently by the national health service from those with other forms of illness.
A previous Secretary of State said that mental illness is as common as asthma. Yet it is not well understood. People are frightened of it, and it carries a stigma that adds to the burden of illness. As part of a programme to create modern and dependable health and social services, the Government want radical change to improve the treatment of mental illness. They want to provide a system in which patients, carers and the public are safe, and security and support are available to all who need it.
A 21st century service must be aimed at reducing the stigma of mental illness, encouraging social inclusion, supporting patients when they return to work and providing a balance between safety, sound treatment and supporting measures. The Government have made a good start by increasing resources for mental health services and giving clear guidance about the way in which services should be run and, in many cases, improved.
Several documents contribute to the Government's policy. They include "Modernising Mental Health Strategy", a Government strategy document published in 1998; "The Mental Health National Service Framework", which was published last year; and the Green Paper on the reform of the Mental Health Acts of 1959 and 1983. The Green Paper followed last year's publication of the expert committee's findings on the reforms.
Despite all that activity, mental health service users continue to have severe reservations about the services on offer and those proposed for the future. They want a reduction in the use of compulsory powers, an individual enforceable right to a comprehensive assessment of need—and for those needs to be met with good and effective services—and a free independent advocacy service. They want new legislation to ensure that, as far as possible, people are allowed to make their own treatment

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decisions, and to protect properly those deemed to lack the capacity to make such decisions, and the right to draw up legally enforceable advance statements on their care and who should be involved in it. They also want full information on any proposed treatment, and informed consent to be sought in every case. Although they support the formation of new independent tribunals, such bodies must reflect the community they serve and must include people with broad experience, including service users, who must be properly trained.
Judy, Phil and Gladys focused on the first two of those points—compulsory treatment and the right to a comprehensive service—and the need to ensure that appropriate and effective medication is available without artificial restrictions. The aim of any new legislation should be to reduce the need for the use of compulsory powers. In many cases, compulsion is a negative experience for users of services; It risks harming their psychological well-being and their relationships with family, friends and mental health professionals. It can be highly stigmatising, and should be used only as a last resort and in strictly limited circumstances.
I accept that compulsion may be needed in some cases to protect others from harm. However, I share the expert committee's concerns about overplaying the issue of public safety. Its report states:
It is important to emphasise that the legislative response to the perceived danger posed by people with a mental disorder must be proportionate to the actual risk.
The vast majority of violent crimes in this country—about 95 per cent. of homicides—are committed by people who do not have mental health problems. The proportion of homicides committed by people with a mental illness has gone down by 3 per cent. each year since 1957.
I share the committee's
wish to avoid extending the scope of compulsion to situations in the community where it is not needed and where it would be counter-productive.
The Government have said that they do not intend to increase the number of people subject to compulsion. However, there is concern that the criteria set out in the Green Paper, which are wider than those recommended by the expert committee, would potentially extend compulsion to almost all those in contact with secondary psychiatric services who disagree with their doctor. That would be a vast extension of the scope of current powers.
New legislation should offer people an individual enforceable right to a comprehensive assessment of their needs and to have their identified needs met with good quality and effective services. Recently, a survey undertaken by the National Schizophrenia Fellowship found that more than one in three people had been turned away when seeking help. One in four people seeking hospital admission had been refused. Black people and those from ethnic minorities are less likely than white people to obtain help that is relevant to their needs. They are more likely to be subject to compulsory powers and other coercive treatment, and to suffer unmet need.
Many of those who are turned away from services find that their mental health deteriorates to the point where they are subject to compulsory admission. The introduction of rights to assessment and to services could encourage earlier treatment, thus reducing the need for
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compulsory powers. The Government's expert committee, set up to review the Mental Health Acts, proposed a right to assessment of mental health needs and stated that that should include a system for recording any unmet assessed needs.
The Government rejected that recommendation, arguing that the national service framework includes a requirement for any service user with a common mental health problem who contacts their primary health team to have their mental health needs identified and assessed. However, that does not give individuals an enforceable right to such an assessment; nor does it include a procedure for recording unmet need. Without an enforceable right to assessment, the current situation, in which people are turned away from services, is unlikely to change.
Access to appropriate and effective medication is also important. Regrettably, a number of people do not receive that. In recent years, several new medicines, known as atypical anti-psychotics, have become available for the treatment of schizophrenia. Those medicines significantly improve the quality of life for patients. They have a more favourable effect on both positive and negative symptoms and there are fewer side effects. There is better compliance than with the older, typical medications.
The older typical anti-psychotic treatments can have horrendous side effects—including difficulties with movement and uncontrollable shaking—some of which are irreversible even when the patient has come off the medication. That makes patients reluctant to continue with their treatment and often results in relapses and returning to hospital.
The new medicines offer better value for money than the older treatments, certainly over the medium to long term. The Government's mental health strategy document recognises the benefits of the new atypicals, and the 1999 independent report "Safer Services—A Report of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness" found that too many patients were prescribed older medicines and that there was a subsequent lack of compliance.
The Government are making extra resources available to assist in meeting the demands for new drugs and to train staff. People with schizophrenia should be treated fairly and prescribed the most appropriate medication, irrespective of where they live. Nevertheless, there is widespread evidence and concern that there are many gaps in service provision at a local level, that funding is inadequate and that many patients are being denied access to effective modern treatments.
At this time when, as we heard yesterday, incredibly exciting things are about to happen in the national health service, and when services for people with mental health problems are very much on the agenda, I am glad to have had the chance to raise the concerns of my three constituents—and many others—with my hon. Friend the Minister. I urge him to raise the points as strongly as he can with the appropriate Ministers at the Department of Health and the Home Office.
1.12 pm
Mr. John Randall: I welcome my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve) to his new portfolio. I am sure that he will show as much expertise in this post as he did in his previous one.

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I was going to use this important opportunity to raise one subject, but other matters have come to mind. These debates are a useful forum for Back Benchers to raise all manner of subjects. I do not think that I could be called in any sense of the word a moderniser, because I am the fourth generation in the family furniture business and could probably be described as an hereditary retailer—and I know the views of Labour Members on hereditaries. Although I do not think that I can normally be classed as a moderniser, I suggest to the Minister that there might be opportunities to have one or two more such debates in the parliamentary year. They give Back Benchers the opportunity not only to express their views, but to listen to the views of others. Although the more traditional Adjournment debates provide for such opportunities, they are not always used in that way. This debate is an interesting and useful exercise for us all.
I echo the words of my neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson), about Harefield hospital. I pay tribute to the excellent work and sincere efforts that he has made on behalf of the hospital. The campaign has been felt acutely throughout the area and not just within the immediate confines of Harefield. My constituents lobby on the matter and the campaign has all-party support.
As hon. Members may know, Harefield was, until the general election, part of the Uxbridge constituency. My predecessor, the much-respected Sir Michael Shersby, was laid to rest in Harefield churchyard, and anyone who has visited the church will know why my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood was correct to describe the area as rural Middlesex.
Sometimes, when I sit on these Benches. the words of a Gilbert and Sullivan song come to mind. I think of a lot
Of dull MPs in close proximity,
All thinking for themselves is what
No man can face with equanimity.
Obviously, today's debate is a notable exception.
As a great fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, I remember that one of my first deeds on entering the House was to help the all-party Gilbert and Sullivan group to lobby the Arts Council for some money for the D'Oyly Carte company. That fell on deaf ears, but hearing in mind that the Arts Council is now a little better off, will the Minister point out to his colleagues in the appropriate Department the need for some middle and lowbrow entertainment, as well as the rather highbrow stuff that sometimes passes over my head? Perhaps we should at some stage consider whether there should be not just the national opera houses but a national light opera house. Light opera is very often an entry into—as people would tell us—more sophisticated music, although the likes of Birtwhistle and so forth are still a long way above my head.
My hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) and others have raised some transport problems. Government planning guidance is increasingly making parking provision in Uxbridge difficult. Although I understand the aims involved, the guidance is stifling development in town centres, especially before suitable local public transport options have been implemented. As such options seem to be a long way off, can some of the guidance be relaxed in the short term so that town centres are not entirely killed off?
I raised with the Deputy Prime Minister on the Floor of the House some months ago the possibility of extending the Central line to Uxbridge—a siding comes
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very close to the Metropolitan and Piccadilly lines. I was told by the Deputy Prime Minister that the Government considered the matter when they first came to office and rejected it. However, a subsequent exchange of letters between myself and his Department has revealed that, in fact, the Government did not consider the matter, but had they done so, they would have rejected it. I wonder whether it might sometimes be a good idea to admit such things. Such ideas, which have sometimes been around for a long time, should be considered before they are rejected out of hand.
Although we are still very much in the cricket season, I should like to use this opportunity to press the Minister to mention to Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport not only D'Oyly Carte but sport. I know that grassroots sport and football have been in the news and that work is being done on the issue, but I would like a little more emphasis on non-league football. Not only is such sport an opportunity for many to enjoy supporting their local side, but it can play an important community function.
I am lucky in having in Uxbridge the excellent Ryman division one team, which is aptly named Uxbridge. We have been delighted to be joined in that division—we may leave them behind when we are promoted to the premier next season—by the team of Northwood in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood, and by Yeading, which plays in the other constituency that covers Hillingdon. The hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. McDonnell) puts too much emphasis on Hayes FC in the Nationwide conference, but he must not forget poor old Yeading.
Finally I turn to the more serious matter on which I originally intended to say just a few words. As we go away for the summer recess, I take hon. Members' minds back to last year and the NATO action in Yugoslavia. Since then, we have heard little of what has happened in Serbia, Yugoslavia or, indeed, Kosovo, as only a small amount of information is coming out. I remember some of the wilder claims and statements made during the course of the NATO action, and I should like to know a little more about what is happening. I hope that there will be a debate on the subject soon after we return.
Of course, the Select Committees on Defence and on Foreign Affairs have produced reports, some of which contain pretty damning statements, but I do not want to dwell on those now, but on the humanitarian aspect. As many of us, hopefully, are leaving for a break with our families, we should bear in mind the plight of refugees in Yugoslavia. There are more refugees in Yugoslavia than any other European country. As a result of sanctions and the NATO sanction, there is a great deal of deprivation in Serbia. One of the most alarming statistics that I heard recently was that 68 per cent. of the population cannot afford three proper meals a day. Obviously, the innocent and most vulnerable will suffer, not Milosevic's party elite.
The International Red Cross is doing work in Serbia, and, within that, the British Red Cross is doing what it can. However, there is a case to be made for a small change in British policy, as isolating the country from all significant spheres of activity is damaging those people who want to support change to a more western form of democracy. Most of the intelligentsia have left and, in many respects, the aims of the west's action have not been achieved—indeed, the very opposite has been achieved.

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Without being too radical, I think that we should start by having links at an ordinary level, so that the Yugoslav people realise that the British people have no argument with them. Perhaps we could have sporting and cultural links and, in time, trade links.
There is a danger of being seen to support a regime which most if not all people in this country are against. However, it is time to look seriously at what is happening. Serbia is probably the most important country in that region, and we must consider the Balkan area for the sake of Europe's security and peace. We cannot afford to ignore that region any longer.
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. There are about 35 minutes remaining before winding-up speeches are due to begin. I think that four hon. Members are seeking to catch my eye. If there is mutual self-restraint, we shall accommodate everybody.
1.23 pm
Mr. Tony Banks: I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in our debate. Listening to today's contributions, one realises that those who characterise pre-recess debates as a sort of nerds' corner clearly have not had the opportunity to pay attention to the excellent points made by hon. Members. Those who heard my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) describe a moving case involving the death of a young constituent will realise just how valuable these opportunities are for all of us.
We are about to go into a long recess and, to be perfectly honest, I want to have a quick whinge. Madam Speaker spoke about cynicism in relation to Parliament, especially the House of Commons, and the description of the long recess as a holiday tends to encourage cynicism. This morning I listened to "Yesterday in Parliament" and heard Rob Orchard and his fellow presenter referring to Members of Parliament going off on holiday to the beach—that is difficult for me in West Ham, which is landlocked—and taking their buckets and spades. That is one of the most ridiculous cliches that journalists use when describing the long summer recess.
I am not unique in terms of my holiday plans. I will have two weeks off, and the rest of the time I will be in my constituency here in London. My constituency office will be functioning daily, and staff holidays are organised so that it will be there every day during a normal working week. Post will be coming in and people will be working here in Westminster. Advice sessions will be held. To describe the long recess as a holiday is untrue, misleading, and tends to encourage that cynicism among voters who feel that we are all about to disappear to a beach to drink vast quantities of pina coladas and enjoy ourselves. I do not know how many Members of Parliament will be in that fortunate position.
Mr. Dominic Grieve rose—
Mr. Banks: Ah, a pina colada drinker.
Mr. Grieve: I will be going away with buckets and spades, but as they are the buckets and spades of my four-year-old and my six-year-old, I count that as work.
Mr. Banks: I do not envy the hon. Gentleman in that regard. However, "Yesterday in Parliament" referred to
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Members of Parliament and their buckets and spades. I do not know what the hon. Gentleman does when he is on holiday; perhaps he helps his children to dig holes in the sand and build castles, which seems like good training for an Opposition politician. I wish him well, but I doubt whether he will be doing that for the next three months; if he will, he may develop muscles that I have not previously detected on his otherwise slim torso.
I plead with journalists not to perpetuate the myth that the recess is a holiday. They should come to the wonderful area of Stratford—not upon Avon, but in the east end of London—where they will see my staff and myself working hard through the recess, after our holidays.
The other item that I wish to raise has vexed the House considerably in recent days—the role of the Speaker and the election of the Speaker when we return on 23 October. Madam Speaker left us not only with regrets about her departure, but with rather a big problem in terms of finding a successor. I believe that this is a matter that should be determined not by this Parliament but by the next one. That is my opinion, but I suspect that it is not shared by the majority of Members.
Having the election of the Speaker on the very first day we return, 23 October, is awkward. For example, despite what I have just said about the recess, hon. Members do go our different ways and lose contact with one another until our party conferences. Keeping in touch during the recess to discuss the rival merits of different candidates becomes difficult. The list of candidates appears to be growing longer by the day. At present, there seem to be about a dozen people up for the job. Unfortunately, I do not know who they all are. It would be helpful—since I assume that they are all looking for support—if they identified themselves. Perhaps they have done so to their own supporters, but it would be useful if we all knew.
The way in which we are approaching the election of a Speaker leaves far too much to chance, and I very much regret that. There should have been a full day's debate on the role of Speaker and what we as Back-Bench Members—and, indeed, all Members—expect from our Speaker, who, after all, will occupy that distinguished position for five, seven, eight or 10 years. Before the election, we should have an opportunity to describe the sort of person we would like to see occupying the Chair.
There are a number of early-day motions on the subject, which I know that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary will have noted. That is evidence of the concern in the House about the way in which we are approaching the significant matter of the election.
I do not believe that there should be hustings. A candidate who plays to the crowd, so to speak, even when the crowd happens to be Members of Parliament, is not necessarily the person best suited to the job. None the less, the candidates should be given, if they wish, some opportunity to declare themselves and their opinions on the subjects that exercise us—modernisation, the role of Back Benchers, and keeping the Executive under some sort of control, which we always talk about but never manage to achieve; I doubt that we ever will. If we had a full day's debate, putative Speakers would have the opportunity to declare themselves on those important matters.

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Will my hon. Friend consider giving us the opportunity of such a debate by arranging for the House to return on Friday 20 October, before we move to the election of the Speaker on 23 October? Perhaps he will respond to that proposal when he sums up.
My hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) yesterday asked whether the Procedure Committee should be invited to sit during the recess to consider the machinery for the election of the Speaker. As a member of the Procedure Committee, I would be prepared to give up my time—which, clearly, I will not be spending on the beach, with or without bucket and spade—to consider that important matter. The Procedure Committee has not examined it since 1996.
Finally, if none of those proposals finds favour with my hon. Friend or with my colleagues, perhaps Madam Speaker could be asked to invite those candidates of whom she is aware—they could identify themselves to her—to send right hon. and hon. Members during the recess a statement of their intent, and of their views on the issues which they know concern Members of Parliament.
Electing someone to the position of Speaker of the House, which is one of the oldest and most distinguished, responsible and admired positions in the country, should be approached with seriousness. We are doing that, but we should be able to approach the task with more deliberation, and give candidates a clear indication of the qualities that we seek in the person who will occupy the Chair in which you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, are sitting, and which our present Speaker, Betty Boothroyd, has occupied with such distinction during her eight years.
1.33 pm
Sir Richard Body: I hope that the hon. Member for West Ham (Mr. Banks) will forgive me if I do not follow him—although on the subject of the speakership, if only he would suppress some of his prejudices and give us more of his wit, I would be one of those dragging him forcibly from the Back Benches into the Chair.
I revert to a subject on which two hon. Members have already spoken—the national health service. Although the new announcement contains many good features, there are two omissions, which I draw to the attention of those on the Treasury Bench.
The first is the growing shortage of general practitioners, which will become increasingly apparent in the coming decade. In the average practice there are probably five or six GPs, of whom perhaps only one is a woman doctor. One might think that the ratio of men doctors to women doctors should be 50:50. Our teaching hospitals are recruiting as fairly as they can, and none of us would object to an intake of 50 per cent. female students and 50 per cent. male students.
Theoretically that is fine, but in practice it is causing a shortage, because inevitably far too many women doctors drop out of the profession on marriage or on having children. Too often they find it difficult to return. If they are married, they have to find a practice near where their husband can find employment, which may be in another occupation. That presents enormous difficulties for practices that want to increase the number of women doctors in their partnership.
One partnership in my constituency has the average number of partners—six. It set out with the principle of reverse, or positive, discrimination. It said, "We will
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exclude any man. We will take only a woman doctor into the partnership this time." There were several applicants, but none of them was able to join the partnership because they were all married and there were no opportunities for their husbands to find employment in the area.
The partnership pointed out to me, as have other GPs, that there will be a growing problem. The shortage of GPs available to practise will become greater. The Government must start to consider what will happen about 10 years from now. We cannot retain the ratio of 6:1 or 5:1 in most practices, when the male-female ratio among those who are qualifying is 50:50. It does not work out. I hope that there will be a new policy in the national health service to enable those who have had to leave a practice for a while to take a refresher course, or whatever, in our hospitals. That would help them to come back. There are many new developments in medicine, and many women, having temporarily left the profession, even for a few years, feel diffident about coming back. They feel that they are not sufficiently up to date.
Another problem is the way in which so many cancer patients are being treated, once it is obvious in the view of specialists that they are beyond immediate cure. I suppose that all of us received a letter recently—it may have moved us—from a woman who was told that she was going home to die. That was five years ago, but she is still alive. That is because she turned to alternative treatment. She was admitted to the St. Catherine hospital, which is one of the two places where cancer patients receive a treatment which some practitioners dismiss as cranky. It is holistic, and treats patients medically, spiritually and in other ways.
I raise the issue because eight years ago someone who has been a friend of mine for many years was diagnosed as having a very serious form of cancer. He was told that his life could perhaps be prolonged with chemotherapy, but that he must expect his end to come in less than two years. He rejected the chemotherapy and instead went to an alternative establishment. Not only is he still alive, but he is extremely active. He is 79, and is on a lecture tour in Tokyo. Some would say that that was a remarkable recovery.
Alternative treatment is available. Inevitably, it costs a certain amount of money. I would hope that the NHS could be sufficiently broad-minded to appreciate what it can do. Obviously it does not succeed in every case, but the number of its successes is remarkable. I hope that the Health Ministers and those advise the Department will take a more sympathetic view of those treatments, which have proved successful for so many people.
The other matter that I should like to raise—which is very different, but is of increasing concern in my constituency—is the way in which the minimum wage is failing. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Dr. Naysmith) says no, but I wish that he could visit my constituency and see what is happening there. I may be being unfair to him, but he may be one of those who turns a blind eye to the illegal immigrants who are slipping into the black economy in their thousands. I cannot believe that he welcomes that, because when they get into the black economy, they are not paid the minimum rate.
People in my constituency are recruited to work in gangs by rogue gangmasters—not the good, decent ones, to whom I have no objection. They often come from the

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criminal classes, as the police have confirmed to me, and there are increasingly large numbers of them. Such gangs are required in my constituency, where seasonal labour is immensely important to the growing and processing of vegetable crops. They are taken to the factories, one of which sometimes employs 4, 000 a day; others employ perhaps only hundreds. There is scope for illegal immigrants to get into those gangs, but they are paid less than £2 an hour.
The hon. Member for Bristol, North-West mocks me, but he would be the last to support those illegal immigrants being recruited by gangmasters and paid less than £2 an hour. That is bad enough for the immigrants, but I urge him to believe that it is pretty unfair on my law-abiding constituents, who do not wish to be in the black economy and who cannot live on a wage of less than £2 an hour.
Just over a month ago, I wrote to the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities to draw her attention to that important problem. Yesterday I received a reply, not from her, but from someone in the ministerial correspondence unit. It had taken more than four weeks to tell me that the matter would be referred to the Home Office because it was a matter for the Home Secretary. I have been banging on about illegal immigrants for a long time, and I am well aware—we all are—that that is a matter for the Home Office. However, I am emphasising the other side of the coin, which is a matter for the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities.
It is no good hon. Members saying how wonderful the minimum wage is; it may be, but only for those who are not in the black economy. The black economy is increasing in the tourist trade. Skegness, in my constituency, is a marvellous place for a holiday. Come to Skeggy. I shall be there with my grandchildren, although not with my bucket and spade. Illegal immigrants are employed casually in some places there. I will not name them; I do not want to get them into trouble at the moment.
We need the casual labour provided by such gangs, and there is nothing wrong with the gangmaster system, provided that the gangmasters are honest, well known in the locality and normally recruit members of their own families and their neighbours. They do a decent job when they do not face unfair competition from the rogue gangmasters, who have often moved in from places such as Sheffield, Mansfield and Grimsby, and who recruit the kind of people whom we do not want. I hope that the Minister will urge the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities to look into that matter as a matter of urgency.
1.45 pm
Mr. Martin Salter: Not only were many of the comments of the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Sir R. Body) offensive, but he did not even have the courtesy to be here at the start of the debate. I caught the 7.40 train to be here on time to make points to Ministers, and I intend to make them.
I rise on this end-of-term occasion to draw the House's attention in general, and that of Ministers in particular, to the serious problems facing some of our great public services in respect of staff recruitment and retention.
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I am of course delighted that Reading, as the capital of the Thames valley, is an economic success story. We have the thriving and bustling Oracle shopping centre, which is the envy of the region, and we have virtually no unemployment. Only yesterday, I learned of a local computer software company that is offering £1,000 cash bonuses to members of staff who can find a friend to recruit to the company. When the new giant Green Park business complex is completed next to junction 11 of the M4, another 5,000 new jobs will be created. Goodness knows where the staff will come from to fill those vacancies.
Reading is a new Labour success story, but the price of that success is considerable. The insanely high cost of home ownership, not just in my constituency but in large parts of the southeast of England, is putting house purchase beyond the reach of many key public sector workers, including newly qualified nurses, teachers, firefighters, police officers and many local authority employees. In my constituency, a simple two-up two-down terraced house goes for between £90,000 and £100,000. Those properties, which were built for railway workers and Huntley and Palmer's biscuit factory workers, are now well beyond the reach of the qualified, professional people who keep our essential public services running.
To buy a house in my constituency, a first-time purchaser needs to earn in the region of £24,000 to £25,000 a year. How can a newly qualified teacher on £19,000 achieve that? How are police officers, whose salaries start at £16,000 and rise to £18,000 after two years, supposed to achieve that? Firefighters earn between £15,000 and £17,000, and nurses earn much less.
Problems apply not only at that end of the wage scale. Reading borough council has taken six months not to recruit a head of housing and social services at a salary of some £60,000. Clearly, house prices are not a factor in that case, but it shows the pressure on the job market.
Local schools face the real possibility of having to shut classes next September through lack of teachers. There has been a tradition of firefighters having second jobs, although the problem may be less well known in my area. I have highlighted in the Chamber before the insane situation of two firefighters in my constituency, one of whom commutes from Lincoln and the other of whom commutes from north Dorset, because those are the only regions in which they can afford to buy houses.
We all love nurses and want to see more in the NHS. We have been promised 7, 000 new nurses in the new NHS plan. However, if it is to be a truly national plan, those nurses will need to be able to seek employment in all corners of the country.
My local police force, Thames Valley, has been hardest hit by the shortage in affordable housing and the previous Government's actions. In 1996, police numbers fell to an all-time low: 3, 674 officers. Luckily, they have now risen a bit to 3, 783. The fall was the result of the change in the funding formula by the then Home Secretary, the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), which cost some 200 officers overnight. In Reading, that was further compounded by Thames Valley police force's total resource allocation formula, which cost us some 40 to 50 officers. Worst of all was the previous Government's ill-advised decision to implement the Sheehy report, which got rid of the police housing

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allowance so that officers joining the service after 1 September 1994 were patrolling the beat with senior colleagues who were picking up £4,800 more than they were. No wonder we are reaping the rewards of those ill-thought-out policies.
I am glad that the Home Secretary and the Chancellor have put in extra resources. As a result of the crime-fighting fund, we shall have an additional 200 officers, the bulk this year and the remainder next year. As a result of the comprehensive spending review, the Thames Valley force will have another 180 officers. But will we attract new recruits, and will we retain our existing officers? I am afraid that the signs are not good. Steps must be taken, on an urgent basis.
There is a case for a regional cost of living allowance for key public sector workers, or for the taking of specific measures to assist home ownership. I have been lobbying the Home Secretary, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Minister for Housing and Planning, and I welcome references in the housing Green Paper to the need to address the issue. Working with Thames Valley police, I have pressed the case for an additional cost of living allowance to mitigate the effect of the implementation of the Sheehy report.
I have been passed a copy of a report that is currently being considered by the police negotiating board. It was submitted jointly by the police authorities of Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey and Thames Valley to the London pay working party. According to the report,
The current remuneration arrangements for police officers stem from the Sheehy Inquiry into Police Rewards and Responsibilities which reported in June 1993 …
In its formal response to the Sheehy Report, the body representing the police authorities of England and Wales stated that the report "risks long run damage to the service's ability to recruit officers of sufficient quality" and "endanger retention of high quality personnel."
The report also warns of the consequences of Sheehy's having created a two-tier police service. It draws attention to the Government's welcome crime-fighting fund, but doubts that, in many police areas, it will attract the necessary recruits.
Ironically, the situation has been made worse by a good decision: the Government's decision to increase the remuneration of members of the Metropolitan police. As a result of the payment of £3,000, a differential of about £2,500 has risen to some £6,000. It is small wonder that so many police officers in my neck of the woods—officers living in Reading or Slough, who can easily commute to London—want to transfer to the Metropolitan police. Some 55 officers want to transfer: that constitutes a record increase. Perhaps most worrying of all is the fact that our objective of attracting more black and Asian officers is being severely undermined by the recruitment problems.
It is time for the Government to grasp the nettle, and to recognise that training a police officer costs about £53,000. We cannot afford that haemorrhage of resources from our local police services. I welcomed the announcement in the comprehensive spending review of the provision of £250 million for the new starter home initiative, which will be fleshed out in the autumn. I hope that the money will be used for interest-free loans, and to address the terrible problem affecting our great public services.
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The key divide at the next general election will be the difference between the parties' attitudes to those public services. The Conservative party wants to privatise them; I believe that my party wants to invest in them—with the exception of air traffic control. However, there is another divide: the north-south divide, as it affects our great public services. Unless affordable housing is delivered for police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers and other local authority workers, that divide will go into reverse, which would have serious consequences for my constituency and those of many other Members in the south of England.
1.54 pm
Mr. Andrew Love: As the last speaker, let me return to the opening of the debate, and add my voice to those of my hon. Friends the Members for Tooting (Mr. Cox) and for Finchley and Golders Green (Dr. Vis). It is 26 years since the invasion and division of the island of Cyprus, and action by both Britain and the international community to reunite it is long overdue.
I want to speak briefly about the problem of abandoned vehicles, and their impact on housing estates. I am sure that that problem is familiar to other hon. Members, especially Labour Members.
By definition, abandoned vehicles are old and exhausted. They pose a hazard to any community in which they are dumped, and they attract vandals. Vandalised vehicles are a potential danger to everyone in the community, and especially to children. After a time, abandoned and vandalised vehicles are often torched, and the burned-out remains contribute to the general sense of decline. The Government are doing a great deal to regenerate estates, but abandoned vehicles give another example of the difficulties that residents face.
The problem is getting worse. Three years ago, scrap metal was worth between £50 and £60 a tonne. Prices have since declined rapidly, and people are lucky if they get £5 or £6 a tonne. The cost of getting rid of the rubber from the tyres of abandoned vehicles is going up, so it is impossible to make money from disposing of vehicles properly. As a result, people are abandoning vehicles increasingly often.
For example, it costs my local authority £26 to tow away a vehicle to the breaker's yard. It is therefore cheaper, easier and more convenient to abandon vehicles than to dispose of them properly. As a result, the number of abandoned vehicles that local authorities have to deal with has undergone a rapid escalation. In my local authority area, 108 vehicles were removed in April 1999. That compares with the 211 removed in March this year—an increase of almost 100 per cent. The numbers are continuing to increase.
Moreover, recent research shows that there is a growing trend for owner-drivers not to register vehicles. Recent estimates suggest that as many as 20 per cent. of drivers in greater London do not register their vehicles, with the result that they do not face any penalty if they abandon them, and need not fear being caught. That is causing considerable difficulties in my constituency.
My local authority is finding it hard to cope with the problem. The longer that it takes to deal with abandoned vehicles, the more likely it is that they will be vandalised and burned out. A serious fire in my constituency was caused in just that way two weeks ago, and we must be mindful of the safety considerations with regard to children.

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I have taken the matter up with my local authority, and have asked it to deal with what I consider to be local shortcomings. In its turn, however, the authority has asked me to raise in the House the question of what the Government can do to help councils deal with the problem.
First, local authorities have to write to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea to determine who owns a vehicle. On average, it takes 21 days for them to get an answer, yet the police can make a telephone call and get an answer to the same question on the same day, or the day after. I am told that data protection requirements are the reason for that disparity, but it cannot be impossible to cut the amount of time that local authorities have to wait.
Secondly, a vandalised and burned-out car that still has a registration plate cannot be towed away. That is amazing. The local authority has to leave a notice on such a vehicle stating that it will be towed away in two weeks, even though it could pose a potential danger to the local community. That provision needs to be looked at and amended.
We must also tighten the arrangements for ownership of vehicles, because too many people are getting away with not paying for their vehicles to be towed away. DVLA has introduced notification schemes, but it is still too easy for people to evade their responsibilities by not registering their vehicles and not paying their road tax. The Government must deal with those problem areas.
It takes six weeks before a vehicle can be towed away. The owner must be informed in writing, and that takes several weeks. A notice must be left on the vehicle, and that accounts for a few more weeks. Surely those procedures could be telescoped, so that the vehicles could be taken away sooner. They often sit there for several months before anything is done. We must shorten the administrative procedures. The Government should work with local authorities and the police to address that issue.
Negotiations are taking place at European level on the end of vehicle life directive, but it will be some years before that is implemented. In the meantime, we cannot wait and the Government must take action. They must create a sustainable, economically viable disposal system. That would provide an economic incentive for drivers not to abandon their vehicles, but to take them where they can be dealt with. It would also reduce pollution, protect our environment and help to recycle the components of finished vehicles.
I make a plea to the Minister. We must deal with this serious problem for many inner-city areas. With good will from the Government and improved efficiency from local authorities, we can address this issue.
2.2 pm
Mr. Dominic Grieve: It is a pleasure to respond to this varied debate on behalf of the Opposition. My hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Randall) was kind enough to refer to me in my new role, but I still keep my old role. My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for South Staffordshire (Sir P. Cormack), who would normally have been at the Dispatch Box and who was inimitable in that role, was thought to be so inimitable
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that his role has been carved up between the remaining members of the constitutional affairs team. It is quite likely that the Minister will have to cope with a number of different people appearing at the Dispatch Box in this role to respond for the Opposition. I shall still speak for the Opposition on Scottish matters.
We have had 22 speeches from Back Benchers, which undoubtedly is very good news. It has been fascinating to listen to the debate. I have learned that one never learns so much as when one is prepared to spend five or six hours sitting on the Benches listening to debates. It is no surprise to me that the Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office is such a pleasant and courteous man because he, more than any other member of the Government, has to do precisely that. It is a pleasure to see that he will respond to this debate.
Moving slightly away from those conciliatory comments, I should tell the Minister that one of the pleasures of the debate is that it has given hon. Members the opportunity, not too fettered by time, to develop ideas. That is in sharp contrast with the way in which the rest of this week's business has been conducted. There has been a series of timetable motions and guillotines when there was absolutely no question of the Opposition spinning matters out. That was done solely because the Government wanted to conclude business even though they have grossly overloaded the timetable. The nadir was reached yesterday. It is my understanding that Lords amendments have never previously been guillotined when they have come back for consideration in this place, but that is precisely what happened on the Football (Disorder) Bill. It reflects very badly on the way in which the House conducts its business.
Mindful as I am of Madam Speaker's comments in her valedictory message to the House about how we need to conduct ourselves if we are to make a reasonable impact, I ask the Minister to pass on to his colleagues the message that we need more time for sensible debate. Grateful as I am for the opportunity to have such a debate on a diverse range of issues today, the end of this Session has been a very poor example of how we should conduct our business.
As my hon. Friend the Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) has said, if there were any possibility for the key points that hon. Members make in Adjournment debates to be replied to not only by the Minister but by written replies from the various Departments, it might be an interesting step in ensuring that our speeches had a greater impact. I am conscious of the fact that the Minister, wise as he is, will not necessarily have the answers to all the points raised in this debate.
I shall try to address the issues that have been raised in the debate. I apologise if I touch on some of them only very briefly, but time is very short.
We had several speeches on foreign affairs—by the hon. Members for Tooting (Mr. Cox) and for Finchley and Golders Green (Dr. Vis), and, on Yugoslavia, by my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge. The speeches had a common theme: warfare, far from producing conclusive or clear results, has led to constant future tension and problems. We have seen that in Cyprus—a country which I know and love. I spent my honeymoon there, walking around the Akamas peninsula

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and swimming in the baths of Aphrodite. It is a divided island with many problems that were never resolved by armed conflict.
Equally, my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge was right when he said that Yugoslavia's problems had not been resolved by the NATO intervention. That is not to suggest that the NATO intervention was not justified, necessary and inevitable. However, it is a burden on the Government. I simply say to the Minister that he knows that the Government will enjoy the Opposition's support for all constructive action that they take in dealing with those matters.
A huge number of local issues were raised in the debate. They illustrated clearly that hon. Members have a detailed knowledge of what goes on in their areas and constituencies, and the enormous contribution that they can make. My hon. Friend the Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls) described the problems of a computing company in his constituency. I hope that the Minister will be able to enlighten us on those.
The hon. Member for Upminster (Mr. Darvill) made some compelling points on leisure facilities in his constituency. I sympathise so much with him on mobile phone masts, which are the bane of my constituency and probably that of almost every other hon. Member. Something must be done about them. Something that started with the very good intention of trying to free up regulation to enable people to have access to cellnet phones and others has gone completely haywire. Something has to be done about it.
I was a little surprised to hear the comments of the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Dr. Turner), which seemed to be a classic example of a Back Bencher taking an opportunity to have a dig at the Government. Two points emerged from his speech. The first—which he did not make—on pensions was that the truth is that, since the national pension was established in the 1940s, all Governments have been conning pensioners and the electorate. Successive Governments have behaved like Mr. Maxwell: they have raided the pension fund to pay for their current expenditure.
I tell the hon. Member, on a completely non-partisan basis, that that is why the crisis exists. Even the Minister knows that there is very little solution to it. However, I commend to the hon. Gentleman the Conservative party's suggestion that it is time that we got away from gimmick offerings to pensioners. We need to make some progress in ensuring that pensioners have a set pension that is higher than it is now, while getting away from gimmickry costing great sums to administer.
My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) touched on the issue of hospitals in his constituency and the problems caused by the merger of health authorities. We have in the health service an enormous bureaucratic organisation. I sometimes wonder whether we are benefiting people by the constant interference in trying to change, reform and streamline. There was a health service in this country before the NHS existed. It was provided by a range of voluntary institutions, which also took in those who could not afford to pay. There are lessons to be learned from that, even if the national health service has much to commend it.
My hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) dealt with many topics that were relevant to his constituency. Again, he showed a complete mastery
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of his local problems. I share his views on the disgraceful release today of convicted murderers in Northern Ireland. Some are being released under the terms of the Good Friday agreement, but it beggars belief that, having included a minimum period of two years in the agreement, an exemption is made off the cuff, through exercise of the royal prerogative and the royal pardon, to accommodate a vicious killer who has not served that requisite period. We have approached the matter inconsistently.
The hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) made important points about wheelchair use. It is not the first time that such a problem has been raised. I have certainly experienced it and I hope that the Parliamentary Secretary will pass on those comments to his colleagues.
The hon. Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) made a speech that was rightly heard in silence. It seems to me, prima facie, that he presented a massive indictment of the operation of professional procedures against doctors. It is impossible to comment further, but I hope that the matter can be examined. Perhaps one of the problems is that the existence of so many doctors means that professional control inside the profession is more difficult to achieve. The question whether people should be suspended during inquiries should be considered. The House should be grateful that the hon. Gentleman has brought it to our attention.
The hon. Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler) made many points about tourism in his county. I have occasionally taken a bucket and spade to north Cornwall and I hope to do so in future.
The hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Rammell) displayed complete expertise in his subject. I disagree with him about pensions. He sent a shot across the Government's bows, but he also asked about pensions and the minimum pension guarantee. As I said earlier, we must get away from gimmickry on pensions.
My hon. Friend the Member for Cotswold mentioned a strategic road through his constituency. I have driven along the road to which he referred; it is a genuine problem. I hope that the Government will be able to find a way in which to deal with it within the available cost parameters.
The speech of my hon. Friend the Member for Boston and Skegness (Sir R. Body) was ill received by some hon. Members—for little reason. My hon. Friend is a great expert on agriculture and farming in this country, and the House would be wise to listen to him. His comments on gangers and the way in which the system works reveal a scandal. We live in such a regulated society, and people are therefore more apt to wish to break the regulations.
The hon. Member for Reading, West (Mr. Salter) did not seem to understand that. He made several points about policing, and I share some of his anxieties, as my constituency also lies in the Thames valley. He mentioned the total resource allocation formula; it has nothing to do with the previous Government. My constituency is suffering because of that formula under this Government. The hon. Member did not make many good points on that.
The hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) made important points about abandoned vehicles. I am sure that his views will be shared by many hon. Members. The increasing number of abandoned vehicles in my constituency is enormous. They are burnt out and they constitute a danger. There must be a simpler way to deal with them when they are on the street.

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Let me briefly consider several wider issues. The hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Dr. Naysmith) considered mental health services. He made an excellent speech, and I share his sentiments. As one of the chairmen of the all-party mental health group, I greatly sympathise with the points that he made. Mental health legislation must be addressed. That is a massive task, and I hope that the Parliamentary Secretary realises that he will have Conservative Members' support when the Government decide to grasp the nettle. It is not a party political issue; it is a very complex one.
My hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) spoke about Harefield hospital—a matter of great concern to my constituents. In my experience, the disruption caused by removing a centre of excellence is often extremely damaging. I hope that the Government will consider that fact as they decide how to resolve the issue.
The hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie) spoke about landfill at Denholme. As there is a landfill site at Denham in my constituency, I thought for a moment that the hon. Gentleman was straying away from his patch. His comments are correct and raised an interesting point. The Government believe in devolution, but the hon. Gentleman came to the House to raise an issue because he realises that, when there is local government mismanagement, the buck stops with him as Member of Parliament. It was a bold step to take. I often reply to my constituents that Parliament has devolved such matters to local authorities to decide—even though I may not agree with that.
The Conservatives propose that there should be a method whereby local communities can appeal against the planning decisions of local authorities. That proposal should commend itself to the hon. Gentleman. I hope that he will reflect on it and pass it to his colleagues.
I agree with the hon. Member for West Ham (Mr. Banks) that we work hard in the vacation—it is an important part of our activities. Some of us also work hard with buckets and spades. The path of shining light could be followed by MPs; it is commendable to do some hard labour. I certainly recommend that path to any hon. Members who are able-bodied enough to take it.
My hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Mr. Fraser) dealt with a question relating to the House. We should be able to divert our phone calls, although perhaps not for the reason he gave.
I hope that the speech of my hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) was not valedictory. It was a considerable speech that dealt with some philosophical points of great importance. I cannot do justice to it in the time remaining for my speech, but some of the points that he made reflect directly on the operation of government in this country. The question whether government should be by representative democracy or by focus group is critical.
At present, we suffer from the fact that we have a Government who court popularity; their use of referendums or other devices resembles the Government of Napoleon III. Indeed, the Prime Minister was once heard to say that he wanted to make government in this country less feudal and more napoleonic. I regret that that is exactly what he seems to be achieving—although he may have been thinking of another Napoleon.
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The Prime Minister also suffers from the Tinkerbell factor. When the light starts to go out, or something goes wrong, he needs reassurance so that the light can shine again. As he is not receiving that reassurance at present, I think that he needs a long holiday. I am happy to wish him a good holiday. Indeed, I wish every Member of the House a good holiday, especially the Minister, whose comments I look forward to hearing.
2.18 pm
The Parliamentary Secretary, Privy Council Office (Mr. Paddy Tipping): The debate has been extensive and interesting, with some surprising comments. The hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) was delighted with a written answer that he had not yet seen—a first for the House.
My hon. Friend the Member for Upminster (Mr. Darvill) told us that we should listen more attentively to each other—behaviour that we do not often witness in the House. For the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson)—a great lover of his constituency—outer London became rural Middlesex. We all love our own constituency.
The hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) told me that I had been too polite and too helpful in the past. Perhaps I can keep up the good work. I shall continue the tradition of writing to all those hon. Members who I do not mention in my speech. I shall pass messages on to my colleagues and try to secure responses.
My hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) started the debate in pole position on Cyprus, as he often does. He was well supported by my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley and Golders Green (Dr. Vis). We do need to make progress. The Government are committed, as guarantor, to a settlement in Cyprus. We fully back the efforts of the United Nations. We take every opportunity to press human rights issues with the Turkish Government. Our view on the Ilisu dam has not changed since the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 21 December. Objective criteria have to be met and environmental concerns will be taken into account.
One of the major themes of the debate has been new technology. The hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Mr. Fraser) said that the House could improve its telephone system. I think that he is right, and I shall pass on his suggestions. Change takes place so quickly that improvement will become inevitable.
My hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) made an important point about the possible problem of poverty of access to internet and e-mail systems. He will know that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer takes that issue very seriously.
My hon. Friend the Member for Upminster and the hon. Member for Southend, West talked about mobile phone masts and the Stewart report. Let me make it clear that the Government are committed to responding to the report and are consulting on new planning powers for local authorities. It is an important issue on which we want to make progress quickly.
The hon. Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls) spoke about a problem with a computer firm, AllVoice, in his constituency. He had a reply from a Minister today. Using

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new technology, we have faxed the answer to the hon. Gentleman, so that he knows that the matter is in hand. I will not comment on the specific case, but there is the wider issue of the knowledge network and keeping intellectual and professional rights. He asked me specifically whether I would write to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the issue. I give him the undertaking that I will.
An announcement of major investment in the national health service was made yesterday. Real-terms spending will increase by 6 per cent. for the next six years—a growth over that time of a third in the money that will be spent. There will be major changes in practice and the need to modernise was expressed. Therefore, it is not surprising that the NHS has dominated our debate.
My hon. Friend the Member for Upminster spoke about the important need to bring social services and health together and to pool budgets and good practice. The hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) spoke extremely eloquently about the problems in Bromley and Bexley and about the consultation programme on amalgamation. I will, of course, pass on his comments; that is what they were designed for. I assure him that, given the scale of spending, all local authorities—whether they are above or below the index—will receive increased spending. Many of us challenge the index, so I can also say that it, too, is under review.
The hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood made an important speech about an extremely valuable institution—the Harefield hospital. It is internationally renowned and has an international team of medical consultants. Ministers are talking to the staff team there, because it is important that it is kept together—that is where the knowledge is. The hon. Gentleman made his case powerfully and I shall ensure that his views are passed on.
My hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) spoke eloquently about the specific case of Wassan Khatib. I do not want to comment on that case or on the case of Alex Eady that was raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West. However, we can learn much from considering complaints and taking them seriously. I fear that, in the NHS and elsewhere, we do not learn from our mistakes or examine them properly or confidently enough, and that we are afraid of apologising when things go wrong. Several Members have said that the complaints system against medical practitioners is not adequate and does not have patients' confidence. I agree with them, and that is why the Government are talking to the profession about a better way forward.
My hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West also referred to the provision of wheelchairs, which has been a Cinderella service. There has been a damning Audit Commission report and, given the level of investment in the NHS, we should be able to make progress.
In an authoritative and knowledgeable speech, my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Dr. Naysmith) spoke about mental illness services. Those, too, have been a Cinderella service. A Green Paper has been published, and consultation is taking place. I want to pick up on two points that he made. First, we need to strengthen community-based mental health services and intervene at an early date, and secondly, new drugs and treatment are making mental health issues and problems far more manageable in the community.
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I agree with the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Sir R. Body) that there ought to be more women general practitioners. They bring sensitivity to the health service. Another form of sensitivity would be to allow alternative medicines and treatments to be available. Some health authorities do that better than others.
My hon. Friend the Member for North-West Norfolk (Dr. Turner) spoke about the plight of pensioners. A lot has been achieved, but there is much more to be done. Pensioner groups in King's Lynn and elsewhere in north-west Norfolk, including Mr. Worth and Mr. and Mrs. Martin, will continue their campaign. I make my hon. Friend a promise: we will do more; a lot more needs to be done. Only yesterday, we made a major announcement about the provision of services and finance for residential and nursing care. In the autumn, as he knows, we will make a significant and important announcement on the pensioners tax credit. I suspect that when the next pensions increase is agreed and announced, it will be far in excess of the current year's agreement.
Another major theme of the debate was the environment. I know the site and area to which my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie) referred. I will not comment on the specific case, but I stress the need to move away from landfill and to do more on recycling. If the Environment Agency has not been consulted on the specific planning application to which my hon. Friend referred, there are real grounds for concern.
On another transport and environment issue, my hon. Friend the Member for Upminster spoke about the need for proper access for people with a disability to the railways. As he said, we need to get people off the roads and on to high quality public transport. Both he and the Government support such a policy; it is important to do so sensibly.
The hon. Member for Cotswold spoke wisely about the A419 and the A417. Yes, there is a problem. There is a solution, but it is difficult to balance the needs of traffic and transport with the wider needs of the environment. That is, of course, also the case in Southend, West, where a bypass is desperately needed. Money has been made available for new bypasses just this week, but we have yet to resolve which schemes will go ahead. None the less, the hon. Member for Southend, West made his point extremely well.
My hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) spoke with great knowledge about the problem of abandoned cars. Some local authorities are at the forefront of good practice on the matter. We need to consider that and to use best practice, although, as he clearly recognises, we must move in the longer term towards manufacturers having ultimate responsibility for recycling.
I hope that the speech of the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) was not his last. He made important and significant points. I know of his commitment over many years to working with young people, giving them citizenship and education and developing and adding value to them. If we can achieve that, some of the problems with yobbish behaviour in our schools will die away. We must praise and support teachers and social workers, as the hon. Gentleman said. It is far too easy to be critical of people and not to strengthen them. That support and praise can go wider.

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As my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, West (Mr. Salter) said, it is important that we offer housing assistance to public employees.
We have talked about tourism and holidays. On my ministerial duties, I shall be going to Cornwall, Skegness, Boston, north-west Norfolk and the Balkans during my alleged holiday. I will enjoy working hard, I will enjoy working hard in my constituency and I will enjoy a bit of a holiday. I hope that you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and all your staff enjoy your well deserved holiday.
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I reciprocate those good wishes, as I did approximately 12 months ago. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman.
It being half-past Two o'clock, the motion for the Adjournment of the House lapsed, without Question put.

ROYAL ASSENT
Mr. Deputy Speaker: I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that the Queen has signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts:

Finance Act 2000

Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Act 2000

Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000

Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000

Learning and Skills Act 2000

Local Government Act 2000

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Census (Amendment) Act 2000

Football (Disorder) Act 2000

Postal Services Act 2000

Utilities Act 2000

Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2000

Fire Deaths
Motion made, and Question proposed,That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. McNulty.]
2.31 pm
Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick: In opening this Adjournment debate on Government targets for the reduction of fire deaths, injuries and costs, I must declare an interest, as I am a non-executive director of the Fire Protection Association, a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to reduce deaths and injuries by fire, as well as the huge costs incurred as a result of fire, which are estimated to be between £4 million and £7 million to the UK. I am sure that that objective is shared by all parliamentary colleagues. I am also co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on fire safety, and I was a member of the London fire brigade for 23 years, 13 as an operational firefighter and 10 as a fire brigade union official, so it could be said that I should have some familiarity with the subject.
I should like to express my delight at having secured this debate and at having the opportunity to be the last Back-Bench Member to speak in this Session under Madam Speaker's stewardship. I am not sure whether the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), who is responsible for fire matters, was equally delighted when he saw the subject on today's Order Paper. I did think of apologising but, given the publicity that the Minister has recently had for catching criminals, I thought that he should get some good press for putting out fires.
I congratulate the Minister and his Department on several recent fire-related initiatives, including the Home Office fire and emergency planning directorate and the national community fire safety centre, which was established in September 1998 and operates within Her Majesty's fire service inspectorate. The centre's aim is to drive forward recommendations in the report of the community fire safety task force called "Safe as Houses", and develop a co-ordinated sustained national strategy to deliver fire safety awareness and education. The centre contributes directly to the Home Secretary's key aims, namely to reduce accidental fire-related deaths in the home by 20 per cent. over the next five years, and reduce the overall number of fires.
The centre is working with the fire service, its representative organisations and the wider fire industry to implement a programme of action. Before I speak about that programme, I should like to pay tribute to the recently retired general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, Mr. Ken Cameron. He held that position for 20 years, and is a professional, diligent and genuine individual who did his best for his members in the fire service. It was my ambition to follow him one day, but I find myself in this place instead, and am proud to represent Poplar and Canning Town. I offer my best wishes to Mr. Cameron's successor, Andy Gilchrist.
The centre's programme includes developing and evaluating a programme of national fire safety publicity campaigns to meet specific domestic fire risks and trends. I know that we shall a see a series of hard-hitting national television advertisements this autumn that were trialled in Yorkshire to promote the message of fire safety and fire

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awareness. The centre provides a toolbox of community fire safety programmes and resources which can be used by brigades. It has developed a strong unifying fire safety branding for all national fire safety initiatives, as well as for individual brigade use. It has established partnerships and networks of national and community-based organisations, agencies and Government Departments to target, in particular, the hard-to-reach groups in the community. It is also researching and developing opportunities for the provision of curriculum-based fire safety education in schools.
I wish to refer to a number of other important matters. One initiative being explored recently with the Association of British Insurers is the promotion of a smoke detector campaign. I applaud the work of Mr. Chris Mounsey of the ABI and Mr. Jonathan O'Neil, managing director of the Fire Protection Association. The one year that there was a clear dip in fire deaths was at the height of the smoke detector installation campaign in the early 1990s. However, the working party that looked at the issue identified early on that there was clear evidence that most smoke detectors in homes did not work due to dead or removed batteries or poor maintenance. Batteries are removed because of nuisance alarms or to be used in remote controls for televisions or other domestic appliances. There is also clear evidence of poor maintenance and badly-sited fire detectors. I urge all those who have a detector to check it.
There is an initiative in Northern Ireland called "Thumbs Up, It's Friday" which encourages people to check their smoke detector on a Friday. This is very much in keeping with the peace process, with people from both communities being encouraged to give a thumbs up to the fire brigade, rather than attack them when they are trying to put out blazes caused by civil disturbance. There is also a European initiative to promote an annual day in the European calendar for people to check their smoke detector batteries. Research undertaken by the Institute of Child Health shows that fire detector giveaway schemes do not appear to be the solution, and hardwired or ten-year battery-operated fire detectors may be a way forward.
I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) on her Fire Safety (Houses in Multiple Occupation) Bill. She is attempting to make it a requirement to install smoke detectors in HMOs. These are categorised as bedsits, shared housing, households with lodgers, purpose-built HMOs, such as hostels, guest and boarding houses, bed-and-breakfasts and self-converted flats. Only 6.25 per cent. of the UK population live in HMOs, but 28 per cent. of all fire deaths and 36 per cent. of all fires occur in these dwellings. In real terms, this means that around 230 people died and over 600 were injured last year in HMOs. That is unacceptable.
The Government have moved the goalposts in other areas. From 1 July this year, new regulations mean that single-storey commercial buildings of over 2, 000 sq m will require sprinklers. That is welcome both to those protected in those buildings and to firefighters.
In a debate in Westminster Hall on 8 March, I referred to residential sprinklers for domestic purposes, which are a tool for the future. I quoted the experience of Scottsdale, Arizona, where every building was sprinklered. The reductions over the past 10 years have been dramatic.
1460
Property damage is down 80 per cent., water damage is down by 95 per cent. and not a single life has been lost in the whole town.
There is a clear lack of understanding among people in Britain about sprinklers. It was reported at the time of the fire at Windsor castle that a senior Minister said, "Thank goodness the building was not sprinklered." That indicates a lack of awareness that sprinkler heads are activated only in the area of fire and not throughout a whole building when a fire occurs. Sprinklers would have considerably reduced the damage to the nation's heritage and the Queen's property.
As a result of fires in the United Kingdom, for the last three years for which figures are available, there were 736 deaths and over 17, 000 injuries in 1995, 709 deaths and 18, 000 injuries in 1996, and 723 deaths and more than 18, 600 injuries in 1997. It must remembered that such injuries are not like football injuries—broken limbs that should heal. Fire injuries more often than not mean that the victim is scarred for life.
The Government's target of reducing deaths and injuries by 20 per cent. has been criticised as being too modest. It is argued that that is tantamount to saying that we are prepared to accept about 500 people a year being killed by fires. I understand the feelings of those who say that the targets are not as ambitious as they might be, but I agree with the Government that we need to get the figures going in the right direction, then keep driving them down.
The majority of deaths and injuries are a result of fires in the home, which account for more than 60 per cent. of all building fires and more than 75 per cent. of all casualties. One is three times more likely to die in a fire at home than anywhere else.
Insurance claims in the UK as a result of fire were £615 million in 1994, £700 million in 1995, £707 million in 1996 and £739 million in 1997. Those figures do not take into account the high number of fires that occur in uninsured buildings or the environmental and other hidden costs. There seems to be clear agreement across organisations that more detailed and reliable data collection systems are needed to demonstrate how much fire is costing the United Kingdom.
Those most at risk from fire are members of society at the bottom of the social scale. More than 50 per cent. of all fire casualties are the very young or the old, those who are physically or mentally incapacitated and cannot help themselves, and those under the influence of drink or drugs. These are the politics of fire. One is more likely to suffer injury or worse by fire if one is at the bottom of the social scale.
Among those involved in trying to help to meet Government targets, I should mention Dr. Rosemary Everton, Professor of Fire at Lancaster university, who has contributed a great deal and who, I know, has been seriously ill recently. We all wish her well soon. Others who have made a significant contribution are London's Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Brian Robinson, who was last year's president of the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association, and this year's president, Mr. Malcolm Eastwood.
Another organisation that plays an important role in the UK fire service is the national training college at Moreton-in-Marsh. I would be grateful if my hon. Friend the Minister could give some indication of its future role

1461
and structure, in view of the speculation in recent years and the consultation that has taken place about the role that the college should play, nationally and internationally.
Fire safety week takes place this year between 23 and 30 September, with a launch at Oxford on Monday 25 September, coinciding with the Labour party conference. We are trying through European agencies to establish a European fire safety day. Friday the 13th is considered in Europe, as it is in this country, a bad luck day, so it would seem appropriate for that to be a fire safety day in October.
With reference to the comprehensive spending review and local authority fire brigade funding, the Prime Minister said yesterday, launching the NHS national plan:
With the strength of the economy, we can either put more money into our essential public services or not.—[Official Report, 27 July 2000; Vol. 354, c. 1269.]
I do not believe that there is a more essential service than the fire service. I know that the thrust of Government policy is to improve fire prevention, but after 20 years of cuts and continuing pressure from the pensions budget, which will consume up to 25 per cent. of some fire brigade budgets by next year, it is time to make a greater investment in local authority fire brigades through the SSA formula.
Firefighters are rightly held in high regard by the British public because of their sacrifice, bravery and professionalism. Firefighters welcome better fire prevention, but they need better resourcing. I would welcome the Minister's views.
There have been some welcome developments, with the re-forming of the Fire Protection Association, bringing together all the key players in central and local government, the private sector and insurance businesses. That is undoubtedly a sign of joined-up thinking. The formation of the Fire Industry Confederation, which has brought together private sector fire protection bodies, is also a positive move. Indeed, it initiated the report of the fire safety framework group as a prompt for and suggested programme of the new national fire safety board, which is being set up by the Minister. Brendon Gately of the FIC had much to do with that. I understand that the new national board has its inaugural meeting on 3 August. Perhaps my hon. Friend might update the House on its progress, his vision for its future and the role that it might play.
What is the prospect for a fire safety Bill to update, modernise and rationalise legislation across the spectrum that covers fire? Generally, we get new fire laws only after a tragedy because of the demonstration of a gap in public protection. There is an agreed and clear need to improve fire protection legislation. I hope that we can make progress in that area.
I fear that there is an opportunity that we may be about to miss. That is to use the excellent Government initiative called the home energy efficiency scheme. Following the successful passage last Friday of a private Member's Bill, the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Bill, promoted by the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess)—he and I happen to be the co-chairs of the fire safety all-party group—it is clear that the Government are committing hundreds of millions of pounds to help the
1462
most vulnerable citizens in our society, who are unable to keep their homes warm, by providing a variety of options including insulation. There are plans also to improve the security of their homes. There is a great opportunity to install smoke detectors at the same time, with 10-year batteries or hard wire.
I wish to reinforce what I said at the beginning of my remarks, and applaud the Minister and all the members of his team for building on the work of his predecessor. He has set ambitious targets, but I believe that they can be met, and should be exceeded. Were the whole House present, I am sure that it would wish him every success.
2.46 pm
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mike O'Brien): I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Mr. Fitzpatrick) for initiating the debate. These are important matters, and he brings to the subject unrivalled knowledge and practical experience of the fire service.
The fire service is rightly held in high regard by the public, not only for its outstanding bravery and commitment but also for its effectiveness and professionalism. It has been described by the Audit Commission as one of the highest performing public services. It sustains and improves that performance year on year, particularly in its prompt attendance at fires. Unlike people in some other parts of the world, all of us, wherever we live, can rely on the fire brigade to come to put out a fire in our home if we need it to do so. We owe a great deal of gratitude to generations of firefighters, who have stood by and waited for that call, and who in responding to it have often saved lives in the process.
The Government value and invest in public services such as the fire service. Since we took office, we have agreed revenue and capital settlements for the fire service which demonstrate an understanding of its needs that was sadly lacking during our predecessors' last years in office.
Last week, as part of the spending review, we announced a 5 per cent. increase in revenue funding in 2001–02, and 4 per cent. increases in each of the two following years. On Wednesday I was particularly pleased to announce for 2001–02 a 67 per cent. increase in provision for credit approvals to almost £60 million, to help meet the service's pressing capital needs. We will sustain that sort of investment over the next three years.
In return, it is entirely right that the public should expect the service to continue to work to improve its efficiency, and to use these additional resources well. I believe that the latest settlement provides the resources and confidence to carry forward the programme of modernisation on which the Government and the fire service are already jointly embarked.
My hon. Friend referred to the fire service college. Today, I have answered a written question from the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on the future of the college following the prior options review. We intend to draw on the skills of both the public and the private sector. Fire service interests have canvassed the option of a public service consortium. We will give them a chance to develop that idea, but we are also open to the possibility of a public-private partnership and to including the private sector. Either way, together with the Ministry of Defence, we are drawing up an operational specification of the fire service's central training

1463
requirements. I have asked that that be done straight away; it will be done during the summer. We shall then look for partners in the public or the private sector in the autumn. The fire service college is important, and we want to safeguard its work in future.
As my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town has already stressed, combating the ravages of fire matters. The Government have firmly gripped that challenge, and good progress has been made; we want to ensure that that progress continues. It is the result of collaboration between all sectors of the fire service, including the trade unions.
I join my hon. Friend in paying tribute to Ken Cameron, the retired general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union. Ken has a strong commitment to trade unionism and an equally strong commitment to ensuring that we have a fire safety agenda in this country. He contributed greatly in both respects when serving as the FBU's general secretary. I also wish his successor, Andy Gilchrist, all the best in his new job.
The constructive relationship that has developed between the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association, the FBU and the fire authorities is enormously important, especially in creating the sort of partnership spirit that the fire community has come to embody. My hon. Friend has done a great deal to help to promote the sense of a shared vision of how to proceed.
I pay particular tribute to my hon. Friend's contribution as chair of the fire safety framework group, which draws together several fire interests, and has produced proposals for a fire safety strategy, which will provide an invaluable foundation for future work. That initiative is wholly consistent with the thrust of the Government's policy to make fire safety and fire prevention the future priority of the service, and to build new relationships so that all who contribute to policy making are involved from the start in developing such policies.
I take pride in the Home Office national community fire safety centre, which we set up and funded. With brigades, it has run major safety campaigns on chip-pan fires, smoke alarms and escape plans. I welcome the establishment of the fire safety advisory board, which will meet for the first time next week and draws together a wide range of interests. I am also pleased that the new arson control forum will meet in the autumn. It is to our credit that we have introduced the Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999, and that despite the difficulties of finding time in the legislative programme for a Bill, we are pursuing regulatory reform to secure the much needed rationalisation and consolidation of fire safety law. I hope that we shall be able to introduce such measures in the not-too-distant future.
The fire service has waited a long time for a fire safety Bill, and patience is wearing thin, but I hope we shall be able to make progress and that they will not have to wait much longer. I cannot promise to introduce a Bill in the near future, but we shall pursue the regulatory options as a way in which to take forward much of that agenda. That will be done broadly in line with what the fire service community would wish to support.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has rightly focused on targets. If there is one thing that characterises the Government it is that we not only invest resources in public services, but clearly specify the service
1464
improvements and reforms that the public can expect in return. We are concerned with measuring what public services can deliver, improving efficiency and focusing on results.
We have set the fire service, and ourselves, specific targets to improve fire service efficiency by 2 per cent. a year, to reduce the predicted upward trend in the number of fires by March 2002, and to reduce fire-related deaths in the home by 20 per cent. by March 2003. In addition, I share my hon. Friend's wish not to overlook the economic as well as the human cost of fires, as well as his wish to drive down injuries as well as deaths.
I am glad that our targets are well on their way to being met. Fire service efficiency is improving, and the recent revenue and capital settlements will give that added impetus. The increase in the number of fires is much lower than projected, although we have been helped in part by our rather wet English summers. The number of injuries is falling; it is 4 per cent. lower in the year to September 1999 than it was in the preceding year. The best news of all is that accidental fire deaths in the home are falling faster than the quite ambitious target that we set. For the year to September 1999 the provisional figure for deaths is 319; in 1997 it was more than 400. Thus progress is being made.
My hon. Friend suggested that the targets that we set had been criticised by some as lacking in ambition. The important thing about setting targets is that they should be realistic and achievable within a defined period. Laudable but unrealistic targets are the surest guarantee of demoralising the organisations that have been set them. We need to maintain the high morale that exists in the fire service by ensuring that it realistically believes that it can achieve the targets that we have set. Morale will improve as a result of achieving those targets. There is no point in setting a target that, although desirable in the long term, causes greater problems than it resolves because the fire service fails to achieve it.
I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that it is important that we set targets—and that we set the right targets. I also very much agree with what he said about sprinklers and hard-wired alarms with 10-year batteries. We must give full attention to all those things because they are important elements in a broader fire safety strategy. A number of fire service community organisations will consider them, and we hope to say more about them in due course.
My hon. Friend deserves congratulations for his work in this area, and I congratulate him on today's debate. I assure him, however, that there is no room for complacency, which is why it is important to keep reinforcing the key fire safety messages, and to continue to invest in the research that he urges into the total cost of fire to the economies of England and Wales. There is cause for optimism. We can win, and we are winning. We are determined to continue to do so, and with my hon. Friend's help, and the help of his former colleagues in the fire service and those who work in fire authorities and the fire industry, I hope that we can further reduce deaths and injuries, as well as reducing the number of fires that take place in this country.
Question put and agreed to.
Adjourned accordingly at three minutes to Three o'clock.

CABINET OFFICE

  Regulations
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the regulations(a) introduced, (b) amended and (c) repealed since May 1997. [132770]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The information requested is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Government's Annual Report
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Ministerfor the Cabinet Office when she expects the information, provided by postcode, on the Government's Annual report website to be available for information that pertains to(a) developed and (b) reserved matters to be available for (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland. [133062]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The database of regional information available by postcode is being developed at present, in the first instance, for information on reserved matters. This work is well advanced. Discussions on the presentation of information on devolved matters are proceeding with the devolved administrations.

  Departmental Initiatives
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to her answer of 18 July 2000,Official Report, column 155W, if she will list all departmental initiatives between May 1997 and 18 July 2000 requiring bids from voluntary organisations and local authorities for funding, together with the total resources allocated to these initiatives, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data she collects on the average cost of preparing the bids for funding through each initiative. [132669]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The detailed distribution of the resources the Cabinet Office was allocated in the Spending Review 2000 is still being decided.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of Government spending on combating illicit drug misuse has been spent on(a) law enforcement, (b) treatment, (c) harm reduction measures, (d) prevention and (e) research during each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [132916]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The first UK drugs strategy "Tackling Drugs Together" was launched in May 1995 and allocated £8.8 million over three years to Drug Action Teams, £5.9 million on schools drug education for 1995–96, and £1 million in the same year for services for young people at an early stage of drug misuse.
  904W
  The Government's Comprehensive Spending Review 1998 estimated drug related spending across the UK to be in the region of £1.4 billion per annum, over £1 billion of which was spent on law enforcement measures.

  Under the present strategy, "Tackling Drugs To Build A Better Britain", the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review settlement provided an additional £217 million of resources over three years, as follows:
  £133 million towards anti-drug measures in the criminal justice system, (of which £60 million covers treatment services in prisons, £12 million for voluntary drug testing in prisons and £61 million towards the piloting and implementation of the Drug Treatment and Testing Orders).
  £70.5 million towards the funding of new treatment services and improved community care services, (of which health authorities received £50 million for treatment services for young people and local authorities received £20.5 million to improve access to services and increase the numbers in treatment programmes).
  £3 million allocated to support cross-departmental development of more effective drugs education work.
  £6 million provided for new research programmes.
  £4.5 million provided to Drug Action Teams to pursue anti-drugs measures at local level.
  No extra resources were allocated for enforcement.
  We will be making further announcements on funding to: encourage young people to resist drugs; help communities to protect themselves; provide treatment to help people overcome addiction; and to help stifle the availability of drugs in Britain.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what is the effect of the outcome of Spending Review 2000 on funding for the United Kingdom Anti-drugs Strategy; and if she will make a statement. [133800]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Chancellor last week announced, as a result of Spending Review 2000, increased funding over the next three years to support the delivery of the Government's challenging targets for tackling drug misuse. This means that expenditure targeted at the causes of drug misuse will increase from some £700 million in 2000–01 to £870 million in 2001–02, £931 million in 2002–03 and £996 million in 2003–04. This funding will enable the Government to secure implementation of the plans and targets developed from the recommendations of the cross-departmental review of action against illegal drugs, led by myself and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator.

  This increased investment will be centred around treatment and prevention and will allow us to underpin the initiatives outlined in the Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's second Annual Plan, which is published today. These include measures such as funding increased provision of drug treatment to underpin the work of the new National Treatment Agency and increasing provision of treatment for drug misusing offenders. We will also continue to support work with our international partners to reduce the availability of drugs, as outlined by the Prime Minister at the recent G8 conference. The UK law enforcement and intelligence agencies will work closely with their counterparts in the key drug producing and transit countries, seeking to tackle drugs trafficking as close to source as possible and disrupt the international flows of money which support the drugs trade.

  These plans will make a major contribution to addressing the Government's wider agenda of tackling crime, social exclusion and ill health and will help drive down the huge costs to society caused by drugs.
  905W
  The National Plan preserves the balance of objectives across all the four aims of our Strategy; helping young people to avoid drug misuse through education, protecting communities from drug-related anti-social and criminal behaviour, enabling people to receive treatment for drugs problems as well as reducing the availability of illegal drugs.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the reports submitted to her Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if she will make a statement. [133570]

  Mr. Stringer
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Legislative Programme
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many meetings she has attended in the last three months to consider the Government's future legislative programme. [133693]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Information concerning internal discussions is not normally made public.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what orders she(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. [133376]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  No orders have yet been made by any Department using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000, which came into force on 25 May. For the Government's intentions I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton) on 24 May 2000,Official Report, columns 531–34W.

  Government Agency Contracts
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Government agency contracts were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises in each of the last three years. [133386]

  Mr. Stringer
  This information is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost. With regard to contracts awarded by the Cabinet Office, I will write to the hon. Member with as much information as possible in the summer recess.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many press releases were issued by her Department in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) this year to date; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of these press releases was in each year. [132745]
  906W
  Mr. Stringer
  The total number of press releases issued each calendar year by my Department is as follows:(a) 189 in 1997; (b) 277 in 1998; (c) 343 in 1999; and (d) 204 in the year to date (until the end of May).

  The figures for 1999 and 2000 include press releases issued by the Year 2000 Media Co-ordination Unit which also operated from the Cabinet Office.

  The total net cost of issuing these press notices is as follows: (a) £11,758.25 in 1997; (b) £25,136.97 in 1998; (c) £44,854.37 in 1999; and (d) £29,037.09 in the year to date (until the end of May).

  From 1 April 1998 the Department started to use the Central Office of Information's News Distribution Service to issue press releases directly and quickly to fax machines. While the system is considerably faster and more efficient it is also more expensive. Prior to this system press releases were issued by post and the costs were met centrally within the Department.

  The costs of producing a press notice are not recorded separately and are part of the routine duties of departmental press officers.

  Sustainable Development Commission
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the appointments to the Sustainable Development Commission; and when it first met. [133778]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Sustainable Development Commission is expected to hold its first meeting in the autumn when the appointments process is completed. It will be for the Commission to decide the frequency and timing of its meetings along with other working arrangements.

  Civil Service Fast Stream
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many graduates are in the fast stream of the Civil Service; [132927]

  (2) how many graduates of Oxford and Cambridge universities are in the fast stream of the Civil Service; and what percentage of the total this represents; [132928]

  (3) how many non-graduates there are in the fast stream of the Civil Service; and what percentage of the total this represents. [132926]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  On 1 April 1999, there were 476 civil servants on the General Fast Stream Development Programme. Information is not held centrally on how many of this total number are graduates, nor which university they graduated from.

  Information held on last year's open Fast Stream competitions, including specialists, showed that, on recruitment, of 306 successful candidates 92 (30 per cent.) were graduates of Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

  The open General Fast Stream is at present a graduate recruitment scheme. However a separate competition is held for in-service applicants who are nominated by their departments, and these candidates are not required to have a degree. Our records show that last year, from this source, one successful candidate was a non-graduate.

  European Secretariat
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the(a) budget, (b) remit and (c) staffing provision is for the unit in the Cabinet Office co-ordinating the work of Government Departments on Europe. [132980]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The European Secretariat is responsible for this work. Its remit is to support the Prime Minister with the provision of policy advice on EU issues, to support collective decision-making in Government, and to co-ordinate policy on EU issues across Departments. The operating budget for the unit in this financial year is £868,000 and it currently has a staff of 21.

  Government Car and Despatch Agency
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) of 13 June 2000,Official Report, column 614W, regarding the Government Car and Despatch Agency, (1) how many of the 126 cars purchased by the Agency since May 1997 were purchased to (i) replace existing cars and (ii) increase the size of the Agency's fleet; [133741]

  (2) if she will list the number of (a) cars and (b) other vehicles in the Agency's fleet on (i) 1 May 1997, (ii) 1 May 1998, (iii) 1 May 1999 and (iv) 1 May 2000; [133740]

  Make

  Model

  Number

  Purchase date

  Cost per vehicle (£)

  Total cost (£)

  Ford

  Transit SWB

  18

  January 1998

  10,736.25

  193,252.50

  Ford

  Transit LWB

  1

  April 1998

  14,733.75

  14,733.75

  Ford

  Transit SWB

  4

  September 1998

  11,036.25

  44,145.00

  Ford

  Transit LWB

  1

  December 1998

  14,516.25

  14,516.25

  Ford

  Transit SWB

  2

  December 1998

  11,306.25

  22,612.50

  Ford

  Transit LWB

  1

  January 1999

  14,730.00

  14,730.00

  Vauxhall

  Astravan

  2

  January 1999

  7,827.84

  15,655.68

  Ford

  Transit SWB

  5

  July 1999

  9,810.50

  49,052.50

  Ford

  Transit SWB

  5

  September 1999

  9,810.50

  49,052.50

  Ford

  Transit SWB (LPG)

  5

  January 2000

  10,710.00

  53,550.00

  Ford

  Transit SWB

  1

  January 2000

  9,660.00

  9,660.00

  Mr. Alastair Campbell
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many times she has(a) received advice from and (b) had meetings with Mr. Alastair Campbell in the last month. [133473]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I take advice from Alastair Campbell and other civil servants as appropriate.

  New Deal
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people have been employed in the Civil Service under the New Deal for the young and unemployed. [129914]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  [pursuant to her reply, 6 July 2000, c. 286W]: As at 1 April 2000, the information on Civil Service Departments (including their agencies) participating as employers in the New Deal is as follows.
  908W
  (3) how many vehicles, other than cars, were purchased by the Agency in each month since May 1997, indicating in each case the (a) make, (b) model and (c) purchase price of each vehicle. [133742]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Responsibility for these matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 27 July 2000:
  The Minister of State, Cabinet Office, has asked me in my capacity as the Chief Executive responsible for the Government Car and Despatch Agency to reply to your three Parliamentary Questions about vehicles purchased and operated by this Agency since May 1997.
  All the vehicles quoted in the Minister's reply of 13 June were purchased to replace existing cars as part of the Agency's vehicle replacement programme.
  The number of cars and other vehicles int eh Agency's fleet on the dates requested were:

  1 May 1997: 201 cars and 53 other vehicles;

  1 May 1998: 188 cars and 39 other vehicles;

  1 May 1999: 188 cars and 59 other vehicles; and

  1 May 2000: 190 cars and 56 other vehicles.

  From May 1997 the Agency has purchased the following vehicles other than cars, primarily for use by its InterDespatch Service:

  New Deal starts since programme began as at 1 April 2000

  Main department (including agencies)

  Number

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  38

  Intervention Board

  3

  Cabinet Office

  9

  Charity Commission

  18

  Culture, Media and Sport

  4

  Ministry of Defence

  95

  Education and Employment

  1,736

  Office for Standards in Education

  1

  Environment, Transport and the Regions

  18

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  4

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  4

  Government Offices for the Regions

  4

  Health

  27

  Home Office

  73

  International Development

  1

  Law Officers' Departments

  10

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  22

  Lord Advocate's Department

  3

  National Assembly for Wales

  33

  Northern Ireland Office

  11

  Scottish Executive

  29

  Social Security

  467

  909W

  New Deal starts since programme began as at 1 April 2000

  Main department (including agencies)

  Number

  Trade and Industry

  43

  HM Treasury

  2

  HM Customs and Excise

  35

  Office of Government Commerce

  1

  Inland Revenue

  256

  Office for National Statistics

  10

  Royal Mint

  3

  Total

  2,960

DEFENCE

  Army Personnel Centre
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Army Personnel Centre for the financial year 2000–01. [133605]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of the Army Personnel Centre has been set the following Key Targets for 2000–01.

  1. The percentage of manned posts (excluding posts gapped for less than 28 days and all posts for private soldiers and subaltern officers) to be 92 per cent. or greater.

  2. The proportion of personnel posted in-year by the APC whose rank and Service qualifications meet the specifications of the post of be 93 per cent. or greater.

  3. The percentage of in-year postings authorised by the APC where personnel are given at least four months notification (See Note) to be 54 per cent or greater.

  4. The percentage of change requests received by the APC which are authorised and/or accurately processed within five working days of receipt at the Document Handling Centre to be 94 per cent. or greater.

  5. The percentage of due terminal benefits made by the 5th working day after discharge/retirement or following receipt of the correct authorisation paperwork by Pensions Division, whichever is later, to be 98 per cent. or greater.

  6. Achieve an in year reduction of 1 per cent. in operating costs and identify measurable indicators of efficiency within key business processes for implementation from April 2001.

  Note:

  Short-notice operational requirements and postings following initial training and long career courses are excluded.

  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency. [133927]

  Mr. Spellar
  The introduction of the SMART Procurement Initiative (SPI) and the formation of Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) across the Ministry of Defence has changed the strategic conduct of the Ministry of Defence's procurement business. We have decided that the Agency in its current form is not consistent with the far-reaching changes demanded by SPI. Accordingly DCTA is to be reorganised along IPT lines and will cease to be a Defence Agency on 1 October 2000. The Planned collocation of staff at the Caversfield site will continue and should be completed in March 2001.

  The organisation is to become part of the Director General Equipment Support (Land) Business Unit within the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO). A Transition
  910W
  Team Leader has been appointed to direct the transition to the new structure with implementation to be completed by 31 March 2001.

  In place of Key Targets, IPTs are expected to deliver a high level of performance against hard and stretch targets. The planned adoption of a balanced set of performance measures and targets (known as the Balanced Scorecard) across the organisation will ensure that a challenging performance regime remains in place.

  Clothing products are of fundamental importance to our Armed Forces and this reorganisation in line with SPI principles will ensure that Service personnel continue to receive products of the highest standards.

  Ships Support Agency
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Ships Support Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [133929]

  Mr. Spellar
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the SSA for financial year 2000–01. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in December 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—Upkeep Timeliness
  To keep variation of actual to planned Upkeep time to within 7 per cent.

  Key Target 2—Upkeep Cost
  To keep variation of actual to approved Upkeep cost to within 3 per cent.

  Key Target 3—Unplanned Unavailability (Quantity)
  To keep Unplanned Vessel Unavailability to less than 5 per cent. of Fleet Time.

  Key Target 4—Operational Defects (Quality)
  To limit to less than three the average number of operational defects outstanding per vessel in Fleet Time.

  Key Target 5—Available Force Element Days (Quantity)
  To provide more than 95 per cent. of Available Force Element Days.

  Key Target 7—Efficiency
  Pounds per Available Force Element Days to be less than £28,800.

  Key Target 8—Stockholding (Efficiency)
  To reduce the ratio of value of stocks held to stocks issued to less than 2.9:1.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) GW Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and (b) the Medicinal Cannabis Research Foundation have cannabis growing facilities at the Porton Down establishment; and if he will make a statement. [132806]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 28 July 2000:
  I am replying to your parliamentary question about tenancies on the Porton Down Science Park since the Porton Down site is part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).
  The Medicinal Cannabis Research Foundation is not a tenant at Porton Down. GW Pharmaceuticals Ltd does, however, maintain an office on the Porton Down Science Park. The relationship between

  911W
  the company and DERA is a commercial one, that of tenant and landlord. If DERA is to continue to attract tenants to its Science Parks, then companies must be able to feel confident that information about their business will be treated as confidential. I am, therefore, obliged to refuse your request under exemption 7, effective management and operations of the public service, of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
  I can, however, assure you that significant checks are carried out on both staff and companies applying to occupy space on our Science Parks. DERA would not consider any potential tenant whose business was likely, in any way, to infringe the law.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful on this occasion.

  Service Personnel (Medical Treatment)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are unavailable for full duties for medical reasons in the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Marines, (c) Army and (d) Royal Air Force; how many of these have postings which would require them to be operational or on rapid reaction duties if fit; and how many of these in each category are (i) awaiting an initial medical consultation, (ii) awaiting treatment following an initial medical consultation and (iii) receiving treatment. [132553]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  MOD Police
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many MOD police officers normally based at(a) AWE Aldermaston and (b) AWE Burghfield are working at other sites; [133444]

  (2) what was the average number of sickness hours, per officer, per month, among MOD police (a) in total, (b) at AWE Aldermaston and (c) at AWE Burghfield in each month since November 1999; [133442]

  (3) what was the average amount of overtime worked by MOD police officers at (a) AWE Aldermaston and (b) AWE Burghfield each month from November 1999 to the latest month for which figures are available; [133445]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the extent to which MOD police officers based at AWE Aldermaston and AWE Burghfield are covered by the European Working Time Regulations; [133443]

  (5) what was the longest amount of overtime worked by any MOD police officer at (a) AWE Aldermaston and (b) AWE Burghfield in any period of (i) one month and (ii) six months since June 1999. [133446]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Medical Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many doctors and nurses in each specialty are serving in the armed forces; how many were serving in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and how many of those now serving have given notice of their intention to retire from the armed forces; [132552]
  912W
  (2) how many (a) doctors and (b) nurses have joined the armed forces since the announcement of a recruiting drive in early 1999. [133390]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Disposal Sales Agency for the Financial Year 2000–01. [133928]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since its launch in October 1994 the Agency has positioned itself as the market leader in the disposal sales of surplus equipment and goods in the public sector. The Key Targets which have been set for the Chief Executive of the Disposal Sales Agency for this financial year are aimed at securing disposal receipts from the sale of surplus capital assets and inventory items from both the Ministry of Defence and a range of public sector organisations. The Chief Executive of the Agency has been set the following key targets for the financial year 2000–01.

  Key Target 1:
  To achieve disposal sales gross income from sales of surplus Government owned equipment and stores of £40 million.

  Key Target 2:
  To achieve a unit cost of generating £1 million of sales of £87.5K.

  Key Target 3:
  To agree Customer Supplier Agreements (CSAs) based on the transfer to DSA of ownership of assets declared for disposal.

  Key Target 4:
  To establish performance measures for DSA based on added value and to set targets for 2001–02.

  Key Target 5:
  To refine Agency's website and establish the feasibility of e-commerce for disposal business.

  Military Bases (Foreign Personnel)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000,Official Report, column 172W, regarding foreign nationals stationed at UK military bases, if he will make a statement on the stationing at UK military bases of nationals of countries which are not members of NATO. [133727]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Military Bases
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military bases outside the United Kingdom where UK nationals are based, indicating in each case the number of UK nationals based there. [133550]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133370]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  Retired Ex-servicemen
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many retired ex-servicemen have their level of pension affected by pay restraint policies in force in 1976 and 1977; [133162]

  (2) what would be the annual cost of raising with effect from 1 April 2001 the pension payable to members of the Armed Services who retired between 1 April 1977 and 31 March 1978 so that it is the same as the pension of those who retired immediately prior to 1 April 1977. [133161]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  TRIGAT
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the MR TRIGAT Anti-Tank Guided Weapon programme; and if he will make a statement. [133931]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Industrialisation and Production phase of MR TRIGAT in June 1999 in the expectation that we would shortly proceed to contract and maintain the programme to deliver a modern Anti-tank Guided Weapon capability by 2005 (when stocks of the existing MILAN system start to run down).

  Regrettably, MOU signature by all five participating nations has still not been achieved. Some 12 months after our MOU commitment we are no nearer to contract placement than we were then. This additional delay, to a programme that is already 10 years behind its original schedule, and the additional risk and uncertainty it creates is unacceptable. The UK's priority has to be to deliver the capability and equipment needed by our armed forces in an acceptable timescale.

  I have therefore decided that the UK should withdraw from the MR TRIGAT Industrialisation and Production programme and will pursue an alternative national procurement of an Anti-tank Guided Weapon system. We plan to use an Invitation to Tender in the next few weeks for the supply of commercially available systems to meet the requirements of our Infantry Light Forces by 2005. In parallel, we are reviewing our requirements for an Anti-tank capability for mechanised and armoured Infantry units prior to determining whether these too could be met by similar commercially available systems. Our initial assessment is that the alternative systems now available will be in many ways more capable than MR TRIGAT and offer significant financial savings.

  I recognise that this decision will be a disappointment to our partners and to those areas of UK Industry that had
  914W
  expected to benefit from MR TRIGAT. The UK remains committed to the principles of European collaboration provided it is in the UK's best interests. Regrettably it was not possible to proceed on this basis with MR TRIGAT, but there are a range of other programmes on which we remain engaged to good effect with our European partners.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on troop levels in Kosovo. [133604]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK currently contributes some 3,300 personnel to KFOR. We have maintained that flexibility and capability are the keys to successful operations in the Balkans. In this spirit, I have agreed to a NATO request to supply additional troops to cover the municipal election period in Kosovo, to ensure that the region's first steps towards democratisation are sure ones.

  Subject to confirmation of the election date, the 2nd Battalion the Light Infantry will deploy to Kosovo in mid-September for a period of two months. They will be at the disposal of Command KFOR, Lt. General Juan Ortuno. I have no doubt that they will maintain the excellent tradition of UK forces in the region who, with their outstanding professionalism, dedication and skill, continue to make an outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Kosovo.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel were deployed in Kosovo on 1 July. [132816]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 1 July, there were some 3,400 British personnel serving with KFOR, of whom some 3,300 were based in Kosovo.

  Scottish Service Personnel
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people of Scottish birth are currently serving in the(a) Royal Navy, (b) Royal Marines, (c) Army and (d) RAF. [131595]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: Examination of available personal records of currently serving personnel has revealed the following information as at 1 June 2000:

  (a) and (b) The Naval Service does not hold information centrally on place of birth and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  (c) Army—12,961

  (d) RAD—5,7I3

  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from(a) Paisley South, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK are serving in Her Majesty's armed forces. [113553]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 March 2000, c.202W]: I regret that, owing to a clerical error, the figure provided for Army personnel of Scottish nationality was

  915W
  incorrect. The correct figure for Army personnel of Scottish nationality should have been 13,121. This does not affect the answers to the other part of the question.

  Nolan Rules
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group, if it(a) is a private company, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details. [131172]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: Details of Ministry of Defence task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews are held on a central Cabinet Office database. I refer the hon. Member to the answer he received yesterday from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, Official Report, columns 799–800W.

  The bodies listed for the Ministry of Defence are the Independent Panel on Vaccines Interactions and the Service Families Task Force. Both of these bodies have no formal legal basis.

  In addition to the above, which have temporary remits, the Ministry of Defence is responsible for a number of standing bodies with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply. These include bodies which provide independent advice on aspects of the defence scientific and research programme, details of which were recently passed to the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence. Information on other bodies is not held centrally and I will write to the hon. Member in due course when the relevant data are available, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The Ministry of Defence seeks to apply the Nolan principles for non-departmental public bodies as best practice throughout the Department.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many unfilled vacancies for permanent staff his Department has; what percentage of staff positions in his Department are vacant; what the monthly cost would be to his Department of employing civil servants in these positions; how many and what percentage of staff his Department employs on a temporary basis through employment agencies; how much his Department paid employment agencies to supply temporary staff in each of the last 12 months; and how much he expects to pay employment agencies to supply temporary staff in each of the next 12 months. [131437]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  US Memorandums of Understanding
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of memorandums of understanding which have been agreed between his Department and the United States Government 916W
  since 1 May 1997, indicating the title and date of each memorandum of understanding and the name of the United States department or agency with whom the memorandum of understanding was signed in each case. [132784]

  Mr. Hoon
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates Ministers in his Department have visited(a) RAF Menwith Hill, (b) RAF Lakenheath and (c) RAF Fairford, since 1 May 1997; and which Ministers visited on each occasion. [133270]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Letters of Intent
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of Letters of Intent which have been agreed between his Department and the United States Government since 1 May 1997, indicating the title and date of each Letter of Intent; and if he will state the difference between a letter of intent and a memorandum of understanding. [133269]

  Mr. Hoon
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Air Accidents
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is accorded the same level of independence in the investigation of military accidents as in the investigation of civilian accidents. [133433]

  Mr. Spellar
  Yes, in relation to the technical advice that they offer RAF Boards of Inquiry.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the guidelines that advise accident investigators and other military personnel how to work with third party manufacturers in accident investigations. [133434]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Chinook
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Air Accidents Investigation Branch inspector investigating the fatal crash of RAF Chinook ZD576 was informed of an incident on 21 April 1994 that led to the removal of an engine on the same aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [133435]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Air Accidents Investigation Branch Inspector and the Engineering member of the RAF Board of Inquiry together went through all the maintenance records for ZD576 for the year prior to the accident. This included the incident on 21 April 1994.

  European Defence Industry
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the development of a European defence industry. [133223]

  Mr. Hoon
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Defence Sales
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the value of the current orders placed in the United Kingdom under Government to Government defence sales agreements with Saudi Arabia. [133368]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  A1-Yamamah
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) of 11 July 2000,Official Report, columns 471–72W, on the oil trade component in the A1-Yamamah deal, how many adjustments have been made; and when. [133418]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 2000,Official Report, column 337W, on the average period of time between the completion of a full business case and signing of the final contracts, if he will list (a) the date of the completion of a full business case and (b) the date of the signing of the final contracts for each private finance initiative contract in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [133277]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many of his Department's PFI contracts KPMG has been an adviser. [132869]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: KPMG has advised six Ministry of Defence PFI projects which have reached contract signature.

  Tomahawk Missiles
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when his Department concluded discussions with the United States Department of Defense about obtaining replacement of stocks of Tomahawk missiles used in the Kosovo theatre; [133267]

  (2) on what date his Department signed the contract with the United States Department of Defense to obtain replacement of stocks of Tomahawk missiles used in the Kosovo theatre. [133268]

  Mr. Hoon
  The United States Department of Defense contract with the supplier, Raytheon, covering both US and UK missiles, was signed on 1 August 1999. Associated discussions between the UK Ministry of 918W
  Defence and the US Department of Defense concluded later that month culminating in an agreement signed on 26 August 1999.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131457]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Eskmeals Range
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of(a) land contamination and (b) risk from unexploded or degraded ordnance (i) on land, (ii) on beaches and (iii) offshore at the DERA Eskmeals Range. [132161]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Robert Key, dated 28 July 2000:
  I am replying to your parliamentary question about land contamination assessments and risk assessments from unexploded or degraded ordnance at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) range at Eskmeals.
  The most recent land quality assessment was carried out in 1999 and considered Depleted Uranium (DU) contamination at the VJ Battery and surrounding area, unexploded ordnance, explosive residues and trace metals and landfill sites containing asbestos, inert shells and other trials residues.
  The risk from unexploded ordnance or degraded ordnance is continually monitored. Procedures are in place to ensure the safety of staff employed at the range. The range, including the foreshore, is fenced and patrolled to deter members of the public from straying into the area. On the beach there are warning signs at public access points. Local fishermen have also been briefed on what action to take should they catch such items.
  I hope the above is helpful.

  Merchant Navy Day
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the Red Ensign is flown from departmental buildings on Merchant Navy Day, 3 September. [132955]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department on 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 895W.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers were employed in his Department in(a) May 1997, (b) January 1998, (c) January 1999 and (d) January 2000; and what the total expenditure on press officers by his Department was in each of the years concerned. [132762]
  919W
  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press releases have been issued so far this year; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of press releases was in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date. [132776]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new married service quarters have been built since May 1997(a) in the UK and (b) overseas. [133219]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since May 1997 the Ministry of Defence has funded 637 new build service married quarters in the UK. Of these, 394 were built from new, the remaining 243 were demolition rebuilds. Since May 1997, DHE have also placed four contracts in Great Britain under the Government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI), for a total of 615 properties.

  For properties overseas, 120 are under construction in Cyprus and 13 have been built in the Falkland Islands.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase funding for the improvement of married quarters. [133416]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133568]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friends the Members for Cannock Chase (Tony Wright) and for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W. Copies of the first central list of information that was published on 11 January 2000 are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Information about the number of recommendations made and the number rejected is not held centrally by the Ministry of Defence.

  Compensation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has paid in compensation to its contractors in each of the last five years; which companies received payment and what were the reasons for payment; and if he will make a statement. [127174]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April have not received substantive answers, citing as the reason that the information is(a) not held centrally, (b) not held in the form requested and (c) not available. [128014]

  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested cannot be provided without disproportionate cost as it is not held by the Ministry of Defence in the form requested.

  Defence Attaches
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries where there is a UK defence attaché stationed. [133221]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the HM Diplomatic Overseas Reference List, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries in the world that have nuclear weapons. [133220]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Queen Mother's Birthday
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) of 10 July 2000,Official Report, column 376W, on the Queen Mother's birthday, how much public money was spent on the event. [133492]

  Dr. Moonie
  Cost to the public purse of the commemorations will not be calculated until the final event on 4 August has taken place. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Kenneth Noye
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the granting of legal aid to Kenneth Noye. [132583]
  921W
  Jane Kennedy
  Following the granting of legal aid to Kenneth Noye at the central criminal court, a team of qualified auditors from the Lord Chancellor's Department's Internal Assurance Division have undertaken an investigation. They checked criminal legal aid applications made in respect of defendants, including Kenneth Noye, at the central criminal court over the past year. They have reported to the Permanent Secretary at the Lord Chancellor's Department, in his capacity as Accounting Officer. The auditors found that the proper procedures for granting legal aid were not followed in this case. As a result, additional training, checking and controls are being introduced across the court Service to ensure that the correct procedures for the granting of legal aid by the Crown court are followed.

  Disciplinary proceedings are under way affecting the officers concerned with handling the application in the Noye case.

  Queen's Counsel (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what changes have been made to the procedure for barristers being called to serve as Queen's Counsel in Northern Ireland; and what related correspondence he has had with Seamus Tracey and Barry Macdonald. [133092]

  Mr. Lock
  The declaration made by barristers being called to serve as Queen's counsel in Northern Ireland has been changed and is now in the following form:I [name] do sincerely promise and declare that I will well and truly serve all whom I may lawfully be called upon to serve in the office of one of Her Majesty's counsel learned in law according to the best of my skill and understanding.

  Neither my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor nor I have had any related correspondence with Seamus Tracey and Barry Macdonald.

  Microfiche Census Returns
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what factors underlie the recent changes in the policy of the Public Record Office in respect of the retail of microfiche census returns to the general public; and if he will make statement. [133585]

  Mr. Lock
  There has been no change in the practice of the Public Record Office in respect of the retail of microfiche or microfilm copies of the census returns up to and including that for 1891.

  The census of 1901 is due for release in January 2002. It will be released in digital format over the internet.

  It is recognised that not all potential users will have or wish to have access to the internet. For this reason, a complete set of 1901 Census documents will also be available for consultation on microfiche at the Public Record Office at Kew. The PRO will also offer to other record offices and local studies libraries copies on microfiche of the 1901 Census returns for their area.

  No final decision has been taken on whether microfiche will be made available for sale beyond libraries and
  922W
  archives, as was the practice in respect of earlier census releases. The situation will be reviewed in 2002 in the light of experience after the launch of the internet service.

  Sentencing
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidance the Lord Chancellor gives on sentencing in cases involving harassment of those suffering from mental health problems; and if he will make a statement. [133265]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government do not issue guidance on the way judicial discretion should be exercised. Within the statutory limits laid down by Parliament, the nature and severity of penalties are matters for the court subject to any guidelines laid down by the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

  The Magistrates Association has recently published the Magistrates Courts Sentencing Guidelines which has been sent to all magistrates. This contains guidance for magistrates on sentencing in harassment cases.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Hydrofluorocarbons
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the proportion of the UK consumption of hydrofluorocarbons used as refrigerants that are used(a) to replenish existing systems and (b) as original charges in refrigeration systems; [133577]

  (2) what estimates he has made of the leakage rates of hydrofluorocarbons refrigerants. [133578]

  Mr. Meacher
  The report prepared for DETR and the DTI by EnvirosMarch, "UK Emissions of HFCs, PFCs and SF6 and Potential Emission Reduction Options", was published in January 1999 and provide estimates of UK emissions of hydrofluorocarbons from refrigeration and air conditioning. These estimates are based in part on assumptions about charges and leakage rates of hydrofluorocarbons from refrigeration systems in nine different refrigeration and air conditioning sectors.

  Leakage rates were subsequently updated for the hydrofluorocarbon emissions estimates published in the draft Climate Change Programme, March 2000. The table is based on Table A3, page A.4 of the EnvirosMarch report. It provides emissions and consumption parameters for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment used to estimate total emissions in 1995 and 2010. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library. However the proportion of hydrofluorocarbons used to (a) replenish existing systems and (b) as original charges is not explicitly provided in the report and could not be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Estimated leakage rates of hydrocarbon refrigeration are currently being reviewed in the light of latest information and I plan to publish updated hydrofluorocarbon emissions estimates alongside the final Climate Change Programme document this autumn.
  923W

  Assumed refrigeration and air conditioning emission and consumption parameters used in the hydrofluorocarbon emission estimates published in the draft Climate Change Programme, March 2000

  Product manufacturing (%)

  Product life (%)

  Product disposal (%)

  Typical plant life (years)

  Market sub-segment

  1995

  2010

  1995

  12010

  1995

  2010

  (years)

  Domestic refrigeration

  1

  1

  1

  1 to 2

  50

  20

  13

  Other small hermetic

  1

  1

  1

  1 to 2

  50

  20

  9

  Small commercial

  3

  2

  20

  8 to 15

  10

  5

  13

  Supermarket refrigeration

  3

  2

  25

  8 to 15

  10

  5

  13

  Industrial refrigeration

  3

  2

  20

  4 to 12

  10

  5

  25

  Air conditioning, distributed

  3

  2

  20

  8 to 15

  10

  5

  12

  Air conditioning, chillers

  1

  1

  10

  3 to 5

  5

  3

  25

  Transport refrigeration

  1

  1

  15

  8 to 10

  15

  5

  8

  Mobile air conditioning

  1

  1

  15

  6 to 10

  50

  25

  12

  1 Range of leakage rates used for updated emissions projections published in the draft Climate Change Programme, March 2000

  Notes:

  1. Product Manufacturing factor, percentage emission of fluid used to manufacture new equipment

  2. Product Life factor, percentage of refrigerant bank emitted annually

  3. Product Disposal factor, percentage emission of fluid in old plant being decommissioned

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reduce the quantities of hydrofluorocarbons released to the environment. [133576]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government's policy for reducing emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) is set out in the draft climate change programme. We recognise that HFCs are necessary replacements for ozone-depleting substances in some applications. However, we are concerned that emissions from these sources are forecast to grow strongly in the near future as ozone-depleting substances are phased out. This trend is unsustainable in the longer-term and action needs to be taken to limit the projected growth in emissions. We are sending a clear signal to industry and users to look closely at all alternatives and to select those that are more environmentally acceptable where they do exist. Safety, technical feasibility and cost effectiveness should be taken into account before investment decisions are taken.

  We are exploring with industry how the voluntary agreements on HFCs might be strengthened to reduce the projected growth in emissions. Emissions from industrial processes have already been substantially reduced and will continue to be regulated under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regime.

  Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there were under the (i) Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 and (ii) Control on Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations (COTES) 1997 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [131987]

  Mr. Mullin
  The 1976 Act originally implemented the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the UK. In 1984, however, it was largely superseded by EC legislation, which implemented CITES throughout the European Union. The 1984 legislation was then itself replaced by revised EC Regulations which came into force on 1 June 1997.
  924W
  There is no central record of prosecutions or convictions of offences under the COTES regulations. However, we are aware that since 1 June 1997 at least 27 cases have been brought under the COTES regulations, 10 of which resulted in convictions. Of the remaining 17 cases, seven have led to a formal caution and 10 are awaiting trial.

  Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there were under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [131980]

  Mr. Mullin
  Responsibility for licensing under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 rests with local authorities, and information on prosecutions is not held centrally. My Department will shortly be commissioning research into the effectiveness of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

  Tingewick Bypass
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of heavy goods vehicles driven through Gawcott(a) in each of the five years before the opening of the Tingewick Bypass and (b) since its opening. [133225]

  Mr. Hill
  Buckinghamshire county council have undertaken the following daytime counts of heavy goods vehicles, in both directions, on the C29 minor road from Gawcott to Tingewick, both before and after the A421 Tingewick Bypass opened to traffic on 16 October 1998:

  Date of count1

  Number of heavy goods vehicles

  18 May 1994

  82

  17 May 1995

  37

  15 May 1996

  70

  14 May 1997

  2139

  13 May 1998

  273

  12 May 1999

  368

  10 May 2000

  32

  1 7 am to 7 pm

  2 Bypass work in progress

  3 Bypass open

  Transport Projects
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what grants for transport projects have been allocated to(a) Telford and The Wrekin and (b) Shropshire county councils since May 1997. [133203]

  Mr. Hill
  Shropshire county council has been allocated the following amounts for transport projects, through the Local Transport Settlement, since May 1997:

  £ million

  1997–98

  4.207

  1998–99

  3.364

  1999–2000

  4.348

  2000–01

  6.093

  Since its establishment as a unitary authority in 1998, Telford and Wrekin council has been allocated the following in Local Transport Settlement:

  £ million

  1998–99

  0 955

  1999–2000

  1.696

  2000–01

  2.103

  In addition, Shropshire county council has been allocated £630,354 in Rural Bus Subsidy Grant for each of the years 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01, and £43,500 through the Rural Bus Challenge in 1999. Telford and Wrekin council has been allocated £76,048 each year for Rural Bus Subsidy Grant, and £174,000 through the Rural Bus Challenge in 1999.

  Accident Investigations
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the guidelines that advise accident investigators how to work with third party manufacturers in the event of an accident investigation. [133389]

  Mr. Mullin
  The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) lays down the International Standards and Recommended Practices for the participation of aircraft manufacturers in aircraft accident investigations. These are detailed in Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention), a copy of which can be found in the Library.

  Car Registrations
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 July 2000,Official Report, column 137W, on car registrations, if he will publish the number of new registration using form V55/5 at the DVLA for each month from January 1999 to June 2000 for (a) new cars and (b) cars first registered and used outside the UK. [133498]

  Mr. Hill
  Figures for new and used cars registered on form V55/5 from January 1999 cannot be produced because of the disproportionate cost of extracting the 926W
  information. However, DVLA have recently undertaken an exercise on a sample of V55/5 forms. This exercise in February and March 2000 covered only imported cars. The exercise showed 45 per cent. of imported cars were new and 55 per cent. were first registered and used outside Great Britain.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average time taken to inform(a) the police and (b) local authorities regarding ownership of vehicles for which only the registration mark was traced, in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [133235]

  Mr. Hill
  The statistics requested are not available.

  However, I can confirm that the police have immediate access to information on vehicle keepers through the Police National Computer. Local authorities make application for this information direct to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

  The Agency aims to deal with manual inquiries from local authorities within eight to 10 working days and the majority are dealt with within this timescale. A small percentage of requests take slightly longer to answer because detailed investigation involving the retrieval of microfilmed documents is necessary. In addition to the manual inquiry service, DVLA has long-standing magnetic tape interchange arrangements with some local authorities that enable them to receive information within three working days. Since 1997, the Agency has encouraged customers to exchange data electronically, making them available overnight. Currently, 134 local authorities use the electronic service.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133383]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office today.

  Housing (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Department's policy is on the selling of local authority housing in the Greater London area. [133548]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local authorities can sell houses voluntarily to tenants and in some cases tenants have the right to buy. The Government do not intend to make any significant changes to the current right to buy scheme.

  House Prices (Yorkshire and the Humber)
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the average house prices in Yorkshire and the Humber in(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998 and (e) 1999. [133746]
  927W
  Mr. Mullin
  Average house prices for the Yorkshire and Humberside region are as follows:

  £

  1995

  54,356

  1996

  55,867

  1997

  60,019

  1998

  62,214

  1999

  67,416

  Source:

  GOYH Local Government and Housing team/DETR Central

  Bridge Tolls
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact which VAT on bridge tolls will have in respect of new and current businesses which use the Tamar Bridge and the development of integrated transport facilities between Cornwall and Plymouth. [133095]

  Mr. Hill
  A judgment of the European Court, on whether or not toll charges should attract VAT, is expected in September. The impact of a judgment that required VAT to be charged would, in the first instance, be for the local authorities of Cornwall and Plymouth to assess, since they own and operate the Tamar Bridge and are responsible for the development of the local transport and commercial infrastructures.

  A34
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the A34 north of Oxford will be resurfaced under the initiative announced recently in respect of concrete roads; and what difference the new resources announced in the 10-year plan have made to the forecast timescale. [133579]

  Mr. Hill
  Our 10-year strategy for transport, "Transport 2010—The Ten Year Plan", has been published and sets out proposals for dealing with road noise, including the provision of quieter surfaces on over 60 per cent. of the network, including all concrete surfaces.

  I have asked the Highways Agency to draw up a programme for all such trunk roads for agreement. The A34 north of Oxford will be included in this programme.

  A30 (Exeter)
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the costs of the resurfacing of the A30 near Exeter recently announced by the Prime Minister will be split between the Highways Agency and the private sector. [133580]

  Mr. Hill
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Richard Thorndike to Dr. Evan Harris, dated 28 July 2000 The Transport Minister, Keith Hill, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the cost of resurfacing the A30 near Exeter.
  Although the Government is firmly committed to resurfacing this road, the road is privately financed and we have yet to discuss the matter with the operating company.

  M3
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the M3 will(a) be resurfaced and (b) have noise reduction measures provided beside it, between junctions 2 and 4a. [133226]

  Mr. Hill
  Our 10-year strategy for transport, "Transport 2010—The 10 Year Plan," has been published and sets out proposals for dealing with road noise, including the provision of quieter surfaces on over 60 per cent. of the network, including all concrete surfaces.

  I have asked the Highways Agency to draw up a programme for all such trunk roads for agreement. Junctions 2 to 4a will be included in the programme.

  Great Western Main Line
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the start date is for construction works on the upgrade of the Great Western Main Line cited on page 47 of his Department's Ten-Year Plan. [133503]

  Mr. Hill
  The upgrade options which Railtrack has set out in its Network Management Statement, and the timetable for taking them forward, will be developed in discussions between Railtrack, the shadow Strategic Rail Authority, and the train operators, in the light of consultation with appropriate industry stakeholders.

  Road Improvements
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the expected start date is for(a) the A27 Southerham-Beddington improvement, (b) the M23 junctions 8 to 9 widening, (c) the M25 junctions 15 to 16 widening, (d) the M25 junctions 16 to 19 widening, (e) the M4 junction 4B to 8/9 widening, (f) the A2 Lydden-Dover improvement, (g) the A3 Hindhead improvement, (h) the A21 Tonbridge-Pembury dualling, (i) the A27 Wilmington bypass and (j) the A27 Selmeston bypass; [133495]

  (2) what the expected start date is for (a) the M5 junctions 17 to 21 widening, (b) the A31 Poole link road, (c) the A36 Codford-Heytesbury improvement, (d) the A30/A303 Marsh Honiton and A35 Honiton Eastern bypass, (e) the A38 Saltash-Stoketon Cross improvement, (f) the A38 Dobwalls bypass, (g) the A303 Ilminster to Marsh improvement, (h) the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester improvement, (i) the A303 Wylye-Stockton Wood improvement and (j) the A303 Chicklade Bottom-Mere improvement; [133496]

  (3) what the expected start date is for (a) the A27 Arundel bypass, (b) the A259 Pevensey to Bexhill improvement, (c) the A259 Bexhill and Hastings western bypass, (d) the A205 Catford Town Centre improvement, (e) the A4 Henlys/Waggoners' Corner improvement, (f) the A406 Bounds Green-Green Lanes improvement, (g) the A406/ A1/A598 Regents Park Road junction improvement and (h) the A406 Golders Green Road junction improvement; [133542]

  (4) what the expected start date is for (a) the M1 Junctions 31–32 widening, (b) the M62 East-M606 link roads, (c) the A 1(M) Redhouse Ferrybridge

  929W
  improvements, (d) the A63 Castle Street (Hull) improvement, (e) the A49 Hereford bypass, (f) the M6 junctions 11A-16 widening, (g) the M42 junctions 3A-7 widening, (h) the A43 Geddington bypass, (i) the A43 Moulton-Broughton improvement, (j) the A43/A16 Stamford Relief Road and (k) the A45 Weedon Flore/Upper Heyford bypass; [133501]

  (5) what the expected start date is for (a) the Al Gateshead Western Bypass improvement, (b) the M60 junctions 12 to 18 improvements, (c) the M62 junction 6 improvements, (d) the A6(M) Stockport North/South bypass, (e) the A555 Poynton bypass, (f) the A523 Poynton bypass, (g) the A555 Manchester Airport Link west road scheme, (h) the A570 Ormskirk bypass, (i) the A595 Parton-Lillyhill improvement, (j) the A65 Gargrave bypass, (k) the A65 Hellifield and Long Preston improvement and (l) the A650 Hard lngs improvement; [133499]

  (6) what the expected start date is for (a) the A46 Newark-Widmerpool improvement, (b) the M1 junctions 25 to 28 junction improvements, (c) the M1 junctions 23A to 25 widening (including A6 to M1 link), (d) the Ml junctions 21A to 23A widening, (e) the A38 Derby Ring Road, (f) the A61 grade-separated junction, (g) the A52/A5111 grade-separated junction, (h) the A453

  Trunks roads in England

  PQ/133495

  (a)

  A27 Southerham-Beddington Improvement

  Withdrawn—Southampton to Folkestone Study

  (b)

  M23 Junctions 8 to 9 Widening

  Gatwick Area Study

  (c)

  M25 Junctions 15 to 16 Widening

  London Orbital Study

  (d)

  M25 Junctions 16 to 19 Widening

  London Orbital Study

  (e)

  M4 Junction 4B to 8/9 Widening

  London and Reading Study

  (f)

  A2 Lydden-Dover Improvement

  Next round of RPG

  (g)

  A3 Hindhead Improvement

  A3 Hindhead Study

  (h)

  A21 Tonbridge-Pembury Duallng

  Access to Hastings Study

  (i)

  A27 Wilmington Bypass

  Southampton to Folkestone Study

  (j)

  A27 Selmeston Bypass

  Southampton to Folkestone Study

  PQ/133496

  (a)

  M5 Junctions 17 to 21 Widening

  Withdrawn—London to South West Study and South Wales Study

  (b)

  A31 Poole Link Road

  Withdrawn, to be detrunked

  (c)

  A36 Codford-Heystesbury Improvement

  Withdrawn, to be detrunked

  (d)

  A3O/A3O3 Marsh Honiton and A35 Honiton Eastern Bypass

  London to South West Study

  (e)

  A38 Saltash-Stoketon Cross Improvement

  London to South West Study

  (f)

  A38 Dobwalls Bypass

  London to South West Study

  (g)

  A3O3 Illminster to Marsh Improvement

  London to South West Study

  (h)

  A3O3 Sparkford to Ilchester Improvement

  London to South West Study

  (i)

  A303 Wylye-Stockton Wood Improvement

  London to South West Study

  (j)

  A303 Chicklade Bottom-Mere Improvement

  London to South West Study

  PQ/133497

  (a)

  M11 Junction 5 North-facing Slip Road Improvement

  Withdrawn—problem for RPC

  (b)

  Ml Junctions 10 to 14 Widening

  Withdrawn—London to South Midlands Study

  (c)

  Ml1 Junctions 8 to 9 Widening

  Withdrawn—London to South Midlands Study

  (d)

  All Fiveways to Thetford Improvement

  In TPI—Subject to Statutory Procedures (Public Consultation)

  (e)

  All Attleborough Bypass

  In TPI—Subject to Statutory Procedures (Public Consultation)

  (f)

  Ml Junctions 6A to 10 Widening

  London to South Midlands Study

  (g)

  M1 1 Junction 14 Improvement

  Cambridge-Huntingdon Study—considered by RPC

  (h)

  A1(M) Junctions 6 to 8 Widening

  London to South Midlands Study—considered by RPC

  (i)

  A5 Dunstable Eastern Bypass

  London to South Midlands Study—considered by RPC

  (j)

  A14/M11 Junction 14 to Ml/A1 Link Improvement

  Cambridge to Huntingdon Study—considered by RPC

  PQ/133499

  (a)

  Al Gateshead Western Bypass Improvement

  Tynesdie Area Study

  (b)

  M60 Junctions 12 to 18 Improvements

  M60 12–18 Study

  (c)

  M62 Junction 6 Improvements

  Withdrawn—RPC to consider

  (d)

  A6(M) Stockport North/South Bypass

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  930W
  Clifton-M1 improvement, (i) the A453 Clifton Lane improvement, (j) the A47 Hardwick roundabout flyover and (k) the A428 Norse Road link; [133506]

  (7) what the expected start date is for (a) the M11 junction 5 north-facing slip-road improvement, (b) the M1 junctions 10 to 14 widening, (c) the M11 junctions 8 to 9 widening, (d) the All Fiveways to Thetford improvement, (e) the A 11 Attleborough bypass, (f) the M1 junctions 6A to 10 widening, (g) the M11 junction 14 improvement, (h) the A1(M) junctions 6 to 8 widening, (i) the A5 Dunstable eastern bypass and (j) the A14/M11 junction 14 to M1/A1 link improvement. [133497]

  Mr. Hill
  I have asked the Chief Executive for the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Bernard Jenkin, dated 28 July 2000 I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Keith Hill, to reply to your recent parliamentary Questions about the start dates for various road schemes.
  The start dates for most of the schemes are subject either to the outcome of statutory procedures or to decisions following studies announced in the Government's White Paper, "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England". The White Paper also withdrew some schemes because they were on roads which were to be detrunked, or because they were to be replaced by smaller scale schemes.
  Details for each scheme are given in the enclosed table, and are arranged according to the order in which you requested them.
  931W

  Trunks roads in England

  (e)-(f)

  A555 Poynton Bypass/A523 Poynton Bypass

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (g)

  A555 Manchester Airport Link West Road Scheme

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (h)

  A570 Ormskirk Bypass

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (i)

  A595 Parton-Lillyhill Improvement

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (j)

  A65 Gargrave Bypass

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (k)

  A65 Hellifield and Long Preston Improvement

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (l)

  A650 Hard Ings Improvement

  Withdrawn—Smaller scale solution

  PQ/133501

  (a)

  Ml Junctions 31–32 Widening

  HA to consider smaller scale option

  (b)

  M62 East-M606 Link Roads

  To be considered by RPC

  (c)

  A1(M) Redhouse Ferrybridge Improvements

  South and West Yorkshire Motorway Box Study

  (d)

  A63 Castle Street (Hull) Improvement

  Hull Study

  (e)

  A49 Hereford Bypass

  Withdrawn—RPC to consider

  (f)

  M6 Junctions 11A-16 Widening

  West Midlands to North West Conurbation Study

  (g)

  M42 Junctions 3A-7 Widening

  West Midlands Area Study

  (h)

  A43 Geddington Bypass

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (i)

  A43 Moulton-Broughton Improvement

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (j)

  A46/A16 Stamford Relief Road

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (k)

  A45 Weedon Flore/Upper Heyford Bypass

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  PQ/133506

  (a)

  A46 Newark-Widmerpool Improvement

  Withdrawn—RPC to consider

  (b)

  M1 Junctions 25 to 28 Junction Improvements

  North South East Midlands Study

  (c)

  M1 Junctions 23A to 25 Widening (including A6 to M1 Link)

  North South East Midlands Study

  (d)

  M1 Junctions 21A to 23A Widening

  North South East Midlands Study

  (e)

  A38 Derby Ring Road

  A38 Derby Junction Study

  (g)

  A52/A5111 Grade-Separated Junction

  A38 Derby Junction Study

  (h)

  A453 Clifton-M1 Improvement

  A453 Ml Nottingham Study

  (i)

  A453 Clifton Lane Improvement

  A453 M1 Nottingham Study

  (j)

  A47 Hardwick Roundabout Flyover

  Withdrawn—Smaller scale solution

  (k)

  A428 Norse Road Link

  Withdrawn—Problem for RPC

  PQ/133542

  (a)

  A27 Arundel Bypass

  Southampton to Folkestone Study

  (b)

  A259 Pevensey to Bexhill Improvement

  Access to Hastings Study

  (c)

  A259 Bexhill and Hastings Western Bypass

  Access to Hastings Study

  (d)

  A205 Catford Town Centre Improvement

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (e)

  A4 Henlys/Waggoners' Corner Improvement

  Withdrawn—small scale solution

  (f)

  A406 Bounds Green-Green Lanes Improvement

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (g)

  A406/A1/A578 Regents Park Road Junction Improvement

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  (h)

  A406 Golders Green Road Junction Improvement

  Withdrawn—to be detrunked

  Train Protection and Warning System
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to page 49 of his Department's Ten-Year Plan, what the completion date is for the installation of TPWS across the rail network. [133494]

  Mr. Hill
  The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 require that train protection be operational on all trains and across the network by the end of 2003 at the latest.

  Railtrack announced at the second Rail Safety Summit on 30 November 1999 that it will aim to complete fitting the train protection and warning system (TPWS) on its infrastructure by the end of 2002, a year earlier than required. The train operators have committed to fit 33 per cent. of trains with TPWS by the end of 2001, 75 per cent. of trains by the end of 2002 and all trains by the end of 2003.

  Thameslink 2000 Scheme
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the completion date is for construction works on the Thameslink 2000 scheme cited on page 47 of his Department's Ten-Year Plan. [133493]
  932W
  Mr. Hill
  Subject to the outcome of the Transport and Works Act 1992 public inquiry, and co-ordination of construction work with CTRL Stage 2, Thameslink 2000 construction would could be completed in 2006.

  Transport Funding
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the total contribution from public funds is for transport in each year of the] 0-year transport plan, and what the equivalent amounts were in each of the preceding 10 years, broken down into(a) roads, (b) rail, (c) light rail and (d) other; [133462]

  (2) what the annual amount is of capital investment in transport infrastructure assumed in the ten-year transport plan; and what the equivalent amounts were in each of the preceding 10 years, broken down into (a) road, (b) rail, (c) light rail and (d) other; and what is the amount of expenditure in each year of the 10-year transport plan. [133461]

  Mr. Hill
  Table A3 in Annex 1 of "Transport 2010—The 10 Year Plan" gives a breakdown of the historic and planned public expenditure and private investment for rail over the period 199–92 to 2010–11. I will write to the
  933W
  hon. Member with a breakdown of the available roads and light rail figures in due course, and will place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Light Rail Lines
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the start-date for construction work of each of the new light rail lines referred to in his Department's 10-Year Plan. [133502]

  Mr. Hill
  Of those new light rail lines listed in "Transport 2010—The 10-Year Plan" as having been approved for funding, construction start dates are:Tyne and Wear Metro extension to Sunderland—February 2000;
  Nottingham Express Transit—June 2000;
  Docklands Light Railway extension to London City Airport—late 2001 or early 2002 subject to the outcome of an application for Transport and Works Act 1992 powers; Manchester Metrolink extensions—early 2002 subject to the outcome of applications for Transport and Works Act powers.

  Other proposed new light rail lines mentioned in the Plan are subject to satisfactory completion of economic appraisals and Transport and Works Act 1992 procedures.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the start date is for construction works on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Part 2 cited on pages 44 and 47 of his Department's Ten-Year Plan announced on 27 July 2000. [133505]

  Mr. Hill
  Some construction work on Phase 2 has already started and the Government has already approved £300 million for preliminary Phase 2 work. London and Continental Railways (LCR)'s current expectation is that the main construction will commence in July 2001 and Phase 2 will be opened in 2007.

  East Coast Main Line
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the completion date is for construction works on the upgrade of the East Coast Main Line cited on page 47 of his Department's 10-Year Plan. [133504]

  Mr. Hill
  On current proposals, the expected completion date for the East Coast Main Line upgrade works is 2009–10.

  Learner Motorcyclists
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to amend the rule providing for a one-year ban on learner motorcyclists if the motorcycle test is not passed within two years of commencement of learner-driving; and if he will make a statement. [133463]

  Mr. Hill
  As announced in March in our road safety strategy "Tomorrow's roads—Safer for Everyone", we propose to abolish that rule in the context of improved training arrangements. Learner riders will have to hold a training certificate, and these certificates will have a two year validity period after issue.
  934W
  Most learner riders pass their test within six months, and we want to encourage learner riders to reach test standard within a reasonable period. But we think a further training requirement for anybody who has not passed a test within two years is preferable to a one year disqualification, during which riding skills are likely to decline rather than improve. We hope to bring these new arrangements into force around the end of the year.

  Green Belt (Stevenage)
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether Government Office for the East has sought legal advice about the impact of PPG3 on the plans to build houses in the Green Belt west of Stevenage. [133295]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has various powers of intervention in the planning process and for this reason it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of any particular case.

  Planning Policy Guidance Note 3
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether Ministers took legal advice on the impact of PPG3 on local development plans before writing to the right hon. Member for Hitchen and Harpenden on 16 May. [133294]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Prior to publication of PPG3 in March, full consideration, including taking legal advice, was given to the implications for development plans of the new approach to planning for housing it sets out.

  Government Loans (House Purchase)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those key workers in the private and public sectors who will qualify for interest-free Government loans to help them buy houses; and on what terms the loans will be provided. [133572]

  Mr. Mullin
  The hon. Gentleman is referring to the Starter Home Initiative set out in the Government's Housing Green Paper—"Quality and Choice: A Decent Home for All".

  The Green Paper seeks proposals on how the initiative could be operated most successfully and cost effectively. During the autumn the Government will announce details of the initiative, including the points raised by the hon. Gentleman, in the light of responses to the Green Paper. The consultation period closes at the end of July.

  Housing Developments
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average density of new housing developments, in units per hectare, was on(a) greenfield sites and (b) brownfield sites in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000. [133460]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information is available only so far for the period 1994 to 1998 as the data are not robust enough to be presented on an annual basis. In England, over this period the average density of new
  935W
  dwellings built on previously developed land was 28 dwellings per hectare and on land that had not been previously developed was 22 dwellings per hectare.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many homeless applicants were(a) rehoused by the local authority directly without spending time in temporary accommodation and (b) placed in temporary accommodation under section 193 of the Housing Act 1996 in each of the last three years; [133484]

  (2) how many homeless applicants were considered to have a priority need under section 189 (1) (c) of the Housing Act 1996 due to (a) domestic violence and (b) racial harassment and violence in each of the last three years; [133485]

  (3) how many applicants were accepted as homeless by local authorities under section 175 (3) of the Housing Act 1996 due to racial harassment or violence, in each of the last three years. [133486]

  Mr. Mullin
  Data are not collected centrally in the precise form requested. Available information on households accommodated under statutory homelessness provisions in England is published in a quarterly Information Bulletin, "Statistics of local authority activities under the homelessness legislation: England". Table 3 of the Bulletin presents a summary of those households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts, identifying which category was most crucial in determining priority need. Cases where domestic violence was the exclusive reason are identified separately, but further cases may also exist where, for example, the presence of dependent children was the crucial determining factor. Table 4 further summarises acceptances by reason for loss of the household's last settled home and the category "Violent breakdown of relationship" will include all instances where domestic violence was the cause of homelessness. In both tables, cases involving racial harassment or violence are not separately distinguished, but would be reported under "Other".

  Tables 5 and 6 show the number of accepted households in accommodation arranged by the local authority, as at the end of each quarter. Information on the number of households directly rehoused by authorities, without first going into accommodation secured for the minimum two-year period, is not collected.

  Copies of the Bulletin are held in the Library and the latest edition, published on 16 June, presents statistics up to and including the first quarter of 2000.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2000,Official Report, columns 312–13W, (1) what plans he has to introduce arrangements to monitor reviews of homelessness decisions made by local authorities under sections 202 and 203 of the Housing Act 1996; and if he will make a statement; [133464]
  936W
  (2) what proposals he has to require local authorities to make available written information on procedures for reviewing homelessness decisions under sections 202 and 203 of the Housing Act 1996; and if he will make a statement. [133487]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 7 July 2000,Official Report, columns 312–13W. The Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice; A decent home for all", sets out the Government's proposals for reform of homelessness legislation. As part of these proposals we will consider the introduction of arrangements to monitor reviews of homelessness decisions made by local authorities, and will consider responses to the Green Paper before deciding whether to develop this further. We would wish to discuss any such proposals with representatives of local government, Shelter and others before taking them forward.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which local authorities have had regard to the provisions of the code of guidance on parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996 in relation to finding the following groups to be vulnerable and in priority need under section 189 (1)(c) of the Housing Act 1996 (a) victims of violence and abuse and racial harassment and violence, (b) people with mental health problems, (c) 16 and 17-year-olds and (d) people leaving care; [133481]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which local authorities have had regard to the provisions of the Code of Guidance on Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996 in relation to whether it is reasonable for victims of violence and racial abuse and racial harassment to continue to occupy accommodation under sections 175 and 177 of the Housing Act 1996. [133483]

  Mr. Mullin
  In exercising their functions under Parts VI and Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, local authorities must have regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State under sections 169 and 182 of the 1996 Act.

  The Department has commissioned research on local authority policy and practice on allocations, transfers and homelessness. The research will provide information on how local authorities apply the homelessness legislation, and look at definitions of the vulnerability dimension of priority need. This will include victims of violence and abuse; racial harassment; people with mental health problems; 16 and 17-year-olds and people leaving care. The research will also look at outcomes of allocation schemes for different groups such as homeless acceptances.

  Allotments
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on the use of allotment land for open space; and if he will make a statement. [133236]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government believe that informal recreation spaces, such as allotments and community gardens, are important for maintaining the quality of people's lives and contribute to healthy and sustainable neighbourhoods. We consider it important that
  937W
  people should have access to such spaces and lands close to where they live, and attach high importance to retaining such spaces particularly in urban areas.

  Local Authorities, other than inner London Boroughs, are under a duty to provide and let allotments where they are of the opinion that there is a demand for them. Inner London Boroughs have a discretionary power to provide allotments. Section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925 requires local authorities to obtain the Secretary of State's consent for the sale or appropriation of statutory allotments. Consent can be granted only where adequate alternative provision is made for any affected plot holders, and the number of people on any waiting list is taken into account when making this decision.

  Housing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what pilot schemes for introducing choice into letting of social housing he is evaluating in addition to the Harborough Home Search Scheme identified in the Housing Green Paper; [133507]

  (2) how he intends to evaluate the impact on homeless households of pilot schemes for introducing choice into letting of social housing; [133509]

  (3) how he intends to evaluate the pilot schemes for introducing choice into letting of social housing; and if he will make the evaluations public. [133508]

  Mr. Mullin
  We will shortly be inviting expressions of interest from local authorities. Bids will be invited from authorities who wish to develop schemes that achieve our aims on a choice based lettings system, including schemes that make innovative use of information technology to help tenants to choose their homes. In inviting expressions of interest we will make it clear to authorities the level of monitoring and evaluation they will be expected to undertake. Any pilot scheme will need to be evaluated fully, including the impact on homeless households.

  We will announce the successful bids publicly, and the evaluation will lead to good practice guidance available for all social housing landlords.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that(a) victims of violence and harassment and (b) people with mental health problems are given priority in the letting of social housing in areas of high housing demand under the proposals set out in the Housing Green Paper to use waiting time as the criterion to determine priority for households in the same needs band. [133511]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice; A decent home for all", sets out the Government's proposals for increasing choice in social lettings, and gives banding of applicants in similar housing need as an example of how authorities can move away from points based systems. It will remain the responsibility of each local authority to develop housing policies which are pertinent to their local housing markets, whether in high or low demand areas, taking into account the need to ensure equality of access for their most vulnerable 938W
  residents. The Housing Green Paper also proposes making the victims of harassment a separate priority need category under homelessness legislation.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the proposals set out in the Housing Green Paper to advertise vacancies in social housing do not disadvantage householders(a) with mental health problems, (b) without English as a first language and (c) who are hospitalised; and if he will make a statement. [133510]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer to my earlier answer,Official Report, column 937W, given today. Advertising is an option within developing effective choice based systems. We will shortly be inviting expressions of interest from local authorities in bidding to develop schemes which achieve our aims of choice. These pilots will look at how extra support can be given to those who may need it, such as those whose first language is not English, those with mental health problems, and those who are hospitalised.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average density of social housing, in units per hectare, was in areas covered by regeneration schemes(a) prior to regeneration, (b) after regeneration, in England in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000. [133459]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are not able to provide this information. No details are collected centrally about the average density of social housing and regeneration partnerships are not required to collect such information.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will(a) list the regeneration schemes in England which have resulted in a net reduction in available units of affordable rented housing and (b) estimate the total net loss of available units for each of the last five years. [133482]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are not able to provide this information. Regeneration partnerships are not required to collect details about the number of units of affordable housing affected by regeneration schemes. We therefore do not have the details from which such information would be collated.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a 10-year performance target for his Department to meet housing need; and if he will make a statement. [133458]

  Mr. Mullin
  There are no plans to introduce a performance target on meeting housing need—which I understand to mean here the need for affordable housing. While the Government have from time to time commissioned studies of the extent and nature of housing need to inform their views on the need for affordable housing in England, they believe that neither national or regional estimates can adequately reflect the diversity of needs and priorities which exist at the local level. For these reasons the Government believe that local authorities are best placed to carry out robust assessment of housing need in their areas.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of households accommodated
  939W
  through (a) the HOMES scheme and (b) other mobility schemes, by local authority area for each of the last three years. [133254]

  Mr. Mullin
  According to Local Authority Housing Investment Programme returns the number of local authority dwellings let through mobility arrangements over the last three years were:

  Year

  Number

  1998–99

  5,729

  1997–98

  6,303

  1996–97

  6,803

  Source:

  Housing Investment Programme (Operational information Section 1)

  A table of mobility scheme lettings by local authority area has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2000,Official Report, column 131W, if he will list the occasions where registered social landlords have failed to comply with statutory guidance to make at least 50 per cent. of lettings available to local authority nominees from the housing register. [133257]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Housing Corporation monitors the proportion of new lettings going to local authority nominations and may make inquiries of those RSLs with nomination levels below 50 per cent. However, nomination levels below 50 per cent. do not necessarily indicate a failure to make lettings available to local authority nominees.

  It is important to bear in mind factors which may influence the level of local authority nominations, for instance the effect of depressed nomination levels in areas where there is low demand and where the overall number of lettings is small.

  I have placed in the Library a list of registered social landlords whose lettings to local authority nominees fell below 50 per cent. in 1998–99, the most recent year for which data are available. The list is ranked in order of the number of units and/or bedspaces owned or managed and excludes those registered social landlords with fewer than 250 units of accommodation or 250 bed spaces.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place the responses to the consultation Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation—England in the Library. [133253]

  Mr. Mullin
  A list of responses has been placed in the Library, and in accordance with normal practice individual responses will be available at my Department's library.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities have(a) contracted out their homelessness services and (b) subsequently brought these services back in-house in the last five years. [133258]

  Mr. Mullin
  This information is not available in a form which can be broken down in this way. Local authorities provide the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions with limited information about the extent to which services are provided centrally or externally, but these do not distinguish in any detail between functions 940W
  under Part VI of the Housing Act 1996, relating to the allocation of social housing, and those relating to homelessness under Part VII of the Act.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of the capital expenditure in the Housing Corporation's Annual Development Programme from 2001–02 to 2003–04 will be for low-cost home ownership schemes. [133261]

  Mr. Mullin
  Following our recent Spending Review, we are providing nearly £1 billion extra for investment in affordable housing through the Approved Development Programme over the four years 2000–01 to 2003–04. By 2003–04, the programme will be £1.2 billion a year, nearly double the planned level of investment following the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review.

  The proportion of the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme which will be directed towards low cost home ownership from 2001–02 to 2003–04 will depend on local and regional assessments of housing need. This reflects the more strategic approach being adopted by the Housing Corporation to ensure that resources are targeted effectively and meet local priorities.

  In addition to the Approved Development Programme funding, our spending plans for the same period include an additional £250 million in further support of low cost home ownership. The additional resources will fund the new Starter Homes Initiative, which was proposed in the Housing Green Paper, to help key workers to achieve home ownership in high price, high demand areas.

  Local authorities can also support low cost home ownership through the Cash Incentive and the Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership schemes.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require registered social landlords to have regard to the provisions of the Code of Guidance on Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996 where stock transfer has taken place. [133256]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Code of Guidance on Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996 applies only to local authorities. Following the transfer of their housing stock. local authorities must continue to keep a register of applicants seeking social housing in their area and continue to have obligations towards homeless households under Part VI and Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. To ensure that they have access to accommodation to enable them to discharge their housing functions, they generally negotiate nomination rights of between 50 per cent. and 75 per cent. of the transferred stock with the transfer landlord. RSLs are regulated by the Housing Corporation which has the power, under s.36 of the Housing Act 1996, to issue guidance with respect to the management of housing, including the allocation of housing.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for monitoring and regulating the performance of agencies who are contracted by local authorities to carry out their duties under Parts VI & VII of the Housing Act 1996. [133259]
  941W
  Mr. Mullin
  Under Best Value local authorities are required to review all their services, including housing, over a five year cycle. The Housing Inspectorate will inspect all housing authorities over the same period and as part of that aims to inspect particular housing services, such as homelessness and the allocation of tenancies, when those services have been subject to a completed Best Value Review.

  The Housing Inspectorate will, where services have been legitimately contracted out to agencies, inspect the contractual performance of the Local authority as the client, and the other party as their agents/contractors, and make the results publicly available.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of households accommodated through the HOMESWAP scheme in each of the last three years; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for which households have used the scheme. [133255]

  Mr. Mullin
  The HOMESWAP Scheme is managed by an independent organisation called HOMES. The total number of exchanges is collected from local authority Housing Investment Programme returns. It is estimated that a quarter to a third of those occur through HOMESWAP. This proportion is based on what was happening when HIP stopped collecting separate statistics for HOMESWAP as opposed to all exchanges (in 1994–95) and is supported by the limited information that HOMES are able to collect from landlords.

  The total number of households accommodated through the HOMESWAP in England over the last three years are estimated as:

  1998–99

  1988–97

  1997–96

  Total exchanges

  29,900

  35,200

  41,200

  Estimate HOMESWAP based on 1/4

  7,475

  8,800

  10,300

  Estimate HOMESWAP based on 1/3

  9,966

  11,733

  13,733

  HOMES does not record the reason for exchanging when people register on HOMESWAP, although this information is gathered from time to time by research organisations. The most recent published research, which gives reasons for using the scheme is "An Evaluation of HOMES" (MORI for DoE 1995). Research into mutual exchanges is currently being undertaken by University of Cambridge on behalf of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, to be published later this year, which will include an analysis of reasons for exchanging.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the housing stock transfers where new social housing has been built using the resources released by the transfer in each of the last three years. [133260]

  Mr. Mullin
  This information is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the remit of the new Community Housing Taskforce will include the impact of stock transfer on homelessness and housing need; and if these concerns will be reflected in its membership. [133252]
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  Mr. Mullin
  The remit and structure of the Community Housing Taskforce is currently being considered by the Department. Local housing authorities retain their obligations towards homeless households under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and are expected to assess housing need as part of their housing strategy after the transfer of their stock. It is proposed that the Taskforce will work together with the Government Offices for the Regions to ensure that local housing authorities take account of their statutory obligations when developing their housing transfer proposals.

  House Sales (Information Pack)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the pilot scheme to test the components of the seller's information pack to assist the sale of houses will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [133240]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Bristol Seller's Information Pack Pilot Scheme will be completed over the summer and my Department is due to receive a draft final report in September. We expect to make the results public in November.

  A summary of interim findings1 was published on 27 June. The key findings from this were:
  Six in 10 sellers believe that the pack is easy to understand and contains the right amount of information needed. A similar proportion of buyers also agree that the pack contains the right amount of detail on which to make decisions.
  Two thirds of seller's information packs are completed within the 10-day target for pack assembly. However, recently the assembly of the legal part of the pack has slipped beyond this target.

  Note:

  Housing Research Summary No 124: Bristol Seller's Information Pack Pilot Summary of interim findings, DETR, June 2000

  Rail Franchise (Greater London)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the timetable for awarding the rail franchise for each of the communities services into Greater London; what length of franchise is being envisaged in each case and maximum franchise requirements; and if he will make a statement. [133237]

  Mr. Hill
  There are no specific target dates for the replacement of franchises, or any specified length for new franchise agreements that are to be negotiated. While the shadow Strategic Rail Authority will be offering longer term franchises, the length will be entirely dependent on the amount of investment that is proposed by the bidder. The Franchising Director is aiming to replace all the current shorter franchises including, Connex South Central, Chiltern, South West Trains, Thameslink, West Anglia Great Northern, Thames and Great Eastern within two years.

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has published guidelines regarding the siting of wind turbines. [133625]
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  Ms Beverley Hughes
  "Planning Policy Guidance note 22: Renewable Energy" sets out guidance regarding the siting of wind farms and other sources of renewable energy.

  A316
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the two lanes on the eastbound carriageway of the A316 west of the junction with the B358 are being narrowed. [133472]

  Mr. Hill
  This is a matter for the Mayor of London and Transport for London.

  Air Quality
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Department's budget is for 2000 to 2004 for(a) improvements in air quality and (b) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. [133478]

  Mr. Hill
  This year's budget for climate change research (as shown in DETR' s Annual report 2000, Cm 4604) is £11.6 million; for air and environmental quality research the budget is £8.5 million; for specific support to local authorities' air quality expenditure the budget is £2.6 million. Additional relevant DETR expenditure is accounted for under Departmental Running Costs, International Subscriptions, and other spending lines. Figures from Spending Review 2000 have not yet been disaggregated sufficiently to identify comparable sums for subsequent years.

  However, the DETR PSA target for achieving the Government's climate change objectives will be met by implementing a range of policies and measures covering many sectors of the economy. Some European measures are included in our draft Climate Change Programme, and action by local authorities will also be crucial. Funds spent in other areas of DETR, for example, programmes to promote better energy efficiency, CHP and integrated transport will also help to deliver reductions in greenhouse gases.

  The DETR PSA target for improving air quality will be met largely through a range of European and national policy measures which are being taken to reduce pollution from industry and vehicles. For local pollution hot-spots, local authorities will be drawing up action plans to reduce local pollution levels through the local air quality management arrangements.

  Energy Efficiency
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his plans and budget are for improving energy efficiency for vulnerable households between April 2001 and 31 March 2004. [133476]

  Mr. Meacher
  The principal programme for improving the energy efficiency of vulnerable householders in private sector housing in England is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES). Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, the budgets for HEES have been set as follows.
  944W

  Year

  £ millions

  2001–02

  153

  2002–03

  167

  2003–04

  171

  By 2004, the scheme is expected to have helped 800,000 households.

  Improvements in the energy efficiency of social sector housing are delivered through local authorities' and registered social landlords' renovation and improvement programmes. The resources made available for housing investment in the 2000 Spending Review will allow half a million social sector houses (over a third of the total in poor condition) to be brought up to a decent standard by 2004.

  Recycling and Composting
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Department's budget is for 2000 to 2004 for recycling and composting. [133477]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Spending Review 2000 provided £140 million specifically for local authority waste and recycling, and substantial resources towards the Waste and Resources Action Plan, which will tackle barriers to increased recycling and promote new markets for recycled materials. Substantial extra resources—an increase of £1,127 million by 2003–04—will help fund environmental, protective and cultural services, including waste management. Local authorities will set their own priorities for the use of these resources. The Department also supports local authority sustainable waste management projects through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). An announcement on PFI funding for the Spending Review period will be made shortly.

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2000,Official Report, column 497W, on Aldermaston, if he will list those bodies which were sent a copy of the draft authorisation arising from the public consultation process; and if he will place copies of their responses in the Library. [133725]

  Mr. Meacher
  Copies of the draft authorisation were sent to the Health and Safety Executive and to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Copies of their responses are being placed in the Library.

  Brownfield Land
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many acres of vacant, dormant, derelict, unused or underutilised land there are in England and Wales; and what percentage of this he estimates will have to be built on to achieve the Government's house-building targets by 2011; [133425]

  (2) how many hectares of brownfield land in England and Wales are in (a) public ownership and (b) private ownership. [133426]
  945W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Estimates from the National Land Use Database show that in 1998 there were an estimated 57,710 hectares of previously developed land for England that were unused or potentially available for redevelopment.

  There are no Government targets for house-building.

  There is a national target that by 2008, 60 per cent. of additional housing should be provided on previously developed land and through the conversions of existing buildings. Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing, published in March 2000, seeks to maximise the re-use of previously developed land and buildings.

  It is not possible to estimate what proportion of previously developed land available in 1998 will be used for house-building as further amounts of land will become available for recycling.

  Phase 1 of the National Land Use Database collected information on public and private ownership of brownfield land in England, for which no results have yet been published. My Department will undertake this analysis and I will write to the hon. Member when it becomes available.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133560]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 799–800W.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have been poisoned by pesticides in each year since 1995, indicating the pesticide concerned in each case. [133298]

  Mr. Meacher
  Comprehensive information on the number of people who are poisoned by pesticides each year is not available. Some information is available from the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Pesticide Incidents Appraisal Panel, which considers all incidents investigated by HSE or local authorities where the use of a pesticide is alleged to have caused ill health. Summary statistics of such incidents are published annually in HSE's Pesticide Incidents Report. I have asked officials to compile a table listing, for each year since 1995–96, the pesticide active ingredients involved in such incidents, the number of people concerned, and whether or not the Panel assessed the case as having a confirmed or likely link with pesticide exposure. I will arrange for a copy of this table to be placed in the Libraries as soon as possible.

  Low-cost Housing
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure increased access to high-quality low-cost housing. [133393]

  Mr. Mullin
  The recently announced spending plans for 2001–02 to 2003–04 provide extra investment of £1.6 billion for housing and will increase both the quality and supply of low cost housing. This extra investment includes an additional £872 million over the next three years for new social rented housing provided through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme. It also includes an additional £250 million between 2001–02 and 2003–04 to expand our support for low cost home ownership through the new Starter Home Initiative.

  Local authorities are also able to use their additional resources towards the provision of affordable housing, where this best meets local needs. We have recently reinforced the powers available to local authorities to seek the provision of affordable housing as a proportion of new private developments. We will be issuing best practice guidance to help authorities to make more effective use of these powers.

  Our spending plans will also ensure that we tackle the backlog of repairs and modernisation in local authority housing in line with our target to bring all social housing up to a decent standard within a decade.

  For full details of our planned investment in the quality and provision of low cost housing, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 24 July 2000, Official Report, columns 398–404W.

  Concorde
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the BA Concorde fleet is airworthy; and if he will make a statement. [133714]

  Mr. Mullin
  British Airways carry out regular inspections and maintenance on its Concorde aircraft in accordance with a programme which was determined at the time Concorde received its initial certification. The Civil Aviation Authority is therefore satisfied that the BA fleet of Concorde aircraft is airworthy. However, in the light of the recent accident, BA, in consultation with the CAA, carried out exhaustive tests on its Concordes overnight 25–26 July. These involved a range of engineering and systems checks, including the running of all engines; boroscope inspections of the engines; and visual inspections. These tests did not reveal any airworthiness problems.

  Inspectors from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch are participating in the technical investigation of the accident being carried out by the French Bureau Enquetes Accidents. If the investigation identifies any additional action which is necessary to maintain the airworthiness of the Concorde fleet the CAA will take appropriate action.

  Timber Procurement
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on timber procurement following the commitment made by G8 heads of Government. [133792]

  Mr. Meacher
  The UK has worked hard in recent years to promote sustainable forest management and help reduce illegal logging world wide. Illegal logging damages both the environment and society. It reduces government revenues, destroys the basis of poor people's livelihoods and in some cases even fuels armed conflict.

  Working directly with affected countries to combat illegal logging will continue to be the mainstay of our efforts in this area. Among other initiatives we will sponsor later this year, along with the US and World bank, is a high-level meeting in south-east Asia to examine what can be done to strengthen enforcement of forestry laws in the region, and how donors can assist in this. However, we must also deal with parts of the problem nearer to home. It is counterproductive to help enforce laws abroad without striving to ensure that illegally produced timber is not consumed at home.

  The Government are a major purchaser of both timber and timber products, and have a responsibility to ensure their own house is in order. Guidelines already exist to encourage Government Departments to purchase from legal and sustainable sources, but we can do more. To show a lead in addressing the G8 communiqué's call to
  examine how best we can combat illegal logging, including export and procurement practices,
  we will implement a progressive programme of work to improve current purchasing practice for timber and timber products. This initiative will have three components:
  Current voluntary guidance on environmental issues in timber procurement will become a binding commitment on all central Government Departments and agencies actively to seek to buy timber and timber products from sustainable and legal sources, for example those identified under independent certification schemes such as that operated by the Forestry Stewardship Council.
  Each central Government Department will report annually on its timber purchases. It will be required to explain what steps it is taking to pursue this objective; the quantity and types of its purchases; and what assurances it has received that the source of timber is sustainable and legal.
  This process will he monitored by an inter-departmental group reporting to the committee of "Green Ministers". The group will: assist Departments and agencies in working with timber suppliers and producers; give guidance on best purchasing practice; set progressive overall targets for government timber purchases from assured sustainable and legal sources; agree appropriate targets for individual Departments and agencies.

  This programme does not involve banning the purchase of timber or timber products which cannot be shown to be sustainably and legally produced. That would be both unfair and impractical. There is currently not enough timber that can be independently guaranteed to have come from sustainable and legal sources to meet all needs; albeit that different assurance schemes are growing quickly. We would also not want to penalise poorer countries and producers which have not been able to put in place such schemes. We will continue to work with such producers to ensure they have fair market access, and that any action is fully consistent with our international obligations. Our aim is to give confidence to those obeying their country's laws and managing their forest
  948W
  sresponsibly that they will find a welcome market in the UK, and will not be undercut by unscrupulous and illegal competitors.

  Government Panel on Sustainable Development
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the response to the sixth annual report of the Government Panel on Sustainable Development will be published. [133793]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am pleased to announce that the Government's Response to the sixth and final annual report of the Government Panel on Sustainable Development will be published on 8 August. We agree with many of the Panel's recommendations; notably Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is a priority and that sequestration has a role to play. We are funding research into mitigation measures.
  The World Trade Organisation needs to reform and modernise; we are committed to playing a leading role within the EU to ensure this happens.
  Noise can have a detrimental effect on people's quality of life. The forthcoming review of the current Noise Act and the EU directive on Noise will provide opportunities to consider effective remedies to noise disturbance.
  The need for continued open and cautious exploration of the potential of biotechnology, both possible benefits and downsides.
  Better integration of environmental concerns with fisheries management and management of the oceans is required.

  The Panel has been an extremely valuable source of advice for Government in the achievement of sustainable development and I am grateful to the Convenor of the Panel, Sir Crispin Tickell, and his colleagues for all their work over recent years.

  Copies of the Response will be placed in the Library, and it will also be available in electronic form on the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions website www.detr.gov.uk.

  Planning Guidance (South West)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Panel report will be published on draft regional planning guidance for the south west of England. [133802]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government Office for the South West intend to publish the Panel report on Thursday 3 August.

  Ethical Conduct
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in drawing up principles governing the ethical conduct of local authority members; and if he will make a statement. [133803]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Local Government and the Regions will publish a consultation paper today setting out nine principles which we propose should govern the conduct of elected and co-opted members of local government. This will be based on the work of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Nolan. The consultation period runs until 31 October.
  949W
  We will also write today to the Local Government Association asking them to help draw up a new model code of conduct for councillors. The new Code will need to provide members with a clear set of rules in order that they can know what standards of conduct are expected of them.

  We will ask the LGA to take account of the views of bodies representing parish and town councils, police authorities and the Greater London Authority among others. They will be asked to submit their proposals by the end of October.

  Reserve Capping Powers
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he proposes to use his reserve capping powers for 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [133934]

  Ms Armstrong
  Ministers have not yet taken a final decision on whether to use the reserve capping powers for 2000–01 in respect of any individual authorities.

  GM Crop Trials
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when ACRE will publish the criteria against which changes in biodiversity will be measured in the GM crop trials. [120715]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 3 May 2000]: The farm scale evaluations have been designed to test the hypothesis that there are no significant differences between the biodiversity associated with the management of certain GM herbicide tolerant crops and comparable non-GM crops at the farm scale. When the results are available they will be reviewed by the Scientific Steering Committee and published.

  The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment will be asked to consider the results and advise ministers. The ACRE sub-group set up to consider the assessment of these issues intends to publish draft assessment criteria for discussion shortly.

  GM Farm Trials
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what variables are to be measured in the assessment of GM farms trials; and how the criteria for judging success in relation to a particular GM crop will be measured against those variables. [126632]

  Mr. Meacher
  The objective of the evaluations is to test the null hypothesis that there are no significant differences between the biodiversity associated with the management of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops and comparable non-GM crops at the farm scale. In practice, the variation in biodiversity can not be recorded for all species. The approach is to compare key indicators of biodiversity between the GM HT and non-GM HT cropping systems. In reporting these effects, they will be placed into the context of national recording schemes that can help to show the relationships between the biodiversity associated with the study sites and arable areas in general.
  950W
  The indicators being measured are:
  soil seed bank;
  arable plant diversity, biomass and estimated seed return;
  field margin and boundary vegetation, noting species in flower and signs of spray drift;
  Gastropods (slugs and snails) abundance, activity and diversity measures;
  Arthropods on vegetation, concentrating on plant bugs (Heteroptera), spring tails (Collembola), and the caterpillars of butterflies, moths, (Lepidoptera) and sawflies; diversity and biomass measures;
  Carabid beetles and other ground dwellings arthropods; abundance and diversity measures;
  bees and butterflies; observational studies;
  birds and small mammals, observational studies.

  The study is limiting the number of confounding factors by using a split-field design and controlling for all the variables except the herbicide treatment. After the first year the studies will continue in the subsequent follow-on conventional crops. Further details of the study and monitoring protocols have been published by the research consortium in two interim reports. These are available on the DETR website and copies have been placed in the Library.

  When sufficient data sets are available the null hypothesis will be tested separately for each indicator. The data will then reveal whether or not there are any statistically significant differences in biodiversity arising from the two cropping regimes. The independent Scientific Steering Committee is over-seeing the evaluations to ensure appropriate scientific rigor of the evaluations. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment will consider the outcome of the evaluations, assess the implications for the environment and advise Ministers. A sub-group of ACRE is currently considering the criteria which are appropriate for such assessments.

  In addition, there are studies to monitor geneflow. These are monitoring the extent of cross pollination with neighbouring sexually compatible crops for the oil seed rape and maize, both of which will flower and produce pollen, and, in the case of rape, the formation of hybrids with wild relatives.

  Crop Contamination
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement of 18 May,Official Report, column 474, on the introduction of a seed purity inspection system, when the process of planning this system began; when he will publish details of how the system will work; if the introduction of the system is conditional upon EU or other international agreements; how much the system will cost; and how the system's costs will be funded. [124151]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]: The process of planning seed purity inspections began in February this year when the new arrangements for the inspection of GM release and marketing consents were being developed with the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), who were formerly appointed to undertake this task on 1 June. CSL's responsibility is to ensure that every GMO release site in England and, where appropriate, Wales is visited and expected once a year, and that

  951W
  consent holder's arrangements to ensure compliance with consents are audited. Consent holders are charged an annual subsistence fee to pay for these inspections.

  In the light of the recent Advanta oilseed rape case, interim arrangements have been made to audit imports of seed, and sample seed for testing where necessary. These inspections are being carried out under provisions in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and are not conditional on EU or other international agreements. My main concern is that unauthorised GM seed is not imported and released into the environment. Importers of seed have been contacted and reminded of their duties. Industry will be carrying out their own tests to ensure imported seeds and grain does not contain unauthorised GMOs. The costs of this testing will fall to the industry. CSL will audit their arrangements to ensure that this has been carried out effectively.

  Costs of the audits have not yet been finalised. For the time being the Government is funding CSL to do his work. The Government will consider how to charge for these inspections when implementing forthcoming EU legislation on GMOs and seed purity.

  Dioxin
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham of 24 May 2000,Official Report, column 539W, on dioxin, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness and accuracy of the programmes which monitor dioxin levels; and if he will make a statement. [126260]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 19 June 2000]: There are 210 dioxin and furan compounds, of which 17 are thought to have toxicological consequences. Each of these 17 compounds is measured, weighted according to its relative toxicity and aggregated to give a single result in terms of the toxic equivalence of the total mix. These measurements are made over each quarter of the year, and the uncertainty of an individual quarterly dioxin measurement in air has been assessed as 19 per cent., expressed in terms of the overall toxic equivalent. The corresponding annual mean value has an uncertainty of 9 per cent.

  Nolan Rules
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group, if it(a) is a company limited by guarantee, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details. [131178]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000, Official Report, columns 799–800W. I can confirm that apart from the Review of the Index of Local Deprivation none of my Department's groups listed
  952W
  have a legal basis. The legal basis for the Review of the Index of Local Deprivation is the contract with the University of Oxford for this research project.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131455]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incinerators have started operation in each of the last eight years in each region; and if he will make a statement. [132570]

  Mr. Mullin
  Only two new municipal waste incinerators have opened in the past eight years: SELCHP (Thames Region, 1994) and Stockton (North East Region, 1997).

  Many other plant were closed down because they did not comply with stringent emissions standards introduced in 1996. Of these, several were refurbished, and re-opened on the following dates:

  Region

  Operator

  Re-start

  Midlands

  Coventry and Solihull Waste Disposal Co. Ltd, Coventry

  1996

  Midlands

  WasteNotts (Reclamation) Ltd., Nottingham

  1995

  Midlands

  MES Environmental Ltd., Stoke

  1995

  Midlands

  MES Environmental Ltd., Wolverhampton

  1998

  Midlands

  MES Environmental Ltd., Dudley

  1998

  Midlands

  Tyseley Waste Disposal Ltd.

  1996

  North East

  Sheffield city council

  1997

  North West

  GM Waste Ltd., Bolton

  2000

  The London Waste incinerator at Edmonton (Thames Region) was refurbished without a break in operation in 1996.

  This information relates to conventional solid municipal waste incinerators within the Integrated Pollution Control regime. I shall respond separately on other incinerators, including plant burning processed wastes.

  Transport (London)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the total amounts provided for transport in London in each year since 1990–91, including a breakdown showing the amounts for(a) London Transport, (b) local authority net expenditure, current and capital, (c) Highways Agency expenditure and (d) other. [131999]

  Mr. Hill
  I will write to the hon. Member, and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will advise the Environment Agency during its review of Sellafield discharge authorisations, that it should consider dry storage technologies in addition to the use of magnox fuel and the addition of a head-end plant to THORP. [130874]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: I expect to discuss this with the Environment Agency and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate at my next meeting with them.

  Radiological Protection
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will issue advice on the observance of the justification principle including the needs(a) to carry out full cost-benefit analyses of practices giving rise to radiation exposures, (b) to discuss available alternatives to such practices and (c) to estimate global untruncated population doses from such practices. [132292]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: I expect to issue a statement in the autumn on the way justification issues will be handled, that will take account of the considerations to which my hon. Friend refers.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many press releases have been issued so far this year; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of press releases was in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date. [132783]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have issued 455 press releases until the end of June this year. This is a 28 per cent. drop from the same time last year.

  The total cost of the production and issuing of press releases in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date is as follows:

  Year

  Number of press releases

  Total costs(£000)

  DoT/DoE/DETR

  1997

  853

  81,101.78

  DETR

  1998

  1,121

  56,948.92

  DETR

  1999

  1,248

  62,380.38

  DETR

  2000

  1455

  33,839.60

  1 Figure at end of June

  Deprivation Index
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will place in the Library the ward level data on ranks and scores for the Index of Deprivation 1999, already given to individual authorities, in(a) hard copy and (b) electronic format; [132892]

  (2) when a full underlying data set for the Index of Deprivation 1999 will be made available. [132893]
  954W
  Ms Armstrong
  For the last 18 months, my Department has undertaken a review of the 1998 Index of Local Deprivation. The technical side of the review has been carried out by a team from the University of Oxford led by Dr. Mike Noble and has included four public consultations. I am very grateful to Dr. Noble and his colleagues for their hard and excellent work.

  There has been considerable interest in the review and quite rightly so, because the Index is one of the main instruments used to allocate resources to the most disadvantaged communities. The review process has taken a long time. This has been necessary if only because the numerous detailed responses received during the consultations have meant that the Oxford team needed to examine and test what were very technical suggestions. I will shortly be issuing a paper that responds to all of the technical points that were raised.

  I shall also be publishing the indices, that is the scores and ranks at the ward level which is available for each domain of deprivation and the district level measures.

  Hard copies of the technical paper and the summary which will include the scores and rankings on the district level measures will be placed in the Library of the House along with a CD-ROM containing all of the ward and district scores and rankings. The summary report will provide details of where to obtain, subject to any confidentiality constraints, the underlying raw data.

  However, the indices are not a definitive instrument and will need to be revised when further substantial small area data streams become available and could be incorporated into the indices. For example, while the review of the Index has been going on, the Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team (PAT) 18 on Better Information has reported. This report of PAT 18 recognised that its recommendations for increasing the availability and coverage of small area data would be useful for the Indices in the longer term. One of its key outputs would be a national ward-level data set which would include as much as possible of the data on which the Indices scores and rankings are based. In the longer term the 2001 Census data will also be relevant. We will also be looking at the way social housing conditions could be incorporated into the indices.

  In the meantime, the Government have decided to use the new indices rather than the old Index of Deprivation as the primary but not the sole basis for the allocation of resources for deprived areas. This will not rule out the possibility of other areas being offered regeneration assistance. However, I fully realise that whenever a change of this kind is made, there is the risk that authorities that would have benefited on the old basis for allocations might not do so under the new one. We therefore intend to set up transitional arrangements that make allowances for authorities that had been among the most deprived areas on the old Index and are not among the most deprived areas on the new indices. We will also be considering how areas that have pockets of deprivation can be eligible for help. We will be detailing these transitional arrangements when we publish any proposals for allocating resources that make use of the new indices.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the
  955W
  proposals for improving road safety contained in "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone", according to whether (a) implementation (i) commenced before the strategy was published, (ii) will commence in 2000 and (iii) will commence in 2001 and (b) they will require parliamentary time. [132850]

  Mr. Hill
  Each chapter of "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone", copies of which are in the Library, includes an "implementation timetable" which tabulates all the proposed actions and shows which ones will require primary legislation. The timetable also indicates whether each action will be implemented "now" or "in the next 2–3 years" or whether it is a "longer term intention". We are still developing a more detailed implementation plan.

  Bridges
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bridges there are in England on recognised public highways; how many of these were strengthened to current standards by 31 December 1999; and what is the estimated cost of strengthening the remainder of these bridges to the new standard of weight which will come into force next year. [133122]

  Mr. Hill
  There are some 60,900 bridges in England on roads maintainable at the public expense. 8,500 are on trunk roads and 52,400 on local roads.

  EC Directive 85/3/EC requires the United Kingdom to allow the use on principal routes of vehicles of 40 tonnes weight with 11.5 tonne axle loads from 1 January 1999. Of those bridges requiring to be strengthened to take these vehicles, some 4,450 were strengthened by the end of March this year. We estimate that about 3,400 remain to be strengthened, at a cost of some £800 million.

  Consultation will take place soon on whether to allow 44 tonne vehicles, subject to certain technical constraints. Any decision would depend upon the results of that consultation. These 44 tonne vehicles would not require extra bridge strengthening above that necessary for the 40 tonne vehicles already permitted.

  Vehicle Clamping
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations govern the clamping of vehicles; and who monitors local practice by those agents responsible for this. [133224]

  Mr. Hill
  Under the Vehicle Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has powers to clamp road-going vehicles that are unlicensed and on a public road to enforce the payment of vehicle excise duty. Under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1991, local authorities have powers to remove unlicensed vehicles abandoned on a public road or to clamp licensed vehicles which are unlawfully parked on a public road. In all these circumstances the operation of clamping is closely regulated, with a right of appeal and a maximum release fee specified by the Secretary of State.
  956W
  There are no statutory regulations governing the clamping of vehicles left on private land but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced an intention to include such a provision in the proposed legislation on the private security industry, when parliamentary time allows.

  London Underground Escalators
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many London Underground station escalators have been out of service for(a) up to three months, (b) up to six months and (c) longer than six months. [133213]

  Mr. Hill
  This is an operational matter for London Underground, which informs me that out of 34 escalators out of service in July, 13 have been out of service for no more than three months, 12 for no more than six months and nine longer than six months.

  Planning
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many appeals to the Planning Inspectorate against local authority planning decisions were(a) allowed and (b) rejected; how many such appeal decisions were taken to judicial review and what was the (i) outcome of such proceedings and (ii) cost of the Planning Inspectorate in the last convenient period for which figures are available. [133361]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Gentleman, because the question relates to decisions made by planning inspectors.

  Letter from Chris Shepley to Mr. Don Foster, dated 28 July 2000 The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about planning appeal decisions and the number that are the subject of judicial review.
  For the year 1999–2000 planning inspectors decided 12,411 planning appeals in England. Of these 4,485 were allowed and 7,926 dismissed. To date, 84 decisions have been the subject of a legal challenge and of these 17 have been withdrawn. In a further 11 cases we have accepted that the decision contained an error in law and the appeals are being reconsidered. 11 case have been heard in court and we wee successful in resisting all but one challenge. The remaining 45 cases have yet to be settled.
  Turning to your final question, I am unsure what costs you are interested in. The costs associated with High Court challenges may accrue over several years so it is not possible to give you a precise figure as to how much the challenges made last year will cost. However, on average we estimate that a challenge costs us about £5,300. The total cost of running the Inspectorate in 1999/2000 was £33m.

  BNFL
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation he had with(a) Ministers and (b) officials from the Department of Trade and Industry prior to the announcement of 11 July in respect of the payments to be made as a result of the agreement to return MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield. [133453]
  957W
  Mr. Meacher
  There was no consultation between Ministers or officials from my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry over the payments to be made as a result of the agreement to return to Sellafield the MOX fuel currently stored at Takahama.

  Rents
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the percentage of rent determinations made by the Rent Service where the appropriate rent was in excess of the local reference rent in(a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland, in each of the last three years; [133263]

  1996

  1997

  1998

  11999

  Rent officer determinations where property specific rent (PSR) was greater than the local reference rent (LRR)2

  40.0

  43.5

  43.3

  43.1

  Rent officer determinations where appropriate rent (AR) was greater than the local reference rent (LRR)2

  35.9

  38.9

  38.2

  37.9

  Average rent restriction where appropriate rent (AR) was greater than the local reference rent (LRR)3

  7.58

  7.16

  6.91

  6.71

  1 First quarter of 1999.

  2 Percentage of.

  3 £ per week.

  Source:

  Rent Officer Statistics,Publised quarterly by DETR

  The Property Specific Rent (PSR) is the Rent Officer's initial determination before taking into account other circumstances which culminate in the determination of an appropriate rent for the property: whether the landlord's referred rent is exceptionally high or whether the property is too large compared with the number of occupants.

  Rent determinations for different local authorities are not published. A breakdown by rent officer area can be produced, but not within the time available. I will write separately with these figures as soon as possible.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2000,Official Report, column 185W, what standard liquidated damages clauses are included in private finance initiative contracts for (a) roads and (b) other transport infrastructure for which his Department has responsibility; how these are specified; and if he will make a statement. [133367]

  Mr. Hill
  This information will take a little time to collect for the range of PFI transport projects. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 2000,Official Report, column 351W, on PFI, if he will list the rate of return for each of the eight trunk road DBFO projects; and if he will make a statement. [133276]

  Mr. Hill
  No. This information is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2000,Official Report, column 185W, on PFI contracts, if he will list the number
  958W
  (2) what was the average level of rent restriction following a local reference rent determination in (a) England and Wales and (b) each local authority area, in each of the last three years; [133264]

  (3) what percentage of rent officer determinations exceeded the local reference rent in (a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland, in each of the last three years. [133262]

  Mr. Mullin
  Information on rent determinations is not available for Scotland. The figures in the following table are for rent determinations for private lettings in England and Wales for 1996, 1997, 1998 and for the first quarter of 1999.

  of points accumulated for each road scheme; for which reason each of these points was awarded; what penalties were invoked; and if he will make a statement. [133251]

  Mr. Hill
  The overall performance of our PFI contracts is good. I am content with the point system in PFI contracts for roads and it is subject to confidentiality agreements within its contracts. Most points have been awarded during the construction phase of the contracts. During operations it has been necessary to award fewer points.

  Clean Energy
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding will be allocated to the development of clean energy sources in the forthcoming spending review; if the Government will end the exemption of incineration from the Climate Change Levy; and if he will make a statement. [126276]

  Mr. Meacher
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Overseas Pensioners
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many colonial and overseas pensioner schemes are still in existence; how many British residents are(a) current or (b) potential beneficiaries of such schemes; and what steps she is taking to align benefits with comparable domestic public sector schemes. [133293]

  Mr. Foulkes
  There are 104 colonial pension schemes still in existence. Some 26,700 pensioners currently receive benefits under the differing provisions of those
  959W
  schemes, of whom 17,214 reside in the UK. There is no record of how many British residents are potential beneficiaries.

  The colonial pension arrangements are unique, and cannot be compared with those of domestic public sector schemes. The Government therefore have no plans to bring them into line.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support she is able to give General Musharraf in order that he is able to carry out legislative reforms in Pakistan. [133211]

  Mr. Foulkes
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State informed the House on 6 June 2000,Official Report, columns 173–74W, we have agreed to provide technical assistance to assist the Administration to prepare some key reforms. We have not received any specific requests to help with legislative aspects; but we would be ready to consider these, should they be made.

  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support she intends to offer Pakistan during the forthcoming elections there. [133209]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Pakistan Government has embarked upon a very ambitious timetable for local elections and has requested Britain's assistance in this process. A DFID Senior Governance Adviser is visiting Pakistan at present to formulate detailed proposals for possible support by this Department for preparations for these elections and electoral reform more generally.

  AIDS
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of her Department's total budget is for AIDS-related projects; and what proportion of the projects supported by her Department are AIDS-related. [132857]

  Mr. Foulkes
  In 1998–99, the latest year for which complete figures are available, DFID's total bilateral expenditure on projects and programmes was £1,176 million

  Official visits made outside Britain by DFID's Permanent Secretary since 1 January 1999

  Date

  Venue

  Purpose

  1999

  17–19 February

  New York

  Discussion with Heads of UN Funds and programmes

  2–9 March

  Sydney

  International meeting on SE Asia Economic Crisis

  Thailand

  Discussion with DFID's Regional Office

  24–28 April

  Washington

  IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings

  3–4 May

  Macedonia

  Romania

  Accompanying the Prime Minister

  14 May

  Helsinki

  Discussion of EU business with Finish Presidency

  17–18 May

  Bulgaria

  Albania

  Accompanying the Prime Minister

  18–22 May

  Zimbabwe

  Kenya

  Discussion with Ministers and with DFID Regional Office

  960W
  and total bilateral expenditure on HIV/AIDS was £43 million. This sum excludes multilateral contributions to organisations such as Joint United Nations Programme in HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS) and United Nations Population Find (UNFPA), support to vaccine research and development initiatives, and funding of projects costing less than £100,000. Thus some 4 per cent. of total bilateral expenditure was spent on HIV/AIDS related projects. We will forward the 1999–2000 figures to the Library of the House as soon as they have been prepared.

  The total number of active bilateral projects for 1999–2000 was 1,832 of which 194 were related to HIV/AIDS projects. Thus some 10 per cent. of projects supported by the Department are related to HIV/AIDS. These figures do not include projects containing elements of HIV/AIDS work which are deemed too small to be reported or activities costing less than £100,000.

  Arms Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues on introducing legislation to limit the impact of small arms in developing countries. [132509]

  Mr. Foulkes
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had recent discussions with Ministerial colleagues about the Government's proposed legislation on arms export controls which will address,inter alia, the control of small arms in developing countries. She has also had discussions with colleagues regarding the Government's cross-cutting review on conflict prevention and resolution in Africa and the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, both of which will also address the control of small arms.

  Official Visits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the visits outside Britain made by her Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [132753]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Permanent Secretary of the DFID made the following visits outside Britain on official business since 1 January 1999:
  961W

  Official visits made outside Britain by DFID's Permanent Secretary since 1 January 1999

  Date

  Venue

  Purpose

  28 May-1 June

  Rome

  Discussion with heads of FAO, WFP and IFAD

  8–10 June

  New York and Washington

  Discussion with UN and World Bank on Kosovo

  15–29 September

  Barbados

  Discussion with DFID Regional Office

  St. Lucia

  Discussion with the Prime Minister and others

  Cayman Islands

  Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting

  Washington

  IMF/World Bank Autumn Meeting

  24–26 October

  Russia

  Discussion with Ministers

  28–31 October

  Senegal

  Global Coalition for Africa Meeting

  31 October-1 November

  Sierra Leone

  Discussion with the President and others

  14–18 November

  Tokyo

  Discussion with Japanese colleagues

  6–11 December

  China

  Discussion with Minsters and Provincial Governors

  2000

  6–11 February

  Kenya

  Discussion with Ministers and DFID Regional Office

  Uganda

  Discussion with the President and others

  19–29 February

  South Africa

  Discussion with Ministers and DFID Regional Office

  Botswana

  Discussion with the President and others

  20–22 March

  New York

  Discussion with Heads of UN Funds and Programmes

  15–22 April

  Washington

  IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings

  11 May

  Paris

  High Level Meeting of OECD's Development Assistance Committee

  19 May

  Brussels

  Discussion with EU Commissioners and Commission Officials

  5–14 June

  Manila

  Discussion with President of Asian Development Bank and others

  Indonesia

  Discussion with Ministers and others

  Bangkok

  Discussion with DFID Regional Office

  7–11 July

  Bonn

  Annual Meeting of Heads of International Development Agencies

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within her Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131451]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 800W.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many press releases have been issued so far this year; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of press releases was in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date. [132778]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Rules governing the work of the GICS are laid down in the Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997. More specific guidance on the writing and issuing of press releases is given in the Working Guide for Government Information Officers. Copies of both documents are in the Libraries of the
  962W
  House. Twenty-three Press Releases have been issued by the Department so far this year. Press Releases are issued via post, and through the COI's News Distribution Service. The total cost of production and issuing of releases for the years 1997–2000 inclusive is outlined as follows:

  (a) 1997–8,180

  (b) 1998–10,090

  (c) 1999–10,710

  (d) 2000–5,420.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many press officers were employed in her Department in(a) May 1997, (b) January 1998, (c) January 1999 and (d) January 2000; and what the total expenditure on press officers by his Department was in each of the years concerned. [132760]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Detailed information on the number of press officers employed by the Department during the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99 was provided in Appendix II of the report "The Government Information and Communications Service" (HC 770) published by the Select Committee on Public Administration (29 July 1998). Copies are available in the Library.
  963W
  As at January 2000, the Department employed three press officers. The cost of these press officers in the financial year 1999–2000 is estimated to have been £84,000.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to implement the issues paper on disability, poverty and development; and if she will require a disability equality checklist to be available before proposals are funded by her Department. [133107]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We have been supporting work on disability for a long time. The issues paper "Disability, Poverty and Development", has put this work on a more strategic footing. Published earlier this year (February 2000), it has been circulated to all our offices and will be an influence in the future development of country programmes. It recognises the importance of ensuring the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the fight against poverty. To achieve such an aim, we do not view disability equality checklists as the most appropriate tools, and will not be requiring their use.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many projects in support of disabled people and their organisations have been supported by her Department in 1999–2000; and at what cost. [133106]

  Mr. Foulkes
  It is not possible to provide the precise number or cost of all my Department's activities in support of disabled people and their organisations. We support disabled people in a number of ways. In 1999–2000, almost £800,000 was spent on 26 projects thorough a joint funding scheme with non-governmental organisations. Additionally there are many initiatives at country level which either specifically target the needs of disabled people or incorporate their concern in wider development projects.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the reports submitted to her Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if she will make a statement. [133563]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799–800W.

  I also refer the hon. Member to the first central list of information that was published on 11 January 2000. Copies of the list are available in the Libraries of the House.
  964W
  The detailed information requested about the numbers of recommendations made and the number rejected is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  Unilateral Debt Cancellation
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much additional funding she estimates will be provided for the United Kingdom's unilateral debt cancellation initiative between 2000 and 2003. [133429]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Under the UK's policy of 100 per cent. debt forgiveness once countries have reached decision point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, they can immediately stop making payments on all their debts outstanding to the UK Government.

  So far nine countries have reached their decision point, of which eight owed money to the UK. For these countries all payments to the UK Government have already ceased. In total the debt relief to these countries afforded by the HIPC initiative and the Government's 100 per cent. debt relief policy will add up to £241 million.

  A further 11 countries are expected to reach decision point by the end of 2000. If they did the total amount that the UK Government would be writing off for these 20 countries would be £659 million. The total due for payment between 2000 and 2003 depends entirely on how quickly countries reach decision point, and hence how many benefit from the UK's policy of 100 per cent. debt relief.

WALES

  Departmental Travelling Costs
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's budget for the current financial year for Ministers' chauffeurs and travelling costs. [132790]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There is no specific budget for Ministerial travel costs as such, because this expenditure is demand led, but a sum of £150,000 has been set aside to cover all Ministerial travelling costs in 2000–01.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133372]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those
  965W
  recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133556]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 27 July 2000 by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office,Official Report, column 799–800W, advising that an updated list of information on such bodies is being placed in the Libraries of the House. The original list of information was published on 11 January 2000, and copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Information about the number of recommendations made, the number implemented. and the number rejected, could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

PRIME MINISTER

  Government Buildings
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the total recorded expenditure by the Cabinet Office for 1999–2000; and what is the anticipated expenditure for 2000–01 on(a) maintaining, (b) decorating and (c) otherwise improving 10 Downing Street; [125886]

  (2) what the total cost of works was for each year since 1 May 1997 carried out to (a) 10 Downing Street, (b) 11 Downing Street, (c) Admiralty House flats, (d) Carlton Gardens and (e) Government House in Pimlico, broken down in respect of (i) kitchens, (ii) bathrooms, (iii) carpets, (iv) wallpaper, (v) other furnishings, (vi) other decoration, (vii) repairs and renewals and (viii) other expenditure. [133437]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 June 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 11 November 1999, Official Report, column 783W where I provided information on expenditure in the 1999–2000 financial year up to end October 1999. For the period November 1999 to end March 2000 expenditure was £227,000. Expenditure to date in the current financial year is £33,000.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 17 May 2000 from the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Miss Johnson),Official Report, column 185W, if the decision to implement a national changeover plan was taken in Cabinet. [129755]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 July 2000]: It is established practice under section 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to proceedings of Cabinet.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Prime Minister how many and what percentage of the(a) paid and (b) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [129838]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 11 July 2000]: Since 1997 I have made 149 appointments to non-departmental bodies of whom 58 were women. Of these 10 (14.9 per cent.) women were paid and 48 (31 per cent.) women unpaid.

  Pesticides Tax
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) representations he has received and (b) meetings he has held on the proposed Pesticides Tax with (i) UKASTA, (ii) NOAH, (iii) the National Farmers Union, (iv) the Country Landowners Association, and (v) named agrochemical companies, giving the date and durations of the meetings. [131104]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 21 June 2000,Official Report, columns 215–16W.

  Government's Annual Report
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister how many orders the Government have received for the Government's Annual report through the No. 10 Website. [131443]

  The Prime Minister
  Copies of the Government Annual Report can be ordered over the Internet from The Stationery Office (TSO), either by accessing the TSO site directly, or via the No. 10 Website. Out of a total of 1,353 copies sold by TSO to date, 34 orders have been taken on the Internet. It is not possible to distinguish how many of these were via the TSO web-site directly and how many were via the No. 10 Website.

  Philip Gould
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister how many people were on the list of recipients of the leaked memos from Philip Gould; and if he will make a statement. [132317]

  The Prime Minister
  It is not my practice to comment on matters connected with a leak investigation.

  Appointments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what the role is of the Secretary of Appointments; what(a) salary and (b) selection procedure applies to this position; and what his responsibilities are. [132348]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mrs. Bottomley) on 1 November 1999, Official Report, column SW., In line with established practice the salaries of individual civil servants are not disclosed as this would breach the privacy of the individuals concerned.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2000,Official Report, column 425W, regarding appointments, (1) if he will list the positions for which his official advice is routinely sought during selection processes; [132327]

  (2) if he will list the level of remuneration attached to the appointments he makes as Prime Minister. [132328]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answers 24 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Lords Lieutenant
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2000,Official Report, column 663W, on Lords Lieutenant, if he will make a statement on the consultation process which is carried out prior to the appointment of a Lord Lieutenant. [132326]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: I have nothing to add to the answer given by my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2000,Official Report, column 663W, on Lords Lieutenant, if it is his policy to advertise vacancies for Lord Lieutenancies. [132332]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: No. It is usually well known in a county when a Lord Lieutenant is due to retire.

  Duty Roster
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister how information is made available on each Department's daily duty ministerial duty roster for the summer adjournment. [132975]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: This is a matter for Departments.

  Research and Information Office
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the cost in the current financial year of the(a) salary bill and (b) general running costs of the Research and Information Office in 10 Downing Street. [132692]

  The Prime Minister
  The actual costs to date for the current financial year of the Research and Information Office are £104,761 for the salary bill and £18,169 for running costs.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Prime Minister how many press releases were issued by his Office in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) this year to date; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of these press releases was in each year. [132755]

  The Prime Minister
  As was the case under the previous Administration, the majority of press releases issued by my office relate either to appointments or speeches.

  Information on the number of press releases issued by my Office is as follows:

  Year

  Number of press notices

  19971

  119

  1998

  204

  1999

  138

  20002

  106

  1 From 1 May

  2 To date

  Information on staff time spent on the preparation of press releases or costs incurred in their distribution is not separately recorded.

  British-Irish Council
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Prime Minister when the British-Irish Council will next meet. [133855]

  The Prime Minister
  The Irish Government will host the next Summit meeting of the British-Irish Council in Dublin on Tuesday 31 October 2000.

  Chief Commissioner (Police)
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the Chief Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(a) of the Police Act 1997 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [133856]

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Sir Andrew Leggatt's annual report for 1999 is being laid before the House today in accordance with section 107(3) of the Police Act 1997. After consultation with the Chief Commissioner material in an annex to a report has been excluded from that copy under section 107(4) of the Act because its publication would be prejudicial to the prevention or detection of serious crime.

  This is Sir Andrew's first annual report. I am most grateful to him and his colleagues for the work which has gone into preparing it.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will answer question 129755, tabled by the hon. Member for Ludlow on 4 July. [133936]

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Teignbridge for answer on 17 July (reference 131363). [133939]

  The Prime Minister
  I have done so today.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Prime Minister what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133384]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  Alastair Campbell
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister what restrictions are placed on his Press Secretary in relation to actions and statements of a party political nature. [133474]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 23 June 2000,Official Report, column 328W.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister to whom Mr. Alastair Campbell reports. [133475]

  The Prime Minister
  Me.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133561]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member today by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list(a) Government expenditure on ministerial overseas visits for the financial years 1995–96 to 1999–2000 and (b) all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000, including the cost, destination and purpose of the visit. [133854]

  The Prime Minister
  Expenditure on Ministerial overseas visits for the periods requested is estimated as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1995–96

  7.3

  1996–97

  7.9

  2 May 1997–31 March 1998

  6.4

  1998–99

  4.9

  1999–2000

  4.6

  The figure for 1995–97 does not include some expenditure falling to the Scottish Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Welsh Office because the information was not recorded centrally or is incomplete. Full costs are available from 1996–97 onwards. All figures are in 1999–2000 prices1. The figure for 1999–2000 reflects payments made so far for travel undertaken in this period; a few bills have yet to be submitted to Departments for payment.

  A list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The list provides details of the date, destination and purpose of all such visits and the cost of Ministers' travel and accommodation where appropriate.
  1 Using GDP deflators dated 29 June 2000

  Ministerial Residences
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000,Official Report, column 50W, on ministerial residences, how much has been spent on each property and the residences within them for each year since 1 May 1997, and how much in each case for each year of the sums spent was spent on (a) kitchens, (b) bathrooms, (c) vehicle-related facilities and (d) leisure facilities. [125903]
  970W
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 June 2000]: The cost of routine maintenance and repairs in 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively were: 10 Downing Street flat (£3,994 and £5,824), 11 Downing Street flat (£16,471 and £48,336), Government House, Pimlico (£2,604 and £14,848), and the Carlton Gardens flat (£19,093 and £3,510). For Admiralty House for 1997–98 the Cabinet Office spent £65,452 and the other Departments £63,901, £78,759 and £17,000 respectively. For the following year costs only fell to the Cabinet Office which were £63,650.

  In 1997–98 and 1998–99 respectively, £1,896 and £1,336 was spent on maintenance and minor works on the accommodation in Hillsborough Castle used by Northern Ireland Office Ministers while on duty in Northern Ireland.

  For details in respect of expenditure in 1999–2000 I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 5 June 2000, Official Report, columns 50–51W.

  It is not possible to disaggregate expenditure on maintenance and repair in the manner requested.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost to public funds for each year since 1 May 1997 in respect of(a) entertainment and (b) staff costs for (i) Chequers and (ii) Chevening. [129227]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: Expenditure on entertainment was as follows:

  £

  Chequers

  Chevening

  1 May 1997 to 31 March 1998

  11,279

  19,800

  1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999

  10,462

  5,658

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  7,867

  13,024

  Staff costs figures for Chequers by amounts charged for these periods were as follows:

  £

  1 May 1997 to 31 March 1998

  264,950

  1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999

  315,292

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  364,319

  Figures relating to Established Staff at Chevening are unavailable since costs are borne by the Chevening Trust and fall outside the jurisdiction of and budgets of the FCO. Charges for ad hoc staff employment are included in the figures for entertainment.

  This expenditure is comparable with that of the previous Administration.

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister when Lord Levy will next be meeting the Israeli Prime Minister. [130460]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 2000]: This is a matter for Lord Levy.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the overseas trips which have been planned for Lord Levy acting as his personal envoy. [130459]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 2000]: There are no firm plans at present.
  971W
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister what the cost to public funds was of Lord Levy's last visit to Syria. [130458]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 2000]: Lord Levy's last visit to Syria was, like some members of the Opposition, as a member of the official party to the condolence ceremony to mark the death of President Hafez al Asad. The costs of assistance provided were not separately itemised.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister whom Lord Levy briefed following his visit to Syria. [130457]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 2000]: Following his visit to Syria in May, Lord Levy briefed me, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office in person. The visit was also reported by telegram by the Ambassador in Damascus, who attended all Lord Levy's meetings.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister in which regions of the world Lord Levy acts as a Prime Ministerial envoy. [130469]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 2000]: The Middle East and North Africa.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Prime Minister who the final arbiter is on questions involving the Ministerial Code of Conduct when the Minister involved is the Prime Minister. [131363]

  The Prime Minister
  It is for individual Ministers—including the Prime Minister—to account to Parliament for their actions and decisions.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Prime Minister how many press officers were employed in his Department in

  Minister

  Special Adviser

  The Prime Minister

  Jonathan Powell

  Alastair Campbell

  Kate Garvey

  Anji Hunter

  David Miliband

  Hilary Coffman

  Roger Liddle

  James Purnell

  Derek Scott

  Robert Hill

  Geoff Mulgan

  Geoffrey Norris

  Peter Hyman

  Liz Lloyd

  Phil Bassett

  David Bradshaw

  Andrew Adonis

  Ed Richards

  Bill Bush

  Phil Murphy

  Catherine Rimmer

  Bob Bartram

  Carey Oppenheim

  Carl Sobhan

  Chris McShane

  Fiona Millar

  972W
  (a) May 1997, (b) January 1998, (c) January 1999 and (d) January 2000; and what the total expenditure on press officers by his Department was in each of the years concerned. [132765]

  The Prime Minister
  The number of Press Officers employed and expenditure incurred by the Press Office at No. 10 is as listed. The expenditure is the total pay bill for all the staff in the Press Office, which includes the Press Officers as well as the support staff.

  The details are listed per financial year.

  £

  Financial year

  Number of press officers

  Cost per financial year

  1 April 1997–31 March 1998

  Chief Press Secretary

  1556,798

  5 Press Officers

  2 Special Advisers

  1 April 1998–31 March1999

  Chief Press Secretary

  1584,746

  5 Press Officers

  2 Special Advisers

  1 April 1999–31 March2000

  Chief Press Secretary

  1618,174

  6 Press Officers

  2 Special Advisers

  1 Actual pay

  Ministerial Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) paid and (b) unpaid Special Advisers to Ministers indicating when each adviser was appointed. [132794]

  The Prime Minister
  Listed are the paid and unpaid Special Advisers in post on 24 July 2000. All appointments require my prior approval. Information on the actual date of appointment of Special Advisers is not held centrally as Ministers are not required to inform me of the date individual Advisers start work.
  973W

  Minister

  Special Adviser

  Chief Whip (Commons)

  Ian McKenzie

  Sue Jackson

  Chief Whip (Lords)

  Margaret Ounsley

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Kieran Simpson

  Jack Thurston

  Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

  Andy Burnham

  Ruth Mackenzie

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Alasdair McGowan

  Andrew Hood

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment1

  Conor Ryan

  Leala Padmanabhan2,3

  Tom Engel

  Nick Pearce

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Joe Irvin

  Paul Hackett3

  Joan Hammell

  Adrian Long

  David Wilson3

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  David Clark

  Michael Williams

  Secretary of State for Health

  Simon Stevens

  Darren Murphy

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Ed Owen

  Justin Russell

  Lord Chancellor

  Garry Hart

  Secretary of State for International Development

  David Mepham

  Dee Sullivan

  Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women

  Clare Cozens

  Jo Gibbons

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  —

  Minister for the Cabinet Office4

  Nigel Warner

  Andrew Lappin

  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

  Sheila Watson

  Nicci Collins

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Richard Olszewski

  Michael Elrick

  Professor Mike Donnelly3, 5

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Andrew Maugham

  Elsbeth Johnson

  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Dan Corry

  Jo Moore3

  Chancellor of the Exchequer6

  Ed Balls (Chief Economic Adviser)

  Ian Austin

  Chief Secretary

  Paul Andrew

  Ed Miliband

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Andrew Bold

  Adrian McMenaman

  1 In addition, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has appointed Professor Michael Barber as Standards and Effectiveness Adviser.

  2 Leala Padmanabhan appointed as a temporary Special Adviser to provide cover for Sophie Linden who is on maternity leave.

  3 Part-time

  4 In addition, the Minister for the Cabinet Office has appointed Keith Hellawell as the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and Michael Trace as the Deputy UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator on Special Adviser terms.

  5 Unpaid

  6 In addition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has appointed Chris Wales, Paul Gregg, Shriti Vadera and Maeve Sherlock as Members of the Council of Economic Advisers.

  974W

  G8 Summit
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Prime Minister how many people accompanied the Prime Minister to the G8 Summit; and how many officials represented the UK at the Summit. [132874]

  The Prime Minister
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Summit.

  I was accompanied by five key No. 10 officials, five senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, two senior officials from HM Treasury and an interpreter. In addition, 18 journalists accompanied me at their own expense.
  976W
  In line with the practice of previous Administrations, I was supported by the usual number of security and secure telecommunications staff that accompany a Prime Minister on an overseas visit.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will estimate the cost of(a) travel, (b) accommodation and (c) other expenses associated with United Kingdom attendance at the G8 Summit. [132876]

  The Prime Minister
  No. Details of costs are not yet available.

HEALTH

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) during which month the Minister for Health will respond to the 1998 Review by Professor Sheila McLean of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; [126779]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the issue of retrospectivity of child birth registration raised in the 1998 review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 by Professor Sheila McLean; [127431]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the issue of inheritance as raised in the review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 by Professor Sheila McLean. [128774]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answers 19 June and 23 June 2000]: Professor Sheila McLean made a number of recommendations about consent issues under the common law for the removal of human gametes (sperm and eggs) and the consent provisions in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 for their storage and use. The McLean report did not recommend making child birth registering retrospective. The report recommended that the law of succession should not be amended to secure succession rights for children born

  Agenda item

  Issue

  UK position

  Outcome

  1. Approval of provisional agenda

  —

  —

  —

  2. Approval of "A" points

  —

  —

  —

  3. Proposal for a Directive on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products (recast)

  To agree a revised text on a proposal for a Directive regarding the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products. The Directive consolidates and strengthens three previous directives. It would reduce tar and nicotine yields and introduce a new maximum carbon monoxide yield for all cigarettes manufactured in the EU; increase the size of health warnings and toughen them; ban misleading descriptions such as "light" and "mild"; and require and publicise information on additives

  The UK supports the revised text

  Commissioner Byrne outlined the proposal and a compromise text, containing the European Parliament's amendments, was tabled. Common position was reached despite Germany voting against and Austria, Spain and Luxembourg abstaining

  4. Communication from the Commission on the health strategy of the European Community and Proposal for a Decision adopting a programme of community action in the field of public health (2001–06)

  To receive a Communication on the health strategy. This includes a proposal for a public health action programme which will be subject to the co-decision procedure and will be negotiated by the Council and the Parliament in the autumn

  The UK broadly welcomes the proposals but with the caveat that they should enhance our national efforts and focus on areas where Community action can bring genuine added value, without straying into areas where the Community has no competence

  Commissioner Byrne presented the Communication and there was an initial exchange of views between member states, with general approval of the overall direction

  5. Follow up to the Evora Conference on health determinants

  To adopt a Resolution on action on health determinants

  The UK supports the Resolution

  The Resolution was adopted

  6. Follow up to the Lisbon Conference on medicinal products and public health

  To adopt Conclusions on medicinal products and public health

  The UK supports the Conclusions

  The Conclusions were adopted

  978W
  after the death of the sperm provider. We will make an announcement on the Government's response to the McLean report in August.

  Hospital Consultants' Contracts
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change hospital consultants' contracts to increase the proportion of them who work exclusively for the NHS. [128700]

  Mr. Denham
  Our proposals on the reform of hospital consultants' contracts are set out in "The NHS Plan: A Plan for Investment, A Plan for Reform", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Health Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outcome was of the Health Council held in Brussels on 29 June; and if he will make a statement. [129300]

  Ms Stuart
  I attended the Health Council on 29 June in Luxembourg on behalf of the United Kingdom.

  The items in the table were discussed.
  979W

  Agenda item

  Issue

  UK position

  Outcome

  7. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

  Update on developments on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

  UK supports the objective of the Convention in securing global action to support national initiatives

  Oral report from Commissioner Byrne, underlining the need for co-ordinated action in line with the Commission's negotiating mandate. There was no discussion on this item

  8. Follow up to the Feira European Council

  To take forward the public health aspects of the Feira Council Conclusions including the integration of health into other Community policies, Food Safety White Paper and the Precautionary Principle

  The UK welcomes the recognition of health as both a vertical and a horizontal issue. The UK's response to the proposals for a European Food Agency has been submitted to the Commission. The UK broadly welcomes the Commission's Communication on the Precautionary Principle but it is still subject to inter-departmental discussion

  Health Ministers noted the outcome of the Feira summit and the Commissioner's remit to look at ways in which the horizontal aspects of the health agenda could be addressed

  9. Any other business

  a. Conference of experts on quality and safety in the transplantation of tissue and organs of human origin

  —

  —

  The Presidency gave an oral report on the outcome of the conference

  b. Medical Devices for self-diagnosis of HIV

  Note from the Danish delegation concerning proposals to prohibit the marketing and use of medical devices for self-testing of HIV in Denmark

  The UK has no legislation in place. It does not see the need for separate regulation in this area as the Medical Devices Directive allows member states to introduce national provisions

  Commissioner Byrne agreed to bring this issue to the attention of Commissioner Liikanen, Commissioner for Enterprise

  c. Follow up of the CIDEX case

  A note from the Belgian delegation raising concerns about the recall of CIDEX, a medical device disinfectant produced in the UK, and proposed revisions to the Medical Devices Directive

  The UK acknowledges the concerns raised by Belgium and is co-operating fully with the Belgian authorities. It agrees that there are some areas where the Directive needs strengthening

  Following a statement from the UK, Commissioner Byrne agreed to bring this issue to the attention of Commissioner Liikanen

  d. Errors when administering intravenous medication in emergencies

  Note from the Belgian delegation proposing that minimal standards or norms be defined at European level for emergency injectable drugs

  The UK would resist any proposal to introduce more legislation on this issue as it is already adequately covered

  Commissioner Byrne agreed to bring this issue to the attention of Commissioner Liikanen

  TB
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the incidence of tuberculosis among homeless and poorly housed people. [130728]

  Yvette Cooper
  Certain parts of the community—certain ethnic minority populations including immigrants from areas with a high prevalence for tuberculosis, older white people who were exposed to TB when they were younger, homeless people and HIV infected individuals—are at an increased risk from TB.

  Information on tuberculosis rates in homeless people, along with recommendations for prevention and control, is contained in the June 1996 report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Tuberculosis entitled "Tuberculosis and Homeless People, A review arid recommendations for health professionals, local authorities and voluntary and support groups". Copies are available in the Library.

  The Department has also funded The Passage Day and Nightshelter for the homeless to write a project on TB control and prevention, which we hope will be available soon. The aims of the report are to improve identification and cure rates for TB in homeless people and to develop
  980W
  a proactive education and awareness programme of TB aimed at homeless individuals and voluntary sector workers and volunteers.

  Information on the incidence of tuberculosis among poorly housed people is not collected.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has plans to restore TB vaccination. [132428]

  Yvette Cooper
  Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) the vaccine used to protect against tuberculosis has been and is still used to protect those most at risk from TB such as health service and veterinary staff, contacts of people known to be suffering from active pulmonary TB, immigrants from countries with a high prevalence of TB and their children and infants wherever born, including this country. However, due to severe manufacturing problems encountered by the sole United Kingdom licensed source, Celltech Medeva, routine immunisation of 10 to 14-year-olds was suspended nationally in September 1999.

  The Department did try to obtain UK licensed and batch released BCG vaccine from elsewhere before suspending the schools BCG immunisation programme. However, only Celltech Medeva vaccine meets these requirements at present. The Department has identified

  981W
  other manufacturers of BCG vaccine worldwide and is investigating these possible sources together with experts from the National Institutes for Biological Standards and Control, the Medicines Control Agency and NHS Purchasing Supply Agency. Products from different manufacturers vary in their composition and side effect profile, and we will need to be assured of the safety and efficacy of these products and that they satisfy current UK requirements.

  Suspending the schools programme has allowed us to maintain supplies of the vaccine for all those at a higher risk of TB mentioned above. However we have remained committed to restarting the schools programme as soon as sufficient supplies of the vaccine were available. On 19 July 2000, the Department announced that there is now sufficient supply of vaccine to restart the routine schools programme initially in the London area, where the highest rate of TB in the country currently occurs. We hope to announce, by the end of the summer, when we will have enough vaccine to start the schools programme again in the rest of the country. Copies of the Department's press release of 19 July are available in the Library.

  Fertility Treatments
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities limit free IVF treatment to patients who have become infertile due to errors by the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [130478]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Free Prescriptions
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost of free prescriptions in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) 1999. [131109]

  Ms Stuart
  Information for 1970 is not available. The net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed in the community in England by community pharmacists and

  1997–98

  Total budget expenditure 1997–98

  Proportion handled via a bidding process

  Bids received

  Bids agreed

  Budget title

  £000

  Number

  £000

  Number

  £000

  Special Assistance to HAs

  48,920

  19

  78,660

  14

  48,420

  NHS Training for Doctors

  1,537

  1

  65

  1

  65

  Ethnic Health Unit Development Work

  500

  244

  1—

  8

  500

  Ethnic Minority Health

  407

  27

  1—

  13

  407

  Breast Cancer Services

  1,377

  1—

  1—

  12

  1,377

  Research and Development

  Northern and Yorkshire Region

  6,138

  323

  21,243

  93

  2,368

  Trent Region

  4,359

  125

  4,375

  23

  817

  Anglia and Oxford Region

  10,040

  92

  3,099

  42

  1,175

  North Thames Region

  6,956

  118

  8,847

  16

  1,974

  South Thames Region

  6,078

  154

  8,415

  27

  1,280

  South West Region

  7,408

  277

  14,931

  75

  2,214

  West Midlands Region

  4,717

  115

  3,391

  39

  1,055

  North West Region

  6,993

  232

  17,114

  65

  4,315

  Drug and Alcohol Specific Grant

  2,300

  158

  4,780

  81

  2,300

  Medical and Dental Education Levy-West Midlands Region

  54,453

  50

  1,439

  34

  699

  1 Information not available

  982W
  appliance contractors for 1977 (the earliest year for which information is available), 1980, 1990 and 1999 is shown in the table. Prescriptions dispensed by dispensing doctors cannot be analysed in this way.

  Net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, 1977, 1980, 1990 and 1999 England

  £ million

  Year

  Charged1

  Exempt and NHS LIS2

  No charge contraceptives

  Grant total

  1977

  175.7

  250.5

  8.2

  434.4

  1980

  262.7

  444.1

  9.2

  716.0

  1990

  543.1

  1,508.2

  27.9

  2,079.2

  1999

  946.9

  3,848.3

  40.5

  4,835.7

  1 Includes prescriptions dispensed to pre-payment certificate holders

  2 NHS LIS: NHS Low Income Scheme

  Notes:

  1. The analysis is based on a 1 in 20 sample of all prescriptions submitted to the Prescription Pricing Authority by community pharmacists and appliance contractors. Items dispensed by dispensing doctors and personal administration prescriptions are excluded. Dispensing doctor prescriptions are not analysed into exempt, non exempt, or other categories; personally administered items are free of charge. The analysis of exempt and chargeable prescriptions is available only from 1977.

  2. 1997, 1980 and 1990 data are based on fees. 1999 data are based on items.

  3. The net ingredient cost (NIC) is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  Departmental Initiatives
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131079]

  Mr. Denham
  The available information is contained in the tables. Information is not routinely collected on organisations' expenditure as part of bidding exercises.
  983W

  1998–99

  Total budget expenditure 1998–99

  Proportion handled via a bidding process

  Bids received

  Bids agreed

  Budget title

  £000

  Number

  £000

  Number

  £000

  PDS Pilots

  3,679

  22

  5,500

  16

  3,679

  Special Assistance Fund

  47,600

  21

  83,169

  16

  24,600

  Medical Curriculum Development Scheme

  221

  31

  1,849

  5

  195

  Ethnic Minority Health

  407

  24

  1—

  18

  407

  Ethnic Health Unit Development Work

  500

  1—

  1—

  9

  500

  NHS Training for Doctors

  1,784

  8

  109

  8

  109

  Research and Development

  Central

  349,974

  388

  424,000

  291

  348,000

  Northern and Yorkshire Region

  5,595

  398

  26,903

  80

  2,996

  Trent Region

  4,556

  147

  5,105

  27

  1,030

  Anglia and Oxford Region

  10,121

  63

  2,314

  28

  802

  North Thames Region

  6,426

  110

  9,704

  19

  1,426

  South Thames Region

  5,434

  192

  1,131

  31

  1,377

  South West Region

  6,524

  270

  13,928

  87

  2,723

  West Midlands Region

  4,679

  125

  155

  39

  698

  North West Region

  7,107

  80

  7,324

  22

  2,071

  Mental Health Grant

  72,200

  1—

  1—

  98

  3,500

  Training Support Grant

  35,500

  125

  2,130

  125

  537

  Drug and Alcohol Specific Grant

  2,400

  224

  4,050

  118

  2,400

  Medical and Dental Education Levy-West Midlands Region

  58,923

  53

  3,650

  37

  936

  1Information not available

  1999–2000

  Total budget expenditure 1999–2000

  Proportion handled via a bidding process

  Bids received

  Bids agreed

  Budget title

  £000

  Number

  £000

  Number

  £000

  NHS Roles, Functions and Costs Project

  154

  23

  1—

  10

  151

  Personal Dental Service Pilots

  12,274

  40

  7,000

  25

  4,000

  Special Assistance Fund

  41,670

  16

  49,090

  15

  41,670

  Ethnic Health Unit Development Work

  500

  1—

  1—

  9

  500

  Ethnic Minority Health

  407

  8

  1—

  8

  407

  Purchase of Vaccines

  213,929

  182

  10,000

  12

  5,000

  Medical Curriculum Development Scheme

  255

  2

  204

  1

  219

  NHS Training for Doctors

  1,807

  9

  146

  7

  110

  Out of hours

  2,035

  700

  5,633

  77

  2,035

  Walk-in Centres

  2,222

  101

  414,413

  36

  2,252

  NHS Walk-in Centres (Capital)

  1,884

  101

  57,124

  36

  6,271

  Health Action Zones

  46,196

  261

  14,454

  89

  2,307

  Breakfast Clubs

  100

  10

  204

  6

  100

  Public Health Development Fund

  501

  35

  1,665

  9

  284

  Research and Development

  Central

  360,134

  43

  6,600

  39

  5,000

  Northern and Yorkshire Region

  5,407

  321

  15,733

  2,479

  2

  Trent Region

  4,421

  100

  3,500

  13

  495

  Eastern Region

  2,969

  80

  4,596

  34

  1,611

  London Region

  7,494

  121

  1—

  12

  1,568

  South East Region

  7,327

  136

  9,343

  19

  1,257

  South West Region

  4,574

  187

  9,596

  45

  1,327

  West Midlands Region

  4,801

  82

  193

  31

  87

  North West Region

  6,827

  174

  12,288

  42

  2,815

  Medical and Dental Education Levy

  Northern and Yorkshire Region

  4,579

  16

  204

  13

  184

  Trent Region

  17,051

  4

  85

  4

  85

  London Region

  14,030

  12

  305

  8

  150

  West Midlands Region

  62,044

  33

  1,542

  21

  867

  Training Support Grant

  39,000

  351

  6,005

  343

  5,353

  Mental Health Grant

  115,000

  1—

  1—

  1—

  7,200

  Drug and Alcohol Specific Grant

  4,600

  132

  3,741

  62

  2,007

  Medical and Dental Education Levy-North West Region

  50,184

  44

  1,354

  9

  310

  1 Information not available

  984W 985W

  2000–01

  Total spend to the end of June 2000

  Proportion handled via a bidding process

  Bids received

  Bids agreed

  Budget title

  £000

  Number

  £000

  Number

  £000

  PDS Pilots (Revenue)

  0

  64

  17,000

  39

  8,000

  Special Assistance Fund

  0

  19

  66,020

  15

  36,750

  Medical Curriculum Development Scheme

  0

  0

  0

  0

  75

  Pathology Services

  0

  186

  83,000

  41

  15,000

  Audiology Services

  0

  97

  1—

  15

  4

  Ethnic Health Unit Development Work

  0

  1—

  1—

  1

  500

  Research and Development

  Central Budget

  93,861

  109

  18,000

  97

  10,000

  Northern and Yorkshire Region

  738

  178

  8,296

  52

  1,019

  Eastern Region

  610

  37

  2,422

  18

  1,181

  London Region

  1,212

  15

  1—

  2

  941

  South East Region

  874

  26

  1,720

  7

  105

  South West Region

  992

  47

  506

  8

  94

  Medical and Dental Education Levy

  London Region

  4,192

  30

  450

  24

  300

  West Midlands Region

  14,139

  30

  403

  19

  246

  North West Region

  12,130

  60

  1,140

  22

  149

  1 Information not available

  Note

  The table excludes allocations or awards that were based on pre-determined tests, formula or criteria or where the sums issued were as a result of competitive tendering arrangements.

  Meat Inspection
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will respond to the report of the task force on meat inspection charges. [R] [131098]

  Ms Stuart
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3 July 2000,Official Report, column 29W.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the French Presidency regarding the future of meat inspection charges. [R] [131099]

  Ms Stuart
  None, because there is currently no proposal before the European Union Council of Ministers to alter the EU legislation on meat inspection charges. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has had discussions with the European Commission about the application of that legislation in other member states.

  AIDS
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlie NHS guidance recommending that men be given priority over women in the allocation of AIDS treatment. [131483]

  Yvette Cooper
  I am not aware of such a recommendation.

  CJD
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Food Standards Agency has made of the evidence concerning a cluster of new variant CJD cases in Leicestershire. [131484]

  Yvette Cooper
  I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that it is aware of the recent cases of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) in Leicestershire, and welcomes the investigation which is currently underway 986W
  to look into the circumstances of the apparent cluster. This may provide a useful opportunity to learn more about the possible causes of vCJD. The agency has asked to be kept in close touch with developments and has offered any assistance that may be required. The results of the investigation will be carefully considered once they are available.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 786W, regarding BSE, if his Department's investigation into the cluster of new variant CJD cases in Leicestershire will use as the basis of its investigation his Department's own assessment of the hierarchy, by method of transmission, of the likelihood of risk of transmission of BSE. [133500]

  Yvette Cooper
  The investigation of the apparent cluster of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease currently under way will look for any common links of exposure. This will include examination of the medical records of patients and their dietary and occupational histories.

  Medicinal Product Licences
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason a medicinal product licence is required for a product that is a mixture of two or more ingredients that would, if sold separately, need no such licence; what plans he has to review the law on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [131489]

  Ms Stuart
  A product licence is required for any substance or substances which come within the legal definition of a medicinal product and which are not exempt from licensing. A medicinal product may contain some ingredients which would not, if sold separately without making medicinal claims, be classified as medicinal products. It may also contain ingredients which are herbal remedies and would, if sold separately and subject to certain conditions, be classified as medicinal
  987W
  products exempt from licensing. That exemption is not available to a product in which the two types of ingredient are combined. We have no plans to review the law on combination products.

  Mental Health
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 2000,Official Report, column 73W, on the reform of the Mental Health Act 1983, if his Department has produced a summary of responses to the Green Paper on reform of the Mental Health Act 1983. [131720]

  Mr. Hutton
  No, the analysis of responses to the Green Paper on reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 is not yet complete.

  NHS Trust

  Status and Approval Date

  Purpose

  Northampton Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Outline Business Case April 1999

  Reprovision of mental health facilities

  Northampton Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Outline Business Case August 1999

  Reprovision of mental health facilities

  Rockingham Forest NHS Trust

  Outline Business Case November 1999

  Reprovision of mental health inpatient ward

  Northampton Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Full Business Case February 1999

  Development of Mental Health Intensive Care Unit

  Northampton Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Full Business Case August 1999

  Reprovision of Learning Disability services

  Breast Cancer
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the possibility of the two-view mammographic screening programme for breast cancer being made available to all women. [131894]

  Yvette Cooper
  We announced yesterday in the National Plan for the National Health Service that, in addition to extending routine invitations to women aged 65 to 70 within the NHS breast screening programme, the current service will also be upgraded by offering two view mammography at all screening rounds leading to an estimated improvement of some 40 per cent. in detection rates. We will roll out the programme to older women and introduce two-view mammography on a phased basis as sufficient staff become available to guarantee that the high quality of the current programme can be maintained.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy to instruct health authorities which offer screening for breast cancer at intervals of less than three years to move to offering screening once every three years. [133394]

  Yvette Cooper
  The current national policy is that the National Health Service breast screening programme offers screening once every three years to women aged 50 to 64. This frequency was recommended by the Forrest report, on which the programme was based. The Forrest report also recommended that this frequency must be kept under review, and results are awaited from the United Kingdom Co-ordinating Committee on Cancer Research's Frequency Trial.

  There is no national policy to instruct health authorities which offer screening for breast cancer at intervals of less than three years to move to offering screening once every three years.
  988W
  The Government intend to publish a summary of the analysis of responses to the consultation exercise to Parliament in the autumn, and will set out the detail of its proposals in a White Paper to be published before Christmas.

  Health Care Capital Projects
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many capital projects in health care have been approved in Northampton since May 1997. [131943]

  Mr. Denham
  The table sets out details of health care capital projects in Northamptonshire which have been approved by the South East Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive since May 1997.

  Details of capital schemes not requiring approval at regional level can be obtained direct from the relevant National Health Service trust.

  Therapists
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of vacancies have remained unfilled for three months or more for(a) speech and language therapists, (b) all therapists and (c) the NHS overall in (i) Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, (ii) the North West and (iii) England and Wales. [131736]

  Mr. Denham
  The available information is contained in the table.

  Department of Health Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies Survey—vacancies in NHS Trusts by region and health authority, therapists and all NHS staff three month vacancy rates1

  Percentages

  England

  North West

  North West Lancashire HA2

  Speech and language therapists staff

  1.2

  1.2

  0.0

  All therapists staff3

  2.5

  2.5

  1.3

  All NHS staff

  1.7

  1.1

  0.5

  1 Posts that had been vacant for three months or more at 31 March 1999

  2 North West Lancashire Health Authority include the following NHS Trusts; Blackpool, Wyre, Fylde and Preston

  3 All therapists staff include; physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists

  Notes

  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place

  2. All NHS staff include non-medical and medical and dental staff

  Source

  Department of Health Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies Survey 1999

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the change in referral rates to physiotherapists over the last five years for which figures are available. [131740]
  989W
  Mr. Denham
  Information about referral rates to physiotherapists is not collected centrally. Information about patient contacts with the physiotherapy service is available and show that in 1998–99 there were 4.2 million initial contacts, a measure of the number of new episodes of care commenced in the year, about one per cent. more than 1997–98.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of student speech and language therapists who graduated in the last year for which figures are available did not go on to work as speech and language therapists. [131734]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Shrewsbury Hospitals
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received against moving hospital services from Copthorne South to Copthorne North in Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement [131703]

  Yvette Cooper
  To date, the Secretary of State for Health has received no representations against moving hospital services from Copthorne South to Copthorne North in Shrewsbury.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Copthorne South hospital buildings in Shrewsbury to be demolished; and if he will make a statement. [131705]

  Yvette Cooper
  The demolition of buildings on Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) South will occur after the site is subsequently sold, and will be undertaken by the new owners. The timing of this will depend on when a suitable scheme is agreed for moving the services from RSH South currently being developed as part of the business case.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what health and safety category has been given to Copthorne South hospital buildings; and if he will make a statement. [131701]

  Yvette Cooper
  The trust has assessed the buildings on Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) Copthorne South as being predominantly either Health and Safety Category C or Category DX.

  In order to mitigate the risks which arise from this, the trust is expected to have in place a formal Risk Management Plan which enables a safe environment to be maintained for patients, staff and visitors until the accommodation can be reprovided elsewhere. Such a plan may involve, for example, additional training for staff, the production of safe working procedures for all staff and the employment of additional staff where required for safety. The trust is of course required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations to carry out general risk assessments and the development of the Risk Management Plan should be informed by these.

  The trust in conjunction with its local colleagues is submitting a business case to the NHS Executive Regional Office for the movement of services from RSH Copthorne South by the end of this financial year.

  Hospital Staff (Shropshire)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many additional(a) doctors and (b) nurses have been recruited by Shropshire's hospitals since May 1997. [133202]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS) Nursing, Midwifery and Health visiting staff/hospital medical staff employed within Shropshire health authority area, as at 30 September each year

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Nursing, Midwifery and Health visiting staff:

  Whole time equivalents

  2,100

  2,180

  2,240

  Numbers (headcounts)

  2,620

  2,770

  2,970

  Hospital Medical staff:

  Whole time equivalents

  370

  380

  420

  Numbers (headcount)

  440

  460

  520

  Notes

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  2. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts.

  3. Figures exclude learners and agency staff.

  Source

  Department of Health non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

  Dentistry (Shropshire)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new dentistry schemes have been funded in Shropshire since May 1997; and how many patients have benefited. [133201]

  Ms Stuart
  The Investing in Dentistry scheme has seen £409,000 in grants approved in return for promises of 23,900 new National Health Service patient registrations in Shropshire.

  The health authority is also piloting a dental access centre, which has been operational since February 1999. The access centre, funded centrally, will see up to 10,000 patients a year.

  Health Funding (Shropshire)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the increases in funding for Shropshire Health Authority in cash and percentage terms for each year since May 1997. [133199]

  Mr. Denham
  The Information is shown in the table.

  Health authority allocations—Shropshire Health Authority

  £ million

  Increase, real percentage

  Increase, cash percentage

  1997–98

  169.6

  2.0

  4.1

  1998–99

  178.3

  2.1

  4.9

  1999–20001

  247.6

  3.9

  6.5

  2000–02

  265.7

  4.3

  6.9

  2001–023

  271.0

  6.44.3

  9.0

  1 Not directly comparable from 1999–2000 onwards due to introduction of unified budgets for HA and primary care services

  2 Original.

  3 Including budget announcement.

  Source

  Department of Health

  Waiting Lists (Shropshire)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reductions in hospital waiting lists have been achieved in Shropshire since May 1997. [133200]

  Mr. Denham
  The information for Shropshire Health Authority area is provided in the table.

  Number of people waiting for inpatient treatment1

  Total

  Ql (June) 1997

  7,221

  GQ4 (March) 2000

  6,831

  1 Including day cases

  In-patient Waiting Lists
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients on the in-patient waiting list in each NHS trust has been suspended from the list in each year since May 1997. [130513]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: Patients are suspended from the waiting list because they are medically unfit for the operation, or for social reasons (where a patient is unavailable for admission because of family commitments, holidays or other reasons). The information has been placed in the Library.

  Pathologists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital pathology laboratories there are in England; how many have unfilled vacancies; and if he will make a statement. [132318]

  Mr. Denham
  Statistics for England are collected centrally from 221 National Health Service trusts which have pathology laboratories and from four other statutory organisations.

  The available information on their vacancies is contained in the table:

  Department of Health recruitment, retention and vacancies survey vacancies in England; pathology staff at 31 March 1999

  Whole time equivalents

  Total employed

  Total vacancies1

  Three month vacancies2

  Pathology staff

  20,580

  470

  150

  1 Posts that Trusts were actively trying to fill at 31 March 1999

  2 Posts that had been vacant for three months or more at 31 March 1999

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies exist within the National Health Service for persons qualified to carry out medical testing on(a) analytical investigation of blood, (b) tissue sampling, (c) virology, (d) microbiology and (e) immunology histopathology. [132813]

  Mr. Denham
  The detailed information requested is not available centrally. General information about vacancies in the National Health Service for medical, scientific, therapeutic and technical staff working in the Pathology Group is contained in the Department of Health 992W
  Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies Survey, March 1999. Data are only available for that year. Copies of the survey are available in the Library.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the present salary structure for graduates who will carry out medical tests on behalf of the NHS on recruitment and retention; and if he will make a statement. [132815]

  Mr. Denham
  Medical tests are carried out by a wide range of non-medical graduates employed by the National Health Service in a range of staff groups that include clinical scientists, clinical perfusionists, radiographers, biomedical scientists among others. Many of these staff groups are not separately identified in the 1999 Recruitment and Retention and Vacancies Survey, a copy of which is in the Library.

  The National Health Service pay system is in need of modernisation. We are working in partnership with the trades unions and professional organisations to negotiate a new pay system which will offer NHS staff a more attractive career structure and which will enhance recruitment and retention.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trained staff capable of carrying out medical testing within the National Health Service left in each of the last three years. [132814]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. Information about the number of National Health Service trusts reporting retention difficulties for medical, scientific, therapeutic and technical staff working in the Pathology Group, is contained in the Department of Health Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies Survey, March 1999. Data are only available for that year. Copies of the survey are available in the Library.

  Communication (Deaf People)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials in his Department are able to communicate using British Sign Language. [132101]

  Ms Stuart
  We do not collect information regarding British Sign Language centrally.

  Salt
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he intends to accept the offer by the Salt Manufacturers Association to part-fund a review of the scientific evidence on dietary sodium intake; [132010]

  (2) if he will list the evidence on which he based his policy that there is a causal link between salt and hypertension. [132009]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The evidence on the relationship between sodium consumption and blood pressure was considered by the Government's advisory committee, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy in its 1994 report entitled "Nutritional Aspects of Cardiovascular Disease." COMA concluded that sodium intake appears to be an important determinant of blood pressure in the population as a whole at least partly by influencing the rise of blood pressure with age. A diet lower in common salt, which is a major source of sodium, and higher in potassium would be

  993W
  expected to result in lower blood pressure and a smaller rise in blood pressure with age. COMA recommended a reduction in the average intake of common salt by the adult population from the current level of about nine grams per day to six grams per day.

  Recognising that there are differences of opinion in this area, a workshop was organised at the Department's request by the Faculty of Public Health Medicine (FPHM) in collaboration with the British Heart Foundation in December 1997 to consider the issues surrounding salt consumption and its effect on blood pressure and subsequent cardiovascular disease. The workshop endorsed COMA's advice, concluding that salt intake was one of a number of dietary and other lifestyle factors influencing blood pressure and that reducing salt intake would be an appropriate public health measure. We do not intend to review the evidence at this stage and therefore will not be accepting the offer of the Salt Manufactures Association.

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to co-ordinate the various specialties which are relevant to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; and what action is being taken to improve access to densitrometry and appropriate follow-on treatment. [132908]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The launch of the Department's Osteoporosis Strategy in June 1998 provided evidence-based clinical guidelines for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. These should provide the basis for health authorities wishing to develop their own strategies. It is for local health authorities to decide what services to provide taking into account resources available and the needs of the local population.

  Merchant Navy Day
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that the Red Ensign is flown from departmental buildings on Merchant Navy Day, 3 September. [132958]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department on 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 895W.

  NHS Management Training
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money will be allocated to the NHS Management Training Scheme(a) in the next year and (b) for each successive year for the spending review period. [132922]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The indicative funding allocations for the Management Training Scheme in the current year and the next two years are as shown.

  £000

  Year

  Allocation

  2000–01

  5,235

  2001–02

  5,306

  2002–03

  5,306

  994W
  The increase in cost between 1999–2000 and 2000–01 reflects the introduction of a new contract for management education and a re-focusing of the Scheme to better address current service modernisation issues.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many entrants were recruited on to the NHS Management Training Scheme and within these totals, broken down by(a) the number and percentage of university graduates, (b) the number and percentage who are graduates of Oxford and Cambridge universities and (c) the number and percentage with HND and equivalent qualifications in each of the last 10 years. [132925]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The figures for the last three years are representative of typical National Health Service Management Training Scheme intakes:
  2000—59 out of 62 (95 per cent.) are university graduates, and 8 (13 per cent. ) are from Oxbridge.
  1999—61 out of 62 (98 per cent.) are university graduates, and 5 (8 per cent.) are from Oxbridge.
  1998—53 out of 55 (96 per cent.) are university graduates, and 6 (11 per cent.) are from Oxbridge.

  Some 30 per cent. of each annual intake is made up of in-service professionals from nursing and other clinical or health-related backgrounds. These entrants are a mixture of graduates and non-graduates holding a degree-level professional or managerial qualification—in the last three years one in-service applicant had graduated from Oxbridge. In the last round of recruitment, 18 per cent. of the applicants were in-service: 30 per cent. of those awarded places on the Scheme were in-service. There would therefore appear to be some advantage in having service experience, regardless of graduate background. Although applications are accepted from holders of an appropriate HND qualification, no such applicants have been successful in the last three years.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the intake has been on the NHS Management Training Scheme was in each of the last 10 years. [132923]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: For the years since 1990, the number of trainees taken onto the National Health Service Management Training Scheme are shown in the table:

  Intake year

  Trainees

  1990

  51

  1991

  58

  1992

  71

  1993

  74

  1994

  73

  1995

  60

  1996

  47

  1997

  48

  1998

  55

  1999

  62

  2000

  62

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people took management positions in the NHS following completion of the NHS Management Training Scheme in each of the last three years. [132924]
  995W
  Mr. Denham
  Posts taken by ex-trainees on leaving the Scheme could be considered as training positions in which they further develop their management skills, but most ex-trainees take on real management roles within the National Health Service on leaving the Scheme. Of the 1997 intake who completed the Scheme last year, all bar one hold posts in the NHS. Of the 1995 intake 77 per cent. are still working in the NHS as are 83 per cent. of the 1996 intake. The majority of trainees take on posts reporting to chief executives or executive directors in NHS trusts or health authorities.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trainees are involved in the NHS Management Training Scheme; and how they are dispersed by region. [132920]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The information requested is in the table:

  Regional allocation of trainees

  1998

  1999

  2000

  West Midlands

  6

  10

  8

  London

  7

  9

  9

  Trent

  6

  7

  7

  Eastern

  7

  6

  6

  South East

  6

  9

  9

  North West

  9

  9

  8

  Northern and Yorkshire

  7

  5

  8

  South West

  7

  7

  7

  Total

  55

  62

  62

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the overall costs were for the NHS Management Training Scheme in each of the last three years. [132921]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The cost of the Management Training Scheme in the year 1999–2000 was £4,723,000. Central figures are not immediately available, but this figure is indicative of the cost of the Scheme in each of the previous three years.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health where graduates of the NHS Management Training Scheme went on completion of the scheme, broken down by region, in each of the last two years. [132930]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: A survey of ex-trainees who graduated from the scheme over the 10 year period 1986–96 showed:

  67 per cent. employed by National Health Service trusts

  22 per cent. employed by health authorities

  2 per cent. employed in primary care

  9 per cent. other organisations.

  The data from more recent ex-trainees reflect this general pattern, with an increase in the proportion of ex-trainees working in primary care as a result of the recent establishment of primary care groups and trusts.

  These proportions do not vary noticeably between regions.

  Female Genital Mutilation
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken with the organisation Foundation for Women's Health 996W
  Research and Development concerning female genital mutilation in the UK; and if the findings will be published. [132942]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Department has undertaken no research on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development. The Department does however provide funding through the Section 64 scheme to help them with their work in educating and informing the communities practising FGM about the brutality of the practice and the clear health risks associated with it.

  This support includes core grant funding of £25,000 for 1999–2000 to 2001–02, to help meet the organisation's running costs. Over the last few years the Department of Health has provided funds totalling nearly £280,000 for projects developed by FORWARD in the United Kingdom.

  Cochlear Implants
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many and what proportion of cochlear implants were undertaken in each of the last three years on the basis of(a) extra contractual referral, (b) long term service agreements and (c) out-of-area treatments; [133079]

  (2) what guidance his Department has given to health authorities and NHS trusts on monitoring the number and proportion of cochlear implants undertaken in each of the last three years on the basis of (a) extra contractual referral, (b) long term service agreements and (c) out-of-area treatment; [133080]

  (3) what mechanisms his Department uses to monitor the number and proportion of cochlear implants undertaken in each of the last three years on the basis of (a) extra contractual referral, (b) long term service agreements and (c) out-of-area treatment. [133081]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Department collects information on cochlear implant operations by the hospital episode statistics (HES) system. HES contains details of patients admitted to, and treated in NHS hospitals in England. More detailed information about extra-contractual referrals, long term service agreements and out of area treatments is collected locally. Guidance in Health Service Circular 1998/198 and Health Service Circular 1999/244 set out arrangements for commissioning specialised services through service agreements. These new arrangements for specialised services require National Health Service trusts and commissioners to draw up service agreements with agreed levels of activity and funding. By March 2001, there should be no cochlear implant operations funded as out of area treatments (OATs) because OATs are primarily intended to cover situations where a patient requires emergency treatment away from home.

  PFI Contracts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many of his Department's PFI contracts KPMG has been an adviser. [132864]
  997W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: Of the 19 major private finance initiative projects that have so far reached financial close, KPMG were lead financial advisers on the following:

  Hereford

  Greenwich

  Dartford and Gravesham

  South Durham (Bishop Auckland)

  King's.

  Of the 15 major PFI schemes announced, but yet to reach financial close, KPMG have been appointed as lead financial advisers on the following:

  Oxford

  Walsgrave

  Fair Mile

  West Middlesex.

  Bladder Problems (Women)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer given by the Minister for Women on 11 July 2000,Official Report, column 458W, what types of operation were provided by the NHS for bladder weakness in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; what the average cost of each type of operation was; and how many women underwent each operation in the same periods. [133410]

  Yvette Cooper
  I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Dentists (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were registered with the National Health Service in each of the last 10 years in the area covered by North Yorkshire Health Authority. [133423]

  Ms Stuart
  The number of dentists in the General Dental Service (GDS) in the North Yorkshire Health Authority area at 30 September in each of the years 1990 to 1999 is shown in the table.

  General Dental Service: Number of dentists in North Yorkshire HA area

  Year

  Number of dentists1

  1990

  241

  1991

  243

  1992

  235

  1993

  247

  1994

  248

  1995

  244

  1996

  264

  1997

  267

  1998

  278

  1999

  287

  1 Dentists include principals on the HA or FHSA list, their assistants and vocational dental practitioners. Number at 30 September each year.

  Note:

  Before April 1996, the area was covered by North Yorkshire Family Health Services Authority (FHSA).

  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were registered with National Health Service dentists in each of the last 10 years in the area covered by the North Yorkshire Health Authority. [133422]
  998W
  Ms Stuart
  The number of recorded child and adult registrations in the General Dental Service (GDS) in the North Yorkshire Health Authority area is shown in the table at 31 March in each of the years 1993 to 2000. Data for March 1991 and 1992 are not comparable because registration numbers were building up following the introduction of the new dental contract in October 1990.

  Changes in administration procedures by the Dental Practice Board throughout the period, in particular improvements in the removal of duplicate registrations, have acted to reduce recorded registration numbers.

  Registration numbers from December 1997 are affected by the shortening of the registration period to 15 months. Previously the period was 24 months for adults while children's registrations expired at the end of the following calendar year if the patient had not visited their dentist in the meantime.

  General Dental Service: Number of recorded adult and child registrations in North Yorkshire1 HA area at 31 March each year

  Year

  Number of child registrations

  Number of adult registrations

  Total number of registrations

  1993

  103,593

  342,713

  446,306

  1994

  106,177

  340,913

  447,090

  1995

  105,595

  328,538

  434,133

  1996

  105,965

  318,092

  424,057

  1997

  106,307

  312,061

  418,368

  1998

  108,708

  303,545

  412,253

  1999

  110,282

  288,037

  398,319

  2000

  110,609

  286,020

  396,629

  1 Area covered by North Yorkshire Family Health Services Authority (FHSA) before April 1996.

  Source Informatics
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department's appeal with regard to Source Informatics is to proceed; and if he will make a statement. [132805]

  Ms Stuart
  The petition for leave to appeal to the House of Lords has been withdrawn because I concluded that it would not be in the public interest to pursue this litigation further.

  NHS Dental Services
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the planned increase is in total spending on NHS dental services between 2000–01 and 2003–04. [133391]

  Ms Stuart
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Expenditure on the General Dental Services is non-cash limited and is mainly determined by the level of demand for NHS care and the volume and type of treatments provided by dentists. Funding for the community and hospital dental services is not determined centrally, but by individual health authorities in the light of their local priorities and circumstances.

  Our plans for the improvement and future direction of primary dental services, including personal dental services, will be set out in its Dental Strategy to be published shortly.

  Hospital Beds (Road Accidents)
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of NHS hospital beds were occupied by patients who have had road accidents, in the latest year for which statistics are available. [132982]

  Ms Stuart
  The proportion of bed days attributable to patients in National Health Service hospitals in England in the year 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999, who were injured in collision with a pedal cycle or motor vehicle was 0.35 per cent.

  Health Authorities
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the dates of(a) compilation and (b) publication were of the population data which he used to make his allocations to health authorities for 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [133392]

  Mr. Denham
  The starting point for populations used in the 2000–01 weighted capitation formula are the 1996 based sub-national population projections for residents in mid year 2000 produced by the Office for National Statistics.

  The final populations used in the 2000–01 weighted capitation formula were produced by adjusting the population projections for mid year 2000 by:
  adding patients identified as registered with general practitioners who form part of primary care groups for which the health authority are responsible but who are resident elsewhere;
  deducting residents identified as registered with GPs belonging to another health authority's primary care group.

  The 1996 based population projections were published by the Office for National Statistics in Monitor PP3 98–1 issued on 3 December 1998.

  The data used to adjust these populations to take account of GP patient registrations were validated with health authorities during June and July 1999. Adjusted populations were shared with health authorities in September 1999.

  The final adjusted population figures used in the health authority weighted capitation formula were published in the 2000–01 Health Authority Revenue Cash Limits Exposition Book on 19 January 2000, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133565]

  Ms Stuart
  An updated central list was published on 27 July covering a certain amount of this information.
  1000W
  In addition, a first central list of information was published on 11 January 2000. Copies of the lists are available in the Library. Information about the numbers of recommendations made and the number rejected could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  National Poisons Information Service
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000,Official Report, columns 511–12W, what (a) staff, (b) staff-time, (c) services and (d) in-laid support are provided to the Medical Toxicology Unit at Guy's and St. Thomas's by the agrochemical industry; and on what basis information relating to pesticides is provided from the Medical Toxicology Unit to agrochemical companies. [133290]

  Yvette Cooper
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000,Official Report, column 511–12W, if he will place in the Library a copy of the outstanding National Poisons Information Service Centre reports for the year 1999–2000 that were scheduled to be completed by the end of June; [133299]

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 28 June 2000, Official Report, columns 511–12W, if he will make it his policy to allow a lay representative on the National Poisons Information Service; [133288]

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000, Official Report, column 511–12W, if he will place in the Library the reports made by the National Poisons Information Service Centre to comply with the provisions of European Commission Resolution 90/C 329/03. [133300]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Management Board of the National Poisons Information Service is not a statutory body. It exists to support the internal funding and management arrangements between the NPIS centres and the United Kingdom Health Departments. Membership is drawn from the UK Health Departments and from specialists in the field representing users of the service, for example: accident and emergency consultants; general practitioners; purchasers; paediatricians; general physicians and nursing. We believe that lay membership is not appropriate to the work of this Board.

  I am happy to place copies of the National Poisons Information Service Centre Reports for the year 1999–2000 in the Library. The hon. Member may wish to know that plans are in hand to make the reports routinely available on a wider basis in the future.

  I am also happy to provide a copy of the last report (1998) required under the provisions of the European Commission Resolution 90/C 329–03 which comprises contributions from each of the NPIS centres.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000.Official Report, columns 511–12W, on the National Poisons Information Service, if he will list the other associated activities that take place at the Medical Toxicology Unit. [133297]
  1001W
  Yvette Cooper
  The other associated activity that take place at the Medical Toxicology Unit are:

  Chemical Incident Response Service:
  Medical Toxicology Laboratory providing a wide range of services to the National Health Service and the coroners. The laboratory undertakes funded contract work but not for the agrochemical industry.
  Medical Toxicology Clinical Service—funded by referring health authorities and the trust;

  Veterinary Poisons Information Research within the Department of Health contracts and as funded by outside bodies such as South East Asia Regional Office, World Health Organisation;
  Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000,Official Report, columns 511–12W, on the National Poisons Information Service Board, from what sources the establishment of the equipment and testing procedures at the Medical Toxicology Unit at Guys' and St. Thomas' has been funded. [133289]

  Yvette Cooper
  The establishment of the equipment and testing procedures at the Medical Toxicology Unit at Guy's and St. Thomas's has been funded from trust contracts with health authorities and the Charitable Foundation at Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Water Metering
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if the Committee will review water metering arrangements in non-metered buildings and set a maximum level of water consumption in them. [131933]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: All parliamentary buildings, except residential accommodation, are fitted with water meters already. Measures to reduce water consumption include reduced cistern capacity, economies on urinals and the re-use of grey water.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if the Committee will ensure(a) that the House uses appropriate risk management techniques when undertaking work in buildings where asbestos could be present, (b) that asbestos materials are removed and disposed of safely and (c) asbestos-free materials are used for new work and for replacing existing asbestos materials. [131926]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: I am pleased to advise the hon. Member that the Parliamentary Works Directorate operates in these ways already.

  Water Consumption
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will establish a target for 1002W
  the House to achieve a maximum level of water consumption equivalent to an average of 7.7 cubic metres per person by April 2002. [131932]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: No. It is not realistic to measure the water consumption per head on the Parliamentary Estate. However, water economy measures are being taken. For example, recycled water is used in Portcullis House and it is planned for the Norman Shaw (South) building after its refurbishment.

  Recycling
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will establish a target for the House to(a) recover a minimum of 40 per cent. of total office waste, with at least 25 per cent. coming from recycling or composting, in 2000–01, (b) to increase the amount recovered and recycled by 10 per cent. each year to achieve 70 per cent. recovery or recycling in 2003–04 and (c) to reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated. [131931]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: No. We exceed the target of 25 per cent. recycling and 40 per cent. recovery already. Increased recycling is to be considered when our waste disposal contract next comes for renewal.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will establish targets for the House to(a) reduce paper use, (b) buy 100 per cent. recycled paper comprising at least 80 per cent. genuine post-consumer waste and to use this for all work not requiring specialist papers, (c) ensure that any virgin pulp used in paper purchased comes from sustainably-managed woodlands and that both the pulp and the recycling process is chlorine free and (d) ensure that only water-based varnish is used. [131924]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Environmental Performance
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will establish a target for the House(a) not to buy products which contain ozone-depleting substances, where there are suitable alternatives, (b) to control leaks through regular servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment containing ozone-depleting substances and (c) to reduce emissions which occur through regular servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. [131930]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: Refrigeration and air conditioning is regularly serviced to control leaks and reduce emissions. Contractors supplying materials to Parliament are not permitted to include products which contain ozone-depleting substances where there are suitable alternatives.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will establish a target for the House(a) to reduce the use of hazardous substances

  1003W
  and techniques, (b) for the use of building materials and furnishings which are low emitters of formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds and other potentially-hazardous substances, (c) for the use of recycled batteries, (d) for limiting the use of products containing potentially-harmful solvents, (e) to the increase in use of biodegradable substances, (f) to comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and (g) for noise reduction. [131925]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: In all these areas, apart from recycled batteries, which are considered separately, the Parliamentary Works Directorate maintains a safety and environmental check list which sets out a code of practice and measures performance based on COSHH risk assessment.

  Energy Use
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will improve the House's environmental performance in relation to energy use by measuring and reporting on emission levels from buildings and transport. [131929]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: Energy consumption from buildings on the parliamentary estate is measured and reported with corresponding savings in emission levels.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will improve energy efficiency by(a) promoting best practice, (b) buying energy-efficient equipment, (c) introducing more energy-efficient techniques and technologies and (d) increasing the amount of the House's electricity that comes from internal combined heat and power. [131928]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: Our energy conservation policies have achieved significant savings in all these areas already and we plan to continue to make savings year by year.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will establish targets(a) to reduce energy use by 20 per cent. from 1990–1991 levels by 2010 and (b) to buy a minimum of 10 per cent. of electricity from renewable sources by March 2002. [131927]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: A target to reduce energy usage by 20 per cent. from 1990–91 levels by 2010 is in place already. Our purchasing policy is to seek best overall value for money, not simply environmental sustainability.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Opus Dei
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of Opus Dei have been convicted for scheduled offences in Northern Ireland in the last three years. [130500]

  Mr. Ingram
  This information is not available.
  1004W
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he met representatives of Opus Dei before the decision to include that organisation in section 49(1) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill; [133488]

  (2) on how many occasions his Department contacted the Opus Dei information offices in London or Dublin during the period 29 June to 11 July; [133490]

  (3) what correspondence he has received from the Holy See concerning his decision to include Opus Dei in section 49(i) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill. [133489]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government did not meet any of the bodies listed in clause 49 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill about their inclusion in the list. The reason for any groups being included is set out in my reply of 24 July 2000,Official Report, column 443W. The Department has not contacted Opus Dei's information offices nor received any correspondence from the Holy See, though as I said in my most recent reply officials recently met representatives of Opus Dei to listen to their concerns and the Government are considering the points made.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131449]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Departmental Groups
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply and for each such group, if it(a) is a company limited by guarantee, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis, and (d) has some other legal basis giving details. [131240]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  None of the bodies responsible to the Northern Ireland Office has a separate legal identity in their own right and therefore come within (c).

  State of Emergency
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has made to make a formal declaration ending the state of emergency relating to the affairs of Northern Ireland following passage of the Terrorism Bill; and when he plans to communicate this to(a) the United Nations Secretary General and (b) the Council of Europe Secretary General. [133061]

  Mr. Ingram
  A major policy aim has been achieved with the passage of the Terrorism Act, in that when the Act comes into force early in 2001 we will introduce a new system of judicial authorisation of extended detention
  1005W
  between 48 hours and seven days for all types of terrorism. This will enable the UK's derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights to be withdrawn. The new regime will be taken forward as a project under the Terrorism Act implementation plan. As Royal Assent was received only on 20 July, implementation work is at a very early stage, therefore I am unable to advise my hon. Friend at this stage of our communication plans.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further progress has been made with the Quinquennial Review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. [133789]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have recently received the Review Team's report on the second and final stage of the Quinquennial Review. The report—a copy of which I am placing in the Library of each House—examines how the effectiveness and efficiency with which the Prison Service delivers its services and functions can be further improved in the future.

  It makes a number of very valuable recommendations that will assist the Prison Service to focus more clearly on the outcomes it will need to achieve. These include Key Performance Indicators that for the first time explicitly address the need to reduce the differential in cost per prisoner place between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and to secure a more balanced workforce. There are also important recommendations covering closer co-operation with the probation service and with neighbouring prison services.

  I have accepted the recommendations of the report and have asked the Prison Service to reflect them in the new Framework Document that will be published in the autumn.

  Appointments
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make an announcement about the post of Independent Commissioner for Holding Centres. [133790]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I am happy to announce that Dr. William Norris has accepted appointment to the post of Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres and will take up the position on 1 October 2000.

  I am grateful to him for accepting the appointment and am confident that he will provide a valuable contribution in monitoring the care and treatment of detainees held in Holding Centres for as long as the Centres remain open and will produce well informed annual reports.

  I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to his predecessor, Sir Louis Blom-Cooper, for the very valuable work he has done over the past eight years and the invaluable reassurances he has provided to the Government and to the public that detainees have been treated fairly and properly.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to fill the post of Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures when the present incumbent's term of office ends on 24 August. [133791]
  1006W
  Mr. Mandelson
  The Government continue to value highly the work of the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures. I have today re-appointed Mr. Jim McDonald as Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland. Mr. McDonald's appointment will continue until 24 August 2003.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133373]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, earlier today.

  Paramilitary Roadblocks
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he will take to apologise to tourists from overseas who were refused assistance from the police, or treated rudely by the police, after they had been stopped at illegal paramilitary roadblocks on 12 July; and what communication has been sent to(a) Mr. Ole Jorgensen and Mr. Lars Holleufer of the City Museum in Aarhus and (b) Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Carla Steiner of Morrisville, Pennsylvania. [133090]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary has no central record of any complaints having been made against police by visitors to Northern Ireland on 12 July. Neither is there any record of any correspondence having been received from or sent to those individuals named in the question. If my hon. Friend could provide me with specific details of any such incidents, I will arrange for them to be investigated.

  Parades
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the circumstances were that determined the police decision to allow members of the Castlederg Young Defenders to parade through the nationalist area surrounding Ferguson Crescent, Strabane, on 11 July; and what correspondence he has had with representatives of the local community. [133091]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have assumed my hon. Friend is referring to a parade by the Castlederg Young Loyalists Flute Band which took place in Castlederg on 11 July 2000.

  The Parades Commission issued a determination on 5 July, namely that the parade is prohibited from entering that part of the notified route which includes Ferguson Crescent and Killeter Road. Following the Commission's decision an application for a review was made. On 7 July the Commission met to hear oral representations and to review its decision in light of these representations. After hearing all the available information against the factors contained in the Commission's guidelines document, the Commission upheld its original decision.

  Diplock Review Group
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will commission an independent
  1007W
  study to complete the work undertaken by the Diplock Review Group in drawing up arrangements for a return to jury trial. [133088]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no plans for an independent review of the provisions. However, under section 126 of the Terrorism Act the Government are required to lay a report on the working of the Act before both Houses of Parliament at least every 12 months. The report will be completed by an independent reviewer. Part VII of the Terrorism Act contains temporary measures for Northern Ireland only including the Diplock court system provisions. All these powers are subject to annual review and renewal by affirmative order taking account of the Government's overall objective, under the Belfast Agreement, to remove the powers as soon as it is safe to do so. The Reviewer's report would obviously inform any debates on the renewal of Northern Ireland powers.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place the external submissions to the Diplock Review Group in the Library. [133089]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Review Group received a total of eight written submissions from external organisations and the full list of those who responded is set out at Annexe B of the report. A number of the organisations requested that their submissions should remain confidential therefore I would suggest my hon. Friend approach the organisations directly if he wishes to obtain a copy of their written submission.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the reports submitted to his Department by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the civil service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133562]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

SCOTLAND

  Assisted Areas
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional representations have been made by his Department calling for the possible inclusion of all wards within the Inverness and Nairn, and Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Local Enterprise Company areas since the publication of the assisted area status map for Scotland on 10 April submitted to the European Commission for consideration. [130560]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of my reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Official Visits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [133273]

  Dr. Reid
  In the period between 1 January 1999 and 30 June 1999 the Permanent Under-Secretary of State at The Scottish Office made one overseas visit on official business, to Dublin on 10 and 11 February 1999, for discussions with senior Irish civil servants about aspects of their administration relevant to Scottish devolution. Since 1 July 1999 the Head of the Scotland Office has made no overseas visits on official business.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133379]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  Saltire
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that the blue in the Saltire is a consistent shade of sky blue. [133627]

  Dr. Reid
  No. The heraldic description of the Saltire is an argent cross on an azure background. There is no officially recognised shade of blue for the Saltire, the longstanding convention being that any blue that is clearly "blue" is acceptable.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133559]

  Dr. Reid
  I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a copy of my reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

TREASURY

  Employment (Merseyside)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the employment rate for people of working age for each quarter since 1997 in each of the Merseyside constituencies. [119820]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 20 April 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  1009W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Frank Field, dated 28 July 2000:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on employment rates in the Merseyside constituencies (119820).
  The attached table shows employment rates for people of working age in each of the Merseyside constituencies from 1996 to 1998 from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) which is the main source of labour market data on individuals. Estimates for parliamentary constituencies are compiled on an annual basis to provide more reliable estimates for these small areas. Quarterly estimates at constituency level are not available.
  People aged 16 or over are classed as in employment by the LFS if they have done at least one hour of paid work (as an employee or self-employed) in the week prior to their LFS interview or if they have a job that they are temporarily away from. People who do unpaid work in a family business and people on Government-supported training and employment programmes are also included according to the International Labour Organisation convention.

  Employment rate for those of working age1 employed in Merseyside constituencies, not seasonally adjusted

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Birkenhead

  59.4

  60.5

  54.5

  Bootle

  55.5

  53.1

  53.4

  Crosby

  70.2

  79.2

  74.9

  Knowsley, North and Sefton, East

  59.3

  56.2

  58.8

  Knowsley, South

  59.8

  60.3

  56.9

  Liverpool, Garston

  58.9

  62.3

  57.4

  Liverpool, Riverside

  42.9

  45.1

  47.4

  Liverpool, Walton

  54.5

  51.5

  55.0

  Liverpool, Wavertree

  64.6

  62.4

  65.0

  Liverpool, West Derby

  54.2

  56.6

  53.3

  Southport

  75.4

  73.8

  75.2

  St. Helens, North

  68.3

  75.2

  70.3

  St. Helens, South

  63.8

  69.2

  70.4

  Wallasey

  67.1

  71.8

  64.7

  Wirral, South

  71.5

  76.8

  73.7

  Wirral, West

  77.0

  72.0

  69.7

  1 Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey

  Budget Expenditure
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the real terms increase in budgeted expenditure between 1996–97 and 2000–01 for(a) the Home Office, (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer's departments, (c) the Foreign Office, (d) Scotland Office, (e) Wales Office, (f) the Department of Social Security, (g) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (h) overseas aid spending,(i) Department of Health, (j) Department of Education and Employment, (k) Lord Chancellor's Department, (l) No. 10 Downing street, (m) Cabinet Office, (n) the Ministry of Defence, (o) the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (p) the Department of Trade and Industry,(q) the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and(r) Northern Ireland; and if he will rank these from highest to lowest increases. [122240]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 16 May 2000]: Real terms increases in Departmental Expenditure Limit spending between outturn for 1996–97 and plans for 2000–01 for these areas are set out in the following table, ranked from the highest to lowest increases. Data are taken from "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses", published in April.
  1010W

  £ million

  Department/Junction

  Real terms increase 1996–97 to 2000–011

  (i) Department of Health

  7,121

  (j) Department for Education and Employment

  2,402

  (a) Home Office

  886

  (o) Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  569

  (e) Wales

  468

  (b) Chancellor's departments2

  439

  (h) Overseas aid spending3

  400

  (d) Scotland

  286

  (r) Northern Ireland

  255

  (q) Department of Culture, Media and Sport

  -46

  (p) Department of Trade and Industry

  -48

  (c) Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  -53

  (k) Lord Chancellor's Department

  -54

  (m) Cabinet Office4

  -229

  (f) Department of Social Security

  -549

  in) Ministry of Defence

  -927

  (g) Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food2

  -1,148

  1 1998–99 prices

  2 Changes and transfers of responsibility over the period mean that figures should be interpreted with care. For example, MAFF spending was exceptionally high in 1996–97 because of spending on BSE-related measures which are now unwinding; Chancellor's department figures are affected by machinery of government changes (principally the transfer of responsibility for the Contributions Agency from DSS) offset by reductions elsewhere

  31ncludes all DFID Departmental Expenditure X Limit programme spending

  4 For budgeting purposes 10 Downing street is treated as part of the Cabinet Office

  Incomes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many(a) men and (b) women working in the Greater London area benefit from the national minimum wage; [127385]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the average salary scales of (a) men and (b) women in employment in the UK. [127387]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of workers on adult rates of pay in part-time employment have hourly earnings, including and excluding overtime pay, that are less than(a) £4.94, (b) £6.58, (c) £7.18 and (d) £3.60 in (i) Scotland, (ii) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (iii) Great Britain, broken down by (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female manual, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) all non-manual and (9) all workers; [128287]

  (2) what the average weekly earnings are, including and excluding overtime, for part-time workers in (a) Scotland, (b) each of the local unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain, broken down by (i) men and (ii) women in (1) manual employment, (2) non-manual employment and (3) all employment. [128288]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  1011W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Moore, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions about earnings of part-time employees in Scotland, the unitary authority areas in Scotland and Great Britain (128287/8).
  The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for small geographical areas. However, the release of NES data is restricted to figures that are derived from a sufficiently large sample of employees, and have an acceptable level of accuracy. I have provided the available data for Scotland, the unitary authorities in Scotland and Great Britain; these are based on the 1999 NES, the latest survey for which data are available. These are large tables and copies of them are being placed in the Library of the House rather than reproduced in Hansard.
  The NES is based on a one per cent. sample of employees in PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold and in particular those who work part-time.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of reducing the upper rate of income tax from 40 per cent. to 30 per cent.; and if he will make a statement; [127501]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost of abolishing the 10p tax band and extending the personal income tax allowance over this range of income; [127621]

  (3) if he will estimate the yield from introducing a 50 per cent. rate of income tax on taxable income of over £100,000 per annum, for each of the next five years; [127604]

  (4) if he will estimate the resulting level of the personal income tax allowance if the lop tax band were abolished on a revenue-neutral basis. [127622]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 June 2000]: The full year revenue effects for making changes to income tax rates or allowances in 2000–01 are given in the table:

  £ billion

  Revenue effect

  Reducing the top rates of income tax by 10 percentage points1

  -7.5

  Introducing a 50 per cent. rate of income tax on taxable income of over £100,0001, 2, 3

  +2.9

  Abolishing the l0p tax band and extending the personalincome tax allowances over this range of income4, 5

  -4.6

  1 Including tax on dividends

  2 Taxable income has been defined as income after deducting the personal allowance

  3 For later years this figure will increase by on average £200 million per year

  4 The revenue effect provided has not taken account of any consequential effects on the level of National Insurance contributions

  5 This option would benefit most higher rate taxpayers by £456, most basic rate taxpayers by £182 and starting rate taxpayers by up to £152

  If the starting rate band of income tax was abolished and all income tax personal allowances were increased by £740, the changes would be revenue neutral.

  All the figures shown are the estimated direct effects of tax changes on tax revenues. In practice, tax changes will themselves effect economic variables, which in turn will have further effects on tax revenues.
  1012W
  These estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the March 2000 Budget.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the extra revenue for the next five financial years that would be raised by restricting the rate of tax relief on(a) employee pension contributions and (b) employer pension contributions to the standard rate of income tax; and if he will make a statement. [129827]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 10 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the library of the House.

  Rural Public Services
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the differences between the methods of funding the provision of public services in rural areas. [124933]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Opinion Research
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much his Department spent on opinion research in the financial year 1999–2000; and if he will list the opinion research projects undertaken on behalf of his Department in the financial year 1999–2000, broken down by(a) focus group research, (b) quantitative surveys and (c) other market research surveys, listing in each case when and in what form the results were published. [128074]

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (2) pursuant to his answer of 20 June,Official Report, column 168W, on opinion research, if he will list all the market and opinion research carried out by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case if the results will be placed in the Library or the reason for not doing so. [132024]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of those in employment currently earn less than(a) £4.20, and (b) 4.50; and how many of those aged 18 to 21 years currently earn less than (i) £4.20, (ii) £4.50 and (iii) £3.70 in (1) Scotland and (2) the UK. [128172]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Andrew Welsh, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about earnings of employees in Scotland and the United Kingdom. (128172)
  The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for geographical areas. These are released for all areas where there is a sufficiently large sample of employees and the statistics have an acceptable level of accuracy. I have provided the available data for

  1013W
  Scotland and the United Kingdom in the attached table. These are based on the 1999 NES, the latest survey for which data are available.
  From the NES I am only able to give percentages earning below specified thresholds, rather than numbers because appropriate grossing factors for the survey sample are not readily available.
  The NES is based on a one per cent sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold and in particular those who work part-time.

  New Earnings Survey, April 1999 (UK)

  Gross hourly earnings excluding overtime (£)

  All ages

  Age 18 to 21 years

  Percentage earning less than

  Percentage earning less than

  £4.20

  £4.50

  £3.70

  £4.20

  £4.50

  Scotland

  Full-time

  6.7

  9.5

  13.4

  29.0

  38.6

  Part-time

  28.8

  37.1

  25.4

  47.8

  55.7

  All

  11.8

  15.9

  17.5

  35.4

  44.4

  United Kingdom

  Full-time

  6.0

  8.6

  15.1

  29.7

  38.8

  Part-time

  27.3

  36.2

  24.1

  46.2

  59.4

  All

  10.8

  14.8

  17.9

  34.7

  45.1

  Note:

  Employees on all rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence.

  Job Creation
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new jobs have been created in(a) metropolitan boroughs and (b) the rest of the UK since May 1997. [129111]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about jobs created in metropolitan boroughs and the rest of the UK since May 1997.
  Information is not available for job gains or losses. However, the Annual Employment Survey (AES) can provide the net change in the number of employee jobs between 1997 and 1998. The data collected from this survey is for Employee Jobs only. This means that other employment components are excluded (i.e. jobs in Self-employment, Government-supported trainees, and HM Forces). This information is shown in the attached table for metropolitan boroughs and the remainder of Great Britain. The AES does not collect Northern Ireland data.
  The AES sample is drawn from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR). The 1998 survey comprised 65,000 enterprises, covering nearly half a million workplaces.

  Net change in employee jobs, September 1997-September 1998

  Thousand

  City of London

  +14.8

  Inner London boroughs

  Camden

  +19.9

  Hackney

  +3.3

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  +11.9

  Haringey

  -0.9

  Islington

  +5.4

  Kensington and Chelsea

  +2.6

  1014W

  Net change in employee jobs, September 1997-September 1998

  Thousand

  Lambeth

  +6.7

  Lewisham

  -2.4

  Newham

  +1.5

  Southwark

  +4.7

  Tower Hamlets

  +9.9

  Wandsworth

  -1.4

  City of Westminster

  +20.5

  Outer London boroughs

  Barking and Dagenham

  -5.9

  Barnet

  +16.5

  Bexley

  +4.2

  Brent

  +5.7

  Bromley

  +2.4

  Croydon

  +7.0

  Ealing

  +5.1

  Enfield

  +1.2

  Greenwich

  +1.8

  Harrow

  +1.0

  Havering

  -1.0

  Hillingdon

  +8.6

  Hounslow

  +7.9

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  -5.0

  Merton

  +1.0

  Redbridge

  +2.9

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  +2.9

  Sutton

  +2.9

  Waltham Forest

  +1.7

  West Midlands boroughs

  Birmingham

  +5.8

  Coventry

  -1.0

  Dudley

  -4.2

  Sandwell

  +2.9

  Solihull

  +2.5

  Walsall

  +6.0

  Wolverhampton

  -1.1

  South Yorkshire boroughs

  Barnsley

  -1.4

  Doncaster

  -1.8

  Rotherham

  +4.4

  Sheffield

  +2.6

  West Yorkshire boroughs

  Bradford

  +1.6

  Calderdale

  -0.9

  Kirklees

  +4.0

  Leeds

  +4.7

  Wakefield

  -0.7

  Greater Manchester boroughs

  Bolton

  0

  Bury

  +2.5

  Manchester

  +9.4

  Oldham

  -1.0

  Rochdale

  +1.5

  Salford

  +2.5

  Stockport

  -2.5

  Tameside

  -2.0

  Trafford

  +5.2

  Wigan

  +0.5

  Merseyside boroughs

  Knowsley

  -0.4

  Liverpool

  +6.8

  St. Helens

  +7.1

  Sefton

  -1.5

  Wirral

  -1.7

  Tyne and Wear boroughs

  Gateshead

  +2.7

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  -4.5

  1015W

  Net change in employee jobs, September 1997-September 1998

  Thousand

  North Tyneside

  +4.8

  South Tyneside

  +0.8

  Sunderland

  +5.0

  Net change in Metropolitan boroughs:

  +216.0

  Net change in rest of Great Britain:

  +289.0

  Source:

  Annual Employment Survey (AES), ONS

  Electronic Data Systems
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000,Official Report, column 541W, on Electronic Data Systems, if he will list for each Department the (a) contracts and (b) framework agreements held with EDS. [128919]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 4 July 2000]: The Treasury, including its agencies, have the following contracts with Electronic Data Systems (EDS):

  Treasury (Office of Government Commerce)
  "Framework contract": EDS is responsible for managing the Government Catalogue procurement scheme (GCat) for the supply of IT commodity products to public sector organisations.
  "Framework contract": Government Telecommunications Contracts service. EDS offers services covering all categories including mobile communications and electronic commerce.

  Inland Revenue
  IT Services Agreement. EDS is responsible for the provision of the full range of IT services across the Department except the procurement of desktop hardware and other office IT equipment. In addition, EDS provide Inland Revenue with Voice Telecommunications advice and EDS personnel use Inland Revenue contracts to purchase Voice Telecommunications equipment and services for the Department.

  The contracts and framework arrangements held by other Government Departments with EDS are a matter for each individual Department.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the functions carried out by Electronic Data Systems for his Department and its agencies and (b) the total amount of annual taxation revenue to which contracts and framework agreements with Electronic Data Systems are relevant. [129250]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: The functions carried out by Electronic Data Systems (EDS) for HM Treasury and its agencies are as follows:

  Treasury (Office of Govermneta Commerce)
  EDS is responsible for managing the Government Catalogue procurement scheme (GCat) for the supply of IT commodity products to public sector organisations. EDS also offers services under the Government Telecommunications Contracts (GTC) service.

  Inland Revenue
  EDS is responsible for the provision of the full range of IT services across the Department except the procurement of desktop hardware and other office IT equipment. In addition, EDS provide Inland Revenue with Voice Telecommunications advice and EDS personnel use Inland Revenue contracts to purchase Voice Telecommunications equipment and services for the Department.
  EDS supplies the IT infrastructure that is used for processing the Inland Revenue's collection of taxation revenue. Inland Revenue's net taxation receipts are published in "Financial Statistics" Table 2.1C, a publication of the Government Statistical Service.
  1016W
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the benchmarking exercises on Government contracts with Electronic Data Systems; and if he will place copies of the results in the Library. [131906]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury's new Office of Government Commerce, which commenced operations on 1 April 2000, is giving a high priority to examining ways in which value for money from Government IT projects can be improved.

  Pensions Provision
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Treasury of higher rate tax relief on contributions to personal pension plans and retirement annuity plans for the self-employed in each of the next five financial years; and if he will make a statement. [129825]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 10 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Euro
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent to date by HM Government on the publication and distribution of information relating to the introduction of the euro; and what further spending is planned. [129449]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 10 July 2000]: Since 1998 the Treasury has spent £8.8 million on information to help UK firms understand the impact that the euro may have on their business and to provide them with practical advice.

  The Treasury will continue to provide support to firms.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the progress of the UK retail financial sector in preparedness for membership of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [131587]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 24 July 2000, Official Report, column 420W.

  Capital Gains Indexation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the net revenue yield over the next five financial years of reintroducing a system of indexation of capital gains from 6 April 2001 and simultaneously abolishing taper relief from the same date; and if he will make a statement. [130274]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 July 2000]: The net revenue yield from reintroducing indexation and abolishing taper is estimated to be £400 million for the first year, most of which would be received in the following year. Estimates thereafter are highly dependent on assumed growth in asset values.

  Green Purchasing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has held with DETR Ministers regarding
  1017W
  the green purchasing commitment set out in the document entitled, "Building a better quality of life-a strategy for more sustainable construction". [131091]

  Mr. Timms
  "Building a better quality of life—a strategy for more sustainable construction" recognised the Government's responsibilities to set an example in the sustainable procurement, maintenance and operation of their built assets.

  The Office of Government Commerce published a sustainability action plan, "Achieving sustainability in construction procurement", which commits Departments, agencies and NDPBs to assess their current sustainable construction procurement practices and to develop action plans. This was produced in close consultation with the DETR and was launched by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing Planning and Construction on 10 July.

  Strikes
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the total number of days lost through strikes in the(a) ferry, (b) railway, (c) aviation, (d) motor manufacturing, (e) docks, (f) construction, (g) coal and (h) road haulage industries was in each year since 1992; [130541]

  (2) how many unofficial strikes took place in the (a) ferry, (b) aviation, (c) railway, (d) road haulage, (e) construction, (f) coal, (g) docks and (h) motor manufacturing industries in each year since 1992; [130543]

  (3) how many ballots for strike action there have been in the (a) construction, (b) road haulage, (c) coal, (d) docks, (e) motor manufacturing, (f) aviation, (g) railway and (h) ferry industries in each year since 1992. [130542]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mrs. Angela Browning, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your three recent questions about strikes. (130541/2/3)
  The table below shows the number of working days lost to labour disputes for the broad industry groups containing those industries in your questions. These statistics are not compiled at the level of industrial detail in your original request.

  Number of working days lost due to labour disputes in the UK

  Thousand

  Industry group

  Year

  Transport,storage and communication

  Manufactureof transport equipment

  Construction

  Mining and quarrying

  1992

  13

  16

  10

  8

  1993

  160

  55

  1

  27

  1994

  110

  24

  5

  1

  1995

  120

  27

  10

  —

  1996

  884

  43

  8

  2

  1997

  36

  51

  17

  2

  1998

  139

  26

  13

  —

  1999

  50

  55

  49

  —

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  The figures cover both official and unofficial disputes, although no distinction is made between the two.

  Data are not collected about the number of ballots for strike action that have taken place.

  Insurance Policies
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much he estimates the loss to each consumer to be when motor insurance policies are cancelled; [130553]

  (2) if he will estimate the increase in the number of uninsured drivers resulting from each 10,000 cancelled policy notices; [130556]

  (3) how many policy cancellation notices were issued in the last two years; and what forecast he has made for such notices issued in the next two years; [130551]

  (4) what proportion of policy cancellation notices were returned unopened to the Policy Protection Board in each of the last five years. [130552]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: No information is available on these matters.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what action he is taking to ensure that the reserves available to the Policyholders' Protection Board are used appropriately to protect the policyholders of Drake Insurance plc; [130554]

  (2) what financial reserves are available to the Policyholders' Protection Board to assist consumers; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of these reserves; [130555]

  (3) what action he has taken to ensure that the Policyholders' Protection Board warns motor policy holders with Drake Insurance plc that they have no motor insurance; [130558]

  (4) if he will use his powers under the Policyholders' Protection Act 1997 to intervene to protect the policyholders of Drake Insurance plc. [130550]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: It is for the Policyholders Protection board (PPB) as an independent statutory body to decide how best to use its statutory powers to protect policyholders. The PPB raises funds through a levy on authorised insurers and its accounts are published annually. I have arranged for a copy of the most recent Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 1999 to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Policyholders whose policies are to be cancelled are given formal notice by their insurers (in this case the provisional liquidator), not the PPB.

  Annual Reports and Job Plans
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the annual reports and workplans for the forthcoming year of the Financial Action Task Force and the Financial Stability Forum in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000; and if he will list the key decisions taken by those bodies in each of those years. [130826]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: Copies of the annual reports containing all key decisions have today been placed in the Library.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many families the Working Families Tax Credit is paid to(a) a woman and (b) a man. [128934]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 5 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit. [130408]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The number of families in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit at the end of May 2000 is provisionally estimated at 1,056,000.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families received the Working Families Tax Credit(a) at the last date for which figures are available and (b) at the time of its introduction; what the reasons are for the difference between (a) and (b); and what steps he is taking to ensure that all eligible families claim the credit. [132831]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) replaced Family Credit (FC) on 5 October 1999. The number of families in receipt of FC at the end of September 1999 was 788,000. The number of families in receipt of the WFTC at the end of May 2000 is provisionally estimated at 1,056,000. The increase is due to the successful introduction of WFTC and the transition from FC.

  For the last part of the question, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 877W.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Working Families Tax Credit claimants are being paid at(a) the pre-4 April rate of benefit and (b) the rate introduced on 11 April. [130707]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: The number of families in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit at the end of May 2000 is provisionally estimated at 1,056,000. Of these, it is estimated that 672,000 had start dates before 4 April 2000 and 384,000 had start dates on or after 11 April.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many recipients of working families tax credit had the option of choosing payment(a) via the payroll and (b) not via the payroll; and of those how many have chosen not to be paid through the payroll; [130764]

  (2) how many recipients of working families tax credit are receiving it via the payroll. [130765]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his reply of 4 July 2000,Official Report, column 176W, how many families have been in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit in each month since April this year. [132401]
  1020W
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: Provisional estimates of the number of families in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit at each end-month are as follows:

  Thousand

  April 2000

  1,053

  May 2000

  1,056

  Estimated figures for Family Credit in the corresponding months last year are as follows:

  Thousand

  April 1999

  823

  May 1999

  821

  Bridge Tolls
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations the Treasury has made to the European Court of Justice in respect of VAT on bridge tolls and the impact that will have on the case of the Tamar Bridge. [133093]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the additional revenue from applying value added tax at 17.5 per cent. on existing toll charges. [130546]

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the opinion of the Advocate-General of the European Court of Justice, dated 27 January, concerning Case C-359/97 (Commission v. European Communities), if he will estimate the proceeds that will accrue to the Exchequer per year from the application of the standard rate of VAT to roads, tunnels and bridges. [129782]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The United Kingdom's relief from VAT for all toll charges has been vigorously defended throughout the proceedings before the European Court of Justice.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Tamar Bridge Joint Committee was consulted during preparation for the ECJ court case concerning value added tax on toll charges. [130545]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Tamar Bridge Joint Committee was invited to a meeting hosted by HM Customs and Excise on 19 May 1998, at which the case was fully discussed. Thereafter, the Tamar Bridge Joint Committee was on the mailing list for Customs' written updates on the case.

  Employment Rates
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many parliamentary constituencies(a) the employment rate has gone down and (b) both the employment rate and unemployment rate have gone down, in the past (i) six months, (ii) one year and (iii) two years and (iv) three years; and if he will give the source for each statistic. [131182]
  1021W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to write to my right hon. Friend.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Field dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about employment and unemployment rates in parliamentary constituencies. (131182).
  Information on economic activity at parliamentary constituency level can be derived on an annual basis from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which is National Statistics' main source of labour market data on individuals. The latest estimates cover the year from March 1998 to February 1999. These show that the employment rate in 274 our of 659 constituencies was lower than in the year from March 1997 in February 1998. In 238 constituencies the rate was lower than in the year from March 1996 to February 1997, the earliest period for which estimates are available.
  National Statistics' preferred measure of unemployment is the International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment rate, derived from the LFS. As with any sample survey LFS estimates are subject to sampling variability. The smaller the estimate, the larger the variability relative to the size of the estimate. Unfortunately analyses of unemployment at parliamentary constituency level only provide reliable estimates for a small proportion of constituencies. So it is not possible from the LFS to provide a total of those constituencies where both employment and unemployment have fallen.
  People aged 16 or over are classed as in employment by the LFS if they have done at least one hour of paid work (as an employee or self-employed) in the week prior to their LFS interview or if they have a job that they are temporarily away from. People who do unpaid work in a family business and people on Government-supported training and employment programmes are also included according to the International Labour Organisation convention.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131445]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of absenteeism was in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its related public bodies in the last year for which figures are available; what his estimate is of the total cost of this level of absenteeism to public funds in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [131322]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 May 2000, Official Report, column 434W. The latest published departmental statistics on sickness absence were given in the report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service 1998" prepared by BMI Health Service Ltd.

  Information on costs for the last five years is not available on a departmental basis and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  1022W
  In line with the work on reducing absence following the July 1998 report "Managing Attendance in the Public Sector", the civil service has a whole as a target to reduce absence by 20 per cent. by 2001 and 30 per cent. by 2003.

  Census
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers researchers may be informed of personal details from closed decennial Census forms; and what limits are placed on the use of information from the 1971 to 1991 Census forms. [131722]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Taylor, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking under what powers researchers may be informed of personal details from closed decennial Census forms; and what limits are placed on the use of information from the 1971 to 1991 Census forms (131722).
  Under the provisions of Section 8(2) the Census Act 1920 as amended by the Census (Confidentiality) Act 1991, it is an offence for the Registrar General or any person who is either under the control of, or a supplier of any services to, the Registrar General to disclose any personal census information without lawful authority. Strict safeguards are maintained to protect the confidentiality of personal census information handled by persons either working for the Registrar General or providing services on his behalf. All such persons are required to make signed undertakings to fulfil the obligations required under the provisions of the Act and any Regulations made under the Act.
  Information under the 1971 to 1991 Census returns may be published as reports to Parliament or abstracts under the provisions of Section 4 of the Census Act. Confidentiality thresholds are applied to the population of small areas below which no census information other than simple headcounts is made available. Other measures are taken to minimise the risk of inadvertent disclosure of information about identifiable individuals or households.
  Pursuant to Section 5 of the Census Act, a number of researchers are permitted to come to ONS to undertake statistical analyses of census information regarding the number and condition of the population from the Longitudinal Study. They may only work on projects that have previously been approved by the Longitudinal Study Research Board and may only access Study data under supervised conditions on the ONS site. Such data do not contain details of names and addresses. The only outputs allowed are tables of aggregated data and statistics at a level that precludes identification of individuals or households. Hence no information which identifies individuals or households may be released from ONS premises at any time.
  The Office for National Statistics maintains a confidentiality policy of only providing access to data from those records for which it is responsible that conforms to the provisions of both data protection and freedom on information legislation.

  Tax Returns
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what data he compiles concerning monthly backlogs of tax returns; and if he will make a statement. [131939]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Management Information Systems of the Inland Revenue provide information of the number of Self Assessment Tax Returns issued; received; sent back; waiting to be processed; and processed.

  Household Incomes
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households with children who had below half average income would have had incomes above that threshold in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 if the April 1998 rates of child benefit had been raised for all children in the family by 50 per cent. and linked with earnings; and what the net extra cost would have been for (i) 1998–99 and (ii) 1999–2000 after allowing for (A) the increases made by the Government in (1) child benefit and (2) WFTC and (B) changes in benefits for lone parents. [131953]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The simulation model used in the Treasury cannot easily be used to look back historically at what would have happened in specific years under different policies.

  Computer Disasters
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the time it would take to get new computers running in the wake of a major computer disaster in his Department. [130967]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 19 July 2000]: In the event of a major computer disaster the Treasury's aim would be to restore basic IT facilities (desktop or laptop stand-alone equipment) to key staff as soon as possible but at the latest within two days.

  The timescale for the restoration of full IT services to the whole department would depend on the scale of the disaster.

  Random Assignment Elements
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which pilot projects undertaken by his Department since 1997 have involved random assignment elements; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness in promoting more effective policy making. [131584]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: While no consolidated record of such schemes is kept, I am not aware of any pilot projects undertaken by the Treasury since 1997 with random assignment elements.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the monthly outturns on

  Departmental Expenditure Limits—Resource and Capital Budgets in real terms

  £ billion, 1999–2000 prices

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Resource Budget:

  Education and Employment

  14.2

  16.3

  17.9

  19.0

  19.8

  Health

  40.0

  42.6

  44.7

  47.7

  50.6

  of which:NHS

  39.4

  41.9

  43.6

  45.7

  48.6

  Environment, Transport and Regions

  3.9

  4.2

  4.9

  5.2

  5.1

  Local Government

  33.9

  34.5

  35.0

  36.3

  37.7

  Home Office

  7.0

  7.4

  8.3

  8.7

  8.9

  Legal Departments

  2.7

  2.8

  2.9

  2.9

  2.9

  1024W
  sickness absence as listed in reports from directors in his Department for each month for the last two years; and if he will make a statement. [130724]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 11 May 2000, Official Report, column 434W. The latest published statistics on sickness absence were given in the report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service 1998" prepared by BMI Health Service Ltd. These show that HM Treasury has the lowest absence rate of Departments and Agencies of a similar size.

  Worn-out Bank Notes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the face value of paper notes was, broken down by denomination, which were destroyed in the last 12 months because they were worn out. [132315]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The face value of Bank of England notes destroyed in the 12-month period ending 30 June 2000 was:

  £ million

  £5

  1,369

  £10

  3,177

  £20

  5,022

  £50

  440

  Total

  10,008

  Note:

  All figures rounded

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer where worn-out bank-notes are incinerated. [132316]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  No notes are incinerated.

  Spending Review
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his statement of 18 July 2000,Official Report, column 219–44, on the Spending Review, if he will publish Table A4 of "Prudent for a Purpose", Cm 4807, in a form which is comparable to Table C19 of the document entitled Budget 2000, HC 346. [132247]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A table in a comparable format to Table C19 of Budget 2000, showing the new plans for Departmental Expenditure Limits broken down into resource and capital budgets, can be found in "Prudent for A Purpose: Building Opportunity and Security for All", Cm 4807, at A3. This table is set out in real terms. An explanation of how departmental plans have changed for the new planning period on the move to resource budgeting is contained in Table A8.
  1025W

  Departmental Expenditure Limits—Resource and Capital Budgets in real terms

  £ billion, 1999–2000 prices

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Defence

  16.9

  17.4

  17.2

  17.2

  17.0

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  International Development

  2.2

  2.4

  2.6

  2.7

  2.9

  Trade and Industry

  2.8

  3.2

  3.7

  3.3

  2.9

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  1.0

  0.9

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  Culture, Media and Sport

  0.9

  0.9

  1.0

  1.0

  1.1

  Social Security (administration)

  3.2

  3.1

  3.6

  3.9

  3.8

  Scotland

  12.0

  12.4

  12.9

  13.4

  13.8

  Wales

  6.3

  6.8

  7.1

  7.4

  7.7

  Northern Ireland Executive

  4.2

  4.4

  4.6

  4.7

  4.8

  Northern Ireland Office

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  0.9

  Chancellor's Departments

  3.4

  3.7

  3.7

  3.8

  3.7

  Cabinet Office

  1.1

  1.1

  1.2

  1.2

  1.2

  Employment Opportunities Fund1

  0.5

  0.9

  0.8

  0.8

  1.2

  Invest to Save Budget

  —

  0.0

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  Capital Modernisation Fund

  —

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Policy Innovation Fund

  —

  —

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Reserve

  —

  1.9

  1.1

  1.5

  1.8

  Total Resource Budget DEL

  158.5

  169.0

  176.5

  183.7

  189.9

  Capital Budget

  Education and Employment

  1.2

  2.2

  2.4

  2.8

  3.5

  Health

  0.9

  1.7

  2.5

  3.0

  3.0

  of which: NHS

  0.9

  1.6

  2.4

  2.9

  2.9

  Environment, Transport and Regions

  5.8

  6.3

  7.7

  9.3

  11.1

  Local Government

  0.3

  0.0

  0.1

  0.3

  0.3

  Home Office

  0.5

  0.6

  0.8

  0.9

  0.8

  Legal Departments

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  Defence

  5.0

  5.1

  5.2

  5.3

  5.7

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  International Development

  0.3

  0.3

  0.4

  0.4

  0.4

  Trade and Industry

  0.2

  0.5

  0.7

  0.7

  0.9

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  Culture, Media and Sport

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  Department of Social Security

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  Scotland

  1.8

  2.3

  2.6

  2.8

  2.9

  Wales

  0.9

  0.8

  l.0

  1.1

  1.2

  Northern Ireland Executive

  0.7

  0.8

  0.8

  0.9

  1.0

  Northern Ireland Office

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  Chancellor's Departments

  0.1

  -0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  Cabinet Office

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  0.1

  0.2

  Employment Opportunities Fund 1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.6

  0.0

  0.0

  Invest to Save Budget

  —

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Capital Modernisation Fund

  —

  0.1

  0.4

  0.8

  1.1

  Policy Innovation Fund

  —

  —

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Reserve

  —

  0.7

  0.3

  0.4

  0.5

  Total Capital Budget DEL

  18.3

  22.0

  25.8

  29.7

  33.2

  Total Departmental Expenditure Limits

  176.8

  190.9

  202.4

  213.4

  223.1

  1 Formerly Welfare to Work

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which year he expects to be able to judge that the trend rate of growth had increased from 2.5 per cent by 2004; how the Inland Revenue will judge total compliance costs to business; how compliance costs are defined in his document entitled "Prudent for a Purpose", Cm 4807; and if he will make a statement. [132267]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government's estimate of the UK's 2½ per cent. trend growth rate was set out in "Trend Growth: Prospects and implications for policy" which was published in November 1999. The Government continually monitors all relevant evidence and data on the UK's trend rate of growth.
  1026W
  Inland Revenue will judge total compliance costs to business as those costs incurred by all businesses or third parties in meeting the requirements laid upon them by those parts of the tax system which are administered by Inland Revenue.

  Prudent for a Purpose commits the Inland Revenue to reductions in costs which act as a barrier to the establishment and growth of small businesses.

  Tobacco Industry
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the value of United Kingdom exports of tobacco products was to countries outside the European Union in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; [132336]
  1027W
  (2) what the contribution of the UK tobacco industry was to the balance of payments in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [132335]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Andrew Hunter, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on the United Kingdom's trade in tobacco. (132336/7).
  The following table shows the latest estimates for UK trade in tobacco products. Figures are shown in £billion on a Balance of Payments basis and cover Division 16 of the 1992 Standard Industrial Classification—SIC(92). The balance of trade in goods is the value of goods exported less the value of goods imported.

  Contribution to balance of trade

  Exports to non-EU

  in goods

  countries

  1997

  +1.0

  0.7

  1998

  +0.9

  0.6

  1999

  +0.9

  0.6

  Estimates for the tobacco industry in respect of the other components of the current account of the Balance of Payments are not available.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 10 May 2000,Official Report, columns 417–19W, what the average bank interest rate for mortgages has been since October 1995. [131780]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. David Willetts, dated 28 July 2000 I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking about average bank interest rates for mortgages (131780). I am replying in the National Statistician's absence.
  The average rate on standard variable mortgage rate loans by a cross-section of banks between October 1995 and May 2000 was 7.73%. End-month observations of this rate from January 1996 to date are published by National Statistics in table 71.J of Financial Statistics (series AJVR) or may be viewed on the National Statistics central database, to which the House of Commons Library has access.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of exempting(a) hydro power and (b) non-nuclear and non-fossil fuel generated electricity from the climate change levy in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK. [131588]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The initial cost of exempting small scale hydro electric power and non-nuclear/non-fossil fuel generated electricity from the Climate Change Levy is estimated to be around £20 million in a full year. The exact cost of the exemption in future years will depend on the speed of progress made towards the Government's target of generating 5 per cent. of electricity from renewable sources by 2003. Separate estimates for Scotland are not available.

  Debt Repayment (HIPCs)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the size of Government debt repayment from the HIPC countries in 1996–97; what he estimates the debt repayment will be in 2000–01; and to what extent such repayments will be recycled into(a) primary healthcare and (b) AIDS care and prevention in these countries. [131626]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The total amount received from HIPCs in 1996–97 was £29.4 million. Under the UK's policy of 100 per cent. debt forgiveness once countries have reached decision point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, they can immediately stop making payments on all their debts outstanding to the UK Government.

  So far nine countries have reached their decision point, of which eight owed money to the UK. For these countries all payments to the UK Government have already ceased. In total the debt relief to these countries afforded by the HIPC initiative and the Government's 100 per cent. debt relief policy will add up to £241 million.

  A further 11 countries are expected to reach decision point by the end of 2000. If they did the total amount that the UK Government would be writing off for these 20 countries would be £659 million. The total payments due for payment in 2000–01 depends entirely on how quickly countries reach decision point, and hence how many benefit from the UK's policy of 100 per cent. debt relief.

  Under the enhanced HIPC initiative, debt relief is tied much more closely to poverty reduction. Countries are developing national poverty reduction strategies as part of their qualification for debt relief. Countries will examine causes of poverty and opportunities for tackling it. The Poverty Reduction Strategy of an individual country will often identify primary healthcare and HIV/AIDS as priority areas for government action and increased resources. But many competing claims for additional resources, and it is up to the governments of the HIPC countries themselves to decide how to balance these, in discussion with key stakeholders.

  Departmental Groups
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply and for each such group, if it(a) is a company limited by guarantee, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis, and (d) has some other legal basis giving details. [131237]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The bodies falling within the scope of the question are as follows. Although they are not formally within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Treasury Minsters observe the spirit of the rules and Nolan principles in making appointments to them:

  (a) Companies limited by guarantee

  Financial Services Authority.

  (b) Charities

  None

  (c) No legal basis

  None

  1029W

  (d) Other legal basis

  (i) executive bodies

  National Savings Agency Management Board

  Public Works Loan Board

  Building Societies Commission

  Friendly Societies Commission

  (ii) advisory Bodies

  Retail Price Index Advisory Committee

  Office for National Statistics Management board

  Financial Reporting Advisory Board

  Treasury Academic Advisory Panel

  Royal Mint Management Board

  Standing Committee on Preparations for EMU

  Business Advisory Group on EMU

  Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) Ministerial Advisory Board

  PACE Central Advice Unit

  (iii) Tribunals

  Financial Services Tribunal

  Inland Revenue Section 706 Tribunal

  (iv) Non ministerial Crown Office

  Crown Estates Commission

  (v) Taskforces, reviews, working groups

  Myners review of institutional investment

  Review of central government audit steering group

  Inland Revenue Finance Leasing Association Working Group

  Review of Inland Revenue Officer's Powers

  Inland Revenue Construction Industry Scheme User Panel

  (vi) Public limited company

  Partnerships UK, incorporating the Treasury taskforce.

  Tobacco Industry
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the current price is of a packet of 20 cigarettes in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Belgium, (c) France and (d) Germany. [132337]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The price of a packet of 20 cigarettes will vary according to the brand and these prices are not available for other EU countries. The most popular price category (MPPC) for cigarettes in each of the EU member states is contained in the Excise Duty Tables published by the European Commission.

  Share and Security Dealing
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposal was put forward by the Government of France at the meeting of ECOFIN in July concerning the operation of the single market in share and security dealing within the Community; if he will place a copy of that proposal in the Library; on what Treaty and Article it is based; what voting took place at ECOFIN on the proposal; what voting arrangements will govern any subsequent consideration by ECOFIN; and what action will follow in the European Parliament. [132574]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I will right to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Green Cars
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his taxation policy in respect of the development of non-polluting methods of powering motor cars. [132791]

  Mr. Timms
  Duty on road fuel gases was cut by 29 per cent. in 1999 and was frozen in the March Budget.

  The duty differential between ultra low sulphur diesel and conventional diesel had succeeded in turning the UK market over to the more environmentally friendly low sulphur fuel. Furthermore, as announced in March 2000 a 1p/litre inventive will be introduced for ultra low sulphur petrol.

  The graduated system of Vehicle Excise Duty for new cars, being introduced in March 2001, will offer discounted rates for cars using more environmentally friendly fuels.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many press releases have been issued so far this year; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of press releases was in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date. [132780]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In 2000, 125 press notices have been released to 30 June. The cost to date to the Treasury for the services of the Central Office of Information (COI), which distribute press releases, has been £14,709.60. The number of press notices released and the amounts billed to Treasury by COI in previous years are as follows:

  Number of press notices

  COI distribution costs (£)

  1997

  184

  18,682.00

  1998

  239

  25,186.62

  1999

  283

  23,899.50

  Press Officers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many press officers were employed in his Department in(a) May 1997, (b) January 1998, (c) January 1999 and (d) January 2000; and what the total expenditure on press officers by his Department was in each of the years concerned. [132766]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  For the number of press officers employed by the Treasury, I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 17 May 2000,Official Report, column 183W, to the right hon. Member for Kensington and Chelsea (Mr. Portillo). As to expenditure, due to staff changes it is not possible to provide accurate figures for May 1997 on a consistent basis. However, basic salary costs for Treasury press officers for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 to date are as follows:

  £

  Press officer basic salary costs

  1998

  246,103

  1999

  192,541

  2000(to date)

  53,470

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many unfilled vacancies for permanent staff his Department has; what percentage of staff positions in his Department are vacant; what the monthly cost would be to his Department of employing civil servants in these positions; how many and what percentage of staff his Department employs on a temporary basis through employment agencies; how much his Department paid employment agencies to supply temporary staff in each of the last 12 months; and how much he expects to pay employment agencies to supply temporary staff in each of the next 12 months. [131426]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: On 1 April 2000 the gap between staff in post and planned demand in the Treasury was 72 around 8 per cent. of posts. The monthly cost of employing civil servants in those posts is estimated at £155k. In the week beginning 3 April 2000 there were 27 temporary agency staff in the Treasury, around 3 per cent. of the total, filling vacant posts or covering for staff in posts that were temporary vacant through maternity leave, annual leave or sickness absence. The amounts that were paid by the Treasury to supply temporary staff for each month in the Financial Year 1999–2000 are provided in the following table. The budget for payments to supply temporary staff in 2000–01 is £461,829k.

  Payments by HM Treasury to employment agencies for temporary staff 1999–2000

  £

  April 1999

  48,097.49

  May 1999

  50,012.29

  June 1999

  35,705.49

  July 1999

  56,455.82

  August 1999

  53,718.22

  September 1999

  30,724.74

  October 1999

  38,390.13

  November 1999

  65,374.01

  December 1999

  43,657.45

  January 2000

  62,621.93

  February 2000

  65,252.66

  March 2000

  95,497.48

  Total

  645,507.71

  ENTRUST
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was available to ENTRUST for distribution in the last year for which figures are available; how much was actually distributed; and how much was spent on overheads. [131664]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: In the financial year 1998–99, the last year for which figures are available, landfill site operators made contributions totalling £76 million directly to environmental bodies approved under the landfill tax environmental bodies credit scheme. ENTRUST charge a 2 per cent. administration fee on contributions received by the bodies to cover its expenses in regulating the scheme, but ENTRUST does not itself receive or distribute site operators' funds.

  Endowment Mortgages
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take action to help householders experiencing shortfalls on endowment mortgages due to bad advice; and if he will make a statement. [133365]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Edwards) on 23 May 2000,Official Report, columns 415–16W.

  Office for National Statistics
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Office for National Statistics performed against its key targets in 1999–2000. [133415]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Office for National Statistics; performance is described in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts which is being laid before the House today.

  Currency Transaction Tax
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to contribute to the study into the concept of a currency transaction tax, as agreed at the recent special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Social Development; and if he will make a statement. [132297]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Special Session agreed to undertake an analysis of proposals for developing new and innovative sources of funding for social development. One of these proposals is likely to be a tax on international currency transactions. The Government will keep in touch with the UN study as it progresses. We expect that UK Government and non-government organisations will be able to contribute to the UN analysis.

  Demographic Statistics
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate how many men will turn 65 years in each of the next 10 years; [132973]

  (2) if he will estimate how many women will turn 60 years in each of the next 10 years. [132971]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answers 27 July 2000]: The information requested is available from the House of Commons Library's Statistics Resource Unit on a copy of a CD-ROM, named '1998-based national population projections'.

  VAT (Charities)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on relieving charities of some or all of the costs of VAT on transactions directly related to their charitable objectives. [132911]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: Charities already benefit from a range of special VAT reliefs. Systems for relieving charities' irrecoverable VAT were given very careful consideration during the recent Review of Charity Taxation. In the Review's consultation

  1033W
  document, published in March 1999, the Government made it clear that for reasons of principle and cost these were not ideas that it wished to pursue.

  Permanent Secretary (Official Business)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [133275]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information is as follows:

  Destination

  Date

  Purpose

  Paris

  February 1999

  Meeting Finance Ministry officials

  Frankfurt

  March 1999

  Visit to ECB

  Bonn

  June 1999

  Meeting Finance Ministry officials

  Rome

  November 1999

  Meeting Finance Ministry officials

  Dublin

  February 2000

  Economic conference

  Paris

  June 2000

  OECD Working Party 3

  Family Incomes
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees resident in the Wrekin have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage. [133193]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Peter Bradley, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of employees resident in the Wrekin who have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage. (133193).
  Definitive estimates on the number of people that have been affected by the national minimum wage are not yet available. Currently available estimates for assessing the effect draw on data from both the New Earnings Survey and the Labour Force Survey, and recognise the particular value that each survey adds to the quality and analytical details that can be provided. However, the latest adjusted estimates are mainly based on data for the Spring (March - May) 1999 Labour Force Survey. Because the reference period spans the implementation date for the National Minimum Wage Act on I April 1999, these adjusted estimates are unlikely to accurately measure the effect of this Legislation since there are employees who could have been earning below the minimum wage rates in March 1999, before the law took effect.
  The currently available estimates for March - May 1999 were published in an Office for National Statistics (ONS) First Release on 14 October 1999 and show that the number of people earning below the minimum wage rates set in April 1999 had fallen significantly between 1998 and 1999. A copy of this first release is available in the House of Commons Library.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees resident in(a) Worcester and (b) mid Worcestershire have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage. [133764]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  1034W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Foster, dated 28 July 2000 As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of employees resident in Worcester and Mid Worcester who have benefited from the introduction of the national minimum wage (133764)
  Definitive estimates on the number of people that have been affected by the national minimum wage are not yet available. Currently available estimates for assessing the effect draw on data from both the New Earnings Survey and the Labour Force Survey, and recognise the particular value that each survey adds to the quality and analytical details that can be provided. However, the latest adjusted estimates are mainly based on data for the Spring (March-May) 1999 Labour Force Survey. Because the reference period spans the implementation date for the National Minimum Wage Act on 1 April 1999, these adjusted estimates are unlikely to accurately measure the effect of this Legislation since there are employees who could have been earning below the minimum wage rates in March 1999, before the law took effect.
  The currently available estimates for March-May 1999 were published in an Office for National Statistics (ONS) First Release on 14 October 1999 and show that the number of people earning below the minimum wage rates set in April 1999 had fallen significantly between 1998 and 1999. A copy of this first release is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Television Advertisements
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many television advertisements his Department has commissioned since 1 May 1997; and, of these, how many have been provided with closed caption subtitling. [133436]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Treasury has commissioned 16 commercials for one main campaign since 1 May 1997. Of the 16 commercials, eight of them were provided with closed caption subtitling.

  The Inland Revenue has commissioned 62 commercials for four main campaigns since 1 May 1997. Of the 62 commercials, 51 of them were provided with closed caption subtitling.

  Customs and Excise have commissioned no television advertising since 1 May 1997.

  Tax Returns (Internet)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 July 2000,Official Report, column 110W, on tax returns, what estimate he has made of (a) the fixed cost and (b) the marginal cost of providing self-assessment tax returns on the internet; and if he will make a statement. [133633]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is not possible to give an answer to this question at this time.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the public service agreements for 2001 to 2004 will be published. [133949]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I am presenting a White Paper (Cm 4808) to Parliament today.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will answer question 131091, tabled by the hon. Member for Ludlow on 12 July. [133937]
  1035W
  Mr. Timms
  I did so on 20 July.

  Tax Benefit Reference Manual
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the next edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual will be published. [133867]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Copies of the 2000–01 Edition of the Tax Benefit Reference Manual are today being deposited in the Library of the House.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133382]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  ISAs
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the consultancy used to analyse the success of ISAs has reported their results; and if he will publish their findings. [133385]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The research to inform Government policy making on ISAs is continuing.

  Insurance Companies
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on how(a) his Department and (b) the FSA, propose that the orphan assets of demutualised insurance companies should be appointed as between shareholders and policyholders; [133409]

  (2) what decisions (a) his Department and (b) the FSA have taken on the appointment of orphan assets between shareholders and policyholders, for each insurance company for which a regulatory determination has been made; [133408]

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to regulate the proposed distribution of orphan assets; and if he will make a statement. [133278]

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what powers are available to decide the proportion of surplus assets held in the life fund of insurance companies to be distributed to(a) policyholders and (b) shareholders; what authority is available to use these assets to compensate for pension mis-selling; and if he will make a statement; [133233]

  (2) what guidance is given to the Financial Services Authority regarding the split in surplus assets between policyholders and shareholders; and if he will make a statement; [133239]

  (3) what authority is given to the Financial Services Authority to vary the proportional split in surplus assets between policyholders and shareholders; and if he will make a statement. [133238]
  1036W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I will write to the hon. Member and my hon. Friends and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answers of 25 July 2000,Official Report, columns 575–76W, and 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 99W, on the Monetary Policy Committee, what criteria he uses to judge whether his appointees to the Monetary Policy Committee have distinguished professional track records in fields relevant to monetary policy; and if he will make a statement. [133634]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given to his earlier questions on this subject on 17 July 2000,Official Report, column 99W, and 25 July 2000, Official Report, column 576W. The second of these answers stated that
  The criteria for the appointment of external members of the MPC are set out in section 13(4) of the Bank of England Act 1998.

  The criteria set out in the Act are that appointees have
  knowledge or experience which is likely to be relevant to the Committee's functions.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated annual cost is to the revenue of collection of a student loan through the tax system; and what arrangements have been made to recoup this cost. [133624]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There is no annual cost to the Inland Revenue.

  Omnibus Survey
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of all the questions asked in the current Omnibus survey being conducted by the Office of National Statistics. [133412]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. John Horam, dated 28 July 2000:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on Omnibus Survey (133412).
  The Omnibus Survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is a multi-purpose survey which runs eight times a year and is carried out on behalf of government departments, public bodies, charities and academics. The Omnibus interview is in two parts. The first part consists of a set of core classificatory questions about respondents that remains unchanged from survey to survey; the second, larger, part consists of a series of unrelated modules on varying topics that are included in the survey at the request of customers. The modules are generally different for each round of the survey, although some customers may ask us to include the same modules in several rounds or at regular intervals.
  There are many questions on the current. July, Omnibus survey therefore rather than printing in Hansard I have arranged for copies to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 2000,Official Report, column 346W, on employment tax credit, what estimate he has made of total expenditure on the (a) adult component and (b) other components of the Working Families Tax Credit in each month since it has been introduced; and if he will make a statement. [133037]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 27 March 2000,Official Report, column 48W.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of widening the criteria for child tax credit to include NNEB-qualified nannies working in the parents' home. [131528]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: The rules in the Working Families Tax Credit and the Disabled Persons Tax Credit about eligible child care ensure that the help provided goes to safe, good quality, child care. Help through the Childcare Tax Credit is mainly available for child care that is inspected, registered and supported by local authorities. There is no comparable system of inspection, registration or support for child care providers—whether qualified or not—who are paid to look after children in their own home. We are continuing to monitor and evaluate all aspects of the tax credits, including the criteria underlying eligible child care.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the distribution of changes in net incomes due to child tax credit by(a) gross income bands, (b) equivalised gross income bands and (c) equivalised net income bans of recipient families using (i) each band of £5,000 up to £40,000 and (ii) over £40,000; and if he will make a statement. [128098]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid Worcester have benefited from the Working Families Tax Credit. [133765]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of families in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit at the end of May 2000 is provisionally estimated at 1,056,000. For the numbers in the Worcester and Mid Worcestershire constituencies, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 24 July 2000,Official Report, column 487W.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Barnsley, East and Mexborough have received the Childcare Tax Credit. [133743]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Nationally, it is estimated that about 10 per cent. of awards of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) include the Childcare Tax Credit. There are too few awards falling into the 5 per cent. sample used for these analyses to provide a reliable estimate for the Barnsley, East and Mexborough constituency. For an estimate of the number of families in receipt of WFTC in the constituency, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 24 July 2000,Official Report, column 487W.
  1038W
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of families in The Wrekin likely to benefit from the introduction of the children's tax credit. [133194]

  Dawn Primarolo
  An estimate of the number of families in The Wrekin who could benefit from the children's tax credit is not available, but an estimated 450,000 families in the West Midlands Government Office region could do so.

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in The Wrekin have benefited from the working families tax credit. [133195]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of families in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit at the end of May 2000 is provisionally estimated at 1,056,000. For the number in The Wrekin constituency, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) on 24 July 2000,Official Report, column 487W.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of families in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid Worcestershire, who will benefit from the introduction of the children's tax credit. [133770]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that estimates of the number of families in Worcester and Mid Worcestershire who could benefit from the children's tax credit are not available, but an estimated 450,000 families in the West Midlands Government Office region could do so.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many press releases were issued in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) this year to date; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of these press releases was in each year. [132757]

  The Solicitor-General
  In 1997 the Law Officers Department issued 15 press releases. In 1998 the Law Officers Department issued 21 press releases. In 1999 the Law Officers Department issued 13 press releases. This year to date the Law Officers Department has issued seven press releases. The Law Officers Department press office is small (15 per cent. of one person's total workload) and due to the low number of press notices and the limited circulation, the total cost of production and issuing of these press releases is negligible.

  Glenn Howard
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Solicitor-General what conclusions the Crown Prosecution Service has reached concerning the case of Glenn Howard following its receipt of a transcript of the inquest. [133447]

  The Solicitor-General
  Following its receipt of a transcript of the inquest, the Crown Prosecution Service is reviewing the case again in the light of the evidence given at the inquest. Once this further review has been completed, the Crown Prosecution Service will inform the
  1039W
  victim's brother and the Metropolitan police of the outcome. The CPS hopes to complete this review by the middle of August.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the law relating to the compulsory supply of a sample of(a) breath, (b) urine and (c) blood by a person suspected of driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle while above the statutory alcohol limit following (i) the ruling of Judge Peter Crawford at Birmingham crown court in the case of R. v. Amesh Chauhan and Dean Hollingsworth and (ii) the Scottish case of Brown v. the Procurator Fiscal. [132633]

  Mr. Hill
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government's Road Safety Strategy "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone" stated that it is our intention to examine police powers with respect to testing drivers for alcohol, with a view to taking new legislation as necessary.

  The cases of Brown v. PF Dunfermline and R. v. Amesh Chauhan and Dean Hollingsworth relate to the determination of the identity of the driver. They raised issues about specific points in those cases and are not considered to have a bearing on the requirement to give samples of breath, blood or urine.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Performance Tables
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blyth Valley (Mr. Campbell) of 20 July 2000,Official Report, column 306W, if pupils from overseas also will not be counted in relation to any information collected and published about Key Stage 3 SATs. [133465]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government do not publish school level information about Key Stage 3 test results and teacher assessments. Schools and governing bodies are required to publish such information on a basis which includes pupils from overseas—in Governors' annual reports, school prospectuses and individual pupil reports. They may, if they wish, publish additional information, including information about test results and teacher assessments which excludes pupils from overseas.

  National level information about test and examination results and teacher assessments at all Key Stages will continue to be calculated on the same basis as in previous years, with overseas pupils included.

  Teacher Dismissals
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have been dismissed from their employment at schools in the Greater London area for poor teaching ability during the last 12 months. [133546]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information is not collected centrally.

  School Funding
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 2000,Official Report, column 332W, if he will (a) list the 120 schools which benefited from projects supported by the Private Finance Initiative in 1998–99 and (b) the 230 schools that are benefiting from projects supported by the Private Finance Initiative in 1999–2000. [133411]

  Jacqui Smith
  The following schools are benefiting from projects allocated credits through the Private Finance Initiative in each of the last two years:

  1998–99

  Barnhill School, Hillingdon

  Birches Green Infant School, Birmingham

  Calshot Junior/Infant School, Birmingham

  Clifton Junior School, Birmingham

  Cockshut Hill Technology College, Birmingham

  Cooper Perry Primary School, Staffordshire

  Highlands School, Enfield

  Marsh Hill Junior/Infant School, Birmingham

  Miltoncross School, Portsmouth

  Perry Beeches Infant School, Birmingham

  Perry Beeches Nursery School, Birmingham

  Perry Beeches Junior School, Birmingham

  Perry Beeches Secondary School, Birmingham

  Sir Graham Balfour Secondary School, Stafford

  Temple School, Manchester

  Yardleys Secondary School, Birmingham.

  In addition to the above, 104 schools in Dudley are benefiting from a grouped information communication technology programme.

  1999–2000

  Alexandra Park Secondary School, Haringey

  Alperton School, Brent

  Barlby County Primary School, North Yorkshire

  Bridlington School

  Brotherton County Primary School, North Yorkshire

  Cardinal Heenan High School, Leeds

  Chalkhill Primary School, Brent

  Donnington School, Brent

  Earl Marshal Secondary School, Sheffield

  Ecclesfield Secondary School, Sheffield

  Fleetword High School

  Fortismere Secondary School, Haringey

  Fryent Junior and Infant School, Brent

  Furness School. Brent

  Gladesmore Secondary School, Haringey

  Harlesden School, Brent

  Headlands School, Bridlington

  Highgate Wood Secondary School, Haringey

  Hoddern Junior School, Peacehaven

  Homelands primary School, Torquay

  Hornsey Girls Secondary School, Haringey

  Kensal Rise School, Brent

  King Edward VII Secondary School, Sheffield

  1041W

  Kingsbury Green School, Brent

  Kirby Hill CE Primary School, North Yorkshire

  Lilian Baylis School, Lambeth

  Lyon Park Infant School, Brent

  Lyon Park Junior School, Brent

  Martongate Primary School, Bridlington

  Meridian County Primary School, Peacehaven

  Mitchell Brook School, Brent

  Moorfield Infant School, Bridlington

  Moorfield Junior School, Bridlington

  Mora Infant and Junior School, Brent

  Mosborough Primary School, Sheffield

  Mount Stewart Junior School, Brent

  Mulberry school, Tower Hamlets

  New Pasture Lane Primary School, Bridlington

  Northumberland Park Secondary School, Haringey

  Northview School, Brent

  Owler Brook Primary School, Sheffield

  Park Lane Primary School, Brent

  Park View Secondary School, Haringey

  Peacehaven Infant School

  Peacehaven Secondary School

  Preston Park School, Brent

  Ripon Cathedral CE Primary School

  St. David's and St. Katharine's Secondary School, Haringey

  St. Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive School, Willenhall

  Sudbury Infant and Junior School, Brent

  Tapton Secondary School, Sheffield

  Telscombe Cliffs County Primary School, East Sussex

  Waltham Forest, new secondary school—not yet named

  Wembley High School, Brent

  Westlands Bilateral School, Torquay

  White Hart Lane Secondary School, Haringey

  Willesden High School, Brent.

  In addition, large grouped repair and refurbishment projects are benefiting 126 schools in Stoke-on-Trent and 47 schools in Tower Hamlets.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications from schools for(a) assistance through the Private Finance Initiative and (b) funding from the New Deal for Schools were refused by his Department in each of the last two years. [133387]

  Jacqui Smith
  Since May 1997, the Government have made available over £1.3 billion of PH credits to school projects and over £1.2 billion of New Deal for Schools funding.

  In 1998–99, the Department received 37 applications for Private Finance Initiative credits on behalf of school projects expected to sign contracts during 1999–2001, of which six were not supported. In 1999–2000, 66 applications were received, of which 45 were not supported.

  In 1998–99, 7,059 applications were made for assistance through the New Deal for Schools, of which 5,717 could not be supported; and in 1999–2000, 4963 applications were received of which 3,008 could not be supported.
  1042W
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the criteria by which his Department determines application for funding and the New Deal for Schools. [133388]

  Jacqui Smith
  The criteria, notified to local education authorities, to enable the Department to support applications for funding in the last round the New Deal for Schools programme were:proposals which addressed the most serious condition defects identified by surveys of the buildings used by schools which Authorities maintain, in line with Part 3 of the Department's guidance on Asset Management Plans;
  proposals which addressed the most serious deficiencies in suitability of those premises which Authorities have identified, in line with Part 4 of the Department's guidance on Asset Management Plans; and
  proposals which identified other building work which could make an exceptional contribution to raising educational standards locally and nationally.

  A full copy of the guidance issued to Local Education Authorities is available from the Library.

  Education (The Wrekin)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) in how many schools in The Wrekin infant class sizes have been reduced to 30 or less; [133191]

  (2) how many five, six and seven year-olds in The Wrekin have benefited from a reduction in class sizes to 30 or less. [133190]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The latest available data show that infant classes had been reduced to 30 or below in 24 of the 27 relevant schools in the constituency. Since 1997, 840 five, six and seven-year-olds have benefited from the Government's infant class size initiative. In January 2000, as few as 3.4 per cent. of the relevant age group remained in an infant class of 31 or over. The Government is well on target to deliver its infant class size pledge. Some £620 million is available to support the pledge, and allocations so far to Telford and Wrekin LEA amount to some £1.8 million. This has helped to reduce the size of the average infant class in The Wrekin to 24.7. The figure in January 1997 was 27.2

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pre-school places have been provided in The Wrekin since May 1997 and are planned in subsequent years for(a) four-year-olds and (b) three-year-olds. [133187]

  Ms Hodge
  Since this Government came to office, 120,000 new, free, early education places have been created for three and four-year-olds nationally. This Government have provided funding to create an additional 602 free early education places for three and four-year-olds in the Telford and Wrekin local education authority area, from 2,501 places in 1997 to 3,103 in 2000.

  Now, all four-year-olds and over two thirds of the three-year-olds in the Telford and Wrekin local education authority area have access to a free, part-time, early education place. Future allocations will be decided later this year.
  1043W
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding, over and above Rate Support Grant, has been provided to education services in The Wrekin since May 1997. [133188]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Funding for education services in Telford and Wrekin over and above Revenue Support Grant since May 1997 is shown in the following table. The revenue funding for 2000–01 does not include Nursery Grant, for which data are not yet available. Telford and Wrekin was part of Shropshire county council up to 31 March 1998. Since 1997–98 spending per pupil in England has increased by £300 in real terms.

  Telford and Wrekin education funding over and above Revenue Support Grant

  £

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Revenue funding

  1,389,027

  2,964,079

  4,840,484

  Capital funding

  2,205,875

  5,431,251

  8,527,827

  Total

  3,594,902

  8,395,330

  13,368,311

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional teachers and classroom assistants have been employed in primary and secondary schools in The Wrekin since May 1997. [133189]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The full-time equivalent of additional qualified teachers and educational support staff employed in primary and secondary schools in The Wrekin parliamentary constituency area between the third Thursday in January 1997 and 2000 (provisional) are shown.

  Number

  Qualified teachers

  Primary

  19.9

  Secondary

  27.0

  Educational support staff1

  Primary

  23.6

  Secondary

  12.9

  1 Includes nursery assistants, special needs support staff, librarians and technicians

  There has been a growth of 6,900 full-time equivalent regular teachers in the maintained school sector in England between January 1998 and January 2000.

  The Government will also increase by 20,000 the numbers of full-time equivalent support staff working in primary and secondary schools in England by 2002.

  Credit-based Qualifications
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions his Department has had with the Open College Network about the future role and funding of locally-devised credit-based qualifications; and if he will make a statement. [133086]

  Mr. Wicks
  The National Open College Network responded to our recent consultation on the funding of post-16 provision. We are now considering their, and others', comments on how best the Learning and Skills 1044W
  Council can recognise the achievement of learners through its funding system. We will be publishing the outcome of the consultation in the autumn.

  Youthtrain
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to provide future funding for the Youthtrain project. [133082]

  Ms Jowell
  The Youthtrain project has been supported by the European Social Fund EMPLOYMENT programme. The programme was to test ideas, pilot innovative approaches, and then seek support through other means if the idea worked. The EMPLOYMENT programme closed at the end of June 2000 and projects such as Youthtrain which produce good results should now seek alternative funding, such as through the mainstream ESF Objective 3 programme which was launched in June.

  Nursery Education (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children living in the Greater London area were receiving nursery education on 1 April. [133222]

  Ms Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Department does not aggregate data on early years education places by the children's area of residence.

  The latest provisional estimates show that there were 148,400 children aged three or four who had early years education places with providers in the Greater London Government Office area in January 2000. This figure comprises data from the Annual Schools Census on pupils in maintained schools in Greater London and figures submitted by local education authorities for Nursery Education Grant purposes relating to private, voluntary and independent sector providers in the spring term.

  Currently, all eligible four-year-old children in England are now in some form of early education, including 16 per cent. in private and voluntary places. Funding is provided through the early years partnerships for LEA, voluntary and private provision.

  Since September 1999, we have also invested substantially in the creation of new, free early education places for three-year-olds. During 1999–2000, funding was focused on 65 authorities, chosen based on social need, where over 46,000 three-year-olds were able to access free early education for the first time.

  Over 80 per cent. of new free places were concentrated in the private, voluntary and independent sectors and we expect this trend to continue over the next year. Our aim is that, by March 2002, some 66 per cent. of three-year-olds nationally should have access to a free early education place, enabling some 190,000 three-year-olds the opportunity to access a free place for the first time.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many press releases have
  1045W
  been issued so far this year; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of press releases was in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date. [132777]

  Mr. Wills
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Departmental Funding Policies
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what ways his Department and executive agencies deliver services to meet the needs of the public as consumers, with particular reference to families. [124529]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]: The Department for Education and Employment has taken many steps to improve the way they deliver services to meet the needs of families, an example of this is that 49 of the 127 Employment Service Districts currently hold Charter Marks, a recognition of high quality public service. More specifically:

  The Employment Service is creating greater access to employment opportunities by offering services outside of "normal office hours", some of which are available 24 hours a day. Examples include:
  Employment Service Direct—a national job inquiry line which is available to all jobseekers as a local rate telephone number, on week days and Saturday mornings;
  New Deal Information line—a national information line for New Deal inquiries from members of the public, employers and providers which gives a literature-only service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and personal advice during normal working hours;
  Internet—the Employment Service website (www.employmentservice.gov.uk) which carries a sample of ES job vacancies as well as information on other services provided by Jobcentres;
  Peterlee Call Centre—a pilot Call Centre for the Northern Region which gives advice on aspects of Jobcentre services to employers and jobseekers and is available from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.

  The Government are also committed to improving radically the ways in which employers can notify their vacancies to the Employment Service and to making it easier for jobseekers to apply for jobs using the full-range of new technologies. During 2000, we will:
  create a jobs and learning bank, which will put jobs. jobseekers' CVs and information about careers and learning opportunities on the internet;
  expand nationwide the network of touch-screen jobpoints in Jobcentres and other locations so that jobseekers can search not only all job vacancies notified to the ES but also those carried by private agencies and newspapers; and
  develop links with the BBC and other potential partners to harness the potential of interactive television to link employers and jobseekers.

  Other policies which provide services which are of direct benefit to families include:
  the National Childcare Strategy, which was delivered over 175,000 new child care places and has made available some £470 million from 1998 to 2003. It supports those who wish to take up opportunities of employment or training by providing
  1046W
  good quality child care and helps people to access the best options for child care in their area through a national information line and website, Childcarelink;
  the work-life balance campaign, launched by the Prime Minister on 9 March, which aims to encourage employers, including those in the public sector, to recognise the benefits to their organisation of flexible working arrangements. The DfEE's work-life balance Challenge Fund will show employers how they can improve their business or service delivery at the same time as improving their employees' work-life balance.

  My Department's strategy for encouraging parental involvement in their children's education includes the Parents' Website, launched in December last year, which gives information about all aspects of a child's education. In September we will be announcing the following further initiatives to help parents get involved in their children's learning:
  the Parents and Schools Magazine, for a continuing dialogue between teachers and parents, which will cover articles or topics of particular interest, like bullying and school uniform;
  QCA Topic Guides, on individual topics in the National Curriculum;
  the Parents' Guides to the National Curriculum, which will set out clearly for parents what children learn at each Key Stage.
  'Parents Week' to raise parents' awareness of the educational benefits of the internet is also being planned for the autumn;
  the Family Literacy and Family Numeracy initiatives, in which children and their parents learn together, both supports parents in helping with their children's education and provides an opportunity to improve parents' own learning and skills.

  My Department also provides a variety of other programmes designed to meet the needs of the families as consumers. They are:
  Sure Start, for which DfEE and the Department of Health have joint responsibility, is led by local partnerships with strong parental and community involvement to ensure that the needs of consumers are met;
  Early Excellence Centres which work with families to meet often complex needs through an integrated, high quality one-stop service for children and parents. There are now 29 pilot programmes offering a range of different models across England in inner city, urban and rural areas;
  the Connexions Service, which will be phased in from April 2001, will provide a radical new approach to guiding and supporting young people through their teenage years and in their transition to adulthood and working life. The Connexions Service will work with parents and carers to complement and support existing family arrangements, not replace them;
  as part of the Modernising Government agenda, my Department and its executive agency the Employment Service, have appointed a Consumer Champion at senior management level to champion the consumer cause in the development of policy and delivery of services.

  Disability Service Teams
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the minutes and conclusions of the meeting which took place on 8 May to consider the review of the disability service teams. [129982]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 10 July 2000]: The meeting on 8 May focused on the Access to Work programme, which is one of a range of services available to help Disability Service Teams achieve their aim of getting disabled people into, or to retain, jobs. This meeting was convened to obtain views from a range of Access to Work users on this programme. Sue Maynard-Campbell, who chairs the Advisory Committee

  1047W
  for Disabled People in Employment and Training (ACDET), chaired the meeting and a detailed report of the discussions held has been produced. A copy of the information requested is contained in a report which has been placed in the Libraries.

  A number of key themes emerged and they are listed here:
  Disabled people's experience and knowledge is just not taken seriously enough.
  A change of approach in delivery of the service from one which focuses on an individual's "disability" and the help they need, to one which focuses on identifying and meeting access needs.
  A "fast-track" scheme to enable people needing a significant level of impairment specific advice to enable appropriate equipment and/or support to be given to get to that advice quickly.
  "Direct payments" to enable those who are clear about their needs to meet them in the most appropriate way within an agreed budget.
  People with continuing access needs—with no significant changes—to have minor renewal application process or for them to manage their own budget.
  A more effective system of monitoring to ensure that people do not get an inferior service when they move from one part of the country to another.
  DEAs need disability equality training. They actually need to understand the culture that disabled people came from and how it may affect them, and the individuality of disabled people and the individuality of their situation as well.
  Training to raise DEAs awareness of impairment specific issues and of equipment available to meet specific access is needed. DEAs should also be kept up to date with developments in equipment solutions
  Accreditation to include an assessment of awareness of access needs and of current equipment, for external training providers.
  Better arrangements are needed to facilitate speedy repair or replacement of essential equipment.
  There needs to be ways of ensuring DEAs have a much greater understanding of the employer perspective.

  This consultation exercise is one of a number of ways the Employment Service is seeking to improve Access to Work; these include a major survey of Access to Work customers and a full process review of Access to Work which will draw on the expertise of management consultants.

  Nursery Places (Suffolk)
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time nursery places there were in the Suffolk Local Education Authority area in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98, (iii) 1998–99 and (iv) 1999–2000 for (A) three-year-olds, (B) four-year-olds and (C) all children aged under five years. [130521]

  Ms Hodge
  The available information on the numbers of under fives in Suffolk Local Education Authority area who are in some form of early years education is shown in the following tables. Table 1 gives the number of children in early years education places in Suffolk Local Education Authority area from 1997 to 2000.

  Since September 1999, we have invested substantially in the creation of new, free early education places for three-year-olds. During 1999–2000 funding, via the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships, was focused on 65 authorities based on social need. From summer 2000 this extra funding will also be available in Suffolk and the other remaining LEAs. Table 2 shows
  1048W
  current estimates of the number of new funded places of three-year-olds being created in all sectors in Suffolk for summer 2000, autumn 2000 and spring 2001.

  Currently, all eligible four-year-old children in England are now in some form of early education, including 16 per cent. in private and voluntary places. Funding is provided through the early years partnerships for LEA, voluntary and private provision. In England, there are now 120,000 more free places for three and four-year-olds compared with 1997.

  Table 1: Children aged three and four years of age in early years education places Suffolk Local Education Authority. 1997–2000 (provisional)

  Positions as at January

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Total

  Aged three1

  2000

  679

  2—

  679

  1999

  748

  2—

  748

  1998

  593

  2—

  593

  1997

  642

  2—

  642

  Aged four3

  2000

  5,221

  2.497

  7,718

  1999

  5,441

  2,527

  7,968

  1998

  5,677

  1,959

  7,636

  1997

  2,849

  2,638

  5,487

  Total under five

  2000

  5,900

  2,497

  8,397

  1999

  6,189

  2,527

  8,716

  1998

  6,270

  1,959

  8,229

  1997

  3,491

  2,638

  6,129

  1 Includes pupil numbers collected from maintained schools in England in January each year (Annual Schools' Census).

  2 Not applicable

  3 Includes pupil numbers collected from maintained schools in England in January each year (Annual Schools' Census). From January 1998 these data are combined with estimates submitted by LEAs for Nursery Education Grant purposes relating to private, voluntary and independent providers in spring.

  Table 2: Current estimates of new funded places for three-year-olds in Suffolk Local Education Authority area: projected position as at summer 2000, autumn 2000 and spring 2000

  LEA maintained

  Private

  Voluntary

  Independent

  Summer 2000

  75

  220

  230

  0

  Autumn 2000

  75

  290

  290

  0

  Spring 2001

  75

  210

  220

  0

  Correspondence
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities, the right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Ms Jowell), will answer the letter sent to her by the hon. Member for Teignbridge on 6 June. [130960]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 16 July 2000.

  Appointments (Religious Beliefs)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representation is being made by the United Kingdom Government to the European Union
  1049W
  to protect the right of religious groups to appoint persons sharing the religious beliefs of the employing body; and if he will make a statement. [131160]

  Ms Jowell
  As a member of the European Union, the United Kingdom is fully involved in the negotiations on the European Commission's proposal for a Directive on Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation which are being taken forward in the Council of Ministers.

  As the proposal is still in the process of being negotiated it is not possible to assess the precise effect it will have on the employment policies of bodies such as that mentioned in the question. However, the Government is negotiating on the basis that the text finally agreed should be clear and workable in practice and should preserve, where appropriate, existing arrangements which allow religious bodies to protect their ethos.

  Nolan Rules
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each group that(a) is responsible to his Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group, if it (a) is a private company, (d) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details. [131179]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000, Official Report, columns 799–800W. I also refer the hon. Member to the first central list of information that was published on 11 January 2000. Copies of the list are available in the Libraries. The information on the status of the groups is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with the details, and place copies of my letter in the Libraries.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131456]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W. I also refer my hon. Friend to the first central list of information that was published on 11 January 2000. Copies of the list are available in the Libraries.

  Local Deprivation
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will make a statement on his assessment of local deprivation in Somerset and the allocation of free places for three-year-olds in early years education; [131500]
  1050W
  (2) if he will make a statement on the assessment of local social deprivation used by his Department for (a) Somerset, (b) Surrey, (c) Kensington and Chelsea, (d) Cornwall and (e) Hertfordshire; and if he will make a statement. [131501]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: A number of indices are used by the Department to measure social deprivation in local education authorities: the proportion of children in one parent families; the proportion of children of Income Support and Job Seeker's Allowance claimants; the numbers of conceptions per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 17; and the Index of Local Deprivation. The last of these is used to distribute funding to enable the creation of new early education places for three-year-olds. As part of the Government's expansion of three-year-old provision, in 2000–01 Somerset was given an initial allocation of £130,000 to enable it to create 112 new free places. The authority has also bid for a number of further places which have been funded in full. It can now provide up to 250 new free places for each of the autumn 2000 and spring 2001 terms.

  Employment (Disabled People)
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what Employment Service guidelines exist in respect of making disabled clients aware of the Access to Work scheme; and if he will make a statement. [131566]

  Ms Hodge
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Richard Allan, dated 28 July 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about Access to Work. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The Access to Work programme provides advice and practical support towards meeting the additional employment costs which disabled people may incur in the work place. Our publicity strategy is to raise awareness of the whole range of support available to disabled people and their employers from our disability services. Thus we generally market these services collectively to give a coherent picture of the support available. We produce, for example, leaflets, audio tapes, videos, posters, advertisements and articles for publication in a range of general and specific disability journals. All such advertising includes information on the Access to Work programme.
  The leaflets we produce are freely available from Jobcentres, our Disability Service Teams and at marketing events, and we produce them in alternative formats. There are specific leaflets for disabled people and employers promoting the Access to Work programme. Disability Employment Advisers use these leaflets on visits to employers to ensure they are aware of Access to Work. We also promote our services, including Access to Work, at many national, regional and local marketing events.
  In addition to our own promotions, the Government's See the Person campaign was designed to raise awareness of the positive contribution which disabled people are able to make. The campaign referred directly to the support which the Access to Work programme can provide to those in work. Also, some disability organisations publicise the Access to Work programme in their membership magazines and at least two have web pages on the Internet, prepared in consultation with our Disability Services, advising about the Access to Work programme.
  I hope this is helpful.
  1051W
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people have joined the New Deal for(a) young people, (b) 25 plus, (c) lone parents and (d) partners of the unemployed. [131567]

  Ms Jowell
  The information requested (for Great Britain) is as follows:

  (a) Since January 1998 to the end of April 2000, 58,400 disabled people have joined the New Deal for Young People.

  (b) Since July 1998 to the end of April 2000, 50,600 disabled people have joined the New Deal for Long-Term Unemployed People aged 25 and over national measures.

  (c) Since October 1998, the start of the national programme, to the end of April 2000, 4,500 lone parents with disabilities have joined the caseload of the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  (d) Since April 1999 to the end of June 2000, 178 disabled people have attended a NDPU initial interview with a personal adviser.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratio
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the percentage change was between January 1997 and January 2000 in the number of pupils in classes taught by one teacher with 31 or more pupils in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools. [131679]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of pupils in primary classes of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher in January 2000 was 1,072,000 (26.5 per cent.) compared with 1,344,000 (33.4) in January 1997. The number of pupils in secondary classes of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher in January 2000 was 334,200 (11 per cent.) compared with 245,400 (9 per cent.) in January 1997. This reflects a general upward trend that dates back to 1991 when the figure was 6.4 per cent. However, 90 per cent. of secondary pupils are still being taught in classes of 30 or below.

  The average size of secondary classes in January 2000 was 22.0, and the pupil-teacher ratio was 17.1. In the Budget earlier this year, secondary headteachers received between £30,000 and £50,000 each to spend as they choose. If they spent it on teachers, they could reduce the secondary pupil:teacher ration by 0.4.

  In the meantime, the number of pupils in infant classes over 30 pupils has already fallen by 300,000 and the Government are well on target to deliver their infant class size pledge. Some £620 million is available to support the pledge. In addition the average class size in maintained primary schools went down for the second year running—from 27.5 in January 1999 to 27.1 in January 2000, after rising for the previous 10 years. The average size of junior classes also fell, from 28.4 in January 1999 to 28.3 in January 2000.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the pupil-teacher ratio in(a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) all maintained schools in (i) January 1997 and (ii) according to the most recent figure available. [131690]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the following table.
  1052W

  Pupil-teacher ratios (PTRs) in maintained primary and secondary schools in England: 1997 and 2000

  Position as at January

  Primary

  Secondary

  2000

  23.3

  17.1

  1997

  23.4

  16.7

  In respect of class sizes, the number of pupils in key stage 1 classes in England of over 30 pupils has already fallen by 300,000 and the Government are well on target to deliver their infant class size pledge. Some £620 million is available to support the pledge.

  Secondary PTRs nationally have been rising steadily for the last decade. In the Budget, secondary headteachers received between £30,000 and £50,000 each to spend as they choose. If they spend it on teachers, they could reduce the secondary pupil:teacher ratio by 0.4.

  In the recent Year 2000 Spending Review, we also announced that headteachers would be handed £540 million in direct grants next year to spend on boosting standards in classrooms. A typical secondary school will get £60,000 and a typical primary £20,000.Funding per pupil has already increased by over £300 per pupil in real terms since 1997. The Year 2000 Spending Review means a real term increase of £370 over the three years bringing the total to almost £700 per pupil between 1997–98 and 2003–04. Spending per pupil fell by £60 in real terms under the last three years of the previous administration.

  Performance-related Pay
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many external assessors have been recruited for the purpose of performance-related pay; and what estimate he has made of the number of assessors who will be required after year one of the scheme. [131713]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We expect that in the first year of operation of the performance threshold a full-time equivalent of around 570 assessors will be required in England and Wales during the period in which assessor visits will be taking place.

  In steady state we estimate numbers to be in the region of 275 full-time equivalents, during the period of the year in which assessments are carried out.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister for School Standards of 17 July 2000,Official Report, columns 21–29, what the length was of the period of consultation on line managers' responsibilities through the fast track; and what plans he has to carry out further consultation. [132005]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Child Care Places
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many child care places for under eights have been available in each of the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by places available through(a) day nurseries, (b) pre-school playgroups and (c) child minders; and what

  1053W
  estimate he has made of the number of such places which will be available over the period covered by the Comprehensive Spending Review. [132402]

  Ms Hodge
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional child care and nursery places were created in Northampton between 1997 and 2000. [131944]

  Ms Hodge
  Since this Government came to office, 120,000 new, free, early education places have been created for three and four-year-olds nationally. We have provided sufficient funding to ensure that all four-year-olds and over 35 per cent. of three-year-olds in the Northamptonshire area receive a free, part-time, early education place.

  With regard to out-of-school and pre-school child care places no information is available prior to 1999–2000 on a constituency basis. However, in 1999–2000, a total of 201 new child care places were created in Northampton.

  Teachers (Retention)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) heads, (b) deputy heads and (c) teachers have (i) retired on grounds of ill health and (ii) otherwise left the profession, excluding those barred or dying in service, in each of the last 10 years, in (1) primary and (2) secondary schools. [131680]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the Public Service Agreement targets in Prudent for a Purpose, Cm 4807, page 114, which statistical measure he will use to define employment; how he will make cyclical adjustments for unemployment and employment; which statistical measure he will use to define unemployment for the over 18s; what will be the minimum change in employment rates to qualify as a change; and if he will make a statement. [132270]

  Ms Jowell
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Pilot Projects
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which pilot projects undertaken by his Department since 1997 have involved random assignment elements; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness in promoting more effective policy making. [131583]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Disabled People (North-west)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding for training is available for blind and disabled persons in the North West Region. [132090]

  Ms Hodge
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled persons are employed through Government supported employment schemes in the North-west region. [132089]

  Ms Hodge
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Ronnie Fearn, dated 28 July 2000 As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question concerning the number of disabled people employed through government supported employment schemes in the North West Region. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  In answer to your specific question, I am sorry that we cannot provide the information you request as we are unable to isolate the programme figures by regions. Contracts for the Supported Employment Programme are managed nationally and include some contractors whose provision is spread across the country. Although we do collect a national figure annually for the number of individuals employed in the programme on a set date, we cannot identify people working in a specific geographical area.
  I can let you know that the average number of disabled people working in the programme for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 was 22,908.
  If you would like to discuss whether we can help further in any way please contact Jocelyn Dann, Supported Employment Programme Manager, on telephone number 0114 259 6310.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications have been received for initial teacher training in(a) primary and (b) secondary courses commencing in September 2000; and how many were received at the same stage in (i)1999 for commencement in September 1999 and (ii) 1997 for commencement in September 1997. [131711]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Summer Camps
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answers of 18 January 2000 to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell),Official Report, column 389W, and of 6 March 2000 to the hon. Member for Colchester, Official Report, column 477W, how many summer activity camps will be held this year; at what locations; how many people will be taking part; and what is the expected cost. [132027]

  Jacqui Smith
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Hotel Industry
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what Government training schemes are available to those working within the hotel industry in England. [132092]

  Ms Jowell
  My Department has worked with the Hospitality Training Foundation, the National Training Organisation for the hospitality sector including the hotel industry, to secure the skills for greater competitiveness and employability needed in this sector. Government support for training is currently given through the Training and Enterprise Councils for Foundation Modern Apprenticeships, Advanced Modern Apprenticeships and National Vocational Qualifications. A Vocational 'A' Level (GNVQ) and a range of further higher education courses are also available, providing students with broad knowledge and an understanding of the basic skills needed for those who are planning to enter this sector.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to reform the(a) role, (b) powers and duties and (c) resourcing of local education authorities; and if he will make a statement. [132397]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: The Government will be publishing shortly a Green Paper on the future funding arrangements for local authorities.

  Global Business Dimensions Ltd.
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when his Department was first notified of concerns over the use of European Social Fund money by Global Business Dimensions Ltd.; to whom these concerns were reported; and what action was subsequently taken; [132458]

  (2) when his Department began its investigation into Global Business Dimensions Ltd.; what the result of that investigation was; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [132460]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: Information raising concerns regarding Global Business Dimensions Ltd. was received by Government Office for the West Midlands on 16 December 1999. As a result of this information an investigation was initiated by the Department's ESF Unit and carried out by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU). As the SIU investigation is still continuing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

  Pre-school Provision
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the funding from his Department has been in each of the last three years for pre-school provision within the Greater London area. [132635]

  Ms Hodge
  The following table shows the amount of funding that has been made available for pre-school provision through the Under Five's Education Standard 1056W
  Spending Assessment (SSA) sub block, the Standards Fund and Nursery Education Grant. The funding has risen by around 30 per cent. over the period.

  Funding for pre-school provision in the Greater London area

  £

  1997–98

  222,006,828

  1998–99

  250,613,813

  1999–2000

  285,094,491

  Departmental Initiatives
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 2000,Official Report, column 200W, if he will list all departmental initiatives between May 1997 and 18 July 2000 requiring bids from voluntary organisations and local authorities for funding together with the total resources allocated to these initiatives, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average cost of preparing the bids for funding through each initiative. [132670]

  Mr. Blunkett
  A detailed breakdown of the Department's activities is given in the annual Departmental Expenditure Plans Report for Education and Employment (CM4062), published by The Stationery Office Ltd.

  The Department for Education and Employment does not collate information on the types of organisation applying for funding and such information could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. Applicants for funding are not required to provide details of their application costs to the Department.

  Work-based Training
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what date proposals for the provision of work-based training from 1 April 2001 must be submitted to the Employment Service; and by what date existing providers will be notified of the required content for such proposals and the funding arrangements for such provision. [132829]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The formal tendering process for delivery of work-based learning for adults from April 2001 will start in all Employment Service regions by November 2000. As part of this process potential providers will be given all the necessary details about our requirements and the funding arrangements. We know from experience that this timetable will allow sufficient time for the Employment Service and providers to ensure that appropriate provision is in place at the right time.

  The arrangements we put in place will be the culmination of a great deal of work with existing providers. We have, for example, issued two technical consultation documents about the funding arrangements, which were supported by a series of conferences. This level of consultation will help ensure that the tendering process runs smoothly.

  Early Years Education
  Paddy Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2000,Official Report, column 121W, for what reason he estimates that 10.9 per cent. of three-year-olds in Somerset will have a free early years educational place by April 2001; and if he will make a statement. [131499]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: In 2000–01, Somerset local education authority was allocated funding to provide 112 free early education places for three-year-olds, in addition to around 500 places already available in their schools. In total, this would mean that 10.9 per cent. of three-year-olds in the Somerset local education authority area would have had access to a free, early education place.

  I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will be pleased to note, however, that Somerset local education authority has now been allocated further funding to provide a total of 250 new early education places in the autumn term 2000 and the spring term 2001. This means that by April 2001, around 13.5 per cent. of three-year-olds in the Somerset local education authority will have access to a free, early education place.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what extra expenditure announced in the comprehensive spending review is to be made available for early years provision in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [133115]

  Ms Hodge
  The detail of the Comprehensive Spending Review and its effect on early years provision has yet to be finalised. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Duty Roster
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the daily ministerial duty roster for his Department during the Summer Adjournment. [133280]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to his hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 870W.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133380]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, today. My Department intends to remove the statutory barriers to electronic communication and storage in legislation on education through a single order. I expect to be able to lay this order before the House in the next parliamentary session.

  School Capital Grants
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools 1058W
  in Hendon which have received capital grants for improvements or repairs since May 1997, stating the amounts concerned in each case. [133406]

  Jacqui Smith
  The following tables show the schools in the Hendon constituency which have benefited from allocations of New Deal for Schools grant. All schools in the constituency will have benefited in 2000–01 from their share of Devolved Formula Capital totalling £1,052,000, which is allocated by the local education authority. In addition, capital allocations were made through the annual capital round to local education authorities for the benefit of schools.

  New Deal for Schools grant allocations to schools in the Hendon constituency

  £

  School

  Total grant allocation under NDS

  Copthall Secondary

  642,000

  Colindale JMI

  50,000

  Deansbrook Junior

  1,388,500

  Total

  2,080,000

  Notes:

  1. In addition to the above, Broadfields Junior and St. Joseph's RC Infant schools were included in an overall allocation of £97,000 made to six schools in phase 1 of New Deal for Schools. Deals of the funding allocated to each school are held by Barnet local education authority.

  2. In addition to the above, Broadfields Junior, St. Mary's Junior and St. John's Infants schools were included in a package of four schools totalling £197,581 in phase 2 of New Deal for Schools. Details of the funding allocated to each school are held by Barnet local education authority.

  Credit approvals issued to Barnet local education authority through the annual capital round

  £000

  Barnet

  1997–98

  948

  1998–99

  2,853

  1999–2000

  1,462

  2000–01

  1,030

  Total

  6,293

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133567]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 799–800W. I also refer the hon. Member to the first central list of information that was published on 11 January 2000. Copies of the list are available in the Libraries. I am unable to provide the detailed information

  1059W
  requested about the numbers of recommendations made and their details as to do so would incur disproportionate costs.

  School Inspections
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Ofsted school inspections took place in England and Wales during the last 12 months. [133726]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  School inspections in Wales are the responsibility of Estyn (Her Majesty's Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales). Those in England are a matter for Ofsted and I have asked Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead, to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Primary Education (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional teachers and classroom assistants have been employed in primary schools in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid-Worcestershire since May 1997. [133772]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The full-time equivalent numbers of additional qualified teachers and educational support staff employed in maintained primary schools between January 1997 and January 2000 in the parliamentary constituency areas of Worcester and Mid-Worcestershire are shown in the following table.

  Number

  Qualified teachers

  Worcester

  1.3

  Mid-Worcestershire

  12.1

  Educational Support staff1

  Worcester

  39.8

  Mid-Worcestershire

  38.3

  1 Includes nursery assistants, special needs support staff, librarians and technicians

  There has been a growth of 6,900 full-time equivalent regular teachers in the maintained school sector in England between January 1998 and January 2000. The Government will also increase by 20,000 the numbers of full-time equivalent support staff working in primary and secondary schools in England by 2002.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many five, six and seven year-olds in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid-Worcestershire have benefited from a reduction in class sizes to 30 or less. [133766]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pre-school places have been provided in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid-Worcestershire since May 1997 and are planned in the next three years for (i) four year-olds and (ii) three year-olds. [133771]

  Ms Hodge
  I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Remploy
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets Remploy has been set in its 2000–01 Annual Performance Agreement. [133781]

  Ms Hodge
  I have, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, written to the Chairman of Remploy approving the 2000–01 Annual Performance Agreement between the Department and the Company. This agreement covers the year from 1 April 2000. It has been negotiated by the Chief Executive of the Employment Service on behalf of my right hon. Friend. The targets are:the average number of disabled people employed by Remploy Ltd. will be 10,400;
  the average number of disabled people employed under the Interwork scheme will be 4,400;
  the average number of progressions will increase to 700;
  Remploy Ltd. will maintain a total unit cost target (operating deficit per disabled worker) of £9,600.

  I have today arranged for the text of the Annual Performance Agreement to be placed in the Library.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish findings from the first stage of the Quinquennial Review of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal. [133785]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Prior Options stage of the Quinquennial Review of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal is now complete. The review team found clear support for a formal system of resolving disputes between local education authorities and parents in relation to the special educational needs of children. The SEN Tribunal is seen as the most appropriate body to deliver that function.

  The Prior Options Review has, however, raised a number of issues in relation to the Tribunal and these will be considered in Stage 2 of the review. Stage 2 will begin shortly. Issues to be considered will include performance, quality of service and financial controls and systems.

  A full report of the Prior Options stage will be published within the next two weeks. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will be sent to key stakeholders and contributors to the consultation exercise. It will also be available on the DfEE website.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sustainable employment target will be set for the Employment Service in 2000–01. [133804]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I am today announcing that I have set the Employment Service a new target as part of their Annual Performance Agreement. It will measure sustainable employment in two pilot regions (ES' Northern region and Wales), and will be set at a level of 67 per cent. The Employment Service will aim to ensure that 67 per cent. of long-term JSA claimants remain off JSA 13 weeks after starting a job. In addition to the challenging goals that I have already announced, the
  1061W
  setting of a stretching but realistic pilot target on sustainable employment will help the Employment Service to maintain the very high levels of performance that I expect of it.

  The new target is contained in Objective A of the Annual Performance Agreement text which follows.

  Performance Requirements

  Vision and Purpose
  The Employment Service aims to make a major contribution to an efficient and flexible labour market and to the Government's objectives of high and stable employment growth, equality of opportunity and social inclusion. ES works closely with employers and with its private, voluntary and public sector partners to provide a quality service for all people without a job and to promote employment opportunities for all who can work. It aims to attract a diverse range of vacancies and to fill those vacancies quickly by matching the right people and skills with the right jobs. Its chief priority is to help individuals facing particular difficulty in the labour market to move from welfare and economic inactivity into sustainable employment. It does this through correct application of the Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) regime, delivery of the New Deals and the pilot ONE service, and provision of appropriate information, advice, training and support. The Agency has achieved much over the past three years. The challenge and opportunity now facing it is to sustain continuous improvement in its services to jobseekers and employers and to make those services more accessible and relevant to customer needs, through effective use of modem technology and close working with a wide range of partners.

  Aim
  To help people without jobs to find work and employers to fill their vacancies.

  Objectives and Targets

  Objectives A:
  To help all people without jobs, and particularly those on welfare and at a disadvantage in the labour market, to find and keep work by providing appropriate information, advice, training and support and by encouraging employers to open more opportunities to them.

  Targets

  A1: To help 178,000 participants in the New Deals and Employment Zones into work, directly or in partnership with others.

  A2: To help 100,000 people with disabilities into work, directly or in partnership with others.

  A3: To help 295,000 disadvantaged jobseekers into work, directly or partnership with others.

  A4: To help 735,000 people from welfare into work, directly or in partnership with others.

  A5: To help 1,325,000 jobless people into work, directly or in partnership with others.

  A6: Pilot target for Wales and Northern region: for 67 per cent. of long term JSA claimants to be off benefit 13 weeks after starting a job.

  Objective B:
  To ensure that the rights and relevant labour market responsibilities of people on JSA and other benefits are fulfilled, while helping to combat fraud and abuse of the benefit system.

  Target
  B1: To ensure that the relevant labour market responsibilities of people on JSA are fulfilled in 90 per cent. for cases checked.

  Objective C:
  To harness new technology, the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement to deliver effective, efficient and accessible services to all people without jobs and to employers, in Jobcentres and increasingly through other locations and means of communication.
  1062W
  Targets

  C1: To achieve a 90 per cent. customer service level for jobseekers.

  C2: To achieve a 80 per cent. customer service level for employers.

  Milestone Targets

  Modernising the Employment Service
  ES will be introducing an Internet based Learning and Work Bank, a new Labour Market computer System, touch screen kiosks for jobseekers to access job vacancies and a single national telephone number for employers by March 2001.

  Work Based Learning for Adults
  The Employment Service will be working towards the successful transfer of Work Based Learning for Adults from Training and Enterprise Councils to the Employment Service in England by April 2001 to form part of a coherent package of support for unemployed adults.

  Objective D:
  To deliver services to all ES customers in a way which respects individual differences, helps to overcome disadvantages due to ethnicity, gender, age or disability and achieves the best possible outcome for each of them.

  Schools (Barnet)
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the conclusion of the discussions his Department has had with Barnet Local Education Authority on its failure to pass on the full increase of 5.4 per cent. in standard spending assessment for education to schools in this year's budget. [133296]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  New Deal
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what his Department's criteria are for judging an entrant to New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds to be functionally illiterate; [128819]

  (2) what percentage of entrants to the New Deal for Young People are functionally illiterate; and what was the percentage when the national New Deal was established. [128820]

  Ms Jowell
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many people were on the New Deal for(a) People over 50, (b) Jobseekers with Disabilities, (c) Disabled People and (d) Partners of Unemployed People in (i) Great Britain, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Edinburgh and (iv) Edinburgh East and Musselburgh at the end of March; [132730]

  (2) how many people in total had entered the New Deal for (a) People over 50, (b) Jobseekers with Disabilities, (c) Disabled People and (d) Partners of Unemployed People in (i) Great Britain, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Edinburgh and (iv) Edinburgh East and Musselburgh at the end of March; [132731]

  (3) how many people (a) had entered, (b) were on and (c) had left the New Deal for (i) People over 50, (ii) Jobseekers with Disabilities, (iii) Disabled People and (iv) Partners of Unemployed People in (1) Great Britain,

  1063W
  (2) Scotland, (3) Edinburgh and (4) Edinburgh East and Musselburgh at the end of March; and if he will break down the figure for people who have left by immediate destination. [132732]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: I will write to my right hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people(a) are on placements with the New Deal for Young People and (b) have found a permanent position through the New Deal for Young People, in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland. [133063]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, from the beginning of August 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, by unit of delivery, the number and percentage of those who have left the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds before taking up one of the options, from the beginning of August 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available. [132322]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The New Deal tables placed in the Library each month give quarterly figures on the number of young people who leave the New Deal before starting an option, by Unit of Delivery.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what comparison was carried out between(a) the Pathfinder areas for the New Deal for Young People from January 1998 to April 1998 and (b) areas in which the New Deal was not in operation. [131186]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: The New Deal for Young People is the subject of probably the most comprehensive programme of evaluation ever undertaken of a UK labour market initiative. The continuing qualitative and quantitative evaluation was carried out both in Pathfinder areas and nationally. The evaluation includes surveys of individuals and employers and case studies of delivery and impact, as well as a macro-evaluation of the impact of the New Deal on the wider economy and on the labour market. The evaluation studies are underpinned by monitoring information which tracks individuals through New Deal and indefinitely thereafter.

  Pathfinders started in January 1998 to test processes and procedures prior to national implementation in April 1998; there were therefore no direct comparisons made between Pathfinders and non-Pathfinder areas in that period. However lessons learnt from the Pathfinders were reflected in the operation of the New Deal when it was introduced nationally.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, from the beginning of August 1999 to the latest date for which the figures are available, by unit of delivery(a) the number of those who have completed the full-time education and training option of the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds and (b) the percentage of these who have left to sustained unsubsidised jobs. [132324]
  1064W
  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: Comprehensive information on whether young people left their options having completed them or before having done so is not collected in that form. The New Deal aims to help unemployed people to move as quickly as possible from welfare into a job. Many young people will leave their New Deal options before completing them because they have found jobs in the regular labour market and are no longer unemployed. Young people do not therefore need to complete their New Deal options in order to succeed in the programme.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 2000,Official Report, column 168W, to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis), on the New Deal, how many people joined the full-time education and training option of the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds from the beginning of August 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, by unit of delivery; how many and what percentage of these (a) completed their courses before leaving the New Deal, (b) left their courses before completing them and (c) left at any stage for unknown destinations. [132323]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The New Deal tables placed in the Library each month give quarterly figures on the starts to the Full-Time Education and Training option by Unit of Delivery.

  Comprehensive information on whether young people left their options having completed them or before having done so is not collected in that form. The New Deal aims to help unemployed people to move as quickly as possible from welfare into a job. Many young people will leave their New Deal options before completing them because they have found jobs in the regular labour market and are no longer unemployed. Young people do not therefore need to complete their New Deal options in order to succeed in the programme.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young unemployed people living in Greater London have benefited from the New Deal. [132636]

  Ms Jowell
  The latest figures to April 2000 show that 72,050 young unemployed people have benefited from the New Deal in Greater London.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people in(a) Edinburgh and (b) Scotland were on (i) the 18 to 24 New Deal Gateway, (ii) each of the 18 to 24 New Deal options and (iii) follow-through at the end of March. [132660]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: At the end of March 2000 the information on the status of participants on the New Deal for Young People in Scotland and Edinburgh is contained in the following table:

  Scotland

  Edinburgh

  On the 18–24 New Deal Gateway at the end of March

  6,843

  447

  Total on a New Deal option

  5,770

  264

  Employer

  1,611

  71

  Full time education/training

  1,900

  90

  Voluntary sector

  1,098

  60

  Environment Task Force

  1,161

  43

  On Follow Through

  2,502

  116

  1065W
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people on the 25 plus New Deal in(a) Scotland and (b) Great Britain (i) found unsubsidised jobs through the Advisory Interview Process and (ii) transferred to other provision in March. [132661]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: In March 2000 the number of people on the New Deal for long term unemployed people aged 25 over, who found unsubsidised jobs through the Advisory Interview Process was 180 in Scotland and 2,200 in Great Britain. The number of people who transferred to other provision (i.e. benefits, subsidised employment, education and training opportunities and Work based Learning for Adults) was 379 in Scotland and 3,700 in Great Britain.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has undertaken on the accuracy of the number of free school meals as a measure of social deprivation in(a) urban areas and (b) rural areas. [132672]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans(a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have to travel overseas on ministerial visits between 28 July and 23 October. [133051]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: I will write as soon as possible to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Student Finances
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the cost to public funds has been of student loans provision in terms of(a) interest rate subsidies and (b) administration costs; and what default rate exists on that debt. [133117]

  Mr. Wicks
  The data required to answer the question in full are not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible after the data has been obtained.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the net revenue yields would be for the next 10 financial years if those students taking out student loans in the academic year beginning September were to pay a real interest rate of(a) 1 per cent., (b) 2 per cent., (c) 3 per cent. and (d) 4 per cent. on their debt. [133103]

  Mr. Wicks
  The following table provides an indication of the net revenue yields over the next ten financial years for four alternative real interest rates. Estimates relate only to the cohort of English and Welsh students expected to enter higher education in September 2000. Most typically these students will take out loans for three years, graduate in summer 2003, and begin repayments in April 2004. These are estimates based on a series of 1066W
  assumptions such as: the numbers eligible for loans; the number and size of loans taken out; and the cohort's earning profile upon leaving higher education.

  £ million

  Financial

  Net revenue yields1 assuming real interest rates of:

  year

  (a) 1 per cent.

  (b) 2 per cent.

  (c) 3 per cent.

  (d) 4 per cent.

  2001–02

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2002–03

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2003–04

  0

  1

  1

  1

  2004–05

  2

  4

  6

  8

  2005–06

  1

  2

  4

  5

  2006–07

  1

  2

  2

  3

  2007–08

  4

  8

  12

  15

  2008–09

  6

  12

  17

  22

  2009–10

  8

  19

  29

  39

  2010–11

  12

  23

  33

  43

  1 Net revenue yields have been calculated as the difference between forecast repayments under current policy (zero per cent. real interest) and forecast repayments given each of the higher rates of interest (a) to (d)

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Westminster Hall
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make it her policy not to increase the number of debates that take place in Westminster Hall. [133407]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons is currently reviewing the Westminster Hall experiment. I do not wish to pre-empt the Committee's recommendations.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Council what orders she(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if she will make a statement. [133378]

  Mrs. Beckett
  No orders have yet been made by any department using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000, which came into force on 25 May. For the Government's intentions, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton) on 24 May 2000,Official Report, columns 532–33W.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2000,Official Report, column 155W, when results for the extended measurement of Housing Benefit fraud will be available for all local authorities. [130177]

  Angela Eagle
  We plan to commence national measurement of standard Housing Benefit across all local authorities from April 2001. The first year of measurement will run to March 2002, with results expected to be available and published in the autumn of that year.
  1067W
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish for each Scottish local authority a breakdown for each of the last three years of Housing Benefit overpayments, in terms of(a) the numbers of overpayments and (b) the amounts involved for each category of claimant and fraudulent errors; and if he will express (b) as a percentage of (a). [132873]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  Departmental Initiatives
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131085]

  Angela Eagle
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131447]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Disregard Allowances
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total cost was of(a) premium and (b) disregard allowances, including where appropriate their equivalents, in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 1999. [131417]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Allowance
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, by constituency,(a) the number of people who received and (b) the amount of money received in (i) Cold Weather Payments for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 and (ii) Winter Fuel Allowances in 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [132376]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments are matters for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Ms Sally Keeble, dated 28 July 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will list, by constituency, (a) the number of people who received and (b) the amount of money received in (1) cold weather payments for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 and (2) winter fuel allowances in 1998–99 and 1999–2000.
  1068W
  The CWP information is collected on the estimated number of qualifying individuals (which includes non pensioner customers) and by weather station area rather than Benefits Agency district or constituency areas. The weather stations cover wide areas, and therefore may encroach on more than one constituency. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by constituency area.
  Winter Fuel Payments were introduced in the winder of 1997–98 and help pensioners with the cost of their winter fuel bills. They are paid in addition to any Cold Weather Payments that may be due.
  The information requested has been placed in the House of Commons library.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was paid in Cold Weather Payments in the Basildon constituency in each year from 1990 to 1997. [132640]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of Cold Weather Payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Angela Smith, dated 28 July 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how much was paid in cold weather payments in the Basildon constituency in each year from 1990 to 1997.
  Cold Weather Payments (CWP) are paid to people awarded Income Support (IS) or income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA(IB)) with a pensioner or disability premium or if they have a child under 5, when the temperature criterion is met for their postcode. Payment is issued automatically without the need to claim.
  The CWP information is collected on the number of qualifying individuals (which includes non pensioners) and by weather station area rather than Benefits Agency district or constituency areas.
  During the period in question, the weather stations at Stansted and Manston were used to serve the Basildon Constituency. The figures that are available are for the whole weather station areas, which included parts of other constituencies. Therefore the payments for Basildon only cannot be provided. The information available is in the attached table.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Estimated qualifiers and total expenditure on Cold Weather Payments since the winter of 1990 to 1997 at the weather stations to which Basildon constituency has been linked

  Year

  Weather station

  Number of qualifiers

  Total expenditure (£)

  1990–91

  Stansted

  1—

  1—

  1991–92

  Stansted

  1—

  1—

  1992–93

  Stansted

  1—

  1—

  1993–94

  Stansted

  1—

  1—

  1994–95

  Stansted

  85,445

  0

  1995–96

  Stansted

  89,855

  3,055,070

  1996–97

  Stansted and Manston

  43,394 and 79,041

  2,450,244

  1997–98

  Stansted and Manston

  40,720 and 77,876

  0

  1 Not known

  Notes

  1. No payment data are held for periods prior to 1995–96

  2. Figures for number of qualifiers includes non-pensioners

  3. An estimate of the number of pensioners among the qualifiers is not available

  4. The weather station at Manston only covered postcodes in the Basildon constituency from 1996–97; from 1996–97 both weather stations were used to cover different parts of the constituency

  5. One period of cold weather was triggered at Stansted weather station in 1990–91

  6. One period of cold weather was triggered at Stansted weather station in 1991–92

  7. One period of cold weather was triggered at Stansted weather station in 1992–93
  1069W
  8. No periods of cold weather were triggered at Stansted weather station in 1993–94 and 1994–95

  9. Four periods of cold weather were triggered at Stansted weather station in 1995–96

  10. Three periods of cold weather were triggered at Stansted and two at Manston in 1996–97

  11. No periods of cold weather were triggered at Manston Stansted in 1997–98

  12. All postcode districts and the weather stations which currently serve them are detailed in Schedule 1 of the Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Amendment Regulations 1999

  13. Numbers of qualifiers are per period of cold weather

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much has been paid out in winter fuel allowances to people in Barnsley East and Mexborough from 1997–98 to 1999–2000. [133745]

  Angela Eagle
  This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Jeff Ennis, dated 28 July 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how much has been paid out in winter fuel allowances to people in Barnsley East and Mexborough from 1997–98 to 1999–2000.
  Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) were introduced in the winter of 1997/98. For the winters of 1997/98 and 98/99 eligible people receiving Income Support (IS) or income based Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA (IB)) which included a pensioner premium, who were not living in residential care or a nursing home received payments of £50. All other eligible pensioners received £20 or £10 depending on their household circumstances. Where only one eligible pensioner lived in the household they would receive £20, otherwise they would receive £10 each. Last winter, 1999/00 the amount of the payment increased to £100 for all eligible households.
  In 1997/98, WFP expenditure for Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency was £323,800; in 1998/99, it was £291,570; and in 1999/00, it was £1,164,900.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many over 60s in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid Worcester qualify for the winter fuel allowance. [133768]

  Angela Eagle
  Last winter (1999–2000) 16,715 clients in the Mid Worcestershire constituency and 15,040 in the Worcester constituency, qualified for Winter Fuel Payment of either £100 or £50, dependant on their circumstances. This figure includes those in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits as well as men from age 60 who qualified through receipt of either Income Support or income-based Jobseekers' Allowance.

  My hon. Friend will know that the Winter Fuel Payment scheme has now been extended so that men as well as women will be eligible for a payment from age 60, providing they satisfy the qualifying criteria. The changes apply from the beginning of the scheme in 1997–98 and payments will be made for past winters to customers who are entitled. The majority of the customers who are newly eligible will need to make a claim.

  This will mean the figure given above in respect of 1999–2000 could be higher for winter 2000. How much higher will depend on the number of people who decide to make a claim and how many are entitled.
  1070W
  Therefore, it is not possible to give my hon. Friend a precise number of customers who may now qualify for payment in Mid Worcestershire and Worcester until claim forms are returned and processed.

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many over 60s in The Wrekin qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance. [133197]

  Angela Eagle
  For winter 1999–2000, 13,617 customers in The Wrekin qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment of either £100 or £50, dependant on their circumstances. This figure includes those in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits as well as men from age 60 who qualified through receipt of either Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

  My hon. Friend will know that the Winter Fuel Payment scheme has now been extended so that men as well as women will be eligible for a payment from age 60, providing they satisfy the qualifying criteria. The changes apply from the beginning of the scheme in 1997–98 and payments will be made for past winters to customers who are entitled. The majority of the customers who are newly eligible will need to make a claim.

  This will mean the figure given in respect of 1999–2000 could be higher for winter 2000. How much higher will depend on the number of people who decide to make a claim and how many are entitled.

  Therefore, it is not possible to give my hon. Friend a precise number of who may now qualify for payment in The Wrekin until claim forms are returned and processed.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many requests for revisions of Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance were not dealt with within the target time for clearance over the period October 1999 to June 2000; [132062]

  (2) how many renewal claims for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance were not dealt with within the target time for clearance over the period October 1999 to June 2000. [132061]

  Mr. Bayley
  [holding answer Monday 24 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member in mid August.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many benefit claimants in Derbyshire have had their benefits reduced or eliminated as a result of the advice of examining medical practitioners in each of the last five years. [133552]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Mark Todd, dated 28 July 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many benefit claimants in Derbyshire have had their benefits reduced or eliminated as a result of the advice of examining medical practitioners in each of the last five years.

  1071W
  The information available is only statistically viable for Incapacity benefit claims because the data collected for other benefits is only based on a 5 per cent. sample of claims made. Details of the Incapacity Benefit claims are shown below.

  Incapacity Benefit claims terminated in Derbyshire

  Percentage

  1 March 1998 to 28 February 1999

  1,400

  1 March 1999 to 29 February 2000

  1,400

  Unfortunately at the time of writing, statistics showing the claims reduced or disallowed following referral to Medical Services, are only available for the last two years. I will write to you again when the remaining data are obtained from our statisticians.

  Long-term Care
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on what basis an elderly wife in a residential care home and suffering from Alzheimer's disease can claim Income Support; [132487]

  (2) for what reason the amount of a husband's capital is taken into account when an elderly wife in long-term care and suffering from Alzheimer's disease claims Income Support. [132488]

  Mr. Bayley
  A wife in a residential care home can claim Income Support in her own right. In these circumstances, her income and capital is treated separately from her husband's, but he may be asked to contribute to the upkeep of his wife to the extent that he can afford to do so through the payment of maintenance.

  Benefit Over Payments
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency claimants were overpaid(a) benefit and (b) income support in each of the last 12 months; how many of these claimants have repaid that (i) benefit and (ii) income support in full; how much (x) benefit and (y) income support was overpaid in each of the last 12 months; how much of this (1) benefit and (2) income support was recovered from claimants; what estimate he has made of the annual administrative costs of recovering unpaid (A) benefit and (B) income support per claimant; and how much was spent by the Benefits Agency recovering overpaid (I) benefit and (II) income support in each of the last 12 months. [132286]

  Angela Eagle
  Administration of benefits and recovery of overpayments is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Alexis Cleveland. She will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 27 July 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your recent questions asking how many Benefits Agency claimants were overpaid (a) benefit and (b) income support in each of the last 12 months; how many of these claimants have repaid that (i) benefit and (ii) income support in full; how much (x) benefit and (y) income support was overpaid in each of the last 12 months; and how much of this (1) benefit and (2) income support was recovered from claimants; what estimate he has made of the annual administrative costs of recovering unpaid (A) benefit and (B) income support per claimant; and how much was spent by the Benefits Agency recovering overpaid (I) and (II) income support in each of the last 12 months.
  1072W
  We do not capture specific information on the number of claimants that have been overpaid or have repaid overpayments.
  The Benefits Agency pays out around £1 billion in Income Support and almost £7 billion in all benefits each month.
  Recoverable overpayments account for about 1.5 per cent. and 0.4 per cent. of the totals respectively. Non recoverable overpayments account for around 0.55 per cent. and 0.1 per cent.
  Recoveries are currently running at around two thirds of this total for income support and a half of total overpayments.
  The Agency spent £60 million recovering overpayments in the period June 1999 to May 2000. We do not keep information breaking this down by benefit or by the number of overpayments recovered.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Benefits (Ribble Valley)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Ribble Valley(a) were eligible for, (b) claimed and (c) applied for social security benefits in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by type of benefit. [132726]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: The administration of Social Security benefits is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Alexis Cleveland, she will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Nigel Evans, dated 27 July 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people in Ribble Valley (a) were eligible for, (b) claimed and (c) applied for social security benefits in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by type of benefit.
  The information requested is not available for all social security benefits and where partially available it is not necessarily in the requested format. The information that is available is the number of claimants receiving specific benefits and is provided in the attached tables.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Income Support claimants in Ribble Valley Parliamentary Constituency
  From May 1999 to February 2000: 14.5 thousand customers

  Notes:

  1. Sample size 5%, therefore subject to sampling error.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, May 1999 to February 2000

  Jobseekers Allowance claimants in Ribble Valley Parliamentary Constituency
  From August 1999 to February 2000: 1.4 thousand customers

  Notes:

  1. Figures are subject to a high degree of sampling error and should only be used as a guide to the current situation only.

  2. Figures may include 'nil' benefit cases.

  3. Figures from May 1999 are not available.

  Source:

  Jobseekers Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, August 1999 to February 2000.

  Disability Living Allowance in Ribble Valley Parliamentary Constituency
  From February 1999 to November 1999: 9.91 thousand customers

  Note:

  1. Figures based on 5% sample sizes are subject to sampling error

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 5% sample & 100% data.
  1073W

  Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance in Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency

  Thousand

  Number of customers from May 1999 to February 2000

  Incapacity Benefit

  0.6

  Short Term (low)

  Incapacity Benefit

  0.7

  Short Term (high)

  Incapacity Benefit

  8.2

  Long Term

  Incapacity Benefit

  2.3

  Credits Only

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  3.2

  Notes:

  1. Figures are subject to a high degree of sampling error and should only be used as a guide to the current situation only.

  2. Figures will exclude a small number of clerically held cases.

  Source:

  Benefit Computer System

  Maternity Allowance in Ribble Valley Parliamentary Constituency
  Parliamentary Constituency figures are not available. Figures for Ribble Valley Local Authority show Nil for all four quarters.

  Source:

  Benefit Computer System

  Child Benefit in Ribble Valley Parliamentary Constituency
  As at 15 August 1999 there were 11,477 families in receipt of Child Benefit.

  Note:

  100% scan, therefore figure is unrounded.

  Source:

  Child Benefit Computer System

  Figures are not available for Retirement Pension, War Pension, Widows Benefit, and Invalid Care Allowance. Information is not collated in the format requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Attendance Allowance in Ribble Valley Parliamentary Constituency
  From February 1999 to November 1999: 8.393 thousand customers

  Note:

  Figures based on 5% sample sizes are subject to sampling error.

  Source:

  DSS Information Centre: 55% sample & 1005% data.

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit figures are shown at Local Authority level, as Parliamentary Constituency breakdown is not available for these benefits.

  Housing Benefit in Ribble Valley Local Authority
  From February 1999 to November 1999>: 5.81 thousand customers
  The Total and & renewal Housing Benefit claims in Ribble Valley Local Authority for April 1998 to March 1999 was 2,310

  Note:

  1. Claimant figures have been rounded to the nearest ten cases.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, Quarterly 1005% caseload stock count taken on the second Thursday in February, May August, & November 1999. Housing Benefit Management Information System Quarterly Administration Returns for 1998/99.

  Council Tax Benefit in Ribble Valley Local Authority

  From February 1999 to November 1999: 8.81 thousand customers

  The Total new & renewal Council Tax Benefit claims in Ribble Valley Local Authority for April 1998 to March 1999 was 3,530.

  Note:

  1. Claimant figures have been rounded to the nearest ten cases
  1074W
  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, Quarterly 1005% caseload stock count taken on the second Thursday in February, May August & November 1999. Housing Benefit Management Information System Quarterly Administration Returns for 1998/99.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid Worcestershire quality for the Minimum Income Guarantee. [133767]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are around 2,200 pensioners in the parliamentary constituency of Worcester in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee and some 2,100 in Mid Worcestershire parliamentary constituency.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, February 2000.

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in The Wrekin qualify for the Minimum Income Guarantee. [133196]

  Mr. Bayley
  There are 2,100 pensioners in The Wrekin receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, February 2000.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of(a) the number of pensioners who qualified for Income Support and did not take it up, in the most recent year for which figures are available and (b) the comparable figures for Minimum Income Guarantee. [133951]

  Mr. Bayley
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Administrative Costs
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the administrative costs were for(a) 1998–99. (b) 1999–2000 and (c) the current year to date as a proportion of the benefit delivered, of (i) state pensions, (ii) Income Support, (iii) Minimum Income Guarantee, (iv) the Social Fund and (v) disability benefits. [133950]

  Angela Eagle
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133375]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer from my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office today.

  Exceptional Hardship Fund
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications were made for Housing Benefit Exceptional Hardship Fund in(a) Greater London and (b) the London Borough of Enfield; what percentage were accepted and what was the expenditure in each case;

  1075W
  how much was unspent in each case, for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [133234]

  Exceptional hardship payments

  Number of awards for exceptional hardship payments

  Total discretionary rent allowance expenditure(£)

  Unspent discretionary rent allowance expenditure(£)

  Percentage unspent

  1995–96

  Greater London Local Authorities

  20

  31,150

  652,530

  95

  London Borough of Enfield

  0

  100

  16,420

  99

  1996–97

  Greater London Local Authorities

  1,350

  692,390

  4,298,470

  86

  London Borough of Enfield

  30

  54,960

  65,640

  54

  1997–98

  Greater London Local Authorities

  2,830

  1,643,990

  3,450,520

  68

  London Borough of Enfield

  40

  80,810

  54,280

  40

  1998–99

  Greater London Local Authorities

  3,260

  1,758,180

  3,853,040

  69

  London Borough of Enfield

  60

  144,240

  14,540

  9

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest £10

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions has he had with the Government of Spain on Gibraltar; and if he will list the subjects raised. [131163]

  Mr. Vaz
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131454]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office gave on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department, with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group, if it(a) is a company limited by guarantee, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details. [131177]
  1076W
  Mr. Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format resqusted. Such information as is available is contained in the table.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, to the Cabinet Office, gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) on 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 799W.

  Computer Disasters
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the time it would take to get new computers running in the wake of a major computer disaster in his Department. [130968]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 19 July 2000]: In UK, contingency plans in place would allow the replacement of FCO computer and communications systems within one day in the wake of a major computer disaster. Overseas, the time taken would be one day plus the time to transport the system to the Post for most systems: for some (which are shortly to be replaced) the lead time would be two weeks. We have a range of communications options as continuous back-up.

  European Parliament Building, Strasbourg
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total British financial contribution to date to the building and equipping of the new European Parliament building in Strasbourg. [132108]

  Mr. Vaz
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  British Indian Ocean Territory
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the financial arrangements are for the lease to the United States of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. [132427]
  1077W
  Mr. Battle
  No part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, including Diego Garcia, has been leased to the United States and no rent or similar payment is made in respect of their right to use the territory for defence purposes. However, in 1965 when it became clear that the costs of setting up the territory as a separate dependency would exceed original estimates, the US Government agreed to contribute £5 million towards these costs.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department is funding a study to assess the feasibility of returning the indigenous population to Diego Garcia and the other Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. [133271]

  Mr. Battle
  An initial study to consider the possibility of settlement on the outer islands only of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) has already been undertaken. It was funded by the Government of the BIOT. The funding of future stages is yet to be decided.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the Interim report by Consultants on the feasibility of re-settling the northern atolls of the British Indian Ocean Territory. [133456]

  Mr. Battle
  I can confirm this has been done.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to monitor the environment of the British Indian Ocean Territory on a regular basis following its commitment to treat the area with no less strict regard for natural heritage considerations than for places nominated as World Heritage sites. [133457]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), who made this commitment, employs a Conservation Consultant who makes annual visits to the territory to assess the state of the environment and report to the Commissioner. The last such visit was in March 2000. The BIOT Government also employs fisheries consultants who likewise assess the state of the fishery. Additionally, it sponsors ad hoc environmental research projects.

  Michael John Smith
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the solicitor acting on behalf of Michael John Smith (PR 3345) in HMP Full Sutton may have access to the full Mitrokhin Archive; and if he will make a statement. [132276]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: I am not aware of any such request from Mr. Smith's solicitor. It is, however, open to them to write to the Treasury Solicitor, who would take advice from the relevant authorities.

  European Treaties
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2000,Official Report, column 479W, on European Treaties, if he will list the title of each European document designated as a treaty under Article 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972 since 1 May 1997, together with (a) the title and date of (i) relevant orders in council and (ii) associated report from a Select
  1078W
  Committee of either House of Parliament (b) the date of each affirmative solution, debate and vote in Committee or in either House and (c) the purpose of the Treaty so ratified. [132584]

  Mr. Vaz
  This information will take some time to collate. I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Communications Electronic Security Group
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times officials in the Communications Electronic Security Group have held meetings with members and officials of the United States Government since 1 January; what were the dates and locations of each meeting; and which United States Government Departments took part in each meeting. [132743]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Officials of the Communications-Electronic Security Group (CESG) are in frequent contact with a wide range of US Government officials; most dealings are with direct counterpart organisations and are conducted electronically.

  Since 1 January the Director of CESG has attended the following formal meetings: 28–31 January with the US Government's Information Systems Security Organisation (ISSO) in Maryland; 1 February with the US Government's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Maryland; 2–4 May with ISSO in Cheltenham; 17–18 May with ISSO in Maryland and 22–23 May with NIST and ISSO in Maryland.

  Bilateral Treaties
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of bilateral treaties and agreements which have been agreed with the Government of the United States of America since 1 January 1997, listing the title of each treaty and agreement, the date on which it was signed and the names of the British and US Departments which signed each one. [132744]

  Mr. Battle
  Details of bilateral treaties and agreements which have been agreed with the Government of the United States of America since January 1997 will be placed in the Library by the end of August, listing the title of each treaty and agreement and the date on which it was signed. To list the names of the British and US Departments which signed each one would incur disproportionate costs.

  Sanctions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries in respect of which the UK Government have a policy of sanctions. [132843]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 26 July 2000,Official Report, column 641W.

  Visitor Bonds
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed pilot study for financial bonds for visitors. [133687]

  Mr. Vaz
  After consultations with the Home Office, I can announce that we are unable to proceed with the scheme for the present.

  Developmental work on detailed proposals for the pilot study has identified a number of difficult practical issues. In particular, moves toward a more flexible approach to the operation of the immigration control—including the introduction of new IT systems for issuing visas at posts overseas—have frustrated attempts to design a simple and effective scheme for providing a bond facility for visitors, and for recording their entry to and departure from the UK.

  The planned pilot study in Manila and Casablanca will therefore not proceed.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will encourage his colleagues in the international community to join with him in supporting General Musharraf in resisting fundamentalist groups in Pakistan. [133212]

  Mr. Hain
  We are in regular contact with our friends and allies about all aspects of Pakistan. We are aware of inter-community violence, including sectarian attacks, and regularly raise the position of religious minorities in discussions with Pakistani authorities. We hope that, within the parameters of the law, the authorities in Pakistan success in reducing the level of violence. We believe this view is widely shared by the international community.

  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has made to develop links between Mullahs and minority groups in order to foster and encourage tolerance in Pakistan. [133208]

  Mr. Hain
  Our diplomatic missions seek to maintain links with a wide range of religious groups in Pakistan. In our discussions with them, we continue to urge all genuine efforts to foster inter-faith dialogue and tolerance.

  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the persecution of women during recent months in Pakistan. [133207]

  Mr. Hain
  We are deeply concerned about the position of women in Pakistan, particularly the practice of "honour killings". We have joined our EU partners in condemning the practice, and, in that context, we welcome General Musharraf s announcement condemning "honour killings" as pre-meditated murder and establishing the Commission on the Status of Women. We have urged the Pakistani authorities to implement the 1995 Beijing Platform and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). We continue to monitor the situation closely.
  1080W
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the fundamentalist element within(a) the army and (b) the Cabinet in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [133210]

  Mr. Hain
  We receive regular reports from our diplomatic missions about all aspects of the political situation in Pakistan, including the policies of General Musharraf's Administration. We will continue to monitor these closely.

  Russia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which departmental budget will cover the payment in respect of the programme of aid to the Russian Plutonium Disposition strategy, announced at the G8 summit in Okinawa; what is the total United Kingdom financial commitment to this programme; over what period the payments will be made; and if he will list those bodies consulted by the Government in advance of the announcement. [133363]

  Mr. Hain
  The Cross-cutting Review on Nuclear Problems in the Former Soviet Union proposed a new expenditure programme which will subsume all existing UK efforts in this field. This programme will take the form of a ring-fenced fund within the Department of Trade and Industry's Departmental Expenditure Limit. Overall priorities for the programme will be set on the advice of an interdepartmental committee. DTI will have responsibility for ensuring that this money is spent properly, and for day to day management of this new programme.

  The review identified the management and disposition of weapons-grade plutonium surplus to military requirements as a key priority for the UK. All interest Government Departments were involved in the review. At Okinawa the Prime Minister announced the provision of £70 million over the next 10 years for plutonium disposition.

  Wilton Park Executive Agency
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Wilton Park Executive Agency performed against the targets agreed for 1999–2000; and what the agreed targets are for the current year. [133857]

  Mr. Hain
  Wilton Park met all four of the agreed targets set for the 1999–2000 financial year, for income, cost recovery, the number of conference participants, and cost per head to the FCO overall. The 1999–2000 targets were:

  Income—£2,182,000

  Recovery of cost—82.5 per cent.

  Number of Wilton Park conference participants—2,400

  Cost to FCO per conference participant—£193.

  1081W
  The following targets have been agreed for the financial year 2000–01:

  To increase overall income to £2,500,000

  To maintain cost recovery at 82.3 per cent.

  To maintain the target for the overall number of Wilton Park conference participants at 2,400

  To achieve an average cost to the FCO of each participant of £224.

  Handcuffs
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the export controls on pairs of handcuffs and their individual component cuffs. [133858]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government have decided to introduce a control on individual "bracelet" cuffs having an internal perimeter when fully locked in excess of 165mm and shackles (i.e. including handcuffs) made therewith. This will be made by an amendment to the Export of Goods (Control) Order. Companies wishing to export such equipment will need to apply to the Department of Trade for an export licence. Such applications will be judged on a case by case basis against the national criteria and those in the EU Code of Conduct.

  The control remains on shackles having a maximum locked dimension exceeding 240mm overall (i.e. including cuffs and connecting chain).

  Ministers' Spouses (Hospitality)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 2000,Official Report, column 269W, if he will give the same information on stays by unaccompanied spouses of Ministers at the Lisbon Embassy as for the Residence; and if he will make a statement. [133935]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 July 2000,Official Report, column 269W. Guests do not stay at the Embassy; they stay at the Residence.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring of legal processes in Chile against General Pinochet is being undertaken by the British embassy; and if he will make a statement. [133955]

  Mr. Battle
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) Ministry of Defence police and (b) police from the Royal Ulster Constabulary are serving in Kosovo. [133584]

  Mr. Hain
  There are currently 56 Ministry of Defence police officers and 58 Royal Ulster Constabulary officers serving with the United Nations International Police in Kosovo.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of 1082W
  the extra costs arising from transit time across the Kosovo-Macedonia border. [133583]

  Mr. Vaz
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Moluccas
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in the Moluccas. [133720]

  Mr. Battle
  We receive regular reports from our embassy, NGOs and others. As the situation is fast developing, I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department gives to United Kingdom citizens intending to visit the Moluccas. [133722]

  Mr. Hain
  The FCO Travel Advice for Indonesia contains the following advice for the Moluccas.We advise against travel to Maluku Province. The Indonesian Government has declared a state of civil emergency, including a ban on all travel to North Maluku and Maluku Provinces. Intercommunal violence between Christians and Moslems in Ambon has spread to other parts of the Moluccas. The situation is unstable and dangerous.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in the Moluccas. [133721]

  Mr. Battle
  We receive regular reports from our embassy, NGOs and others. As the situation is fast developing, I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Fiji
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to promote an early return to democratic Government in Fiji; and if he will make a statement. [133242]

  Mr. Battle
  Following the release of the hostages on 13 July and the armed overthrow of Fiji's democratically elected government we recalled our High Commissioner in Fiji for consultations. We also summoned the Fijian High Commissioner in London to make clear our disappointment that the new Fijian administration included individuals associated with Speight that the 1997 Constitution had been abrogated and to insist that Speight and his gang be brought to justice. We and EU partners made similar representations locally.

  On 21 July we announced a number of targeted measures against Fiji,

  urging EU partners to open consultations under Article 366a of the Lome Convention to establish a timetable for return to democracy; all new EU aid to Fiji is currently on hold;

  pressing our EU partners to impose restrictions on travel by Speight and his associates;

  cancelling all FCO-funded assistance to Fiji's government;

  cancelling of naval visits and joint military exercises. All defence cooperation with Fiji will remain under review.

  1083W

  no licenses for any arms or security equipment for export to Fiji where there is a clear risk that it will be used for internal repression.

  We are consulting Commonwealth and EU partners on the next steps and on ways to promote an early return to constitutional and democratic government in Fiji. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, of which the UK is a member, meets in New York on 14 September to review its decision on 16 June to suspend Fiji from its councils, and to monitor Fiji's progress in drawing up a roadmap back to democracy.

  War Crimes (Srebrenica)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the International War Crimes Tribunal for Yugoslavia will publish the forensic evidence on Srebrenica. [133448]

  Mr. Hain
  The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) gathers forensic evidence for use in the prosecution of suspected war criminals. ICTY have produced significant amounts of evidence from Srebrenica in open court, for example in the ongoing trial of General Krstic. Records of trials are available to the public on ICTY' s website (www.un.org/icty).

  Western Sahara
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support Her Majesty's Government are giving to the UN Peace Plan in respect of the Saharawi people's right to self-determination. [133449]

  Mr. Hain
  We have supported the UN Settlement Plan for the western Sahara since its inception, and all UN efforts to bring about a just, durable and agreed resolution to this dispute. The UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, James Baker, have reported fundamental differences between the two parties to the dispute—Morocco and the Polisario Front—on the provisions of the UN Settlement Plan. They are working to resolve these differences, including the possibility of the parties agreeing to a mutually acceptable political solution. We support these efforts. And we continue to believe that a just solution depends on the people of the western Sahara having the right to express their will at the ballot box.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money has been allocated by Her Majesty's Government towards the UN proposals for a referendum on the western Sahara. [133450]

  Mr. Hain
  In financial year 1999, the UK contributed £1.014 million in assessed contributions towards the running costs for MINURSO, the UN mission in the western Sahara.

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Sub-Saharan Africa

  Additional resources

  20

  20

  20

  Indicative resources for forecast peacekeeping

  65

  60

  60

  Contributions from Departments

  DFID

  23.5

  23.5

  23.5

  FCO

  5.0

  5.0

  5.0

  MOD

  1.5

  1.5

  1.5

  1084W
  Due to lack of time before the end of the parliamentary session, we have not been able to collate the figures for previous years. I will write to my hon. Friend shortly with these figures and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EC counterparts on the reimposition of restrictive measures against Indonesia following the repetition of violence in East Timor. [133428]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge), on 26 July 2000,Official Report, columns 641–42W. We deplore the death of Private Manning of the New Zealand Army on 24 July during an incursion by rogue militia. This is the first peacekeeper to be killed in combat in the territory since August 1999. Efforts are currently under way in the UN to put pressure on Indonesia to ensure full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Tactical Co-ordination in the Border Area signed on 11 April this year.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for a unilateral arms embargo on Indonesia. [133431]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 26 July 2000,Official Report, columns 461–62W.

  Staff Secondment
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any of his Department's staff are seconded to the Cabinet Office or the Prime Minister's Office to work on European issues. [132979]

  Mr. Hain
  One member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is on loan to the Cabinet Office working exclusively on European issues. In addition, there are five members of Foreign and Commonwealth staff seconded to the Prime Minister's office who in part cover European issues.

  Conflict Prevention
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the funding for conflict prevention in each of the next three years is(a) additional money provided as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review and (b) taken from existing budgets. [132875]

  Mr. Hain
  The Spending Review 2000 settlement for conflict prevention is:
  1085W

  £ million

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Rest of the World

  Additional resources

  12

  20

  30

  Indicative resources for forecast peacekeeping/enforcement operations

  340

  380

  380

  Contributions from Departments

  DFID

  9

  9

  9

  FCO

  7

  7

  7

  MOD

  32

  32

  32

  Of the indicative resources for peacekeeping for both sub-Saharan Africa and the Rest of the World, in the event of underspends, up to 10 per cent. can be used for programme expenditure.

  Unforeseen peacekeeping operations or unexpected increases in assessed contributions for international peacekeeping will be met in the first instance by re-prioritising within the pool. If this proves insufficient, the pool will have access to the DEL Reserve.UN arrears of £30 million due to the UK for UNPROFOR which would be returned to the Treasury Consolidated Fund, will be retained by the conflict prevention pools. This amount is not included in the table.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he proposes to measure his PSA target of reducing the number of people whose lives are affected by violent conflict where the United Kingdom make a significant contribution to conflict prevention and management, as set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [132978]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government have set themselves a target for the period beginning next financial year to improve the effectiveness of the UK contribution to conflict prevention and management, as demonstrated, inter alia, by the number of people whose lives are affected by violent conflict, where the UK can make a significant impact. We will be working with DFID, MOD and other relevant Government Departments in the autumn to identify priority activities to address this overall objective, verifiable indicators for each activity, and current baselines against which progress can be measured.

  European Issues (Funding)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he proposes to spend the additional resources being provided for his Department's activity on European issues, as announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review; how many new staff he proposes to employ; and what their remit will be. [132981]

  Mr. Hain
  Europe is one of the Foreign Secretary's key policy priorities, as reflected in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Public Service Agreement. The details of the allocation of extra resources to activity on Europe will be decided in the autumn within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's annual internal budgeting round.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created 1086W
  after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133566]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the hon. Member to the central list of information published on 11 January 2000 and the updated list published yesterday, 27 July 2000.

  Kuwaiti Nationals
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iraqi Government concerning the whereabouts of missing Kuwaiti nationals following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. [133430]

  Mr. Hain
  The UK has consistently called on Iraq to end the suffering of the relatives of the 605 Kuwaitis and others missing since the Gulf War. The UK plays an active role in the Tripartite Commission process, chaired by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which seeks to account for the whereabouts of the missing. The process has been hampered, however, by continued Iraqi obstruction and since early 1999 Iraq has refused to attend Commission meetings. At the latest Consultation Meeting in Geneva on 21 June 2000, the UK delegation stress the urgent need for Iraq to return to the process. The UK has also sought to give added impetus to the process through Security Council resolution 1284 which provided for a high-level UN co-ordinator on this issue. I offered our full support to Mr. Yuli Vorontsov, who has taken up this post, which he called on me on 29 June.

  Yugoslav Football Team
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what criteria the Sanctions Committee on Yugoslavia stopped payments to the Yugoslav football team after Euro 2000. [133451]

  Mr. Hain
  The UN Sanctions Committee on Yugoslavia, established by Security Council resolution 1160 (1998), has responsibilities only in relation to the measures imposed by that resolution—an embargo on the sale or supply of arms and related material to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the arming and training for terrorist activities there. It has not considered any requests regarding payments to the Yugoslav football team.

  There is a Management Committee for EU financial sanctions in relation to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This Management Committee has not considered any requests for payments to the Yugoslav football team.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  New Deal
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many employees of his Department and its agencies have been recruited from the New Deal; and what percentage of total staff this represents; [129140]

  (2) how many employees of his Department and its agencies have been recruited from the New Deal; and what percentage this represents of total staff. [129099]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the pursuant answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney).

  The number of New Dealers within my Department and its Executive Agencies as at 1 April 2000 represents 0.3 per cent. of total staff.

  Trawlermen
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government will make a decision on granting compensation to former distant water trawlermen; and if he will make a statement. [130549]

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make an announcement about the compensation scheme for those distant water trawlermen who lost their jobs with the closure of Icelandic fishing. [132304]

  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will provide compensation for former fishermen who lost their livelihoods following the settlement of the Cod Wars with Iceland in the 1970s. [132249]

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish a response to the claim for compensation from former distant water trawlermen. [132476]

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will provide compensation for former distant water trawlermen who lost their livelihoods following the settlement of the cod wars with Iceland in the 1970s. [133787]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Government recognise that the former Icelandic distant water trawlermen suffered an injustice. Many lost their jobs through the settlement of the 'Cod Wars' by the then Government and received little or no help. Given the exceptional circumstances in which they lacked basic employment protection we intend to remedy this by establishing a new scheme of compensation to be administered by my Department's Redundancy Payment Service.

  Further details of the scheme and when and where claim forms will be available are to be announced before it is formally opened on 2 October.

  Any former Icelandic distant water trawlermen who left the industry between 1974 and 1979 and had two years' continuous service, not necessarily with the same employer, will be entitled to claim under the new scheme. Surviving dependants will also be entitled to claim in
  1088W
  cases where former fishermen who would have been eligible are now deceased. Once the scheme is opened, a period of around two years will be allowed for claims to be submitted.

  Eligible claimants will receive £1,000 per year at sea, subject to a maximum of £20,000.

  Sums received by former distant water trawlermen under ex-gratia redundancy payments arrangements operated by the Government between 1993 and 1995 will be offset against payments under the new scheme.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many trawlermen were made redundant in(a) 1974, (b) 1975 and (c) 1976 when British fishing boats stopped fishing as a result of withdrawal of British boats from Icelandic waters. [132818]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: Precise statistics are not available.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what compensation proposals for trawlermen who lost their livelihood when British boats stopped fishing in Icelandic waters were put to his Department by the British Fishermen's Association. [132821]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The British Fishermen's Association has proposed that compensation payments made to former Icelandic water trawlermen should be calculated on the basis of £1,000 for each year at sea with a maximum of 20 years' service taken into account; that any amounts paid to claimants under the ex-gratia redundancy payment arrangements operated by the Government between 1993 and 1995 should be offset; that the next of kin should be eligible to claim in any case where a former trawlerman is now deceased; and that there should be an independent review where any claims are disallowed.

  Radio Spectrum
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the police, other emergency services, and the armed forces are projected to pay annually for access to the radio spectrum following the recent sale of the spectrum; and if he will make a statement. [131889]

  Ms Hewitt
  The police and other emergency services are expected to pay £2.05 million this year and the military are expected to pay £22.7 million this year for use of the radio spectrum.

  These sums are equated to the payments made by commercial users under Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998. They are not connected to sums paid for spectrum auctioned under Section 3 of the Act.

  University Research
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been awarded by the Joint Infrastructure Fund since its establishment to each university in respect of(a) medical and (b) non-medial research. [131721]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF) to date has made 109 awards worth £600 million to 39 universities.
  1089W
  Estimates of the biomedical and non-medical awards for the successful universities for Round 1 are listed in the table. Rounds 2 and 3 awards are subject to negotiation with successful applicants and further details will be announced later this year.

  Universities awarded funding (Round 1)

  £ million

  Round 1

  Biomedical

  Non-medical

  Bangor (University of Wales)

  2.8

  —

  2.8

  Birmingham

  11.1

  —

  11.1

  Bristol

  2.0

  —

  2.0

  Cambridge

  30.4

  —

  30.4

  Edinburgh

  6.3

  3.3

  3.0

  Glasgow

  2.1

  —

  2.1

  Imperial College

  11.3

  3.3

  8.0

  Lancaster

  0.6

  —

  0.6

  Leeds

  2.4

  —

  2.4

  Liverpool

  6.1

  2.9

  3.2

  LSE

  6.6

  —

  6.6

  Manchester

  1.8

  —

  1.8

  Newcastle

  4.4

  4.4

  —

  Nottingham

  5.0

  0.8

  4.2

  Oxford

  17.9

  7.1

  10.8

  Queen Mary and Westfield College

  24.8

  —

  24.8

  Queen's Belfast

  0.4

  0.4

  —

  Southampton

  3.8

  3.8

  —

  Strathclyde

  1.2

  1.2

  —

  SUERC (Glasgow)

  3.9

  —

  3.9

  Surrey

  4.7

  —

  4.7

  Warwick

  1.0

  —

  1.0

  Near Earth Objects
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the report on the threat posed by near earth objects, currently being prepared by the Near Earth Object Task Force, will be published; and if he will make a statement. [132086]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Task Force has not yet formally submitted its report to my noble Friend the Minister for Science. I expect that it will do so shortly. My noble Friend will write to the hon. Member when the report is published. Parliament will be informed once he has had the opportunity to consider the recommendations.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when, and for what purposes, Rover was recently granted regional selective assistance; and whether that was separate from the £129 million grant. [131824]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: To support the development of an all new leading-edge engine production facility to be built on a brownfield site at Harms Hall in the West Midlands.

  This was separate from the £129 million offer in 1999.

  Early Retirement
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the practice of employers in respect of compulsory early retirement. [132430]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Retirement ages are a matter for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees (or their representatives). It is for employers to decide whether dismissal in advance of normal retirement 1090W
  age may be necessary in any particular case. Subject to the necessary qualifying service, employees who believe they have been dismissed unfairly can complain to an employment tribunal.

  Employment Contracts
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will amend the law to prevent private sector companies from cutting pay and downgrading the working conditions of staff through the termination of existing contracts of employment coupled with an offer of re-employment on less favourable terms with particular reference to employees transferred from the public to the private sector. [132849]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  It is unlawful for employers to dismiss employees in connection with a transfer within the meaning of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE), unless the reason for doing so is an economic, technical or organisational reason entailing changes in the workforce. It is similarly unlawful for employers to change employees' terms and conditions of employment in connection with a TUPE transfer. The Government have made clear in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice "Staff Transfers in the Public Sector" its policy that all transfers from the public sector to the private should be conducted on the basis that TUPE applies unless there are genuinely exceptional reasons for it not to do so.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to improve the process of risk assessment for arms exports at the licensing stage; what further steps are being considered; and if he will make a statement. [133109]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government have taken a number of steps to strengthen the process of risk assessment at the licensing stage and continue to consider ways of further improving procedures in this area. We rigorously assess export licence applications to determine the risk of the proposed export being misused in contravention of our national export licensing criteria and those in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, including for internal repression or international aggression, or through diversion or re-export to undesirable end-users.

  The DTI's Export Control Organisation (ECO) introduced a new computerised database in 1999 which has increased consistency in the assessment of licence applications and reduces the risk of errors. Further enhancements to this system are planned over the next two years. ECO has also increased the number of senior managers with oversight of the licensing process, and applications to export goods to destinations where there may be risk of diversion are considered with particular care. Applications are refused if it is assessed that an unacceptable risk of diversion exists.

  ECO seeks advice on applications from other departments with an interest as determined by those departments in line with their policy responsibilities. DTI works in partnership with those departments to improve the overall effectiveness of the licensing process.
  1091W
  We systematically take into account reliable information from a variety of sources, including reporting from diplomatic posts, international organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations. We have taken a number of steps to increase the amount of such information available to us, for example by instructing overseas posts to report on any misuse of UK-supplied defence equipment and by promoting exchange on destinations and end-users of concern in relevant international fora.

  All applications for Standard Individual Export Licences must be accompanied by appropriate end-user undertakings or, if the consignee is a Government body, a copy of the official purchase or relevant part of the contract. As noted in the 1999 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, we ask overseas posts to conduct checks to confirm the veracity of end-user information. ECO is also actively considering the possibility of introducing a standard model format for the presentation of end-user undertakings, and new guidance material for completion of such assurances, which should further enhance the effectiveness of our licensing process.

  Euro
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which studies his Department has(a) commissioned, (b) reviewed and (c) undertaken that examine the cost to (i) UK businesses and (ii) euro zone business of preparing for introduction of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [132900]

  Mrs. Liddell
  HM Treasury is responsible for this subject. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Economic Secretary on 26 July 2000,Official Report, column 695W.

  Permanent Secretary (Official Visits)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [133274]

  Mr. Byers
  The Permanent Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry has made one official overseas visit since 1 January 1999, to Paris. The visit took place on 21–22 October 1999, to attend the European Investment Bank Forum 1999 on "Euro Market: Changes Ahead".

  MOX Fuel (Japan)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the European Commission in respect of the compatibility of the recently announced payment to Japan arising from the problems of falsification of data sheets sent with MOX fuel, with EU rules governing state aid. [133364]

  Mrs. Liddell
  None. The costs of resolving the MOX fuel problem will be met by BNFL and are a commercial matter for them.

  Rover
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance is being planned for companies in the Rover supply chain which are heavily 1092W
  dependent on revenue from supplying parts for the Rover 25 and 45 where business is being affected by interruption of production associated with the transfer of the Rover 75 production line from Oxford to Longbridge. [133860]

  Mr. Byers
  I have considered the position of suppliers to the Rover 25 and 45 models, who will be faced with considerable disruption and down-time as the assembly lines at Longbridge are re-configured to allow more flexible production of these two models from a single line. I have therefore decided to extend the support already announced for suppliers to the Rover 75 model, so as to make it available also to those companies most heavily reliant on the Rover 25 and 45.

  Higher Eduction Research
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the extra funding for higher education research announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review, including the split of payments between(a) the Office for Science and Technology, (b) the Funding Councils and (c) the Wellcome Foundation the broad criteria for allocation and the degree of matched funding required for institutions. [133292]

  Mr. Byers
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Employment Agencies
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes he intends to make to the temp-to-perm fee arrangements charged by employment agencies. [133439]

  Mr. Byers
  I am considering the responses to our consultation.

  Trans Tec
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the inspector's report into Trans Tec. [133440]

  Mr. Byers
  I have emphasised to the inspectors that their prime objective must be to provide me with a full report as quickly as possible consistent with the need to undertake a fair, thorough and professional investigation. I have also asked the inspectors to report in a form which will enable the report to be made public.

  The inspectors are independent of Government and it is for them to judge when they have completed sufficient inquiries to present their report.

  Horizon Project
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 24 July 2000,Official Report, column 418W, on post offices' IT, how much of the money that will be contributed to the Horizon project will be spent on (a) computer terminals for public access and (b) Internet provision. [133723]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  None. Separate financial provision is being made for the pilot trials of the Government General Practitioner and Internet Learning and Access projects.

  Universal Bank
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent by him and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to banks, building societies and other financial institutions about the proposed Universal Bank. [133163]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Yes. I have arranged for this to be done.

  Rural Post Offices
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are to be used to assess whether a rural post office closure is avoidable. [133049]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 28 June 2000,Official Report, columns 907–20.

  Postal Services Commission
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he intends to publish revised draft guidance on the social and environmental objectives of to the Postal Services Commission; and what will be the closing date for comments. [133164]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Formal consultation on guidance on social and environmental objectives cannot take place until the Postal Services Bill is enacted and relevant sections have been brought into force. The Act will be brought into force on dates yet to be specified by orders made by the Secretary of State. The provisions for consultation on draft guidance are set out in clause 42 of the Bill.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) discussions he has had about and (b) plans he has for, making mobile phones more secure and less attractive to steal; and if he will make a statement. [131984]

  Ms Hewitt
  The mobile industry already undertakes a series of measures to deter the theft of mobile phones. Such measures include the optional use of PIN codes to lock handsets; the ability to disable the SIM card (the smart card in the phone which connects the phone to a network) making it impossible to send and receive messages; and the ability to disable the phone handset itself. Some operators also subscribe to a world-wide service which enables a phone number to be blocked by overseas networks as well.

  In the interest of customer loyalty and fraud management, I would expect the mobile industry to adopt all appropriate measures to minimise the possibility of theft and will continue to encourage them to do so.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133371]
  1094W
  Ms Hewitt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no orders to date using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000. It is likely that orders will be made to enable companies to file information electronically at Companies House, and in respect of the Petroleum Act 1998, in order to allow the electronic submission of information by oil companies and consequent electronic delivery of consents and approvals by the Secretary of State.

  DTI remains committed to removing barriers to the effective use of electronic communications and will consider making such orders in appropriate cases.

  My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office provided in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton) on 24 May 2000, Official Report, columns 532–34W, details of known plans for all Departments.

  Nuclear Materials (Safeguards)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith), of 19 January 2000,Official Report, columns 487–88W, what progress has been made with the study of data on withdrawals of nuclear material from safeguards. [133861]

  Dr. Howells
  I am pleased to confirm that the study has now been completed and I have today placed in the Library of the House a paper containing detailed information on past withdrawals of nuclear material from safeguards. The paper includes tabulated data which show advance notifications of such withdrawals made pursuant to the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement, broken down by year, material type and quantity, along with information on the reason for withdrawal. This information represents the outcome of the study of data on withdrawals from safeguards prior to announcement of the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). Information is also included on withdrawals which have taken place since the SDR announcement in July 1998 and shows that such withdrawals have comprised only small quantities of material for use in instrument calibration or radiation detectors or as analytical tracers or radiological shielding. Information on future withdrawals will be made available on an annual basis.

  Miners Compensation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 2000,Official Report, column 617W, on miners' compensation, for what reasons Mr. Felix Graham, of Blackburn, West Lothian, (Healthcall Ref. 148674) has not received compensation for work-related illness. [132983]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Mr. Graham attended a spirometry testing appointment in October. Unfortunately he was unable to complete the lung tests and he had used his bronchodialtor less than four hours prior to his appointment. Under the Handling Agreement, signed by the claimants' solicitors, the Department was not, therefore, able to make Mr. Graham an expedited offer.

  Mr. Graham subsequently elected to proceed through the full Medical Assessment Process and his completed claims questionnaires and mandates, allowing access to medical records, have been forwarded to Healthcall, the

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  company contracted to carry out the medical assessments. Once Mr. Graham's medical records have been collected he will be invited to make an appointment.

  In the meantime, Mr. Graham has received an interim payment.

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now make a statement about his plans for the National Weights and Measures Laboratory. [133933]

  Dr. Howells
  Further to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 28 June 2000,Official Report, column 518W about the review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory, Ministers have now considered the reviewer's report. The reviewer has recommended that the policy part of NWML should be taken back into the Department organisationally and that the operational part should be contractorised by merger with the National Physical Laboratory, which is already contractorised. However, he accepted the view of the Review Steering Board that this option should not be pursued until a business plan for the merger could be prepared and until Ministers had assessed its value for money and feasibility. Ministers recognise that the recommended course of action has disadvantages as well as advantages. Nothing will be decided until further studies are complete. The reviewer's report will be published shortly. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House and on the Department's internet website.

  Bridge Tolls
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on competitiveness for new and current businesses which may be affected by the application of VAT on bridge tolls with particular regard to the Tamar Bridge; and what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about this matter. [133094]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Tamar Bridge is owned and operated jointly by Plymouth City Council and Cornwall County Council. It would be for them, in the first instance, to make such an assessment in setting toll charges. This Department has supported the Government's vigorous defence of its policy of not levying VAT on toll charges, in the proceedings before the European Court of Justice.

  Venture Capital Companies
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to increase the level of investment of pension funds in venture capital companies; and if he will make a statement. [133241]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government share the concern about the level of investment that pension funds are currently making in venture capital.

  In order to demonstrate to the investment community, including the pension funds, that good commercial returns can be made from investment in venture capital, the Government have established the UK High Technology Fund. The Government's commitment to invest £20 million into this fund has, to date, resulted in co-investment of £62 million from institutional co-investors, including
  1096W
  pension funds, that are currently otherwise not investing in venture capital. The UK High Technology Fund is still raising money from institutional investors.

  The Government have also demonstrated their concerns in this area by recently commissioning a review by Paul Myners, the Chairman of Gartmore Investment Managers, into any possible underlying structural factors which may deter institutional investment.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of bills were paid on time by Government Departments and their Agencies during the financial year 1999–2000. [133786]

  Ms Hewitt
  I am pleased to announce that there has been a further improvement in the payment performance of central Government as a whole. The overall payment performance shows that 97.8 per cent. of suppliers' bills were paid on time and Departments are making good progress towards meeting the 100 per cent. target set for this financial year.

  There is no room for complacency. It is particularly important that the public sector sets an example to business and is seen to pay its bills on time. I am disappointed to see that a number of Departments and Agencies failed to meet this year's target of 100 per cent. I have taken steps to remind all Departments and Agencies of the importance of paying suppliers' bills on time and meeting the target.

  I am particularly disappointed at my own Department's failure to meet the target. It is unacceptable that the Department which has overall responsibility for the Government's policy on prompt payment should itself fail to meet the target. My officials are introducing new measures designed to ensure that the DTI meets the target as soon as possible next year.

  The Government are committed to improving the UK's payment culture. Late payment is a serious problem, particularly for small businesses. Not knowing when customers' bills will be paid means uncertain cashflow, increased borrowings, higher costs and reduced profits.

  Government Departments and their Agencies are required to monitor their payment performance and to publish the results in their departmental or annual reports. The following table lists, by Department, the proportion of bills paid within 30 days, or other agreed credit period, of receipt of a valid invoice for the financial year 1999–2000.

  Government Departments Payment Performance 1999–2000

  Main Departments

  Paid on time (Percentage)

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory1

  100.00

  National Investment and Loans Office

  100.00

  Privy Council Office

  100.00

  Radiocommunications Agency1

  99.98

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  99.90

  Ministry of Defence

  99.77

  Department for Culture. Media and Sport

  99.59

  Land Registry

  99.26

  Patent Office1

  99.13

  Office of Water Services

  99.07

  Public Records Office

  99.06

  Ordnance Survey

  98.90

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  Government Departments Payment Performance 1999–2000

  Main Departments

  Paid on time (Percentage)

  Government Actuary's Department

  98.84

  Export Credit Guarantee Department

  98.60

  Insolvency Service1

  98.56

  HM Treasury

  98.51

  Office for National Statistics

  98.51

  Office of Fair Trading

  98.49

  Office for Standards in Education

  98.40

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  98.20

  HM Customs and Excise

  98.06

  Inland Revenue

  97.98

  NI Department. Health Estates

  97.95

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  97.90

  Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce

  97.81

  Office of Telecommunications

  97.68

  Health and Safety Executive

  97.58

  Northern Ireland Office

  97.56

  Crown Prosecution Service

  97.50

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  97.42

  Charitable Commission

  97.39

  Department for Education and Employment

  97.31

  Forestry Commission

  97.30

  NI Department of Education

  97.28

  Government Communications HQ

  97.14

  PFO (GCHQ)

  97.14

  Department for National Savings

  97.10

  Department for International Development

  96.82

  Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for

  Administration and Health Service Commissioners

  96.48

  Home Office

  96.34

  NI Court Service

  96.32

  Cabinet Office (OPS)

  96.24

  Department of Health

  95.28

  Department of Social Security

  95.14

  Shadow Strategic Rail Authority

  94.78

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  94.70

  Serious Fraud Office

  94.49

  Royal Parks Agency2

  94.00

  NI Department. Environment inc. agencies

  93.05

  Treasury Solicitors Department

  93.05

  Department of Trade and Industry

  93.00

  Employment Tribunal Service1

  93.00

  NI Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

  92.83

  Companies House1

  92.34

  Royal Mint

  91.00

  NI Department of Finance and Personnel

  90.22

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  89.51

  Overall total

  97.89

  1 Agencies of the Department of Trade and Industry

  2 Agency in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport

  Competitive Mail Delivery
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what financial interests the Royal Mail holds in mail or parcel services in member states of the European Union; how much was received in respect of such interests in the last financial year; and if it counted toward any payment from the Royal Mail to the Chancellor of the Exchequer; [132666]

  (2) what the status, income, and competitive position is of majority-owned subsidiaries of Royal Mail in member states of the European Union. [132667]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Royal Mail holds no subsidiaries or financial interests in mail or parcel services in member states (outside of the UK). However the Post Office interests are as follows.
  1098W

  Percentage

  Company

  Member state

  Status (share holding)

  CityMail Sweden AB

  Sweden

  167

  Citipost

  US based but with offices in Europe including France and Germany

  2100

  Crie Group

  France

  2100

  Der Kurier

  Germany

  2100

  Extand S.A.

  France

  2100

  German Parcel

  Germany

  2100

  General Parcel Austria

  Austria

  2100

  Nederlandse Paket Dienst

  The Netherlands

  2100

  Pakke-Trans

  Denmark

  2100

  Williames

  Ireland

  2100

  1 Majority ownership.

  2 Fully owned.

  The contributions of overseas interests to profits is reported in the Report and Accounts.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answers of 13 June 2000,Official Report, columns 595–96W, and 10 July 2000, Official Report, columns 372–73W, concerning successive reductions in the lower limit authorising competitive mail delivery, what treaty article was used as the basis for Directive 96/97; when he expects to receive the advice of the Postal Services Commission concerning the further reduction to the limit; if he will list its members and who appointed them; what monopoly limits were in force in the United Kingdom for such Crown monopolies prior to and immediately after accession to the European Community for letters and packets; and when they were reduced or eliminated. [132664]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  As stated in the answer of 13 June 2000,Official Report, columns 595–96W, Directive 96/97 was made under Articles 57(2), 66 and 100a of the Treaty establishing the European Community (now Articles 47(2), 55 and 95 in the consolidated version of the EU Treaty and the EC Treaty made by the Treaty of Amsterdam).

  The advice of the Postal Services Commission concerning the minimum reserved area necessary to maintain the universal service is expected to be available during the first half of 2001.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Borrow) on 4 June 2000, Official Report, columns 186–87W, which gave details of the appointment of members and chairman of the advisory Postal Services Commission which took up its functions under the Postal Services Regulations (S.I.1999/2107). They were appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

  The UK joined the European Communities on 1 January 1973. The postal privilege of the Post Office before and after entry to the European Community was as defined in the Post Office Act 1969 where it was limited to the conveyance of letters (regardless of weight or price). The Postal Privilege (Suspension) Order (S.I.1981/1483) suspended the postal privilege in relation to the conveyance of a letter which is conveyed in consideration of a payment of not less than £1. The Order came into operation on 7 November 1981. It followed the introduction of the British Telecommunications Act 1981. The Postal Services Regulations (S.I.1999/2107) which

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  also introduced the 350 gram element came into effect on 1 September 1999 but the pricing structure meant that this did not make any material change.

  Employment Legislation
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans his Department has to allow employers more time to respond to consultations on employment legislation; [133083]

  (2) what plans his Department has to ensure that improved guidance is issued with all new employment regulations; [133084]

  (3) what plans his Department has to allow employers longer lead times to put new employment regulations into effect; [133085]

  (4) if he will meet the Employers' Forum on Statute and Practice to discuss their concerns on (a) consultation on and (b) implementation of recent employment legislation. [133087]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We fully recognise the need to allow adequate time for responses in public consultations and for adequate periods of notice for employers and others affected by new legislation to adapt to its requirements. For consultation periods, we aim to comply with Cabinet Office guidelines, which currently prescribe eight weeks as a general minimum, and will take account of any revised guidance in this area resulting from the current consultation on a new code of practice. So far as implementation periods are concerned, we aim where possible to give at least three months' notice of entry into force, in line with the Government's response to the Better Regulation Task Force's report "Helping Small Firms Cope with Regulation—Exemptions and Other Approaches".

  We recognise the need for employers, unions and workers to have access to the information they need to understand their rights and obligations under new legislation, and the necessity of ensuring that relevant and accessible information and advice is available. It is part of the remit of the Small Business Service to work across Government to improve the quality of information and advice on regulation in order to meet better the needs of small businesses in particular.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is well aware of the Employer's Forum on Statute and Practice's concerns, having corresponded with them and having received a report of their meeting with his officials, and does not consider a further meeting would be useful at this time.

  Electricity
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with electricity generators to monitor the need for additional generating capacity; and what licence is required by generators to site power stations. [133626]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Gas Supplies
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what compensation is available, and from 1100W
  which company, to those residents of Lambourn, Hungerford, and the surrounding areas whose gas supplies were cut off in late March and the first week of April this year. [133441]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Under the Network Code, if the major public gas transporter, Transco, is responsible for an interruption of gas supply to domestic gas consumers, it compensates domestic households at a standard rate of £20 per day if the interruption exceeds 24 hours. If, as in this case, the gas supply is interrupted because of damage to the gas main caused by a third party, Transco declares force majeure, which means it is under no obligation to pay compensation. If the third party refuses to accept liability, consumers are obliged to wait until any legal dispute between Transco and that company has been resolved. It is for the company concerned to consider whether, while liability is being established, it should itself make an ex gratia, interim payment to residents. Where residents have suffered loss or damage as a result of an interruption to supply, it is also open to them to seek payment from their own insurers.

  Oil Pollution Incidents
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the oil pollution incidents above 0.01 tonnes in the Irish Sea from 4 December 1999 to the present, stating the date, the size of the incident, the name of the company that reported the incident and the name of the company which was responsible for the spill. [133432]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information relating to oil spill incidents in the Irish Sea Basin, reported to the Department of Trade and Industry, from 4 December 1999 to the present date is as follows:

  Date

  Reported by:

  Amount (tonnes)

  13 January 2000

  British Gas Hydrocarbon Resources Ltd.

  0.0155

  25 July 2000

  British Gas Hydrocarbon Resources Ltd.

  0.0157

  DTI only receives reports for oil spills from or attributed to offshore installations.

  Renewable Energy
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's total budget is for support for renewable energy technologies and low carbon technologies for the years 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04. [133480]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The budget for new and renewable energy R&D for the current financial year is £14 million. The outcome of the Government's Spending Review announced on 18 July set new spending totals for all Departments for 2001–04. The DTI settlement specifically made available nearly £40 million from the Climate Change Levy fund over the three years 2001–04 for a number of demonstration projects for technologies with potential in the longer term, such as offshore wind and energy crops. Detailed allocations of the rest of the Department's budgets for 2001–02 to 2003–04 have yet to be made.

  Separately, the Department covers within its Departmental Expenditure Limits expenditure incurred by Regional Electricity Companies (RECs) for renewable

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  electricity generated under Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) contracts, in which the Department has no locus. The RECs are compensated for this expenditure by receipts under the Fossil Fuel Levy. The Department's allocations for this expenditure are:

  £ million

  2000–01

  81

  2001–02

  92

  2002–03

  117

  2003–04

  139

  Expenditure under NFFO is demand led. If expenditure turns out to be higher than these allocations there is a ring-fence arrangement in place agreed with Treasury enabling access to the Reserve, to ensure that the actual level of expenditure will be covered.

  While the Department does not provide specific funding to low carbon technologies, it supports several programmes of research, development and demonstration and assistance to business which may have the effect of encouraging the development and uptake of such technologies. For example, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has a research programme into low carbon technologies with approximate spend plans of:

  £ million

  2000–01

  3.65

  2001–02

  4.65

  2002–03

  5.25

  2003–04

  6.26

  Nuclear Inspections
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information he has received from the Chief Nuclear Inspector in respect of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate inquiry into problems of inspection channel plugs in Magnox reactors. [133551]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Unusual marks were discovered in inspection channels in the reactor core of Reactor 2 at Wylfa power station in North Wales during routine maintenance. I was informed of this in the normal way following the shutdown of Reactor 1 at Wylfa, as a precautionary measure, because it has similar features to Reactor 2. I have received no reports of similar occurrences at other Magnox reactors.

  Competition Commission
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes he proposes to make to the terms of service of the members of the Competition Commission. [133940]

  Mr. Byers
  I propose to make a number of changes in the terms and period of appointment of all members of the Competition Commission, including the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and President of the Appeal Tribunal. I have reviewed the terms of service following the judgment of the Scottish Court in the Starrs case. The changes are modelled closely on the principles applied by the Lord Chancellor in his recently announced changes to 1102W
  the terms of service of part-time judicial office holders in England and Wales, and reflect the particular characteristics of the Competition Commission's work.

  Details of the changes, which emphasise the value we place on the independence of members of the Competition Commission, are set out in the relevant press notice.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133558]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W, and to the list of information on task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews which was published by the Cabinet Office on 11 January 2000. Copies of the list are available in the Libraries of the House. The detailed information concerning the numbers of recommendations made, implemented, and the number rejected, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Staff Secondments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis) of 28 February 2000,Official Report, column 100W, concerning secondments, if he will give the names, grades and job titles of the staff seconded into his Department from each organisation mentioned, stating in each case the name of the section they were seconded to and a summary of the work that they were involved with. [128240]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 29 June 2000]: I regret that the information given in my answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis) was slightly incomplete. I am pleased now to be able to provide a more detailed response.

  In my Department, secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before an Interchange can occur all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.

  All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more of our people out.
  1103W
  Secondees from the following organisations have worked in my Department since May 1992:

  from Trench Farrow & Partners as Project Director to British Library from 3 July 1995 to 31 December 1998;

  From Forte plc (changed to Roy Tutty Associates in August 1997) to assist Tourism Division from February 1995 to October 1998;

  from the British Phonographic Industry to assist the Media Division from 1 April 1998 to date.

  from Gardner Merchant to assist Tourism Division from January 1999 to January 2000.

  from the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society to assist the Media Division from 1 March 1999 to date.

  from Manchester City Council to assist the Sports and Recreation Division from 11 January 2000 to date.

  from the Youth Sports Trust to assist the Sport and Recreation Division since 7 February 2000 to date.

  Pistol Shooting Competitions
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the arrangements for British competitive shooters to participate in pistol shooting competitions in the UK as part of the Commonwealth Games; and what arrangements apply to foreign shooters travelling to the UK to represent their country at such events. [128591]

  Kate Hoey
  Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games will be the largest multi-sporting event held in this country since the 1948 Olympics, and shooting is a Commonwealth Games Federation approved sport within the competition schedule. The Home Office is currently discussing the detailed arrangements for the Games with the governing bodies of shooting—the National Rifle Association and the National Small-Bore Rifle Association. I very much hope that British Shooters will take part in pistol shooting sports on the same basis as those from the other countries.

  Junior Sport
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on the number of children playing(a) cricket and (b) rugby league in schools; [128831]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the number of children playing tennis in schools. [128833]

  Kate Hoey
  A survey of young people in sport, commissioned by Sport England in 1999, shows that participation in tennis and cricket in schools has increased since 1994 (from 16 to 18 per cent. and 13 to 16 per cent. of children participating 10 times or more in the last year, respectively), while participation in rugby remains unchanged (12 per cent. of children participating 10 times or more in the last year).

  My Department does not have statistics on the number of children playing tennis and rugby league in schools, but English and Wales Cricket Board figures suggest that more than 2.1 million children play cricket in schools.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the latest cash flow projections for the New Millennium Experience Company; and if he will make a statement. [129281]
  1104W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: We have contacted the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) to request the information, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guarantees the Government have offered to financial institutions financing the New Millennium Experience Company. [133470]

  Janet Anderson
  No financial institution is financing the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC). No guarantee has therefore been made.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many visitors a month are needed to the Dome for the New Millennium Experience Company to break even for the last five months of the year. [133466]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) revised budget is based on six million paying visitors. The Dome has received over 3.5 million visitors to date is now entering what is anticipated to be its busiest period of the year.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which financial institution is providing the overdraft and working capital needed by the New Millennium Experience Company. [133471]

  Janet Anderson
  No financial institution is providing an overdraft or working capital to the New Millennium Experience Company.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) who will have responsibility for paying for losses at the New Millennium Experience Company once the most recent allocation of lottery money has been spent; [133782]

  (2) what proportion of the sale proceeds of the Dome accruing to the New Millennium Experience Company will be returned to the Government as shareholder; [133783]

  (3) what arrangements have been made to pay proceeds from the sale of the Dome from the New Millennium Experience Company to the Government as shareholder; [133784]

  (4) what proportion of the sale proceeds from the Dome will be allocated to English Partnerships; [133805]

  (5) when it is planned to wind up the New Millennium Experience Company. [133859]

  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the maximum additional revenues which will be required by the Millennium Commission in order to meet its liabilities in respect of the Dome. [131373]
  1105W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: We have contacted the Millennium Commission to request the information required, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the £41.8 million operations and running costs of the Dome incurred in the nine months to 31 December 1999. [133138]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: We have contacted the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) to request the information required, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the(a) content editors and (b) godparents of each zone of the Millennium Dome; if he will list the members of the Creative Review Group and the dates on which the group met; and for what reasons each was selected. [133438]

  Janet Anderson
  The four Content Editors employed by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) were Martin Newman, Tania Watson, Tim Gardom and Ben Evans. In each case these were individuals who were recommended to NMEC by leading design companies, Board members and other advisers to NMEC.

  On 21 October 1998, NMEC announced the expert advisers, "Godparents" who worked with NMEC and its zone designers and sponsors on the exhibit zones at that time. All of them are experts in their fields with experience of communicating ideas in medicine and science, entertainment, the arts, and the environment to wide audiences.

  The Godparents were
  the Lord Puttnam of Queensgate (Work and Learn); Floella Benjamin (Shared Ground); Sir Neil Cossons (Journey); Professor Richard Gregory CBE (Mind); Sir Michael Peckham and Professor Catherine Peckham (Body); The Hon Sara Morrison (Living Island); Professor Christopher Frayling (Faith); John Sorrell CBE (Self Portrait); Michael Jolly (Play); Simon Jenkins (Talk).

  Each "Godparent" held regular meetings and reviews with the design teams working on the zones.

  On 16 February 1998 NMEC announced the membership of its Creative Review Group, better known as "The Litmus Group". Each member had experience and expertise in a particular field of entertainment, art and design, visitor attractions, broadcasting and education.

  Members met regularly to advise NMEC on the coherence, quality, entertainment and educational potential of design proposals.

  The members were: Michael Grade CBE (Chairman); Ruth Mackenzie OBE; Floella Benjamin; Sir Neil Cossons; Mike Davies; Professor Christopher Frayling; Simon Jenkins; Michael Jolly; Lord Puttnam; Lord Rogers; and John Sorrell.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will announce the terms of disposal of the Dome. [133469]
  1106W
  Janet Anderson
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions gave my hon. Friends the Members for Gillingham (Mr. Clark) and for North-West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor) on 27 July 2000,Official Report, columns 787–88W.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what liabilities have to be discharged from the proceeds of the sale of the Dome. [133468]

  Janet Anderson
  The liabilities to be discharged from the proceeds of the sale of the Dome are the costs of the Competition itself and 7.5 per cent. of the sales proceeds, which is due to British Gas.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the most recent estimate of cost of running the Dome until the end of 2000. [133467]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has a lifetime budget of £758 million for the Dome at Greenwich and its associated national programme of events and activities. NMEC is confident that it will remain within that budget.

  Nolan Rules
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group, if it(a) is a private company, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details. [131180]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, to my hon. Friends the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) and the Member for Cannock Chase (Mr. Wright) on 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 799W, concerning the publication of a report on Government task forces, reviews and ad hoc advisory groups.

  None of the DCMS-related reviews or bodies included in the report has any formal legal basis.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131458]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend and to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W concerning the publication of a report on Government task forces, reviews and ad hoc advisory groups.

  Sports Council Grants
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the grants made
  1107W
  by the United Kingdom Sports Council since 1997 for the purpose of attracting major events to the UK; and if he will give the amounts of grant given, the major event and the governing body in each case. [131956]

  Kate Hoey
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Tax Redistribution (Football Clubs)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will introduce a tax redistribution arrangement based on turnover for professional football clubs. [130127]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 20 July 2000]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Football World Cup
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the letter sent by the Minister for Sport to the Football Association about the cost of the World Cup bid. [132390]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: I wrote to the Chief Executive of the Football Association on 20 June 2000 to request details of his plans to publish accounts for the 2006 World Cup bid. He outlined the FA's plans in his reply to that letter. I have placed a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Football Regulator
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with(a) the Football Association, (b) the Premier League and (c) the Football League about the establishment of a regulator for football. [132388]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had a number of meetings since December 1999 with the Football Association, the Premier League, the Football League, representatives of football supporters' organisations and others to discuss the Government's response to the final report of the Football Task Force, which includes proposals for a regulatory body for football.

  I have met once with the football authorities and twice with representatives of football supporters' associations.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many unfilled vacancies for permanent staff his Department has; what percentage of staff positions in his Department are vacant; what the monthly cost would be to his Department of employing civil servants in these positions; how many and what percentage of staff his Department employs on a temporary basis through employment agencies; how much his Department paid employment agencies to supply temporary staff in each of the last 12 months; and how much he expects to pay employment agencies to supply temporary staff in each of the next 12 months. [131438]
  1108W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: My Department currently has a total of 30 of unfilled permanent vacancies, this equates to 7.5 per cent. of total staff. These posts have been advertised around Whitehall and to date 10 successors have been identified to fill the posts. The table shows the numbers of vacant posts by grade and monthly costs.

  £

  Grade

  Posts vacant

  Average monthly salary costs per member of staff

  A

  2

  3,846

  B

  15

  2,555

  C

  5

  1,897

  D(U)

  6

  1,565

  D

  2

  1,264

  Since July 1999 my Department has employed an average of 16 agency staff each month at administrative and secretarial level, this equates to 4 per cent. of total staff. The monthly costs are as follows:

  Date

  £

  1999:

  July

  67,573

  August

  56,171

  September

  43,712

  October

  51,143

  November

  34,128

  December

  30,514

  2000:

  January

  31,486

  February

  27,059

  March

  35,479

  April

  29,980

  May

  28,744

  June

  23,774

  The number of agency staff employed fluctuate according to demand. The hourly rate for agency staff costs are due to increase by an average of 72p per hour for 2001.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press officers were employed in his Department in(a) May 1997, (b) January 1998, (c) January 1999 and (d) January 2000; and what the total expenditure on press officers by his Department was in each of the years concerned. [132763]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press releases were issued in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) this year to date; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of these press releases was in each year. [132750]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  DCMS press releases are distributed directly from the DCMS Press Office and via the Central Office of Information (COI).
  1109W
  Expenditure on distributing press releases includes postal, fax, packing, copying and stationery costs. Until the current financial year (2000–01) DCMS, in common with other Government Departments, also contributed an annual fixed charge (unrelated to the number of press releases issued) towards the upkeep of the Central Office of Information's electronic New Distribution System (NDS).

  The costs are as follows:
  In the calendar year 1997 the Department issued 349 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution was £37,540.13, including the Department's contribution towards NDS of £23,279.00.
  In the calendar year 1998 the Department issued 319 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution was £29,306.41, including the Department's contribution towards NDS of £16,074.29.
  In the calendar year 1999 the Department issued 315 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution was £31,851.92, including the Department's contribution towards NDS of £15,862.52.
  In the calendar year 2000 the Department has so far issued 195 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution so far is £15,103.21, including the Department's contribution towards NDS covering January to March 2000 of £3,965.63.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list for (i) museums and galleries, (ii) libraries, (iii) the arts, (iv) sport, (v) historic buildings, monuments, and sites, (vi) royal parks, (vii) tourism, (viii) broadcasting, and (ix) his whole Department, the budgets for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c)1999–2000, stating for each year, by category, the funds budgeted for but not spent, and where those funds went. [132038]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 26 July 2000]: I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the increase in his departmental expenditure on the arts and culture in the next three years arising from the comprehensive spending review will be on activities in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [133121]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Spending Review 2000 settlement will enable the Department to provide the highest-ever levels of public support for sport and the arts, as well as a financial boost for the Department's other sectors. The key funding priorities will be nurturing talent, supporting excellence and creating opportunities for more people than ever before—especially children—to enjoy and participate in culture and sport. The arts and many other cultural activities are devolved topics and so the Department does not generally fund activities in those areas within the Devolved Administrations. Where money is allocated to UK-wide bodies, three-year funding agreements between the Department and each body will help ensure that the interests of all parts of the UK are taken into account in the use of resources.

  Extra-curricular Sports
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will support the recruitment of volunteers to assist in extra-curricular sporting activity among young people. [132898]

  Kate Hoey
  I am keenly aware of the importance of volunteering in sport. As part of the implementation of our sport strategy, "A Sporting Future for All", we are looking at ways of encouraging people to volunteer and of rewarding their commitment to sport.

  Duty Roster
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the daily Ministerial Duty Roster for his Department during the summer adjournment. [133058]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: It is not normal practice of Government to publish a daily Ministerial Duty Roster. This Department will ensure that it has sufficient cover through the summer recess in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

  ITN
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review the ownership rules of ITV's news provider, ITN. [132870]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Government will publish a White Paper later this year, which will set out our proposals for reform of broadcasting and telecommunications regulation. We invited ideas for issues to be addressed in the White Paper and we are presently reviewing the responses. Proposals to review the regulation of media ownership will be considered in that context.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the subtitled output as a percentage of total only, for(a) digital satellite and (b) digital cable channels (i) currently and (ii) for each of the last three years. [133291]

  Janet Anderson
  There are no statutory requirements on digital satellite or digital cable broadcasters to provide subtitling on their services and to report on the levels of subtitling they make available. We are, however, continuing to encourage cable and satellite broadcasters to increase the provision of subtitling, sign language and audio description on their services. We are about to publish a consultation paper as part of a review of the statutory targets for subtitling, sign language and audio description provision on digital terrestrial television. This paper includes an invitation to comment on wider issues of concern about the provision and reception of these services, including provision on cable and satellite. The results of the consultation will be published and will also form part of our consideration of the future regulation of broadcasting in the forthcoming White Paper on communications.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many over 75s in The Wrekin will qualify for free television licences from November. [133198]

  Janet Anderson
  Everyone aged 75 or over will be entitled to benefit from a free television licence from 1 November this year, but television licences cover households rather than individuals. Exact figures on the number of households which will benefit from the concession are not available. However, the 1991 Census New Parliamentary Constituency Monitor, published by the Office for National Statistics, shows the population of The Wrekin constituency as 76,207, of which 2.3 per cent. were men aged 75 and over and 4.0 per cent. were women aged 75 and over.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people aged over 75 in(a) Worcester and (b) Mid-Worcestershire will qualify for free television licences from November. [133769]

  Janet Anderson
  Everyone aged 75 or over will be entitled to benefit from a free television licence from 1 November this year, but television licences cover households rather than individuals. Exact figures on the number of households which will benefit from the concession are not available. However, the 1991 Census New Parliamentary Constituency Monitor, published by the Office for National Statistics, shows the population of the Worcester constituency as 81,755, of which 2.3 per cent. were men aged 75 and over and 4.2 per cent. were women aged 75 and over. The population of the Mid-Worcestershire constituency was 81,652, of which 2.4 per cent. were men aged 75 and over and 4.4 per cent. were women aged 75 and over.

  Communication White Paper
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will publish the Communication White Paper. [133554]

  Janet Anderson
  As indicated in the answers my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave on 21 July 2000,Official Report, columns 342–43W and 360W, we propose to publish the Communications White Paper later this year.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133377]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office.

  Spoliation Panel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place a copy of the Rules of Procedure of the Spoliation Panel in the Library. [133227]
  1112W
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have placed a copy of the Rules of Procedure for the Spoliation Advisory Panel in the Library today.

  Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Society
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the application of Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Society for stabilisation funding. [133369]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  This is a matter for the Arts Council of England as the Lottery distributor for the arts. I understand, however, that ACE has approved an award of £5.4 million to place the RLPS on a sound financial and artistic footing for the foreseeable future.

  Rugby League
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the full cost to public funds of the UK staging the Lincoln Rugby League World Cup during the autumn. [133629]

  Kate Hoey
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Piers
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers he has to take action against local authorities which lease seaside piers for inappropriate commercial uses. [133695]

  Janet Anderson
  I do not have powers to intervene where local authorities lease seaside piers to others.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that seaside piers are protected from inappropriate commercial development. [133696]

  Janet Anderson
  Some historic seaside piers have been protected by listed building legislation. Otherwise the development of seaside piers is largely a matter for the owners subject, of course, to the requirements of the law.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133569]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The bodies set up since May 1997 which have reported, and the dates they reported, are as follows.
  1113W

  Body writing the report

  Date report was submitted

  Advisory Group to consider and recommend on appropriate new statue or work of art for the vacant plinth in Trafalgar Square

  June 2000

  Library and Information Commission Education Task Group

  April 2000

  Tourism Consumer Group

  March 2000

  Efficiency and Effectiveness Review of Government sponsorship of Museums and Galleries

  September 1999

  Neighbourhood Renewal Policy Action Team 10: Arts and Sport

  July 1999

  Review of the Future Funding of the BBC

  July 1999

  Steering Group on the Roles of the Proposed Architecture Commission

  June 1999

  Museums, Libraries and Archives Council Design Group

  June 1999

  Creative Industries Task Force

  November 1998

  November 1999

  February 2000 (2)

  April 2000 (2)

  May 2000

  Library and information Commission Public Library Network Implementation Committee

  October 1998

  Working Party on Legal Deposit

  June 1998

  Eyre Review on the future of Lyric Theatre in London

  June 1998

  Review of the Impact of the Millennium Experience

  June 1998

  Film Policy Review

  April 1998

  Advisory Group on Listed Sporting Events

  March 1998

  Stevenson Review of legal options for future use of the Millennium Dome

  December 1997

  I shall write to the hon. Member with the additional information he requires.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the PFI contracts entered into by Agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other organisations funded by his Department, indicating(a) their date of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing. [133424]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department has not itself entered into any PFI contracts. I informed my right hon. Friend of the PFI contract within our Executive Agency, The Royal Parks Agency, on 17 July. I will write to my right hon. Friend, with details of PH projects within my non-departmental bodies, as soon as they are available, placing copies of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Football Taskforce
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he intends to announce the Government's response to the report of the Football Task Force, entitled Football: Commercial Issues. [133863]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I am finalising the terms of the Government's response to the Football Task Force, and I shall make a full announcement shortly. The announcement will include details of the establishment 1114W
  of the Independent Football Commission. I shall place copies of all documents published in respect of the announcement in the Library of the House.

  National Lottery
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he intends to take to reduce the costs to organisations of making National Lottery funding applications. [133864]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have directed the independent Quality Efficiency and Standards Team (QUEST) to look at the costs of making applications for Lottery grants and consider how these costs could be contained without compromising the demands of proper accountability in decisions about how to spend public money. QUEST will publish Phase I of its report, which focuses on applications for grants of up to £100,000, early next month. Copies of the report will be available in the Library of the House.

  English Sports Council
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to undertake a review of the English Sports Council. [133865]
  1115W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  As part of my Department's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, I have today announced the start of our Review of the English Sports Council.

  The English Sports Council (ESC) is responsible for developing and maintaining the infrastructure of sport in England, for distributing National Lottery funds for sport in England and for five National Sports Centres. The Review of the ESC will include an evaluation of its role and functions and how those functions can best be carried out, and a review of the efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of the way in which the ESC delivers services to its users. We aim to complete the Review before the end of the financial year. Copies of the Terms of Reference have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers he has to take action against local authorities which fail to carry out their responsibilities for listed buildings in their ownership. [133694]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and will place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Farm Subsidies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage contribution farming made to the English gross domestic product(a) before and (b) after deduction for subsidies in each of the last three years. [133232]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Agriculture's share of total gross domestic product (England)

  Percentage

  Including subsidies

  Excluding subsidies

  1997

  1.1

  0.8

  19981

  0.9

  0.7

  19991

  0.9

  0.6

  1 provisional

  Source:

  Aggregate Agricultural Account

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many headage payments have been made for sheep in each of the last five years; and what percentage of the sheep were not marketed. [133230]

  Ms Quin
  The table shows the number of sheep in England on which headage payments were made in the last five years. Most of the sheep on which the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance was paid would also have had Sheep Annual Premium paid on them.
  1116W
  Both these payments are made in respect of breeding ewes rather than on lambs. Most will therefore be kept for a number of years and we have no information on whether or not they might have been marketed in the year of claim for payment.

  Million

  Sheep Annual Premium

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance (Sheep)

  1995

  8.5

  3.3

  1996

  8.3

  3.3

  1997

  8.2

  3.3

  1998

  8.3

  3.4

  1999

  8.3

  3.5

  Sugar Prices
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the UK sugar support prices were, expressed as intervention price plus storage cost levy, in(a) nominal and (b) real terms for each year since 1980. [132526]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: The information requested is contained in the following table:

  Year

  Ecu/euro

  Nominal terms

  Real terms, at 1980 prices

  1980

  474

  293

  293

  1981

  517

  320

  286

  1982

  569

  352

  290

  1983

  589

  365

  287

  1984

  589

  365

  273

  1985

  596

  382

  270

  1986

  594

  401

  274

  1987

  594

  429

  281

  1988

  589

  439

  275

  1989

  584

  457

  265

  1990

  567

  482

  255

  1991

  567

  512

  256

  1992

  567

  527

  254

  1993

  570

  649

  309

  1994

  565

  639

  296

  1995

  683

  578

  259

  1996

  672

  564

  247

  1997

  667

  486

  206

  1998

  667

  459

  188

  1999

  667

  439

  177

  Note:

  UK effective support price for sugar = UK intervention price plus storage levy. Prices per tonne as at 1 July each year, expressed in ecu/euros in column 1 and in £ in columns 2 and 3.

  Dairy Quotas
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with his European counterparts about establishing a legal cross-border market for dairy quotas. [131818]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: We have considered in the past the establishment of a legal cross-border market for milk quotas with the Commission and our European partners. There is no real support for this. Some member states regard the retention of quota in certain less favoured areas as a vital means of maintaining rural employment and are therefore reluctant to support

  1117W
  such a move. Others are not prepared to contemplate the transfer of national assets to producers in another member state. The Commission has no enthusiasm for this either.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average net income was in real terms for farmers in each year since 1994. [131645]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The information requested is given in the table.

  Average net farm income—England, full-time farms (in real terms at 1999 prices)

  £/farm

  Year

  Net farm income

  1994–95

  33,200

  1995–96

  43,400

  1996–97

  32,500

  1997–98

  14,000

  1998–99

  9,700

  1999–20001

  8,500

  1 Provisional

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  Farming Profits
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the average level of profits made by(a) dairy farmers, (b) hill farmers and (c) beef farmers in each of the last five years. [132273]

  Ms Quin
  The average level of net farm income on dairy farms, cattle and sheep farms in the LFA (Less Favoured Areas) and lowland cattle and sheep farms over the last five years, were as follows:

  Net farm income by type of farm in the United Kingdom

  £ per full-time farm

  March-February

  Dairy

  LFA cattle and sheep

  Lowland cattle and sheep

  1995–96

  33,900

  14,300

  9,200

  1996–97

  28,000

  14,200

  6,800

  1997–98

  17,700

  7,300

  700

  1998–99

  10,300

  3,600

  -500

  1999–20001

  8,000

  2,500

  1,500

  1 Forecast

  Note:

  Income figures for specialist beef farms are not available

  Source:

  Farm Business Survey

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate his Department has made of the badger populations in each of the three sites in the triplet areas which form part of the MAFF bovine TB trials. [131761]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: The number and distribution of badger setts is surveyed across all three treatment areas within a triplet, but area-wide population estimates are made only in proactive culling areas. This
  1118W
  is done firstly prior to culling, to ensure sufficient traps are set; and secondly after culling, to obtain a measure of culling efficiency.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost of compensating beef farmers for consequential losses due to restrictions placed on their herds as a result of TB outbreaks. [131808]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 28 July 2000]: MAFF has commissioned an independent study of the consequential losses to cattle farms resulting from outbreaks of bovine TB. The study was presented to the TB Forum on 13 July and comments were invited. I am placing copies of the study in the Library of the House.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mobile grade civil servants there are in his Department, including the Intervention Board(a) in total and (b) at each location. [131412]

  Mr. Morley
  The number of staff in mobile grades in my Department is as follows:

  Core-MAFF—2,908

  Pesticides Safety Directorate—139

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate—72

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency—457

  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science—243

  Central Science Laboratory—382

  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency—5I7

  Intervention Board—530.

  The number of staff in mobile grades in each location is set out in the table.

  Staff in mobile grades by location

  Location

  Number of mobile staff

  Core-MAFF

  Alnwick

  12

  Amble

  1

  Ashford

  13

  Aston Down

  16

  Ayr

  10

  Bakewell

  2

  Barnstaple

  2

  Barton Hall

  7

  Beverley

  14

  Birmingham

  4

  Bonn

  1

  Bridlington

  1

  Bristol

  49

  Brixham

  4

  Bury St. Edmunds

  21

  Caernarfon

  8

  Cambridge

  102

  Cardiff

  12

  Carlisle

  69

  Carmarthen

  20

  Chelmsford

  20

  Chichester

  3

  Chorley

  9

  Cockermouth

  2

  Coventry

  4

  Crewe

  69

  Dorchester

  12

  Dover

  1

  Doverport

  21

  1119W

  Staff in mobile grades by location

  Location

  Number of mobile staff

  Dumfries

  4

  Durham

  5

  Edinburgh

  6

  Elgin

  2

  Exeter

  109

  Falmouth

  2

  Fleetwood

  4

  Forfar

  3

  Galashiels

  9

  Gateshead

  1

  Gloucester

  23

  Grimsby

  4

  Guildford

  240

  Hamilton

  5

  Harrogate

  7

  Hartlepool

  2

  Hastings

  3

  Hereford

  2

  Hertford

  4

  Holyhead

  1

  Hull

  2

  Inverness

  6

  Inverurie

  9

  Ipswich

  4

  Itchen Abbas

  11

  Kendal

  3

  Kildington

  2

  Kings Lynn

  6

  Kirkwall

  2

  Kirton

  8

  Launceston

  8

  Leeds

  19

  Leicester

  19

  Lewes

  3

  Lincoln

  25

  Liverpool

  3

  Llandrindodd Wells

  6

  Llanishen

  9

  Central London

  Bloomsbury

  49

  Vauxhall

  78

  Westminster

  550

  Whitehall

  359

  Total

  1,036

  Outer London

  Hayes

  1

  Heathrow

  4

  Leyton

  1

  Southall

  1

  Total

  7

  London Total

  1,043

  Looe

  1

  Lowestoft

  5

  Madrid

  1

  Maidstone

  8

  Manchester

  1

  Milford Haven

  4

  Newcastle

  14

  Newlyn

  5

  Northallerton

  73

  North Shields

  4

  Northampton

  6

  Norwich

  14

  Nottingham

  65

  Oban

  2

  Oxford

  6

  paris

  2

  Paris

  2

  1120W

  Staff in mobile grades by location

  Location

  Number of mobile staff

  Perth

  11

  Peterborough

  2

  Plymouth

  5

  Polwhele

  15

  Pontefract

  8

  Poole

  3

  Portslade

  2

  Portsmouth

  2

  Preston

  13

  Ramsgate

  1

  Reading

  68

  Reigate

  16

  Rome

  1

  Scarborough

  3

  Seahouses

  1

  Sheerness

  1

  Sheffield

  2

  Shrewsbury

  13

  Silsoe

  1

  Skipton

  2

  Southampton

  1

  St. Asaph

  4

  Stafford

  15

  Stranraer

  2

  Swansea

  4

  Taunton

  30

  Thurso

  2

  Tilbury

  2

  Trowbridge

  11

  Truro

  24

  Tunbridge Wells

  5

  Whitby

  1

  Whitehaven

  1

  Winchester

  7

  Wolverhampton

  3

  Worcester

  88

  Workington

  57

  Wrexham

  2

  Wye

  7

  York

  128

  Core MAFF Total

  2,908

  Agency

  PSD

  York

  139

  VMD

  Addlestone

  72

  CEFAS

  Lowestoft

  167

  Burnham-on-Crouch

  33

  Weymouth

  41

  Whitehaven

  2

  CEFAS Total

  243

  CSL

  York

  363

  Stroud

  7

  Winchester

  1

  Home working

  11

  CSL Total

  382

  VLA

  Aberystwyth

  3

  Bury St. Edmunds

  14

  Carmarthen

  11

  Langford

  10

  Lasswade

  17

  Luddington

  8

  Newcastle

  8

  1121W

  Staff in mobile grades by location

  Location

  Number of mobile staff

  Penrith

  7

  Preston

  8

  Shrewsbury

  11

  Starcross

  11

  Sutton Bonnington

  15

  Thirsk

  8

  Truro

  3

  Weybridge

  314

  Winchester

  9

  VLA Total

  457

  FRCA

  Aberystwyth

  33

  Bristol

  33

  Bury St. Edmunds

  9

  Cambridge

  50

  Cardiff

  7

  Carmarthen

  9

  Crewe

  27

  Exeter

  47

  Guildford

  16

  Kings Lynn

  1

  Leeds

  64

  Lincoln

  12

  London

  14

  Newcastle

  12

  Northallerton

  20

  Norwich

  6

  Nottingham

  13

  Oxford

  9

  Penrith

  13

  Preston

  4

  Reading

  17

  Ruthin

  4

  Taunton

  35

  Truro

  4

  Wolverhampton

  19

  Worcester

  28

  Wye

  11

  FRCA Total

  517

  Intervention Board

  Reading1

  462

  Newcastle

  68

  Intervention Board Total

  530

  1 Includes small outstationed teams

  Departmental Initiatives
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131077]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 24 July 2000,Official Report, column 469W.

  Arable Area Payments
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the Seventh Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for Session 1999–2000, "Investigation into Delays in Making 1122W
  Area Payments under the Arable Area Payments Scheme", if he will make a statement about the mechanism by which farmers will be compensated as the Ombudsman recommends. [131034]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 July 2000.1]: MAFF will provide compensation in the form of interest to farmers who received late payment of their 1995 claims under the Arable Area Payments Scheme for the reasons highlighted in the report referred to by the hon. Member. As agreed with the Ombudsman, and in line with common practice across Government Departments, the compensation payments will be subject to a de minimis level of £50. MAFF has a full list of all the AAPS applicants that were affected, and work is in progress to calculate the compensation to which they are entitled. When that work has been completed the applicants will be notified of the amount of compensation to which they are due. There is no need for individual farmers to apply to the Ministry for payment.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the information measures relating to the Common Agricultural Policy referred to on page 50 of Cm 4762; and if he will make a statement. [130832]

  Ms Quin
  The European Commission's proposals to co-finance information projects aimed at improving the understanding, development and implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy were considered at the Special Committee for Agriculture in November 1999, and adopted by the Agriculture Council on 17 April 2000 as an A point (Council Regulation (EC) No. 814/2000).

  A wide range of organisations representing farming, environmental and consumer interests are eligible to apply for funding for such measures as talks, seminars, information visits, publications and participation in international events.

  Pigmeat
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of pig products being sold in a way which misleads the consumer into believing they contain pigmeat of British origin have been identified by the verification officer in the last three years; and how many staff are employed to assist the officer in fulfilling his duties. [130752]

  Ms Quin
  Out of the number of labels examined, the verification officer has brought to the attention either of the retailer or the manufacturer concerned over 20 cases considered to be misleading. In most cases the product has been withdrawn or the label altered. Staff resources have not limited his activities as Trading Standards Officers have statutory authority to pursue individuals cases where appropriate.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when Ministers intend to meet to discuss the availability of organophosphate sheep dips. [132451]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 July 20001]: A meeting took place on 25 July.
  1123W
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the most recent advice to Ministers was from the Veterinary Products Committee concerning the date on which organophosphate sheep dips should become available again. [132449]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: The Veterinary Products Committee recently offered advice which Minsters are considering. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Burns Report
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of implementation of the Burns report and banning hunting with hounds, what estimate he has made of the cost of disposing of fallen and other stock. [129126]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 July 2000]: A small and limited survey, carried out by MAFF, suggested that in 1999 around 40 per cent. of calves, 32 per cent. of adult bovines and 15 per cent. of sheep were disposed of to hunt kennels. No estimate has been made of the cost to the livestock industry of using outlets other than hunt kennels to dispose of carcases. However, the safe disposal of fallen stock in an important issue and officials will continue to liaise with the livestock and disposal industries to examine the best approaches to this issue.

  Soft Drinks, Confectionery and Biscuits
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the retail price indices were for(a) soft drinks, (b) confectionery and (c) biscuits for each of the years 1980 to 1996 and for each month from May 1996 to date. [132527]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: The information requested is given in Tables 1 and 2. Separate indices are not available for biscuits.

  Table 1: Retail Price Indices1 —annual averages 1980 to 1996

  Biscuits and cakes

  Soft drinks

  Sweets and chocolates

  1980

  74.0

  79.1

  72.7

  1981

  80.9

  86.4

  78.6

  1982

  86.1

  87.6

  81.1

  1983

  90.1

  91.7

  84.8

  1984

  93.9

  93.9

  88.1

  1985

  96.1

  97.8

  92.9

  1986

  98.1

  99.2

  98.2

  1987

  101.4

  103.2

  100.2

  1988

  104.6

  114.9

  101.1

  1989

  111.5

  122.9

  104.2

  1990

  120.2

  134.9

  108.3

  1991

  129.4

  143.2

  115.6

  1992

  135.4

  154.6

  121.6

  1993

  141.0

  156.2

  127.8

  1994

  144.4

  155.2

  133.2

  1995

  145.9

  162.7

  137.0

  1996

  151.3

  173.6

  142.5

  1 January 1987 = 100

  1124W

  Table 2: Retail Price Indices1 —monthly, May 1996 to June 2000

  Biscuits and cakes

  Soft drinks

  Sweets and chocolates

  1996

  May

  151.1

  173.6

  141.9

  June

  151.7

  174.5

  143.1

  July

  153.1

  174.1

  144.8

  August

  153.0

  174.2

  144.9

  September

  151.9

  174.6

  144.8

  October

  152.4

  175.0

  145.0

  November

  151.4

  174.7

  144.3

  December

  150.6

  174.9

  144.2

  1997

  January

  150.9

  176.1

  144.5

  February

  152.9

  181.1

  144.9

  March

  151.8

  182.0

  145.4

  April

  151.7

  180.7

  146.4

  May

  151.8

  180.9

  147.6

  June

  153.4

  181.5

  148.1

  July

  153.8

  181.1

  148.3

  August

  154.0

  180.0

  148.5

  September

  153.2

  180.5

  149.2

  October

  155.4

  181.4

  149.4

  November

  153.2

  178.1

  149.3

  December

  153.4

  179.1

  149.5

  1998

  January

  152.4

  180.7

  148.8

  February

  152.0

  185.6

  148.2

  March

  152.0

  186.6

  147.7

  April

  151.7

  184.7

  148.5

  May

  153.4

  187.1

  149.9

  June

  155.8

  186.1

  151.5

  July

  155.8

  186.0

  153.2

  August

  155.9

  186.3

  153.4

  September

  154.9

  187.1

  153.9

  October

  157.0

  187.4

  154.4

  November

  157.0

  187.1

  154.2

  December

  157.2

  185.6

  154.0

  1999

  January

  156.8

  186.7

  153.9

  February

  157.4

  190.1

  154.3

  March

  157.4

  190.3

  155.1

  April

  156.4

  188.2

  153.8

  May

  156.1

  186.9

  153.1

  June

  156.8

  187.4

  155.0

  July

  158.5

  186.9

  155.2

  August

  158.5

  186.5

  155.0

  September

  157.8

  187.8

  155.4

  October

  157.1

  186.3

  156.0

  November

  156.5

  186.0

  156.3

  December

  158.4

  184.9

  156.6

  2000

  January

  158.1

  185.7

  156.1

  February

  157.7

  186.1

  155.3

  March

  157.8

  187.4

  155.6

  April

  158.3

  186.9

  155.9

  May

  157.0

  188.9

  157.5

  June

  157.2

  188.4

  158.0

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Sugar Beet Production
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the contribution of sugar beet production to total farm income in each of the years from 1989 to 1999; and what was the gross margin for sugar beet in each of these years. [132524]
  1125W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: Sugar beet gross margins and estimates of the contribution of sugar beet production to total farm gross margin for farms in the University of Cambridge's province of the Farm Business Survey are set out in the table. Estimates for 1999 are not yet available.

  Sugar beet gross margins and the contribution of sugar beet to total farm gross margin for the eastern counties of England

  Gross margin (£/ha)

  Contribution to total farm gross margin (Percentage)

  1989

  920

  11.1

  1990

  1,116

  12.1

  1991

  1,104

  10.3

  1992

  1,436

  11.8

  1993

  1,232

  11.2

  1994

  1,153

  9.6

  1995

  1,232

  8.7

  1996

  1,187

  9.9

  1997

  1,008

  9.3

  1998

  951

  8.8

  Source:

  Report on Farming in the Eastern Counties (University of Cambridge)

  Opinion Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place copies of the results of all market and opinion research carried out by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, in the Library. [123803]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: Decisions on whether to publish the results of all research projects, and whether to place a copy in the House of Commons Library, are taken on a case-by-case basis, as some reports may contain, for example, commercially confidential information. Some of the market research projects commissioned by this Ministry since May 1997 are therefore already held in the Library. Copies of the publicly available research projects may be provided on request and a summary of these will be placed in the Library.

  Agrimonetary Compensation
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount of agrimonetary compensation for which farmers were eligible in each year since 1979 in(a) Scotland, (b) the UK and (c) Dumfries and Galloway region, broken down by farming sector; and how much was paid. [127695]

  Ms Quin
  Agrimonetary compensation has been available since 1993. Until the introduction of the euro, it was triggered when national currency strengthened against the ECU sufficiently to outweigh the effects of previous devaluations (an appreciable revaluation). The UK first became eligible following appreciable revaluations in 1997. Compensation was also made available following the introduction of the euro on 1 January 1999, and in 2000 following exchange rate fluctuations.
  1126W
  Figures for compensation are available on a member state basis and cannot be broken down except at disproportionate cost. Compensation paid between 1997 and to the end of June 2000 in (a), (b) and (c) is set out in the tables.

  Agrimonetary compensation in the UK is available

  Compensation triggered/by sector

  Amount available (first instalment) (£ million)

  1997

  Cereals

  195.7

  Flax and hemp

  0.4

  Milk

  219.2

  Beef

  78.2

  Sugar

  21.9

  Total

  515.4

  1998

  Cereals

  89.2

  Flax and hemp

  1

  Beef

  22.8

  Sheep

  13.2

  Agri-environment

  1.9

  Total

  1128.1

  1999

  Cereals

  174.8

  Beef

  62.69

  Sheep

  32.14

  Flax and hemp

  1.6

  Agri-environment

  7.8

  Total

  279

  20002

  Beef

  54.3

  Sheep

  46.1

  Agri-environment

  9.8

  Milk

  22.1

  Cereals

  14.3

  Total

  146.6

  1 Excludes £1.9 million, cancelled following later devaluation

  2 Further compensation likely for arable in 2000

  Agrimonetary compensation paid

  £ million

  Year paid

  UK

  Scotland

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1997

  Beef

  18.3

  —

  —

  1998

  Beef

  109.4

  34.3

  6

  Sheep

  12.4

  2.9

  0.4

  1999

  Beef

  61.6

  4.5

  0.9

  Sheep

  31.2

  7.3

  1.1

  Arable

  18.2

  15.9

  0.5

  20002

  Beef

  32.4

  10.5

  1.8

  Sheep

  10.1

  2.4

  0.3

  Arable

  152.6

  3

  0.03

  1 Early payment of compensation in Wales (paid in 1998 in rest of UK)

  2 To end June 2000

  Fisheries
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fisheries regulations have been introduced since May 1997; and at what cost to the industry. [126929]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 22 June 2000]: More than 190 Council and Commission regulations have been adopted under the Common Fisheries Policy since May 1997. Many of the regulations have been time limited and routine such as those related to the setting of annual TACs and quotas and EU agreements with third countries or have concerned supplementary measures or amendments to basic regulations dealing with matters such as technical conservation, marketing and control.

  Additionally more than 30 Statutory Instruments have been introduced primarily concerned with the enforcement of regulations or the closure of UK fisheries once quota allocations have been taken. This is normal practice where fisheries measures are likely to have a material impact on industry costs a regulatory impact assessment is prepared by the Ministry and placed in the Library of the House.

  Meat and Bonemeal
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of meat and bonemeal from cattle are being stored; and where such storage is taking place. [133156]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: There are currently some 460,000 tonnes of Over-30-Months scheme meat and bonemeal (MBM) in store at 15 sites in the UK; two in Devon, two in Lincolnshire, one on Merseyside, three in Lancashire, one in Cheshire, two in Scotland and four in Northern Ireland. There are 10,000 tonnes of Selective Cull Scheme MBM at one site in Shropshire.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what conditions meat and bonemeal from cattle is being stored; and whether such storage is(a) in containers and (b) open in warehouses. [133154]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: Meat and bonemeal (MBM) produced from the rendering of carcases of cattle slaughtered under the Over-30-Month and Selective Cull schemes is stored in bulk heaps in warehouses. The storage is carried out safely and securely in compliance with waste management licensing legislation enforced by the Environment Agency, and its equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for how long it is expected that meat and bonemeal from cattle will have to be stored pending its intended disposal through incineration; and when it is expected that all such material will have been incinerated. [133155]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Intervention Board has a target in its Service Delivery Agreement with the Treasury to incinerate 60 per cent. of Over-30-Months (OTMS) and Selective Cull Scheme meat and bonemeal (MBM) produced by March 2002. Recent forecasts indicate that the number of cattle entering the OTMS in future years, and the amount of MBM which will be produced as a result, will be greater
  1128W
  than previously expected. Nevertheless, MBM stocks are expected to be at very low levels by March 2004, after which MBM will be incinerated as it is produced.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the practicability of disposing of meat and bonemeal from cattle by mixing it with lime and cement and depositing it in landfill sites. [133153]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Government have made no assessment of the practicability of this method of disposal of meat-and-bonemeal (MBM). Commission Regulation 716/96, under which the over-30-months scheme (OTMS) operates, requires these cattle to be directly incinerated or rendered and destroyed. Incineration with energy recovery remains the method of destruction preferred by both Government and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee. The Intervention Board which operates the scheme has signed contracts with three companies for large-scale incineration facilities (subject to the companies obtaining the necessary consents) and these are expected to reduce stocks of OTMS MBM to very low levels by March 2004.

  Long Ashton Research Station
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial assistance his Department has provided to the Long Ashton Research Station of the Institute of Arable Crops Research since 1997; and what this financial assistance is intended for. [132855]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Department commissions research from the Institute of Arable Crops Research, of which Long Ashton Research Station forms part. The MAFF research funding at the Institute for the last three financial years was:

  Year

  £000

  1997–98

  7,504

  1998–99

  7,046

  1999–2000

  6,062

  In addition, in 1998–99 MAFF made £813,000 available to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. This was to help the Council meet redundancy costs at Long Ashton and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research due to changes in research priorities.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the proposed measurement of hedgerows in connection with related financial support. [131572]

  Ms Quin
  We were pleased to secure the European Commission's agreement that, for the current year, we should continue to apply the rules on hedgerows and other types of field margin in the same way as we have done in previous years. For 2001 and subsequent years we are actively exploring with the Commission the options for dealing with the issue in a way which avoids environmental damage, excessive red tape, and adverse effects on farmers' returns from area-based payments. Our
  1129W
  favoured option would be for the EU legislation to provide for the flexibility needed to cover traditional UK farming systems.

  New Entrant Farmers
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the possibility of allocating quotas that are being disposed of to new entrant farmers. [131812]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: Suckler cow and sheep quota in the national reserve is already distributed to various categories of eligible applicants, including new entrants to farming. When consulted, the dairy sector showed no support for a scheme to siphon off quota being transferred.

  Abattoirs
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has had to merge the role of vets and meat inspectors on overseeing the slaughter of animals. [132890]

  Ms Stuart
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have received no proposals to merge the role of Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs) and meat inspectors in overseeing the slaughtering of animals. The Food Standards Agency advises me, however, that the Report of the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group (the Pooley Report) recommended that discussions should be held with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons about the feasibility of providing appropriate training to enable non veterinarians to carry out some work done by OVSs. These have taken place and it has been concluded that further consideration should be postponed until the future arrangements for meat inspection under the Commission's recent food hygiene proposal are clearer. The Pooley Report also recommended that where economically beneficial to the plant (mainly small, isolated premises), the OVS should undertake the post mortem inspection of carcases. This has been implemented.

  RSC performance data for financial year 1999–20001

  Target area

  Percentage

  Arable Area Payments Scheme

  Main payments

  99

  Oilseeds

  Non-food payments

  97

  Advanced payments

  99

  Final payments

  99

  Beef Special Premium Scheme

  Advance payments (1999)

  97

  Balance payments (1998)

  99

  CID applications issued (1999)

  99

  Premium paid CIDs issued (1999)

  99

  Suckler Cow Premium Scheme

  Balance payments 1998

  99

  Advance payments 1999

  99

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme

  Claims marketing year 1999

  99

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas

  Applications

  90

  Claims

  98

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas

  Applications

  77

  Conservation Plan

  Claims

  93

  Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme

  1991 Plan Claims

  78

  Farm Woodland Premium

  Applications

  90

  Scheme

  Claims (1999)

  81

  Injurious Weeds

  Complaints receiving a response within 15 working days

  95

  New Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme

  Claims (1999)

  98

  Protection of Badgers Act 1992

  Licence applications

  97

  CJD
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's progress in combating the causes of CJD. [130950]

  Yvette Cooper
  I have been asked to reply.

  The cause of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is unknown. The view of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee is that the most likely explanation of the cases of variant CJD (vCJD) to date is exposure to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).

  We have implemented all the measures which experts have advised to protect the public from the risk of BSE. These are set out in "Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy in Great Britain—a Progress Report", published every six months by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. A copy of the latest version, published in December 1999, is available in the Library.

  A major research programme is in place to further our understanding of vCJD.

  Meat Inspection Charges
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans for adopting the recommendations of the Task Force on Meat Inspection Charges. [130819]

  Ms Stuart
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on 3 July 2000, Official Report, column 29W.

  Service Delivery Targets
  Mrs. Fitzsimons
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress his Department has made in meeting the service delivery targets set out in Commitment to Service. [122930]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The table sets out the performance achieved by the Regional Service Centres (RSCs) during 1999–2000 against the targets published in the Charter document "Commitment to Service".
  1131W

  RSC performance dada for financial year 1999–20001

  Target area

  Percentage

  Strychnine Permits

  Applications

  99

  Agricultural Wage Inspections

  Visits made within 10 working days of the RSC receiving the complaint

  67

  Wildlife and Countryside Act

  Licence applications

  98

  Correspondence

  Answered within 10 working days

  92

  Complaints

  Numbers receiving response within 10 working days

  80

  1 Unless otherwise specified

  Notes:

  1. FWPS claims—Under certain circumstances, FWPS agreement holders may count some or all of their FWPS land towards their AAPS set aside requirement. The AAPS set aside payment rate (to which the FWPS payment is 'linked' in these cases) fell below the FWPS rate for the first time in 1999, and the associated payments had to be restricted. Problems/delays were encountered both by the Information Technology Division in amending the payment system, and also by the RSCs in identifying the agreements/land involved. Regrettably, this resulted in a significant number of Charter failures.

  2. FWPS applications—The FWPS is one of a number of measures which were notified under the new EC Rural Development Regulation (RDR), which took effect on 1 January 2000. The majority of 'failures' reported relate to applications submitted on or after that date, which cannot be approved until the England Rural Development Plan (ERDP) has received Commission approval.

  3. The high failure rate for Agricultural Wages Inspections arose primarily because of difficulties at one RSC where most of the complaints were sent for investigation during a short period when the wages inspectors' time was already fully taken up carrying out IACS Arable Area Payments Scheme inspections needing urgent completion to protect the Department from EC disallowance.

  4. The relatively high failure rates for the ESA Scheme were due primarily to the introduction of new and complex EC Regulations, uneven workloads and staffing difficulties.

  5. The number of claims processed for the Farm and Capital Grant Scheme 1991 is insignificant compared to most other schemes. Staffing problems at the two RSCs with the largest number of claims has distorted an otherwise excellent success rate.

  6. The 80 per cent. response rate to complaints is explained by the fact that often cases require referral to HQ or the National Scheme Management Centres and thus take longer than 10 days to resolve. In all cases where the deadline was not met, a holding letter was issued to the complainant detailing the reason for delay.

  7. The total percentage has been calculated by setting the entire number of applications or claims cleared within the target time, against the total number received. Applications and claims not cleared due to reasons beyond our control (incorrect information supplied by applicant, etc.) are not included as failures to meet target.

  8. The Farm Conservation Grant Schemes 1989 Claims and Pilot NSA Claims have been omitted from the table since these schemes are now closed.

  9. Forty four complaints were referred to the MAFF Adjudicator during the year. Ten of these were upheld and four were partly upheld. Twenty seven were not upheld. Three cases were dealt with outside of the Citizen's Charter.

  Flooding (Calder Valley)
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what communications he has received from the Environment Agency in response to his request for a report on the causes and impact of the flooding in Calder Valley; and if he will make a statement. [133427]

  Mr. Morley
  The Chairman of the Environment Agency provided me with his report on 21 July. Copies are being placed in the House Libraries.

  The report covers the impact of the flooding; the causes of the flooding, including assessment of the contributory factors suggested by local members of the public; the effectiveness and timeliness of flood warnings; to what extent the effects of these floods were mitigated as a result of the measures taken to implement the Independent Report of the Easter 1998 floods; and what further lessons can be learned from these floods.

  The report provides an assessment of the floods and their causes. I welcome the fact that it identifies a number of factors where management of the event was assisted by the work undertaken to implement the Independent Report of the Easter 1998 floods. The Agency has also identified a number of further lessons to be learned and they are making plans to implement them.

  Finally, I know that some people are still suffering from the effects of the flooding and I repeat the Government's sympathy to all those who were affected.

  Lindane
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his Department's policy is 1132W
  regarding its use of lindane; and what recent discussions he has had with other EU farm Ministers regarding the future use of lindane. [132729]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The Ministry's policy in respect of all pesticides, including lindane, is to ensure that they pose no unacceptable risk to people and the environment. To this end all pesticides are tightly controlled through stringent scientific evaluation and risk assessment.

  Ministers have had no recent discussions with other EU farm Ministers regarding the future use of lindane. However officials from the Ministry supported the vote on 13 July by the EU Commission's Standing Committee on Plant Health to withdraw the agricultural uses of lindane throughout the EU as insufficient data, mainly concerning the environmental effects of lindane, have been submitted to support its continued use for these purposes.

  GM Crops
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which countries are carrying out GM crop trials; and what the recommended separation distances are in each of those countries between GM and conventional crops. [132251]

  Ms Quin
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis the Minister has recommended 50 m as the correct separation distance between conventional and GM crops. [132252]
  1133W
  Ms Quin
  The separation distances currently applied for GM crops are set out in guidelines issued by the industry group SCIMAC (the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops). These reflect existing knowledge and experience in the production of certified seed, and they specify various distances according to the crop species and whether the conventional crop is for seed, organic or ordinary production. A distance of 50 m is relevant to oilseed rape and forage maize crops where the conventional crop is for ordinary production.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the costs of establishing a map-based register of GM crop sites; and if he will make a statement. [131815]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 July 2000]: No such estimate has been made as the Government have no plans to introduce a register of this type.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2000,Official Report, column 350W, on GMOs, when the desk modelling study, and review of the consequences for agriculture of the introduction of GM crops, will be completed; and if the results will be published. [130496]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: The desk study on the risks to the agricultural environment from the release of GM crops is nearing completion. The review of the consequences for agriculture of the introduction of GM crops is not due for completion until 2002. The results of both projects will be published in due course.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2000,Official Report, column 350W, on GMOs, if he will make available information about (a) the causes of the Advanta Seeds contamination and (b) the separation distances used between GM and non-GM crops in the production of the contaminated Advanta Seeds once the Canadian authorities have completed their investigation. [130495]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 July 2000]: Yes.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will fund further research into the health effects of GM animal feeds on animals. [128609]

  Ms Quin
  A rigorous assessment of applications for new GM plants is undertaken by the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs, including any implications for animals. There is no evidence that the introduction of the current generation of GM crops into animal feedingstuffs has caused any harm to farm animals. My Department is not currently funding research in this area, but the need for research will be kept under review.

  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the scientific review of separation distances and their relationship with crop varietal purity. [129807]

  Ms Quin
  A report on the review is due to be delivered to Ministers by 1 August.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who will carry out the independent scientific review of the relationship between separation distances and levels of varietal purity and the implications for thresholds of GM presence. [127216]
  1134W
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 June 2000]: The National Institute of Agricultural Botany.

  GM Seeds
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the UK farms where genetically-modified seed has been planted in the last two years. [123961]

  Ms Quin
  The following information is available on the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions' (DETR) website (www.environment.detr.gov.uk):

  (a) all the locations where genetically modified (GM) crops have been planted as part of the farm-scale evacuation programme; and

  (b) all other locations where GM plants have consent to be grown this year for research purposes, except those where the plant concerned already has a marketing consent for cultivation under Part C of EU Directive 90/220.

  Information on the location of research releases prior to this year not covered by a Part C consent is available on the Public Register held by the DETR.

  In addition, the locations of National List trials of GM plants run under Part C marketing consents are available on request from the Ministry's Plant Varieties and Seeds Division in Cambridge.

  Crops Contamination
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in his review of separation distances, he will take account of Advanta's statement concerning the distance between their GM rape seed crop and their conventional rape seed crop which was contaminated. [132653]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: The review will consider all the relevant information which is available on the Advanta incident. But no conclusion can be drawn yet on how Advanta's conventional seed came to include a low level of GM seed. The Canadian authorities are still investigating this.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps the Government have taken to identify which farms have been contaminated with GM products through the planting of oil seed rape; [123763]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that there is proper monitoring of crops contaminated with GM products through the planting of oil seed rape. [123765]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 5 June 2000]: The Government has written to all farmers who may have sown the affected seed varieties giving details of the relevant arrangements which have been made under the EU Arable Area Payments Scheme and warning them that it would be an offence to market crops grown from the affected seed lots. Government inspectors are auditing the arrangements put in place by Advanta Seeds (UK) Ltd. to identify the affected farmers and compensate them for the losses associated with crop destruction. We have also alerted processors of oilseed rape to the need to ensure that the affected crops are not marketed and do not enter the food chain.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Animal Welfare (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there were under the Pet Animals Act 1951 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [131783]

  (2) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there have been under the (i) Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, (ii) Breeding of Dogs Act 1991 and (iii) Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [131784]

  (3) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there were under the (i) Performing Animals Regulations 1925 and 1968, (ii) Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and (iii) Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [131988]

  Total number of prosecutions at the magistrates courts and convictions at all courts for offences relating to the welfare of animals, England and Wales, 1989 to 19991

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Pet Animals Act 1951

  Prosecutions

  9

  9

  10

  23

  9

  13

  7

  5

  4

  7

  10

  Convictions

  5

  6

  6

  18

  8

  12

  6

  5

  4

  6

  9

  Breeding of Dogs Act 1973

  Prosecutions

  3

  11

  11

  23

  5

  2

  1

  4

  4

  4

  5

  Convictions

  2

  10

  9

  18

  3

  2

  1

  4

  3

  4

  4

  Breeding of Dogs Act 1991

  Prosecutions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1

  1

  —

  Convictions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1

  —

  —

  Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 Sections 8, 9(1)

  Prosecutions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  —

  Convictions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  —

  Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 Sections 9(6), 9(7)

  Prosecutions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  —

  Convictions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  —

  Performing Animals Regulations 1925 and 1968

  Prosecutions

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Convictions

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Zoo Licensing Act 1981

  Prosecutions

  —

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Convictions

  —

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996

  Prosecutions

  —

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  7

  8

  —

  Convictions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3

  7

  —

  Protection of Animals Act 19112

  Prosecutions

  1,050

  1,167

  1,202

  1,154

  1,084

  908

  927

  967

  1,051

  1,107

  1,051

  Convictions

  895

  968

  862

  926

  861

  731

  754

  764

  867

  889

  828

  Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954

  Prosecutions

  17

  21

  39

  29

  39

  33

  18

  18

  34

  23

  23

  Convictions

  17

  21

  30

  26

  33

  27

  17

  16

  30

  20

  19

  Abandonment of Animals Act I960 Section 1

  Prosecutions

  51

  52

  47

  62

  53

  21

  18

  25

  26

  36

  17

  Convictions

  44

  41

  41

  54

  38

  16

  13

  19

  21

  26

  12

  Protection of Badgers Act 1992-except Section 13

  Prosecutions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  44

  19

  30

  Convictions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  25

  4

  10

  1136W
  (4) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there were under the (i) Protection of Animals Act 1911, (ii) Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954, (iii) Abandonment of Animals Act 1960, (iv) Tethering Act 1988 and (v) Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement; [131986]

  (5) how many (a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there have been under the (a) Protection of Badgers Act 1992, (b) Deer Act 1991, (c) Conservation of Seals Act 1970 and (d) Conversation of Seals Order 1996 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [131982]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information for 1989 to 1999, which is provisional, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database is given in the table.

  There have been no prosecutions under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
  1137W

  Total number of prosecutions at the magistrates courts and convictions at all courts for offences relating to the welfare of animals, England and Wales, 1989 to 19991

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Deer Act 1991

  Prosecutions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  13

  21

  10

  14

  20

  14

  4

  Convictions

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  7

  7

  6

  9

  10

  9

  —

  Conservation of Seals Act 19704

  Prosecutions

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Convictions

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 1999 data are provisional

  2 Includes offences under the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988

  3 Not available

  4 Includes offences under the Conservation of Seals Order 1996

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the total number of prosecutions under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and (b) the number of successful prosecutions for each year for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [132303]

  Total number of prosecutions at the magistrates' courts and convictions at all courts under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 England and Wales, 1989–991

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Section 1.—Protection of wild birds

  Prosecutions

  52

  35

  45

  44

  48

  30

  41

  33

  36

  29

  27

  Convictions

  34

  24

  33

  33

  32

  19

  30

  24

  28

  20

  19

  Section 1—Protection of nests and eggs of wild birds

  Prosecutions

  25

  5

  14

  9

  16

  17

  18

  9

  24

  19

  14

  Convictions

  20

  2

  12

  7

  8

  15

  10

  3

  18

  16

  11

  Section 3—Illegal entry into bird sanctuaries

  Prosecutions

  3

  2

  3

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Convictions

  3

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Protection of wild birds in sanctuaries

  Prosecutions

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Convictions

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Section 3—Protection of the nests and eggs of wild birds in sanctuaries

  Prosecutions

  0

  3

  1

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Convictions

  0

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Section 5—Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds

  Prosecutions

  5

  11

  7

  7

  10

  3

  3

  8

  8

  3

  7

  Convictions

  4

  9

  6

  5

  8

  3

  2

  7

  7

  1

  5

  Section 6—Sale etc. of live or dead wild birds, eggs etc.

  Prosecutions

  9

  11

  5

  4

  11

  10

  13

  4

  2

  3

  2

  Convictions

  8

  7

  4

  1

  4

  4

  7

  3

  2

  2

  2

  Section 7—Registration etc. of certain captive birds

  Prosecutions

  13

  14

  11

  11

  15

  9

  7

  3

  2

  0

  2

  Convictions

  11

  12

  9

  7

  11

  7

  4

  3

  2

  0

  0

  Section 8—Protection of captive birds

  Prosecutions

  3

  7

  1

  4

  3

  0

  3

  2

  8

  2

  1

  Convictions

  2

  7

  0

  4

  2

  0

  3

  1

  8

  2

  1

  Section 9—Protection of certain wild animals

  Prosecutions

  8

  6

  4

  6

  15

  7

  0

  6

  5

  0

  3

  Convictions

  5

  6

  2

  5

  5

  4

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  Section 11—Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild animals

  Prosecutions

  6

  4

  4

  3

  0

  3

  6

  1

  2

  3

  4

  Convictions

  4

  3

  4

  3

  0

  3

  6

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Section 14—Introduction of new species etc.

  Prosecutions

  2

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  n/a

  Convictions

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  n/a

  1138W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information for 1989 to 1999 taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database is given in the table.
  1139W

  Total number of prosecutions at the magistrates' courts and convictions at all courts under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 England and Wales, 1989–991

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Section 17—False statements made for obtaining registration or licence etc.

  Prosecutions

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Convictions

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Total

  Prosecutions

  126

  100

  98

  88

  122

  80

  97

  66

  88

  59

  61

  Convictions

  92

  74

  74

  65

  74

  55

  64

  45

  69

  44

  41

  1 1999 data are provisional

  n/a = not available

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) successful prosecutions there were under the (i) Riding Establishments Act 1964, (ii) Riding Establishments Act 1970, (iii) Export of Horses (Protection) Order 1969 and (iv) Coal and Other Mines (Horses) Order 1954 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [131845]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Available information for 1989 to 1999 (which is provisional) taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database is given in the table.

  Number of prosecutions at the magistrates courts and convictions at all courts for offence related to the welfare of horses, England and Wales, 1989 to 1999

  Riding Establishments Acts 1964 and 1970

  Animal Health Act 19811

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  1989

  2

  2

  53

  46

  1990

  10

  7

  53

  43

  1991

  8

  6

  98

  78

  1992

  5

  4

  73

  62

  1993

  3

  2

  42

  34

  1994

  —

  —

  37

  26

  1995

  5

  3

  49

  42

  1996

  6

  4

  58

  43

  1997

  1

  —

  76

  68

  1998

  1

  1

  87

  73

  19992

  —

  —

  56

  51

  1 Sections 40–42, 46 and 49 and Orders made under Sections 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43. Section 40 of the Act enables the Export of Horses (Protection) Order 1969.

  2 1999 data are provisional

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Animal Procedures Committee will initiate its proposed public consultation on the cost benefit analysis test; and if he has indicated to the committee a date by which a report on this should be made. [132302]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I understand from the chairman of the Animal Procedures Committee that he intends that the consultation letter to the public on cost/benefit issues will be sent out this autumn and that a report will be presented in the summer 2001.

  Cyclists
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the causes of the decline in prosecutions for riding a pedal cycle under the influence of drink or drugs during the last decade. [133549]
  1140W
  Mr. Boateng
  No assessment has been made by my Department.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) of 26 June 2000,Official Report, columns 384–86W, if he will call for reports on the reasons for the absence of fixed penalties for cycling on pedestrian footways in (a) Bedfordshire, (b) Cambridgeshire, (c) Essex, (d) Humberside and (e) Gwent, between 1 August and 31 December 1999. [133990]

  Mr. Boateng
  The issuing of fixed penalties for cycling offences is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. Data from Essex have now been received and show that 76 fixed penalty notices were issued for cycling on the pavement in the period August to December 1999. I have no plans to call for reports in this instance from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Humberside and Gwent.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) of 26 June 2000,Official Report, columns 384–86W, if he will call for reports on the reasons for the fewness of fixed penalties for cycling on pedestrian footways in (a) Cheshire, (b) Cleveland, (c) Cumbria, (d) Derbyshire, (e) Dorset, (f) Durham, (g) Lancashire, (h) Norfolk, (i) Northamptonshire, (j) Nottinghamshire, (k) Staffordshire, (l) Thames Valley, (m) Warwickshire, (n) West Midlands, (o) Wiltshire, (p) Dyfed-Powys and (q) South Wales between 1 August and 31 December 1999. [133993]

  Mr. Boateng
  The issuing of fixed penalties is an operational matter for the police. I have no plans to call for reports in this instance for the police forces concerned.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) of 26 June 2000,Official Report, columns 384–86W, if he will call for reports on the reasons for the absence of fixed penalties for carrying more than one person on a pedal cycle in (a) Wiltshire, (b) South Wales, (c) Dyfed-Powys and (d) Gwent, between 1 August and 31 December 1999. [133991]

  Mr. Boateng
  The issuing of fixed penalties is an operational matter for the police. I have no plans to call for reports in this instance from the police forces concerned.

  Paedophiles
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for a DNA database of paedophiles. [133419]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The National Database holds DNA profiles for those suspected, or convicted, of a recordable offence. This includes paedophiles.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the additional policing resources required for the protection of school children as a result of the identification of paedophiles by the News of the World newspaper. [133420]

  Mr. Boateng
  The newspaper article in the News of the World was regrettable. It may undermine the valuable work done by the police and probation services in monitoring the activities of sex offenders in the community.

  We do not know how many offenders have left, or may leave, their homes or are in the process of changing their identities, or will do so in anticipation of the newspaper identifying them. Such moves add to police work.

  I understand from inquiries my officials have made, that the police are currently putting their resources into monitoring, supporting or protecting identified sex offenders and their families, and in at least one case, to handling an attack on an innocent man and women.

  I am sure that forces will keep under review whether they need to put further resources into this area.

  Racing
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to discuss starting prices with the racing bodies. [133747]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have asked a representative of the Starting Price Executive to meet me in September to discuss public concerns. I am also hoping to meet a representative of the Betting Office Licensees Association. I am maintaining a keen interest in the progress being made on the review of the impact of recent changes to the arrangements for establishing starting prices.

  Table 1: Police strength in England and Wales

  Ethnic minority strength as at 31 March 2000

  Ranks

  Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Police Training
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place within the police for encouraging graduate recruits to the Management Training Scheme. [132929]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The police service is one of the largest employers of graduates: figures from Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary indicate that over 500 graduate entrants were appointed as police officers in 1998–99. There is also a national accelerated promotion scheme for graduates (APSG) which offers accelerated promotion and management development opportunities for those who have the potential to rise to the highest ranks within the service.

  Police Statistics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of police officers in each rank are from minority ethnic communities in each force and in total(a) now and (b) in the two previous years; how many additional officers will be needed to reach the 10 year targets set for recruitment and retention (i) in total and (ii) on average each year; and if he will make a statement. [133152]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: Tables 1 to 3 show the number of officers from minority ethnic communities by rank and police force areas for the year to March 2000 and the two preceding years.

  The proportions given are not exact as the figures for officers from minority ethnic communities are in terms of number of people and the total used to calculate the proportion is based on full-time equivalents. This means that the proportion of officers from ethnic minority communities will be over estimated.

  Table 4 sets out numbers of ethnic minority officers which need to be recruited to meet my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's race equality recruitment targets. These are to be met over the period 1999 to 2009—there is no requirement for this to be achieved through equal annual increments. The target for retention is that the percentage of ethnic minority officers leaving the service through resignation or dismissal should equal the percentage of white officers leaving under similar circumstances.

  Progress against targets will be monitored by the Home Office.
  1143W

  Table 1: Police strength in England and Wales

  Ethnic minority strength as at 31 March 2000

  Ranks

  Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Metropolitan Police

  0

  0

  2

  6

  5

  2

  8

  2

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  11

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  1

  4

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  2

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  0

  0

  NCS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  NCIS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total all forces

  0

  0

  2

  1

  11

  1

  20

  1

  Ranks

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total ranks

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  4

  1

  28

  1

  32

  1

  Bedfordshire

  1

  2

  6

  4

  30

  4

  37

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  5

  3

  27

  3

  32

  3

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  7

  0

  8

  0

  City of London

  1

  2

  0

  0

  16

  3

  17

  2

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  2

  1

  15

  1

  17

  1

  Cumbria

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  0

  3

  0

  Derbyshire

  3

  3

  4

  1

  31

  2

  38

  2

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  0

  8

  0

  Dorset

  1

  1

  0

  0

  6

  1

  7

  1

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12

  1

  12

  1

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  1

  4

  0

  Essex

  3

  2

  7

  2

  23

  1

  35

  1

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  2

  1

  13

  2

  15

  1

  Greater Manchester

  7

  2

  27

  3

  135

  3

  170

  3

  Gwent

  0

  0

  1

  0

  16

  2

  17

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  4

  1

  25

  1

  29

  1

  Hertfordshire

  2

  2

  3

  1

  19

  1

  25

  1

  Humberside

  1

  1

  0

  0

  13

  1

  14

  1

  Kent

  2

  1

  1

  0

  35

  1

  38

  1

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  5

  1

  37

  2

  42

  1

  Leicestershire

  4

  4

  10

  4

  73

  5

  88

  4

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  6

  3

  6

  1

  12

  1

  1144W 1145W

  Ranks

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total ranks

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  5

  1

  66

  2

  72

  2

  Metropolitan Police

  27

  2

  95

  2

  872

  4

  1,009

  4

  Norfolk

  2

  3

  0

  0

  9

  1

  12

  1

  Northamptonshire

  1

  2

  2

  1

  29

  3

  33

  3

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  4

  1

  27

  1

  32

  1

  North Wales

  0

  0

  2

  1

  3

  0

  5

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  5

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  6

  2

  56

  3

  65

  3

  South Wales

  3

  2

  2

  0

  29

  1

  36

  1

  South Yorkshire

  2

  1

  10

  2

  60

  2

  72

  2

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  4

  1

  29

  2

  33

  2

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  15

  2

  15

  1

  Surrey

  0

  0

  1

  0

  24

  2

  25

  1

  Sussex

  0

  0

  2

  0

  21

  1

  24

  1

  Thames Valley

  2

  1

  7

  1

  72

  2

  82

  2

  Warwickshire

  1

  2

  3

  2

  16

  2

  20

  2

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  2

  1

  22

  2

  25

  1

  West Midlands

  7

  2

  41

  4

  282

  5

  330

  5

  West Yorkshire

  3

  1

  12

  2

  111

  3

  127

  3

  Wiltshire

  1

  2

  0

  0

  8

  1

  10

  1

  NCS

  3

  3

  1

  0

  18

  2

  22

  2

  NCIS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total all forces

  80

  1

  288

  2

  2,353

  2

  2,754

  2

  Table 2: Police strength in England and Wales

  Ethnic minority strength as at 31 March 1999

  Ranks

  Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  1

  33

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Metropolitan Police

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  2

  4

  1

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  9

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  9

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  2

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1146W 1147W

  Table 2: Police strength in England and Wales

  Ethnic minority strength as at 31 March 1999

  Ranks

  Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  NCS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  NCIS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total all forces

  0

  0

  1

  1

  8

  1

  16

  1

  Ranks

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total ranks

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  3

  1

  30

  7

  33

  1

  Bedfordshire

  1

  2

  6

  4

  29

  20

  36

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  4

  2

  24

  13

  28

  3

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  3

  8

  0

  City of London

  1

  2

  0

  0

  16

  15

  17

  3

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  1

  0

  8

  4

  9

  1

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  2

  0

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  5

  2

  29

  11

  35

  3

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  1

  6

  0

  Dorset

  1

  2

  0

  0

  5

  2

  6

  1

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  5

  10

  1

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  2

  0

  Essex

  2

  1

  6

  1

  22

  5

  32

  1

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  2

  1

  10

  6

  12

  1

  Greater Manchester

  3

  1

  32

  3

  130

  13

  166

  3

  Gwent

  0

  0

  1

  1

  13

  7

  14

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  2

  0

  25

  5

  27

  1

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  2

  1

  15

  6

  18

  1

  Humberside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  10

  3

  11

  1

  Kent

  0

  0

  4

  1

  33

  7

  37

  1

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  6

  1

  32

  6

  39

  2

  Leicestershire

  4

  4

  10

  4

  74

  28

  89

  6

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  4

  2

  3

  2

  7

  1

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  5

  1

  70

  11

  76

  2

  Metropolitan Police

  15

  1

  69

  2

  791

  19

  884

  4

  Norfolk

  2

  3

  0

  0

  9

  4

  12

  1

  Northamptonshire

  1

  2

  2

  1

  28

  17

  32

  4

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  4

  1

  27

  5

  32

  1

  North Wales

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  3

  0

  North Yorkshire

  1

  2

  0

  0

  3

  1

  4

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  6

  2

  51

  15

  60

  3

  South Wales

  3

  2

  1

  0

  26

  6

  32

  1

  South Yorkshire

  2

  1

  8

  2

  58

  12

  68

  3

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  4

  1

  28

  8

  32

  2

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  15

  9

  15

  2

  Surrey

  0

  0

  1

  0

  20

  8

  21

  2

  Sussex

  0

  0

  3

  1

  20

  5

  23

  1

  Thames Valley

  1

  1

  9

  2

  70

  12

  81

  3

  Warwickshire

  1

  2

  2

  2

  19

  16

  22

  3

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  3

  1

  21

  7

  25

  2

  West Midlands

  6

  2

  35

  4

  272

  27

  313

  5

  West Yorkshire

  1

  0

  12

  2

  117

  17

  131

  3

  Wiltshire

  1

  2

  0

  0

  8

  4

  10

  1

  NCS

  0

  0

  4

  2

  16

  7

  20

  2

  NCIS

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  9

  5

  4

  Total all forces

  50

  1

  258

  1

  2,212

  2

  2,545

  2

  1148W 1149W

  Table 3: Police strength in England and Wales

  Ethnic minority strength as at 31 March 1998

  Ranks

  Chief Constable

  Assistant Chief Constable

  Superintendent

  Chief Inspector

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Essex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Greater Manchester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  Humberside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  0

  0

  Kent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  1

  25

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Metropolitan Police

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  5

  1

  Norfolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  9

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  South Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  South Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Surrey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Thames Valley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  6

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Mercia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  2

  West Yorkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  0

  0

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  Total all forces

  0

  0

  1

  1

  7

  1

  17

  1

  Ranks

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total ranks

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Avon and Somerset

  0

  0

  3

  1

  31

  1

  34

  1

  Bedfordshire

  1

  2

  3

  2

  33

  4

  37

  3

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  4

  2

  27

  3

  31

  2

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  0

  6

  0

  City of London

  1

  2

  0

  0

  19

  3

  20

  2

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  1

  0

  17

  1

  18

  1

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  7

  3

  29

  2

  37

  2

  Devon and Cornwall

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  0

  5

  0

  Dorset

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  0

  5

  0

  Durham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  1

  7

  0

  Dyfed Powys

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Essex

  3

  2

  5

  1

  27

  1

  36

  1

  Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12

  1

  12

  1

  Greater Manchester

  3

  1

  31

  3

  129

  2

  164

  2

  Gwent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  13

  1

  13

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  3

  1

  24

  1

  27

  1

  1150W 1151W

  Ranks

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable

  Total ranks

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion

  Hertfordshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  18

  1

  20

  1

  Humberside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  11

  1

  13

  1

  Kent

  0

  0

  5

  1

  29

  1

  34

  1

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  2

  0

  36

  1

  39

  1

  Leicestershire

  2

  2

  12

  5

  74

  5

  89

  4

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  2

  1

  4

  0

  6

  1

  Merseyside

  1

  1

  1

  0

  70

  2

  72

  2

  Metropolitan Police

  11

  1

  57

  1

  785

  4

  861

  3

  Norfolk

  2

  3

  0

  0

  7

  1

  9

  1

  Northamptonshire

  1

  2

  2

  1

  27

  3

  31

  3

  Northumbria

  0

  0

  3

  1

  29

  1

  33

  1

  North Wales

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  North Yorkshire

  1

  2

  0

  0

  6

  1

  7

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  2

  6

  2

  52

  3

  61

  3

  South Wales

  2

  1

  2

  0

  23

  1

  29

  1

  South Yorkshire

  2

  1

  7

  1

  61

  2

  70

  2

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  4

  1

  29

  2

  33

  1

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  13

  1

  13

  1

  Surrey

  0

  0

  1

  0

  19

  2

  20

  1

  Sussex

  0

  0

  2

  0

  21

  1

  23

  1

  Thames Valley

  1

  1

  9

  2

  66

  2

  78

  2

  Warwickshire

  1

  2

  3

  2

  19

  3

  23

  2

  West Mercia

  1

  1

  1

  0

  24

  2

  26

  1

  West Midlands

  2

  1

  38

  4

  252

  4

  294

  4

  West Yorkshire

  1

  0

  12

  2

  119

  3

  133

  3

  Wiltshire

  0

  0

  1

  1

  8

  1

  10

  1

  Total all forces

  39

  1

  230

  1

  2,189

  2

  2,483

  2

  Table 4: Police forces England and Wales

  Increase in ethnic minority officers needed to meet target

  Average increase each year

  Avon and Somerset

  25

  2.5

  Bedfordshire

  69

  6.9

  Cambridgeshire

  19

  1.9

  Cheshire

  14

  1.4

  City of London

  38

  3.8

  Cleveland

  1

  0.1

  Cumbria

  10

  1.0

  Derbyshire

  22

  2.2

  Devon and Cornwall

  25

  2.5

  Dorset

  7

  0.7

  Durham

  6

  0.6

  Dyfed Powys

  9

  0.9

  Essex

  12

  1.2

  Gloucestershire

  5

  0.5

  Greater Manchester

  356

  35.6

  Gwent

  1—

  1—

  Hampshire

  42

  4.2

  Hertfordshire

  60

  6.0

  Humberside

  11

  1.1

  Kent

  38

  3.8

  Lancashire

  123

  12.3

  Leicestershire

  129

  12.9

  Lincolnshire

  7

  0.7

  Merseyside

  14

  1.4

  Metropolitan Police

  5,661

  566.1

  Norfolk

  1—

  1—

  Northamptonshire

  1—

  1—

  Northumbria

  25

  2.5

  North Wales

  13

  1.3

  North Yorkshire

  11

  1.1

  Nottinghamshire

  20

  2.0

  South Wales

  12

  1.2

  South Yorkshire

  35

  3.5

  Staffordshire

  9

  0.9

  Suffolk

  1—

  1—

  1152W

  Table 4: Police forces England and Wales

  Increase in ethnic minority officers needed to meet target

  Average increase each year

  Surrey

  32

  3.2

  Sussex

  47

  4.7

  Thames Valley

  122

  12.2

  Warwickshire

  14

  1.4

  West Mercia

  15

  1.5

  West Midlands

  862

  86.2

  West Yorkshire

  345

  34.5

  Wiltshire

  1—

  1—

  Total

  8,265

  826.5

  NCS

  65

  6.5

  NCIS

  15

  1.5

  1 On target

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 2000,Official Report, column 178W, on police numbers, based on available information and the additional funds for police recruitment, what are the revised projections for the total number of police officers in England and Wales in (a) March 2001, (b) March 2002, (c) March 2003 and (d) March 2004, in total and in each force; what is the estimated average increase for each force in each year; and if he will make a statement. [133177]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The projections we have for future years were set out in my reply to the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on 24 July 2000, Official Report, columns 756–57W.

  The figures I gave include the 4,000 extra Crime Fighting Fund recruits that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 19 July 2000, Official

  1153W
  Report, columns 376–91. My officials are consulting police service and police authority representatives about the allocation of the 4,000 and I expect to be able to announce the allocation of those extra recruits to forces during the recess.

  Police Funding
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the estimated proportion of police funding which will be allocated to police pension costs in each of the next four years; what is the estimated annual increase in real terms for police funding under the comprehensive spending review after pension costs are taken into account; and if he will make a statement; [133179]

  (2) if he will list each initiative since 1997 under the (a) Capital Modernisation Fund, (b) Crime Reduction Fund and (c) the Crime Fighting Fund including (i) the current amount budgeted in each year to date, (ii) the initial amount budgeted in each year to date and (iii) the total expended in each financial year of the initiative date; and if he will make a statement. [133183]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: In the time available it has not been possible to complete the answers to these questions. I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Passports
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the numbers of staff required by the Travel Document Section to prevent the backlog of applications increasing. [133218]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since autumn 1999 the number of staff in the Travel Document Section has increased from 20 to more than 90, which is nearly at full complement. Once the present backlog has been eliminated, and in the absence of any unforeseen circumstances, present staff levels should prevent an increase in the backlog of applications.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to registration officers regarding checks on the passports of persons intending to marry; if the registration officers are explicitly instructed not to check that any visas in passports are valid; what guidance has been issued to registration officers who discover that a visa has expired; and if he will make a statement. [131324]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Registrar General. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Lidington, dated 28 July 2000:
  As Registrar General I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the checking of passports of persons intending to marry. (131324).
  I have not issued any guidance to registration officers regrading checks on passports or the validity of visas in passports of persons intending to marry, nor on any action to follow the discovery of an expired visa.
  1154W
  Registration officers should request documentation showing use and spellings of names and detail of age, marital status and nationality in order to verify that the particulars to be entered in the notice of marriage are accurate. A variety of documents may be produced, including a passport.
  The fact that someone has overstayed their permitted stay in the UK is not a lawful impediment to marriage.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 2000,Official Report, column 323W, on road safety, (1) how many fixed penalty fines were imposed on people cycling on pavements in the period 1 August 1999 to the latest available date in each division of the Essex Police Authority; [133360]

  (2) how many fixed penalty fines were imposed on people cycling on pavements in the period 1 January to the latest date for which figures are available; [133358]

  (3) if he will list the four police authorities which had not issued a fixed penalty fine for people cycling on pavements since it was introduced on 1 August 1999; and what fines have been imposed since 1 January in those police areas. [133359]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Bedfordshire and Gwent are the only two police forces known not to have issued fixed penalty notices to people cycling on pavements during the period 1 August to 31 December 1999.

  The four police forces mentioned in my answer of 20 July 2000, Official Report, column 323W, for which information was not currently available were Cambridgeshire, Essex, Humberside and West Yorkshire. Data have now been received from Humberside (which shows that 19 fixed penalty notices were issued for cycling on the pavement in the period August to December 1999) and from Essex (76 such notices). Information by individual police divisions within Essex is not available.

  No request has yet been made to police forces to provide similar information for 2000.

  Police (Devon and Cornwall)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the planned number of new police officers is in(a) the UK and (b) England for each of the next three years; and what the total number was in Devon and Cornwall in each of the last three years. [130700]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I am responsible for policing in England and Wales. I cannot therefore provide projections on a UK wide basis.

  The projections we have for future years were set out in my reply to the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on 24 July 2000, Official Report, columns 756–57W.

  Police numbers for the Devon and Cornwall constabulary for the last three years are set out as follows:

  Devon and Cornwall constabulary

  Year

  Police numbers

  31 March 1998

  2,962

  31 March 1999

  2,887

  31 March 2000

  2,841

  Firearms
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to respond to the second report of Session 1999–2000 from the Home Affairs Committee on controls over firearms (HC 95). [130327]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 July 2000, c. 449W]: The Home Affairs Committee Report raises a number of complex issues which the Government are carefully considering with a view to publishing a response by way of a Command Paper over the summer.

  Central Services
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned spending on Home Office Central Services in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133402]

  Mr. Straw
  Planned spending on Home Office Central Services in 2000–01 is £98 million. I shall be considering the spending review settlement over the summer and making detailed plans for future years in due course.

  Europol
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) purposes, (b) duties, (c) location and (d) personnel of the Europol National Unit; and what is the proposed Europol budget for 2001. [132663]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The purposes and duties of member states' Europol National Units are set out in Article 4 of the Europol Convention. The United Kingdom's Europol National Unit is situated within the International Division of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) at their Headquarters in London. The personnel of the Europol National Unit, 12 staff in total, are all NCIS employees.

  The Europol budget for 2001, agreed by the Council of the European Union is 35,391,300 euro. The United Kingdom will contribute 5,134,443 euro.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply of 11 July 2000,Official Report, columns 518–19W, concerning Europol, what the membership is of the Europol Working Group; how often it meets and who provides its Secretariat; and who represents the interests of the United Kingdom Government on this Group. [132662]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Europol Working Group comprises from all the European Union member states the Commission and Europol. The Working Group meets periodically at the invitation of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Since 1 July 1999, the date that Europol officially took up its duties, the Group has met five times, twice under each of the Finnish and Portuguese Presidencies and once so far under the French Presidency. The secretariat of the group is provided by the General Secretariat of the Council. The Home Office, in consultation with other departments and agencies, represents the interests of the United Kingdom at the Working Group meetings.

  Crime (Colchester)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes in the level of reported crime in Colchester in each of the last five years. [133555]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available data for notifiable offences recorded by the police in Colchester division over the last five years are given in the table.

  Number of crimes recorded

  Percentage of change compared to the previous year

  1995–96

  9,708

  —

  1996–97

  9,217

  -5

  1997–98

  8,260

  -10

  1998–991

  7,931

  -4

  1998–992

  9,076

  —

  1999–2000

  9,355

  3

  1 Old rules.

  2 New rules.

  Notes:

  The rules for recording crimes changed in April 1998 which led to a large increase in the number recorded. Essex collected data based on the old rules and the new rules in 1998–99.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results achieved by the Prison Service on each of its key performance indicators in each prison during 1998–99. [133697]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 23 July 1999,Official Report, columns 732–36W.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new prisons are planned to be built over the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [133284]

  Mr. Boateng
  Two prisons funded in the 1997 Comprehensive Spending Review are currently under construction. Rye Hill, Rugby will provide 600 places and is scheduled to open in January 2001; Dovegate, Staffordshire will provide 800 places and is scheduled to open in July 2001. Invitations to negotiate have been issued for the procurement of two new prisons at Ashford, near Heathrow and Peterborough.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned net expenditure on prisons in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133405]

  Mr. Straw
  The planned net expenditure of the Prison Service in 2000–01 is £1,834 million. This net figure takes into account the allowable receipts including those received from the Youth Justice Board.

  The additional funding provided as a result of the previous Comprehensive Spending Review in 1997 and recent 2000 Spending Review, increases the Prison Service's net funding to £2,104 million in 2001–02, £2,210 million in 2002–03 and £2,267 million in 2003–04. These figures take no account of the impact of receipts from the Youth Justice Board (YJB). In order to allow for comparison across the years, if the level of receipts from the YJB remained as they are, the Prison Service run of net planned expenditure would be

  1157W
  £2,000 million/£2,106 million/£2,163 million. Net planned expenditure will not be finalised until the value of all allowable receipts, including those from the YJB, have been determined.

  Reports
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the reports submitted to his Department, by bodies that were created after May 1997 and that include significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, stating in each case the body writing the report, the date the report was submitted, how many recommendations were made, the number of those recommendations that have been implemented to date and the number of recommendations that have been rejected; and if he will make a statement. [133564]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews was published by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000, and in the earlier answer on 11 January 2000,Official Report, column 134W. Information on specific recommendations from reports produced by these bodies is not held centrally. However, when such reports are published, copied are placed in the Library of the House.

  Public Safety Radio Communications System
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of the Public Safety Radio Communications System, and provide a breakdown of the way in which the costs of the system will be divided between his Department and the police; and if he will make a statement. [133287]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The overall cost of the Public Safety Radio Communication Service (PSRCS) is approximately £1.3 billion over the lifetime of the project. This is based on the Net Present Cost (ie today's value of a series of future payments) and is for the Private Finance Initiative element of the service. This is the equivalent of £2.3 billion in cash terms. In addition to the service tariffs, forces will pay for costs outside of the scope of the PSRCS contract to cover the purchase of control room terminals and their integration; and the purchase and replacement of radio terminals during the life of the PSRCS. An estimate of these costs is about £300 million over the whole PSRCS contract life.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 19 July 2000, Official Report, columns 376–79, that the Government were making provision to meet the costs of PSRCS. This will amount to around £500 million over the three years of the Spending Review Settlement: the "Core" costs will be paid centrally by the Home Office, and the total provision should also be sufficient to cover expenditure by police forces on local service requirements ("menu costs") and installation and equipment costs.

  This settlement will ensure that the police service has the latest and best technology without having to reduce manpower to fund it. It should meet all the concerns some forces have expressed about the system's affordability.

  National Confiscation Agency
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the start-up costs of the National Confiscation Agency; and if he will make a statement. [133286]

  Mr. Boateng
  Our current best estimate of the start up costs is £2.15 million.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the establishment and operation of the National Confiscation Agency. [132474]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The report by the Performance and Innovation Unit published on 14 June envisages the establishment of a National Confiscation Agency (NCA) with responsibility for bringing confiscation proceedings in criminal cases, initiating civil proceedings for forfeiture of criminal assets under new powers, and raising tax demands on suspect gains. The NCA will also operate a financial investigation centre of excellence, with responsibility for training and accrediting financial investigators in the criminal justice system. The director of the NCA will report to the Home Secretary and be responsible for drawing up an Asset Confiscation Strategy in consultation with other authorities in the criminal justice system. It is my intention to bring forward legislation at the earliest opportunity to implement the report's conclusions.

  Police
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the cost of(a) one new police recruit and (b) one police officer, in (i) the Metropolitan Police and (ii) other forces in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [133282]

  (2) if he will break down the way in which the extra funding under the Comprehensive Spending Review for the police force will be allocated between police (a) pensions, (b) pay rises and (c) recruitment; and if he will make a statement. [133283]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In the time available it has not been possible to complete the answers to these questions. I shall write to the right hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of police officers who will be serving in 2003–04: and if he will make a statement. [133285]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No reliable estimates can be made at this stage of the number of police officers who will be serving in 2003–04 as we do not have force projections for recruitment and wastage in that year.

  The projections we have for future years were set out in my reply to the hon. Member for North Shropshire, (Mr. Paterson) on 24 July 2000, Official Report, columns 756–57W.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what his estimate is of planned expenditure on the police in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04; [133404]
  1159W
  (2) what his estimate is of planned capital expenditure on the police in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04; [133395]

  (3) what his estimate is of the total of his Department's (a) revenue and (b) capital grants to local authorities in respect of the police for (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02,(c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04; [133396]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Planned police expenditure, and its capital component, for the period 2000–01 to 2003–04, is given in the table:

  £ million

  Year

  Total planned police expenditure

  Capital expenditure

  2000–01

  7,718

  198

  2001–02

  8,495

  309

  2002–03

  9,010

  401

  2003–04

  9,293

  343

  For the current financial year, police revenue grant to police authorities of £3,823 million is matched by police standard spending assessment (SSA) provision of £3,533 million. These sums exclude police special grant and the funds being provided to police forces under the crime fighting fund and for DNA. For police service capital expenditure, police capital grant of £91 million will be paid to police forces, accompanied by Supplementary credit approvals of £53 million.

  Final figures showing the expenditure totals for 2001–02 to 2003–04 in terms of police grant, police SSA and police service capital funding will be announced at the time of the local government settlement in the autumn. However, the Spending Review 2000 White Paper did show police SSA figures for England for each of the next three financial years. These plans would deliver provisional police SSA figures (for England and Wales) for the years 2001–02 to 2003–04 of £3,842 million, £4,040 million and £4,204 million respectively although actual SSA provision may be adjusted to take account of expenditure on behalf of forces to be incurred centrally.

  Licensing White Paper
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the responses to the Licensing White Paper (Cm 4696) at the end of the consultation period. [133281]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We will place in the Library copies of responses from bodies commenting on the command paper (Cm 4696), except for any responses submitted on the basis that their contents would not be made more widely available.

  Female Prisoners
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of Category A female prisoners serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales. [133711]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are currently two female category A prisoners held in prison in England and Wales.

  Ashford Prison
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations he carried out 1160W
  with the local borough council and local residents before deciding to build a Category A unit for female prisoners at Ashford, Middlesex Prison; [133707]

  (2) what the anticipated cost is of building the proposed Category A unit for female prisoners at Ashford, Middlesex Prison; [133712]

  (3) what will be the maximum number of prisoners that can be accommodated at the proposed Category A unit at the women's prison at Ashford, Middlesex. [133705]

  Mr. Boateng
  There is no proposal to build a category A unit at Ashford. However, the Prison Service notified Spelthorne Borough Council on 13 July that it was proposing to ask bidders for the prison to design and cost proposals to hold high security (category A) women. In order to meet the security requirements for holding category A women, it is proposed to make one small design change, a facility to hold dogs in kennels. The remaining upgrade will be procedural, including extra patrols (with or without dogs), additional searching and close monitoring of the movement of the individuals concerned. The existing proposal for internal and external physical security are considered sufficient for use with category A prisoners.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to answer the letter of 16 May, sent by the Right hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside, regarding Ms Fenwick of Deeside. [133125]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I will write to my right hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of 25 May, 21 June and 19 July relating to her constituent Mrs. Babayemi. [133602]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am sorry the hon. Member has not received a reply to her letters. The Minister of State, Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), will be writing in the very near future.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 23 May concerning lock purchasing. [132446]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 25 July 2000]: I will be writing to my hon. Friend today.

  Immigration Rules
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been made to the Immigration Rules as a consequence of the provisions of the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000 coming into force. [130213]

  Mrs. Roche
  I am today, laying before Parliament, a Statement of the Changes to the Immigration Rules which are of a consequential nature, related to the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000, which was agreed without division in the House. The Order is designed to underpin the introduction of a flexible immigration control. Greater operational flexibility will
  1161W
  allow us to use resources more effectively to tackle the increasingly sophisticated methods of abuse. In particular, the Statement covers the introduction of entry clearances as leave to enter; of provision for leave to be granted other than in writing and prior to a person's arrival in the United Kingdom; and provision for leave to lapse unless given for a period of more than six months, and not conferred by a visit visa.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a Royal Commission into animal experiments; and if he will make a statement. [133701]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government have not ruled out a Royal Commission, but in the meantime we are seeking to secure improvements to the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and to promote the fullest application of the 3Rs—the replacement of the use of animals with alternative methods; the reduction of the numbers of animals used; and the refinement of the procedures to minimise pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.

  In this context, the Animal Procedures Committee will be issuing a public consultation paper in the autumn as part of its review of the cost/benefit assessment of applications for authority to conduct scientific research using animals. As part of this work, the Committee plans to produce an authoritative statement on the validity of animal experiments. I understand that the Committee will present its report in the summer 2001.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each group that is responsible to his Department with significant and plural membership from outside the Civil Service, and to which the Nolan rules on non-departmental public bodies do not apply; and for each such group, if it(a) is a company limited by guarantee, (b) is a charity, (c) has no formal legal basis and (d) has some other legal basis, giving details. [131175]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 18 July 2000]: Information on task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews responsible to the Home Office is collected centrally by the Cabinet Office. I refer to the replies given to my hon. Friends the Members for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) and for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) respectively, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 27 July 2000, Official Report, columns 799–800W. Non-departmental public bodies and other public bodies for which the Home Office has responsibility are also listed in the Home Office's Annual Report; the report covering the year 1999–2000 was published on 11 April 2000 and copies were placed in the Library.

  The bodies to which the Nolan rules do not apply are listed in the Home Office annual report under the heading, "Other public bodies". The Fire Service Research Committee and Training Trust and the Philip Lawrence Awards are charities. The Criminal Justice Consultative Council, Immigration and Nationality Directorate Complaints Audit Committee, Ministerial Action Group
  1162W
  to Retail Crime Reduction Action Team, Prisons Ombudsman, Property Crime Reduction Action Team, Retail Crime Reduction Action Team, Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team, and the Visiting Committees for the Immigration Detention Centres at Campsfield House, Harmondsworth and Tinsley House have no formal legal basis.

  Advisers to my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, on Representations against exclusion under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 and the Annual Review of the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act were brought into existence by the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Independent Assessor for Miscarriage of Justice Compensation was brought into existence by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and the Interception of Communications Commissioner, by the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The Security Services Act 1989 brought the Security Service Commissioner into existence. Selection Panels for Independent Members of Police Authorities were created under the Police Act 1996, whilst the Sentencing Advisory Panel was brought into existence by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Both the Service Authority for the National Crime Squad and Service Authority for the National Criminal Intelligence Service were created by the Police Act 1997.

  Advisory Bodies
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the(a) task forces, (b) action teams, (c) policy reviews and (d) other temporary advisory bodies with external members currently in existence within his Department; and on what date each body (i) was set up and (ii) is expected to terminate. [131452]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on these bodies is set out in an answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, on 27 July 2000,Official Report, column 799W, and in the earlier answer, 11 January 2000, Official Report, column 134W. Information on bodies for which the Home Office has responsibility is also listed in the Home Office Annual Report, copies of which were placed in the Library.

  I will write with dates when these bodies were established.

  Police Drivers
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary rules apply to the senior officer in a police car that is driven by a junior officer in contravention of traffic regulations. [133040]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  All police officers up to the rank of superintendent are subject to the Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999. Those above the rank of superintendent are subject to the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 1999.

  Although the Home Secretary has overall responsibility for the Police Service, the Police Act 1996 gives the day to day running of police forces, including disciplinary matters, to chief officers. Any police officer considered to have failed to meet the standards expected of them in the Codes of Conduct is liable to face such disciplinary action as deemed appropriate.
  1163W
  Further guidance on the new procedures relating to police conduct, introduced on 1 April 1999, can be found in the "Guidance on Police Unsatisfactory Performance, Complaints and Misconduct Procedures", a copy of which is in the Library. It is to be revised shortly by the addition of a section providing guidance on senior officer conduct (i.e. those above the rank of superintendent).

  Child Detainees
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children aged 10 to 16 years were remanded to local authority secure accommodation by courts and to prison between June 1999 and June 2000. [129703]

  Mr. Boateng
  The total number of 12 to 14-year-old boys and girls, 15 and 16-year-old girls and vulnerable 15 and 16-year-old boys remanded direct to local authority secure accommodation at the end of each month to 31 March 2000, is set out in the table. Information provided by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales indicates that from 1 April to 30 June 2000, 194 such secure remands were made. On 31 March 2000, the latest date for which figures are available, there were no children aged 10 or 11 held on remand in local authority secure accommodation.

  Number

  30 June 1999

  34

  31 July 1999

  43

  31 August 1999

  54

  30 September 1999

  59

  31 October 1999

  68

  30 November 1999

  76

  31 December 1999

  72

  31 January 2000

  66

  29 February 2000

  77

  31 March 2000

  77

  Vulnerable Children
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys aged 15 and 16 years have been assessed as vulnerable under the terms of section 98 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; and where they were placed. [129702]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of vulnerable 15 and 16-year-old boys remanded to local authority secure accommodation at the end of each month to 31 March 2000 is given in the table. Information provided by the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales indicates that from 1 April to 30 June 2000, 65 such secure remands were made. Information on those declared to be vulnerable by the courts for whom a place in local authority secure accommodation was not available is not held centrally.

  Number

  30 June 1999

  34

  31 July 1999

  43

  31 August 1999

  54

  30 September 1999

  59

  31 October 1999

  68

  30 November 1999

  76

  31 December 1999

  72

  1164W

  Number

  31 January 2000

  66

  29 February 2000

  77

  31 March 2000

  77

  Police Precept
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what percentage the average police precept in England in 2001–02 will have to increase to provide the same level of service as in the current year. [132321]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: In the time available, it has not been possible to complete the answer to this question. I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Standard Spending Assessment
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average percentage increase in SSA will be in(a) urban, (b) rural and (c) all police authorities in England in 2000–02 as a result of his announcements on departmental spending. [132325]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: Police Standard Spending Assessment (SSA), for England and Wales for the current financial year amounts to £3,533 million. As a result of the increases in police funding announced in the Spending Review 2000, the provisional SSA figure for 2001–02 will be £3,842 million, an increase of 8.7 per cent.

  Figures for individual police authorities will be announced at the time of the local authority settlement in the autumn when the SSA provision will be adjusted to take account of expenditure on behalf of forces to be incurred centrally.

  Police Pensions
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the average proportion of police authority expenditure which will be spent on pensions in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [132354]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 24 July 2000]: In the time available it has not been possible to complete the answer to this question. I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Police Operations
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all police operations since May 1997 for which the forces mounting the operation have sought reimbursement from his Department, indicating(a) the cost of the operations, (b) the percentage of the relevant force budget represented by that cost and (c) whether or not reimbursement was made. [133185]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 27 July 2000]: The details of special payment applications and awards since May 1997 are given in the table.
  1165W

  Special payment applications and awards since May 1997: cases handled to date

  Year/ Force

  Operation

  Cost (£ million)

  Grant made (£ million)

  Cost as percentage of force budget

  1997

  Lancashire

  Party conference

  750,000

  750,000

  0.4

  Sussex

  Party conference

  750,000

  750,000

  0.5

  1998

  West Midlands

  G8 Summit

  1.354

  11.354

  20.3

  Staffordshire

  G8 Summit (combined exercise)

  South Wales

  EU Summit

  2.986

  2.986

  1.8

  Lancashire

  Party conference

  900,000

  900,000

  0.5

  Dorset

  Party conference

  750,000

  750,000

  1.0

  1999 March

  Surrey

  Señor Pinochet

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  Dorset

  Party conference

  1.6

  1.6

  2.1

  Lancashire

  Party conference

  0.9

  0.9

  0.5

  Devon and Cornwall

  Eclipse of the Sun

  1.1

  0.505

  0.6

  Gloucestershire

  RAF Fairford demos. Against Kosovo operations and Royal International Air Tattoo

  0.13

  3—

  0.2

  Kent

  Illegal immigration

  1.9

  0.67

  1.0

  Metropolitan police

  Protecting individuals named in appendix to MacPherson Report

  0.187

  3—

  0.0

  Staffordshire

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road (over five years)

  1.8

  0.36

  1.4

  Warwickshire

  0.9

  0.15

  1.6

  Thames Valley

  Newbury by-pass and Hillgrove Farm cattery. (Re-opening of request refused in 1996)

  5.1

  3—

  2.2

  South Yorkshire

  Contribution to compensation for Hillsborough victims

  1.0

  1.0

  0.6

  2000

  Essex

  Stansted hijack

  2.0

  2.0

  1.2

  Norfolk

  Travellers at Great Yarmouth, Christmas, New Year 1999–2000

  0.4

  3—

  0.5

  Nottinghamshire

  Bagthorpe paedophile unit

  0.05

  3—

  0.0

  Surrey

  Señor Pinochet (balance)

  0.55

  3—

  0.6

  Sussex

  Party conference

  1.6

  1.6

  0.9

  Dorset

  Party conference

  0.9

  0.9

  1.1

  1 Shared

  2 Joint

  3 No special payment approved

  Security Service Appeals Tribunal
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals there have been, from 1 January 1993 to the latest available date, to the Security Service Appeals Tribunal; and what percentage were upheld. [133724]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information regarding complaints about the Security Service made to the Security Service Tribunal is published in the Annual Reports of the Security Service Commissioner. The numbers are as follows:

  Year

  Number of complaints received

  1993

  36

  1994

  42

  1995

  21

  1996

  34

  1997

  45

  1998

  28

  1999

  22

  The following table details the number of complaints relating to property received by the Security Service Tribunal and referred to the Commissioner in accordance with paragraph 4(1) of the Security Service Act 1989.
  1166W

  Year

  Number of complaints received

  1993

  11

  1994

  19

  1995

  12

  1996

  10

  1997

  14

  1998

  16

  1999

  10

  The Tribunal has made no determination in favour of a complainant.

  Angel Heights Hostel
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether the Angel Heights hostel in Leeds meets the standards set down by the National Asylum Support Service. [133452]

  Mr. Boateng
  None. The National Asylum Support Service has no asylum seekers housed in hostels operated by Angel Group in Leeds and has no contract for hostels operated there by that company.
  1167W
  An on-going programme of inspection is in place for all property contracted by the National Asylum Support Service. National Asylum Support Service inspection teams and property surveyors provided by the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate undertake this programme.

  Freemasonry
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Government's response to the second report of the Home Affairs Committee for Session 1998–99, on Freemasonry in Public Life (HC 467); and if he will make a statement. [133788]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government's response is being published today as Command Paper, 4813, copies are being placed in the Library. The response will announce that the Home Office is consulting the Police Service about proposals for further measures aimed at ensuring that members of the public may, where appropriate, be able to discover whether individual police officers are members of the Freemasons.

  Departmental Accommodation
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on his plans for new office accommodation for the Home Office and HM Prison Service staff working in Central London. [133794]

  Mr. Straw
  Subject to final contract negotiations, I have decided to proceed with the relocation of the Home Office, including the Prison Service, to a new development on the site of the former Department of Environment offices at Marsham Street, where outline planning consent exists for a mixed office, residential and commercial development. Annes Gate Property PLC has been selected as the Preferred Bidder for the project which is going forward as a public private partnership competition. The demolition of the existing building on the Marsham Street site will commence after contracts are exchanged. This depends on progress with further negotiations but is unlikely to be before Spring 2001. Completion of the new development is expected to be in 2004.

  Personality Disorders
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the outcome of the Government's consultation on its proposals for managing dangerous people with severe personality disorders; and if he will make a statement. [133795]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government's proposals for those who are dangerous and severely personality disordered—published in a consultation document in July 1999—deal with a longstanding challenge to public safety. The proposals will ensure that individuals who fall into this group whether in prison, high security hospitals or, as in the case of a very small number, at large in the community, are in future detained in circumstances where they will be subject to a range of high quality interventions designed to manage the consequences of their disorder and released only when they are assessed as being safe to be re-integrated into the wider community. The consultation period for these proposals ended on 31 December 1999.
  1168W
  Following the conclusion of Spending Review 2000, information about the resources allocated by both the Home Office and the Department of Health for those aspects of the proposals concerned with the piloting and development of new services, will be published during the Summer.

  The Government intend to publish their formal response to the consultation exercise to Parliament in the Autumn and will set out the detail of its proposals in a White Paper to be published before Christmas.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend to adults the changes to the release on temporary licence scheme introduced for young offenders in September 1998. [133796]

  Mr. Straw
  In September 1998, following a review initiated by the then Director General of the Prison Service, a number of changes were made to the release on temporary licence scheme. The changes were designed to given prison governors greater flexibility to extend the range of constructive and challenging activities for which prisoners can be released, and to improve their chances of getting a job and somewhere to live when they are released. The majority of the changes were introduced only in the young offender estate.

  Implementation of the changes in respect of young offenders suggests that this more constructive use of the scheme is valuable in helping prisoners reintegrate into the community. The scheme's success rate has remained high. After careful evaluation of performance in the young offender estate, I have decided to extend the majority of the changes introduced there to open prisons and women's prisons as of 1 September 2000. The changes will mean that prisoners in the open and women's estate will be eligible for release on facility licence for interviews to arrange employment or accommodation (if they are serving under one year). Overnight stays will be permitted for community reparational activities for prisoners who have successfully completed a period of day-release facility licence. Governors will also be able to grant overnight release on facility licence for hostel assessment purposes to inform parole consideration. Facility licence will also be available to help prisoners resolve urgent housing issues, for example possible loss of accommodation.

  Two further changes will be made to resettlement licence arrangements. The purpose of release on resettlement licence is to enable prisoners to maintain family ties and links with the community and to make suitable arrangements for accommodation, work and training on release. Prisoners in the open and women's estate serving a determinate sentence of four years or over and who are refused parole at the first opportunity, at the half way point of their sentence, will be eligible to be considered for resettlement leave after three months rather than six months as at present, subject to passing a further rigorous risk assessment. In the open estate only, the maximum frequency of resettlement licence will be increased from every eight weeks to every four weeks.

  No changes will be made to their stringent risk assessment process which all prisoners must pass before being granted temporary release. The Prison Service is

  1169W
  committed to keeping the number of temporary release failures at the current low level, in order to ensure protection of the public. In April the Prison Service introduced a Key Performance Target which measures the success rate of the release on temporary licence scheme. The performance in the open, women's and young offender estate will be monitored carefully against that target. Consideration will be given to extending the changes to other adult prisoners only if the further evaluation suggests it is safe to do so.

  A copy of the relevant Prison Service Instruction, giving full details of the changes, will be placed in the Library.

  Equal Treatment Directive
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to consult about the way in which the EC Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin will be implemented. [133797]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government intend to publish a consultation document on the implementation of the European Community Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin during the summer.

  Metropolitan Police Report
  Mr. Darvill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the final report of the Metropolitan Police Committee; and if he will make a statement. [133798]

  Mr. Straw
  I am today placing copies of the Final Report of the Metropolitan Police Committee in the Library. The report is also being published on the Metropolitan Police Committee (MPC) website, http://www.mpc.homeoffice.gov.uk/. My officials will write to representatives of the wide range of interested people and organisations who have previously received MPC publications, drawing their attention to the report's availability on the internet, and offering to provide hard copies where necessary.

  The report covers the last period of the life of the Committee, from April 1999 to 2 July 2000, when I ceased to be the Police Authority for the Metropolitan police, with that role being taken by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) from 3 July. The main part of the report is a record of advice on priorities, opportunities, challenges and context which the Committee offered as briefing to the incoming members of the MPA.

  The Committee has played a major part in transforming the accountability of the Metropolitan Police Service. I believe it secured the respect and trust of successive Commissioners and their colleagues, who benefited from the variety of perspectives which the Committee brought to bear on their work, and from the objective and constructive way in which members explored, assessed and offered advice on the Metropolitan police's performance and plans.

  The Committee's work and advice were, therefore, a great help to me, as Police Authority. Members engaged with the detail of the Metropolitan police in a systematic fashion which no Home Secretary could achieve alone.
  1170W
  The Committee has also been an invaluable bridge into the reformed arrangements for the governance of the Metropolitan Police Service. I am especially grateful for their work in preparing for the transition to the MPA, including in the formulation of the Policing and Performance Plan for this financial year. The Commissioner and his colleagues are keen to meet the challenges and the opportunities offered by the greater accountability which the MPA has brought with it. Working with the MPC helped very much in preparing for this.

  Electorate Commission
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the additional costs relating to the establishment of the Electoral Commission will be met in advance of Royal Assent to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill. [133799]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government intend to press ahead with obtaining Royal Assent in the spill-over and putting the controls in place at the earliest opportunity. I said on second reading of the Bill on 10 January 2000,Official Report, column 45, that I wanted the Electoral Commission established before the end of the year with the aim of having the new regime operating early next year. I believe that timetable can still be met. To that end urgent expenditure estimated at £1.5 million will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund. This is in addition to the sum of £300,000 I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 27 March 2000, Official Report, columns 3–4W.

  Fire Service College
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he plans to take forward work on the prior options review of the Fire Service College. [133801]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have consulted widely on the recommendations in the prior options review of the Fire Service College and considered carefully all the representations we have received. I have noted in particular, the value that fire service interests place on the work of the College and their wish that it should continue. The Government's objective is to secure both in the short and longer term efficient and effective central training arrangements for local authority fire brigades which meet their operational needs and fully accord with the principles of Best Value.

  We believe this is most likely to be achieved by drawing from the skills of both the public and private sectors. There have been widespread agreement that in continuing to assess the available options and deciding how best these diverse skills can be harnessed, the essential next step is to draw up in outcome terms a clear operational specification of the fire service's future central training requirements. I am asking for this work to be put in hand straight away. The work will be done in consultation with the Fire Service and the College and we will use consultants to assist in the task and to ensure it is completed by this autumn.
  1171W
  The operational specification for future firefighting training needs will, with the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, also include a specification of training requirements currently met at the Ministry of Defence Fire Services Central Training Establishment at Manston. The Government remain committed to co-operative working between Departments to secure the most modern and efficient services and Ministry of Defence colleagues will be fully involved in this further work.

  Suicide
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women committed suicide(a) among the Asian community and (b) in the white community in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [131253]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Dr. Ashok Kumar, dated 28 July 2000:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many women committed suicide (a) among the Asian community and (b) in the white community in each of the last 10 years. (131253).
  Ethnicity is not recorded at death registration. Information collected at death registration relates to country of birth. However country of birth would not detect the generations of Asians that were born within the U.K. or those members of the white ethnic group that were born in Asian countries, and therefore suicide figures for ethnic groups are not available.

  Mental Health
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to commission research into the extent to which people with mental health problems are denied access to the criminal justice system. [132510]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no plans to commission research into this issue. Standard one of the National Service Framework for Mental Health states that health and social services should combat discrimination against individuals and groups with mental health problems, and promote their social inclusion. We shall be monitoring implementation of that standard to ensure that health and social services work with a range of agencies locally, including those in the criminal justice system, to ensure fair treatment of people with mental health problems.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees, at the latest available date, had been held for(a) less than one week, (b) less than one month, (c) less than three months, (d) less the six months, (e) less than one year and (f) more than one year. [133952]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will write to my hon. Friend, and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many deaths were recorded in each of the past five years of asylum seekers(a) at the port of entry, (b) on the coast or in UK territorial waters and (c) in custody; [133953]

  (2) how many asylum seekers were held under immigration law powers in (a) HM prisons,(b) immigration detention centres, (c) police stations and (d) ports, at the latest available date. [133954]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will write to my hon. Friend, and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Interception of Communications Act 1985
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests there have been for Communications data and its equivalent under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 in the last year by the(a) Customs and Excise, (b) Inland Revenue,(c) Department of Social Security, (d) Metropolitan Police and (e) Egg Inspectorate. [132810]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The provision of communications data is not covered by the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies currently rely on arrangements governed by the Data Protection Act 1998. A central record of requests is not kept by the Home Office. In order to provide greater safeguards for the provision of communications data Part 1, Chapter II of the Regulation of the Investigatory Powers Bill ensures that requests for such data are made in a closely controlled manner and for a number of limited specific purposes.

  Surveillance
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the private security industry with respect to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill and its provisions for dealing with surveillance. [132804]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There have been no discussions with the private security industry regarding the provisions of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIP) Bill which deal with covert surveillance only in respect of public authorities.

  Part II of the Bill has been introduced as a result of the incorporation into United Kingdom law, in the form of the Human Rights Act 1998, of the European Convention on Human Rights. Section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act makes it unlawful for a public authority to act in a way which is incompatible with a Convention right. Part II of the RIP Bill provides a permissive regime whereby specified public authorities may seek authorisation for a range of activities, including covert surveillance, to ensure they are carried out in accordance with the Convention.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been since 1970 under the Wireless and Telegraphy Act 1949 for use of surveillance devices. [132807]
  1173W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office Court Proceedings Database cannot identify separately such offences from other summary offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

  However the Radiocommunications Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry advise that although they have no records of prosecutions against those using surveillance devices before 1990, records since then show that a conviction was secured in 1991. This was under section 1 of the 1949 Act and against a taxi firm owner using a bugging device to monitor employees.

  CCTV
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful bids for CCTV funding have been made on behalf of communities in The Wrekin since May 1997. [133192]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Since May 1997, four bids for closed circuit television (CCTV) funding were submitted from partnerships in The Wrekin under the Home Office CCTV Challenge Competition. None were successful.

  Under the current round of the CCTV Initiative, I understand that three bids for communities within the Wrekin area are being prepared by local crime and disorder reduction partnerships for submission.

  Each application will be considered on its merits against the criteria set out in the application prospectus, a copy of which is available on the Home Office website.

  Security Service Files
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the weeding of Security Service files, indicating the numbers and categories of records deleted over the last two years; and if he will make a statement with respect to future weeding. [132809]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to my hon. Friends the Members for City of Chester (Ms Russell) and for Reading, East (Jane Griffiths) respectively, on 29 July 1998,Official Report, columns 251–54W and 3 February 1999, Official Report, columns 619–20W. Some 130,000 records have been destroyed since my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's earlier statement. The Security Service disposes of those old files in its archive which are no longer relevant to its work and which do not merit retention on historical grounds. The process of review for destruction is carried out with strict adherence to the criteria endorsed by the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Council on Public Records. Moreover, the Public Record Office has routinely and regularly spot-checked a random selection of the records put aside for destruction and will continue to do so.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce an amendment to the Freedom of Information Bill in order to amend section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998. [132808]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have no current plans to introduce such an amendment.

  Electronic Communications Act 2000
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what orders he(a) has made and (b) intends to make using section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and if he will make a statement. [133381]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, for the Cabinet Office today.

  Ministerial Duties
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish the Home Office ministerial duty roster for the summer adjournment with a list of which Ministers are on duty between which dates; [133228]

  (2) between which dates he and each of his Ministers will not be performing official duties during the summer adjournment. [133244]

  Mr. Straw
  It is not normal practice of Government to publish the daily ministerial duty roster. This Department will ensure that it has sufficient cover through the summer recess in line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what visits overseas on official business he and each of his Ministers will be undertaking during the Summer adjournment; on what dates; to which countries; and whom they will be meeting. [133229]

  Mr. Straw
  Over the next five months to the end of the year, the Minister of State, Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), and I plan to attend meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, in line with arrangements made by the French Presidency. Meetings are currently planned for 27–29 July; 28 September; 17 October and 30 November-1 December.

  I am also planning to make an official visit to India and Bangladesh in September during which I will meet Indian and Bangladeshi Ministers and officials. No other Ministers have any overseas visits fixed at this time.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned expenditure on criminal injuries compensation in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133401]

  Mr. Straw
  Planned spending on criminal injuries compensation 2000–01 is £193 million. I shall be considering the spending review settlement over the summer and making detailed plans for future years in due course.

  Fire and Emergency Planning
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned spending on fire and emergency planning in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133403]
  1175W
  Mr. Straw
  The fire service share of total standard spending for England following the spending review settlement is as follows:

  £ million

  2000–01

  1,393.4

  2001–02

  1,462.5

  2002–03

  1,521

  2003–04

  1,582.6

  Fire service revenue funding for Wales is a devolved matter.

  Details of the provision of fire credit approvals were given in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey) on 26 July 2000, Official Report, column 699W.

  Planned central Home Office spending on fire and emergency planning in 2000–01 is £47 million. I shall be considering the spending review settlement over the summer and making detailed plans for future years in due course.

  Protection from Harassment Act 1997
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement assessing the effectiveness of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. [133700]

  Mr. Boateng
  A Home Office research study, "Stalking: An Evaluation of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997," will be published on 1 August.

  Probation
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned expenditure on probation in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02,(c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133400]

  Mr. Straw
  Planned spending on probation in 2000–01 is £555 million.

  On 19 July, I announced that the spending review settlement provides an additional £240million/£380 million/£470 million for prisons and probation. This will increase capacity, boost the "What Works" programme to reduce offending, and support the modernisation of the probation service. We have produced indicative figures which show that the Probation Service funding could increase by up to £97 million/
  1176W
  £139 million/£170 million in the three years starting in 2001–02. These figures are provisional and may be subject to change. I shall be considering the spending review settlement over the summer and making detailed plans for future years in due course.

  Criminal Policy
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned spending on criminal policy in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133399]

  Mr. Straw
  Planned Home Office spending on criminal policy (excluding probation) in 2000–01 is £277 million. I shall be considering the spending review settlement over the summer and making detailed plans for future years in due course. As I announced to the House on 19 July, the settlement also introduces a joint criminal justice system reserve of £100 million/£200 million/£225 million which I will manage with the Lord Chancellor and Attorney-General.

  Constitutional and Community Directorate
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned spending on the Constitutional and Community Directorate in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133398]

  Mr. Straw
  Planned spending on the Constitutional and Community Directorate in 2000–01 is £57 million. I shall be considering the spending review settlement over the summer and making detailed plans for future years in due course.

  Forensic Science Service
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of planned spending on the Forensic Science Service in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [133397]

  Mr. Straw
  The Forensic Science Service was established as a trading fund on 1 April 1999 by the Forensic Science Service Trading Fund Order 1998. As a trading fund it operates off-Vote and uses its trading receipts to meet outgoings. However, as allowed by the Government Trading Funds Act 1973, provision has been made in the Supply Estimates to make a repayable loan of £3 million to the Forensic Science Service in 2000–01. There are no further loans or subsidies to the Forensic Science Service planned in the years 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04.

Preamble
The House met at eleven of the clock: The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Manchester.

Finance Bill
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill now be read a second time. This is a Finance Bill which continues to deliver on Labour's promises, enacting Budget decisions to deliver opportunity and security for the hard-working families of Britain.
In the Finance Bill there are new measures to encourage work, improve productivity and protect the environment. The March Budget also set the spending envelope for the spending review, consistent with a continuing commitment to fiscal prudence and stability. With the March Budget and now the outcome of the spending review announced by the Chancellor last week, the country can be in no doubt that we are working hard for a stronger and fairer Britain, where there is opportunity and security for all, releasing substantial new resources for health and education, tackling child poverty, supporting pensioners, improving transport and tackling crime. But this is only possible because we have delivered a platform of stability and sustainable public finances.
Inflation is now at 2.2 per cent—close to our inflation target of 2.5 per cent, which was confirmed in the March Budget. Inflation outturns have been close to target over the whole of the past year. More people are in work than ever before. Employment is up by over 1 million since the election. With the assistance of the New Deal, long-term unemployment is at its lowest level for 20 years and youth unemployment at its lowest for a generation.
Real take-home pay is up by between 8 and 25 per cent, and when spending on areas we are targeting such as children and pensions is taken out, welfare spending is falling for the first time in decades. Based on clear fiscal rules—a current budget in surplus and borrowing only to invest within prudent and cautious limits—this sustained and sustainable improvement in our public finances has made possible a sustained and sustainable improvement in our public services.
Budget 2000 locked in the fiscal tightening over the next two years to an even greater extent than projected in Budget 1999. Last week, the Chancellor announced that the budgetary outturn for 1999–2000, published since March, has shown a larger surplus than expected at the time of the Budget, allowing the Government to make a greater than expected debt repayment. The current surplus is not £17.1 billion but £20.4 billion. Debt as a share of GDP has been reduced even more, from 37.1 to 36.8 per cent. Taking account of the Spending Review outcome and recent developments
726
on government receipts, fiscal policy will be at least as tight as set out in Budget 2000. The Government's fiscal prudence has allowed it to free resources for Britain's public services while continuing to ensure that we meet our tough fiscal rules and maintain our platform of economic stability.
Working families are seeing the benefit of our fiscal discipline. We have been able to cut taxes for working families, not only bringing in the working families tax credit and the new 10p rate, but now, in Clause 31, cutting the basic rate of income tax to 22p—its lowest level for nearly 70 years. By April next year, personal tax and benefit changes in this and previous Budgets will mean that households on average will be £460 a year better off and families with children on average will be £850 a year better off. The tax burden on a single earner family on average earnings with two children will be the lowest since 1972. Coupled with low inflation and economic growth, this adds up to a substantial increase in living standards.
For a single earner family with two children on average earnings—£25,000—living standards will have risen by over 10 per cent over the Parliament. For a single earner family on half average earnings, living standards will rise by 30 per cent this year, the biggest annual rise for 25 years. A single earner family on half average earnings will be £2,600 a year better off over the Parliament.
Our measures will help to achieve our goal that every child should have the best possible start in life. As the Prime Minister has said, child poverty is a scar on the soul of Britain. That is why we set out in the Budget our ambition to halve child poverty by 2010 and end it altogether by 2020. Measures introduced so far in this Parliament will lift 1.2 million of Britain's children out of poverty. By next year, the Government will be spending an extra £7 billion a year on support for children. By April 2001, personal tax and benefit changes alone in this year's Budget and previous Budgets will mean that a single earner family with two children on average earnings will be £370 a year better off.
This Finance Bill takes further steps to increase support for children. An additional 50p a week will be added to the children's tax credit when it is introduced in April 2001, so that it is worth up to £442 a year, more than twice the value of the married couple's allowance it replaces. We have brought in a £4.35 a week increase in the child credit in the working families' tax credit from June this year, with the same increase in child allowances in income support from October.
Rising living standards and tackling child poverty will be reinforced by further improvements to public services thanks to our commitment in the Budget to average real growth for health of over 6 per cent a year over the next four years, the longest period of sustained high growth in the history of the NHS. The immediate boost for health in the Budget of £2 billion this year is partly funded by the real increase in tobacco duties in Clauses 12 to 15 of the Bill.

727
The 5.4 per cent average real increase in funding for UK education over the next three years announced last week, together with the extra boost for education in 1999–2000 announced in the Budget represents an average growth rate in education spending of 6.6 per cent over four years—the highest growth rate over a four-year period for at least 20 years.
The boost in the Budget was accompanied in this Bill by the introduction in Clause 57 of a new training relief for employees. It will make employer contributions to education or training undertaken by holders of individual learning accounts exempt from tax and national insurance where they qualify for grant or discount and are available to all employees on similar terms.
Businesses and jobs will benefit from our commitment to enterprise in this Bill. We have already cut main and small business rates of corporation tax to their lowest ever levels and the lowest of any major industrialised country.
The Bill contains a number of measures to promote enterprise and help business: the cuts in capital gains tax in Clause 37; the research and development tax credit in Clauses 67 and 68; the permanent 40 per cent capital allowances for SMEs in Clause 69, helping especially manufacturing businesses; the new all-employee share ownership plan in Clause 47; the enterprise management incentives in Clause 61, helping high-risk companies to recruit key personnel; and the corporate venturing provisions of Clause 62.
These measures have been widely welcomed by business. Along with the introduction in the Budget of three-year 100 per cent capital allowances for investment in ICT equipment; and an extra £100 million for the new £1 billion target umbrella fund for enterprise growth across the regions, this is a huge commitment to business success from a government who believe that enterprise and economic prosperity can and must go hand-in-hand with fairness.
In addition, Clause 81 introduces the optional ring-fenced regime—the so-called tonnage tax—whereby shipping companies can opt to work out taxable credits on the basis of tonnage of ships operated. This innovation, which follows the inquiry of the noble Lord, Lord Alexander, is part of the Government's commitment to encouraging the British shipping industry.
The Bill introduces changes to the corporation tax rules, limiting the use of so-called "mixer companies" to shelter low-taxed foreign profits from UK tax. These cap the relief on dividends at 30 per cent and ensure that there is no UK tax benefit from mixing in an offshore holding company.
The Bill also introduces onshore mixing in non-abusive situations. This measure addresses the concerns that have been expressed about international competitiveness. It will allow tax over 30 per cent in an offshore mixer to be creditable against other dividends in the UK, subject to the same restrictions to confine the relief to non-abusive situations.
728
Following these changes, there will be no UK tax benefit from mixing foreign dividends in an offshore company as opposed to receiving the dividends directly into the UK. The incentive in the old double taxation relief rules to hold foreign shareholdings through an offshore holding company will go. This will remove a major tax distortion and compliance cost from commercial decision-making and planning. So far as international competitiveness is concerned, it will place the UK in a similar position to the United States, the difference being that the UK rules will be less complex to apply.
The Bill also helps us meet our international commitments to the environment. Following last year's Budget, the Bill is an important part of the largest ever package of environmental tax measures to be introduced in the UK: Clause 30 brings in the climate change levy; Clauses 20 to 23 reform vehicle excise duty for cars; Clause 58 fundamentally reforms the company car taxation system, incentivising low CO2 emissions and removing the perverse incentive for people to clock up business mileage to get to more generous thresholds; Clauses 136 and 137 increase landfill tax rate and clarify liability.
The changes to the affordable warmth programme in Clause 78, and the reduced rate of VAT on the installation of energy-saving materials and on grant-funded installation of heating systems in Clause 131 will help to ensure that pensioners feel the benefit of warmer homes and cheaper fuel bills, as well as the £150 winter allowance. This programme carries forward the Government's commitment to combat fuel poverty by supporting the installation of energy-efficient central heating systems and insulation in up to 1 million low-income homes.
The affordable warmth programme will be funded through a public-private partnership with commercial lessors. Capital allowances will bring down the cost of leasing and allow the scheme to reach many more households than would otherwise be possible.
Taken together with the Budget announcements of an incentive for ultra low sulphur petrol, the aggregates levy, and the consultation on stamp duty relief for brownfield developments, these measures make this a Finance Bill for the environment as well as one for working families and enterprise.
Greenhouse gas emissions will be further reduced following the spending plans announced yesterday, with increased funding for renewable energy; a carbon trust to give energy advice to business and encourage low-carbon technologies; and new incentives for businesses to join a domestic emissions trading scheme.
The Bill also supports charitable giving—helping communities to become more democratic, more open and socially inclusive.
Clauses 38 to 46 carry into effect our radical package of measures to boost donations to charities and to improve the operation of the tax system for charities themselves. Clause 39 abolishes altogether the minimum limit on tax relief for donations. The Bill boosts payroll giving (in Clause 38) with the three-year

729
10 per cent government supplement and abolishes the maximum limit on donations. Clause 40 cuts red tape on corporate donations. Clause 43 brings in new income tax relief on gifts of shares and securities. The Bill frees charities from the need to set up subsidiaries for small trading and fundraising ventures and broadens the VAT zero rate for the sale or hire of donated goods. This package has been widely welcomed by the charities themselves.
In conclusion, this Finance Bill demonstrates that the Government are working hard for a purpose—to build a Britain that is strong, modern and fair. At long last, economic prosperity and fairness are no longer seen as opponents—they are seen as partners in the process of building the Britain of the future.
The Bill shows the Government keeping our promises, as we deliver sound public finances, low inflation, higher living standards, help for working families and pensioners and employment opportunity for all.
The Bill means more enterprise, more opportunity and more fairness. I commend it to the House.
Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.— (Lord McIntosh of Haringey.)
11.20 a.m.
Lord Saatchi: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for explaining the Finance Bill so clearly, as he always does. I hope that the noble Lord will forgive me if I do not respond on a line-by-line basis to the clauses in the Bill to which he referred but concentrate instead on one particular aspect of the Bill before us.
Let us consider the Finance Bill 2000 in the House of Commons: 572 pages, two volumes; official status, the longest Finance Bill ever; length of debate in the House of Commons: First Reading, one minute; Second Reading, six hours; Committee stage on the Floor of the House, seven hours; Standing Committee, 24 sittings, 70 hours; Report stage, six hours; Third Reading, six hours; total sittings in another place, 101 hours 39 minutes over 93 days. Now 1et us consider the Finance Bill 2000 in the House of Lords: length of debate: First Reading, one minute; Second Reading, say, two hours; Committee stage, nil; Standing Committee, nil; Report stage, nil; Third Reading, nil; total in your Lordships' House, two hours—all on a Friday morning in July on the last day of the parliamentary Session.
On Wednesday, Madam Speaker said in her retirement address in another place:
"The objective [of Parliament] must be improved scrutiny leading to better legislation".—[Official Report, Commons, 26/7/00; col. 1114.]
Perhaps it is fair to ask ourselves to what extent we consider that today's proceedings meet that brief. The need for greater parliamentary scrutiny is, I believe, appreciated not only by Madam Speaker but on all sides in your Lordships' House; and it may even be evident to the Government. Exactly a year after we last debated a Finance Bill in your Lordships' House, 57 per cent of the public believe that the Government have not kept their promises, and 62 per cent believe
730
that they have not kept down taxes, even though they say they have. Apparently, the opposition party enjoys greater trust on tax than the Government.
Research shows that one of the main reasons for all the cynicism to which Madam Speaker referred in her speech is that by these Finance Bills the Government take full advantage of the complexity of the tax system to implement their brilliant strategy to cut visible taxes on voters while raising invisible taxes elsewhere. Unfortunately, since the previous Finance Bill that strategy has begun to lose its charm. In the Budget the Government said, for example, that they would uprate certain items by the rate of inflation. However, people found out only later that the Government used the historic rate of inflation for pensions, which was 1.1 per cent. But the forecast rate for taxes—fuel and alcohol duties—is up by 3.4 per cent. Tax allowances in this Bill are also indexed at the lower rate of 1.1 per cent.
This Finance Bill increases government spending faster than the growth in the economy and opens up a dangerous gap between government expenditure and national income. But people found out only later that to fill the gap taxes will rise by the equivalent of 5.3p on the basic rate of income tax. But it was not the Government who told people about that. The Government rely on invisible fiscal drag, a delightful aspect of our complex tax system, from the point of view of the Treasury, in which tax allowances rise more slowly than earnings. Therefore, the Government's tax receipts rise faster than the growth in GDP. This year, as last year, the Government's tax receipts are rising by 9 per cent, more than three times faster than the growth in GDP and more than double the growth of earnings. That is how the miracle of what the Minister described as the Government's "sound finance" is being achieved.
It was precisely such practices in Finance Bills that led the Treasury Select Committee in the House of Commons to ask the Government to display greater transparency in their tax policies and for more disclosure so that the Government could riot hide from the political consequences of their tax actions. The Institute of Chartered Accountants said:
"This is out of all proportion to anything we have ever seen before. I do not know how ordinary people have a hope of understanding their tax affairs. Even accountants are struggling".
The chief adviser on financial reporting to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Professor Likierman, said in a report:
"Those who wish to find out what is going on are faced with major hurdles".
The Institute of Chartered Accountants summed it up by saying that the tax system had,
"spun out of democratic control".
That is the background to my main point today. Our approach is that there are resources in your Lordships' House which could be harnessed to improve the quality of Finance Bills without in any way threatening the right of the House of Commons to raise taxes. At the moment those resources simply cannot be put to use, and we believe that they should

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be in order to enhance the quality of legislation. Your Lordships' House is one of the bodies in our constitution and integrated Parliament that is best equipped to deal with the details of financial matters, but it is not called upon to do so. One is told that membership of your Lordships' House includes seven former Chancellors of the Exchequer, seven former Paymasters General and nine former Chief Secretaries to the Treasury—before one even mentions the many professors of economics, academics and men of business in your Lordships' House, several of whom are present this morning.
Concerns have been raised on all sides of your Lordships' House about the present difficulty in giving such a detailed Finance Bill proper scrutiny in Parliament. For example, my noble friend Lord Norton of Louth, the distinguished professor of government at the University of Hull, says:
"This is increasingly recognised as a very serious issue. The longer [the Finance Bill] is, the greater the problem for Parliament".
In its excellent report Strengthening Parliament, the commission chaired by my noble friend comments:
"We see no reason why the House of Lords, given the expertise of some of its Members, should not monitor the impact of Bills falling in the economic sector".
The report went on:
"We … believe the House of Lords has a role to play in scrutinising cross-cutting subjects such as … macro-economic policy".
Why does this not happen? Your Lordships will recall that it was a decision by your Lordships' House, from which much of our political history, and certainly the debate today, takes its origin. When the Peers of 1909 threw out Lloyd George's Budget, the Parliament Act 1911 followed and governed our affairs for the rest of the 20th century. That Act provides in Section 1(1):
"If a Money bill, having been passed by the House of Commons, and sent up to the House of Lords at least one month before the end of the session, is not passed by the House of Lords without amendment within one month after it is so sent up to that House, the Bill shall, unless the House of Commons direct to the contrary, be presented to His Majesty and become an Act of Parliament on the Royal Assent being signified, notwithstanding that the House of Lords have not consented to the Bill".
So it was that the role of your Lordships' House on money Bills became different from its role on all other Bills. But what was the motivation behind that Act? Commending the Parliament Bill to the House of Commons on Second Reading, the then Liberal Prime Minister, Mr Asquith, said:
"'Take the hereditary principle. What can we get out of it?' Hon Gentlemen opposite have got a great deal out of it … a practical working instrument for securing the absolute supremacy of this House when there is a Tory majority [in the House of Commons], but a working instrument to frustrate and nullify the functions of this House when there is a Liberal Government in power … That is what the right hon Gentleman [Mr Balfour, leader of the Opposition] gets out of it".—[Official Report, Commons, 2/3/11; col. 584.]
Then the Prime Minster said of the hereditary principle:
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"'Let it not be our master'. So say we. It is because it has been our master … because it enslaves and fetters the free action of this House—that we have put these proposals before the House and we mean to carry them into law".
It is clear from that passage that the Parliament Act 1911 was fuelled overwhelmingly by the hostility of the government of the day towards the power of hereditary Peers. But has that position not now changed? Did not the House of Lords Act 1999 remove the hereditary Peers from your Lordships' House? Does not the noble Baroness the Leader of the House now say that your Lordships' House is more democratic, more legitimate and more authoritative?
Earl Ferrers: My Lords, perhaps I may intervene. Would my noble friend also like to add that the hereditary Peers who are here are the only Members of this House who are elected?
Lord Saatchi: My Lords, I am pleased to confirm the truth of that.
Is it not also the case that the Royal Commission chaired by my noble friend Lord Wakeham has suggested an elected element in your Lordships' House—increasing the number already here—and that the Official Opposition have indicated that it may consider an even higher elected proportion in your Lordships' House?
In the light of all those changes, is it perhaps appropriate to look afresh at the levels of scrutiny given to Finance Bills in your Lordships' House? There are many ways in which this can be addressed without jeopardising the primacy of the House of Commons. It is perhaps worth mentioning in passing that the constitution of the United States of America (Article 1, Section 7) gives the Senate of that country the right,
"to propose or concur with amendments as on other Bills".
I have not noticed the American economy grinding to a halt as a consequence. I hope that there may be cross-party support in your Lordships' House for asking the new Joint Committee to review some of the possibilities for better holding the executive to account in the field of finance.
Lord Renton: My Lords, will the noble Lord give way? Would not his argument be reinforced if he were to point out that this House now consists of a classless nobility which is in many ways more representative than are the Members of another place?
Lord Saatchi: My Lords, it is true that many commentators have referred to the crucial role that the new House of Lords plays in the constitution. It has been widely discussed in recent months.
I should like to suggest some possibilities for how the executive could be better held to account in the field of finance, in the way that Madam Speaker referred to yesterday. For example, first, could we establish the Select Committee on the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England on a lasting basis from next Session, and, once that was done, could we encourage it or a sub-committee to conduct an inquiry

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into the implications of the Finance Bill? Secondly, could we send the Budget proposals, or the Bill as published, to a special ad hoc committee for examination in a process of pre-legislative scrutiny? Thirdly, could we use additional time given for Unstarred Questions to probe specific details of the Finance Bill? Fourthly, could we have a debate in government time shortly after the publication of the Bill rather than now? Fifthly, could we have, say, two days' debate on the Finance Bill during its passage in another place before such debate is too late to have any impact?
Finance Bills are highly complex, as noble Lords well know. But in its consideration of the e-commerce Bill, the Government Resources and Accounts Bill, and the Financial Services and Markets Bill, the House showed how undaunted it is by details of technical legislation in the financial area. It is a good revising Chamber, sometimes asking the Government to think again and often getting better legislation as a result. Why deny that contribution in one area of public life that affects every citizen in the country—our financial health and well-being?
11.33 a.m.
Lord Jacobs: My Lords, there can be few noble Lords here today who are not aware of the fact that this debate on the Finance Bill is something of a charade. That is not to say that some of us do not have useful ideas and comments to make upon the Bill but, as we all know, at the end of our debate the Bill will be passed even before what we say has appeared in Hansard. It follows, therefore, that unless members of the Treasury team are actually sitting in the Chamber listening to the debate they would not have even a moment to consider what we suggest. Again, as I am sure your Lordships are aware, the situation goes back to the Parliament Act 1911 which ensures that Budget resolutions cannot be dealt with in this House. The reason is that your Lordships' predecessors so mauled a finance Bill that the Commons were determined to prevent it happening again.
Certainly, the abolition of the right of most hereditary Peers to sit in this House, in my opinion, increases the legitimacy of the opinions given in this House. No doubt the second stage of reform of this House will further enhance that. Not for a moment do I suggest that it is necessary for this House to have the power to amend money Bills. But surely we have some valuable ideas, not to mention immense expertise among some noble Lords, that could improve the Bill.
It was for that reason that on Tuesday, 7th December, last year, in a Starred Question, I asked the Leader of the House what measures the Government were taking to improve the procedures for debating the Budget and the Finance Bill in this House. I was most encouraged that the idea was supported by the noble Lords, Lord Strathclyde and Lord Barnett, my noble friend Lord Taverne and the noble Baroness, Lady Hogg. I think it is fair to say that the noble Baroness, Lady Jay, responded encouragingly by saying,
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"If there is a feeling around the House that the issue should be addressed … there are appropriate ways of doing it".—[Official Report, 7/12/99; col. 1146.]
Accordingly I followed up the matter with the noble Lord, Lord Carter, the Government Chief Whip, and I must thank him for his helpful co-operation. However, a number of difficulties arose because we were invited to agree that in exchange for a day of debate, let us say just before the Committee stage of the Finance Bill, we would give up today's debate. It was recognised by some of your Lordships who know rather more about these matters than I do, that it would not be a good precedent to allow a major Bill such as the Finance Bill to go through on the nod, even though we all recognise that very little can be done about it.
I can say that representatives from all the parties will be considering a number of proposals, and one hopes that some agreed ideas can be put before the Government Chief Whip so that at least next year we are able to make a useful contribution to the Finance Bill at an early enough stage to allow the Treasury team and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider our representations.
There are two issues relating to the Finance Bill which I would have wished to mention if the debate had been held in May rather than at the end of July. The first is a matter on which I would not expect the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make any change; nevertheless, it is a matter with which I believe many members of the Government and certainly those on our Benches would be in agreement.
We now have a minimum wage, currently £3.70 an hour. I am sure your Lordships agree that this is the lowest level of earnings which anyone can legally have in this country. A person working 40 hours a week would earn £7,696 a year. That is not a large wage. Yet surprisingly, on that minimum income, an employee would pay £374 a year in national insurance contributions and no less than £546 a year income tax—a total deduction of £920 a year, which is no less than 12 per cent of an employee's income. Surely it is morally wrong that we tax severely someone earning less than £150 a week. After deductions, therefore, by earning £3.70 an hour, working a full week, one would be left with just £3.26 an hour to live on. Now that is a minimum wage.
I, for one, always welcomed the introduction of the new low rate of income tax of 10p in the £ but this surely can be no substitute for insisting that those on a very modest income should not have to pay income tax. Of course there are arguments for lower rates of income tax and higher starting points for income tax at all levels of income. For example, the number of taxpayers now paying higher rate income tax has increased dramatically. But when all is said and done, one would have thought that a Labour Government, above all, would find it possible to free people on minimum wage from paying any income tax whatever.

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The second and final issue I want to raise relates to charitable donations. This Government have introduced in this Finance Bill what can only be described as generous support for those who give to charity.
Today, so many people invest in the stock market that it is most encouraging that the Government have brought in new tax relief for gifts of listed shares and securities to charities by individuals or companies. This enables donors to secure not only freedom from capital gains tax on the gift but also personal tax relief. This certainly improves yet further the climate for charitable giving and encourages the better-off members of society to give more.
However, there is one area of giving which the Chancellor has shied away from; namely, donations to museums of works of art and similar valuable objects. At present, the only way to give a valuable painting tax effectively to a national museum is to die first, which I am sure your Lordships will agree is not a great encouragement. If a work of art were to be given to a British museum by an American citizen, he would receive full personal tax relief on the value of his donation. However, in the United Kingdom, that is not possible. The Revenue is concerned that valuations may occasionally be inflated, although evidence of auction prices would usually be sufficient to give a fair value for any major work of art.
I urge the Government next year to consider an initial trial of donations of works of art and other objects to a limited number of important national museums to test the efficacy of what I propose and, it is to be hoped, satisfy themselves that this method of giving cannot be abused.
Finally, even if that last idea were to be taken up by the Government, it is too late, for soon we shall be passing the Finance Bill. I sincerely hope that next year's debate on the Bill takes place in May but this inevitably depends very much on the generosity and fairness of the Government in recognising that your Lordships' expertise on financial matters is a valuable asset which should not be wasted. I remain hopeful.
Lord Campbell of Alloway: My Lords, many of your Lordships will remember year after year on this occasion my noble friend Lord Boyd-Carpenter—
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, this is a Second Reading debate with a speakers' list.
Lord Campbell of Alloway: My Lords, I apologise to the House.
11.43 a.m.
Lord Marlesford: My Lords, I am much in agreement with the points made by my noble friend Lord Saatchi and was surprised to hear a similar theme from the noble Lord, Lord Jacobs. He is not speaking from the Front Bench of the Liberal Democrat Party but I assume he represents his party in this respect and therefore, presumably, it is as a result of collaboration
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through the usual channels, to which I am not a party. The points made were good ones and perhaps the new commission on the House of Lords or your Lordships' Procedure Committee should consider them. We should all endorse them.
I am afraid that I shall stick to the slightly more traditional approach to the debate. I shall talk about the economy and what part budgetary policy has to play in the Finance Bill. My comments will be rather frank and perhaps are not those which a politician would make from the party platform. But I was an apolitical lobby correspondent for so long that I should never make a good party politician. Furthermore, I shall confidently take advantage of the privacy of your Lordships' Chamber in what I have to say. What I may say will not be of particular pleasure to the Government or indeed to my own party and certainly not to the Liberal Democrat Party which has a different approach to taxation and economic management.
First, I believe that on balance the Government have so far run the economy rather well. That is what I see as the heart of the political miracle which is new Labour. That is why it is so totally different from old Labour. I see the Government as having attempted to stick to and build on the essence of economic Thatcherism. First, I endorse the two golden rules which are frequently set out. They are, first, borrow only to invest and not to fund current spending; and, secondly, the sustainable investment rule that the public sector net debt as a percentage of GDP should be kept at a stable and prudent level. To date, I believe that the Government have stuck to those rules effectively.
Secondly, the delegation of monetary policy to the Bank of England has been an undoubted success. I believe that some Tory Chancellors would have liked to have done that but, unfortunately, it never matured. It is a good practice and I hope that it will continue.
Thirdly, we have experienced huge structural changes in employment in this country, with the disappearance of a great deal of the old manufacturing industry. The economy is none the worse for that. I am delighted that there is no real sign that the Government are going in for the traditional company bail-outs as did previous governments including, I am afraid, Conservative governments. That is because the constraints of the European Union would prevent it. At any rate, it is good.
Fourthly, the Government have stuck rather well to the initiative of joint public and private financing. That is a huge advantage over the old days when we had total separation under the old PSBR rules and all the constraints they produced. The course has been made possible by privatisation and so forth.
I want in that connection to comment on the reform of the health service. The idea that it should in future make use of spare capacity in the private sector is sound. I still believe that the Conservative policy of allowing private expenditure on health insurance to be tax deductible is also desirable because it will bring in more resources for health.

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We now have proposals for big increases in public spending which raise two obvious concerns. First, what if the economy overheats? The national rate of unemployment is low at 3.7 per cent, which is close to the Beveridge 3 per cent figure. Do the Government reckon that that figure, which Beveridge gave for full employment, is still the correct one to use? It was intended to cover transitional and frictional unemployment. I should have thought that with the more modern methods of finding jobs a lower percentage figure could represent full employment. I should be interested to hear the Treasury's view.
The most useful unemployment figures are those produced by constituency. Those for June were published a couple of weeks ago. They include various lists, one of which shows the 25 constituencies with the highest unemployment rates and the 25 with the lowest. Of the 25 highest, only 14 are over 10 per cent—and what a change that is from the recession—and the 25 lowest are all under 1 per cent. I am afraid that that shows a considerable potential for economic overheating.
No less than 254 (about 48 per cent) of England's 529 constituencies have unemployment of below 3 per cent; in other words, full employment. In Wales, five out of 40 are below 3 per cent and none is over 7 per cent. In Scotland, unemployment in 14 of the 72 constituencies is under 3 per cent and in no Scottish constituency does unemployment reach 10 per cent. Therefore, one must be worried about overheating.
Furthermore, although the inflation rate is within the guidelines—the Minister quoted the consumer price index excluding mortgage rates but the other index is higher at about 3.6 per cent—one of the factors in the rising rate of inflation is fuel prices. I salute the Chancellor for not being prepared to contemplate cutting fuel tax. He is right not to do so. Therefore, with the risk of overheating, we should consider that there may be a need for interest rates to increase further.
The second risk is that the economy may underperform. That is the main worry of this week's Economist, which states that,
"history suggests that it is unwise to bet on a 12-year economic expansion. If the economy slows, Mr Blair will discover that financial-market credibility is never granted to any government in perpetuity".
If the economy underperforms, the choices are: cut spending, increase taxation, or increase borrowing.
I believe that the Government are in a reasonably good position to increase borrowing. Interest rates on government securities undoubtedly are too low. I always take War Loan as being a good example of the equivalent of the American 30-year bond. Given the rate of inflation, the current 4.8 per cent yield on War Loan is absurdly low. I believe that in general the market is very short of gilts. That applies particularly to pension and other funds. Therefore, there is scope to increase the supply of gilts and, thus, there is a potential opportunity to allow expenditure to remain higher through more public borrowing.
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I should like to talk about tax policy, which, in a sense, is what the Budget is all about. One of the most remarkable changes made by the Conservative government was the policy on direct taxation. I probably do not need to remind your Lordships that in the last year of the previous Labour government, the top rate of personal tax was 98 per cent. That applied to all incomes over £24,000. If that income figure were updated for inflation, it would be only £77,000. Therefore, if old Labour were in power today, it is likely that anyone with an income of £77,000 or more would be paying a marginal rate of 98 per cent in tax, instead of which the top rate is 40 per cent. What a huge difference.
The top tax rate was reduced immediately in 1979 to 75 per cent by my noble and learned friend Lord Howe; then, in 1984–85, to 60 per cent by my noble friend Lord Lawson; and, finally, to 40 per cent in 1988–89. Therefore, we are now in the 13th year of a highly competitive rate of tax. In that respect, we are the envy of much of the world and, particularly, of many of our European neighbours. I congratulate the Chancellor on resisting the temptation to increase rates of direct taxation.
Indeed, in order to illustrate how competitive we are and the scale of what the temptation to raise tax might have been, I quote from a helpful Answer given to me in February by the noble Lord, Lord McIntosh. When I postulated a range of direct taxation approximately equal to that of the higher rate of our European neighbours, he told me that it would have produced over £3 billion of extra revenue. However, to increase taxes to those levels would have been catastrophic in terms of British industry and business. Not only would the brain drain have started once again, but the UK would no longer have been a place of favour for world investors.
I believe that an important question that we should ask is to what extent we need uniform taxes in Europe. I believe that rates of taxation, both direct and indirect, are for national governments to decide. I hope that the Minister will endorse that view. The French have a different view. I was talking to a senior official at the French Ministry of Finance who complained about the lack of a level playing field with regard to tax in Britain and about the many Frenchmen who choose to live in Kent so as not to pay French tax. We can imagine what the French mean by "a level playing field".
Rates of tax in Europe are immensely relevant to British economic and budgetary policy. I want to give a slight raspberry, but in the friendliest manner, to the Minister. I know how grossly over-worked he is. But I want to point out that when I asked him in June to state the current top rate of tax on personal incomes in each country of the European Union and the threshold of income at which they applied, he answered:
"This information can be found in the OECD publication Taxing Wages"—
and so on; it was a long title—
"a copy of which is being placed in the Library".—[Official Report, 22/6/00; WA 38.]

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Frankly, that was not the sort of answer that I wanted. First, the object of a parliamentary Question is to share the Answer with everyone and to put on the record ex cathedra crucial data. Secondly, in preparation for this debate, this morning I had a chat with a helpful official in the Treasury. I said, "Tell me, where is the top rate for Germany, referred to by the Minister, shown?". He replied, "If you look at page 228, you will see a rather complicated formula in which T = 0.53X-22 843 for 120 042≤X". Apparently, the key figure is 0.53, which is the top rate of tax in Germany—I believe that an additional tax is on the way.
I do not criticise the Minister but I propose to table that Question again and I hope that he will give an Answer about which we can all be clearer.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, before the noble Lord moves on from that point, I would, of course, refer to the matter in my closing speech but I believe that I had better not do so. I should apologise to him now. I did not check the OECD publication myself before signing the Answer. I should have done so and, if I had checked it, I should have realised that the information was not available in a sufficiently appropriate form to answer the noble Lord's Question properly. If he puts the Question again, he will receive a proper answer in public.
Lord Marlesford: My Lords, I thank the noble Lord very much for that generous apology. I do not believe that he needed to apologise because, as I said, he has been grossly over-worked. He is probably one of the most over-worked Ministers in this Government and I believe that he performs amazingly well in answering all our questions.
In deciding on direct and indirect taxation vis-á-vis Europe, indirect tax presents a particular problem, but one which, in a sense, is self-solving. We hear a great deal about the differences in the excise duty on alcohol. The simple answer is that the Treasury must seek to maximise the revenue from alcohol taxation. If it decides that to maximise revenue, it is in general better to keep the rate of excise duty as it is, that is fine by me. Thus in a free trade area, there is a natural self-adjustment in indirect tax rates.
I believe that I have almost exceeded my time and I apologise to the House. However, I want to say what a long way we have moved from the days when JK Galbraith produced The Affluent Society, the objects of which we agreed with so much. To some extent, the Government are trying to achieve some of those objects. However, Galbraith believed in a very different tax regime.
Perhaps I may take a moment longer of your Lordships' time. An interesting book, Between Friends, was published to celebrate the 90th birthday of John Kenneth Galbraith. It contains various essays. Perhaps I may quote from one by Will Hutton:
"I recall once proposing that we write a joint article, setting out the case for progressive taxation. He"—
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that is, Galbraith—
"replied that he would agree only if I accepted that any just system of taxation had to be calibrated by the protests of the rich: the more just, the more they would complain. It was only when their protests became really shrill that you could know you had pitched your tax rates high enough".
We have moved a long way from those days.
11.58 a.m.
Lord Tomlinson: My Lords, I believe that it is clear that the procedure for debating a Finance Bill in your Lordships' House is somewhat unusual and, like other noble Lords, I find it rather unsatisfactory. Therefore, I hope that, as we proceed to look at our future structures, with or without the benefit of a management consultant, we examine explicitly how we better exercise our role in relation to Finance Bills. I hope that that can be considered of their remit.
Even the most superficial examination of the Government's Annual Report and the Comprehensive Spending Review shows that the economy of our country is safe in the hands of my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, and the Government. The Government's Annual Report shows clearly that our sustained low inflation rate of 2 per cent is comparable with anywhere in the European Union, that unemployment is at its lowest level for 20 years, that tax and benefit changes will have lifted 1.2 million children out of poverty by 2001 and that business conditions are well served by the platform of economic stability that has been created. We have the best business conditions for a generation, with economic growth at 2.75 to 3.25 per cent and forecast to continue in the range of 2.25 to 2.75 per cent. We have done that with sustained increases in productivity.
Against that background of low inflation and sustained economic growth, there have been remarkable economic transformations. Debt has been repaid and unemployment reduced to such an extent that one statistic bears constant repetition. Between 1979 and 1997, debt interest, unemployment and the cost of social security benefits accounted for 43 per cent of all public expenditure. In the coming three years, the Comprehensive Spending Review foresees that figure falling to 17 per cent. That release of 26p in the pound of public expenditure from the wasteful uses of failure to make positive investment in the social and economic fabric of our society is very important. The budget deficit of £28 billion that was inherited from the previous government has been eliminated. This year, £18 billion of debt has been repaid. By 2003–04, the annual cost of debt servicing will be £5 billion less than it was in the last year of the previous government.
Those remarkable achievements form a background to the Comprehensive Spending Review—a review that everybody who loves our country and its people should welcome. I shall not go through the details of the spending review, because they have been well rehearsed, but there have been increases in spending on essential services such as education, health, transport, the fight against crime and developing the New Deal, which has done so much to rescue young

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people from the scourge of continual long-term unemployment. There are benefits to the regions and to the wider world through the increase in the budget of the Department for International Development, which was so regularly and shamefully savaged by the previous government. All those benefits flow from the Government's stable economic management, of which we can be proud.
However, there are two worrying aspects of our economic position: the long-term effects of the sustained strength of sterling and the higher interest rates that we bear in comparison with our competitor countries, particularly those in euroland. In the long run, those issues must be addressed. I hope that, in the fullness of time, the Government will be able to decide that the Chancellor's five economic tests have been satisfied and that they will conclude that there is a successful single currency in operation in euroland and that it is in our economic interests to join it.
That is a decision that only the Government are in a position to make first. It will then have to be confirmed in a referendum, when the case will need to be clearly put and cogently argued. If my noble friend the Minister uses the same skills in that campaign that he deployed in speaking to the Bill this morning, it will be of singular benefit to public understanding.
It is axiomatic that we must enter the single currency at the right exchange rate. If we do, the disadvantages that British industry and commerce suffer from a floating pound will disappear. We have no other choice: either we continue with a floating pound or we enter a full currency union.
We are all aware of the benefits of a large single market, but for those benefits to be fully achieved the single market requires a single currency. That will increase trade and reduce investment risk by increasing price transparency and eliminating exchange rate fluctuations.
Globalisation and the free movement of capital increase exchange rate fluctuations and the transactional costs of business. As capital flows more rapidly around the world, medium-sized countries such as Britain are highly exposed, with potentially highly damaging effects. With a euroland of 12, Britain's position is seriously exposed. Manufacturing is beginning to shift to the EU areas of currency stability. I disagree profoundly with the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, who thinks that we can ignore manufacturing and somehow manage quite well as a country without it. Small as it now is, our manufacturing base is of fundamental importance, particularly to the regions that have suffered most from historically high unemployment.
Lord Marlesford: My Lords, I certainly did not say that we could ignore our manufacturing base. I said that there has been massive restructuring in which many manufacturing jobs have gone, but we are still in
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a sound economic position. That does not mean that we should ignore our new and different manufacturing base.
Lord Tomlinson: My Lords, I am pleased to hear that and I withdraw what I said. I had understood the noble Lord to have at least implied that the economy could manage quite well without our manufacturing industry. I look forward to reading his speech in detail next week, when I have an opportunity to look at Hansard.
Manufacturing is clearly beginning to shift to the EU areas of currency stability. Were we to remain outside in the long term, British predominance in wholesale financial services would also be prejudiced. It is evident that our influence will increase if we are in the euro and will wane if we are outside it.
Britain within the euro will sign up to the growth and stability pact. Those who see it as a threat are living in an unreal world. The conditions in the pact are the simple, normal, prudent mechanisms that my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer uses to control our public expenditure, regardless of whether we are in the euro. Euro-sceptics told us that the euro would never be agreed; it was. They said that it would fail; it has not. They argued that it would break up. That is the same sort of unfounded Euro-sceptic optimism that led some to believe that people would vote to leave the European Community in the 1975 referendum.
Of course, the euro is currently weak, but it is a weakness relative to the United States dollar and to the pound sterling. The United States and Britain are near the peak of a boom, while many euroland economies are just emerging from recession. That has made our interest rates higher, has raised demand for sterling and the dollar, and has been the main influence of the value of the euro.
The British economy is strong and well managed, on which I congratulate the Government. However, sterling is too high to sustain long-term, and interest rates are too high for our long-term competitiveness. These problems must be addressed. Joining the single currency when it is the right conjuncture of circumstances to do so will address these problems and will form the basis of our economic well-being to continue in future inside a successful single market. It is on that basis that I again congratulate the Government and look forward to the continuing economic progress that will lead them to come to the necessary conclusion that I believe they have to make, so that we can get on with winning the case in a referendum.
12.10 p.m.
Lord Simon of Glaisdale: My Lords, when I intervened in a debate on last year's Finance Bill, when, like today, so many experts spoke, I felt it incumbent upon me to apologise for the fact that I had been so long divorced from public finance. Obviously the passage of a year has not improved my recommendation. In those circumstances, I do not

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propose to comment in detail on this doorstop of a Bill; nor do I intend to follow by way of comment the powerful speech of the noble Lord, Lord Tomlinson, save perhaps to comment that once he had left the party polemics, I found myself in profound agreement with what he said.
Today I should like mainly to follow up one or two points that I made last year, to which recent events have given a new immediacy. But first I should like to ask the Minister a fundamental question which really guides our judgment in these matters. In the Government's view, where are we in the economic cycle? The Government have a view on that. Last year, in answer to a question that I asked, the Minister said that the Government take the view that borrowing for revenue purposes should be neutral over the period of the economic cycle. That was very welcome news. It shows that the Government consider the economic cycle.
There is another way in which the Government clearly have to consider the economic cycle. One of the reasons for caution about joining the single currency, to which the noble Lord so cogently referred, is that the economic cycle in this country is out of phase with that of Europe. The Government therefore have a view on where we are in the economic cycle.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer sometimes seems to take as his motto, "I am Sir Oracle, and when I speak let no dog bark". That may be sufficient for his Cabinet colleagues, but the general electorate cannot be expected to put up with it. We must be let into the secret. There are two reasons for that: one is external; the other internal. The external one, to which I have already referred, is that we must know whether we are converging on Europe cyclically. I take the view that recent policies have placed us in the opposite direction. The second reason arises out of the present day splurge, to which the noble Lord, Lord Tomlinson referred, although, I hasten to add, not in those terms. The Chancellor is obviously running a risk by plainly increasing such expenditure at a faster rate than that of the estimated growth of the economy. We may get away with it. He has had a great deal of luck and, with luck, we may manage that. However, if we have a downturn in the economy, there is not a chance. We shall be in serious trouble. Therefore, I again urge the Minister to let us into the secret.
The second general point to which I want to refer is the North/South divide, which was referred to in passing by the noble Lord, Lord Tomlinson, although he postulated the issue in terms of a manufacturing view. In so far as there was a difference of view—and I think there was—between the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, and the noble Lord, Lord Tomlinson, I very much prefer the view of the noble Lord, Lord Tomlinson. An economic society cannot exist merely by taking in each other's e-mail. We also need to produce, if only to export and, if only to export further, to import.
Unfortunately, the run-down of manufacture has disproportionately hit our old, northern manufacturing centres. To that have been added the
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misfortunes of the hill farmers in the North. I therefore hope that the Minister will offer some words of comfort and recognition that the North of England faces some grave problems, whereas the South of England, with its prosperous service industry, is very well off. But, as I suggested, we cannot live purely on service industries.
I turn to a point that I raised last year concerning the general anti-avoidance rule. The traditional way of dealing with tax avoidance is to try to hit each individual case specifically. This Bill is full of anti-evasion provisions—provisions against fraudulent evasion—and that is serious. However, that is not the problem. The problem is legal avoidance. Again, that has become more immediate with the recent divulgence of the tax affairs of the noble Lord, Lord Levy. Perhaps I may say that it seems to me that the inviolability of a taxpayer's affairs is not simply a matter between the individual taxpayer and the Inland Revenue. It is of general interest that every taxpayer's affairs should be regarded as inviolable. Perhaps I may add that anyone who infringes that rule must know that he is acquiring information dishonestly.
Instead of trying to trace through every avoidance provision, inevitably late, after long loss of revenue, there is an alternative; namely, a general anti-avoidance rule. That exists in Australia and America. It is a rule somewhat on the lines that where a transaction, in whole or in part, has as its paramount object the avoidance of tax, it shall be void for that purpose, although valid for any other.
The Government saw the advantage of that and set up a body in the Inland Revenue to consider a general anti-avoidance rule for this country. It got as far, even further, as sending out a consultation document. But then, mysteriously, that body was wound up. I hope that I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I fail to see any creditable reason for that. The Minister, one of the ablest occupants of a Dispatch Box, failed to explain that last year. If he failed to explain it, there is probably, almost certainly, no creditable explanation. But I hope that he will have another try at soothing our minds.
The last matter that I raise is the question of a local income tax. Nothing could more restore the health of local government than each body of local government having its own funds and not having to look to the Exchequer.
I have received advice from two great experts on local government finance, one on the Conservative side and one on the Labour side. I cannot say their names because one of them gave me his information in the Bishops' Bar, which should be at least one place in Westminster which does not leak. But I am led to believe, on authoritative advice, that although the Layfield Committee was attracted by a local income tax, it held at the time that it was administratively impossible, or at any rate difficult. But I am led to believe that with modern technology, that can now be encompassed. I do not ask the noble Lord to go further than to say that the matter should be considered. I hope that the noble Lord, Lord Kingsland, will also give it a fair wind.

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I gave the noble Lord notice that I was going to raise some other matters, but I have already exceeded the time that I am justified in intruding on this debate.
12.24 p.m.
Lord Barnett: My Lords, I hope that the noble and learned Lord will forgive me if I do not follow, except to say that I am not madly in favour of a local income tax and I did not speak to him in the Bishops' Bar. That was not me and I plead not guilty.
The noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, opened the debate from the Opposition side on the question of scrutiny of the Finance Bill. That is an issue for which I have great sympathy and, as he knows, I have considerable concern about how we do not scrutinise Finance Bills.
I want to congratulate the noble Lord on the extent of his research assistant's research. The depth of it was astonishing. We were told how many hours are spent in the other place on Finance Bill committees. I did that for many years and I compelled others to do it when I was Chief Secretary. I found it astonishing that he had carried out that research and I congratulate him on that.
How do we better scrutinise Finance Bills, especially huge ones like this, and they are getting bigger and bigger? They need to be scrutinised. We have Members of your Lordships' House who are capable of giving those Bills serious scrutiny.
I am sorry to tell the noble Lord—and I know that I have told him this before—that it is not just the present Government but all governments, Conservative or Labour, are not very happy about giving greater power to your Lordships in relation to the scrutiny of Finance Bills. I plead guilty. I was not happy about that idea then. But that is not to say either that I was right or the noble Lord is right now in the depth to which he suggests we should go in subjecting the Bill to that kind of scrutiny.
He referred to the noble Lord, Lord Norton of Louth, whom I am glad to see in his place. I read with enormous interest the report of the noble Lord, Lord Norton, which included a paragraph on financial scrutiny. He put forward a couple of excellent suggestions. He said:
"The Government's financial proposals each year should be split between a Taxes and Management Bill or Bills and a Finance Bill".
The Commons completed its consideration of the Finance Bill only a couple of days ago. So we cannot have those powers after the Bill has been passed in the other place. We need to look at them before the Bill comes before us in its final state.
Lord Simon of Glaisdale: My Lords, is there not a distinction to be made between the Budget resolutions, where we are up against the collection of taxes date, and the scrutiny of the Finance Bill otherwise?
Lord Barnett: My Lords, yes, of course there is. But I have made the point before in your Lordships' House that scrutiny of the Finance Bill in another place is almost non-existent. All oppositions go in for major
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soundbites rather than a serious debate on clauses in the Bill. That just does not happen. For more than five years, I put a lot of badly drafted Finance Bills on the statute book and in the following years they have had to be amended and amended. That happens. That is a fact of life.
I am not sure that I finished reporting what the noble Lord, Lord Norton, said. He said:
"The main estimates should be referred automatically to the relevant Select Committee".
That must be worth considering. I hope that the Minister will do so. I am sure that the Government would like to see better Bills on the statute book, especially when there are Members of your Lordships' House who are capable of giving the kind of scrutiny which is required. I hope that that will be done but I cannot say that I am madly optimistic about it.
Governments and the authorities of the House introduce more and more Select Committees, which is not something that comes naturally. Noble Lords will have to press for such matters; we did a little of that yesterday with some success. I know my noble friend will not agree, but I hope we do that often. It is no use him looking at me like that, either!
I want to speak about public expenditure because we can do nothing about the Finance Bill. Some of your Lordships have referred to what the Treasury will say when they read this debate. I doubt whether anything has changed, but I would be quite astonished if a single Treasury Minister reads a word of what is said in this debate. I regret that my noble friend who will reply to the debate is not a Treasury Minister, but the Deputy Chief Whip; I believe that he should be a Treasury Minister, but then we would need three or four additional Ministers to carry out his other work.
We must be aware that Treasury Ministers will not look at the debate, so I shall leave the Finance Bill on one side and recognise that it pays for public expenditure on which I want to say a word or two. I welcome the Comprehensive Spending Review. I believed that I had read that the word "comprehensive" was to be deleted, but it has not been deleted from the document.
I strongly support the spending review and I congratulate the Chancellor on it. It does what I personally came into politics to see done: it improves our public services. I have always regretted that, in my five and a quarter years as Chief Secretary, because of the economic conditions, I had the unfortunate task of doing nothing other than cut public expenditure. I did not enter politics to do that, but I am happy to congratulate the Chancellor.
However, I have some hesitation. The talk is of a three-year review. To forecast the economy is a little like forecasting the weather. It is not easy to say what the weather will be this afternoon or tomorrow, let alone next week. I wish I could forecast that because on Saturday I am going hiking. I believe it is likely to rain. But forecasting the economy three years ahead and saying how we shall spend the resources is

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something that we may not be able to achieve. That is the other main reservation that I want to make on that point.
I have two other concerns. First, will the money be spent wisely and, secondly, why should we keep the Barnett formula? I say that with some little knowledge of the formula, to which I shall turn in a moment. It has some connection with whether the money in the public expenditure review will be spent wisely. Will it really help those depressed areas of the United Kingdom? The honest answer has to be that I do not know, although sticking with the Barnett formula will not help that.
Throwing money at a problem will not necessarily help. Indeed, sometimes that could be positively damaging because one may not necessarily spend the money in the right area. So some waste is almost inevitable. When spending an additional £43 billion— we do not talk of millions any more—I would be astonished if there were not some waste. That is perfectly understandable. We shall not know about it in any detail until the Public Accounts Committee and the National Audit Office have checked and by that time we shall be well into the three-year period. We know only that there will be waste, although how and where is not clear, but sticking with the Barnett formula will certainly not help.
I am happy to have something named after me, but when I invented that particular method of allocating expenditure to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, I did not know that it would be a formula. It was a short-term expedient to help me in difficult times, which I thought might last a year. Is my noble friend asking me to give way?
Lord Randall of St Budeaux: My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for giving way in such a courteous fashion. To overcome wastage, would it not be a good idea to fire this bloke called Barnett?
Lord Barnett: My Lords, no, is the straight answer to that! That method has become a formula; it has lasted for 22 years and now it is forecast to last another three. If money is allocated in that way, it will not necessarily go to the areas where it is most required. Looking at the expenditure allocations, the plain fact is that it certainly is not spent in the right way. We are told in the spending review that the Barnett formula ensures that Scotland receives a population-based share of changes in comparable spending in England. That has nothing whatever to do with whether it is sensible for an area to receive that proportion. The plain fact is that in Scotland the level of expenditure per head is more, for example, than in the North East, which has a much lower GDP per head, and in parts of the North West. Surely it is wrong to allocate expenditure in that way.
I know that the formula lasted for 18 years because the government of those days, under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, were frightened about the damage that it would do politically if they removed it. It did a fair amount of damage anyway; they lost every
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single seat at the end of the 18 years. In my view it is sensible to change the Barnett formula. I hope it will be changed. If the Government want a different kind of formula with my name attached to it because they have grown fond of it, I would have no objection.
No doubt in the London area the Mayor will ask for more expenditure in line with some Livingstone formula. London already receives 125 per cent of the English levels of expenditure, so in practice I hope that the Government—maybe for other reasons—will resist any requests for more money for London and move it to the North West, the North East and areas where it is really needed. I have no doubt that in parts of Scotland it is needed, but the overall levels of expenditure given to Scotland as compared with the rest of the United Kingdom are quite wrong. I had better leave it at that.
On the three-year expenditure review, the question is often asked whether it will mean an increase in interest rates. We do not know; it is too early to say. It will not start until next April. I assume that it will start rather slowly. If one is talking about the genuine independence of the Monetary Policy Committee, fiscal policy may be required to deal with an excessive level of consumption. I hope not, but at this stage we do not know. For the moment we can say that it should not and does not need an increase in interest rates because the expenditure will not start until next year.
We are not discussing the Finance Bill; we shall pass that on the nod. This is not even a serious economic debate; no one is seriously listening.
Lord Tomlinson: My Lords, I am listening.
Lord Barnett: My Lords, I listened to my noble friend Lord Tomlinson, with whom I agree substantially. Indeed, the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, made an excellent speech, much of which I agreed with. The fact is that all we can say at the moment, in the brief time available to us, is that the economy—my noble friend gave us the figures—is in good shape. Nobody can dispute that. That may be one of the reasons why the noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, chose to talk about something else. I can only assume that my right honourable friend the Chancellor has had little to do with the fact that the economy is now in such an excellent shape. Part of that has happened without any action by him but he has not destroyed it and he has done it no damage, so we can give him some credit. For now, I am prepared to congratulate him on the expenditure review.
12.40 p.m.
Lord Northbrook: My Lords, I endorse the comments of my noble friend Lord Saatchi and all noble Lords who suggest that we need a greater role for this House in scrutinising finance Bills and I support the six sensible proposals of my noble friend for the new Joint Committee to consider.
Initially, I make the point that, sadly, due to the House of Lords Act 1999, we are deprived of several notable speakers who supplied much wisdom on the Finance Bill of that year and whose absence today renders the debate the poorer.

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Since May 1997, through stealth taxes, the Government have effectively increased the tax burden by 8p. Figures from the House of Commons Library show that the average family will pay a net £670 more in tax next year following tax changes coming into effect. That is in direct contrast to the Chancellor's claim that he has cut the tax burden on the average family. Indeed, almost half the figure of £670 is due to the abolition of the married couple's allowance—not a very family-friendly measure from a government in theory committed to the family.
The change in the tax burden over this Parliament is worth examining in more detail. The November 1999 pre-Budget report showed net taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP rising over the course of this Parliament. In 1996–97 the figure stood at 35.3 per cent. In 2000–01 it has risen to 36.8 per cent and is forecast to be 37.2 per cent by 2001–02. Adding in the working families' tax credit, which has been treated as a tax cut rather than a spending increase, those figures are increased by 0.5 per cent.
The Government refused, until March 2000, to admit that taxes were rising. Instead, they made claims that,
"Next year the tax burden on a typical family will be at its lowest since 1972".—[Official Report, Commons, 9/3/00; col. 1179.]
That was repeated by the Minister today. The Prime Minister himself said in November 1999 that,
"It is clear, as the figures show, that the tax burden is falling".—[Official Report, Commons, 24/11/99; col. 609.]
In March 2000 the Government finally admitted that the burden of taxation had increased. The Prime Minister's official spokesman, Alastair Campbell, stated that, for the first two years of Labour government, taxes had increased. Figures published in May 1999 by the OECD showed Britain with the fastest rising tax burden—taking taxes as a percentage of GDP— in Europe, and its people paying more tax than those in Germany for the first time in a generation.
What taxes are we talking about? In the first three Budgets of this Government the tax burden was increased by £40.7 billion over the course of this Parliament, the ultimate stealth tax being the abolition of ACT, which brought £5 billion revenue to the Government. In this Budget, first, there is stamp duty. That tax on more expensive properties has quadrupled since the general election. The Chancellor is fond of pretending that the increase is borne entirely by the private householder. In fact, the majority of stamp duty is paid by businesses. The Government's refusal to even contemplate removing stamp duty from share transactions is again threatening to cause an erosion of business, indeed a migration of business, from this jurisdiction to the Continent.
Another stealth tax has not yet been introduced, but has been announced: it is the energy tax or climate change levy. The Government now seek to put that into law in the Bill and it will come into effect in April 2001. It will be particularly damaging for the manufacturing sector, especially those companies struggling to make a living and return in international
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markets. What is particularly unfortunate is that the tax, although in the Bill and supposedly in its final form, is still undergoing an evolution.
The CBI let it be known that certain companies will be eligible for rebates of up to 80 per cent. But many companies in the intensive energy sector will not. For instance, a large company like BOC will not qualify for technical reasons and will have to pay the full tax. That is an example of how unfriendly the Government can be to big business. Another example is the saga of the mixer company tax changes. By way of an aside, the mixer company tax regime is one of the few areas of tax left alone by the last Labour government—of which the noble Lord, Lord Barnett, was a member—and for good reason; there was nothing wrong with it.
In a Starred Question to the Minister on 23rd May I asked why the Treasury believed that those changes would have so little effect on multinational companies as opposed to the companies and advisers themselves who believed they would have a much greater financial effect. The Minister replied,
"Unless those who seek to attack the Treasury get their act together I do not believe that we should take them too seriously".—[Official Report, 23/5/00; col. 636.]
I know that the noble Lord, Lord McIntosh, has been under great pressure of work and may not have realised the seriousness of those proposals. I always believed the problem was more serious than the Minister realised, especially when no less than three major firms of accountants were up in arms about it.
The senior partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers was attacked in the other place, even on the Floor of the House, for daring to suggest that it was a tax change deeply unfriendly to multinational companies. It was only after intense lobbying by the City companies themselves and their advisers and excellent and dogged work by Members in another place that the Government finally compromised and published measures, at the last minute on 15th July, which would allow companies to continue the practice of pooling earnings from high tax regimes with income front low tax territories to minimise British tax liabilities provided all the tax rates involved were 45 per cent or less.
However, criticisms remain with experts arguing that multinational companies with subsidiaries, say in New York, will be penalised because the 45 per cent rate applies to all taxes suffered, including withholding and state taxes. Also, multinationals with Japanese subsidiaries will be much worse off. In both cases the local tax rates are higher than 45 per cent. Can the Minister confirm how much worse off than before companies with off-shore pooling and subsidiaries in, say, New York or Japan, will be?
Turning to other aspects of the Budget, the Chancellor claimed he was raising income tax allowances in line with the rate of inflation. He also said that he was increasing excise duties on road fuels, beers and wine in line with inflation. However, as has already been stated, an examination of the Budget Red Book shows that different inflation rates have been

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used. What that means is that those excise duties go up three times higher than personal allowances—the ultimate stealth tax.
Next, I should like to comment on the further tax increase on fuel in the Budget. The AA commented that,
"For every £10 spent on petrol £8 is now handed over to the Chancellor. UK taxes on petrol and diesel remain the highest in Europe as does the price motorists pay at the pumps".
After looking at several areas of the Finance Bill, I now want to turn my attention to the Comprehensive Spending Review. As is known, the headline figure—the biggest increase in spending by government for a quarter of a century—is an extra £51 billion over the next three years. The Economist writes as follows:
"Three big doubts hang over Labour's plans: the first concerns the abruptness of the Government's change of course. New Labour makes much of its determination to avoid boom and bust in the economy. But its approach to public finances is hardly one of steady as she goes. For its first three years in Government, the Government followed the Conservative spending plans".
That may have lulled the financial markets into believing it was not just another spendthrift Labour Government. The Economist states that the problem now is that there is a danger that money will be wasted, and we on these Benches share that concern.
The second big doubt is that the Government, in projecting big spending increases over the next three years, assume that the good times will continue rolling. The noble Lord, Lord Tomlinson, says that the UK and US economies are near the peak of a boom. But the Economist says that it is unwise to assume a 12-year economic expansion continuing. If the economy slows, the Government will discover that financial market credibility is never to be granted to any government in perpetuity.
The third doubt is the most fundamental. The Prime Minister believes that Britain's deepest economic problem is under-investment and that the remedy is more money, combined with a complicated and demanding regime of public sector targets. That is too narrow a conception of the problem and its solution. As decades of experience show, the public sector is a bottomless pit. More money does not guarantee better services. Performance targets may be better than no controls at all, but it should be remembered that if central planning and targets worked the Soviet economy would have left the US far behind. Structural innovation matters as much as the cash. The keys to better quality are competition wherever possible and private money alongside public money.
To sum up on the Budget and the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Finance Bill is the longest ever and continues the trend of stealth taxes. As usual, many of the measures are different to the spin put on them. The CSR makes big assumptions on a continuing rate of economic growth. There could be big problems if the growth cycle slows or comes to an end.
12.51 p.m.
Lord Newby: My Lords, I begin by joining most noble Lords in mentioning the rather ludicrous nature of this debate. It has to be said that this week is a particularly good one in which to be talking about the ludicrous nature of activities in your Lordships' House, as we have seen many such examples in the past few days. Indeed, there has been a growing and increasingly vociferous agreement among noble Lords on all sides of the House that to debate a Finance Bill at a point when it has gone through the House of Commons and cannot be amended is an exercise in futility that we could better do without.
Therefore, I support the proposal put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, and other noble Lords, that we need to do better in this area. My own preferred solution would be to split the Finance Bill with a separate taxes management Bill that could be considered seriously by your Lordships. However, in the short term, I propose that from next year we have a one-day debate within a week of the Finance Bill being published, on the tabling of a Motion in government time.
Perhaps I may give your Lordships an example, from my own experience, of the kind of expertise that I believe will be valuable in considering such matters. The current Finance Bill has a large section on employee share ownership. I am a director of a medium-sized company that has spent much time looking at the existing models of employee share ownership schemes. It is an area where I—this no doubt applies to many other noble Lords—have direct personal experience; indeed, probably to a greater extent than many of our colleagues in another place. In each section of the Finance Bill dealing with the management of taxes, I believe that similar considerations apply.
I turn from our internal matters to the economy. In terms of the general state of the economy, there is no doubt that, taken as a whole, it is in pretty good shape. Growth is buoyant, unemployment is low and inflation remains low. Any threat is always whether inflation will get out of hand; indeed, house prices have risen very quickly but now appear to be moderating. Wage pressure in the service sector in the South is certainly pretty considerable and very high levels of pay increase are being routinely awarded, especially in the sector in which I operate.
However, when we look at the rate of inflation in comparison with our European colleagues we find that by the measure that they use, but we do not—the harmonised index of consumer prices—the level of price increase in this country (at 0.7 per cent) is significantly lower than the European average. That raises the fascinating question, therefore, as to why we have significantly higher interest rates than our European colleagues if the rate of inflation, on a common measure, is lower. In my view, dealing with that kind of issue is but one of many advantages to be gained by being a member of a single currency in which we have a single understanding of inflation and a single

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interest rate. But, taking the HICP rate of 0.7 per cent, it also suggests that we do not have too much to fear in the short term as regards the level of inflation.
As a number of noble Lords have said, the major problem in the economy is that the prosperity that we are witnessing in this part of the country is not matched across all sectors and regions. The state of manufacturing is extremely worrying. Indeed, not only is it worrying now but the situation is, in my view, set to become worse. First, by staying out of the eurozone, manufacturing investment that might come into the UK will find its way elsewhere in the EU within the next two or three years, or until we join the single currency.
Secondly, indigenous manufacturers are currently cutting back on their plans for the future. The CBI report on manufacturing intentions that was published yesterday states that 21 per cent of all manufacturers are less optimistic about their outlook than they were tour months ago; and that no less than 39 per cent were planning to invest less in plant and machinery in the period ahead. We all share the preoccupation of the Government and of the Chancellor of the Exchequer with productivity, but there can be no doubt that the way in which productivity in the manufacturing sector will more nearly match that of our European and US counterparts and competitors is by encouraging higher investment in plant and machinery. With current interest rates and the present uncertainty about whether we shall become members of the euro, that level of investment will simply not happen.
I move on to taxation. I believe that the overall tax regime for most individuals and companies is relatively benign. As the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford, pointed out, we do not have the excessively high levels of tax that applied 20 years ago. However, I believe that there are a number of areas where we could see some improvement. Perhaps I may say how much I share the views expressed by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Simon of Glaisdale, about a local income tax. When I was a civil servant 25 years ago, I served on an interdepartmental working group that looked at alternatives to domestic rates. A local income tax was one of the options under consideration, but it was ruled out because it was technically impossible to introduce it. These days, with modern computer technology, it is no longer impossible to do so. In my view, it would be a desirable innovation.
Further, I should like to say a few words about international tax competition and competitiveness. Very few people within euroland really believe that it is sensible to have harmonised levels of tax—that is, exact harmonisation across the European Union. We are, of course, very far from that situation at present. However, there are two areas where major disparities in tax levels can be disadvantageous. Although corporate tax levels in the UK turn on the tax rate alone, that could lead to a much higher corporate tax take here as a proportion of GDP than is the case in Germany and in many of our other European partner countries. That is something that companies looking to locate within the EU increasingly take into account.
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On the indirect tax side, there has been much talk of smuggling in recent months as a result of the increasing disparity between the excise duties here and those in the EU. As a former employee of Customs and Excise, I was amazed and appalled to read in the spending review that one of the key tasks—indeed, one of only two such tasks—to which Customs and Excise is committed over the next period is to reverse the current trend in tobacco smuggling so that, by the year 2004–05, smuggled cigarettes will represent no more than 18 per cent of the market. Leaving aside the spurious accuracy of 18 per cent, as opposed to 16 per cent or 20 per cent, I should love to know how that figure was calculated! Is it a sensible situation to find ourselves in at the beginning of the 21st century when smuggling is reaching levels not seen since the 18th century? The only way that the matter can be dealt with in this country is by having a closer approximation of tax rates.
I move from taxation to expenditure. I agree with the noble Lords, Lord Tomlinson and Lord Barnett, that the Government's decision to invest much more significantly in public services is greatly to be welcomed. Our starting quibble, as it were, is that we should not be starting from that point. Last year, expenditure on public services was at its lowest: level as a proportion of GDP for over 35 years. In the table I have in front of me the series of figures goes back to 1960. That is not a record of which the Government should be proud. Although I know that the Minister's heart sang as he read out the inordinately long Statement on expenditure a few days ago, the truth is that there needed to be such a big increase because there have been such big cuts in the past few years. Even in the year 2003–04, at the end of the current spending review, expenditure by the Government will still be at a lower level than in any but nine Of the past 30 years. Therefore, I do not think that we need feel that public expenditure is about to crowd out private investment or cause any significant problems for the economy.
We also have a number of questions about the balance of public expenditure. We are concerned, for example, that the Government failed to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care of the Elderly. We also share the concerns expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Barnett, as regards the way in which expenditure is divided between the nations and regions of the country and the effectiveness with which it is spent. I believe that there are now about 50 spending programmes which in theory benefit the most disadvantaged parts of the UK. But their complexity, the overlapping boundaries, and the different eligibility criteria, mean that they are virtually inaccessible and, as a result, underexpenditure in those programmes has now become the unacceptable norm. We hope that there will be a root-and-branch revision of the basis of the Barnett formula to direct public expenditure to the regions and nations on the basis of need and not on the basis of the historic need of the noble Lord, Lord Barnett, to deal with his colleagues in a tight spending year.

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In last year's debate I made two predictions about macro-economic circumstances: first, that we were unlikely to see a significant increase in inflation—which has proved right—and, secondly, that the pound was likely to rise against the dollar—which has proved wrong. That, incidentally, disproves the automatic "cyclicity"—if that is the right word—of the economies of the major industrial powers, which was discussed by the noble Lord, Lord Marlesford. I and most other people thought that the US economy would enter a possibly significant downturn. However, that has not happened and it does not look as if it will happen. Some of the rules under which we study economic forecasting may need to be changed.
I make two predictions for next year: first—this is the same as last year and is the prediction of which I feel most confident—inflation will not take off; and, secondly—this is both an aspiration and a belief—the pound is likely to fall against a rising euro. Last year I said that the key challenge that faced the Government was how to use the benefits of economic strength to improve public services. They have now at long last, thank goodness, grasped that nettle. The key question now for the Government is how effectively they can direct that expenditure.
1.4 p.m.
Lord Kingsland: My Lords, in the Minister's opening remarks—indeed, I believe, in his opening sentence—he said that this Budget continues to deliver on Labour's promises. In my submission, the one thing this Budget does not do is deliver on Labour's chief election promise, which was not to raise taxes.
On several occasions before the general election, the right honourable gentleman the Prime Minister stated, in terms, that the public expenditure programme envisaged by the Labour Party, if it won the election, would not imply any tax increases. Yet, as your Lordships are well aware, both from past debates in your Lordships' House and from many contributions from noble Lords today, the tax burden has risen.
In the second quarter of 1997, the tax burden was 35.6 per cent of GDP. In the second quarter of 1999, it was 37.7 per cent of GDP. Although direct taxes have dropped by £30 billion, indirect taxes have risen by no less than £70 billion. As the Minister is well aware, indirect taxes have the feature of discriminating against the poorer members of society—because indirect taxes are not progressive taxes.
The Minister made much of a figure he put to your Lordships today measuring the benefits that the average family derive from the Government's tax changes. I do not remember the exact figure; but I think that he mentioned an amount in the order of £800. The noble Lord the Minister will be well aware that the Opposition wholly reject that estimate. With the help of the Library in another place, we have undertaken our own analysis; and we have concluded that, far from improving the situation, the average family is £670 worse off as a result of the Government's fiscal measures.
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Unlike the Minister, I am in a position to substantiate that figure. The analysis shows the impact in the year 2000–01 of post-election tax changes on a two-earner married couple with two children, assuming the couple to be on average income for their gender—that is, £24,800 for the husband and £18,150 for the wife. We assume they live in a Band D house, on which they have an outstanding mortgage of at least £30,000, that one of them smokes 20 cigarettes a day and the other is a non-smoker and that they drive 15,000 miles a year at 35 miles per gallon. All the figures have been calculated by the House of Commons Library staff, apart from the impact of the pension tax, which has been calculated by the accountancy firm, Chantrey Vellacott DFK.
The analysis shows that the average tax burden has gone up by £670. The Minister presented to noble Lords today a figure of £800. I invite him to tell us how he arrives at that figure; because it is clearly in total contrast to the analysis that the Opposition have carried out.
The noble and learned Lord, Lord Simon of Glaisdale, and many other noble Lords have emphasised the scale and complexity of this legislation. Schedule 6 alone, which deals with the impact of the energy tax and runs to no fewer than 80 pages, is an example of masterful occlusion. I cannot imagine anyone who is not qualified as a lawyer, indeed any lawyer who is not qualified as a tax lawyer, being remotely able to come to grips with the text. This is certainly not bringing the law-making process to the people.
But no amount of occlusion can disguise what is, in my submission, the most disingenuous act in this Budget, which is the indexing of tax allowances at the historic rate of inflation but indirect taxes at the expected rate of inflation⤔1.1 per cent to 3.4 per cent. That is an act which is clearly a fraud on the electorate. I invite the Minister to give a justification for it. There has been none in his statements so far. I can see no rational justification for having two different rates of inflation in a single Budget and a single tax law.
The tax burden has increased. But what improvements in the nation's lot have been engineered by the public expenditure that has flowed from these tax increases? The police force, far from increasing, has fallen from 127,000 to 124,000 in the past three years; there is no evidence that waiting lists are falling; and we know that crime, especially violent crime, is on the increase. So, despite the increase in tax revenues, the Government appear to have delivered no improvements whatever to the public sector.
Some of the tax increases at national level have failed to have the impact that the Government sought because they have not taken into account their international implications. I listened carefully to what the noble Lord, Lord Newby, said about taxes on cigarettes. The fact is that last year, as a result of taxation on cigarettes, revenues from this source dropped by £2.5 billion—and yet the Government are proposing an increase in real terms on cigarette taxation this year of 5 per cent.

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The levels of smuggling of cigarettes have been variously estimated, as the noble Lord, Lord Newby, suggested; but it is in the order of one-fifth of the total number of cigarettes consumed in this country. How can the noble Lord and Her Majesty's Government successfully pursue an excise duty policy without engaging in negotiations with other countries of the European Community to prevent such breaches of the law?
A number of noble Lords spoke about the impact of the Government's expenditure proposals on interest rates. Forecasts of any kind in this area have to be made cautiously if the forecaster is to be prudent; but it is clear, as my noble friend Lord Marlesford said, that the economy is now under considerable demand pressure. It is also clear, not only from evidence gleaned by the Opposition but also from recent IMF publications, that the proposals of the right honourable gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer for expenditure over the next few years exhibit the characteristics of fiscal loosening.
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England, which has shown great caution in pursuing interest rate policy, is more likely than not over the next two or three years to consider that the impact of this increased public expenditure will require increases rather than decreases in interest rates, with all that that entails for the level of the exchange rate. Can the Minister assure the House that the implications of this additional expenditure over the next few years will not further harm the international competitiveness of our industry? It has been harmed enough by a variety of government policies over the past few years.
1.14 p.m.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I made a series of headings for my response to the debate, and the headings were all about the Budget and the state of the economy. It is entirely proper that the debate should be used to cover wider issues than the Budget and the Finance Bill. Perhaps if I rapidly read those headings, the House will see how far the debate has been from a debate about the Budget. I was going to talk about supporting families; about tackling child poverty; about fairness for pensioners; about employment opportunities and making work pay; and about building stronger businesses. I was going to talk about groups and international operations, but the noble Lord, Lord Northbrook, in an exceptionally well focused speech, if I may say so—because he did talk about the Budget—covered that issue. I was going to talk about protecting the environment; about vehicle excise duty, car tax; about charities; and about the spending review. I have to respond to almost nothing of that.
It is in that context that I respond, very rapidly, to the points made by the noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, which he also made last year. He said that the House of Lords should be considering the Finance Bill in a more serious way, and he quoted a rather impressive speech by Mr Asquith in 1911. What he did not do was quote the reason why Mr Asquith had to make that speech. Lloyd George's "People's Budget" of 1909 was subject
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to the most ferocious opposition on the Floor of the House of Commons. Throughout the months of August and September, the House of Commons sat all night, every night, Cabinet Ministers working on a rota system, while the Conservative Opposition sought to oppose, root and branch, one of the most progressive Budgets of our century. At the end of that process, the House of Lords turned it down flat. That is why we have a Parliament Act and that is why an unelected Chamber is not responsible for the finances of this country—nor will it be.
The noble Lord, Lord Saatchi, made some practical points. I acknowledge them, as I acknowledge the tributes that have been paid to the excellent report of the noble Lord, Lord Norton. Certainly it is worth considering the idea of a tax management Bill as a separate Bill. That has been considered, but it has not been thought that it would produce any improvement on the present arrangements. We do not think that it is necessarily true that it will produce more effective decision making. What we have done with what will be in a few minutes the Government Resources and Accounts Act will do far more to encourage the effective scrutiny of public expenditure.
The timing of business in this House is not a matter for me. When the question was raised a year ago, I said—I say it again—that when we were in opposition we used an opposition day soon after the Budget to debate these issues. I invite the Opposition to do the same thing rather than to suggest that it should be done in government time. The House knows that there is no such thing as government time; there certainly was not yesterday.
I shall try to respond to some of the points that have been made, although they were so unpredictable that it becomes very difficult. First, let me say something about the tax burden, a matter referred to by the noble Lords, Lord Kingsland and Lord Northbrook. We have been talking in parallel without meeting on the tax burden for a long time. The Opposition have been talking about an increase in the tax burden since May 1997 and we have been talking about the undoubted fact that the tax burden is falling at the moment. I do not want to overestimate the importance of the tax burden. It is, of course, a ratio between taxes and GDP—and GDP is rising faster than noble Lords opposite thought it would. The fact is that taxes are falling. Personal tax and benefits changes in this and previous Budgets will mean that households on average will be £460 a year better off, and families with children on average will be £850 a year better off.
The noble Lord, Lord Northbrook, accused us of introducing a stealth tax with the climate change levy—
Lord Kingsland: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for giving way. I do not expect the noble Lord to answer this question now—I hope that he can but I do not expect him to answer it now. Can he set out in a little more detail the basis on which those figures are arrived at?
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Yes, my Lords. I shall do so in a considered letter which I shall send to all

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noble Lords who have taken part in the debate. I shall also place the letter in the Library of the House. It is not physically possible to answer the question now even with the extensive briefing on the Bench beside me.
The noble Lord, Lord Northbrook, raised a specific point. He criticised the climate change levy. That will be broadly revenue neutral across services and manufacturing. We recognise that there are difficulties for some heavy energy users which is why there are available discounts of up to 80 per cent for those who achieve energy-efficiency targets. That is a difficult area, but we have—as he knows—international obligations. The noble Lord asked about petrol prices. It is a fact that the recent increase in the price of petrol was not an increase in tax but an increase in the price of petrol itself. Given that the international price of petrol has gone down recently from 30 dollars a barrel to 27 dollars a barrel, let us hope that the petrol companies will do their duty and reduce prices at the pump. That seems to be a reasonable expectation.
The noble Lord, Lord Newby, was concerned about smuggling. In general terms, it is true that the higher the differential, the more temptation there is for smuggling. However, that is not always the case. Italy and Spain have very low duty rates on cigarettes and yet they still suffer from significant smuggling. So it is not as simple as that.
The noble Lord, Lord Northbrook, asked about double taxation relief. He asked specifically about some companies with subsidiaries in New York and Japan, and whether they would be worse off under the mixer company changes. I do not think that he has fully taken in the significance of the changes which we announced on 15th July. If a UK company has subsidiaries in New York and/or Japan directly from the United Kingdom, the current position is that relief for foreign tax cannot exceed 30 per cent, which is the UK tax payable on a dividend. It will be possible in future for companies to have relief for this foreign tax of up to 45 per cent. Again, it is a complicated issue. Rather than pursue it now, I should like to write to the noble Lord about it.
I am passing over the matters I wanted to talk about to refer to the points I have to talk about because noble Lords raised them. The noble Lord, Lord Jacobs, referred to the tax burden for those on the national minimum wage. He has ignored the fact that the combination of the working families' tax credit and the reform of national insurance contributions—in other words the imputed national insurance contributions up to £9,000 per year—together with the minimum income guarantee of £214 per week for a family with at least one person in full-time work answers very precisely the points he raised in the debate.
The noble Lord, Lord Newby, claimed that the corporate tax burden was higher in the UK than among its competitors. That is the reverse of the truth. Corporation tax rates are at their lowest level ever. The Chancellor has made a clear commitment to keep those rates at the current level. They are, taken as a whole, the lowest in industrialised countries.
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I have specific points to make to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Simon of Glaisdale. He asked where we are in the economic cycle. We say where we are in the economic and fiscal strategy report. We did so at the end of last year; we shall do so at the end of this year. I do not think that it is appropriate for me to provide a running commentary.
We have looked very carefully at the question of a general anti-avoidance rule. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has recently considered this matter very carefully. In the light of concerns expressed by business, he has come to the conclusion that it would place greater uncertainty and greater burdens on business. That does not mean that he is not determined to combat avoidance.
Lord Simon of Glaisdale: My Lords, in saying that the committee was considering it, does it not reinforce the desirability of keeping that going? Merely to say that the Chancellor thinks that it should be wound up is unsatisfactory.
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: My Lords, I do not think that it matters very much whether it is a committee which considers it. The point is that the Chancellor has considered the matter. He has taken account of representations by business which say that it would be a burden to them because they would have to assess what it might mean with the Revenue, in effect, concealing its hand. That is the difficulty about a general anti-avoidance rule.
The noble and learned Lord asked about the North/ South divide. Noble Lords have asked also about the Barnett formula. The improvement shown in the economy has been across all regions of England, Scotland and Wales. If there are any differentials, those differentials are reducing rather than increasing. As to local income tax, that is a matter which the Liberal Democrat Party will continue to pursue, as the noble Lord, Lord Newby, has confirmed—and good luck to it!
Behind all that lies a view of our public finances and the state of our economy. I am grateful to all noble Lords—particularly the noble Lords, Lord Tomlinson, Lord Newby, and Lord Marlesford—who have congratulated the Chancellor on his wise management of the economy over the past three years. Of course, there are still problems. There are problems for the manufacturing industry. There is the high level of sterling in relation to the euro, and higher short-term interest rates, although of course long-term interest rates are much more convergent. All those problems need to be resolved as we come to consider the economic arguments of whether we would be recommending to the country entry into the euro. Everything said today has confirmed my view that the combination of the Budget which was announced in March this year, the Finance Bill which completed its progress through the House of Commons in the past few days, and the spending review which follows from our public expenditure and revenue commitments is the right solution for the country and will continue to take us into the new century in a spirit of confidence and growth.
On Question, Bill read a second time; Committee negatived.

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Then, Standing Order No. 46 having been dispensed with (pursuant to Resolution of 25th July), Bill read a third time, and passed.

Disqualifications Bill
1.30 p.m.
The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): My Lords, I beg to move that the adjourned debate on the Motion for Second Reading be resumed.
Moved, That the adjourned debate on the Motion for Second Reading be resumed.—(Lord Falconer of Thoroton.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time.
Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(Lord Falconer of Thoroton.)
On Question, Bill read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.

Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure
The Lord Bishop of Manchesterrose to move, That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.
The right reverend Prelate said: My Lords, I realise that this is the last item of business to be dealt with before the Summer Recess, so I do not intend to keep noble Lords too long from their comforts and cruises and their buckets and spades.
The miscellaneous provisions Measures of the General Synod deal with uncontroversial items and relatively minor matters which would not ordinarily merit free-standing legislation. This particular Measure contains a number of important clauses dealing with the devolution to dioceses of functions of the Church Commissioners, following the passing of the National Institutions Measure. These provisions have been discussed and agreed with the dioceses. The provisions in question are dealt with in Clauses 1 to 11 and Schedules 1 to 6.
In financial terms, the Measure, at Clause 4 and Schedule 2, provides for the transfer of the diocesan stipends accounts and the associated income accounts to diocesan boards of finance. Clause 10 and Schedule 6 provide for the transfer of diocesan pastoral accounts to dioceses to formalise the devolved administrative arrangements already in place in respect of these accounts.
As far as concerns the commissioners' regulatory role, the draft Measure provides a vehicle for streamlining and lightening the commissioners'
762
regulatory role in areas such as parsonages, glebe and the Pastoral Measure. It is estimated that cost savings for the commissioners could amount to about £50,000 per annum if these proposals are implemented. None of these costs would fall on dioceses. Indeed, it is expected that there will be savings in dioceses as well, especially in terms of time spent on seeking the commissioners' approval for various transactions.
Similar proposals are suggested for glebe matters, where the commissioners' main role would be confined to considering transactions which do not meet agreed criteria and to carrying out the appellate function set out in paragraph 9 of Schedule 5. Again, cost savings for the commissioners are expected to amount to about £50,000 per annum, and none of these costs would fall on dioceses instead.
As to other miscellaneous matters, perhaps I should highlight Clause 12, which makes a useful provision for situations where the office of rural dean is vacant or where the rural dean is unable to carry out his or her functions. Subsection (4) gives power to the bishop to change the title of a rural dean's office to that of area dean. That makes more sense in a mainly urban diocese such as the one in which I currently serve.
Clause 15 brings the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure into line with other categories of appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council by providing that an appeal may only be made with leave to appeal. The Privy Council Office has signified its agreement to the amendment.
In Clause 17, we have another uncontroversial but useful amendment. The clause amends the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 to make it possible for the transfer of a right of patronage to be registered even when presentation to the benefice has been suspended under the Pastoral Measure 1983.
The Measure was found expedient by the Ecclesiastical Committee, which is composed of 15 Members of this House nominated by the Lord Chancellor and 15 Members of another place nominated by the Speaker. I hope and trust that it will streamline some of the procedures of the Church and, of course, save some money. I trust that the House will agree to the Motion.
Moved, That this House do direct that, in accordance with the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919, the Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure be presented to Her Majesty for the Royal Assent.—(The Lord Bishop of Manchester.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.

Adjournment
1.35 p.m.
Lord Carter: My Lords, it is now my duty to beg to move that the House do now adjourn during pleasure for 20 minutes to await Royal Assent. This is perhaps a good time to say a few words of thanks.

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In the past few days I have gained the impression that the usual channels seem to have become rather unfashionable in some quarters. Indeed, at times during the week I had the feeling that I was attending someone's "happy hour" rather than the deliberations of a great Chamber of Parliament. This House has always prided itself on its self-regulation. We should all think extremely carefully about the responsibility that that entails.
As many of your Lordships will realise, it is only through the co-operation of the usual channels that we have managed to reach the end of our summer term without sitting into August. I should like to pay a real tribute to the noble Lords, Lord Henley and Lord Harris of Greenwich, for the constructive spirit with which they approach the task of agreeing the business of the House. It has been a pleasure to do business with them. Those thanks also apply to the noble and gallant Lord, Lord Craig of Radley, who, although not a part of the usual channels on matters of business management, has been extremely helpful when all four of us have discussed the administration of the House.
We have all worked hard to get the business through. There have been some late nights and some early mornings. I am grateful for the perseverance and good humour which has permeated most of our proceedings. As ever, I should like to pay particular tribute to the staff of the House. In particular, I should like to thank the staff of the Official Report, who are always here two or three hours after the rising of the House in order to ensure that the parliamentary record is available the next day. Indeed, on Tuesday morning they were here until 9 a.m. after we rose at twelve minutes past five. The staff of the Public Bill Office and of the Refreshment Department have also had a particularly heavy workload and they have risen to the challenge magnificently. I should also like to thank our excellent Doorkeepers who bear the brunt of our late nights. I shall not say that they never grumble, but they do retain their amiability and their helpfulness.
As we know, there are many other staff in the House who serve us well; some seen and some unseen. It is hopeless to try to list them all. But their work is always of the highest quality and we are fortunate to be served so well. My Lords, I wish all of them and all of you a very happy holiday and I look forward to returning to a calmer and a more relaxed House in the autumn. I beg to move.
Moved, That the House do now adjourn during pleasure for 20 minutes.—(Lord Carter.)
Lord Burnham: My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Henley, I should like to associate myself with the words of the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms. I do not know whether the noble Lord is trying to persuade me not to speak.
Lord Carter: My Lords, the Question has not been put, but I do not think that it matters. Please continue.
Lord Burnham: My Lords, we should ask the Deputy Speaker to put the Question and then I shall speak.
The Deputy Speaker (Viscount Allenby of Megiddo): My Lords, the Question is that the House do now adjourn during pleasure for 20 minutes.
Lord Burnham: My Lords, I have a nasty suspicion that I may vote against that.
I shall repeat what I said before I was interrupted. On behalf of my noble friend Lord Henley, I wish to associate this side of the House with all that has been said by the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms except to say that I have no confidence that, when we return in September, life will be quieter and more gentle.
I feel that I ought to make one point. Having been involved in a certain amount of to-ing and fro-ing at an early hour of this morning, my noble friends Lord Cranborne, Lord Lamont and I were sitting in a part of the building not unassociated with the Bishops when, to our amazement, the noble Lord, Lord McIntosh of Haringey, finished rather faster than we thought. We had intended to be here in order to support the Government Benches in passing the Second Reading of the Bill being discussed last night.
Above all, I wish to say how grateful we are to all members of the staff. I spoke to one of the Doorkeepers earlier this week. He left this House at five o'clock in the morning, went home to High Wycombe to let his dog out, and was back at nine o'clock for a function in Westminster Hall. I think that that was a slightly extreme case, but it gives an indication of the hard work and devotion to duty of all the staff in this House. We owe them a great deal.
As the noble Lord said, we owe thanks to the Doorkeepers, the restaurant staff and the Clerks. I hope that we shall all have a relaxed holiday before we return to work a good deal earlier than that idle lot in another place at the other end of the building who clearly do not have as much work to do as have Members of this House. I feel that we might start off with a bang and not with a whimper, but in the meantime, I wish all Members of the House and all members of the staff a very happy and restful holiday.
Lord Harris of Greenwich: My Lords, I too thank the Government Chief Whip for his gracious words, which I think were well deserved. All I wish to say in the course of my few remarks is that I would not have dreamt of mentioning the name of the noble Viscount, Lord Cranborne, had that not been done for me by the noble Lord, Lord Burnham.
I hope that, when we return, we are going to try to behave in a more civilised manner than has been the case over recent days. I do not think that episodes of the kind that took place last night do anything to enhance the reputation of this House. I hope that, once we recover from the natural exhaustion from which we are all suffering, we shall return and, as I have said, behave in a more civilised manner.

765
I should like to associate myself and my colleagues with the words of the Government Chief Whip. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to our staff, to the policemen, the Doorkeepers, all the members of the Refreshment Department and the Clerks. Without their devoted efforts, we would not be able properly to discharge our responsibilities. We are fortunate that we have been given an opportunity today to express our thanks.
Lord Craig of Radley: My Lords, perhaps I may begin by thanking the Government Chief Whip for his kind remarks. Perhaps I may also associate all Cross Bench Peers with the tributes which have been paid to the staff of the House and thank them for their excellent support.
I am grateful to all who have spoken because, as an intermediate member of the usual channels, it is not always for me to become involved in an arrangement of this kind. I am delighted that we have all taken the opportunity to express our thanks.
It is always invidious to mention any names, but perhaps I may crave the indulgence of noble Lords to mention Mr Skelton, the Principal Doorkeeper, whose award last month of an MBE in the birthday honours reflects greatly on his marvellous contribution to the service of this House. He might modestly claim that it reflects also the support that he receives from all members of his staff. Perhaps I may also remind noble
766
Lords that the formative first 22 years of his service career were spent in the Royal Air Force. I rest my case. I wish all in the House a happy holiday.
On Question, Motion agreed to.
[The Sitting was suspended from 1.45 to 2 p.m.]

Royal Assent
The Deputy Speaker (Lord Strabolgi): My Lords, I have to notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that the Queen has signified her Royal Assent to the following Acts:

Finance Act,

Sea Fishing Grants (Charges) Act,

Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act,

Government Resources and Accounts Act,

Learning and Skills Act,

Local Government Act,

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act,

Census (Amendment) Act,

Football (Disorder) Act,

Postal Services Act,

Utilities Act,

Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure.
House adjourned for the Summer Recess at two minutes past two o'clock until Wednesday, 27th September next.

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  Displaced and Refugee Eritreans: Aid
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  Debt Relief
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  Kosovo: Aid Pledges
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  Joint Committee on Human Rights
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  Prison Boards of Visitors
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  Police Information Technology Organisation: Annual Report
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  Prison Staff: Pay Review Body
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  Tobacco Smuggling
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  Tobacco-related Tax Revenue
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  Britain in Europe and European Movement
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  Sterling Exchange Rates
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  Judicial Negligence
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  Commonhold and Leasehold Reform: Draft Bill
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  Remploy: Annual Performance Agreement
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  Traveller Children: Education
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  Royal Ulster Constabulary: Widows' Pensions
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  Murders of Royal Ulster Constabulary Officers
  Murders of Royal Ulster Constabulary Officers
  Northern Ireland: Bail Offences
  Northern Ireland: Bail Offences
  United Kingdom Bicentenary
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  Northern Ireland: Training Schools
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  Millennium Dome: Allocation of Sale Proceeds
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  Leaked Memoranda
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  Task Forces
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  Departmental Cars
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  Peers' Free Postage
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  NMEC: Annual Report and Financial Statement
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  Northern Ireland: Terrorist Beatings
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  Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Outbreak, USA
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  MAFF Service Delivery Targets
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  Engineers' and Architects' Copyright
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