Written Answers of 22 April 1999

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Bank Charges
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to meet representatives of the banking community to discuss their charging practices. [81646]

  Dr. Howells
  This policy area is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Treasury. I have no plans to meet representatives at this time.

  Shipbuilding Intervention Fund
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the availability of Shipbuilding Intervention Fund grants for 1999. [82166]

  Mr. Battle
  I have decided to extend the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund for currently eligible yards until 31 December 1999. The rates of support will be unchanged from those in 1998, namely 9 per cent. for large ships and 4½ per cent. for small ships, both rates inclusive of Shipbuilders' Relief of 2 per cent. These are the maximum rates permitted within the EU' s Shipbuilding Regulation.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Lough Foyle
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the policy of Her Majesty's Government is on the pay of the crew of the research vessel Lough Foyle. [81213]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland contracts out the management and crewing of the research vessel "Lough Foyle" via periodic competitive tender.

  The tenderers, not the Department, determine the pay of the crew, within an overall tender package.

  Firearm Clubs

  Name of club

  Estimated number of members

  Parliamentary constituency

  RUC Rifle and Pistol Club

  159

  Belfast, East

  Gallaher Small Bore Rifle Club

  11

  Belfast, East

  CIYMS Rifle Club

  20

  Belfast, East

  Campbell College CCF Rifle Club

  10

  Belfast, East

  Belfast Harbour Police Rifle Club

  10

  Belfast, North

  606

  Firearms
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many legally registered firearms have been(a) reported stolen, (b) found to be missing and (c) otherwise separated from (i) private and (ii) public owners in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage that represents of the total number of legally held weapons. [81131]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 21 April 1999]Records are not maintained by the RUC in a manner that would provide a breakdown of firearms stolen or found to be missing into the categories requested. However I am advised by the Chief Constable that the total numbers of legally registered firearms reported stolen or found to be missing from private and public owners in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years are follows:

  Period

  Private

  Public

  Total

  16 April 1989-15 April 1990

  78

  5

  83

  16 April 1990–15 April 1991

  79

  10

  89

  16 April 1991–15 April 1992

  76

  1

  77

  16 April 1992–15 April 1993

  87

  4

  91

  16 April 1993–15 April 1994

  84

  1

  85

  16 April 1994–15 April 1995

  84

  2

  86

  16 April 1995–15 April 1996

  80

  2

  82

  16 April 1996–15 April 1997

  97

  3

  100

  16 April 1997–15 April 1998

  143

  2

  145

  16 April 1998–15 April 1999

  125

  4

  129

  Total

  933

  34

  967

  In the present context "public owners" is taken to mean those public sector employees who require a firearm for their official duties and hold same on foot of a firearms certificate issued to them by the Chief Constable.The methods used by the RUC to keep firearms statistics in general, or those reported stolen or found to be missing do not permit a percentage calculation for the years requested.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the names of approved firearms clubs giving(a) the estimated membership of each, (b) the parliamentary constituency in which its premises are located and (c) the (i) number and (ii) types of weapons reported (1) stolen and (2) lost from each club in the last five years.[81132]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 21 April 1999]The following is a list of firearms clubs authorised by the Secretary of State under Article 54 of the Firearms (NI) Order 1981 together with the estimated membership of each and the Parliamentary Constituencies in which the clubs' authorised premises are located. I am advised by the Chief Constable that information regarding the number and types of firearms reported stolen or lost from each club in the last five years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  607

  Firearm Clubs

  Name of club

  Estimated number of members

  Parliamentary constituency

  2390 Squadron Air Training Corps-Belfast Royal Academy Rifle Club

  10

  Belfast, North

  Ulster Rifle Association

  394

  Belfast, South

  Ardnavalley Scout Activity Centre

  10

  Belfast, South

  Roe Valley Rifle Club

  19

  East Londonderry

  Laghey Small Bore Pistol and Rifle Club

  53

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  Dungannon Rifle and Pistol Club

  134

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  Dungannon Royal School Rifle Club

  17

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  Sherrygroom Rifle and Pistol Club

  35

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  Omagh District USCA Rifle Club

  141

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  Tully Sports Club

  16

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  City of Derry Rifle and Pistol Club

  16

  Foyle

  Creevedonnell Air Rifle Club

  34

  Foyle

  Coolkeeragh Air Rifle Club

  10

  Foyle

  Co Londonderry XB Rifle and Pistol Club

  73

  Foyle

  BT (NI) Small Bore Pistol and Rifle Club

  101

  Lagan Valley

  Downshire Rifle Club

  55

  Lagan Valley

  Marlin Rifle Club

  17

  Lagan Valley

  Downpatrick USCA Rifle Club

  41

  Lagan Valley

  Orritor Rifle Club

  19

  Mid-Ulster

  Desertmartin Air Rifle Club

  47

  Mid-Ulster

  Mowillian Air Rifle Club

  19

  Mid-Ulster

  Castledawson Rifle and Pistol Club

  24

  Mid-Ulster

  Culnady Air Rifle Club

  17

  Mid-Ulster

  Armagh Royal School Rifle Club

  64

  Newry and Armagh

  Leopold Street Rifle Club

  17

  North Antrim

  Ballymena Rifle and Pistol Club

  65

  North Antrim

  Michelin Athletic Small Bore Section RC

  24

  North Antrim

  North Antrim Small Bore Rifle Club

  20

  North Antrim

  Tully Shooting Club

  72

  North Antrim

  Clandeboye, Bangor and District Rifle and Pistol Club

  248

  North Down

  Bangor and District Small Bore Rifle Club

  24

  North Down

  Carrowdore and District Shooting and Recreational Club

  29

  North Down

  Rockport School Shooting Club

  30

  North Down

  Bangor Grammar School Combined Cadet Force Air Rifle Club

  10

  North Down

  East Antrim Rifle Club

  177

  South Antrim

  Fortwilliam Rifle Club

  14

  South Antrim

  Jordanstown Scout Group Air Rifle Club

  19

  South Antrim

  RAF Aldergrove Full Bore Shooting Club

  30

  South Antrim

  Belfast Home Guard

  15

  Strangford

  Shorts RC

  17

  Strangford

  IEL Rifle Club

  13

  Strangford

  Comber Rifle Club

  128

  Strangford

  Loughbrickland Small Bore Rifle Club

  124

  Upper Bann

  Portadown Ulster Home Guard

  10

  Upper Bann

  Mill Valley Shooting Club

  34

  Upper Bann

  Omagh Scout Group Rifle Club

  18

  West Tyrone

  Bready Air Rifle Club

  38

  West Tyrone

  Donemanagh Air Rifle Club

  12

  West Tyrone

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many legally held firearms there are in Northern Ireland(a) in total and (b) of each type. [81133]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 21 April 1999]The Chief Constable has advised me that at 31 December 1998 there were 139,588 legally held firearms in Northern Ireland. The breakdown of these is as follows:

  Type of firearm

  Number

  Shotguns

  90,548

  Airguns

  22,109

  Rifles

  14,254

  Handguns

  12,090

  Miscellaneous

  1587

  1Mainly firearms used for the humane killing of animals

  608
  In relation to the reply give to my hon. Friend on 16 April 1999, Official Report, columns 359–60, I would advise that the figure quoted for miscellaneous firearms was incorrect. The correct figure is quoted on this occasion.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Discontinued Prosecutions
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions the Crown Prosecution Service has discontinued criminal prosecutions since May 1997 on the grounds of disproportionate cost. [80380]

  The Solicitor-General
  Each case which the police send to the Crown Prosecution Service is reviewed by a
  609
  Crown Prosecutor. The case will be carefully considered to make sure that it meets the tests set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors, which is issued under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The Code states that where there is enough evidence to offer a realistic prospect of conviction, in cases of seriousness, a prosecution will be the usual course of action unless there are public interest factors tending against prosecution which clearly outweight those tending in favour.

  Cost, on its own, is not a factor that determines whether or not a prosecution should be discontinued. However, if during the course of a prosecution it becomes clear that a court is likely to impose only a very small or nominal penalty, a prosecution may no longer be in the public interest and the proceedings may be discontinued.

  The Crown Prosecution Service does not maintain any central record of discontinued cases. The information is recorded on individual case files, the recovery of which would involve disproportionate cost.

  Case Presentation
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he plans to take to improve the way in which cases are presented to the CPS and Serious Fraud Office for prosecution. [80381]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Serious Fraud Office is responsible both for the investigation and prosecution of cases involving serious or complex fraud. In almost every case it investigates in conjunction with a police force and there is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Director of the Serious Fraud Office and ACPO on how investigations are to be conducted. The Memorandum places an emphasis on planning and accountability and in every case SFO documentary control systems are used to ensure the efficient use of investigator and police time. The Crown Prosecution Service is working with the police on a number of initiatives to improve the way that cases are presented to the Crown Prosecution Service including collaboration on ways of implementing the Glidewell recommendations to introduce joint police/CPS Criminal Justice Units to facilitate the progress of cases through the magistrates' courts and the establishment of Trial Units to handle Crown Court casework.

  Year offence recorded

  Number of offences

  (a) Not commenced per cent.

  (b) Commenced but discontinued per cent.

  (c) Completed but no conviction for homicide per cent.

  (d) Conviction per cent.

  1986

  210

  13

  1

  24

  61

  1987

  193

  14

  1

  21

  64

  1988

  148

  17

  1

  20

  63

  1989

  177

  16

  —

  23

  61

  1990

  184

  19

  —

  25

  55

  1991

  184

  16

  1

  27

  56

  1992

  175

  12

  1

  29

  59

  1993

  160

  16

  —

  23

  62

  1994

  167

  20

  1

  21

  58

  1995

  167

  24

  2

  19

  54

  1996

  144

  19

  1

  19

  56

  1997

  180

  29

  1

  12

  42

  610

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Attorney-General what recent representations he has received on his proposals to reform the Crown Prosecution Service. [80375]

  The Solicitor-General
  There is continuing interest in the reform of the Crown Prosecution Service. The Attorney-General and I regularly receive inquiries and representations from hon. Members about the Service.

  Sir lain Glidewell's Report on the Crown Prosecution Service made a number of recommendations aimed at reform of the Crown Prosecution Service. Additionally, the Government decided to re-structure the CPS into 42 geographical Areas to improve efficiency and accountability.

  The Crown Prosecution Service is making good progress in considering and implementing the recommendations in Sir lain Glidewell's Report. Additionally, the new 42 Chief Crown Prosecutors are now in post to take forward the reforms that will improve efficiency.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he takes to ensure that the Crown Prosecution Service gives due weight to environmental considerations in deciding whether to pursue a prosecution. [80379]

  The Solicitor-General
  A number of prosecuting authorities are responsible for the enforcement of cases involving environmental considerations. Agencies such as the Environment Agency prosecute a high proportion of such cases; the Crown Prosecution Service prosecutes offences investigated by the police. All prosecuting authorities must apply the Code for Crown Prosecutors when making the decision to prosecute. If there is sufficient evidence, environmental considerations will be a factor taken into account when deciding whether a prosecution is required in the public interest.

  Homicides (London)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases of homicide in London(a) have not been the subject of commencement of legal proceedings, (b) have been the subject of commenced but discontinued legal proceedings, (c) have been the subject of completed legal proceedings, but without conviction and (d) have led to conviction, for each year since the CPS was established. [80372]

  The Solicitor-General
  The CPS do not keep central records. Figures compiled by the Home Office from police notifications show that:
  611
  In addition, there were proceedings pending as follows: 1 in 1986, 1 in 1994, 1 in 1995, 7 in 1996 and 29 in 1997.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Commission Funding
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 18 March 1999,Official Report, columns 759–60, concerning EU budget line B3–306, for what reason the Commission removed the prohibition in the amended Budget Line notes; and what is the basis for the statement that the Commission shares his Department's view of how such expenditure should be used. [80177]

  Ms Quin
  The drafting of language used in this Budget Line is a matter for the European Commission.

  I refer the hon. Member to the Budget Line notes for 1999. They state:
  "These measures are designed to be an effective channel of communication and dialogue between the people of the European Union and the Community institutions. They take account of specific national and regional characteristics, in close co-operation with the Member State authorities."

  Le Monde Article
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department was informed in advance of the intended placement of the article by the hon. Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane) in Le Monde on 3 March. [80156]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  No.

  EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to deposit the agendas for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Working Groups in the Library. [80149]

  Ms Quin
  The Government do not have discretion unilaterally to disclose documents which may jeopardise the confidentiality of internal European Union discussion, such as the agendas of CFSP working groups, which, on occasions, can be sensitive. However, the Government are committed to ensuring more effective parliamentary scrutiny of, and greater openness in EU business, including the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and have introduced procedures for the parliamentary scrutiny of all CFSP Common Positions, Joint Actions, and other politically important documents.

  The UK participates in a very large number of working-level meetings in the international organisations of which it is a member: not only in the EU but also, for example, in the UN, NATO and the OSCE.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held between(a) United Kingdom Ministers, (b) British diplomats and (c) other parties acting on behalf
  612
  of the United Kingdom with President Slobodan Milosevic since he assumed the presidency of Yugoslavia; on which date the meetings were held; and what matters were discussed in each case. [81578]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I met President Milosevic on 31 October 1997 when I informed him that we wanted the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to rejoin the European family of nations but that this would require progress on democratisation, indicted war criminals and Kosovo. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary travelled to Belgrade to discuss Kosovo with President Milosevic on 5 March 1998.

  Our Ambassador in Belgrade, Ivor Roberts, was present during the first of the above calls and met Milosevic separately on 10 June 1997 when the conversation was dominated by war criminals and Kosovo. Brian Donnelly, our subsequent Ambassador, presented his credentials to Milosevic on 19 December 1997: the call focused on Bosnia, war criminals and Kosovo.

  Ivor Roberts travelled to Belgrade on 2 July 1998 as my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's Special Representative to discuss Kosovo. The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party met Milosevic on 29 September and handed over a letter from the Prime Minister.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the dates when the Government of the United Kingdom recognised the independence of new states which were parts of the former state of Yugoslavia, (b) what conditions were imposed on their recognition, (c) whether the conditions were imposed in concert with the then other members of the European Community and (d) the dates of such decisions taken by the Council of Ministers. [81434]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Republics of Croatia and Slovenia were both recognised by the UK, as part of a concerted European Community move, on 15 January 1992.

  The Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina was recognised by all European Community states on 7 April 1992.

  The Republic of Macedonia was recognised by the United Kingdom on 8 April 1993 when it was admitted to the United Nations.

  The UK recognised the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in line with EU partners on 9 April 1996 following the change in regional circumstances post-Dayton.

  Recognition followed advice given by the Badinter Arbitration Commission to the European Community Peace Conference on whether the Republics applying for recognition as independent states met all the conditions set in the European Community Declaration of 16 December 1991.

  Defence Exports
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that annual reports on defence exports contain a breakdown of licences refused. [81170]
  613
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The first Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls gives a breakdown of licences refused by country and by the Military List rating of the goods. The Government will review the level of information to be disclosed in future reports in the light of reactions to the first report.

  International War Crimes Tribunal (Kosovo)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to ensure that(a) relevant intelligence information gathered by NATO in recent weeks is made available to the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and (b) the tribunal receives adequate resources to enable it to carry out its work in respect of events in Kosovo. [81649]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  A senior FCO official, David Gowan, has been appointed to be Kosovo War Crimes Coordinator. He will be responsible for ensuring that the Government pass as much information as possible, including intelligence, to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia that might be relevant to the Tribunal's investigations. The Tribunal's budget, set by the UN, is 51 per cent. larger this year than last. The Tribunal is devoting substantial effort to investigating events in Kosovo, but we are not aware that it needs additional funds at present.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional supplementary contributions the Government are giving to the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to enable it to carry out its work in relation to the events in Kosovo. [81730]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  . The Government have already contributed £290,000 this year to support various aspects of the work of the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, in addition to the UK's assessed contribution for 1999 of US$5.08m. The Tribunal has not so far sought further financial contributions for its work on Kosovo. We will give careful consideration to any such requests should they be made. We are also considering certain requests for assistance in kind, in addition to the assistance with information on atrocities that we are already providing to the Tribunal.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the UN General Assembly to make a special allocation to the International War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to meet the needs of the Tribunal arising from the events in Kosovo. [81729]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Nations General Assembly allocated the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia a budget for 1999 which was 51 per cent. greater than that allocated for 1998. The Tribunal has not so far sought a further budget provision to cover its work relating to Kosovo. We would give sympathetic consideration to any such request to the General Assembly.

  Single Market
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement 614
  on the progress made under the United Kingdom presidency of the EU of the Single Market Action Plan by number of targets achieved; and how many targets were met during each other presidency. [81226]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Single Market Action Plan, which was endorsed by the European Council in Amsterdam in June 1997, set an ambitious 18-month programme in the run-up to the introduction of the euro. Regular reports on the implementation of the Action Plan have been provided at six-monthly intervals by the Single Market Scoreboard. Three such Scoreboards were published during the lifetime of the Action Plan, during the Luxembourg, UK and Austrian Presidencies. It is clear that good progress has been made in implementing the measures contained in the Action Plan, as the Commission reports in its Communication assessing the Action Plan (COM(1999)74 Final of 18 February), and the UK Presidency played no small part in contributing to that success.

SCOTLAND

  CS Sprays
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 1999,Official Report, columns 57–58, on CS sprays, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report arising out of the evaluation of the trial with CS sprays. [80816]

  Mr. Henry McLeish
  I am arranging for a copy of the police report to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Tree Planting
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to increase the level of tree planting. [80371]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We are fully committed to increasing the area of woodland in Britain. The Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme and the Agriculture Department's Farm Woodland Premium Scheme both offer grants to landowners to establish new woodlands. The Woodland Grant Scheme also offers Challenge Funds and Locational Supplements to target new planting in certain areas and the Commission has a Land Regeneration Unit to encourage the conversion of derelict land to woodland. We launched a Forestry Strategy for England recently which will help focus our efforts to promote new planting; the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly in Wales will, of course, develop their own policies on forestry in Scotland and Wales.

TREASURY

  Self-Assessment Tax Returns
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish the Inland Revenue Faster Working procedure used in the Wye Valley region of the Inland Revenue; [80253]
  615
  (2) which Inland Revenue regional offices offer the Faster Working procedure; [80254]

  (3) what proportion and how many Inland Revenue inquiries have been conducted under the Faster Working procedure. [80255]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Under the Faster Working procedures, Inland Revenue inquiries into self-assessment tax returns may proceed according to a flexible timetable agreed between the inspector and the taxpayer or the taxpayer's agent. No statistics are maintained on the number of inquiries conducted under Faster Working. All Inland Revenue Regions offer Faster Working. There

  Table 1: Revenue evaded through cross-Channel smuggling of alcohol

  £ million

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Product type

  Duty

  VAT

  Total

  Duty

  VAT

  Total

  Duty

  VAT

  Total

  Beer

  95

  45

  135

  95

  50

  150

  120

  65

  185

  Wine

  45

  20

  60

  40

  20

  60

  45

  20

  65

  Spirits

  50

  15

  65

  25

  10

  35

  30

  10

  40

  Total

  185

  80

  265

  165

  80

  240

  915

  95

  290

  Note:

  Figures have been independently rounded to £5 million. Components may not therefore sum to the totals shown.

  The above estimates exclude any amounts for revenue evaded through smuggling in freight consignments or diversion type fraud of alcoholic drinks.

  Further details of the cross-border shopping and cross-Channel smuggling estimates are given in a technical report placed in the House of Commons Library on 19 November 1998.

  Smuggled Alcohol
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of seizures of alcohol smuggled into the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [81056]

  Mrs. Roche
  Since 1995 Customs have made the following seizures of alcohol smuggled into the United Kingdom.

  Financial Year

  £million

  1995–96

  8.0

  1996–97

  11.7

  1997–98

  28.7

  Figures for the 1998–99 Financial Year are currently being collated and assured.

  Savings Ratio
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library calculations on a regular basis of the savings ratio disaggregated by income group. [81458]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply. The article referred to in his reply has been placed in the Library.
  616
  are agreed national guidelines for Faster Working, an outline of which has been published in Inland Revenue leaflet IR162.

  Alcohol Duty Evasion
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of alcohol duty evasion in each of the last three years. [81055]

  Mrs. Roche
  HM Customs and Excise estimates for revenue evaded (excise duty and VAT) through cross-Channel smuggling of alcohol for the last three years are given in the table.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Jonathan Sayeed, dated 22 April 1999:
  In the absence of the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the UK saving ratio.
  The ONS calculates the UK saving ratio, and it is published in the Quarterly National Accounts First Release and Economic Trends. Both publications are available in the House of Commons Library. The ONS does not produce estimates of the saving ratio disaggregated by income group.
  The ONS is developing a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), which will produce estimates of income and expenditure disaggregated by industry and household type. This work could be extended to include a breakdown by income group, but we have no plans to do so at present. A SAM depends on the reconciliation of data from a number of sources, including household surveys, where sample sizes may not be sufficiently large to give robust estimates at the detailed level. Progress on the SAM project will be reported in Economic Trends in due course. A copy of an article by David Hughes, which appeared in Economic Trends in September 1996, giving the framework for the SAM, is attached for your information.

  Maintenance Payments
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people will cease to receive tax relief on maintenance payments at(a) 10 per cent. and (b) 40 per cent. as a result of the change contained in the Finance Bill; [81586]

  (2) how much revenue will be raised in 2000–01 as a result of the removal of tax relief for maintenance payments. [81588]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 April 1999]: There will be around 350,000 people who will cease to receive relief on maintenance payments in 2000–01 as a result of the 1999 Budget proposals, of which some 310,000 will cease to receive relief at 10 per cent., 20,000 will lose relief at basic rate and 20,000 at higher rate.
  617
  There will be around £65 million raised for 2000–01 as a result of the removal of tax relief for maintenance payments. However, a new children's tax credit for families with children is being introduced in 2001–02. These reforms will modernise the personal tax system by getting rid of outdated allowances and bringing in a new relief which will concentrate resources where they are most needed—on families bringing up children.

  Small Businesses
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken to implement the recommendations of the Bath report into the compliance costs to employers of operating PAYE and NICs. [82135]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are committed to helping business in general, and small business in particular, meet their obligations by providing a range of help, guidance and assistance to them. The Budget contained a number of measures designed to increase support for small business including the creation of the Small Business Service and the new and improved services from the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.

  The Report by Bath University contained 31 recommendations for Government. Around two-thirds of the recommendations have been accepted. A note providing a more detailed response has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the revenue generation from the proposed increase in the stamp duty charge on all off-market transfers of tradeable securities; and what assessment he has made of the impact on the savings industry and smaller investors of the increase; [R] [79937]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the proposed increase in the stamp duty charge on all off-market transfers of tradeable securities; if this includes transfers into nominee registration, from 50p to £5; on what date the increase is planned to take effect; and what estimate his Department has made of the likely number of annual transfers to which this charge (i) would have applied in 1998–99 and (ii) will apply in 1999–2000. [R] [79936]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]In order to streamline the administration of Stamp Duty, the Budget proposed that current charging provisions be standardised to provide for rounding up to a multiple of £5 in all cases, and that fixed stamp duties be set at £5. These changes will take effect from 1 October 1999. The proposals do not affect the stamp duty reserve tax charges on the bulk of share transactions, which are settled in dematerialised form within CREST.

  About 1 million transfers of securities in a full year are expected to be subject to these reforms, yielding about £5 million. Most of these are fixed duty transfers involving nominees.

  The impact of the new provision on the savings industry and on small investors is expected to be very small.
  618

  Speed Enforcement Cameras
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the local authority schemes that are being permitted to meet the funding costs of speed enforcement cameras from the money raised from fines and penalties; [80139]

  (2) what criteria must be met for a local authority to be permitted to meet the funding costs of speed enforcement cameras from the money raised from fines and penalties. [80140]

  Mr. Milburn
  At present no local authorities, or other organisations, are permitted to retain the receipts from fines relating to speed enforcement camera convictions.

  In December 1998 the Treasury issued a press notice setting out criteria against which requests to offset receipts from fines/penalties against Departmental Expenditure Limits can be assessed. The criteria aim to increase the effectiveness of enforcement while ensuring that such fines continue to be set on justice and deterrence principles and are not used as a means of raising revenue.

  The costs associated with speed enforcement cameras are borne by a range of different organisations, including the police, courts and local authorities. DETR, Home Office and Lord Chancellor's Department are currently considering whether receipts from speed enforcement camera related fines would meet the criteria. We would need to be clear that the receipts could be properly apportioned between the authorities involved.

  The criteria relate specifically to netting off receipts from expenditure in Departmental Expenditure Limits. They do not directly apply to any local authority self financed expenditure, which is not part of DEL. However, before allowing local authorities to retain a proportion of the receipts from speed camera related fines we would need to be satisfied that they would generally meet the same conditions.

  ECOFIN Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 16 to 18 April; and if he will make a statement. [81687]

  Ms Hewitt
  There was an informal meeting of EU Finance and Economic Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Dresden on 16 to 18 April. In accordance with the usual procedures at these informal meetings, there were no decisions and no minutes were taken.

  EU Alcohol Duties
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in euros the value of the tax and duty imposed on a litre of(a) wine, (b) beer and (c) spirits at 40 degree strength in each EU member state. [81728]

  Mrs. Roche
  The table shows the excise duty in euros and the percentage rate of VAT.

  Because of the VAT component, the total tax will depend on retail selling prices in each member state. Comparable information on this is not available.
  619

  Excise

  Wine

  Beer

  Spirits at 40°

  VAT

  (euro per litre)

  percentage

  Austria

  0.0

  0.2

  2.9

  20.0

  Belgium

  0.5

  0.2

  6.6

  21.0

  Denmark

  0.9

  0.5

  14.7

  25.0

  Finland

  2.4

  1.4

  20.4

  22.0

  France

  0.0

  0.1

  5.8

  20.6

  Germany

  0.0

  0.1

  5.2

  16.0

  Greece

  0.0

  0.2

  3.8

  18.0

  Ireland

  2.8

  1.0

  11.4

  21.0

  Italy

  0.0

  0.2

  2.6

  20.0

  Luxembourg

  0.0

  0.1

  4.1

  15.0

  Netherlands

  0.5

  0.2

  6.0

  17.5

  Portugal

  0.0

  0.1

  3.3

  17.0

  Spain

  0.0

  0.1

  2.7

  16.0

  Sweden

  3.2

  0.9

  23.8

  25.0

  UK

  2.2

  0.8

  11.4

  17.5

  Note:

  The figures shown for wine are for still table wine. For beer a strength of 5% alcohol by volume or 12.5 degrees Plato is assumed.

  Source:

  European Commission Excise Duty Tables. (Directorate General XXI) Excise Duty Tables (December 1998).

  Friendly Societies
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on friendly societies of the introduction of(a) individual savings accounts, (b) individual learning accounts and (c) stakeholder pensions. [81693]

  Ms Hewitt
  Given their traditional roots and financial expertise, friendly societies are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by individual savings accounts, individual learning accounts and stakeholder pensions.

  Self-employed (National Insurance)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for South-West Hertfordshire (Mr. Page), 15 April 1999,Official Report, column 358, on national insurance and the self-employed, what factors underlie the difference between that answer and the figures in Table 1–11 of the Red Book. [81718]

  Mrs. Roche
  As explained in the Red Book (page 115, final paragraph) the figures in Table 1.11 are on a National Accounts Basis. For National Insurance Contributions this means that the figures depend on when the liability arises, not when the cash is expected to be received.

  The question from the hon. Member for South-West Hertfordshire (Mr. Page) asked for the change in the amount to be paid by the self-employed in 2000–01, so the answer gave an estimate of the effect on actual National Insurance Contributions receipts in 2000–01.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if mutual shares held by a credit union member held in a common bond can be one of his special savings schemes covered by ISAs. [81606]
  620
  Ms Hewitt
  No. Shares in credit unions are not a qualifying investment for individual savings accounts.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Inspection Charges
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the flat rate charges envisaged under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations will apply regardless of the seniority and experience of the inspector undertaking the inspections on site. [80279]

  Mr. Meacher
  Yes. All inspectors who carry out assessment or inspection under the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations 1999 (COMAH) will be competent by virtue of their qualifications, training and experience to undertake the full range of work. The charge to industry will be at a single rate and is intended to recover the Competent Authority's full cost in line with HM Treasury's Fees and Charges Guide.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on(a) train, (b) signal and (c) track failures in each year since 1994–95 for each line of the London Underground. [81054]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Figures for train, signal and track failures on London Underground since 1994–95 are as follows:

  Delays in

  Signal/points

  Other track

  Rolling stock

  1994–95

  2,349

  659

  16,123

  1995–96

  2,494

  959

  15,102

  1996–97

  2,323

  1,007

  14,873

  1997–98

  2,725

  881

  17,801

  1998–99

  2,756

  869

  20,159

  Figures for 1998–99 are provisional.

  Figures on a line-by-line basis are not yet available and I will write to the honourable Member.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the maintenance and investment budget for rolling stock, signalling and track in each year since 1994–95, for each line of the London Underground. [81053]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Figures for the maintenance and investment spend for rolling stock, signalling and track on London Underground for the financial years 1994–95 to 1998–99 are set out in the following table.
  621

  £ million

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Investment

  Maintenance

  Investment

  Maintenance

  Investment

  Maintenance

  Investment

  Maintenance

  Investment

  Maintenance

  Bakerloo

  Rolling Stock

  8.9

  4.2

  1.6

  4.0

  1.8

  4.0

  3.3

  4.6

  6.2

  4.6

  Track

  0.1

  3.2

  2.5

  3.1

  2.9

  2.8

  4.4

  1.8

  5.4

  1.8

  Signals

  0.4

  0.6

  0.8

  0.8

  0.1

  0.8

  0.0

  0.9

  0.3

  0.6

  Central

  Rolling Stock

  80.3

  7.9

  3.1

  9.3

  4.2

  10.1

  1.4

  10.3

  4.8

  12.4

  Track

  10.2

  7.8

  18.5

  6.7

  17.0

  6.9

  17.1

  7.5

  16.3

  8.2

  Signals

  21.0

  2.7

  7.3

  3.1

  5.1

  4.2

  10.3

  4.8

  15.4

  4.8

  District

  Rolling Stock

  3.1

  8.4

  7.5

  8.2

  3.9

  7.8

  1.8

  7.9

  4.3

  8.8

  Track

  1.6

  7.4

  10.4

  5.4

  5.2

  6.4

  6.9

  5.1

  4.2

  6.6

  Signals

  0.4

  2.1

  2.1

  2.3

  1.7

  2.5

  1.8

  2.6

  3.7

  3.1

  Jubilee/ELL

  Rolling Stock

  0.1

  3:4

  0.0

  3.5

  0.0

  3.4

  0.0

  3.7

  0.0

  7.0

  Track

  1.0

  2.6

  5.1

  2.7

  7.2

  3.2

  7.4

  3.2

  1.0

  3.4

  Signals

  2.7

  0.9

  2.8

  0.9

  1.0

  0.9

  0.2

  1.1

  0.0

  1.9

  Met/Circle

  Rolling Stock

  13.0

  13.8

  23.0

  12.4

  15.4

  12.3

  16.3

  12.3

  1.0

  14.6

  Track

  1.1

  8.8

  12.5

  7.5

  4.8

  6.1

  5.4

  6.8

  9.0

  8.2

  Signals

  1.1

  6.5

  2.7

  6.3

  5.5

  3.0

  4.9

  3.0

  3.6

  3.1

  Northern

  Rolling Stock

  10.6

  9.1

  4.7

  10.5

  0.5

  10.9

  5.0

  14.1

  5.5

  14.1

  Track

  1.9

  6.0

  17.7

  6.3

  16.2

  6.0

  11.8

  5.6

  17.8

  6.7

  Signals

  0.0

  2.4

  2.3

  2.6

  1.2

  2.7

  0.5

  3.0

  1.6

  3.4

  Piccadilly

  Rolling Stock

  6.9

  7.8

  13.4

  7.5

  21.4

  7.8

  21.8

  8.6

  22.9

  10.0

  Track

  2.0

  6.1

  9.0

  6.0

  2.6

  6.7

  3.7

  7.0

  9.4

  7.7

  Signals

  0.7

  2.1

  1.2

  2.2

  1.0

  2.1

  0.3

  2.4

  0.1

  2.4

  Victoria

  Rolling Stock

  10.0

  6.2

  0.4

  6.4

  0.4

  6.5

  1.1

  6.3

  0.7

  6.7

  Track

  0.7

  2.3

  6.1

  1.7

  2.4

  2.2

  5.4

  2.5

  9.9

  3.1

  Signals

  0.0

  1.1

  0.2

  1.2

  0.1

  1.3

  0.1

  1.3

  0.2

  1.3

  Network

  Rolling Stock

  3.6

  0.0

  5.4

  0.0

  3.5

  0.0

  0.5

  0.0

  5.8

  0.0

  Track

  33.8

  0.0

  15.1

  0.0

  5.6

  0.0

  1.1

  0.0

  14.5

  0.0

  Signals

  1.7

  0.0

  1.0

  0.0

  0.9

  3.8

  0.5

  3.5

  2.8

  3.5

  Total

  216.9

  123.4

  176.4

  120.6

  131.6

  124.4

  133.0

  129.9

  166.4

  148.2

  Notes:

  Bakerloo

  Rolling stock refurbishment was completed in 1994–95

  Central

  Entry into service of new rolling stock was completed in 1994–95

  The line has been the major recipient of investment in track and signals over this period

  Jubilee

  Rolling stock maintenance costs in 1998–99 reflect the new, enlarged fleet

  Figures exclude investment undertaken under the JLE project

  Metropolitan/Circle

  Refurbishment of the Metropolitan line fleet took place between 1994–95 and 1997–98

  Northern

  The line has seen major investment in track in readiness for the introduction of new rolling stock being provided under the PFI deal.

  Rolling stock maintenance cost has increased during the new train delivery period.

  Piccadilly

  Rolling stock refurbishment commenced in 1994–95 and has been ongoing through the period

  Victoria

  Rolling stock refurbishment was completed in 1994–95

  Network

  Projects spanning more than one line are included here

  In the early years, major track replacement was managed as a single project. In 1998–99, a separate project was established for track programme management.

  From 1996–97 responsibility for routine signal equipment replacement, carried out according to a programme laid down by the Chief Engineer, was transferred to PSD Network Services. Previously the Metropolitan line managed this function on behalf of the network—and held the costs.
  622 623
  Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the members of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, indicating their professional backgrounds in each case. [81346]

  Mr. Meacher
  This information is published in the advisory committee's annual report. A copy is in the Library, the relevant information is reproduced as follows:

  Professor John Beringer

  Professor of Molecular Genetics and Dean of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol

  Member of ACGM

  Member of the Council of the Natural Environment Research Council

  Dr. Philip Dale

  Senior Research Scientist

  John Innes Centre

  Consultant to EC DGXI and UNIDO

  Dr. Ian Garner

  Assistant Director of Research, PPL Therapeutics, Roslin

  Member of BBSRC's Genes in Developmental Biology Network

  Professor Alan Gray

  Head of Furzebrook Research Station, NERC Institute of Terrestrial Ecology

  Honorary Professor, University of Southampton

  Ms Julie Hill

  Programme adviser to Green Alliance

  Member of the Advisory Committee for the Pesticides Trust, Environmental Law Foundation, and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and environmental advisory bodies for Shanks and McEwan plc and Southern Electricity.

  Dr. Julian Kinderlerer

  Senior Lecturer—Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield

  Assistant Director—Institute of Biotechnology Law and Ethics, University of Sheffield

  Member of ACGM

  Consultant to UNIDO

  Mr. John MacLeod

  Director, National Institute of Agricultural Botany

  Member, UK Plant Varieties and Seeds Committee

  Member, Groupe Consultatif International de Recherche sur le Colza

  Professor Bev Moseley

  Retired, former Head of Institute Food Research, Reading Laboratory

  Professor David Onions

  Head of Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Glasgow

  Honorary Director of The Leukaemia Research Fund's Human Virus Centre

  Consultant to Q-One Biotec

  Adviser to Intervet International BV

  Professor Nigel Poole

  External and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Zeneca Plant Science, Bracknell

  Honorary Professor, University of Aberdeen

  Honorary Professor, John Moores University

  624
  Dr. David Robinson

  Principal Research Scientist, Scottish Crop Research Institute Honorary

  Lecturer, University of Dundee

  Member of Genetic Manipulation Safety Committee at Nickerson Seeds' Castleton of Eassie site

  Dr. Ingrid Williams

  Principal Scientist

  Leader of the Insect-Plant Interactions Group, Institute of Arable Crops Research Rothamsted

  Honorary Research Associate IGER

  Visiting Professor Estonian University of Agriculture

  Chairman of International Commission for Plant—Bee Relationships

  Council Member and Company director of International Bee Research Association

  Dr. Katherine Venables

  Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology at Imperial College School of Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute

  Honorary Consultant Physician at the Royal Brompton Hospital, and Honorary Consultant in Public Health to the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority.

  Mobile Crane Drivers
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many drivers of mobile cranes have not been granted a Group 2 (category C) licence under the second EC Driving Licence Directive (91/439/EEC) and the implementing legislation (SI 1996/2824). [81244]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The number of mobile crane drivers that have not been granted a Group 2 (category C) licence under the second EC Driving Licence Directive (91/439/EEC) and the implementation legislation (SI 1996/2824) is not available.

  Filling Stations (Alternative Fuels)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral answer of 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 18, what estimate he has made of the number of filling stations which offer re-fuelling for (a) LPG and (b) compressed natural gas. [81383]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are an estimated 174 LPG refuelling points in the UK. Although these are generally open to the public, only about a dozen are sited on retail forecourts. The number of LPG refuelling points is expected to increase to around 500 over the next three years with most of the new refuelling points sited on the forecourt.

  Refuelling points for compressed natural gas are predominantly depot based, though some permit third party access. There are around 30 fast-fill refuelling points in the UK suitable for fleet use and around 40 slow-fill refuelling points suitable for single vehicle refuelling. The number of fast-fill refuelling points is expected to double in the next year.

  Water Rates
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he
  625
  has to change the base of water rates calculated from the rateable values of its 1990 list to more recent valuations. [81486]

  Mr. Meale
  Rateable values ceased to be used for local government taxation purposes in 1990. Since then there has been no provision for amending or updating rateable values.

  We have made clear that we are willing to consider alternatives to the present system of unmeasured charging for water and sewerage services. We shall work with water companies and other groups with an interest to consider proposals for new charging arrangements. Any alternative system would need to provide for fair charges and any transition should be planned to avoid significant advert effects on particular groups of customers.

  KPMG
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) consultancy and (b) other contracts his Department has had with KPMG since 1 May 1997; and if KPMG is a prospective candidate for future contracts his Department is intending to let. [81420]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 19 April 1999]Since 1 May 1997 my Department has utilised six contracts with KPMG for the provision of management consultancy, research consultancy and other specific consultancy (e.g. privatisation) services.

  KPMG will continue to be considered for future contracts let by my Department where they are capable of meeting the requirement and are likely to offer best value for money, alongside any other organisations which meet the same criteria.

  Environment Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the agenda for the forthcoming EU Environment Ministers meeting on 23 to 25 April; and if he will make a statement on his priorities for the meeting. [81489]

  Mr. Meacher
  This meeting of EU Environment Ministers planned for 23–25 April has been rescheduled for 7–9 May. It is an informal meeting. The following issues will be debated:Integrated product policy: to explore the scope for promoting more sustainable goods and services;
  Chemicals policy: to discuss progress on the review of EC policy on chemicals.

  It has not been the practice of successive Administrations to indicate the position Ministers propose to take in advance of Council.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made on the possible level of energy savings to be achieved by improving the energy efficiency of buildings; [81454]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the percentage of the country's energy used to heat and light buildings in the UK; [81455]
  626
  (3) what plans he has to increase the use of energy efficiency measures in (a) new and (b) existing buildings; [81456]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the impact of improving energy efficiency in buildings on helping the Government to achieve their target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. [81457]

  Mr. Meale
  Energy efficiency in buildings forms an essential part of the Government's strategy for meeting its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide. Under the Kyoto Protocol the UK agreed to reduce its emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases to 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels over the period 2008–12. In our manifesto we also set ourselves a domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.

  Some initial assessments of the possible energy savings to be achieved by improving the energy efficiency of buildings were published in October 1998 in the Government's climate change consultation paper. The paper set out a number of options on how we might meet our climate change targets. For the domestic sector, we estimated that possible savings of up to 6.5 million tonnes of carbon per year (MtC/Y) by 2010 could be achieved by improving building standards. We also estimated that improvements to public sector buildings could deliver 1.1 MtC/y. The potential contribution of commercial and industrial buildings was estimated as part of the "business" sector and not separately identified in the consultation document. However, we estimated that it could be of the order of 5 MtC/y.

  These carbon savings correspond to a reduction of 15 to 20 per cent. on the estimated carbon emissions for 2010 under "business as usual", that is, DTI's central estimate as published in Energy Paper 65.

  Space heating and lighting across all building sectors currently account for 32 per cent. of total UK delivered energy consumption.

  The DETR already funds a number of programmes and initiatives designed to improve energy efficiency, and increase the use of energy efficiency measures, in both new and existing buildings. These include the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme, the UK's primary knowledge-based energy efficiency information transfer programme, designed to assist energy users and professionals in industry, commerce, the public and housing sectors and in business transport to improve their energy efficiency. Best Practice also supports research and development to help bring forward tomorrow's energy efficiency measures. The programme includes site specific and project specific consultancy advice on improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

  The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) provides energy efficiency improvement grants for householders receiving income-related benefit, disability allowance or over 60 years of age.

  The Energy Saving Trust continues to develop and implement a range of innovative projects aimed at promoting efficient use of energy in domestic and small business markets and supports Energy Efficiency Advice Centres and the "Energy Efficiency" campaign to promote energy efficiency in the domestic sector.
  627
  In addition, the Building Regulations are currently under review to see what maximum contribution they can make to achieving the Government's climate change targets whilst observing proportionality, maintaining acceptable design flexibility and avoiding unacceptable technical risks. The Government have announced their intention to consult on proposals for amendments later this year and the consultation documents will include assessments of the impact on greenhouse gas emissions if these proposals were to be adopted.

  The Government are currently considering how to develop the substantial potential of these programmes and what further approaches could be undertaken as part of the development of a new UK Climate Change programme.

  Genetically Modified Salmon
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the environmental consequences of the farming of genetically modified salmon. [81451]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 20 April 1999]No genetically modified salmon are currently being farmed in the UK, and no applications have been received for the release of genetically modified fish. However, the environmental consequences of the farming of genetically modified fish have been considered by the Department and by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE).

  The Department of the Environment published a research report on the Genetic Modification of Fish—a UK Perspective in November 1994. ACRE Guidance Note 8, issued in March 1997, provides guidance for experimental releases of genetically modified fish.

  Research into GM fish has increased steadily since the first published reports in 1985 and the technology now exists for the routine modification of a variety of fish species. Some modified traits may affect the ecological range of a fish species, for example increasing the temperature range in which they are able to survive and breed. The implications of such changes would need to be carefully considered in the risk assessment before a release could take place.

  The publications offer detailed recommendations on approaches to risk assessment and risk management for GM fish, and for emergency control measures. Guidelines are also provided for carrying out monitoring during and after the release.

  Copies of both these publications are in the House of Commons Library.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to provide additional funding for areas of outstanding natural beauty; and if he will make a statement. [81614]

  Mr. Meale
  We have already announced an additional £2.5 million for the new Countryside Agency to spend in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and similar landscape areas in 1999–2000.
  628
  The former Countryside Commission has provided advice to the Government on various aspects of the care of protected landscapes. We are still considering all of the issues very carefully and hope to announce some conclusions soon.

  Railway Stations (Staffing)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's policy on the staffing of main stations(a) at night and (b) at other times; what discussions he has had with (i) train operators and (ii) the rail regulator on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [81502]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 21 April 1999]There are no absolute requirements in franchise agreements for stations to be staffed at night or at other times. Train Operating Companies (TOCs) must maintain the existing presence of staff at stations to the hours at which trains call unless they provide substitute facilities in relation to customer information and waiting accommodation. All TOCs are party to the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, overseen by the Rail Regulator, which includes obligations covering the hours during which ticket offices must be open and the range of products that must be offered for sale. These obligations are closely in line with the arrangements that existed prior to franchising. The hours of opening of ticket offices cannot be reduced without the permission of the Rail Regulator following a consultation process. No discussions have taken place with (i) the train operators and (ii) the rail regulator on this issue.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with(a) First North Western Trains and (b) other rail operators the effects of removing platform staff on passenger safety. [81503]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 21 April 1999]There are no absolute requirements in franchise agreements for platform staff at stations and this is not a health and safety issue. We do, however, consider it very important that passengers perceive the railway as a secure environment and over the past year, operators have been working with the Franchising Director, this Department and the British Transport Police, to deliver the Secure Stations Scheme, which was formally launched in April 1998. This will award accreditation to stations that reach specified standards in design and management, and demonstrate reductions in the crime level and in passengers' perception of crime. A number of stations across the country have now been accredited under the scheme and it is hoped that many more will become accredited in the near future.

  The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), which promotes network-wide projects, is implementing a Code of Practice on Passenger Security which identifies best practice, and encourages operators to co-operate with other organisations to improve security in and around stations.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek a report from the rail regulator on the possible effect
  629
  of the removal of platform staff from Warrington Central Station on the performance targets of First North Western trains. [81504]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 21 April 1999]Performance in terms of punctuality and reliability is governed by a financial penalties and incentive regime under the franchise agreement between the Franchising Director and First North Western Trains. That applies to results achieved without regard to the operational methods adopted by the Train Operating Company. I understand that First North Western Trains have suspended their plans for staffing reductions at Warrington Central Station and others in the area while they consult with interested groups, individuals and the trade unions.

  Railway Passenger Safety
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the rail operators on the need to ensure the safety of passengers travelling by train. [81505]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 21 April 1999]The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) monitors and enforces compliance with the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and its relevant statutory provisions to ensure that safety standards on the railway are maintained and improved where necessary. The HSE has regular meetings with train operators and infrastructure controllers to ensure the safety of passengers travelling by train.

  Bus Passengers
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the percentage of the 1 per cent. increase in bus passengers which has resulted from passengers changing their mode of transport. [81716]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information does not exist for this estimate to be made. The one per cent. overall increase is the net result of many shifts and changing trends in trip making. However, in some cases where significant increases in bus use have occurred, for example following investment in new vehicles and bus priority traffic management measures, 10 per cent. or more of the increase has been estimated to represent former car users. Were this also to apply to the full year increase across England it would represent a reduction of about 3.5 million journeys by car.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of local bus passenger journeys in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99 in (i) London, (ii) English metropolitan areas, (iii) English shire counties and (iv) England. [81714]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The figures up to 1997–98 are taken from tables 10, 13 and 16 of the Transport Statistics Report "Focus on Public Transport Great Britain: 1999 630
  edition", published by The Stationery Office in February 1999. The most recent three years' data are summarised in the table below. Data for 1998–99 will not be available until towards the end of this year.

  Local bus services: passenger journeys by area

  million

  London

  English metropolitan areas

  English shire counties

  England

  1995–96

  1,205

  1,292

  1,265

  3,762

  1996–97

  1,242

  1,246

  1,265

  3,753

  1997–98

  1,294

  1,237

  1,248

  3,779

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those countries which have(a) agreed, (b) failed to agree and (c) not responded to his statement of 10 June 1998 on multilateral agreements on 3rd and 4th freedoms at regional airports. [81713]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Following my statement on international access to regional airports in June 1998 my officials approached countries with whom we have air services relations. The following responses have been received:

  (a) Agreed
  Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Fiji, Jamaica, Jordan, South Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, Namibia, Pakistan, Qatar, Tanzania, Turkmenistan.

  (b) Failed to agree
  Armenia, Botswana, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen.

  (c) Not responded
  Algeria, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brunei, Bangladesh, Chile, Cote D'Ivoire, Congo, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
  Category (c) includes countries with whom there are on-going official discussions about the offer.

  Countryside Agency
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to issue the Management Statement for the Countryside Agency. [82052]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the Management Statement has been issued to the Countryside Agency today. The Statement describes the relationship between the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Agency, sets out the role and status of the Agency and covers its accountability to Parliament. It also contains information on the role and responsibilities of the Chairman, Board and Chief Executive, and briefly describes the Agency's organisation.

  A copy of the Statement has today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

DEFENCE

  Firearms Training (Young People)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of (i) public and (ii) private institution falling within his area of responsibility in which individuals aged under 18 years may be trained in the use of firearms; and if he will estimate the numbers of individuals receiving such training in each type of institution in each of the last five years. [81136]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Individuals under 18 years of age undertake firearms training in the Regular Forces, Reserves and Cadets. Institutions which carry out such training include recruit schools for initial firearms training, various military units for specific and refresher training and local establishments in the case of Cadets. The three Services do not keep centralised records of such training and, therefore, it is not possible to provide accurate figures of numbers of under 18s who undertake firearms training. Even an estimate could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Armed Forces (Under 18s)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if under 18 year olds are currently being deployed in the UK armed forces in the former Yugoslavia. [81437]

  Mr. George Robertson
  There are currently 22 service personnel aged under 18 deployed in the UK armed forces in the former Yugoslavia.

  Military Hospitals
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was(a) paid and (b) rebated to his Department by each of the health trusts in which MDHUs operate for the treatment of civilian personnel by the military in each of the last three years. [80573]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Until 31 March 1999, the contribution made by military clinical staff serving in MDHUs to the treatment of civilian patients was treated as a "free good" from my Department to the NHS. Accordingly, no payments were made to my Department by the host Trusts, either directly or by way of a rebate on other charges, for the treatment of civilian personnel by the military.

  Ministerial Meetings (US)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, columns 17–18, how many times Ministers in his Department met their counterparts in the US Administration between 1 January 1998 and 1 June 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved and the name of the US counterpart. [80824]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
  632

  Military Training
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British military personnel have visited the School of the Americas training establishment at the United States Army base at Fort Benning, Georgia, in each of the last eight years. [81375]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There have been no visits to the School of the Americas training establishment by UK-based military personnel during the last five years, the period for which we have been able to establish figures. The previous British Liaison Officer at Fort Benning, Georgia, made one visit to the School of the Americas training establishment during 1997 as part of his liaison responsibilities. He undertook no training.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to remove the differences within the War Pensions Scheme as between former officers and other ranks. [81485]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The War Scheme is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. The MOD and DSS are currently reviewing arrangements for compensating service personnel or their bereaved where disablement or death is due to service in the Forces. The aim is to make proposals for a new compensation scheme that could replace the current War Pension Scheme and the attributable provisions of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. The War Pension Scheme would remain available for those who have already left the forces including current war pensions.

  At present former officers and other ranks received the same level of War Disablement Pension or Gratuity under the War Pension Scheme for the same degree of assessed disablement and regardless of rank. The level of War Widow's Pension, however, is still related to the rank held by the deceased husband in service.

  A separate review is also being conducted of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. This review is examining all the main provisions of that Scheme, including the continuing justification for any differences of treatment between officers and other ranks.

  Defence Estates Organisation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what value of stationery, signage and documentation formerly owned by the Defence Estates Organisation will not be used by Defence Estates, established on 29 March; [81628]

  (2) what was the cost of the relaunch of the Defence Estates Organisation. [81629]

  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 Deployment
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current proportion of(a) the Army and (b) Land Command (i) committed and (ii) warned to deploy for operations. [81668]
  633
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As at 15 April, the figures requested were as follows:

  Percentage

  Committed to Operations

  Warned to deploy on operations

  Army personnel

  36.1

  22.5

  Land Command personnel

  55.3

  34.5

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the TA is (i) deployed and (ii) warned to deploy for operations in the Balkans. [81664]

  Mr. George Robertson
  420 members of the Territorial Army (TA) are currently deployed to the Balkans, the majority in Bosnia, and these represent some 0.74 per cent. of the overall TA. It is likely that a further 80 will be deployed shortly, representing a further 0.14 per cent. of the TA.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the Army's armoured infantry battalions and mechanised infantry battalions are(a) currently employed on operations and (b) warned to deploy for operations. [81660]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Three such battalions are currently deployed on operations, and two are warned to deploy.

  Sponsored Body

  Role

  Title

  First name

  Surname

  Remuneration

  British Library Board

  Chairman

  Dr.

  John

  Ashworth

  28,363

  British Library Board

  Member

  Prof.

  Michael

  Anderson

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Sir

  Matthew

  Farrer

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Right hon.

  Peter

  Hordern

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Mr.

  Rodney

  Leach

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Ms

  Penelope

  Lively

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Mr.

  Bernard

  Naylor

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Mr.

  John

  Ritblat

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Vis

  Walter

  Runciman

  6,839

  British Library Board

  Member

  Mr.

  Paul

  Scherer

  6,839

  British Tourist Authority

  Chairman

  Dr.

  David

  Quarmby

  28,305

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Robert

  Ayling

  7,340

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Alan

  Britten

  7,340

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  John

  Jarvis

  7,340

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Patrick

  McKenna

  7,340

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Des

  Wilson

  7,340

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Chairman

  Vacant

  46,792

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Deputy Chairman

  Ms

  Jane

  Leighton

  37,250

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Deputy Chairman

  Mrs.

  Suzanne

  Warner

  35,350

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Ms

  Danielle

  Barr

  14,960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Mr.

  David

  Boulton

  14,960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Dr.

  Fiona

  Caldicott

  14,960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Mr

  Strachan

  Heppell

  14,960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Rev.

  Rose

  Hudson-Wilkin

  14.960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Mr.

  Robert

  Kernohan

  14,960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Mr.

  Uday

  Dholakia

  14,960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Ms

  Sally

  O'Sullivan

  14,960

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Member

  Mrs.

  Sioned

  Wyn Thomas

  14,960

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Chairman

  Mr.

  Vanni

  Treves

  59,310

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Deputy Chairman

  Mr.

  Barry

  Cox

  18,260

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Member

  Mr.

  Murray

  Grigor

  13,690

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Member

  Mr.

  Andrew

  Graham

  13,690

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Member

  Mr.

  Joe

  Sinyor

  13,690

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Member

  Ms

  Usha

  Prashar

  13,690

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Member

  Mr.

  Robin

  Miller

  13,690

  Channel 4 Television Corporation1

  Member

  Ms

  Sarah

  Radclyffe

  13,690

  English Heritage2

  Chairman

  Sir

  Jocelyn

  Stevens

  476,980

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Ms

  Amanda

  Arrowsmith

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Mrs.

  Bridget

  Cherry

  2,160–15,150

  634

  Brigade Reinforcements (Macedonia)
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what units from 19 Brigade have reinforced 4 Armoured Brigade for its deployment to Macedonia. [81663]

  Mr. George Robertson
  One company from the 1st Battalion The King's Own Royal Border Regiment, including 30 personnel each from 1stthe Battalion The Highlanders and 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, is currently deployed to the Balkans as part of the 4th Armoured Brigade. In addition, 19 Brigade Provost Unit (Royal Military Police) is currently in the process of returning to the United Kingdom from the Balkans.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible and which carry a fee or salary, indicating for each type of appointment the fee or salary 7band which applies. [80755]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]The information on appointees who receive an annual remuneration or salary is listed in the following table. Some other appointees may receive a daily remuneration (pro-rated where necessary) where the public body has the statutory power to make such a payment.
  635

  Sponsored Body

  Role

  Title

  First name

  Surname

  Remuneration

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Councillor

  Philip

  Davis

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Mr.

  Andrew

  Fane

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Lord

  Charles

  Faringdon

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Prof.

  Eric

  Fernie

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Lady

  Elizabeth

  Gass

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  HRH

  Richard

  Gloucester

  32,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Mr.

  Lloyd

  Grossman

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Mrs.

  Candida

  Lycett Green

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Ms

  Kirsty

  McLeod

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Mr.

  Richard

  Morris

  2,160–15,150

  English Heritage2

  Commissioner

  Miss

  Susan

  Underwood

  2,160–15,150

  English Sports Council

  Chairman

  Mr.

  Trevor

  Brooking

  23,132

  English Sports Council

  Vice-Chairman

  Mr.

  Gerald

  Dennis

  13,945

  English Sports Council

  Vice-Chairman

  Mr.

  Des

  Wilson

  13,945

  English Tourist Board

  Chairman

  Dr.

  David

  Quarmby

  28,305

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Mr.

  Peter

  Chappelow

  7,340

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Mr.

  David

  Lunn

  7,340

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Mr.

  Peter

  Moore

  7,340

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Ms

  Eve

  Pollard

  7,340

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Mrs.

  Jennifer

  Robson

  7,340

  Football Licensing Authority

  Chairman

  Mr.

  Clive

  Sherling

  13,105

  Football Licensing Authority

  Member

  Dr.

  Judith

  Fisher

  5240

  Football Licensing Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Tony

  Gee

  5240

  Football Licensing Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Christopher

  Lewis

  5240

  Football Licensing Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Mervyn

  Sheldon

  5240

  Football Licensing Authority

  Member

  Prof.

  Margaret

  Talbot

  5240

  Football Licensing Authority

  Member

  Dr.

  Sam

  Thorburn

  5240

  Independent Televisiion Commission

  Chairman

  Sir

  Robin

  Biggam

  69,780

  Independent Television Commission

  Deputy Chairman

  Lord

  Richard

  Holme

  17,910

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  Mr.

  Alistair

  Balls

  13,430

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  Dr.

  John

  Beynon

  13,430

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  Sir

  Michael

  Checkland

  13,430

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  Ms

  Jude

  Goffe

  13,430

  Independent Television Commission'

  Member

  Mr.

  John

  Ranelagh

  13,430

  Independent Television Commission

  Member Northern Ireland

  Dr.

  Maria

  Moloney

  13,430

  Independent Television Commission

  Member Scotland

  Dr.

  Michael

  Shea

  13,430

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  Chairman

  Lord

  David

  Puttnam

  22,000

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Chairman

  The hon.

  David

  Sieff

  24,000

  National Lottery Charities Board2

  Member England

  Mrs.

  Stella

  Clarke

  12–16,000

  National Lottery Charities Board2

  Member N. Ireland

  Mr.

  John

  Simpson

  12–16,000

  National Lottery Charities Board2

  Member UK

  Mrs.

  Amanda

  Jordan

  12–16,000

  National Lottery Charities Board2

  Member UK

  Sir

  Adam

  Ridley

  12–16,000

  National Lottery Charities Board2

  Member Wales

  Mr.

  Tom

  Jones

  12–16,000

  National Lottery Charities Board2

  Member Scotland

  Mr.

  Garth

  Morrison

  12–16,000

  National Lottery Charities Board2

  Member NI

  Mr.

  Noel

  Stewart

  12–16,000

  National Lottery Commission

  Chairman

  Mr.

  Brian

  Pomeroy

  484,275

  National Lottery Commission

  Commissioner

  Dame

  Helena

  Shovelton

  443,270

  National Lottery Commission

  Commissioner

  Ms

  Harriet

  Spice

  443.270

  National Lottery Commission

  Commissioner

  Mr.

  Robin

  Squire

  443,270

  National Lottery Commission

  Commissioner

  Ms

  Hilary

  Blume

  443,270

  New Opportunities Fund

  Chairman

  Lady

  Jill

  Pitkeathley

  22,000

  Public Lending Right Registrar

  Registrar

  Dr.

  James

  Parker

  33,797

  Radio Authority

  Chairman

  Sir

  Peter

  Gibbings

  52,330

  Radio Authority

  Deputy Chairman

  Mr.

  Michael

  Moriaty

  17,910

  Radio Authority

  Member

  Mrs.

  Sheila

  Hewitt

  8,960

  Radio Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Andrew

  Reid

  8.960

  Radio Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Michael

  Reupke

  8,960

  Radio Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  Feargal

  Sharkey

  8,960

  Radio Authority

  Member

  Lady

  Sheil

  8,960

  Radio Authority

  Member

  Mrs.

  Helen

  Tennant

  8.960

  Radio Authority

  Member

  Mr.

  David

  Witherow

  8,960

  S4C

  Chairman

  Ms

  Elan

  Stephens

  40,400

  S4C

  Member

  Ms

  Enid

  Hafwen Rowlands

  7,460

  S4C

  Member

  Mr.

  Cefin

  Campbell

  7,460

  S4C

  Member

  Mr.

  Peter

  Davies

  7,460

  S4C

  Member

  Ms

  Janet

  Lewis-Jones

  7,460

  S4C

  Member

  Mr.

  Nic

  Parry

  7,460

  S4C

  Member

  Mrs.

  Janice

  Rowlands

  7,460

  United Kingdom Sports Council

  Chairman

  Sir

  Rodney

  Walker

  23,132

  1The Secretary of State for DCMS only has an approving role in these appointments.

  2Remuneration is shown as a range where it is depending on changeable factors (membership of committees etc).

  3Remuneration not claimed.

  4Pro rata

  5Per day

  Note:

  Except where specified, all remuneration is shown on an annual basis.
  636 637

  Millennium Landmark Projects
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) which millennium landmark projects have undergone changes from the original approved scheme; which schemes were involved; and what changes have been made; [81605]

  (2) how many millennium landmark projects have had significant elements removed from the original approved scheme; and which elements have been lost. [81604]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Department

  Purpose

  Cost (£)

  Cabinet Office

  Collection of baseline data on public services, which will be used for tracking

  221,900

  Cabinet Office

  Second wave of research (3,000 telephone interviews) into attitudes to a wide range of services, with a particular focus on transport, local democracy and complaints handling

  89,000

  Women's Unit Cabinet Office

  To complement the Ministerial Roadshow element of the Listening to Women exercise which aims to identify issues of importance to women. (24 focus groups)

  63,800

  Cabinet Office

  To collect the experiences of citizens using public services to evaluate how well Departments and agencies work together to deliver a joined-up service, and identify suggestions for improvement. The work was commissioned as part of the research for the Modernising Government White Paper. (14 depth interviews)

  12,750

  DfEE

  To investigate parents' attitudes to value added information in school performance tables (6 focus groups)

  12,400

  Office of Science and Technology, DTI

  To explore public attitudes to biosciences regulatory system (1,000 face-to-face interviews)—research not yet complete

  90,000

  A third wave of qualitative research has also been commissioned (the results of which will be published in July) comprising:

  Department

  Purpose

  Cost (£)

  Post Office Counters

  Attitudes access to central and local government services using 'one-stop shops'.

  17,000

  Health and Safety Executive

  Gas safety and regulation

  14,750

  DETR

  Research to support the Urban White Paper and Housing Green Paper

  19,500

  DfEE

  Public attitudes to the 'Listening House'

  2,500

  Cabinet Office

  Standards of service the public receive when they contact local and central government agencies

  6,000

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Motability Scheme
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was the total expenditure on the Motability scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [81397]

  (2) how many manufacturers supplied vehicles under the Motability scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [81399]

  Total Gross Departmental Expenditure on the Motability Scheme in each of the last five financial years

  1994–95 outturn

  1995–96 outturn

  1996–97 outturn

  1997–98 outturn

  £million 1998–99 estimated outturn

  Motability Administration

  3

  4

  4

  5

  5

  Motability Equipment/Drivers Fund

  2

  3

  3

  4

  5

  Total Motability Expenditure

  5

  7

  7

  8

  9

  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest million. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

CABINET OFFICE

  People's Panel
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list(a) what items of research have been commissioned from the People's Panel by Government (i) departments, (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies, (b) their purposes and (c) their cost. [80690]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The following is the information:

  (3) how many vehicles were bought under the Motability scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [81398]

  (4) what is the maximum amount of money available to a claimant under the Motability scheme to assist in the purchase of a vehicle. [81400]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the tables.
  639

  The number of manufacturers, including vehicle conversion specialists, who have supplied vehicles under the Motability Scheme in each of the last five calendar years

  Year

  Number

  1994

  20

  1995

  20

  1996

  23

  1997

  25

  1998

  27

  The total number of vehicles bought under the Mutability Scheme in each of the last five years

  Year

  Number

  1994

  90,125

  1995

  105,025

  1996

  125,529

  1997

  137,509

  1998

  132,698

  The maximum amount of money available to a claimant under the Motability scheme to assist in the purchase of a vehicle is the weekly amount of the benefits which allow access to the Scheme. These are £41.25 and £37.00 for War Pensioners Mobility Supplement and the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance respectively. Also, grants are available from Motability' s charitable funds along with the Mobility Equipment Fund and Drivers Fund. There vary in amount from small sums to pay for initial deposits and grants of over £30,000 depending on the type of driving solution recommended by Motability. In respect of grants, Motability does ask its customers to contribute as much as they reasonably can towards the cost of their vehicle.

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants are awaiting the determination of appeals against loss of reduced earnings allowance. [81427]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested as the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) do not record the reason for appeals against different benefit types. Such information as is available is as follows.

  The latest available figures show that as at October 1998, the total number of appeals involving Reduced Earnings Allowance awaiting hearing was 2,618.

  Source:

  100 per cent. computer extract from the ITS Generic Appeals Processing System (GAPS).

  Post Office (Bar-code Scanners)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the installation of bar-code scanners for girocheques in post offices is a term of the Department' s contract with the Post Office. [81696]
  640
  Angela Eagle
  The installation of bar-code scanners in post offices is not a term of the Department's contracts with Post Office Counters Ltd. (POCL), nor is it a term of the Department's contract with Girobank plc who, in turn, contract with POCL for the encashment of girocheques at post offices.

  Pensioners (Average Incomes)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the most recent estimates of the average incomes of pensioners in OECD countries as a proportion of average earnings. [81733]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Kosovo Refugees
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to take steps to enable refugees from Kosovo to accept temporary work on the land in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [81566]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  Evacuees from Kosovo who arrive in the United Kingdom under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Humanitarian Evacuation Programme will be granted exceptional leave to enter and, as a consequence, permitted to take employment immediately. In common with asylum applicants of other nationalities, those from Kosovo who have arrived independently in the United Kingdom will be entitled to seek permission to take employment if they have been waiting for a decision on their case for six months.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many refugees from Kosovo she expects will be given shelter in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [81564]

  Mr. Straw
  I have been asked to reply.

  The primary aim of the Government is to care for refugees in the region, and to facilitate their return to Kosovo. We are working together with our European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation partners and with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

  We have long made clear that we stand ready to respond to requests for UNHCR to take vulnerable refugees from Kosovo on a temporary basis. We have agreed with UNHCR that any recommendations for evacuation from the region should be co-ordinated through the office of the UNHCR.

  I announced on 20 April that arrangements had been agreed for the admission of 120 evacuees, mainly women and children, expected in the next few days. This decision was made following advice from UNHCR that the refugees were deemed to be vulnerable and in need of temporary protection outside the region.
  641

HEALTH

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by region, the income to each NHS trust and health authority, in each of the last 10 years for the sale of assets, land and properties; what uses this income has been put to; and what estimate he has made by region, of the income to each NHS trust and health authority, for each of the next 10 years, from the sale of assets, land and property. [76478]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 March 1999]Information on the income of each National Health Service trust and health authority from the sale of assets, land and properties from 1991/92 has been placed in the Library. Information in respect of earlier years is not available.

  Income from the sale of assets is available for re-use within the NHS.

  Information is not available centrally on individual NHS trust and health authority forecasts of future income from the sale of assets, land and property.

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up(a) subgroups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79266]

  Ms Jowell
  Most task forces and reviews are short-term bodies established to give thorough consideration to important and difficult issues. Each establishes the working methods best suited to carrying out the work in the time available, and would normally provide a summary of its working methods in its report. Given the short term nature of task forces and reviews it is unlikely that many of them will set up sub-groups, working parties or subsidiary committees. However, this information is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997(a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates. [79284]

  Ms Jowell
  The reviews and taskforces, established since 1 May 1997 which have published their final reports are:Review of cervical screening services at Kent and Canterbury Hospitals NHS Trust (established 23 June 1997; published 20 October 1997)
  Review of the law relating to surrogacy (established II June 1997; published October 1998)
  Review of evidence relating to silicone breast implants (established May 1997, published July 1998)
  Review of the breast screening programme in Devon and the implications for the breast screening programme as a whole (established 9 June 1997; published 3 November 1997)
  642
  Strategic review of Health Services in London (established 20 June 1997; published 18 November 1997)
  Review of the latest information available on inequalities in Health (established 11 July 1997, published 26 November 1998)
  Independent review of proposals for the transfer of bulk blood processing and testing from Liverpool to Manchester (established 14 August 1997, published 8 April 1998)
  Review of NHS Charter (established June 1997, published December 1998)
  Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines (established 21 March 1997; reports published 8 March 1999)
  Ministerial task force on the Government's response to the Children's Safeguards Review (established November 1997; published 5 November 1998)
  Review of the written consent requirements in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (established 6 February 1997; published June 1998).

  The reviews and taskforces, established since May 1997, which have yet to publish reports are:
  Mental Health Act Review (established September 1998, estimated publication date autumn 1999)
  Thoracic Surgical Services Review (established July 1998, estimated publication date May 1999)
  United Kingdom, Transplant Support Service Authority Review (established September 1998, estimated publication date May 1999)
  Review of general anaesthesia and sedation with dental treatment (established October 1998, publication date to be decided)
  Review of the wheelchair voucher scheme and the provision of electrical and indoor wheelchairs (established November 1998, estimated publication date Spring 1999)
  Eight regional task forces to support the Waiting List Action Team (established November 1997, on-going activity with no final report expected)
  NHS efficiency task force (established June 1997, on-going activity with no final report expected)
  NHS task force on staff involvement (established March 1998, estimated publication date spring 1999)
  A and E Modernisation Team1 (established in March 1999, first annual report due in April 2000)
  Independent review of mobile phone use (announced 8 April 1999, terms of reference and membership to follow).

  Normally termination of a review or task force coincides with publication of a final report. However, two are on-going activities from which no single final report is expected, and one (marked1) will continue to meet beyond the date of publication shown.

  Schoolchildren
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the changes in the last five years in the average weight and height of schoolchildren in England and Wales; and if he will list the changes in the last five years in the (i) consumption of(a) dietary carbohydrate and (b) refined sugar products and (ii) total calorie intake and average levels of exercise of schoolchildren. [78135]

  Ms Jowell
  [pursuant to her reply, 26 March 1999, c. 424–25]I regret that my previous answer contained
  643
  incorrect information for 1995 for the weight of girls aged 11–15. I am also now in a position to provide the information on heights and weights for 1997 separately. The revised reply is as follows:

  The heights and weights of primary schoolchildren were monitored in England between 1972 and 1994 by the National Study of Health and Growth (NSHG). No similar information is available for Wales. In 1995, the Health Survey for England (HSE) took over the monitoring of heights and weights of children and also measured their physical activity in 1997. The data for 1995 and 1996 were published in HSE Reports and the combined data for 1995–97 were published in December 1998 in the Report "The Health of Young People ' 95–' 97".

  The tables give heights and weights for 5 to 10 year olds for 1994 from NSHG and from HSE for 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1995–97 combined and on the same basis for comparison purposes with NSHG for 1995–97 combined.

  Average weights (kilogrammes) of English primary schoolchildren

  Health Survey for England

  Age at last birthday (years)

  National Study of Health and Growth 19941

  Health Survey for England 1995–971

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1995–97

  Boys

  5

  19.8

  19.7

  20.5

  20.1

  20.6

  20.4

  6

  22.1

  22.3

  22.4

  23.1

  23.1

  22.9

  7

  24.8

  25.1

  25.4

  26.0

  25.7

  25.8

  8

  27.7

  28.4

  29.1

  28.8

  29.4

  29.1

  9

  31.4

  31.1

  32.4

  32.1

  31.6

  32.0

  10

  34.8

  34.7

  35.0

  35.9

  35.7

  35.6

  Girls

  5

  19.3

  19.6

  20.6

  20.5

  20.1

  20.4

  6

  22.0

  22.2

  22.7

  22.6

  23.1

  22.8

  7

  24.9

  25.2

  26.0

  26.0

  25.6

  25.9

  8

  27.7

  28.4

  29.3

  28.1

  29.2

  28.8

  9

  31.9

  31.9

  31.9

  33.5

  32.9

  32.7

  10

  35.5

  36.6

  38.3

  36.9

  36.3

  37.1

  1White children only

  Average heights (centimetres) of English primary schoolchildren

  Health Survey for England

  Age at last birthday (years)

  National Study for Health and Growth 19941

  Health Survey for England 1995–971

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1995–97

  Boys

  5

  113

  112

  112

  112

  112

  112

  6

  119

  119

  119

  119

  119

  119

  7

  125

  125

  125

  125

  125

  125

  8

  131

  131

  131

  131

  131

  131

  9

  137

  136

  136

  136

  136

  136

  10

  141

  141

  141

  141

  142

  141

  Girls

  5

  111

  112

  113

  112

  112

  112

  6

  118

  118

  119

  117

  119

  118

  7

  124

  124

  123

  125

  124

  124

  8

  130

  130

  130

  130

  130

  130

  9

  136

  136

  135

  136

  136

  136

  10

  141

  142

  143

  142

  141

  142

  1White children only

  644
  Heights and weights for children aged 11 to 15 years in 1995, 1996, and 1997 are given, along with the data for 1995–97 combined, which are the baseline from which changes will be monitored.

  The extensive data on the types and levels of exercise among English schoolchildren in 1997 are given in tables 8.1 to 8.15 in the Report "The Health of Young People '96–'97". In Wales, the Youth Health Surveys carried out by Health Promotion Wales have shown that among 11 to 16 year olds, the proportion exercising for at least 4 hours per week outside school was 24 per cent. in 1994 and 29 per cent. in 1996.

  There are no recent data on the consumption of dietary carbohydrate, refined sugar products, and total calorie intake of schoolchildren. However, fieldwork for the National Diet and Nutritional Survey of young people aged 4–18 years which covered Great Britain has been completed and the results are being analysed. This should provide data on all these factors and also on average levels of exercise. A report is expected at the end of this year.
  645

  Heights and weights of English children aged 11–15 years Health Survey for England

  Weight (kg)

  Height (cm)

  Age at last birthday (years)

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1995–97

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1995–97

  Boys

  11

  40.9

  40.1

  39.7

  40.2

  147

  147

  147

  147

  12

  44.8

  44.9

  44.6

  44.8

  153

  152

  152

  153

  13

  51.6

  50.1

  50.7

  50.8

  162

  159

  159

  160

  14

  57.0

  56.4

  55.8

  56.4

  166

  165

  165

  166

  15

  62.6

  62.3

  63.8

  62.9

  172

  172

  172

  172

  Girls

  11

  43.0

  42.0

  42.3

  42.4

  148

  148

  149

  148

  12

  45.9

  49.1

  47.4

  47.5

  154

  154

  154

  154

  13

  51.0

  51.1

  53.3

  51.8

  158

  158

  158

  158

  14

  57.1

  56.4

  56.7

  56.7

  162

  161

  161

  161

  15

  58.3

  57.7

  59.3

  58.4

  163

  161

  163

  162

  HIV
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the anonymised programme of HIV surveillance in England and Wales, setting out for each survey currently in operation or planned(a) the location, (b) the targeted populations, (c) the clinical reasons for initial collection of specimens, (d) the number of specimen collection venues, (e) the annual specimen numbers, (f) the most recent prevalence data, (g) whether the consent of those tested was sought for entry into the survey and (h) whether those tested were informed that they were to be entered into the survey. [80695]

  Ms Jowell
  The Unlinked Anonymous monitoring programme monitors the prevalence of HIV infection in accessible groups of the population and is a unique source of unbiased prevalence data. An important aspect of the programme is that it estimates prevalent infections among groups in whom substantial proportions of infections remain undiagnosed and therefore unreported through other surveillance systems.

  The data collected in the unlinked anonymised programme of HIV surveillance in England and Wales are published every year so that they can be used by those planning services or health promotion. Copies of the latest

  Unlinked anonymous seroprevalence monitoring programme: populations under surveillance and programme surveys

  Population under surveillance

  Programme surveys1

  Clinical reason for collection of specimen

  Location

  Behaviourally vulnerable

  Homosexual and bisexual men

  Genitourinary medicine clinic attenders

  Syphilis serology

  National

  Heterosexual men and women with greater than average sexual partner change

  Genitourinary medicine clinic attenders

  Syphilis serology

  National

  Injecting drug users

  Treatment and support agencies for injecting drug users2

  Voluntary collection of saliva. This survey also detects evidence of current and prior-infection with hepatitis B

  National

  At lower or general risk

  Pregnant women

  Infant dried blood spot

  Guthrie cards for metabolic screening

  National

  Antenatal

  Rubella serology

  London

  Termination of pregnancy

  Blood grouping

  London

  Adults aged 16 to 49 years

  Patients treated in hospital

  Blood counts

  London

  1In addition, a voluntary unlinked anonymous HIV survey of prisoners (using saliva specimens) was piloted in 1993 and undertaken in 1997.

  2 The genitourinary medicine clinic survey also provides prevalence data for injecting drug users.

  646
  annual report "Prevalence of HIV in England and Wales 1997", annual report of the Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme and the summary report are available in the Library. Prevalence of HIV in England and Wales 1997, a summary of data to the end of 1997, is also available on the Department's internet site. These publications provide full information on the surveys which were carried out in 215 centres in 1997 throughout England and Wales. The tables summarise the main data requested on location, targeted populations, clinical reason for initial sample collection, number of specimen collection venues, annual specimen number and prevalence data.

  With regard to obtaining consent for entry into the survey and informing patients about the surveys, posters and leaflets about the surveys are available in 15 different languages for participating centres to display and thus inform patients that their sample may be used in these surveys. These materials explain the aims of the UA surveys and that the programme is designed to ensure that the samples are anonymised before being tested and thus the results cannot be traced back to individuals. They also refer patients to healthcare workers for further information and explain that they can ask to exclude their samples from the surveys if they so wish, and that their wishes will be respected.
  647

  Prevalence of HIV-1 infection in the survey groups, 1997

  London

  England and Wales outside London

  Survey

  Number tested

  Number HIV-1 infected

  Prevalence range Per cent.

  Number tested

  Number HIV-1 infected

  Prevalence range(%)1

  Prevalence ratio London vs elsewhere2

  Male

  Genitourinary medicine clinic attenders:

  Homo/bisexual

  4,344

  392

  9.0

  4.9–15

  1,523

  58

  3.8

  0–8.0

  2.4

  Heterosexual

  13,504

  108

  0.8

  0.43–1.4

  16,821

  21

  0.12

  0–0.29

  6.4

  Injecting drug users attending agencies3

  406

  16

  3.9

  —

  1,605

  6

  0.37

  0–1.3

  10.5

  Hospital blood counts (sentinel group)

  14,490

  102

  0.70

  0.15–1.3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Female

  Genitourinary medicine clinic attenders:

  Heterosexual

  18,230

  128

  0.7

  0.39–1.1

  15,647

  16

  0.10

  0–0.23

  6.9

  Injecting drug users attending agencies3

  131

  2

  1.5

  —

  489

  2

  0.41

  4—

  3.7

  Pregnant women at delivery (infant dried blood sports)5

  103,981

  195

  0.19

  0–0.51

  348,442

  56

  0.02

  0–0.10

  11.7

  Pregnant women seeking terminations

  7,298

  40

  0.55

  0–0.78

  —

  ——

  —

  —

  Hospital blood counts (sentinel group)

  27,059

  73

  0.27

  0.040–0.44

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1The range within a category is the lowest and highest prevalence recorded in individual clinics (genitourinary medicine survey), regions (injecting drug users survey), districts (infant dried blood spot survey) or hospitals (termination of pregnancy, antenatal and hospital surveys).

  2 The ratio by which the prevalence of infection in London is greater than the prevalence in England and Wales outside London.

  3Attending specialist centres for injecting drug users.

  4Range 0–7.1 per cent. region with highest prevalence had only 14 samples from women.

  5 In Northern and Yorkshire region data for pregnant women come from the antenatal survey.

  Macpherson Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80532]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999,Official Report, columns 239–40.

  The Department has already set up a number of initiatives in the past two years on race equality issues and we are taking stock of these in the light of the publication of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report. In considering the implications of the Inquiry's recommendations, it will be important to develop a systematic response across Government and the Department is working with the Home Office and other Government Departments to take this forward.

  Cancer Information
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what Government funding is available for publishing cancer information to(a) the public and (b) medical professionals; [80274]

  (2) what proposals he has to publicise cancer care information on the internet. [80275]

  Mr. Hutton
  As part of the wider health information strategy, a Cancer Information Strategy is currently being developed which will streamline information sources. Areas for action identified include developing a core cancer information pack for patients, carers and other users; information requirements of primary care; and patient centred information systems. The new National Health Service Information Strategy and the Cancer Information Strategy will support the new NHS in its development of integrated care, in which the focus is on people and their needs rather than institutions.
  648
  The overall strategy will take some time to complete and initial work has started to specify the relevant components of the strategy and to identify the cancer information requirements for all user groups and will include a business case to justify the investment in information in relation to the benefits to be achieved. The Cancer Information Strategy Steering Group will be making an interim report in September.

  Contraceptive Pills
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to inform the public of the decision by the Committee on the Safety of Medicines on the safety of the third generation contraceptive pill. [81035]

  Ms Jowell
  An announcement was made to the media on 7 April 1999 giving details of the outcome of the review by the Medicines Commission of "third generation" combined oral contraceptive pills, containing gestodene or desogestrel, and the risk of venous thrombo-embolism. Copies of the announcement have been placed in the Library.

  Doctors and other family planning health practitioners were informed about the Medicines Commission via an Epinet message on 7 April. This included an information sheet for them to give to patients. The next edition of the bulletin Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance, which will appear on the Medicines Control Agency's web site, will also provide information for doctors and pharmacists.

  Patient information leaflets supplied with third generation combined oral contraceptives containing the new advice are expected from mid-year onwards.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will commission research into the mechanisms of central fatigue in multiple sclerosis; [81343]
  649
  (2) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the impact of clinical psychology in the management of multiple sclerosis. [81344]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government fund health and medical research in a number of ways.

  The Department funds research and development to support its work on policy development and evaluation in health and social care. The Department also manages the National Health Service research and development levy which is used to support research and development of relevance to the National Health Service in hospitals, general practice and other health care settings, and to fund the NHS research and development programme. In addition, the Medical Research Council (MRC)—which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the science and engineering base.

  Priorities for departmental research and development support for the development of policy are determined through discussion with policy colleagues, the Departmental Research Committee and Ministers. In the NHS R&D Programme, priorities take account of widespread consultation with those using, delivering and managing services, within a framework overseen by the Central Research and Development Committee for the NHS. In all cases, priorities for our budgets reflect analysis of the burden of disease, potential benefits, Government priorities and take account of the responsibilities and work of other funders.

  Management of much of the research supported by the NHS R&D Levy is devolved and details of expenditure at project level are not collected routinely by the Department.

  Project details of work directly funded by the Department or supported through the NHS R&D Levy can be found on the National Research Register (NRR). This is available in the Library and most medical libraries on CD Rom, and on the Internet: http://www.doh.gov.uk/nrr.htm. The NRR also contains many details of projects/trials funded by the MRC and other funders.

  Within our programmes of research there is nothing specifically relating to clinical psychology or the mechanism of central fatigue.

  The Department is currently considering work to look at care packages for those with multiple sclerosis, and has funded a study entitled "Health and independence through education: a controlled evaluation", which aims to assess the value of education in promoting health and independence for people with progressive neurological disorders such as MS.

  We have asked those who manage the priority setting process to ensure that the mechanism of central fatigue in multiple sclerosis is included in consideration of future research priorities.

  The Medical Research Council support for research into MS and associated demyelinating diseases was estimated at £640,000 in 1997–98. This work covered both basic and applied research.
  650
  In addition, the MRC funds a considerable amount of basic underpinning research in broad related areas such as immunology and cellular medicine.

  The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. In addition, regional offices of the NHS Executive run response mode funding schemes to which applications of relevance to the NHS can be made. Awards are made by both the NHS and the MRC according to the scientific quality and importance of proposals.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the rates of(a) schizophrenia and (b) depression among (i) Afro-Carribeans and (ii) the British white population. [81415]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are aware of research that shows that African-Carribeans are diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia 3 to 6 times more often than the white population. Although the reasons for this are not clear cut, a recent survey published by the Policy Studies Institute showed the annual prevalence of non-affective psychosis was somewhat less than twice as high as the white population. Research also shows that the incidence of depression is probably under diagnosed for those from ethnic minorities. In 1994 the first national psychiatric morbidity survey revealed that about 1 in 7 adults aged 16–64 had suffered some sort of neurotic problem in the week prior to interview. The most frequent disorder was mixed anxiety and depressive disorder (71 per 1000).?

  Renal Services
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding geographical inequality in renal provision; and what measures he plans to address the problem in the next three years. [81439]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have received a number of representations and are aware of the variations in provision. We acknowledge the concerns which have been expressed and we are taking steps to address them.

  Centrally issued guidance on specialist commissioning and the National Priorities Guidance have both emphasised the need for health authorities and National Health Service trusts to review the existing provision of renal services and to plan for and to commission increased and equitable high-quality provision.

  We are planning to issue guidance shortly which will be designed to provide further advice and assistance to health authorities and National Health Service trusts. This guidance will include information from a survey of renal services which is being carried out to ascertain the current position.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the establishment of a national renal service framework; and if he will make a statement. [81441]

  Mr. Hutton
  A rolling programme of national service frameworks (NSFs) was launched in April 1998. The first two frameworks being developed are on coronary heart
  651
  disease and on mental health; these will be followed by NSFs on older people (spring 2000) and diabetes (spring 2001).

  The suggestion that renal services should be the subject of a national service framework was raised by representatives of the National Kidney Federation at their meeting last year with my noble Friend the Baroness Hayman. Since then, an Early Day Motion supporting this proposal has been tabled by the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris). There have also been twenty-one letters of support from hon. Members to Ministers. There are currently no plans for a national service framework for kidney disease. It is likely, however, that the diabetes NSF will look at some aspects of renal provision as renal failure is a complication of diabetes.

  We will continue to work with the professional and voluntary groups concerned to look at ways in which we can develop and improve the provision of services for people with kidney disease.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the projected increase in the next three years in the number of kidney patients(a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) in Bexley and Greenwich District; and what steps he intends to take to meet such increases in demand. [81440]

  Mr. Hutton
  The provision of renal replacement therapy (dialysis and transplantation) for people with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) has increased year on year. From 1993 to 1995 the number of patients in England receiving treatment for ESRF rose by 20 per cent.—nearly 4,000 additional patients.

  The projected increase in demand for such services is estimated at 9 per cent. per annum. Though this figure is not broken down by region, it is likely to be higher in areas where there is a high population of elderly people or a high proportion of people from ethnic minorities. A revision of the epidemiological needs assessment (published in 1994) will be issued soon, setting out the current level of need and taking ethnicity into account.

  Guidance issued in October 1998 on commissioning arrangements for specialist services identified renal services as a priority, and emphasised the need for health authorities to plan on a long-term basis for the needs of their populations. In addition, a Health Service Circular on renal services will be published in the next few months; this will make clear the need for Health Authorities to review levels of renal services and to plan to meet the expected increase in demand.

  Bexley and Greenwich Health Authority is a constituent member of the South East Thames Renal Steering Group. The group has carried out a study into the projected demand for renal services across the south east Thames area. Its work has resulted in the decision to open a satellite renal unit at Greenwich, and a further satellite unit at Lewisham is planned.

  Organ Procurement
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received advocating the 652
  establishment of a transplant commission to review the organ procurement system; and if he will make a statement. [81442]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have received one representation from the Royal College of Surgeons. A College working party has reviewed the provision of organ transplantation in England and Wales, and in its report has recommended the establishment of a National Transplant Service. We are grateful to the Royal College of Surgeons for the work done by the working party in analysing the problems and producing its report which will be taken into account in the current review of the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority. This review is wide-ranging and will be determining what central support transplant services require, including the issue of organ procurement, and how this is best delivered.

  Health Records
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the status is of a section 6(b) note in health records.[81492]

  Mr. Denham
  A note attached to a health record under section 6(2)(b) of the Access to Health Records Act 1990 does not alter anything in the record, but will form part of that survey in the same way as the existing information.

  NHS Direct
  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the(a) number and (b) percentage of calls to NHS Direct which relate to back pain; and what advice NHS Direct has offered callers. [81609]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, each of the NHS Direct pilot sites will be able to provide relevant information for the area it covers.

  Back pain can result from a variety of causes and the advice NHS Direct offers callers reflects clinically recognised best practice relating to the specific cause and symptoms of the back pain.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions his Department has used an emergency control order to respond to instances of food poisoning or contamination in each of the last five years. [81613]

  Ms Jowell
  I made an Emergency Control Order under Section 13 of the Food Safety Act 1990 on 20 May 1998. This was followed by two Amendment Orders on 20 May 1998 and 10 July 1998 respectively. No other Emergency Control Orders under this section of the Act have been made by Health Ministers in the last 5 years.

  Cancer Centres
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) designated and (b) accredited regional cancer centres, indicating the date of designation and accreditation in each case. [81731]

  Mr. Hutton
  Early implementation of the Calman/Hine Report reflected the different staring points in regions of the National Health Service and allowed the designation
  653
  processes to fit local circumstances. There are currently no rigid criteria for the designation or accreditation of cancer centres. We are in the process of developing a set of common national standards and performance measures against the new performance framework which will apply across the country.

  The following is a list of cancer centres by region with the date of designation where available.

  South West Region

  There are five cancer centres in South and West Region. All were designated in 1996, and redesignated in February 1999.

  Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire

  Devon and Cornwall (Exeter)

  Devon and Cornwall (Plymouth)

  Dorset

  Three Counties

  London

  There are five cancer centres in London. All were provisionally designated in 1997.

  South East London

  South West London

  North West London

  North Central London

  North East London

  Trent

  Four cancer centres were designated in Trent in 1995

  Sheffield Cancer Centre

  Nottingham Cancer Centre

  Derby Cancer Centre

  Leicester Cancer Centre

  West Midlands

  The West Midland are currently assessing 21 Acute NHS trusts as designated centres for 14 different cancer types

  Eastern

  Eastern Region have designated networks for the provision of services for up to 10 tumour sites. Designation was given to the following trusts in 1997.

  Bedford

  Luton and Dunstable

  Addenbrooke's

  Hinchingbrooke

  Papworth

  Norfolk and Norwich

  James Paget

  Peterborough

  King's Lynn

  Ipswich Hospital

  West Suffolk

  There are also two cancer centres from the former North Thames Region now located in Eastern Region which were designated in 1998.

  Mount Vernon

  Southend

  Northern and Yorkshire

  The four cancer centres in Northern and Yorkshire Region were all designated in 1995.

  Hull

  Leeds

  Newcastle

  Teesside

  654
  North West

  North West Region are in the process of designating their Cancer Centres, Preston, Merseyside and Manchester in 1999–2000.

  South East Region

  There are five cancer centres in South East Region. Designated in 1996.

  Southampton

  Portsmouth

  Provisionally designated in 1997

  Brighton

  Kent

  Guildford

  South East Region now also contains the following cancer networks from the former Oxford and Anglia Region.

  Royal Battle and Berkshire

  Heatherwood and Wrexham

  South Buckinghamshire

  Milton Keynes

  Stoke Mandeville

  Northampton

  Kettering

  Oxford Radcliffe

  Horton General

  Radcliffe Infirmary.

  Breast Screening
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the working group on breast screening set up by the Chief Medical Officer in October 1998. [81735]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Chief Medical Officer set up a working group in October 1998 to assess the workforce pressures in the breast screening programme and to identify possible means to address the pressures. The group has now made a report to the Chief Medical Officer who is considering this and the issue of future publication.

  NHS Pensions
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the cost to(a) the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust and (b) Suffolk Health Authority of increased employer pension contributions arising from changes in the 1997 and 1998 Budgets to Advanced Corporation Tax. [81673]

  Ms Jowell
  The withdrawal of Advanced Corporation Tax has had no effect on employer contributions in the National Health Service Pension Scheme. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) by my then right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1997,Official Report, column 1.

  MMR
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the take-up rate has been for measles, mumps and rubella vaccination for 1998–99 and the preceding four years in(a) Manchester, (b) the North West and (c) England. [81717]
  655
  Ms Jowell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 10 March 1999,Official Report, column 300. The figures for 1998–99 will be available towards the end of the year.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public appointments for

  Public appointments

  Number of members

  Remuneration

  Advisers to the Home Secretary on representations against Exclusion under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989

  3

  £215 per diem

  Annual Reviewer of the Operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989

  1

  £297 per diem

  Charity Commissioners

  5 (2 full time, 3 part time)

  Salaries linked to SCS pay scales

  Chief Surveillance Commissioner and Commissioners

  1 Chief Commissioner, 6 Commissioners

  Salary range: £35,000 to £55,000

  Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary

  1 Chief Inspector 5 Inspectors

  Pay scale for Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabularies linked to Chief Police Officers' pay

  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons

  1

  Salary linked to Senior CMI Service (SCS) pay scales

  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation

  1

  Salary linked to Senior Civil Service (SCS) pay scales

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Complaints Audit Committee

  3

  £203 per diem

  Independent Assessor of Miscarriage of Justice Compensation

  1

  £350 per case

  Interception of Communications Commissioner

  1

  £630 per diem

  Prisons Ombudsman

  1

  Salary range: £41,550 to £65,270

  Selection Panels for Independent Members of Police Authorities for 41 Provincial Forces

  41

  Hourly rate determined by individual local authorities

  Service Authority for National Criminal Intelligence Service

  5

  £16 per hour subject to daily and annual maxima

  Service Authority of National Crime Squad

  5

  £16 per hour subject to daily and annual maxima

  Youth Justice Board

  Chair plus 11 members

  Chair £48,000 Members £136 per diem

  Immigration Services Tribunal
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the(a) costs of setting up and (b) annual running costs of the Immigration Services Tribunal and its staff; what provisions have been made to meet such costs; and what plans he has for designated professional bodies to contribute towards these costs. [81403]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Details of the costs of setting up and the annual running costs of the Immigration Services Tribunal and staff are contained in the Regulatory Impact Assessment which was published at the same time as the
  656
  which his Department is responsible and which carry a fee or salary, indicating for each type of appointment the fee or salary band which applies. [80748]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 15 April 1999]"Public Bodies 1998"—copies of which are available in the Library of the House—provides information on the levels of remuneration paid to those serving on the boards of public bodies for which my Department is responsible. In addition to those, there are the following paid public appointments:

  Immigration and Asylum Bill. Schedule 6, paragraph 5(1) of the Bill enables the Secretary of State to prescribe by order fees for the registration or continued registration of persons on the register. There are no plans for designated professional bodies to contribute to these costs.

  Immigration Services Commission
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of fee he plans to be payable by those applying to be registered with the Immigration Services Commission under paragraph 5 of schedule 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Bill; by what criteria the level of the fee will be fixed; and on what basis each scale of fees will be determined. [81404]
  657
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  An estimate of level of fee to be paid by those applying to be registered with the Immigration Services Commissioner is contained in the Regulatory Impact Assessment which was published at the same time as the Immigration and Asylum Bill. The criteria for fixing the fee level will be based on the full economic costs of providing the service to those who are required to register and will reflect the level of activity which the Commissioner and his staff devote to them.

  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the(a) start-up costs and (b) annual running costs of the office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and staff; and what provisions have been made to meet such costs. [81402]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Details of the estimated start-up and annual costs of the office of the Immigration Services Commissioner and his staff are contained in the Regulatory Impact Assessment which was published at the same time as the Immigration and Asylum Bill. Powers for the Immigration Services Commissioner to require the payment of fees from designated professional bodies and for the Secretary of State to prescribe fees for registration or continued registration are contained in clause 65(7) and schedule 6, paragraph 5(1) of the Immigration and Asylum Bill.

  Young Offenders Institutions
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children from each local unitary authority in Wales were in young offenders' institutions in each of the past 10 years. [81333]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information on where prisoners originate from is not available. The available statistics, shown in the table, relate to persons who were first committed to custody under sentence by a court from Wales and initially received into a Young Offender Institution in England and Wales.

  Receptions1 of 15–17 year olds into Young Offenders Institutions2 in England and Wales from a Welsh court by Welsh unitary authority, 1992–98

  Unitary authority and Custody type

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Blaenau Gwent

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  5

  16

  Convicted unsentenced

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  2

  2

  Sentenced

  —

  7

  —

  5

  1

  —

  2

  Bridgend

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Convicted unsentenced

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  8

  Sentenced

  2

  6

  17

  10

  4

  9

  16

  Caerphilly

  Sentenced

  3

  24

  22

  16

  13

  17

  21

  Cardiff

  Sentenced

  4

  20

  32

  28

  52

  69

  81

  Carmarthenshire

  Sentenced

  —

  2

  7

  6

  6

  11

  8

  Ceredigion

  Sentenced

  —

  —

  1

  1

  3

  4

  1

  Conway

  Sentenced

  —

  1

  5

  10

  5

  2

  2

  658

  Receptions1 of 15–17 year olds into Young Offenders Institutions2 in England and Wales from a Welsh court by Welsh unitary authority, 1992–98

  Unitary authority and Custody type

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Denbighshire

  Sentenced

  —

  4

  2

  3

  2

  2

  6

  Flintshire

  Sentenced

  1

  7

  3

  4

  8

  8

  11

  Gwynedd

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Convicted unsentenced

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Sentenced

  3

  5

  6

  10

  7

  1

  5

  Isle of Anglessey

  Sentenced

  1

  1

  3

  1

  5

  2

  1

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Convicted unsentenced

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Sentenced

  —

  9

  17

  21

  18

  20

  27

  Neath Port Talbot

  Sentenced

  —

  —

  4

  2

  1

  4

  6

  Newport

  Sentenced

  7

  28

  33

  25

  25

  23

  38

  Pembrokeshire

  Sentenced

  1

  8

  3

  1

  5

  3

  1

  Powys

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Sentenced

  —

  5

  3

  3

  —

  —

  2

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  Convicted unsentenced

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  7

  Sentenced

  4

  15

  23

  28

  21

  21

  34

  Swansea

  Sentenced

  2

  23

  18

  20

  23

  16

  23

  Vale of Glamorgan

  Untried

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Convicted unsentenced

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  5

  Sentenced

  2

  12

  12

  7

  8

  11

  22

  Wrexham

  Sentenced

  —

  2

  5

  2

  5

  11

  9

  1Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category because there is double counting.

  2Includes receptions into closed young offender institutions, open young offender institutions and juvenile prisons.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) probation officers and (b) probation service officers retired, per service, in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [81558]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information is as follows:

  Full-time established probation officers retiring each year by area

  Number of persons

  Probation area

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Avon

  2

  4

  3

  Bedfordshire

  4

  3

  1

  Berkshire

  2

  1

  8

  Cambridgeshire

  2

  1

  5

  Cheshire

  5

  6

  —

  Cornwall

  3

  —

  —

  659

  Full-time established probation officers retiring each year by area

  Number of persons

  Probation area

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Cumbria

  3

  2

  4

  Derbyshire

  7

  4

  2

  Devon

  6

  8

  3

  Dorset

  4

  9

  2

  Durham

  1

  2

  1

  Essex

  5

  5

  3

  Gloucestershire

  2

  3

  1

  Hampshire

  8

  9

  4

  Hereford and Worcester

  —

  4

  1

  Hertfordshire

  5

  3

  1

  Humberside

  4

  10

  5

  Kent

  11

  4

  5

  Lancashire

  9

  7

  3

  Leicestershire

  1

  2

  1

  Lincolnshire

  1

  1

  1

  Greater Manchester

  6

  10

  4

  Merseyside

  14

  11

  8

  Norfolk

  3

  4

  3

  Northamptonshire

  2

  4

  2

  Northumbria

  6

  8

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  2

  —

  —

  Oxford and Buckingham

  5

  8

  5

  Shropshire

  —

  2

  1

  Somerset

  2

  3

  —

  Staffordshire

  5

  11

  5

  Suffolk

  2

  2

  5

  Surrey

  3

  —

  1

  East Sussex

  1

  2

  —

  West Sussex

  1

  3

  1

  Teesside

  3

  1

  3

  Warwickshire

  4

  1

  —

  West Midlands

  24

  11

  16

  Wiltshire

  2

  6

  1

  North Yorkshire

  2

  8

  —

  South Yorkshire

  5

  12

  3

  West Yorkshire

  8

  8

  14

  Inner London

  16

  30

  17

  North East London

  2

  —

  4

  South East London

  1

  —

  2

  South West London

  1

  2

  1

  Middlesex

  11

  5

  3

  Dyfed

  —

  5

  4

  Gwent

  —

  2

  —

  North Wales

  3

  2;

  1

  Probation officers by age and grade1,2 England and Wales 1 November 1998

  Number of persons

  Grade

  Under 47

  47–48

  49–50

  51–55

  56–58

  Over 58

  All ages

  CPO

  10

  6

  5

  21

  8

  1

  51

  DCPO

  6

  3

  —

  5

  —

  —

  14

  ACPO

  81

  42

  31

  41

  9

  1

  204

  Area manager

  19

  3

  11

  6

  1

  —

  40

  SPO

  447

  137

  106

  193

  43

  36

  961

  PO

  3,113

  490

  426

  913

  216

  215

  5,373

  Temp PO

  72

  5

  5

  10

  8

  32

  132

  Non-probation officer staff by age and grade1,2 England and Wales 1 November 1998

  Number of persons

  Grade

  Under 47

  47–48

  49–50

  51–55

  56–58

  Over 58

  All ages

  Research officers

  61

  5

  7

  8

  4

  3

  88

  Probation services' officers

  1,051

  119

  168

  366

  141

  152

  1,996

  Clerical/secretarial

  1,472

  215

  230

  530

  180

  181

  2,807

  Administrative

  724

  82

  94

  205

  69

  37

  1,211

  Other

  838

  116

  113

  252

  100

  222

  1,641

  1Returns were not received from Durham, Hereford and Worcester and Staffordshire

  2Whole-time equivalents. Figures may not add to the total because of the rounding of part-time hours

  660

  Full-time established probation officers retiring each year by area

  Number of persons

  Probation area

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Powys

  —

  —

  3

  South Glamorgan

  1

  1

  7

  Mid Glamorgan

  1

  4

  —

  West Glamorgan

  —

  2

  1

  England and Wales

  221

  256

  170

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment takes place by probation officers in preparation for a home detention curfew; and if he will make a statement. [81561]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Probation Service contributes to the risk assessment conducted by the prison to establish the suitability of an offender to participate in the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme. Probation staff advise on the suitability of the prisoner and on the proposed curfew address. The Probation Service will consider whether the participation of the offender in the HDC scheme would be likely to present an unacceptable risk to the victim, others living at the proposed address or the public; whether there is a pattern of offending which indicates an unacceptable risk of re-offending during the HDC period; or whether there is a probability of failure to comply with the conditions of the curfew.

  Guidance to the Probation Service on HDC is set out in Probation Circulars 44/1998 and 82/1998, copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average age of(a) probation officers and (b) probation service officers in each of the last three years. [81560]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office does not collect information on the ages of probation staff on a routine basis. However, a survey was held on 1 November 1998 to collect some limited information on the age structure at that time. The results for the 51 areas that responded are shown in the tables.
  661

  Fire Engines
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of fire engines(a) in each fire brigade and (b) in total, (i) in each of the last three years and (ii) on the last date for which figures are available. [81556]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The number of pumping appliances in each brigade in England and Wales on 1 January in each of the last three years was:

  Number of pumping appliances at stations on 1 January

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Avon

  39

  39

  39

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  29

  25

  25

  Buckinghamshire

  31

  31

  31

  Cambridgeshire

  37

  37

  33

  Cheshire

  46

  46

  45

  Cleveland

  23

  23

  23

  Cornwall

  67

  66

  66

  County Durham and Darlington

  28

  35

  35

  Cumbria

  54

  54

  54

  Derbyshire

  46

  45

  45

  Devon

  81

  81

  81

  Dorset

  61

  59

  59

  East Sussex

  38

  38

  38

  Essex

  75

  75

  75

  Gloucestershire

  33

  33

  35

  Greater Manchester

  73

  72

  72

  Hampshire

  95

  96

  96

  Hereford and Worcester

  44

  43

  43

  Hertfordshire

  43

  43

  43

  Humberside

  49

  49

  49

  Isle of Wight

  16

  16

  16

  Isles of Scilly

  4

  3

  4

  Kent

  87

  87

  87

  Lancashire

  65

  65

  66

  Leicestershire

  33

  33

  33

  Lincolnshire

  48

  48

  48

  London

  117

  177

  175

  Merseyside

  45

  43

  42

  Mid and West Wales

  83

  83

  83

  Norfolk

  52

  52

  52

  North Wales

  74

  74

  75

  North Yorkshire

  45

  45

  45

  Northamptonshire

  28

  28

  28

  Northumberland

  23

  25

  23

  Nottinghamshire

  36

  36

  36

  Oxfordshire

  36

  36

  36

  Royal Berkshire

  25

  25

  25

  Shropshire

  38

  38

  38

  Somerset

  42

  42

  42

  South Wales

  81

  87

  86

  South Yorkshire

  31

  32

  32

  Staffordshire

  48

  48

  48

  Suffolk

  47

  47

  47

  Surrey

  41

  41

  41

  Tyne and Wear

  34

  34

  34

  Warwickshire

  27

  27

  27

  West Midlands

  62

  62

  62

  West Sussex

  46

  46

  46

  West Yorkshire

  67

  68

  66

  Wiltshire

  34

  34

  36

  Total

  2,467

  2,472

  2,466

  Northern Ireland

  111

  111

  111

  Anti-terrorism Measures
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he 662
  has made of the appropriateness of anti-terrorism measures taken in public places; and if he will make a statement. [81438]

  Mr. Straw
  The joint Home Office/Northern Ireland Office consultation paper "Legislation Against Terrorism", which was issued on 17 December last year, examined the powers available under existing counter-terrorist legislation, including the measures available for use in public places. The use made of these measures in a particular area is the operational responsibility for the relevant Chief Officer of police.

  The consultation paper concluded that the current powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (1989) allowing the police in Great Britain to stop, question, search and arrest (including at ports) for terrorist purposes should for the most part be retained in the proposed permanent United Kingdom wide counter-terrorist legislation—though with some possible modifications. The paper also flagged up that, depending on the security situation at the time, new counter-terrorist legislation might also need to include additional temporary measures extending only to Northern Ireland. If this were the case, these additional measures would be phased out as soon as the security situation allowed.

  The consultation period for the "Legislation Against Terrorism" consultation paper ended on 16 March this year. We are analysing the responses. It is envisaged new counter-terrorist legislation will be introduced when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

  Rape
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the report on the study initiated by his Department into the processing of rape cases by the criminal justice system; and if he will make a statement. [81436]

  Mr. Boateng
  The report is nearing completion and we hope to publish it in July 1999.

  Perjury
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions have been secured for the crime of perjury in the last 12 months. [80378]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database show that in England and Wales in 1997, (latest available) there were 238 defendants prosecuted for offences of perjury of whom 173 were convicted.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide additional storage space for files being dealt with by the Case Allocation Unit in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [80772]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We intend to transfer some non-active files from storage accommodation in Croydon to Acton. The space made available will meet all the foreseeable needs of the Case Allocation Unit. We expect the exercise to be completed by the end of May.
  663
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the throughput of files by the Case Allocation Unit planned for in the new organisation of immigration and asylum caseworking; and what is the throughput achieved according to the most recent figures available. [80773]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No firm projections of throughput of files by the Case Allocation Unit were made.

  During the week ending 9 April, the Case Allocation Unit received 2,865 files and despatched 1,338. This was an unusually low throughput due to the Easter holiday period.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the average daily number of(a) callers trying to make a call to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, (b) calls made to that Directorate and (c) calls answered by the Telephone Caller Unit. [80780]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Figures for calls made during normal working hours in February and March are as follows:

  (a) Average number of callers per day: 5,240

  (b) Average number of calls per day: 47,046

  (c) Average number of calls answered per day: 1,690

  Note that many calls are repeat calls.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits he and his Ministers have made to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at Croydon in the last year. [80781]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Home Secretary has visited the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) four times during the past year: on 14 September 1998, 18 February 1999 and 23 March 1999. He is planning to visit IND again shortly.

  I have visited IND eight times during the last year, on 11 June 1998, 14 September 1998 and on 11 February, 3 March, 11 March, 23 March, 31 March and 13 April 1999.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change in the level of productivity was planned for in the reorganisation of caseworking in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and what level of productivity is currently being achieved. [80777]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Private Finance Initiative contract with Siemens Business Services measures productivity as reduction in unit costs. The contract with Siemens assumes that unit costs reductions of more than 40 per cent. can be achieved when the new computer system is introduced to support the new modern ways of working. Delivery of the computer system has been delayed and the recent reorganisation of caseworking has been planned on a unit cost reduction of 32 per cent.

  A unit cost reduction of 15 per cent. was achieved prior to the recent disruption caused by the business change and modernisation initiative which was also part of the Public Finance Initiative project. Unit costs for the year ending February 1999 had reduced by between 3 per cent. and 4 per cent. Unit costs for February 1999, in which output was badly affected by the disruption, were 28 per cent. higher than pre-contract levels.
  664
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the joint team established by the Home Office and Siemens Business Services on 17 March to report. [81467]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Project Team has reported its proposals for addressing the operational recovery of the Integrated Casework Directorate, which have been approved. The project team is continuing its work.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much the backlog in the asylum casework of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate has grown(a) in the last year and (b) in the last three months for which figures are available. [80770]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The estimated number of applications for asylum awaiting an initial decision rose by 20,340 in the 12 months between March 1998 and February 1999 to 71,295. In the three months between December 1998 and February 1999, the figure rose by 10,405.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were planned for the Telephone Caller Unit of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate under the reorganisation of caseworking; and what is the average number of staff currently manning the Telephone Caller Unit. [80778]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau deals with both telephone and written inquiries from members of the public and with specialised inquiries from other Government departments and local authorities. The original complement of the unit, which assumed that the full information Technology system would be available, was 64. This was revised to 94 for the period of Team Based Caseworking. There are currently 83 staff in post. The average number of staff manning the telephones each day during March was 40.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings he and Ministers in his Department have held with Siemens plc in connection with the reorganisation of caseworking in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in the last year. [80779]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Home Secretary and I have had four meetings with Siemens plc during the last year.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what date it was planned that(a) the Public Caller Unit and (b) the Asylum Screening Unit would move from Lunar House to the Whitgift Centre; and when it is now planned that these moves will take place; [80774]

  (2) what factors underlay his decision to delay the move of the Public Caller Unit and the Asylum Screening Unit from Lunar House to the Whitgift Centre. [80775]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Public Caller Unit (PCU) commenced its planned phased move to the Whitgift Centre on Monday 1 February and completed the move on Friday 12 February. The Asylum Screening Unit (ASU) was originally scheduled to close in Lunar House on Friday 5 March and open in the Whitgift Centre on Monday 8 March.
  665
  During the initial transition phase to the Immigration Casework Directorate, the PCU experienced a large increase in the numbers of callers which continued after the PCU's move to the Whitgift Centre. In order to deal with these increased numbers additional temporary accommodation in Lunar House has been used by the PCU since Wednesday 10 March. Because of this, the planned move of the ASU to the Whitgift Centre was put on hold while the situation was reviewed.

  Following the review, it was agreed that additional improved queuing facilities for callers to the PCU and ASU should be provided. Additional staff for the PCU and ASU will also be provided in order to deal with the expected numbers of callers attending these units each day. It is now planned that the ASU will close in Lunar House on Friday 30 April and open in the Whitgift Centre on Tuesday 4 May. The PCU will close its additional accommodation in Lunar House on Friday 28 May.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of when the backlog of asylum casework in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will be cleared. [80768]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government are committed to reducing the Immigration and Nationality Directorate casework backlog to frictional levels by 2001. Our plans for dealing with Immigration and Nationality Directorate casework backlogs are set out int he Government's White Paper, "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum."

  Former Yugoslav Nationals
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those persons, including dependants, who entered the United Kingdom under special arrangements for vulnerable individuals from former Yugoslavia(a) in September 1992 and (b) between November 1992 and August 1995 have subsequently (i) voluntarily left the UK, (ii) remained in the UK and (iii) applied for settlement in the UK. [80776]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that the available statistics do not separately identify these persons from other nationals of the former Yugoslavia and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many representations he has received on the Government's non-ratification of the Optional Protocol of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; [80833]

  (2) when the Government intend to ratify the Optional Protocol of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and if he will make a statement. [80832]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are two Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 3 March 1999,Official Report, columns 756–57, that the United Kingdom would sign and ratify the Second Optional Protocol relating to the abolition of the death penalty. The Ambassador in New York accordingly signed the Protocol on 31 March and we shall ratify it shortly. The Home
  666
  Secretary also announced that the Government had concluded that the United Kingdom should not ratify the First Optional Protocol relating to the right of individual petition, but that we would look at this again once the Human Rights Act has been fully implemented.

  We have received one parliamentary question from my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox), nine parliamentary questions from the noble Lord, Lord Lester of Herne Hill and a letter from the Director of Amnesty International relating to the decisions announced on 3 March. We have received no other correspondence from the public or Members of Parliament about the announcement.

  Cleveland Police
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into the circumstances of(a) the recent departure of the former Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Force with particular reference to the role of (i) senior management of the Police Force and (ii) the Cleveland Police Authority and (b) the former Deputy Chief Constable's subsequent appointment as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands police force; and if he will make a statement. [81488]

  Mr. Boateng
  I do not believe that any useful purpose would be served by setting up a separate inquiry into the retirement of the former Deputy Chief Constable of Cleveland Police. The former Deputy, Mr. Turnbull, exercised his right to retire from Cleveland Police and he retired on 7 March 1999. Mr. Turnbull's appointment as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is entirely a personal matter between him and that force.

  Immigration Act 1971
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average time taken by him to determine an application by a person with limited leave under the Immigration Act 1971 to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for further leave in each of the last five years. [81462]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Excluding asylum-related cases, the average time taken to decide applications for further leave to remain to remain was:

  Year

  Days

  1994

  43

  1995

  45

  1996

  45

  1997

  46

  1998

  49

  This includes applications decided on the day in the Public Enquiry Offices.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were detained under the authority of an immigration officer under paragraph 16(2) of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the last five years; and how many of such persons were detained for(a) more than one week and (b) more than one month. [81464]
  667
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is only available at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many directions have been given under(a) paragraph 8(1)(a) and (b) and (b) paragraph 8(1)(c) of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the last five years; [81466]

  (2) how many cases he has referred to (a) an adjudicator and (b) an appeal tribunal under the provisions of section 21 of the Immigration Act 1971; and in how many such cases he has subsequently varied a decision in favour of an appellant. [81468]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were(a) charged and (b) convicted of offences under section 26(1)(d) and (g) of the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the last five years. [81471]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Data on the number of people charged by offence are not collected centrally.

  Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database on the number of convictions by offence is given in the table.

  Number of persons convicted at all courts for offences1 under sections 26(1)(d) and 26(1)(g) of the Immigration Act 1971, England and Wales, 1993–97

  Offence

  Section 26(1)(d)

  Section(1)(g)

  1993

  3

  —

  1994

  8

  —

  1995

  7

  —

  1996

  5

  —

  1997

  3

  —

  1Principal immigration offence

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons appealed against the destination specified in directions for their removal following refusal of leave to enter under section 17(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the last five years; and how many of such appeals were allowed. [81473]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is that, in 1993, two appeals against the destination specified in directions for their removal following refusal of leave to enter under section 17(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971 were heard, neither of which were allowed; in 1994, eight were heard, none of which were allowed and in 1996 two were heard with none allowed. No such appeals were heard in 1995 and 1996.

  I regret that information on how many appeals in this category were lodged is not centrally recorded and could be obtained only by examination of individual case records.

  Asylum Seekers (Vouchers)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the administrative and other costs of local authorities providing support for asylum seekers
  668
  by way of vouchers; and what assessment he has made of the average cost per voucher in relation to the nominal value of the voucher. [81472]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Although we have had discussions with some local authorities about the voucher schemes they are operating, these schemes have all been individually devised and are usually based around a branch of one of the major supermarket chains. They bear no comparison, therefore, with the commercially administered nationwide scheme which we have proposed and it would, therefore, have been an unmerited use of resources to have conducted detailed research into the administration and costs of these schemes. The Home Office voucher scheme will be subject to competitive tender, which will help to bear down on costs.

  Deportation
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations for deportation were made by courts in cases where an offender received(a) a community sentence, (b) a sentence of less than four years imprisonment and (c) four years or more imprisonment in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [81475]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database is given in the table.

  Number of persons sentenced at all courts to (a) a community sentence and (b) immediate custody where the court also recommended deportation, England and Wales, 1993–97

  Main disposal Immediate custody by length of sentence:

  Community Sentence1

  Less than 4 years

  4 years or over

  1993

  —

  8

  187

  1994

  —

  9

  230

  1995

  1

  31

  237

  1996

  3

  14

  276

  1997

  —

  17

  297

  1Includes probation order, supervision order, community service order, attendance centre order, combination order and curfew order (since 1995)

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many offenders were recommended for deportation by a court following convictions for(a) offences involving the possession or supply of illegal drugs or trafficking in drugs, (b) offences involving violence and (c) sexual offences in the most recent year for which figures are available; [81507]

  (2) how many offenders were recommended for deportation by (a) a magistrates court and (b) a Crown court in the most recent year for which figures are available. [81506]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database is given in the table.

  Number of offenders recommended for deportation by the courts by type of court and type of offence, England and Wales, 1997

  Type of court/offence

  Number

  Court for all offences

  Magistrates court

  21

  Crown Court

  306

  669

  Number of offenders recommended for deportation by the courts by type of court and type of offence, England and Wales, 1997

  Type of court/offence

  Number

  Offences

  Offences in relation to the unlawful importation of a controlled drug

  182

  Offences in relation to the unlawful exportation of a controlled drug

  2

  Production or being concerned in production of a controlled drug

  1

  Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug

  7

  Having possession of a controlled drug

  3

  Having possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply

  14

  Violence against the person offences

  12

  Robbery

  2

  Sexual offences

  10

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportation orders have been made against persons as belonging to the family of another under section 3(5) of the Immigration Act 1971 where that other person had been recommended for deportation by a court in each of the last five years. [81474]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Telephone Kiosks (Prostitutes' Cards)
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish his consultation paper on dealing with advertising by prostitutes in public telephone kiosks. [81672]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office hopes to publish its consultation paper on new measures to tackle the problem of prostitutes' cards in telephone kiosks next month. The consultation paper will look at options for changing the law to enable those who put cards in telephone kiosks to be dealt with more effectively.

  Kosovan Refugees
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to use the former RAF base at Sopley to accommodate Kosovan refugees; and if he will make a statement. [81690]

  Mr. Straw
  None at this stage. The Government's priority remains to ensure that as far as possible, Kosovan refugees receive protection in the region so that they can return easily to their homes when it is safe for them to do so. However, I announced on 20 April that we have agreed to a request from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to accept a group of vulnerable refugees, mainly women and children, from Macedonia.

  Reception centres will be staffed by the Refugee Council and will provide temporary accommodation for refugees prior to their moving into more permanent accommodation. The Refugee Council is liaising closely with local authorities through the Local Government Association. They are currently looking at accommodation throughout the United Kingdom that could be used for reception centres.

  Variation of Leave Applications
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has carried out regarding the rights of appeal of a person with limited leave applying for a variation of leave; and what representations he has received on this subject. [81465]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Consultation Paper on the Review of Appeals contained details of our proposals regarding rights of appeal for persons with limited leave applying for a variation of leave. We received no comments on these specific points in the responses to the Consultation Paper.

  Asylum Applications (Waterloo)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals claimed asylum at Waterloo Station in(a) 1997, (b) the first two months of 1998 and (c) 1998. [81463]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In 1997, 2,235 applications for asylum were lodged at Waterloo Station. In 1998, 2,820 were made at the same port, of which 210 were made in January 1998 and 205 in February 1998.

  Immigration (Written Undertakings)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many written undertakings in respect of support for persons entering the UK were signed in 1997–98; [81469]

  (2) how many persons in respect of whom a written undertaking had been given by another accepting responsibility for their maintenance and accommodation applied for asylum in the UK in each of the last five years. [81470]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is not available.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Kennedy Report
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress he is making towards the implementation of the Kennedy report. [80347]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I announced on 26 March that new arrangements along the lines recommended by Professor Kennedy are expected to be in operation by April 2001. We also plan to launch a pilot scheme or schemes by April 2000.

  CAP Reform
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the impact which reform of the CAP will have on the consumer. [80352]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  CAP reform should result in significant savings for consumers, of the order of £1 billion a year in aggregate when all the changes have
  671
  worked through. The average family of four will save £65 per year provided the likely reductions in market prices are passed to retail.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reform of the common agricultural policy in connection with farmers' incomes. [80368]

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the effect on farmers of the CAP reform package agreed at the Berlin summit. [80369]

  Mr. Morley
  The reform package will increase the market orientation of European agriculture and assist producers in their efforts to improve the competitive position of their businesses. In the short term, before these adjustments take place, there may be a negative impact on aggregate incomes of the order of 5 per cent. But in the particularly hard pressed beef sector, incomes have been fully protected.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the final outcome of the negotiations on reform of the common agricultural policy on the competitiveness of UK dairy farming. [80370]

  Mr. Morley
  The competitiveness of UK dairy farming will depend on the ability of producers to adjust to the new market situation. However, the agreement preserved the milk quota system and as long as this remains UK dairy farmers will be prevented from competing freely on world markets.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Agenda 2000 CAP Reform consultation exercise. [82167]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have today sent to interested organisations an information document entitled "CAP Reform Agreement" which summarises the outcome of the negotiations on the CAP reform package of Agenda 2000. It also includes an economic note on the likely effect of the reforms upon producers, taxpayers and consumers, and a summary of responses to the consultation exercise received to date. A further consultation will be undertaken on the implementation of the agreed CAP reform measures when detailed regulations and details of available Community funds are known.

  I have also made available today two consultation documents which stem from the agreement on CAP reform on which early preparatory action is necessary. The first, "Rural Development Regulation: Consultation on Implementation in England", seeks views on mechanisms for drawing up and operating seven year rural development plans. We will be asking for comments on who should prepare plans, on the geographic areas they should cover and on who should operate them.

  The second, "Supporting the Hill Farmer", seeks views on how we should support farming in the Less Favoured Areas in future. Since the Agenda 2000 reforms have changed the basis on which LFA support can be provided, we will be replacing our Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances scheme. We hope this consultation document will stimulate a wide debate on how we should design a new and better framework of support for our hill farmers.
  672
  I shall be placing copies of these documents in the Library of the House today.

  Pig Industry
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the state of the pig industry. [80353]

  Mr. Morley
  Market prices for pigs have improved since the turn of the year, but remain below costs of production. The Government will continue to do all they can to help, while recognising that pigs are traded in a relatively free market with limited opportunity for direct Government involvement.

  Fishing Industry Charges
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish tables on levels of charges faced by the fishing industry in the United Kingdom relative to the European fishing industries. [80354]

  Mr. Morley
  We do not have the necessary information about the level or nature of charges to the fishing industries of other Member States to enable us to make the comparisons requested.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will waive the proposed Food Standards Agency fee for food shops of less than 1,000 sq ft retail area. [80355]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are still considering the large response we have received on our proposals and will not reach any final decisions on the scope or operation of the levy until we have completed our assessment.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Food Standards Agency to be fully operational. [80358]

  Mr. Rooker
  The timetable depends on when the necessary legislation can be completed. We would hope the Agency to be established in the first half of next year.

  Krebs Trial Areas
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of the survey in the Krebs trial areas in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. [80357]

  Mr. Rooker
  Surveying has been completed. The area to be proactively culled will be randomly chosen very soon, and we shall be ready to cull after the end of the closed season.

  Food Safety (EU)
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about food safety regulations in other parts of the EU. [80359]
  673
  Mr. Rooker
  Food safety is an area of EU competence. Most food law is harmonised across the EU and rules equivalent to those in place in the UK apply in other Member States. The Government see this as the best way to promote common food safety standards across the EU.

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about Government health studies into genetically modified foods. [80361]

  Mr. Rooker
  All genetically modified (GM) foods are subject to a full and rigorous safety assessment before they are approved for sale. To underpin this process, the Department has a research programme with a current budget of £1 million per annum.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the environmental implications of genetically modified food. [80364]

  Mr. Rooker
  The environmental implications of genetically modified foods are considered in accordance with the provisions of the EC Directive for the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms (90/220/EEC).

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards are in place to ensure that consumers have adequate information on genetically modified foods. [80350]

  Mr. Rooker
  EC Regulation 1139/98, which came into force on 1 September 1998, requires all foods containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients produced from GM soya and maize to be labelled. This sets a precedent for the labelling of all future GM novel foods.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about scope for cross-pollination of genetically modified crops. [80362]

  Mr. Morley
  We believe the best way to avoid problems arising from cross-pollination is for extra care to be taken when these crops are grown on the farm. We are encouraging the industry to draw up voluntary guidelines including separation distances between GM and other crops. Non-compliance with the separation distances would lead to withholding of GM seed by the supplier.

  Lowland Farmers
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the regulatory costs incurred by lowland farmers in England. [80363]

  Mr. Morley
  Costs incurred by individual farms will vary. Our aim is to keep regulatory costs to the minimum necessary to safeguard public, plant and animal health, the environment and the public funds.
  674

  Fishing Industry
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last held discussions with representatives of the fishing industry. [80365]

  Mr. Morley
  I last met the major representative bodies in the fishing industry on 24 March, prior to the 30 March Fisheries Council in Brussels.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures have been taken to combat TB in cattle. [80366]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 4 March 1999,Official Report, column 911.

  Milk Marque
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has recently received from dairy farms regarding the position of Milk Marque. [80367]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend the Minister receives regular representations from dairy farmers about a range of issues affecting dairy farming, including the position of Milk Marque.

  Meat and Bone Meal
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulations governing the disposal of meat and bone meal. [80360]

  Mr. Rooker
  The disposal of waste MBM is controlled under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to ensure protection of the environment and human health. The Environment Agency is responsible for the enforcement of these controls and we are confident of their effectiveness.

  Bumblebees
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect on horticulture of the decline in the numbers of bumblebees. [80617]

  Mr. Rooker
  No formal assessment has been made but I have no evidence to suggest that growers face any difficulties. As my hon. Friend will know, bumblebees are widely used for the pollination of protected crops, particularly glasshouse tomatoes.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Access to Justice Bill
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what equal opportunities impact assessment under the Government guidelines set out in Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment has been made of the Access to Justice Bill; if he will publish the assessment; and if he will make a statement. [81555]
  675
  Mr. Hoon
  The Government guidelines were issued only after the reform proposals had been settled and the White Paper published. To undertake a single impact assessment of the Access to Justice Bill as a whole would be impracticable because the Bill establishes broad frameworks within which detailed policies will be developed and implemented. We believe a more practicable way forward is to conduct assessments, where appropriate, as individual policies are developed and implemented. This will not only provide more focused assessments, but ensure they occur nearer in time to implementation.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for this year's appointments to Queen's Counsel(a) the average and (b) the highest number of unsuccessful previous applications made by applicants. [81481]

  Mr. Hoon
  The average number of unsuccessful previous applications made by applicants for Queen's Counsel in 1999 was 3.7. The highest number of unsuccessful previous applications by an applicant for Queen's Counsel in 1999 was 26.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department for this year's appointments to Queen's Counsel(a) what was the total number of applications, (b) what was the number of successful applicants and (c) of (a) and (b), how many were (i) women, (ii) from ethnic minorities, (iii) below the age of 38 years, (iv) over the age of 50 years and (v) solicitors. [81482]

  Mr. Hoon
  For this year's silk round the figures were as follows:

  Total number of applications: 553

  Number of successful applicants: 69

  Number of successful female silk applicants: 9

  Number of successful ethnic minority applicants: 5

  Number of successful applicants below the age of 38: 1

  Number of successful applicants above the age of 50: 3

  Number of successful solicitor applicants: 1.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list for this year's appointments to Queen's Counsel(a) the highest figure and (b) the average figure given as the gross fee income (i) by successful applicants for Queen's Counsel, (ii) by unsuccessful applicants for Queen's Counsel and (iii) by all applicants for Queen's Counsel. [81483]

  Mr. Hoon
  The highest and average figure given as the gross fee income (i) by successful applicants for Queen's Counsel, (ii) by unsuccessful applicants for Queen's Counsel and (iii) by all applicants for Queen's counsel for this year's silk round were as follows:

  £

  Highest

  Average

  Successful

  550,000

  224,304

  Unsuccessful

  790,000

  165,897

  All

  790,000

  173,184

  Rights of Audience
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about future rights of audience in the higher courts of(a) members of the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) the proposed Community Legal Service and (c) the proposed Criminal Defence Service. [81571]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government will seek to amend the Access to Justice Bill to ensure that full rights of audience in the higher courts are exercisable by lawyers employed by the Crown Prosecution Service, the Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence Service, subject to individual lawyers satisfying the qualification requirements and rules of conduct of the appropriate authorised body. The Government will seek to reinstate clauses defeated in the House of Lords which provided rights of audience in the higher courts for employed advocates, and enabled the Legal Services Commission to provide criminal defence services through its own employees. They will also seek to amend Clause 33 to provide rights of audience to employees of bodies established and maintained by the Legal Services Commission.

  Duty Solicitor Schemes
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the value for money of duty solicitor schemes. [81568]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are constantly reviewing the cost effectiveness of provision of all criminal defence services to ensure that they provide the best possible value for money in terms of quality and price. In addition to assessing all claims from suppliers for duty solicitor services before payment, the level of standby payments is adjusted so that payments relate as closely as possible to the amount of business undertaken by the duty solicitor. From next year all criminal advice and assistance, including the duty solicitor schemes, will be provided under contract. New arrangements for providing duty solicitor services at early first hearings in the magistrates' courts are being tested in a pilot scheme. These arrangements have been monitored and are currently being evaluated.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has for the future of existing duty solicitor schemes; and what steps he intends to take to ensure the continuation of 24-hour cover for criminal defendants. [81567]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is our intention to continue to provide advice and assistance in broadly the categories for which it is currently available. These categories include advice and assistance provided by duty solicitors at police stations and magistrates' courts. Regulations will make express provision under the Access to Justice legislation.

  Census Returns
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the hon. Members with whom, since 1 October 1998, the Lord Chancellor's Department or the Public Record
  677
  Office have corresponded concerning public access to the 1921, 1951 and 1961 census returns, indicating the contents of the correspondence. [81557]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since 1 October 1998, the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Public Record Office have corresponded with the following hon. Members concerning public access to the 1921, 1951 and 1961 census returns: the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Sir B. Mawhinney), my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benn), the right hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry), the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg) and the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo). In each case the hon. Member was forwarding one or two letters from constituents. There was a total of eight letters from constituents.

  The constituents' letters asked when the current instruments prescribing 10 year extended retention periods for the census returns for 1921, 1951 and 1961 were next due for renewal. They also asked whether confirmation could be given that the census returns were not at present closed to public inspection for 100 years under the provisions of Lord Chancellor's Instrument 12 of 1966. The replies stated that the Lord Chancellor's Instruments were due for renewal as follows: 1921 census in 2006, 1961 census in 2001 and 1951 census in 2006. The replies also stated that these census returns were closed to public inspection for 100 years by Lord Chancellor's Instrument 12 of 1966.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department where the grounds for a 100-year closure period for decennial census returns are set out. [81562]

  Mr. Hoon
  The grounds for a 100-year closure period for decennial census returns are set out in the White Paper "Open Government" of 1993 (Cm 2290). This assigned a 100-year closure period for decennial census returns on the grounds that they consist of documents supplied in confidence, the disclosure of which would constitute a breach of good faith.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how each of the nine measurements of performance for the new deal for young people is calculated. [81692]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The majority of the nine Core Performance Measures will be calculated using data from the Employment Service, Research and Development Division's New Deal Evaluation Database. We have issued already some initial figures for the first measure showing the numbers of participants who joined the New Deal in April 1998 moving into subsidised and unsubsidised jobs. Methods of calculation for the remaining Core Performance Measures are still being refined.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the final month of the intensified gateway of the new deal for 18 to 24-year-olds will involve. [81694]
  678
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Proposals for more intensive activity in the final month of the Gateway are currently being considered. Action is likely to include a proactive review at the end of the third month of the Gateway, coaching, and an increased emphasis on referrals to jobs and places on the Options before the end of the Gateway period.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will give details of the strategy being developed to improve the new deal for young people. [81691]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Continuous improvement in the New Deal is a key priority, allowing us to build upon the excellent progress that has been made so far in helping young people into jobs. To further improve the New Deal, a wide ranging strategy has been developed. Key elements include the Core Performance Measures which will monitor performance at a local level and achieve improvement through partnership action plans and the Innovation Fund—worth £5 million to back local innovative projects with scope to improve performance. The Government have indicated that they will particularly welcome bids against the Innovation Fund to intensify and enhance the New Deal Gateway and to improve the performance of New Deal in meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged young people.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 18 March 1999,Official Report, column 757, on Employment Service staff, how many of the young people taken on by the Employment Service from the New Deal are (a) subsidised and (b) unsubsidised; at what cost; and how many are involved in New Deal support functions. [81641]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A total of 342 people have been recruited into the Employment Service under the Government's New Deal programme between April 1998 when the programme commenced and 31 March 1999. Of these recruits the employer subsidy has been claimed for 286, the remaining 56 are unsubsidised. The total cost of the subsidy claimed for the period to 31 march 1999 is £322,875.

  The large majority of ES's recruits under New Deal are employed in local offices where they are employed in an administrative capacity. This is a multifunctioning role which will involve them in a range of Jobcentre activities. A proportion of their time may therefore be spent on administrative work supporting the ES's New Deal functions.

  LEA Funding
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by local education authority the funds received per pupil from all the initiatives launched and managed by his Department since May 1997, listing separately funds received from(a) standards fund initiatives and (b) other initiatives including capital funds. [80691]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The funding per pupil for all education initiatives announced by the Department of Education and Employment since May 1997 is listed for each local education authority in the following table. The figures for the Standards Fund do not include those Grants
  679
  for Education Support and Training announced prior to May 1997 but paid in the 1997–98 financial year. Grant maintained school pupils are included in the Standards Fund from April 1999. The Standards Fund figures include contributions from local education authorities. The per pupil figures in the table represent an average for each local education authority across all phases and types of school. The initiatives have not been disaggregated to take account of the particular types of school or pupil that they are aimed at. The amount per pupil for Standards Fund will depend on several local factors, such as the level of grant successfully bid for and accepted by a local education authority. Grants other than Standards Fund grants include nursery education grant paid in respect of children attending private, voluntary and independent providers of nursery education within the relevant local education authority area. However, these children are not included in the pupil count used to derive the per pupil figures in column (b).

  Funding per pupil for Department of Education and Employment initiatives announced since May 1997

  £

  Local education authority

  (a) Standards fund

  (b) Other including capital

  City of London

  1,310

  222

  Camden

  403

  209

  Greenwich

  291

  195

  Hackney

  446

  257

  Hammersmith

  322

  239

  Islington

  373

  191

  Kensington and Chelsea

  368

  236

  Lambeth

  418

  373

  Lewisham

  276

  289

  Southwark

  292

  218

  Tower Hamlets

  447

  202

  Wandsworth

  336

  267

  Westminster

  385

  196

  Barking

  278

  126

  Barnet

  201

  186

  Bexley

  159

  195

  Brent

  269

  277

  Bromley

  169

  307

  Croydon

  215

  311

  Ealing

  243

  174

  Enfield

  204

  175

  Haringey

  339

  203

  Harrow

  188

  166

  Havering

  150

  148

  Hillingdon

  204

  396

  Hounslow

  247

  204

  Kingston upon Thames

  193

  467

  Merton

  202

  322

  Newham

  228

  233

  Redbridge

  204

  178

  Richmond upon Thames

  170

  255

  Sutton

  166

  282

  Waltham Forest

  271

  181

  Birmingham

  238

  150

  Coventry

  261

  144

  Dudley

  266

  146

  Sandwell

  201

  214

  Solihull

  167

  260

  Walsall

  242

  228

  Wolverhampton

  294

  211

  Knowsley

  254

  187

  Liverpool

  203

  170

  St. Helens

  182

  200

  Sefton

  183

  134

  Wirral

  168

  168

  Bolton

  213

  232

  680

  Funding per pupil for Department of Education and Employment initiatives announced since May 1997

  £

  Local education authority

  (a) Standards fund

  (b) Other including capital

  Bury

  177

  266

  Manchester

  290

  179

  Oldham

  239

  247

  Rochdale

  233

  244

  Salford

  197

  240

  Stockport

  210

  229

  Tameside

  188

  258

  Trafford

  194

  281

  Wigan

  198

  215

  Barnsley

  219

  233

  Doncaster

  180

  152

  Rotherham

  199

  187

  Sheffield

  220

  222

  Bradford

  271

  237

  Calderdale

  227

  252

  Kirklees

  264

  196

  Leeds

  186

  177

  Wakefield

  209

  203

  Gateshead

  215

  122

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  241

  363

  North Tyneside

  235

  164

  South Tyneside

  224

  228

  Sunderland

  174

  124

  Isles of Scilly

  980

  284

  Bath and North East Somerset

  187

  221

  City of Bristol

  238

  137

  North Somerset

  184

  234

  South Gloucestershire

  192

  235

  Hartlepool

  210

  180

  Middlesbrough

  233

  241

  Redcar and Cleveland

  221

  171

  Stockton-on-Tees

  188

  177

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  198

  190

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  189

  200

  North East Lincolnshire

  195

  261

  North Lincolnshire

  195

  270

  North Yorkshire

  188

  166

  York

  224

  203

  Bedfordshire

  208

  217

  Luton

  266

  206

  Buckinghamshire

  228

  194

  Milton Keynes

  218

  229

  Derbyshire

  184

  236

  Derby

  251

  305

  Dorset

  182

  236

  Poole

  184

  264

  Bournemouth

  199

  338

  Durham

  232

  161

  Darlington

  225

  179

  East Sussex

  189

  211

  Brighton and Hove

  231

  230

  Hampshire

  161

  209

  Portsmouth

  201

  180

  Southampton

  194

  145

  Leicestershire

  181

  145

  Leicester

  244

  244

  Rutland

  319

  687

  Staffordshire

  186

  179

  Stoke-on-Trent

  224

  255

  Wiltshire

  207

  272

  Swindon

  202

  284

  Bracknell Forest1

  179

  165

  Windsor and Maidenhead1

  201

  116

  Newbury1

  223

  132

  Reading1

  268

  284

  Slough1

  309

  191

  Wokingham1

  175

  177

  Cambridgeshire

  198

  203

  681

  Funding per pupil for Department of Education and Employment initiatives announced since May 1997

  £

  Local education authority

  (a) Standards fund

  (b) Other including capital

  Peterborough2

  238

  151

  Cheshire

  170

  177

  Halton3

  193

  116

  Warrington3

  183

  163

  Devon

  202

  213

  Plymouth4

  193

  160

  Torbay4

  164

  153

  Essex

  189

  242

  Southend-on-Sea5

  162

  170

  Thurrock5

  219

  135

  Herefordshire6

  210

  213

  Worcestershire6

  185

  167

  Kent

  206

  195

  Medway Towns5

  192

  130

  Lancashire

  213

  195

  Blackburn with Darwen7

  321

  157

  Blackpool7

  197

  148

  Nottinghamshire

  159

  204

  Nottingham City8

  288

  111

  Shropshire

  205

  222

  Wrekin, The9

  279

  147

  Cornwall

  206

  102

  Cumbria

  235

  129

  Gloucestershire

  217

  292

  Hertfordshire

  192

  188

  Isle of Wight

  224

  214

  Lincolnshire

  204

  177

  Norfolk

  204

  196

  Northamptonshire

  210

  180

  Northumberland

  188

  213

  Oxfordshire

  216

  184

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Local recruitment measures

  Summer literacy schools

  Literacy at Key Stage 3

  Numeracy at Key Stage 3

  Summer numeracy schools

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Local education authority

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  1

  1

  5

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  Greenwich

  1

  1

  11

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  4

  Hackney

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Hammersmith

  11

  11

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Islington

  11

  11

  9

  7

  1

  1

  1

  0

  9

  1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Lambeth

  11

  11

  10

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  10

  2

  Lewisham

  11

  11

  9

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Southwark

  11

  11

  4

  4

  1

  1

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Tower Hamlets

  11

  11

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Wandsworth

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Westminster

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Barking

  1

  1

  8

  8

  1

  1

  1

  1

  8

  4

  Barnet

  0

  0

  3

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  3

  2

  Bexley

  1

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Brent

  0

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  3

  Bromley

  1

  1

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Croydon

  1

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  9

  3

  Ealing

  1

  1

  13

  9

  1

  1

  1

  1

  6

  4

  Enfield

  0

  0

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Haringey

  1

  1

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Harrow

  11

  11

  4

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  Havering

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  1

  1

  5

  5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  Hounslow

  1

  1

  5

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  682

  Funding per pupil for Department of Education and Employment initiatives announced since May 1997

  £

  Local education authority

  (a) Standards fund

  (b) Other including capital

  Somerset

  217

  214

  Suffolk

  166

  159

  Surrey

  190

  207

  Warwickshire

  204

  180

  West Sussex

  177

  177

  Berkshire10

  3

  30

  1Part of Berkshire until 31 March 1998

  2Part of Cambridgeshire until 31 March 1998

  3Part of Cheshire until 31 March 1998

  4Part of Devon until 31 March 1998

  5Part of Essex until 31 March 1998

  6Within Hereford and Worcester until 31 March 1998

  7Part of Lancashire until 31 March 1998

  8Part of Nottinghamshire until 31 March 1998

  9Part of Shropshire until 31 March 1998

  10Ceased to be a Local Authority on 1 April 1998

  LEAs (Competitive Bidding)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many bids(a) have been received and (b) were successful in each local education authority for each competitive bidding process launched and managed by his Department since November 1998. [80692]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Details of the number of competitive bids submitted by local education authorities since November 1998, along with the number that were successful, is given in the following table.
  683

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Local recruitment measures

  Summer literacy schools

  Literacy at Key Stage 3

  Numeracy at Key Stage 3

  Summer numeracy schools

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Merton

  1

  0

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Newham

  1

  1

  14

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  5

  3

  Redbridge

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  0

  6

  6

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Sutton

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Waltham Forest

  11

  11

  12

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  3

  Birmingham

  1

  1

  20

  11

  1

  1

  1

  1

  16

  5

  Coventry

  0

  0

  7

  7

  1

  1

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Dudley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Sandwell

  1

  0

  7

  7

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  4

  Solihull

  1

  1

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  11

  7

  0

  0

  1

  0

  11

  3

  Liverpool

  0

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  St. Helens

  0

  0

  8

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  Sefton

  0

  0

  5

  5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1

  Wirral

  0

  0

  4

  4

  1

  1

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Bolton

  0

  0

  8

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  Bury

  0

  0

  8

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Manchester

  1

  1

  15

  11

  1

  1

  1

  0

  5

  1

  Oldham

  0

  0

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  2

  Rochdale

  0

  0

  4

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Salford

  0

  0

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Stockport

  0

  0

  14

  9

  1

  1

  1

  0

  5

  3

  Tameside

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Trafford

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Wigan

  0

  0

  11

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  8

  2

  Barnsley

  0

  0

  14

  9

  0

  0

  1

  0

  14

  5

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  3

  Rotherham

  0

  0

  6

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  1

  1

  10

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  5

  4

  Bradford

  1

  1

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  Calderdale

  1

  1

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  3

  Kirklees

  0

  0

  13

  7

  0

  0

  1

  0

  5

  2

  Leeds

  0

  0

  16

  11

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  3

  Wakefield

  0

  0

  18

  11

  1

  1

  0

  0

  18

  2

  Gateshead

  0

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  0

  0

  9

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Tyneside

  1

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Tyneside

  0

  0

  4

  4

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Sunderland

  0

  0

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  3

  Isles of Scilly

  11

  11

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bath and North East Somerset

  0

  0

  5

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  City of Bristol

  1

  1

  12

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  7

  3

  North Somerset

  0

  0

  8

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  7

  4

  South Gloucestershire

  0

  0

  5

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Hartlepool

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  Middlesbrough

  0

  0

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  3

  Redcar and Cleveland

  1

  1

  4

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Stockton-on-Tees

  0

  0

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  2

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  0

  0

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  3

  North Lincolnshire

  1

  0

  4

  4

  1

  1

  1

  1

  4

  2

  North Yorkshire

  1

  0

  5

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  York

  0

  0

  6

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Bedfordshire

  0

  0

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Luton

  1

  1

  6

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  3

  Buckinghamshire

  11

  11

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Milton Keynes

  1

  1

  7

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  12

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  6

  2

  Derby

  1

  1

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  Dorset

  1

  1

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Poole

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  684 685

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Local recruitment measures

  Summer literacy schools

  Literacy at Key Stage 3

  Numeracy at Key Stage 3

  Summer numeracy schools

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Bournemouth

  0

  0

  7

  7

  0

  0

  1

  0

  7

  2

  Durham

  0

  0

  10

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  5

  4

  Darlington

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  East Sussex

  1

  1

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  2

  Brighton and Hove

  0

  0

  10

  8

  1

  1

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  15

  11

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Portsmouth

  0

  0

  9

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  Southampton

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  5

  5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Leicester

  1

  1

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  2

  Rutland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  1

  0

  15

  11

  0

  0

  1

  0

  9

  2

  Stoke-on-Trent

  1

  1

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  8

  2

  Wiltshire

  11

  11

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Swindon

  11

  11

  7

  7

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  Bracknell Forest

  11

  11

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  11

  11

  3

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Newbury

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Reading

  1

  1

  6

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Slough

  1

  1

  7

  7

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  2

  Wokingham

  11

  11

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  20

  12

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  2

  Peterborough

  1

  1

  6

  6

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  2

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  10

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  3

  Halton

  0

  0

  5

  5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  2

  Warrington

  0

  0

  7

  7

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Devon

  11

  11

  13

  9

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  Plymouth

  11

  1

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  2

  Southend-on-Sea

  1

  1

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Thurrock

  11

  11

  9

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  Herefordshire

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  2

  Worcestershire

  0

  0

  5

  5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  5

  1

  Kent

  1

  1

  29

  12

  0

  0

  1

  1

  22

  2

  Medway Towns

  1

  1

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  1

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  19

  11

  1

  1

  1

  1

  9

  3

  Blackburn with Darwen

  1

  1

  9

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  9

  4

  Blackpool

  0

  0

  6

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nottingham City

  1

  1

  14

  9

  1

  1

  0

  0

  3

  3

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  The Wrekin

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Cornwall

  11

  11

  10

  8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  3

  Cumbria

  0

  0

  6

  6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  2

  Gloucestershire

  1l

  1l

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  2

  Hertfordshire

  1

  1

  14

  9

  1

  1

  1

  1

  10

  5

  Isle of Wight

  11

  11

  5

  5

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  20

  11

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  8

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  4

  Northamptonshire

  0

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  0

  5

  3

  Northumberland

  0

  0

  4

  4

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Oxfordshire

  11

  11

  5

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  Somerset

  11

  11

  9

  9

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  2

  Surrey

  1

  1

  16

  11

  0

  0

  1

  0

  6

  4

  Warwickshire

  1

  0

  10

  8

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  3

  West Sussex

  1

  1

  6

  6

  1

  1

  1

  0

  3

  3

  Total

  79

  70

  1,096

  900

  26

  26

  94

  16

  568

  303

  686 687

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Family numeracy

  special educational needs

  Work related learning

  Social inclusion—Pupil support

  National grid for learning

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Local education authority

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Camden

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Greenwich

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hackney

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hammersmith

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Islington

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Lambeth

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Lewisham

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Southwark

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Tower Hamlets

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wandsworth

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Westminster

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Barking

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Barnet

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bexley

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Brent

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bromley

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Croydon

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Ealing

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Enfield

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Haringey

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Harrow

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Havering

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hillingdon

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hounslow

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Kingston upon Thames

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Merton

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Newham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Redbridge

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Richmond upon Thames

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Sutton

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Waltham Forest

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Birmingham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Coventry

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Dudley

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Sandwell

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Solihull

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Knowsley

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Liverpool

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  St.Helens

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Sefton

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wirral

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bolton

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bury

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Manchester

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Oldham

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Rochdale

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Salford

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Stockport

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Temeside

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Trafford

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wigan

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Barnsley

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Doncaster

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Rotherham

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Sheffield

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bradford

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Calderdale

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Kirklees

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Leeds

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wakefield

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Gateshead

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  North Tyneside

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  South Tyneside

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Sunderland

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Bath and North East Somerset

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  688 689

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Family numeracy

  special educational needs

  Work related learning

  Social inclusion—Pupil support

  National grid for learning

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  City of Bristol

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  North Somerset

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  South Gloucestershire

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hartlepool

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Middlesbrough

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Redcar and Cleveland

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Stockton-on-Tees

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  North Lincolnshire

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  North Yorkshire

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  York

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bedfordshire

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Luton

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  I

  1

  Buckinghamshire

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Milton Keynes

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Derbyshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Derby

  1

  0

  I

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Dorset

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Poole

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Bournemouth

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Durham

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  I

  1

  Darlington

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  East Sussex

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Brighton and Hove

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hampshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Portsmouth

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Southampton

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Leicestershire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Leicester

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Rutland

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Staffordshire

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Stoke-on-Trent

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wiltshire

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Swindon

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Bracknell Forest

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Newbury

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Reading

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Slough

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Wokingham

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Peterborough

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Cheshire

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Halton

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  I

  1

  1

  1

  Warrington

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Devon

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Plymouth

  1

  0

  I

  0

  1

  0

  1

  I

  1

  1

  Southend-on-Sea

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Thurrock

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Herefordshire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  I

  1

  1

  Worcestershire

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Kent

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Medway Towns

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  I

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Blackburn with Darwen

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Blackpool

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Nottingham City

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Shropshire

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  The Wrekin

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Cornwall

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Cumbria

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Hertfordshire

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Isle of Wight

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Lincolnshire

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Northamptonshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Northumberland

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Oxfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Somerset

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  690 691

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Family numeracy

  special educational needs

  Work related learning

  Social inclusion—Pupil support

  National grid for learning

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Suffolk

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Surrey

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Warwickshire

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  West Sussex

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Total

  130

  51

  148

  62

  148

  62

  148

  134

  150

  150

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Education of travellers and displaced persons

  Expanding local authority music services

  New Deal for schools Phase 3

  Total

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Local education authority

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Camden

  1

  1

  1

  1

  36

  4

  52

  16

  Greenwich

  1

  1

  1

  1

  28

  7

  56

  26

  Hackney

  1

  1

  1

  1

  43

  6

  54

  16

  Hammersmith

  1

  1

  1

  1

  34

  2

  44

  9

  Islington

  0

  0

  1

  1

  27

  4

  54

  19

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1

  1

  1

  1

  13

  0

  25

  8

  Lambeth

  1

  1

  1

  1

  41

  10

  70

  18

  Lewisham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  18

  2

  37

  18

  Southwark

  1

  1

  1

  1

  38

  3

  54

  16

  Tower Hamlets

  1

  1

  1

  1

  18

  5

  36

  20

  Wandsworth

  0

  0

  1

  1

  7

  1

  17

  10

  Westminster

  0

  0

  1

  1

  39

  4

  49

  12

  Barking

  1

  1

  1

  1

  101

  3

  127

  24

  Barnet

  1

  1

  1

  1

  17

  1

  31

  11

  Bexley

  1

  1

  1

  0

  63

  8

  76

  16

  Brent

  1

  1

  1

  1

  28

  3

  51

  21

  Bromley

  1

  1

  0

  0

  35

  15

  46

  23

  Croydon

  1

  1

  1

  1

  49

  7

  77

  23

  Ealing

  1

  1

  1

  1

  17

  3

  46

  24

  Enfield

  1

  1

  1

  1

  28

  3

  40

  12

  Haringey

  1

  1

  1

  0

  53

  4

  73

  17

  Harrow

  1

  1

  1

  0

  25

  5

  38

  14

  Havering

  1

  1

  1

  1

  66

  6

  75

  12

  Hillingdon

  1

  1

  1

  1

  35

  5

  52

  19

  Hounslow

  1

  1

  1

  0

  139

  12

  155

  24

  Kingston upon Thames

  1

  1

  1

  1

  56

  1

  67

  11

  Merton

  0

  0

  1

  1

  15

  2

  28

  10

  Newham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  28

  3

  57

  23

  Redbridge

  1

  1

  1

  1

  43

  11

  53

  16

  Richmond upon Thames

  1

  1

  1

  1

  18

  11

  35

  26

  Sutton

  1

  1

  1

  1

  68

  15

  78

  21

  Waltham Forest

  1

  1

  1

  1

  12

  13

  40

  30

  Birmingham

  0

  0

  1

  1

  24

  18

  69

  43

  Coventry

  0

  0

  1

  1

  54

  23

  71

  37

  Dudley

  0

  0

  1

  1

  33

  1

  40

  3

  Sandwell

  0

  0

  1

  0

  60

  13

  79

  26

  Solihull

  1

  1

  1

  1

  115

  52

  129

  62

  Knowsley

  0

  0

  1

  1

  9

  3

  38

  17

  Liverpool

  0

  0

  1

  0

  14

  3

  32

  15

  St. Helens

  1

  1

  0

  0

  5

  1

  23

  16

  Sefton

  1

  1

  1

  0

  186

  1

  201

  11

  Wirral

  0

  0

  1

  0

  34

  7

  49

  18

  Bolton

  1

  1

  1

  1

  18

  2

  36

  19

  Bury

  1

  1

  1

  1

  43

  19

  58

  32

  Manchester

  1

  1

  1

  0

  35

  5

  65

  25

  Oldham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  36

  1

  58

  17

  Rochdale

  1

  1

  1

  1

  15

  5

  27

  15

  Salford

  1

  1

  1

  0

  27

  5

  43

  17

  Stockport

  0

  0

  1

  1

  20

  7

  47

  24

  Tameside

  1

  1

  1

  0

  21

  4

  33

  15

  Trafford

  1

  1

  0

  0

  22

  4

  32

  12

  Wigan

  1

  1

  1

  0

  16

  3

  43

  18

  Barnsley

  1

  1

  1

  1

  22

  3

  58

  23

  Doncaster

  1

  1

  1

  0

  26

  6

  48

  22

  Rotherham

  1

  1

  1

  1

  18

  0

  30

  10

  692 693

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Education of travellers and displaced persons

  Expanding local authority music services

  New Deal for schools Phase 3

  Total

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Sheffield

  1

  1

  0

  0

  16

  3

  40

  23

  Bradford

  1

  1

  0

  0

  37

  1

  58

  15

  Calderdale

  0

  0

  0

  0

  19

  1

  33

  12

  Kirklees

  1

  1

  1

  0

  40

  16

  65

  28

  Leeds

  1

  1

  1

  0

  37

  14

  65

  34

  Wakefield

  1

  1

  1

  0

  17

  3

  61

  20

  Gateshead

  1

  1

  0

  0

  20

  8

  40

  24

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1

  1

  0

  0

  9

  1

  24

  12

  North Tyneside

  1

  1

  1

  1

  63

  18

  73

  27

  South Tyneside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  19

  4

  31

  13

  Sunderland

  1

  1

  1

  1

  32

  0

  52

  15

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  0

  6

  2

  Bath and North East Somerset

  0

  0

  1

  0

  41

  8

  54

  16

  City of Bristol

  0

  0

  1

  0

  46

  10

  74

  16

  North Somerset

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  2

  28

  19

  South Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  17

  3

  31

  16

  Hartlepool

  0

  0

  1

  1

  11

  1

  22

  12

  Middlesbrough

  1

  1

  1

  1

  18

  5

  36

  17

  Redcar and Cleveland

  0

  0

  1

  1

  22

  1

  34

  11

  Stockton-on-Tees

  0

  0

  1

  1

  29

  10

  46

  21

  Kingston-upon-Hull

  0

  0

  0

  0

  32

  6

  50

  21

  North Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  1

  1

  46

  16

  63

  29

  North Yorkshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  58

  2

  73

  11

  York

  0

  0

  1

  0

  22

  2

  35

  13

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  9

  3

  23

  15

  Luton

  1

  1

  0

  0

  30

  3

  47

  17

  Buckinghamshire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  134

  3

  145

  12

  Milton Keynes

  1

  1

  1

  1

  18

  5

  36

  21

  Derbyshire

  0

  0

  1

  1

  16

  8

  43

  24

  Derby

  1

  1

  1

  1

  39

  3

  55

  14

  Dorset

  1

  1

  1

  1

  29

  3

  50

  18

  Poole

  1

  1

  1

  1

  11

  2

  23

  11

  Bournemouth

  0

  0

  1

  1

  19

  2

  40

  16

  Durham

  1

  1

  1

  0

  28

  25

  52

  42

  Darlington

  0

  0

  1

  0

  32

  7

  42

  12

  East Sussex

  1

  1

  1

  0

  4

  25

  17

  Brighton and Hove

  0

  0

  1

  0

  27

  7

  47

  23

  Hampshire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  126

  17

  149

  34

  Portsmouth

  0

  0

  1

  1

  75

  1

  93

  17

  Southampton

  0

  0

  1

  1

  59

  2

  67

  7

  Leicestershire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  90

  11

  104

  20

  Leicester

  0

  0

  1

  0

  33

  5

  49

  14

  Rutland

  0

  0

  1

  1

  36

  0

  41

  3

  Staffordshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  130

  41

  162

  56

  Stoke-on-Trent

  0

  0

  1

  0

  11

  3

  37

  18

  Wiltshire

  1

  1

  0

  0

  41

  5

  61

  21

  Swindon

  0

  0

  1

  1

  11

  2

  29

  17

  Bracknell Forest

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12

  2

  22

  11

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  0

  0

  0

  0

  21

  3

  30

  8

  Newbury

  0

  0

  1

  0

  16

  3

  28

  12

  Reading

  0

  0

  1

  0

  14

  4

  29

  17

  Slough

  0

  0

  1

  1

  30

  4

  49

  19

  Wokingham

  1

  1

  1

  0

  41

  17

  53

  23

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  92

  2

  128

  23

  Peterborough

  0

  0

  1

  0

  77

  5

  94

  20

  Cheshire

  1

  1

  0

  0

  37

  8

  64

  23

  Halton

  0

  0

  1

  0

  21

  1

  37

  10

  Warrington

  0

  0

  1

  1

  128

  23

  145

  36

  Devon

  1

  1

  1

  1

  39

  18

  64

  37

  Plymouth

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12

  4

  35

  17

  Southend-on-Sea

  0

  0

  1

  1

  46

  16

  58

  24

  Thurrock

  1

  1

  1

  1

  21

  6

  41

  23

  Herefordshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  53

  3

  64

  13

  Worcestershire

  0

  0

  1

  1

  80

  11

  97

  20

  Kent

  1

  1

  1

  1

  49

  11

  109

  21

  Medway Towns

  0

  0

  1

  0

  34

  10

  54

  26

  Lancashire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  36

  11

  74

  33

  Blackburn with Darwen

  0

  0

  1

  1

  35

  1

  61

  20

  Blackpool

  0

  0

  0

  0

  200

  11

  212

  10

  Nottinghamshire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  36

  10

  53

  23

  Nottingham City

  0

  0

  1

  1

  68

  4

  93

  24

  694 695

  Competitive bids received from local education authorities since November 1998

  Education of travellers and displaced persons

  Expanding local authority music services

  New Deal for schools Phase 3

  Total

  DfEE Initiative

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  A

  B

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  52

  9

  64

  18

  The Wrekin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  31

  1

  42

  10

  Cornwall

  1

  1

  1

  1

  54

  23

  81

  39

  Cumbria

  1

  1

  1

  1

  29

  14

  46

  28

  Gloucestershire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  44

  3

  64

  21

  Hertfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  1

  46

  5

  80

  26

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  1

  0

  12

  4

  25

  12

  Lincolnshire

  1

  1

  0

  0

  45

  15

  73

  30

  Norfolk

  1

  1

  1

  1

  46

  4

  69

  22

  Northamptonshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  77

  18

  100

  33

  Northumberland

  1

  1

  0

  0

  45

  13

  58

  24

  Oxfordshire

  1

  1

  1

  0

  55

  14

  71

  26

  Somerset

  1

  1

  1

  0

  24

  11

  44

  28

  Suffolk

  1

  1

  1

  1

  24

  19

  34

  25

  Surrey

  1

  1

  1

  0

  82

  28

  113

  47

  Warwickshire

  0

  0

  1

  0

  16

  11

  38

  15

  West Sussex

  1

  1

  1

  0

  41

  19

  60

  36

  Total

  91

  91

  127

  80

  5,909

  1,053

  8,714

  2,998

  1LEA bids submitted as part of a consortium

  Note:

  Column A = Number of bids received, Column B=Number of successful bids

  Final number of approved bids to be determined following further discussions with the LEA

  Classroom Tuition
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the average number of hours a Year 7 pupil in a local education authority school spent receiving tuition in the classroom in(a) 1978–79, (b) 1988–89 and (c) 1998–99. [81715]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I am unable to provide my hon. Friend with an estimate of the average number of hours a Year 7 pupil spent receiving tuition in the classroom as the data is not available for the years specified. However, Circular 7/90 recommends minimum levels of time that pupils are taught in schools which for Years 7 to 11 pupils is 24 hours per week.

WALES

  Mental Health Services
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he has given to Welsh health authorities regarding mental health treatment for members of (i) black and (ii) other ethnic minority communities. [80196]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  When issuing advice to the health sector on mental health issues the Welsh Office is providing either a legally binding direction; action that requires a specific response; information or guidance or examples of good practice. These categories are equally applicable across mental health service users irrespective of cultural or ethnic background.

  We are aware of the issues around mental health and ethnicity and shall consider the needs of ethnic minority patients when drawing up our plans for future Strategies on both child and adolescent and adult mental health services.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.
  696

  CAP Reform
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the consequences of CAP reform in Wales for the(a) beef, (b) sheepmeat and (c) dairy sectors. [80847]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Department has been undertaking research into the potential effects of the Agenda 2000 reforms. It appears, from the preliminary analysis, that the beef sector should benefit, as increased subsidies and decreased feed costs (a consequence of the reform of the cereals regime) are expected to outweigh price reductions.

  There are no specific reforms for the sheepmeat sector. However, the sector will benefit from the decreased price of feedstuffs. On the other hand, reductions in the price of beef will increase competitive pressures and are expected to lead to a cut in market prices for sheepmeat. This will be offset by increased Sheep Annual Premium payments. It is unclear at the moment what the net effect will be.

  Dairy sector reforms will not be implemented until 2005.

  These estimates are taken from work in progress and do not make allowances for restructuring or for movements in exchange rates.

  Atypical Anti-psychotic Drugs
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the efficacy of new atypical anti-psychotic drugs in the treatment of mental health. [81382]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  All products that have been licensed will have had their efficacy assessed by the Medicines Control Agency.
  697
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet mental health groups to discuss the prescribing of atypical anti-psychotic drugs for mental health patients. [81381]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I am always willing to consider specific requests for meetings with mental health groups.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he has given to health authorities regarding the prescribing of atypical anti-psychotic drugs for mental health patients. [81380]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  WHIN No. (98)13 issued on 1 December 1998 and WHN No. (99)1 issued on 7 January 1999 both related to the withdrawal of the product Serdolect (sertindole). I shall place a copy of these notices in the Library of the House as soon as possible.

  Capping
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to use his capping powers for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [82136]

  Mr. Michael
  In line with our Manifesto commitment to abolish crude and universal capping, I decided not to announce capping limits in advance for 1999–2000. This left councils and police authorities in Wales to make up their own minds on their budgets taking account of their local circumstances, including the impact on council tax, and the views of local people.

  The average Band D council tax bill in Wales has increased by 8.5 per cent. or £47 to £602. Overall, the reaction to the 1999–2000 local government revenue settlement has been measured and responsible. I have therefore decided not to cap any authorities this year.

  The National Assembly for Wales will inherit my present capping powers in respect of 2000–01 and later years, although it is planned to replace these powers with the new reserve powers to limit council tax and precepts which are contained in the Local Government Bill.
  698
  Authorities in Wales should bear in mind that the Assembly will be able to look back at increases in budgets since 1998–99 in deciding whether and how to use the new reserve powers in future years.

  Cadw
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has set for Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency. [82137]

  Mr. Michael
  Cadw has been set the following key targets for 1999–2000:

  1. To complete 90 per cent. of the approved conservation maintenance programme.

  2. To complete 80 resurveys.

  3. To resolve 75 per cent. of ad hoc listing cases within 17 weeks.

  4. To complete 120 scheduling actions, of which at least 90 per cent. involve additional protection.

  5. To resolve 80 per cent. of listed building consent cases within 4 weeks and 90 per cent. of cases in 7 weeks.

  6. To resolve 75 per cent. of scheduled monument consent cases within 13 weeks and 90 per cent. of cases within 17 weeks.

  7. To resolve 80 per cent. of historic buildings grant applications in 18 weeks.

  8. To resolve 80 per cent. of ancient monument grant applications within 6 weeks.

  9. To pay 90 per cent. of properly presented claims for historic buildings and ancient monuments grants within 5 weeks of receipt.

  10. To achieve a market share of 63 per cent. of the number of visitors to the top twenty heritage sites in Wales.

  11. To reduce direct net cost per visitor at Cadw's sites to an average of 25 pence.

  12. To operate within allocated programme and running cost budgets.

  13. To achieve efficiency gains of at least 2 per cent.

  Full details of Cadw's performance against targets for 1999–2000 will be published in the Agency's Annual Report.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans(a) he and (b) Welsh Office Ministers have to attend (i) meetings and (ii) functions with lobbyists and public relations organisations between 6 and 20 May. [81734]

  Mr. Michael
  None.

  British Museum: Display of Prints and Drawings
  British Museum: Display of Prints and Drawings
  Local Government Bill: Proposed Powers
  Local Government Bill: Proposed Powers
  Rough Sleepers, Victoria Street
  Rough Sleepers, Victoria Street
  A.4 Hogarth Roundabout-Hammersmith Flyover: Roadworks
  A.4 Hogarth Roundabout-Hammersmith Flyover: Roadworks
  M.4: Roadworks
  M.4: Roadworks
  MMR Vaccine
  MMR Vaccine
  Fluoridation of Water
  Fluoridation of Water
  Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations
  Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations
  Trident
  Trident
  Asylum Seekers: Children's Allowances
  Asylum Seekers: Children's Allowances
  Human Rights Act 1998
  Human Rights Act 1998
  Cycling on Pavements: Fixed Penalty
  Cycling on Pavements: Fixed Penalty
  Criminal Justice Act 1993, Part 1: Entry into Force
  Criminal Justice Act 1993, Part 1: Entry into Force
  Sewage Sludge: Use on Agricultural Land, Scotland
  Sewage Sludge: Use on Agricultural Land, Scotland
  Review and Task Force Reports
  Review and Task Force Reports