Written Answers of 6 December 1999

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Farming
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish an inter-departmental task force on problems facing the farming industry in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [100057]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Industry and Universities
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment he has made of the correlation between the geographical locations of industry and of universities; [100644]

  (2) how many students, normally domiciled in Northern Ireland, are enrolled in full-time first degree university courses; and how many full-time first degree places are available in Northern Ireland. [100660]

  Country

  Project/programme title

  Total commitment

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Expenditure for last five years

  Ghana

  ATP Kotoka Airport Rehab.

  8,585

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Ghana

  Kumasi Waste Disposal

  1,085

  13

  0

  —

  —

  —

  13

  Ghana

  Junior Secondary Schools

  2,436

  13

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13

  Ghana

  Monitoring (Kotoka Rehab.)

  1,278

  9

  16

  —

  —

  —

  25

  Ghana

  Kotoka Rehab. TC Services

  1,595

  183

  —

  —

  —

  —

  183

  Ghana

  Civil Service Reform Project

  2,986

  151

  37

  6

  2

  11

  208

  Ghana

  Cocoa Research (CRIG)

  3,841

  163

  118

  —

  —

  —

  281

  Ghana

  Social Dimensions of Adj

  1,156

  91

  108

  101

  20

  4

  324

  Ghana

  Village Hand Dug Wells

  1,020

  151

  —

  115

  103

  —

  368

  Ghana

  Accra Waste Project

  1,700

  —

  6

  13

  148

  247

  415

  Ghana

  Education Sector Support

  51,800

  —

  —

  —

  —

  445

  445

  Ghana

  Power V ATP

  7,281

  391

  125

  —

  —

  —

  516

  Ghana

  Management of Vertisols

  1,528

  325

  329

  93

  35

  6

  776

  Ghana

  WSIP Water Sector Improvement Sector

  4,065

  —

  —

  —

  245

  570

  815

  Ghana

  Literacy and Functional Skills project

  936

  144

  202

  328

  163

  —

  837

  Contraceptive Procurement for

  Ghana

  National Planning

  1,035

  —

  1,033

  2

  —

  —

  1,035

  Ghana

  SE Districts Water

  9,830

  —

  41

  2,931

  1,423

  743

  5,138

  Wenchi Farming Systems

  Ghana

  Development and Training

  1,528

  283

  231

  329

  267

  168

  1,279

  Ghana

  Two regions water supply

  1,620

  73

  95

  345

  438

  398

  1,349

  Ghana

  Value Added Tax Implementation

  1,870

  750

  303

  4

  41

  375

  1,472

  Ghana

  Small Enterprise Dev. Project

  2,400

  305

  225

  393

  366

  305

  1,595

  Ghana

  Public Enterprise Reform

  2,103

  315

  250

  471

  444

  192

  1,672

  Ghana

  UNICEF—Vaccines and Drugs

  1,761

  —

  —

  1,750

  11

  —

  1,761

  336W
  Mr. Mandelson
  Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many research contracts have been let by his Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included(a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100154]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Law Officers' Departments comprising the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office, have let no research contracts since May 1997.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Aid Projects
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the aid projects supported by her Department in(a) Morocco and (b) Ghana, in each of the last five years, indicating those which also received ECGD assistance. [100248]

  Clare Short
  The following lists all projects undertaken in the last five financial years at costs greater than £1 million.
  337W

  Country

  Project/programme title

  Total commitment

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Expenditure for last five years

  Forest Inventory and Management

  Ghana

  Project

  4,980

  772

  855

  168

  14

  2

  1,810

  Ghana

  CSPIP Phase Two

  5,000

  —

  —

  129

  661

  1,147

  1,937

  Ghana

  Forest Sector Development

  2,574

  —

  0

  676

  765

  692

  2,133

  Support to Teacher Education

  Ghana

  Project (STEP)

  3,200

  1,127

  707

  619

  164

  2

  2,621

  Ghana

  NVTI Project—ATP

  3,500

  —

  —

  2,303

  1,143

  39

  3,485

  Ghana

  Bridges for Feeder Roads

  7,640

  —

  —

  —

  580

  3,206

  3,786

  Ghana

  Preparation Costs HSIP

  4,200

  —

  —

  54

  941

  3,199

  4,194

  Ghana

  SE Districts Water

  4,830

  —

  —

  2,875

  1,249

  479

  4,603

  Ghana

  Equipment

  5,100

  2,021

  2,391

  632

  1

  —

  5,042

  Ghana

  Health Sector Aid

  6,415

  761

  1,234

  2,508

  735

  36

  5,273

  Ghana

  Accra Waste Project

  6,100

  —

  —

  —

  3,824

  2,031

  5,855

  Support to Ministry of Health's 5

  Ghana

  Year Programme of Work

  23,600

  —

  —

  —

  1,061

  5,094

  6,155

  Ghana

  Programme Aid 1998

  20,050

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20,036

  20,036

  Morocco

  Morocco Gas Turbines

  7,276

  —

  —

  —

  6

  —

  6

  Morocco

  Tetouan Gas Turbines Project

  10,926

  1,313

  122

  7

  —

  —

  1,442

  Those projects which also received ECGD support were:
  Ghana: South East Districts (Sogakope) Water Project—completed
  Ghana: NVTI Vocational Training—completed
  Ghana: Accra Waste—2001 completion
  Morocco: Tetouan Gas Turbines Project—completed

  European Aid (Central America)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the(a) nature and (b) destination of the 250 million euros aid voted in the European Council for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Central America. [101109]

  Clare Short
  Following the European Council's approval of 250 million euros in post-Mitch reconstruction aid for Central America in May 1999, the European Commission developed a programme of reconstruction, which was agreed by member states in November. The programme will provide Honduras (119 million euros), Nicaragua (84 million euros), El Salvador (28.5 million euros) and Guatemala (18.5 million euros) in three areas:reinstating, improving and extending infrastructure and equipment in the education, public health, environmental sanitation and housing sectors;
  strengthening educational, public health and sanitation services, including the management capacity of the relevant government institutions, in order to improve efficiency, quality and access, for the most vulnerable sections of the population;
  strengthening local government and civil society by providing support for the drafting and implementation of rehabilitation and development plans and for the preparation of a framework for risk prevention and to lessen the impact of this type of natural disaster.

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many research contracts have been let by her Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included(a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the
  338W
  date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100162]

  Clare Short
  The number of research contracts let since May 1997 is very large, running into hundreds. Recording them and listing the value of each would involve disproportionate cost. The Department for International Development's (DFID) net expenditure on research was estimated at £112 million in 1997–98 and £116 million in 1998–99.

  Source:

  SET Statistics 1999, published by the Office of Science and Technology

  The standard contracts for research projects funded by DFID make no provision for departmental veto over publication, for control over the date of publication. Nor do they contain any requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Portcullis House
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make it his policy to prohibit the provision of accommodation to civil servants at Portcullis House. [99863]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  [holding answer 29 November 1999]: In accordance with the Resolution of the House when it approved the brief for the project, Portcullis House will provide office accommodation for 210 hon. Members and for a similar number of their staff. The question of offering any of the space to Government Departments for use by civil servants does not arise.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what categories of persons it is proposed will be allocated accommodation at Portcullis House. [99883]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  [holding answer 29 November 1999]: The office space in Portcullis House will be occupied by 210 hon. Members and their staff. The only

  339W
  exceptions are two offices to be used by the Clerks Department to provide support services for Select Committees using the adjacent Select Committee rooms, and by the office services and maintenance management staff responsible for the building.

  Parliamentary Estate (Expenditure)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent on works within the Parliamentary Estate since 1 May 1997; what further sums are anticipated to be spent; and if he will list the amounts broken down by project, indicating the original estimated budget per project. [100504]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: Expenditure against the Works Votes of both Houses including rents, rates, fuel and overheads but excluding Portcullis House has been as follows:

  £

  year

  Voted sums

  Outturn

  1997–98

  49,017,000

  148,852,000

  1998–99

  51,013,000

  50,002,000

  1999–2000 (forecast expenditure)

  55,088,000

  253,652,0O0

  2000–01 (forecast expenditure)

  357,876,000

  357,876,OO0

  1 Excluding legal fees

  2Forecast

  3Estimate

  These sums covered 510 projects in 1997–98 and 419 projects in 1998–99. The number of projects planned for 1999–2000 is 422. The larger projects during this period were:

  £

  Project description

  Original estimate

  Outturn

  Norman Shaw North PDVN Lower Floors

  1,150,000

  1,180,333

  Norman Shaw North PDVN Upper Floors

  1,654,600

  1,854,600

  Refreshment Department Members and Strangers Cafeteria

  7,042,800

  6,776,428

  Refreshment Department Stores and Changing Rooms

  9,070,000

  8,974,800

  Fire Compartmentation 1997–98

  1,400,000

  1,376,844

  Fire Compartmentation 1998–99

  1,300,000

  1,173,447

  Fire Compartmentation 1999–2000

  1,250,000

  1,250,000

  Basement Fire Alarm

  2,300,000

  2,299,553

  PDVN Phase 3 1997–98

  5,000,000

  5,001,857

  PDVN Phase 4 1998–99

  5,120,000

  5,975,000

  PDVN Phase 5 1999–2000

  7,000,000

  6,625,565

  Committee Room Refurbishment Phase I

  861,668

  872,600

  Committee Room Refurbishment Phase II

  1,343,000

  1,122,339

  Royal Gallery Roof Overhaul

  4,125,660

  3,783,021

  For Portcullis House the total expenditure to April 1999 was £149 million. The remaining forecast expenditure and contingency is £86 million, so the project is expected to be completed at least £15 million below budget.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what motor mileage allowance rates his 340W
  Department offers to (a) ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98722]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Ministers and MOD civilians are paid the same Motor Mileage Rates if they use their private vehicles for official duty. Reimbursement for motor mileage for official travel in private vehicles is paid at different levels. The higher (Standard) rate is restricted to journeys that would be impracticable by public transport, taking into account the overall cost to the Department. It reflects the full cost of travel by car. The lower (Public Transport) rate is set at a level which reflects the average cost of travel by public transport and is paid for all other official travel by car.

  The rates applicable in the current tax year are as follows:

  Standard rates of motor mileage allowance

  Pence per mile

  Car engine capacity

  Up to 4,000

  Over 4,000

  Up to 1000cc

  28

  17

  1001cc-1500cc

  35

  20

  1501cc-2000cc

  45

  25

  2001cc and over

  63

  36

  Public transport rate of motor mileage allowance

  All cars

  26.5

  Details of Motor Mileage Allowance payments to Ministers are not held separately from those paid to MOD civilians and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total costs of Motor Mileage Allowance claims paid to MOD civilians, including Ministers, are:

  £

  Financial year

  Actual cost

  1994–95

  11,500,000

  1995–96

  12,200,000

  1996–97

  12,700,000

  1997–98

  12,100,000

  1998–99

  11,800,000

  Kapton Insulation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he has received about the safety of Kapton wiring in military aircraft; and what actions he has taken. [100924]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 27 July 1999,Official Report, column 197W.

  Gurkhas
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for increasing the number of Gurkhas serving in the UK armed forces. [101334]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen), on 1 December 1999,Official Report, column 191W.

  Depleted Uranium Munitions (Yugoslavia)
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) advice and (b) help is given to civilians in Yugoslavia who might have been exposed to contamination by the radioactive dust left by depleted uranium munitions. [99719]

  Mr. Spellar
  We are not aware of any civilians in Yugoslavia who might have been exposed to contamination by the radioactive dust left by depleted uranium munitions.

  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what protection and advice is provided for British ordnance officers engaged in dealing with depleted uranium munitions in Yugoslavia. [99718]

  Mr. Spellar
  No British personnel are currently engaged in dealing with depleted uranium munitions in Yugoslavia. However, as a precaution, Service personnel are given appropriate guidance during Kosovo pre-deployment training.

  Civilian Posts
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many posts have been civilianised in the Directorate of Naval Resources during the last 12 months. [100290]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Arising from the reorganisation of the Central Staff, the Directorate of Naval Resources and Plans was formed on 2 August 1999 comprising elements of the Directorate of Resources and Programmes (Navy), staffed by 17 civilian personnel, and the Directorate of Navy Plans, staffed by 18 military and four civilian personnel. The new Directorate has 20 staff, 11 military and nine civilian personnel overall. One military post was civilianised as the new organisation was formed.

  Defence Estates Agency
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed at the Defence Estates Agency HQ at Sutton Coldfield. [100289]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The number of Defence Estates staff employed at Sutton Coldfield as of 1 December 1999 is 392, consisting of 162 Head Office staff and 230 Central Business Unit staff.

  Project Capital
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of work put out to consultants working on Project Capital in each of the last three years. [100285]

  Mr. Spellar
  PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed the Project Capital Accounting System Integrators in 1996. As such, they act as project managers, systems developers, implementers and advisers.

  Total payments made on these activities over the last three years were as follows:

  £

  1996–97

  10,725,000

  1997–98

  28,242,000

  1998–99

  40,279,000

  Income Support
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances service men in HM forces may receive Income Support. [100336]

  Mr. Spellar
  Service personnel are eligible to receive social security benefits paid by the DSS on the same basis as civilians. It is, however, unlikely that any service personnel would be eligible for Income Support, given the qualifying criterion requiring a claimant to be working for less than 16 hours per week.

  Type-45 Destroyers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first vessel of the Type-45 destroyer programme will be delivered; and when he expects the last one to be completed. [100757]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  On current plans, the first Type-45 destroyer will enter into service with the Royal Navy in 2007 and we expect that the last will enter service in 2014.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many, and what kind of, strike aircraft were redirected from combat air patrols to offensive operations as a result of the deployment of the HMS Invincible Task Group to the Kosovo theatre of operations. [98564]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Sea Harriers based aboard HMS Invincible conducted 102 combat air patrols. As a result, it was possible for multi-role aircraft which might otherwise have been tasked with such duties to be switched to alternative missions. Given the size and complexity of the operation, however, it is not possible to quantify precisely how many aircraft and planned missions were directly affected in this way.

  St. Malo Declaration
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discussions taking place, and the countries concerned, regarding the St. Malo declaration. [100835]

  Mr. Hoon
  At St. Malo in December 1998, the UK and France launched a major initiative aimed at building European security and defence. In conjunction with the member states of the European Union, NATO and the Western European Union, we are continuing to make good progress both in defining the improvements in capabilities needed and the necessary consultation and decision-making arrangements for responding to crises. The UK and France made a joint declaration on 25 November calling for a further decisive step to be taken at the Helsinki European Council on 10–11 December.

  RAF Menwith Hill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a minister from his Department last visited RAF Menwith Hill. [101132]
  343W
  Mr. Spellar
  Since 1 May 1997, no Minister of this Department has visited RAF Menwith Hill.

  Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are under way through the Common Foreign and Security Policy consequential to the Cologne Summit to(a) modify and (b) unify European capabilities in (i) intelligence, (ii) strategic transport, (iii) command and control and (iv) defence industries; and if he will make a statement. [100999]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are committed to strengthening Europe's military capabilities such that European nations are able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain the right mix of armed forces for specific NATO or EU-led operations.

  We believe that European nations, co-operating together, should be able to undertake the most demanding crisis management operations up to Corps level. At the UK/French Summit in November 1999, we called on European member states to commit themselves to this goal at the Helsinki European Council. Additionally, we called for capability goals to be set and established in the fields of command and control, intelligence and strategic lift, and announced some bilateral measures to enhance our capabilities in these areas.

  We also reaffirmed our conviction that strengthened European defence capabilities need to be supported by a strong and competitive European defence industry and technology.

  Further discussions on these issues will be held by the EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Helsinki on 10–11 December.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future membership and remit of the(a) political and security and (b) military committees, established at the Cologne summit. [101001]

  Mr. Hoon
  At the Cologne European Council, Heads of State and Government approved a report by the German Presidency which noted that, to support defence decision making, the EU might require a Political and Security Committee and a Military Committee.

  The membership and role of these bodies will be discussed by the EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Helsinki on 10–11 December.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the establishment of an EU (i) situation centre, (ii) satellite centre and (iii) Institute for Security Studies, with reference to(a) function, (b) budget and (c) security clearance rating. [101002]

  Mr. Hoon
  At the Cologne European Council, Heads of State and Government approved a report by the German Presidency which noted that, to support defence decision making, the EU might require a situation centre, a satellite centre and an Institute for Security Studies.
  344W
  Such bodies already exist under the auspices of the WEU. The future of these bodies, and of the relationship between the WEU and EU, will be further discussed by the EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Helsinki, on 10–11 December, and over the coming months.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the development of a central intelligence and analysis agency for the EU consequential to the Cologne Summit. [101105]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are committed to strengthening Europe's military capabilities so that European nations are able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain the right mix of armed forces for specific NATO or EU-led operations.

  The EU must be able to draw on intelligence and analysis capabilities in order to undertake a crisis management operation. We are discussing with our Allies and Partners, both in NATO and in the European Union, the best way of achieving this.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the appropriate decision-making bodies referred to in section 2 of the Cologne Presidency report on Strengthening of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. [101000]

  Mr. Hoon
  The decision-making bodies referred to in section 2 of the Cologne Presidency Report are detailed in section 3 of the same Report.

  EU Rapid Reaction Force
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries have agreed to contribute to the European Union Rapid Reaction Force; and what each nation will make available in terms of(a) personnel, (b) logistics, (c) ships, (d) aircraft, (e) artillery, (f) main battle tanks, (g) other armoured vehicles and (h) intelligence and surveillance capability. [101101]

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the UK units for tagged service within an EU framework, consequential to the Cologne Summit. [101104]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: At the recent UK/French Summit, we called on EU member states to commit themselves to being able to undertake, co-operating together, crisis management operations up to Corps level. In particular, this will mean developing the capabilities of existing national forces, from which such a deployment could be drawn case-by-case for specific NATO or EU operations. We are not creating a standing European Rapid Reaction Force.

  This proposal will be discussed by EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in Helsinki on 10–11 December. EU member states have not identified any national contributions that might be made available for EU-led operations if they agree this aim.

  HMS Ocean
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what problems have been identified with the cooking facilities and supply of hot water on HMS Ocean. [100879]
  345W
  Mr. Spellar
  No significant problems have been identified with the cooking facilities or supply of hot water on HMS Ocean.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects HMS Ocean to be in full working order; and if he will make a statement. [100878]

  Mr. Spellar
  HMS Ocean has been in operational service since 12 March 1999. While the ship has experienced some equipment difficulties, this is not unexpected in the early period of operational life. The Department, the shipbuilder and the equipment manufacturers are working together to improve reliability. This ship has met her busy operational programme.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of repairs and alterations to HMS Ocean carried out since she was handed over to his Department. [100880]

  Mr. Spellar
  This information is not readily available and I will write to the hon. Member. A copy of my reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Naval Training Establishments
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for the future of(a) HMS Collingwood, (b) HMS Centurion, (c) HMS Dryad and (d) HMS Sultan; and if he will make a statement. [100876]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has no plans which might affect HMS Collingwood, HMS Dryad, HMS Sultan and the Centurion site in the immediate future. With specific regard to Collingwood, Dryad and Sultan, these Naval training establishments form part of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency, whose Chief Executive is under a constant remit to review his estate usage to ensure efficiency targets are achieved. Accordingly, the Chief Executive has commissioned an internal strategic review to develop a number of innovative, imaginative, and far reaching options for the future of naval training and to propose the size and shape of the Agency for the future. In Portsmouth, HMS Collingwood, HMS Sultan, HMS Dryad and HMS Excellent are all being considered as part of this review.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent in each of the last three years on(a) HMS Collingwood, (b) HMS Centurion, (c) HMS Dryad and (d) HMS Sultan; and if he will make a statement. [100877]

  Mr. Spellar
  The amount of money spent on HMS Dryad, HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan over the last three years is as follows:

  £ million

  Financial Year 1996–97

  Financial Year 1997–98

  Financial Year 1998–99

  HMS

  Collingwood

  27.395

  27.472

  26.978

  HMS Dryad

  23.402

  22.255

  23.632

  HMS Sultan

  40.350

  35.404

  36.460

  346W
  These figures are the final cash outturn figures and include the cost of maintaining the buildings and equipment, major capital works (detailed separately), Service manpower costs and civilian manpower costs.

  The following sums were spent on major capital works:

  £ million

  Financial Year 1996–97

  Financial Year 1997–98

  Financial Year 1998–99

  HMS

  Collingwood

  0.183

  0.614

  1.235

  HMS Dryad

  1.063

  0.578

  0.581

  HMS Sultan

  2.259

  0.448

  0.122

  Centurion Building was transferred under a full repairing and insuring lease on 1 January 1998 to Electronic Data Systems (EDS) Defence Limited, as part of a PFI contract. The MOD has not incurred any direct costs arising from maintenance or alterations to this building since that time.

  TAVR (Solihull)
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will report progress on the securing of new premises for the sea, army and air cadets who parade at the TAVR centre in Haslucks Green Road in Shirley, Solihull. [101062]

  Mr. Spellar
  An alternative site nearby has been identified for the Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Sea Cadet Corps detachments currently based at the Territorial Army Centre, Haslucks Green Road, Shirley. A joint facility will be constructed on this site for the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps and a separate facility on the same site will be constructed for the Sea Cadet Corps. It is hoped that the new accommodation for the cadets will be completed by April 2001, and I can confirm that all three units will continue to parade at their present location until then. The Secretary of the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association will continue to keep the hon. Member informed of progress on this matter.

  RAF Chinook Crash
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the continuing involvement of the Air Accident Investigation Branch in the 1994 RAF Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre. [101195]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Air Accidents Investigation Branch are available for consultation by my officials as the need arises.

  Air-to-air Missile Contract
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the contract for the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-air Missile; [101331]

  (2) what account he has taken of the use and sales abroad of the Eurofighter in determining his decision on supplying the contract for the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-air Missile. [101332]
  347W
  Mr. Hoon
  We are currently evaluating the Best and Final Offers we have received in response to the BVRAAM competition. The evaluation will take fully into account the implications for potential sales of Eurofighter of the different proposals received, together with all other relevant factors such as missile performance, cost, industrial impact and overall value for money.

  US Army Chinook
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library reports he has received from the United States authorities relating to the US Army Chinook CH-47 barrel roll incident in 1998. [101400]

  Mr. Spellar
  No. The information that we received from the US Army Authorities about the incident was provided in confidence. I am therefore withholding it under Exemption 1c (information received in confidence from foreign governments) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Salisbury Plain
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he or his officials have had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about the extension of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site boundaries into the Salisbury Plain training area, including Robin Hood's Ball. [101399]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  My officials have not had direct discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the proposed extension of the World Heritage Site (WHS). However members of Defence Estate, Land Command and DCMS staff sit on various working groups run by English Heritage connected with the Stonehenge World Heritage Site (WHS) Management and Master Plans. A number of these groups have considered the boundaries of the World Heritage Site.

  HMS Glasgow
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how long HMS Glasgow will continue with its current deployment as part of the UN mission in East Timor; [101297]

  (2) what role HMS Glasgow and her crew have played in the humanitarian effort in East Timor. [101296]

  Mr. Hoon
  HMS Glasgow sailed to East Timor on 18 September as part of the combined Task Group, and carried-out escort duties in the initial stages of the INTERFET deployment. She landed a working party to assist the Gurkhas with humanitarian aid tasks on 25 September. The ship's medical company also came ashore to assist in the setting up of a clinic. HMS Glasgow left East Timor on 30 September, and arrived home in Portsmouth on 10 November.

  MOD Police
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of sickness hours, per 348W
  officer, per month, among MOD police as a whole in each of the last 12 months. [101639]

  Mr. Spellar
  The average number of sickness hours per Ministry of Defence police per officer per month is shown in the following table:

  Month

  Hours

  November 1998

  10.1

  December 1998

  9.8

  January 1999

  10.4

  February 1999

  9.6

  March 1999

  10.1

  April 1999

  8.6

  May 1999

  8.5

  June 1999

  9.7

  July 1999

  10.0

  August 1999

  10.0

  September 1999

  10.2

  October 1999

  10.8

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average length of employment at AWE Aldermaston of MOD police officers whose service there ended in the last five years. [101640]

  Mr. Spellar
  This information is held in files that have been archived and so I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House when it is available.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of MOD police at Aldermaston left their job(a) by retirement with immediate pension rights, (b) voluntarily, but without immediate pension rights and (c) compulsorily during (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [101641]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Percentage of officers that left their job with immediate pension rights

  2.97

  3.56

  3.38

  Percentage of officers that left their job voluntarily but without immediate pension rights

  0

  1.98

  1.35

  Percentage of officers that left compulsorily

  0

  0

  0

  The figures do not include officers that were posted away from AWE Aldermaston to other MOD police stations.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the level of Meat Hygiene Service charges. [101638]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  On 1 December, the Government announced that Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) hygiene inspection charges for the whole of 1999–2000 would be held at the levels set for 1998–99. This will result in a
  349W
  saving to the meat industry of some £7 million in charges in 1999–2000. The Government have also given a commitment that the rates of MHS hygiene inspection charges in 2000–02 should not rise by more than the level of inflation above the levels charged in 1999–2000.

  This will bring benefits across the livestock industry and demonstrates the Government's commitment to helping the sector through its present difficulties.

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many research contracts have been let by his Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included(a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100148]

  Ms Quin
  The number of research projects placed since May 1997 is 1,317. The total value of these projects is approximately £254 million. Detailed information is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Written agreements, contracts or memoranda of understanding cover all projects. The Department's policy is to encourage its contractors to make the results of research available to the public, to industry, and the wider research community, including through peer-reviewed scientific papers and a range of other routes. The Ministry's approach is that information should be released, save where disclosure would not be in the public interest. We publish details of MAFF-sponsored R & D projects on our website (www.maff.gov.uk) and copies of scientific reports are normally available on request. Overall policy on the release of Government information is set out in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. There is no requirement that contractors incorporate departmental amendments to their research results though final reports are sometimes discussed with contractors as necessary.

  BSE
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE have been confirmed in each of the last 12 months(a) in each of the Government office regions and (b) in total. [99845]

  Ms Quin
  The following table gives figures for confirmed BSE cases by month of confirmation for the last 12 months for the State Veterinary Service (SVS) regions in England together with the regional totals. For Scotland and Wales, figures are given to the end of June 1999. From 1 July 1999, provision of figures for those countries became the responsibility of the devolved administrations, so no further details or totals can be supplied.

  The total number of BSE cases confirmed in Great Britain for the year ended 31 October 1999 was 3,274.
  350W
  It must be noted that expressing cases by month of confirmation does not reflect the occurrence of disease at that particular time. The interval between slaughter of the suspect and confirmation of the disease may be six to eight weeks for routine cases, but could be considerably longer in cases where additional tests or further on-farm investigations are requested.

  The high number of confirmed cases in the first five months of 1999 is a consequence of accelerated diagnosis in order to provide material for an EU research project. Many of these would have been confirmed in April or May under normal procedures.

  Number of BSE cases confirmed in each region by month of confirmation from November 1998 to October 1999

  Month

  East

  West

  North

  Scotland

  Wales

  1998

  November

  127

  237

  175

  11

  44

  December

  47

  109

  58

  6

  13

  1999

  January

  75

  125

  91

  15

  21

  February

  78

  124

  76

  4

  15

  March

  108

  160

  112

  7

  31

  April

  49

  81

  64

  6

  15

  May

  58

  91

  40

  3

  17

  June

  43

  82

  48

  3

  15

  July

  48

  66

  52

  —

  —

  August

  35

  80

  45

  —

  —

  September

  50

  97

  63

  —

  —

  October

  61

  77

  54

  —

  —

  Total

  779

  1,329

  878

  —

  —

  Meat Labelling
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make representations to the European Commission calling for French and Belgian beef imports to be labelled with the country of origin as a guide to consumers. [99753]

  Ms Quin
  The European Commission has recently put forward proposals for an EU scheme for compulsory origin labelling of beef. These are under discussion with European partners. In principle, compulsory labelling of beef will benefit consumers but will have a cost implication for the supply chain. The Government will consider the UK position on the proposals in the light of negotiations, but in principle we see advantages in labelling.

  GM Varieties
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to use his powers to revoke any national list entries in respect of GM varieties as a result of the farm-scale GM evaluations; [99986]
  (2) what estimate he has made of the compensatory payments to which maintainers of GM varieties on the national list may be entitled upon revocation of their listing after farm-scale evaluations. [99987]

  Ms Quin
  There are no genetically modified plant varieties on the UK National List at present, so the questions do not arise.

  Food Surpluses
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the level of food surpluses in storage in each member state of the European Union, broken down by country and quantity involved. [100836]

  Cereals 21.11.1999

  Beef 31.7.1999

  SMP 25.11.1999

  Butter 25.11.1999

  Olive Oil 11.10.1999

  Wine (hectolitres) 31.10.1999

  Belgium

  131,924

  147

  6,392

  2,000

  —

  —

  Denmark

  255,035

  1,023

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Germany

  6,059,985

  117,727

  35,849

  7,953

  —

  —

  Greece

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11,974

  3,994

  Spain

  703,246

  17,126

  1,150

  11,781

  10,876

  524,799

  Ireland

  35,551

  26,690

  63,751

  13,908

  —

  —

  France

  4,487,758

  46,811

  2,276

  —

  —

  433,106

  Italy

  15,998

  6,407

  —

  3,200

  2,591

  957,482

  Luxembourg

  5,275

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Netherlands

  —

  836

  10,913

  —

  —

  —

  Austria

  16,623

  4,024

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Portugal

  —

  434

  —

  3,364

  —

  48,000

  Finland

  41,297

  —

  2,212

  1,368

  —

  —

  Sweden

  250,352

  —

  11,643

  —

  —

  —

  UK

  395,502

  50,154

  64,765

  6,870

  —

  —

  Totals

  12,398,546

  271,377

  199,401

  50,444

  25,441

  1,967,381

  French Turkeys
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a Government health warning will be issued on the risk of E. Coli and salmonella poisoning from eating French turkeys without adequate precautions. [101078]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The risk of food poisoning from poultry can be avoided by observing the simple rules of food hygiene, in accordance with on-going Government advice. We have no evidence to indicate that turkeys from France pose any greater risk than turkeys from elsewhere.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantity of turkey meat has been imported from France in each of the past three years; and what is the estimate for 1999. [101075]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: Official Overseas Trade Statistics show that UK imports of turkey carcase meat, offal and meat and offal preparations from France during 1996–98 and January to August 1999 were as shown in the table.

  Tonnes

  Turkey imports from France

  1996

  1997

  1998

  11999

  Carcase meat (whole birds and cuts)

  27,370

  25,453

  19,175

  7,766

  Meat and offal preparations

  384

  747

  746

  407

  Offal

  161

  389

  196

  120

  Total

  27,915

  26,588

  20,117

  8,293

  1 January-August

  It is not possible to make an accurate forecast of 1999 imports, since the September to December period accounts for a major, but not constant, proportion of annual imports (over 60 per cent. in 1998). However,
  352W
  Ms Quin
  The latest figures where available, for intervention stocks for each member state, are broken down as follows (figures quoted in tonnes unless otherwise stated):

  overall turkey imports from France during January to August 1999 were nearly 5 per cent. higher than for the same period in 1998.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are made on the welfare standards of turkeys imported from France. [101077]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: It is for the French authorities to check the welfare standards under which turkeys are reared in France against any relevant standards set by French law. The welfare of turkeys and all animals during transport is protected by the requirements of Council Directive 91/628/EEC as amended by Council Directive 95/29/EEC. This Directive is implemented in Great Britain by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 and enforced by local authorities.

  Pig Farmers
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with the EU on measures to offer price or income support to British pig farmers. [101068]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: None, as direct payments and similar supports to producers are not part of the CAP pigmeat regime. However, we have pressed the European Commission to reopen the aids to private storage of pigmeat scheme and to reinstate special refunds on exports of fresh and frozen pig carcases and cuts to Russia. Officials in the Department have also discussed with the European Commission the costs faced by British pig producers because of BSE and the possibility of introducing a pig offal disposal scheme.

  Zinc Bacitracin
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the effect of
  353W
  the suspension of the use of zinc bacitracin in animal feed on the incidence of necrotic enteritis and choloangiohepatitis in poultry. [98445]

  Ms Quin
  There are three authorised antimicrobial growth promoters still available for use in poultry production, with similar effects on the gut flora of poultry to that of bacitracin. Necrotic enteritis and choloangiohepatitis are not notifiable diseases and therefore statistics on their incidence cannot be provided.

  Farm-based Tourism
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has(a) initiated and (b) received concerning the obstacles to developing farm-based tourism; what action he is taking as a result of these studies; and what funds are available to him to support such action. [100271]

  Mr. Morley
  No such studies have been initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Government's Tourism Strategy "Tomorrow's Tourism", launched earlier this year, recognises tourism's role in maintaining the viability of farm businesses. The European Council Rural Development Regulation (1257/1999), which applies from 2000, enables member states to support projects to encourage tourist and craft activities, among other things. A decision on the implementation of the Regulation will be made shortly. Schemes to provide advice and support for those farmers contemplating farm-based tourism have been supported through Objective 5b Schemes. These close at the end of the year.

PRIME MINISTER

  Minister for Youth
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Government will appoint a Minister for Youth. [99468]

  The Prime Minister
  While I keep ministerial responsibilities under regular review, I have no current plans to do so. Ministers in several Departments have responsibilities in this area, and work together on cross-departmental policies for young people.

  Royal Gifts
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the gifts received by Her Majesty the Queen and registered as Government property since 1969. [100327]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 January 1998, Official Report, column 722W.

  Representation of the People Bill
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Prime Minister if the Home Office has been given an exemption from his instruction to all Departments to undertake and publish a regulatory impact study of the financial and other effects of all proposed Government legislation, with particular reference to the Representation of the People Bill. [100676]
  354W
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: No. A regulatory impact statement relating to the Representation of the People Bill was placed in the Library on 18 November to coincide with the Bill's introduction.

  Gold Reserves
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 24 November 1999,Official Report, columns 613–14, who gave the advice to him and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which he referred and which led them to instruct the Bank of England to sell more than half of Britain's gold reserves. [100523]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Bank of England provided technical advice on the portfolio risks associated with gold and other assets, and the various techniques for selling gold.

  Cologne Council
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the exchanges held with the President of the European Parliament at the Cologne Council. [101018]

  The Prime Minister
  The then President of the European Parliament, Jose Maria Gil-Robles, addressed the first session of the Cologne European Council, setting out the European Parliament's views on the main issues for discussion.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the form of changes required in work organisation and working time for the creation of jobs, as stated in section 10 of the Presidency Conclusions of the Cologne Summit. [101022]

  The Prime Minister
  The Presidency Conclusions of the Cologne European Council"invited the Commission and the member states to examine whether and how to … make changes in work organisation and working time help generate new jobs",
  as well as examining other areas. The Finnish Presidency held a conference on working time and work organisation in Helsinki on 11–12 October.

  The Government believe that companies themselves are best placed to achieve changes in the organisation of work within the framework of minimum standards established by Government. The Government support fair minimum standards on working time, but we do not believe that there is a fixed amount of work in the economy and, therefore, do not consider that reducing working time for individuals will increase employment as a whole.

  The Government are promoting a family friendly employment rights agenda which will help both women and men to combine work with family commitments. In turn, this will help employers to attract a diverse range of people who can fit the different working patterns required for the modern economy.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister when the European Council will release to the public, pursuant to section 36 of the Cologne Presidency Conclusions, a report on global year 2000 preventative measures. [101014]
  355W
  The Prime Minister
  As a result of the Cologne European Council the European Commission set up a High Level Working Group to look at cross border Y2K issues. The group has met regularly and has discussed a wide range of issues. The Commission issued a report on 26 November (COM 1999 639 final), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister in connection (1) with what areas the Government expects extension of qualified majority voting will be raised during the forthcoming intergovernmental conference; and what is his Government's policy thereon; [101024]

  (2) in what areas the Government support an extension of qualified majority voting at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference. [101025]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 November 1999,Official Report, column 486W.

  European Employment Pact
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what measures are planned under the three pillars of the European Employment Pact; if Parliament will be consulted; and what budget lines and finances will be available. [101019]

  The Prime Minister
  The European Employment Pact agreed at the Cologne European Council on 3–4 June 1999 brought together three processes. Two of these were the existing Luxembourg employment process and the Cardiff economic reform process. The third, new element was the macro-economic dialogue, termed the "Cologne process". The dialogue takes place biannually among social partners and fiscal and employment policy makers from existing institutions and considers the interaction between economic and employment policies.

  All elements of the Pact are subject to the usual Parliamentary Scrutiny procedures. The Pact is an amalgam of three processes and therefore there are no new budget lines.

  "Youth and Europe—Our Future"
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his Government's policy towards developing EU action, pursuant to the memorandum, "Youth and Europe—Our Future"; and what type of projects are envisaged. [101020]

  The Prime Minister
  The memorandum "Youth and Europe—Our Future" was produced during the German Presidency of the Council of Ministers. It described a number of measures which, in the Presidency's view, would contribute to increasing the employability of young people in Europe. The Government welcomed this initiative and would consider on their merits any proposals for EU action that the European Commission or members states might put forward.

  Downing Street Discussions
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names of those present at the discussions at No. 10 Downing street on the evening of 21 October 1997. [101207]
  356W
  The Prime Minister
  As with previous Governments, it is not my practice to provide details of private meetings.

  Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the cost of servicing the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee in the last year for which figures are available. [101211]

  The Prime Minister
  No separate costs for the servicing of the Joint Consultative Committee are identified.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what rules of confidentiality apply to non-ministerial members of the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee concerning discussions in that forum. [101213]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 20 January 1999,Official Report, column 485W.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister who sits on the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee. [101210]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Clarke) on 21 October 1998,Official Report, columns 1123–35W.

  EU Commissioners
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the timetable for the handover of Commissioner portfolios from the temporary incumbents. [101017]

  The Prime Minister
  The new Commission was sworn in on 17 September.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has received the review of the Social Exclusion Unit; and if he will make a statement. [101681]

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister what reviews have taken place of the work of the Social Exclusion unit since its inception; and what decisions have been taken on the long-term future of the unit. [100696]

  The Prime Minister
  I established the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) in December 1997. Its remit is to help improve Government action to reduce social exclusion by producing"joined up solutions to joined up problems".

  Most of its work is on specific projects, chosen by me following consultation with other Ministers and suggestions from interested groups.

  Since its inception, the unit has focused on the following priorities: truancy and school exclusion, rough sleeping, poor neighbourhoods, teenage pregnancy and 16–18-year-olds not in employment, education or training. The unit has reported to me on each, with a full analysis

  357W
  of the problem and concrete recommendations for action, all of which I have accepted. These are now Government policy and are being implemented.

  I announced in December 1998 that, as the unit was set up on a time-limited basis, its success would be reviewed in the summer 1999, and a decision announced about its longer term future and work programme.

  During the summer, this review was undertaken by KPMG, working with members of the SEU. The review took evidence and opinions in writing and face to face with a large number of individuals and organisations with an interest in the work of the unit. The review has now reported to me and the full review report will be published to coincide with this announcement.

  The consultation showed that there is overwhelming support for the continued existence of the SEU, and a widespread belief that it has been a success in terms of operation and its effect on wider Government policy, although it is too early to judge the impact of the SEU on the ground.

  In particular, the quality of the unit's reports was considered exceptional and its working practices, with a mix of civil service and external staff, was seen as a strength. The approach could be used more widely across the whole of Government. It is also clear that the unit's work has done much to raise the profile of social exclusion as a policy issue within and outside Government.

  It is clear from both from the quality of the unit's work and its impact so far that there is a role for it to play for some years to come. I have therefore decided that it will continue in existence, and be reviewed again at the end of 2002.

  In the short term, I have set the unit the following new priorities as a result of this review. They are:
  to complete the current programme of work to develop the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal, including oversight of the work of the 18 policy action teams. The unit will be closely involved in establishing the arrangements for implementation of the strategy after it is announced in the summer of 2000;
  to work closely with HM Treasury and other Government Departments to ensure that the 2000 spending review reflects the priority the Government gives to tackling poverty and social exclusion; and
  to bolster the arrangements for monitoring implementation of past reports. I have asked the Minister for the Cabinet Office to chair the Ministerial Network on Social Exclusion, which will be given a new remit to chase progress across Government on implementation of past SEU reports, as well as acting as an informal sounding board for the unit's future work programme. I have also expanded the Network's membership to enable it to meet this new remit.

  The membership of the Ministerial Network is:
  Mo Mowlam (chair), Cabinet Office
  Wendy Alexander MSP, The Scottish Executive, Development Department
  Hilary Armstrong, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
  Paul Boateng, Home Office
  Yvette Cooper, Department of Health
  358W
  Lord Falconer, Cabinet Office
  Patricia Hewitt, Department of Trade and Industry
  Kate Hoey, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  Jane Hutt AM, National Assembly for Wales, Health and Social Services
  Estelle Morris, Department for Education and Employment
  Jeff Rooker, Department of Social Security
  Andrew Smith, HM Treasury
  Baroness Blackstone, Department for Education and Employment

  Arrangements for Network representation from Northern Ireland will be announced shortly.

  I will announce a new work programme for the unit in the summer of 2000, once it has finished its current project to develop the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal.

  The full review report will be placed in the Library and on the SEU website.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Restraining Equipment
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department takes the United Nations' Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners into account before granting export licences for oversize cuffs, jumbo cuffs and other restraining equipment. [98542]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 23 November 1999, Official Report, columns 84–85W.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total number of jobs(a) created and (b) safeguarded by inward investment projects in the areas covered by each of the Government Offices for the Regions in each year since 1996. [100463]

  Mr. Caborn
  The figures in the table are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of the decision to invest in the UK. They are based on the companies' best estimate, at that time, of the number of jobs to be created/safeguarded by the investment in its first three years.

  There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, the relevant Regional Development Agency in England or the Government Office were involved or which have come to their notice.

  Region

  Number of projects

  Total new jobs

  Total safe jobs

  Total associated jobs

  1996–97

  East

  9

  925

  470

  1,395

  East Midlands

  23

  1,343

  4,770

  6,113

  London

  40

  2,711

  1,205

  3,916

  North East

  46

  3,089

  4,529

  7,618

  359W

  Region

  Number of projects

  Total new jobs

  Total safe jobs

  Total associated jobs

  North West

  46

  1,556

  3,032

  4,588

  South East

  46

  3,775

  2,756

  6,531

  South West

  30

  2,504

  8,922

  11,232

  West

  Midlands

  76

  4,350

  15,351

  19,701

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  36

  1,887

  3,503

  5,390

  Total

  306

  22,140

  44,538

  33,378

  1997–98

  East

  33

  935

  17,744

  18,679

  East Midlands

  18

  1,686

  758

  2,444

  London

  62

  2,898

  444

  3,342

  North East

  47

  2,649

  9,890

  12,539

  North West

  71

  4,944

  7,277

  12,221

  South East

  57

  5,534

  7,482

  13,016

  South West

  40

  3,205

  1,735

  4,940

  UK

  3

  175

  0

  175

  West

  Midlands

  81

  5,641

  12,546

  18,187

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  65

  2,874

  15,131

  18,005

  Total

  477

  30,541

  73,007

  103,548

  1998–99

  East

  41

  1,411

  2,575

  3,986

  East Midlands

  19

  2,096

  730

  2,826

  London

  100

  4,025

  1,796

  5,821

  North East

  35

  2,304

  6,953

  9,257

  North West

  66

  3,249

  9,123

  12,372

  South East

  74

  4,597

  13,957

  18,554

  South West

  34

  7,908

  1,417

  4,423

  UK

  2

  50

  5,800

  5,850

  West

  Midlands

  71

  5,478

  9,323

  14,801

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  84

  3,543

  18,372

  21,915

  Total

  526

  34,661

  70,046

  104,707

  Government Offices for the Regions
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed at each of the Government Offices for the Regions; and what are their annual administration costs. [100465]

  Mr. Caborn
  The number of staff in post in each Government Office at 1 November 1999 and their administrative costs for the 1998–99 financial year are as follows:

  Staff

  Administrative costs (£000)

  South East

  245

  8,561

  South West

  213

  6,985

  London

  378

  13,238

  North East

  254

  8,619

  North West

  407

  13,702

  East Midlands

  229

  6,754

  360W

  Staff

  Administrative costs (£000)

  West Midlands

  268

  9,474

  East of England

  190

  6,269

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  266

  8,684

  Post Offices
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices were closed or relocated in(a) the Vale of Glamorgan and (b) Wales in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [100475]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that the numbers of post offices closed or relocated in Wales since 1997 are as follows:

  Closed

  Relocated

  1997

  23

  12

  1998

  27

  8

  1999 to date

  24

  1

  The Post Office tell me that they do not hold such information on a Parliamentary constituency basis.

  Arms Exports
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates have been made of the financial costs to Her Majesty's Government of promoting or providing financial cover for arms exports for the current financial year. [100581]

  Mr. Caborn
  No specific estimate is made for defence claims however £400.8 million is included in our published estimates this financial year to cover all claims payments.

  All claims are recoverable. Authorised claims during the financial year to end September 1999 amount to £128.7 million of which £59.9 million are defence related.

  Small Business Service
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much the resources of the Small Business Service will be reduced as a result of his decision not to establish a payroll service as an integral part of the Small Business Service. [100739]

  Ms Hewitt
  The level of resources for the Small Business Service will be considered over the next few months.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the advice given to the Small Businesses Service on how to enhance co-operative forms and businesses and small enterprise. [101070]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: There is no separate advice specifically for co-operatives. The

  361W
  Small Business Service, through the network of Business Link franchises, will provide advice and business support services to help all types of small and medium-sized enterprises.

  WTO (China)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy towards the accession of China to the WTO, indicating the role accorded to human rights issues. [101107]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government will continue to support the European Commission's efforts to negotiate an agreement with China regarding the terms of its accession to the World Trade Organisation. We will be seeking to ensure that the Commission's approach to that negotiation continues to take into account the interests in the Chinese market of UK exporters and investors, both actual and potential, and maintains the integrity of the WTO as a multilateral system of rules agreed by and equally applicable to all members.

  The Government believe that a more liberal approach to international trade and membership of the World Trade Organisation will bring benefits to, and improve living standards in, the Chinese economy and that social, environmental and political improvements in China will follow as a result. The Government fully support China's accession on the terms outlined above and looks forward to her becoming a WTO member in the near future.

  EU-US Trade Relations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the form of the early warning system for the resolution of disputes under the Transatlantic Dialogue, referred to in section 84 of the Cologne Conclusions; and which institutions are involved in that dialogue. [101108]

  Mr. Caborn
  A joint statement on an early warning mechanism was agreed at the EU/US Summit in Bonn on 21 June 1999. Both sides underlined the need to identify, provide early warning of, and facilitate the resolution of, potential bilateral EU/US disputes. Any side may raise with the other any issue that might have an impact on EU/US relations. The two principal groups in which this dialogue and exchange of information takes place are the Transatlantic Economic Partnership Steering Group and the New Transatlantic Agenda Task Force. Co-ordinating this work, the Senior Level Group of officials reviews early-warning items in preparation for the six-monthly EU/US Summits. The Transatlantic Legislators' Business, Consumer, Environment and Labour Dialogues have also been invited to contribute to the process by identifying problems and offering proposals for resolution.

  ECGD
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of ECGD cover was made available to(a) the aerospace industry, (b) sales of military aircraft, (c) sales of defence-related equipment and (d) civil aircraft sales, in each of the last five years. [100509]
  362W
  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 1 December 1999]: The table lists by financial year the percentage of ECGD cover made available for each of the sectors requested.

  Business by Financial Year—Percentage split by type of business

  Percentage

  Military business

  Non-military business

  Aircraft

  Non-aircraft

  Aerospace

  Non-aerospace

  1994–95

  2.49

  18.33

  32.91

  46.27

  1995–96

  10.22

  12.49

  17.43

  59.86

  1996–97

  9.16

  6.50

  28.59

  55.75

  1997–98

  6.96

  16.22

  23.98

  52.84

  1998–99

  30.67

  20.74

  21.68

  26.91

  Note:

  Underlying business figures have been converted to Sterling equivalents at 31 October 1999 exchange rates.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was(a) the value of receipts to and (b) the value of payments from the ECGD in connection with aerospace projects for businesses receiving ECGD cover, in each of the last five financial years. [100508]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 1 December 1999]: The information requested is available only since 1996. The details are as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  (a)

  (b)

  1996–97

  26.9

  10.8

  1997–98

  58.8

  4.5

  1998–99

  38.0

  23.1

  1999–2000 to 30 September

  12.3

  55.5

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the value to the UK economy of the work of the ECGD over the last 10 years. [100510]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 1 December 1999]: No formal estimate of the value to the UK economy of ECGD's activities has been made in the last 10 years. However, since the privatisation of ECGD's short term business operations in 1991, the Department has facilitated approximately £30 billion of capital goods and project exports for UK exporters.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the ECGD's Annual Report and Trading Accounts for 1998–99. [101474]

  Mr. Byers
  The Report and Accounts were laid before the House this morning. I am pleased to say that they demonstrate once more that British exporters, with Government support, have been successful in winning valuable overseas orders, despite 1998–99 being a difficult period for the global economy. Furthermore, they show that ECGD's finances are in a very healthy position, which must be good news for their ability to support further business while protecting the interests of the taxpayer.

  Postage Rates (SMEs)
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the
  363W
  costs to small and medium-sized business enterprises trading in Europe of the increase in letter postage rates from the United Kingdom to Europe over the last six months. [101189]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Changes to postage tariffs are primarily a matter for the Post Office in consultation with the Post Office Users' National Council (POUNC) to whom the Post Office is statutorily required to refer major proposals for comment. The proposals are formally notified to my Department at the same time as they are referred to POUNC. The increase was prompted by increasing handling costs and is in line with the agreement, set out in the European Postal Services Directive, that prices should be geared to costs. It is still one of the cheapest rates in Europe.

  Internet Shopping
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on small businesses of fraudulent Internet transactions. [101323]

  Ms Hewitt
  Encouraging small businesses to use the Internet is a key part of the Government's commitment to making the UK the best place for e-commerce by 2002. We will monitor closely issues such as Internet fraud which may affect them.

  The Government are working with the industry and consumers groups, in consultation with the OFT to develop a new body called TrustUK to accredit e-commerce codes and a "hallmark" that accredited codes may use on their websites. TrustUK will be operational by early next year.

  The Electronic Communications Bill promotes high quality cryptography services which will allow people to have more confidence about whom they are dealing with on the Internet and to protect the confidentiality of data (e.g. payment details). The Government welcome the proposals by the Alliance for Electronic Business to meet the objectives of Part I of the Bill and ensure the appropriate standards for such services through accreditation under its T-scheme.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his Department has issued to consumers regarding security of financial details when shopping on the Internet. [101324]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department has published general advice on its website (http://www2.dti.gov.uk/cacp/ca/supply2.htm) about the precautions consumers should take when they shop on-line. This includes checking that businesses offer secure payment facilities.

  DTI's Consumer Gateway (http://www.consumer.gov.uk) provides links to a range of consumer websites, including ones such as that run by the Office of Fair Trading, which offer detailed advice about shopping electronically.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies have been reported to his Department for attempting to evade the national minimum wage. [101300]
  364W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Over 3,400 complaints of non-compliance have been received to date by the National Minimum Wage Helpline.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to uprate the national minimum wage annually; and if he will make a statement. [101480]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have no plans to uprate the national minimum wage annually. As with its introduction, any changes to the minimum wage rates will be made sensibly and taking account of the economic circumstances prevailing at the time.

SCOTLAND

  Maintained Schools
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent per pupil in maintained schools in Scotland in each year for each of the last 20 years. [98578]

  Dr. Reid
  The available information is given in the table. Education in Scotland is now a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Net current expenditure per pupil in local authority schools

  £

  Year

  Expenditure per pupil

  1979–80

  649

  1980–81

  838

  1981–82

  974

  1982–83

  1,069

  1983–84

  1,155

  1984–85

  1,223

  1985–86

  1,293

  1986–87

  1,426

  1987–88

  1,587

  1988–89

  1,753

  1989–90

  1,938

  1990–91

  2,098

  1991–92

  2,252

  1992–93

  2,385

  1993–94

  2,377

  1994–95

  2,421

  1995–96

  2,496

  1996–97

  2,510

  1997–981

  2,537

  1 Due to changes in funding arrangements for pre-school provision, the nursery component for 1997–98 includes an estimated expenditure element.

  Notes:

  1. The per pupil figure relates to nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  2. The figures are net current expenditure excluding costs of home to school transport, school meals, education authority central administration costs, and loan and leasing changes.

  3. Figures derived from local authority financial returns (LFR 1).

  Post Office
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the principal activities of his Department and its agencies which provide business for(a) Crown post offices and (b) other post offices; if he will assess

  365W
  whether the level of business generated in each case is likely to increase or decrease over the next five years; and which new areas of business for post offices are likely to be developed by his Department and its agencies over the same period. [99553]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Scotland Office currently has no activities which provide business for Crown or other post offices and I do not expect the position to change significantly over the next five years.

  No specific areas of new business for post offices are foreseen but the targets for electronic delivery of services (50 per cent. by 2005, 100 per cent. by 2008) represent a real opportunity for additional business for the Post Office network across all public services delivered by central or local Government.

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been spent by his Department on external consultants and advisers since May 1997 funded from (i) his Department's programme provision and (ii) his Department's running costs. [99493]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 November 1999, Official Report, columns 626–27W. All expenditure by my Department on external consultants since May 1997 has been funded from running costs provision.

  Highlands and Islands
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his liaison role in respect of the future of oil fabrication in the Highlands and Islands. [101439]

  Mr. Wilson
  I am, of course, extremely concerned about the impact of the job losses announced by Barmac, and the situation faced by all UK oil fabrication yards. These are issues being addressed by the oil and Gas Industry Task Force, of which I am a member. As agreed at its meeting last week, plans are already under way for a group to meet as soon as possible to clarify how they can together best help the industry adapt to the changes in the market.

  This is being copied for information to the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West (Mr. Kennedy).

  Barmac Oil
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the management and unions at the Barmac oil fabrication yards. [101438]

  Mr. Wilson
  I will be meeting representatives of the management and work force of Barmac later this week. The Government and the Scottish Executive will continue to work together closely to tackle the problems resulting from the lack of new construction orders for oil fabrication yards.

  This is being copied for information to the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West (Mr. Kennedy).

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Clay Pigeon Shooting
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Government funding is made available for research into(a) materials used and (b) safety procedures for clay pigeon shooting. [100667]

  Kate Hoey
  None. The Government have not been asked to fund any such research.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the breakdown is by region of the number of tickets to the Millennium Dome sold within the first eight weeks for which tickets were on sale. [99334]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: Ticket sales and reservations are running ahead of NMEC's expectations. They passed the one million mark on 10 November. In February 2000 NMEC will release information about attendance at the Dome during January, and on a monthly basis thereafter.

  Visitor Attractions
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people visited Britain's visitor attractions in 1998; and what is his estimate of the number of visitors in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [101159]

  Janet Anderson
  In 1998 there were 408 million visits to 6,164 tourist attractions across the UK.

  My Department has no figures or forecasts for the number of visits to tourist attractions in 1999 or 2000. The British Tourist Authority has forecast that the number of holidays taken in the UK (by domestic or overseas visitors) will be over 10 per cent. higher in 2000 than in 1998. This suggests that there will be a strong demand for tourist attractions in 2000.

  EU Recycling Directive
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account he has taken of the EU Directive on Recycling in setting the terms of reference for his working party for the digital switch-over. [100863]

  Janet Anderson
  We have not set up a working party for digital switch-over, but we will be formally reviewing progress on availability and affordability of digital services every two years with industry, regulators and consumer groups. We expect many analogue television sets to be replaced by digital sets as part of the normal cycle of set replacement. Analogue sets need not be scrapped as they can be converted to digital by using a set top box.

  Museum Staff
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people were employed in Britain's museums(a) in each of the past 20 years, (b) on 10 July 1997 and (c) on the most recent date available. [101312]
  367W
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The most recent (1998) survey by the Digest of Museum Statistics (DOMUS) reports that 12,590 paid permanent staff (full-time equivalent), 2,775 paid temporary staff (full-time equivalent) and 25,506 volunteers were employed in 1,188 museums that responded to the survey. The 1997 DOMUS survey reported 11,245 paid permanent staff (full-time equivalent), 2,358 paid temporary staff (full-time equivalent) and 20,120 volunteers in 1,214 museums that responded to the survey. In July 1999 there were 1,761 museums with full or provisional registration. I am not aware of reliable or comparable figures that could be used to estimate the numbers over the previous 18 years.

WALES

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what motor mileage allowance rates his Department offers to(a) ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98714]

  Mr. Murphy
  Ministers travelling on official business may use a private car instead of an official car, and claim the mileage allowance in the same circumstances and on the same terms as civil servants in my Department, at the rates set out below:Cars with engine capacity up to 1500cc is 35p per mile for the first 4,000 miles in a year, and 20p per mile thereafter in that year.
  Cars with engine capacity between 1501cc-2000cc is 45p per mile for the first 4,000 miles in a year, and 25p per mile thereafter in that year.
  Cars with engine capacity over 2000cc is 48p per mile for the first 4,000 miles in a year, and 32p per mile thereafter in that year.
  A Public Transport Rate of 23.8p per mile is payable when a private car is used although there are more cost-effective modes of transport available.
  Figures are not available before financial year 1996–97. For the years since then there may be an unidentified mix of expenditure, but as nearly as can be determined the costs of motor mileage for Ministers and civil servants have been as follows:

  £

  Ministers

  Civil Servants

  For the Welsh Office

  1996–97

  9,555

  293,792

  1997–98

  5,252

  326,925

  1998–99

  9,424

  389,408

  1 April 1999–30 June 1999

  1,006

  112,269

  For the Wales Office, following devolution

  1 July 1999–20 November 1999

  575

  1,179

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on civil servants' transport in each of the last two years. [98713]

  Mr. Murphy
  All travel undertaken by civil servants complies with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer provided by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 1 December 1999,Official Report, column 256W.
  368W
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on ministerial transport in each of the last two years. [98712]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Ministers are required, under the terms of the 'Ministerial Code' and 'Travel by Ministers' to make efficient and cost effective travel arrangements. For information on spend on the Government Car Service, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 1 December 1999,Official Report, columns 255–256W.

  Post Office
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the principal activities of his Department and its agencies which provide business for(a) Crown post offices and (b) other post offices; if he will assess whether the level of business generated in each case is likely to increase or decrease over the next five years; and which new areas of business for post offices are likely to be developed by his Department and its agencies over the same period. [99552]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department uses the postal services for routine correspondence, but does not normally undertake any other activities which provide business for either Crown post offices or other post offices. It is not possible to assess whether levels of correspondence will either increase or decrease substantially over the next five years, and currently no specific new areas of business for post offices seem likely to be developed by my Department.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of households in Wales were workless at the latest date for which figures are available. [98494]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Labour Force Survey (Spring 1999) estimated the percentage of households in Wales of which no-one was in employment at 22 per cent.—based on households with at least one person of working age.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the locations in Wales where consent has been given for genetically modified crop planting. [100898]

  Mr. Hanson
  There were four applications to release Genetically Modified crops at sites in Wales in 1998, two at Whitehouse Farm, Newcastle, Monmouthshire and two at Great Cumberland Farm, Llanishen near Chepstow. Crops were sown at the former and harvested in September last year. At the other site, the farmer subsequently withdrew his application and no sowing took place.

  Since then there have been no further applications in Wales.

  Since May this year, applications for the release and marketing of GMOs in Wales are made to the National Assembly for Wales.

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many research contracts have been let by his Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included(a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100158]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The term "research" covers a wide range of activities from scientific and engineering research through to consultancies and public opinion surveys. The information requested is not held centrally by my Department, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fraud
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what new initiatives he intends to introduce to reduce the amount of fraud in claiming social security payments. [101418]

  Mr. Rooker
  We set out our strategy for combating fraud and reducing error in "Safeguarding Social Security", published on 23 March 1999. We are putting this strategy into practice with strong and sensible safeguards to ensure the right money goes to the right people. Among the new initiatives that carry this wish forward are the following:New more robust powers for fraud inspectors in The Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill published on 1 December. These provisions give greater clarity and allow all benefit fraud investigations to proceed on the basis of common powers.
  All payments will move to automated credit transfer (ACT) from 2003 as a modern, more secure and efficient method of paying benefits. This will virtually eliminate "instrument of payment" fraud and enhance security over the life of a claim. This is expected to yield annual fraud savings of around £140 million.

  Project

  Start date

  Planned completion date

  Planned cost (£ million)

  IT projects in development stage

  DSS Year 2000 Programme10

  1 July 1997

  31 March 2000

  142.7

  Site Backbone Upgrade2,10

  November 1999

  June 2000

  5.8

  DSS Corporate Intranet

  June 1999

  March 2001

  31.2

  CSA Operations Re-organisation Project (ORP)

  May 1998

  31 March 2000

  23.4

  Decision Making and Appeals

  3 February 1998

  29 November 1999

  32

  Working Families Tax Credit

  1 April 1998

  22 February 2000

  47.7

  Data Protection/Freedom of Information Act(s)

  18 November 1998

  1 December 2001

  55.1

  Resource Accounting and Budgeting

  1 September 1998

  31 October 2000

  1.5

  Devolution (Scotland)

  1 April 1998

  31 March 2000

  2.8

  PSCS/INCAP—Changes to SDA (SDA Reform)

  11 January 1999

  1 April 2001

  3.5

  Disability Living Allowance Administrative Reforms

  20 April 1999

  8—

  70.1

  Order Book Control Service (OBCS)—National Rollout Project

  5 July 1999

  91 April 2005

  9.3

  IT projects in the planning stage

  HQ Stakeholder Pensions Project4, 10

  December 1998

  April 2001

  34

  Child Support Reforms New Rules Implementation5, 10

  January 1999

  2003

  6—

  Bereavement Benefits10

  1 January 1999

  30 April 2001

  17

  370W
  A regional radio campaign, from 1 November, costing some £500,000, with supporting adverts in local newspapers, to advertise the Benefit Fraud Hotline. This has led to thousands of extra calls to the Hotline.

  Industrial Injuries Policy Group
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when he expects the Benefits Agency's Industrial Injuries Policy Group will offer guidance to the agency in respect of the aggregation of life gratuities once the seven year period has elapsed arising from the case law CI/522/93, CI/1698/97 and CI/4766/97; [101046]

  (2) on how many occasions and over what period of time the Benefits Agency's Industrial Injuries Policy Group has discussed guidance to be offered to the agency arising from case law CI/1522/93, CI/1698/97 and CI/4766/97. [101047]

  Mr. Bayley
  We are considering the implications of Commissioners' decisions CI/522/93, CI/1698/98 and CI/4766/97 which are about the aggregation of disablement assessments for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit which have been compensated by life gratuities. Once we have considered the decisions, the Benefits Agency will issue guidance to District Offices.

  Departmental IT Projects
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the information technology projects being undertaken by his Department and agencies responsible to his Department, including(a) the start date, (b) the planned completion date, (c) the current expected completion date, (d) the planned cost and (e) the current estimated cost; and if he will make a statement. [99628]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. The information that is available is in the table.

  The projects listed are those currently being undertaken by the Department where the IT cost exceeds £5 million. Also listed are lesser value projects with an IT content that are deemed to be critical to the Department's business.
  371W

  Project

  Start date

  Planned completion date

  Planned cost (£ million)

  Payment Modernisation Programme10

  21 May 1999

  31 December 2005

  240

  AMS(P) Pensions Forecasting Project

  19 January 1999

  31 March 2001

  20.1

  State Second Pension (S2P)

  1 December 1999

  30 April 2002

  25.5

  Jobseeker's Allowance—New Deal for Partners of the Unemployed

  1 October 1998

  1 April 2000

  6.4

  Strategic Debt Solution Project

  1 September 1999

  1 October 2000

  3.9

  IT procurement projects

  ACCORD IS/IT Supply Programme (Office and Networks)

  June 1999

  April 2000

  750+

  Associated projects

  ITSA Strategic Outsourcing Project

  12 October 1999

  2000

  6—

  1 The planned Departmental cost is now £43.2 million. This is within the cost tolerance set by Treasury at +/- 5 per cent. or £1 million.

  2 "Site backbone" is the name given to the network components, hardware and software which provide high-speed volume connections between individual elements of the Departmental sites and into the Wide Area Networks linking the sites.

  3 Business case not yet approved.

  4 While this Department is funding the project, the IT is being provided by the Inland Revenue contract with EDS and their contract with NIRS2.

  5 This is also a procurement project.

  6 Not yet quantifiable; business case currently under development.

  7 Business case not yet approved. Costs likely to be in excess of £50 million

  8 Ongoing—end date not known

  9 Latest

  10 "*" denotes projects with IT cost exceeding £5 million

  Social Security Helplines
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all the social security helplines, with the number of calls received over the latest 12 month period. [99914]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Number of calls to social security helplines received during the period 1 October 1998 to 30 September 1999

  Enquiry line

  Number of calls

  Benefit Enquiry Line

  1,200,000

  CSA National Enquiry Line

  2,857,171

  DLA Helpline

  5,094,316

  Family Credit Helpline

  3,546,876

  Pensions Direct

  751,063

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit Information Helpline

  98,756

  Overseas Telephone Liaison

  1—

  Child Benefit Enquiry Line

  2,174,715

  War Pensions Helpline

  551,767

  Winter Fuel Helpline

  200,847

  CSA Client Helpline

  2,919,626

  Total

  19,395,137

  1Figure unavailable

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that local authorities carry out adequate checks on housing benefit claimants in order to reduce the amount of bogus claims. [101419]

  Mr. Rooker
  We inherited a flawed system which placed far too much emphasis on the detection of fraud once it had occurred. Working in partnership with local authorities, we are transforming the delivery of Housing Benefit by emphasising the importance of getting it right to begin with and keeping it right during the life of a claim.
  372W
  We are financing local authorities to focus on both the prevention and detection of fraud with the introduction of the Verification Framework. The Framework specifies the evidence which must be verified before a claim can be paid and sets out the checks which must be made during the life of a claim. We have made £100 million available to allow all local authorities to implement this important new initiative. So far, we have funded the implementation of the Framework in 223 local authorities. We want all local authorities to adopt the high standards set by the Framework and we have embarked on a programme to increase its take up, particularly among the highest spending authorities.

  From 6 September 1999, with the application of Section 19 of the Fraud Act, all new claims for Housing Benefit are subject to tough new identity checks to ensure that all claimants can be linked with the appropriate National Insurance number.

  As part of our strategy to ensure that local authorities have in place arrangements for the secure and accurate administration of Housing Benefit, we have instructed the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate to focus their attention on the 30 largest local authorities who between them account for almost a third of the total expenditure on Housing and Council Tax Benefit. These authorities will have been inspected or revisited by the summer of next year and a report will be published with recommendations on each authority which we will follow up. This will allow us to measure their progress in the fight against fraud.

  We have also made good progress in preventing the significant amount of fraud which occurs when fraudsters make false claims and then redirect benefit mail from addresses at which they are not resident. The Royal Mail Do Not Redirect scheme was introduced nationally from 1 February this year and will stop the redirection of appropriately marked benefit mail. To date, over 200 local authorities have taken up this initiative and we are aiming that all authorities will adopt this service.

  Poverty
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families were officially living in poverty(a) in each of the past 20 years, (b) on 1 May 1997 and (c) on the most recent date available. [101309]

  Mr. Bayley
  Poverty and social exclusion are complex multi-dimensional issues, affecting many aspects of people's lives; their income, health, housing, the quality of the environment, opportunities to work and to learn. There is no single measure which can capture the complex problems which need to be overcome.

  We are determined to tackle the problems that condemn many individual and communities to poverty. That is why we set out our strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion in our first annual report "Opportunity for all" (Cm 4445). The report includes a range of indicators that capture many of the aspects of poverty and social exclusion.

  Information on the indicators, including definitions and baseline data, was placed in the Library on 21 September to accompany "Opportunity for all". One of the indicators monitors the proportion of people living in low income households. Further information on low income statistics are published (annually in recent years) in Households Below Average Income (HBAI). The results can be found in the HBAI publication for the relevant year in the Library.

  Pensioner benefit units receiving Income Support (private households) Great Britain, (1987–99)

  Year

  IS pensioners

  Percentage

  Couples

  Percentage

  Single

  Percentage

  May 1988

  1,598,000

  19.5

  281,000

  7.8

  1,317,000

  28.5

  May 1989

  1,461,000

  17.7

  233,000

  6.4

  1,229,000

  26.5

  May 1990

  1,514,000

  18.2

  247,000

  6.5

  1,267,000

  27.9

  May 1991

  1,381,000

  16.5

  211,000

  5.5

  1,170,000

  25.7

  May 1992

  1,419,000

  17.0

  227,000

  5.9

  1,192,000

  26.5

  May 1993

  1,503,000

  17.6

  266,000

  6.7

  1,237,000

  27.1

  May 1994

  1,538,000

  18.3

  279,000

  7.2

  1,259,000

  27.8

  May 1995

  1,555,000

  18.6

  284,000

  7.2

  1,272,000

  28.5

  May 1996

  1,533,000

  18.3

  279,000

  7.1

  1,254,000

  28.5

  May 1997

  1,486,000

  17.5

  263,000

  6.5

  1,223,000

  27.5

  May 1998

  1,433,000

  n/a

  251,000

  n/a

  1,182,000

  n/a

  May 1999

  1,405,000

  n/a

  244,000

  n/a

  1,161,000

  n/a

  Notes:

  1. Pensioner benefit units in private households exclude claimants in Residential care and Nursing Homes.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand, percentages given to one decimal place.

  3. Figures refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or couple.

  4. Income Support for the unemployed was replaced by Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance from October 1996. Income Support figures from 1997 exclude unemployed.

  5. Pensioners are defined as benefit units where either the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.

  6. Income Support figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample up to 1993 and a 5 per cent. sample thereafter.

  7. All Percentages are Income Support benefit units expressed as a proportion of all pensioner benefit units (private households).

  8. The percentages quoted are based on pensioner benefit units estimates for Great Britain private households taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) for 1993–94 to 1997–98 and the Family Expenditure Survey HBAI datasets from 1988 to 1992.

  9. FRS estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors that control for region, Council Tax Band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response.

  10. Details of all pensioner benefit units are not yet available for 1999 therefore no percentage is given for this year.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries, May 1987-May 1993.

  2. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, May 1994-May 1999.

  3. Family Resources Survey.

  4. Family Expenditure Survey HBAI datasets from 1988 to 1992.

  Benefit Payments (Post Offices)
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received about the impact of changes in the way social security benefits are paid on the viability of post offices; [101376]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the impact of changes in the way social security benefits are paid on the viability of post offices. [101374]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have received a number of such representations. Ministers and officials in this Department have had a number of discussions with their counterparts in the Department of Trade and Industry about the planned move to automated credit transfer for the payment of benefits.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate(a) the number and (b) the percentage of pensioner benefit units receiving income support in each of the last 10 years; if he will provide his estimate for the remainder of the public expenditure planning period; and if he will provide separate figures for single and married pensioners. [101079]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
  375W

  Forecasts for Income Support pensioner benefit units 1999–2000–2001–02

  Pensioners (thousand)

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Singles

  1,151

  1,144

  1,119

  Couples

  242

  238

  231

  Total

  1,393

  1,382

  1,350

  Note:

  Information on the population of pensioner households in the period 2000–02 is not available, therefore we are unable to provide an estimate of the percentage of Income Support pensioner benefit units for this period.

  Source:

  PBR Forecasts November 1999 based on data up to May 1999.

  CSA Reform
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral statement of 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 5, if he will list the pieces of information which are currently required in order to assess liability for child maintenance; and if he will identify which of these will be required under his proposed reforms. [101036]

  Angela Eagle
  The current child support formula requires a wide range of information to be obtained, not only about the financial and family circumstances of the parents involved but also about their new partners. This can include details of their income from earnings, benefits or other sources, housing costs (such as mortgages, rent, service charges, council tax, home improvement loans, property and loan insurance), travel to work costs and clean break property settlements.

  The new child support rates will require information to be obtained only about the non-resident parent's income and the number of children for whom he is responsible. The definition of what is to count as income will also be considerably simplified as set out in Annexe Two of the White Paper "Children's Rights and Parent's Responsibilities" (Cm. 4349) published on 1 July 1999.

  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his written answer of 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 51W if the proposed amendment to Section 6(1) of the Child Support Act 1991 will apply in cases where a claim for income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance proves to be fraudulent. [101130]

  Angela Eagle
  As now section 6(1) of the 1991 Act will apply where a parent with care claims or is paid Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance. If the payment of benefit subsequently turns out to have been fraudulent, section 6(1) will only cease to apply when payments stop.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Car Theft
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of car thefts; and if he will make a statement. [99698]
  376W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  On 22 September, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary launched the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team strategy document. That strategy is intended to deliver the Government's 30 per cent. vehicle crime reduction target by the end of March 2004.

  Police (Crime Prevention)
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to encourage an increase in the proportion of time spent by police officers on fighting crime. [99701]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The deployment of police officers is the operational responsibility of Chief Constables. However, the introduction of best value into the police service from April next year and the requirement that year on year efficiency savings of 2 per cent. must be recycled into front-line policing should allow Chief Constables to allocate more officers to the essential job of reducing crime.

  Information Technology systems being delivered under the National Strategy for Police Information Systems (NSPIS) and new radio technology for the police being provided as part of the Public Safety Radio Communications Project (PSRCP) will do much to free officers from administrative burdens.

  The NSPIS Custody application draws much of the criminal history information required for effective administration of those in custody automatically from the Police National Computer, saving police time, effort and paperwork. The NSPIS Case Preparation system is designed to produce all the information needed by the police, courts, Crown Prosecution Service and other bodies to process cases automatically. This, too, will substantially reduce the administrative burden on police officers, freeing them for front line duties. Holmes 2 harnesses modern technology to make the best use of police resources used in the investigation of major crimes. NSPIS Crime automates the recording of crime reports, saving effort in compilation and making them easier to use in crime management and intelligence led policing. The National Management Information System (NMIS) provides an integrated set of tools to deliver the information commanders at all levels need to manage their resources as efficiently as possible to meet performance targets. NMIS will also enable data to be collected on a common basis to a standard format making it easier to collate and compare at the national level. This will reduce the burden on the police in producing returns and help Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in their work.

  The NSPIS applications will be interlinked so that information can be shared electronically, and transmitted to front line officers via the new Public Safety Radio Communication System. These new applications will help free officers from the burden of paperwork and free them for front line duties.

  Electoral Reform
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in reform of electoral procedure. [99702]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Representation of the People Bill had its Second Reading on 30 November.

  Sex Offenders
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to ensure that children and other members of the public are protected from sex offenders. [99704]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are committed to protecting children and others from sex offenders. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 contained strong additional safeguards in the new sex offender orders and extended supervision provisions. This session we are bringing forward proposals for a scheme to prevent unsuitable people, including sex offenders, from working with children as part of the Crime and Public Protection Bill.

  Mr. Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out his Department's policy on the notification of hon. Members of the release of sex offenders into bail hostels within their constituency; and in respect of that policy if he will list(a) the number of category A sex offenders placed in bail hostels within England and Wales in each of the past two years, (b) the notification given to his Department, in each case, prior to the offender being placed in a bail hostel and the notification given, in each case, to the hon. Member for the constituency where the hostel was located and (c) on how many occasions the notification given to hon. Members was less than four days. [101359]

  Mr. Boateng
  Over the last two years, two sex offenders who were category A prisoners were released to hostel accommodation. Home Office Ministers were notified of the release arrangements two weeks before the first prisoner's release and five weeks prior to the second prisoner's release. The hon. Members for the relevant constituencies received notification seven days and 34 days respectively prior to their release.

  In addition to the arrangements for category A prisoners, the Department has, since 1 April 1999, operated an Early Warning system within the prison and probation services in relation to the release of offenders in respect of whom there is a strong risk that a serious violent or sexual offence will be committed after release and where there are victim issues; difficulties with the supervision plan or accommodation; and where it is likely that the case will be subject to media attention. Prisons and probation services are asked to give the Department two months notice of the release of an offender who meets these criteria.

  Thirty such cases have been notified to the hon. Members concerned. The information was passed on as soon as we knew what the accommodation arrangements were going to be. I did this in order to reassure hon. Members of the safeguards which have been put in place. This is particularly important if there is likely to be a hostile media reaction so that hon. Members are able to respond if necessary. Many hon. Members have been very supportive to the local agencies responsible for managing dangerous offenders in the community, for which I am grateful.

  I am currently reviewing the arrangements for handling these cases. As part of that review, I shall be writing to hon. Members individually to ascertain which of them wishes to continue to receive information, in confidence, about the release of dangerous offenders and offering further briefing to anyone who would find it useful. We
  378W
  are committed to doing all we can to ensure public safety, especially where dangerous offenders are concerned and we will continue to work with hon. Members to bring this about.

  WPC Yvonne Fletcher
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been reported to him by the Metropolitan police in the case of WPC Yvonne Fletcher. [99705]

  Mr. Straw
  The criminal investigation by the Metropolitan Police into WPC Fletcher's murder is continuing. They intend to pursue this investigation vigorously and the arrival of our Ambassador in Tripoli later this month should help that process. The Metropolitan Police continue to expect full co-operation from the Libyan authorities.

  UK Passport Agency
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current backlog and turnaround times for passport applications are at the UK Passport Agency. [99706]

  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for improving the service provided by the UK Passport Agency. [99682]

  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current backlog and turnaround times are for passport applications at the UK Passport Agency. [99691]

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for improving the service provided by the UK Passport Agency. [99695]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friends to the announcement the Secretary of State made earlier today.

  Refugee Dispersal
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome to date of the policy of dispersal of refugees. [99707]

  Mrs. Roche
  We plan to bring in the new support arrangements in Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 on 1 April 2000. The National Asylum Support Service is currently drawing up plans for dispersal of asylum seekers. The statutory interim arrangements set out in Schedule 9 to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 will come into effect on 6 December. These will underpin a voluntary dispersal scheme whereby asylum seekers seeking support from local authorities in London and Kent can be transferred on a voluntary basis to local authorities outside London and the South East.

  Burglary
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to ensure the elderly are protected from burglaries. [99708]
  379W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The elderly, like all age groups, will benefit from the £250 million Crime Reduction Programme that was launched in July 1998 as an evidence-based approach to reducing crime, and from the Crime Reduction Strategy that we announced last week.

  The Crime Reduction Programme includes the Reducing Burglary Initiative, under which more than £50 million will be used to support anti-burglary projects over three years covering some 2 million households in 500 areas with high levels of domestic burglary. Of the 63 strategic development projects already under way under this initiative, seven will specifically benefit the elderly.

  In addition, we recently announced an £11 million project to provide security improvements for the homes of pensioners on low incomes in high burglary areas, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, which starts in June. We plan to announce in the Spring how the improved security arrangements will operate.

  This scheme, along with the Reducing Burglary Initiative, will be evaluated to help identify what works most cost-effectively in which circumstances. The results will be disseminated to all partnerships to help them tackle their own burglary problems.

  Home Office literature on crime prevention already includes detailed advice to help the elderly reduce the risk of burglary, including burglary by fraudulent callers. We are also in the initial stages of developing a national programme to combat distraction burglary (the victims of which are mostly very elderly). This will use widespread publicity and improved intelligence and detection methods and will involve the police, other organisations such as Neighbourhood watch and the public utility companies.

  Metropolitan Police
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the current number of officers in the Metropolitan police. [99709]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that, on the 31 October, there were 26,290 officers in the Metropolitan Police Service.

  Health Service (Prisons)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the operation of the health service in prisons. [99710]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 29 March 1999,Official Report, columns 556ߝ58W, a programme of reforms of the organisation and delivery of health services to prisoners. The Prison Service and National Health Service Executive, working in partnership, are establishing a Prison Health Care Task Force and a Joint Prison Health Policy Unit. These Units are implementing
  380W
  the recommendations of the Report on "The Future Organisation of Prison Health Care", published last March.

  Trial by Jury
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received on the number of people, in the last year for which figures are available, who opted for a trial by jury, as opposed to a magistrate, who changed their plea before the trial commenced. [99711]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Benn) on 25 November 1999,Official Report, column 181W, by the Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Clarke).

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research findings he has obtained concerning abuse of the right to elect for trial by jury in either-way cases. [99712]

  Mr. Straw
  Research conducted by the Home Office showed that nearly 90 per cent. of convicted offenders who had elected Crown Court trial in 1989 had previous convictions and over a third had more than 10 previous convictions. Information is also available from the baseline data collected by the Home Office in 1998 for the evaluation of the pilot schemes to reduce delay in the criminal justice system. In a sample of nearly 1,000 cases in the six pilot areas, about 60 per cent. of those who elected for the Crown Court pleaded guilty before the trial started.

  Public House Licensing
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make changes to the public house licensing regime. [99713]

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to make changes to the public house licensing regime. [99699]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We aim to publish a White Paper early in the new year setting out our proposals for reform, and to bring forward a Bill when Parliamentary time permits.

  Severe Personality Disorder
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Department of Health on the matter of severe personality disorder. [99714]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government's proposals on severe personality disorder form a single piece of work which is the joint responsibility of the Home Office and the Department of Health. Work on all aspects of the proposals is being taken forward jointly with ongoing contact between officials of the two Departments.

  Police Resources (Greater Manchester)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police resources in Greater Manchester. [99715]
  381W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Halton (Mr. Twigg) on 25 November 1999,Official Report, columns 176–78W, the provisional funding settlement for the Greater Manchester Police for 2000–01. The police authority's provisional funding allocation is £386 million. This is an increase of 2.8 per cent. over 1999–2000, which is in line with the average increase in funding for England and Wales next year. It will be for the police authority to set the budget for the next financial year. It is for the chief officer to determine staffing levels within the overall resources available.

  The Government are also making available additional resources, as part of a new ring-fenced Crime Fighting Fund, to enable the police to recruit 5,000 officers over and above the number that forces would otherwise have recruited over the next three years from April 2000. The Greater Manchester Police Authority will be able to make a bid for a share of this funding.

  Right to Remain
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the time taken to determine whether an individual has the right to remain in the UK, having first entered on a visitor's visa. [99690]

  Mrs. Roche
  Visa nationals who obtain a visit visa from a British Diplomatic Post and are given leave to enter the United Kingdom for up to six months as a visitor are, under the Immigration Rules, expected to leave the country at the end of that period.

  Non-visa nationals who are given leave to enter the United Kingdom for up to six months as a visitor are also expected to leave the country at the end of that period. They may, however, apply for further leave to remain under a different category in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Straightforward applications which can be dealt with under a fast track system can usually be processed within about six weeks. Other applications which require lengthy examination or further inquiries will take longer to decide. We cannot give an average length of time for processing such applications as each is considered on its individual merits.

  Civil Servants (Transport)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on civil servants' transport in each of the last two years. [98698]

  Mr. Straw
  All travel undertaken by Home Office civil servants complies with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code. The total spend on civil servants' transport in each of the last two years has been as follows:

  £

  1998–99

  12,538,635

  1997–98

  12,950,486

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on ministerial transport in each of the last two years. [98697]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to her by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 1 December 1999,Official Report, columns 253–56W. In addition, the Home Office spent, in 1997–98, £161,984 (of which £161,884 was capital expenditure) and, in 1998–99, £29,035 on transport services for Ministers.

  Drug-related Crime
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested for drug-related crime on Merseyside in each year from 1995 onwards; how many were charged; how many were subsequently convicted; and how many were aged(a) between 14 and 16, (b) between 16 and 19, (c) between 19 and 29 and (d) over 29 years. [99432]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: No information is collected centrally on drug-related crime, only on offences under various specific drug legislation, mostly the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

  The following information is available:

  (a) Recorded Crime

  Notifiable offences of trafficking in controlled drugs recorded by Merseyside police is as follows:

  Number

  1995

  698

  1996

  563

  1997

  694

  For 1998–99 the coverage of notifiable offences was extended and revised principles for counting introduced. The following was recorded by Merseyside police:

  Number

  Trafficking in controlled drugs

  729

  Possession of controlled drugs

  4,737

  Other drugs offences

  154

  (b) Stop/searches under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act

  Numbers of persons/vehicles stopped and searched for drugs and number of arrests made for drugs by Merseyside police is as follows:

  Stop/searches

  Arrests

  1995

  5,357

  1,066

  1996–97

  11,324

  2,030

  1997–98

  15,613

  2,557

  383W
  (c) Persons cautioned, proceeded against and convicted:

  Numbers of persons cautioned, proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts within Merseyside police force area for indictable drug offences1 by age group 1995–98

  Age and year

  Total cautioned

  Total proceeded against

  Total found guilty

  1995

  1,170

  1,810

  1,485

  1996

  1,457

  1,956

  1,563

  1997

  2,033

  2,311

  2,030

  1998

  2,309

  2,615

  2,359

  of which:

  14–15 years of age

  1995

  74

  19

  13

  1996

  77

  23

  16

  1997

  116

  22

  16

  1998

  143

  40

  29

  16–18 years of age

  1995

  361

  212

  174

  1996

  451

  233

  169

  1997

  544

  270

  240

  1998

  678

  402

  359

  19–29 years of age

  1995

  630

  1,129

  941

  1996

  797

  1,172

  963

  1997

  1,111

  1,339

  1,162

  1998

  1,176

  1,413

  1,304

  30 and over

  1995

  99

  450

  357

  1996

  130

  526

  414

  1997

  248

  677

  611

  1998

  295

  759

  667

  1Trafficking in controlled drugs, possession of controlled drugs and other drug offences (principal offence basis)

  There is no information specifically on the number charged. Figures on those cautioned and proceeded against are the nearest available centrally.

  (d) Research

  Home Office research involving the drug testing of arrestees strongly suggests that around a third of acquisitive crime is linked to drug taking. Further work is being conducted within this programme. The results of the next phase, including research on Merseyside, are due to be published by the end of June 2000.

  Integrated Casework Directorate
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the Business Plan of the Integrated Casework Directorate of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [100490]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have placed in the Library a copy of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) Report for 1999, published on Tuesday 30 November, which reports on performance during 1998–1999 and sets out our programme to meet the published targets for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02. The Report focuses on IND's key objectives underpinning the Home Office Aim 6, as set out in the Public Service Agreement and Home Office Business and Expenditure Plans (Command Paper 4205).
  384W
  I have also placed in the Library a detailed business plan for the Integrated Casework Directorate as given to staff in July. The document was at that time a draft and remains a living document subject to continuing review. For example, numbers of staff already recruited, and current recruitment plans, exceed those stated in the draft business plan.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current backlogs are in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate for(a) asylum cases, (b) general and settlement cases, (c) illegal entry, deportation and European cases and (d) nationality cases. [100488]

  Mrs. Roche
  The current backlog of cases for the various categories is set in the table:

  Number

  Asylum cases

  94,305

  General and settlement cases

  127,200

  European cases

  1940

  Deportation and illegal entry cases

  118,100

  Nationality cases

  100,000

  1 Figures relate to cases in the Integrated Casework Directorate, excluding those currently being actioned in caseworking groups and local enforcement offices.

  The backlogs are being tackled by various initiatives. We have introduced streamlined measures for dealing with general casework across all Case Management Units. We are successfully piloting new processes to speed up the consideration of asylum cases, both new and in the backlog.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures he is planning to enable his Department to identify asylum cases involving children to ensure a faster turn-around time after 1 April 2000. [100487]

  Mrs. Roche
  We have developed new procedures for speeding up the consideration of asylum applications. New family cases involving dependent children are being given priority. A database is being set up to monitor progress.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is in respect of restraint of people with a severe mental illness by methods based on the infliction of pain. [100719]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The restraint of any person must be within the law, which requires that the force used to prevent crime or to apprehend a suspect must be reasonable in all the circumstances.

  Police guidelines on restraint provide a range of options based on the use of an appropriate necessary level of force. It is not, of course, always possible to determine immediately whether a person who needs to be restrained or apprehended is suffering from mental disorder.
  385W
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken in response to the recommendations of the Police Complaints Authority on raising officers' awareness of the nature and impact of severe mental illness and about officers seeking advice and assistance when dealing with someone who is mentally ill. [100716]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I understand that officers in both the Metropolitan Police and other forces in England and Wales receive formal training on mental illness as part of their probationer training. It is open to chief officers to provide additional training on this subject if there is a particular need for it. Home Office Circular 12/95 sets out advice for chief police officers and others on dealing with mentally disordered suspects or offenders, including the need to develop effective contacts with other local services and agencies. We have noted the recommendations of the Police Complaints Authority and will assess whether there is scope for further guidance to the police.

  Custody Officers (Training)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Government proposes to take in response of the recommendation of the Home Affairs Committee's (Fourth report, Session 1998–99, HC 81) about enforcing a requirement that all custody officers receive training before commencing duties. [100717]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is essential that all police officers receive the training necessary to enable them to carry out their duties properly. The Government published options for future police training arrangements in a consultation document on 18 November. The principal aim of these proposals is to ensure that all officers and support staff are equipped to carry out their duties to common high standards. The Government will announce their final proposals early in 2000, shortly after the consultation period closes on 7 January.

  Public Sector Openness
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on(a) the function and (b) the remit of the Advisory Group on Openness in the Public Sector. [100651]

  Mr. Straw
  The function of the Advisory Group on Openness in the Public Sector is to advise the Secretary of State on the steps needed to be taken ahead of legislation to create a culture of openness in all public services and lay the foundations for the implementation of a future Freedom of Information Act.

  The remit of the Advisory Group is to:
  advise the Home Secretary on proposals for promoting cultural change in the public sector to foster a culture of greater openness; assist in the development of training and education programmes for public servants to promote cultural change and facilitate the introduction of Freedom of Information; and
  undertake other tasks related to the implementation of Freedom of Information as directed by the Home Secretary.

  The Group is chaired by the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), and the members are drawn from a variety of backgrounds. Some bring a specialist knowledge of an area of public service to the Group's work, while others have a
  386W
  particular interest in Freedom of Information on the management of change. Information about the Advisory Group, including information about its function and remit as well as accounts of its meetings, is published on the Home Office website.

  The Group has today submitted its recommendations to me and I have placed a copy of the report in the Library.

  Coroners' Services
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations he has had with representatives of the Muslim and Jewish communities about the provision of coroners' services during the period between Christmas and the end of the Millennium holiday; [100586]

  (2) what steps he has taken to ensure the adequate provision of coroners' services during the period between Christmas and the end of the Millennium holiday. [100587]

  Mr. Boateng
  The need for appropriate cover over this period has already been brought to the attention of the Coroners' Society and we expect to write to all coroners on this matter shortly. Coroners are required under the Coroners Rules to be available at all times to undertake duties in connection with inquests and post mortem examinations. (We have held no consultations with, nor received representations from, religious communities specifically during this period about cover). Responsibility for the availability of coroner services lies with the relevant coroner and the local council.

  Emergency Planning (Holiday Period)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has issued to local authorities about emergency planning during the forthcoming Christmas and new year period. [100583]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Local authorities are expected to have generic emergency management arrangements. Recognising the unique features of this period, the Home Office has issued two additional guidance documents to local authorities and has made a major contribution to a range of Millennium specific seminars and workshops. In addition, a Millennium version of the "Exercise planners guide" was issued in January 1999.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the state of readiness of local authorities' emergency plans for the period by Christmas 1999 and new year 2000. [100582]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Each local authority is responsible for determining its own emergency planning arrangements. It should be able to respond effectively to any emergency at any time. However, the Home Office visited a range of local authorities to discuss the unique aspects of the Millennium date change period. On the basis of those visits, we are informed that local authorities are prepared for the period.

  Immigration Rules
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to assess the
  387W
  validity of marriages in cases where the husband has been allowed residence in the United Kingdom following marriage. [100616]

  Mrs. Roche
  Before indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom is granted on the basis of marriage, we must be satisfied that the marriage is genuine and subsisting. Appropriate checks are carried out in order to ensure that these criteria are met. The validity of a marriage in cases where indefinite leave to remain has been granted would not normally be investigated unless there were strong grounds to believe that leave was obtained by deception.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on co-operation between different Government agencies to(a) track down and (b) deport illegal immigrants. [100615]

  Mrs. Roche
  Staff in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), including the Immigration Service (IS), work in co-operation with many other government agencies as appropriate, including the police, Benefits Agency and Contributions Agency, in detecting those who are suspected of being illegal immigrants or facilitating illegal entry. This liaison is allowed for under section 28(3) of the Data Protection Act 1994 which provides for the exchange of information where this is necessary to prevent or detect a crime.

  The responsibility for deciding whether an illegal immigrant should be deported or otherwise removed rests with IND. No other government agencies are involved in this decision.

  Jill Dando
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the police investigation of the murder of Jill Dando. [100589]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The investigation of crime within the Metropolitan Police District is an operational matter for the Commissioner. He tells me that this investigation is continuing, although no clear motive for the murder has yet emerged.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the Criminal Records Bureau will come into operation; and if he will make a statement; [100609]

  (2) what is the estimated cost of establishing the Criminal Records Bureau; how many staff will be employed when it commences operations; and what is the estimated annual cost of running the Bureau. [100611]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The project to set up the Criminal Records Bureau is being managed within the framework of a Public Private Partnership. Final costs and staff numbers will depend upon the outcome of procurement action. This is under way. Bids were 388W
  received on 19 November and are under evaluation. I have been reviewing the timetable of the project and I shall announce the outcome shortly.

  Working Time Regulations (Police Exclusion)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the health and safety of police officers of their exclusion from the Working Time Regulations. [100628]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Working Time Regulations do apply to the Police Service. However, while the regulations clearly apply to police officers and support staff, there are a number of defined exceptions covering circumstances routinely encountered by operational police officers and support staff. Regulation 18 specifically exempts those police duties which inevitably conflict with the limits and entitlements provided for. Regulation 20 applies to workers whose duration of working time is not measured or predetermined, or can be determined by the worker him/herself. Regulation 21 applies in a range of circumstances, including duties in security or surveillance.

  Chief officers have a 'duty of care' towards their employees and, although forces do have local arrangements in place in respect of the Working Time Regulations, we are aware that chief officers may need guidance on the issue for operational purposes. The Home Office will issue guidelines following discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Health and Safety Executive.

  Adlearn Foundation
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the findings of the Charity Commission Inquiry into the Adlearn Foundation. [100730]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand from the Charity Commission that its inquiry began following the Commission's routine monitoring procedures.

  The Charity Commission is satisfied that the way in which the trustees have now decided to wind up the charity is appropriate. I have asked the Chief Charity Commissioner to write to my hon. Friend, and I shall arrange for a copy of that letter to be placed in the Library.

  Electrical Register
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the proposed restrictions on the use of the electoral register. [100831]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Annexe K to the Report of the Working Party on Electoral Procedures lists those who responded to the consultation exercise on this issue which was carried out in 1998.

  Since publication of the Working Party's recommendation in July of this year, we have received a number of further representations from industries which make use of the electoral register, from members of the public and from hon. Members.

  Intrusion Classification System
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he issues to police authorities on the use of CLASSIC (Covert Local Area Sensor System for Intrusion Classification); and if he will make a statement. [100845]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None.

  Edwards Report
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the Edwards report. [100850]

  Mr. Straw
  My intention is to publish a progress report early in the New Year.

  Life Sentences (Murder)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people currently subject to life imprisonment for murder are awaiting the outcome of a review by him of his tariff. [101343]

  Mr. Boateng
  As at 30 November 1999, there were 94 people in custody in England and Wales convicted of murder who had submitted representations about the tariff set in their case and who were awaiting a decision by the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department since 1983, in how many cases of people convicted of murder the tariff was set at less than 20 years; and what, in each case, was the reason for a tariff being set at less than 20 years. [101342]

  Mr. Boateng
  Tariffs of 20 years or more are reserved for the gravest types of murder including, for example, terrorist murders, murder by firearm in the course of robbery, the murder of police or prison officers and the sexual or sadistic murder of children. The great majority of murders do not fall into any of the gravest categories and the tariffs they attract are, therefore, normally less than 20 years. About 88 per cent. of all those convicted of murder and currently serving their sentence in custody in England and Wales have a tariff of less than 20 years.

  2 Marsham Street
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual cost is of maintaining the blocks at 2 Marsham Street. [101153]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department took responsibility for the maintenance of 2 Marsham Street on 1 April 1999, as part of the Home Office Central London Accommodation Strategy. The budgeted cost of maintenance for the year to 31 March 2000 is £640,000 excluding Value Added Tax.

  Most of this expenditure is related to health and safety issues.

  A Winter Shelter under the Rough Sleepers Initiative is currently operating from 2 Marsham Street until 7 April 2000.

  Chelmsford Prison
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the prescribed maximum capacity of Chelmsford Prison; and how many prisoners were held at the prison on the latest date for which information is available. [100713]

  Mr. Boateng
  On 1 December 1999, the operational capacity of Chelmsford prison was 469 places, and the number of prisoners held was 426.

  Essex Constabulary
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) police officers, (b) constables and (c) civilian staff there are in the Essex constabulary; and what the equivalent numbers were for the two previous years. [101412]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on police numbers is collected twice a year (March and September). The figures for September 1999 are not yet available. The information requested for each year since 1997 are set out in the table.

  Year (as at 31 March)

  Police Officers

  Constables

  Civilian support staff

  1997

  2,961

  2,269

  1,199

  1998

  2,929

  2,264

  1,253

  1999

  2,891

  2,215

  1,273

  Porton Down
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to date of the investigation by Wiltshire Constabulary into the Chemical and Biological Defence establishment at Porton Down; and how many(a) police officers and (b) civilians are employed on it. [99703]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The total costs to date are estimated at £80,000 as of 24 November. This figure includes all salaries, overtime, subsistence, travel, accommodation and purchase of additional computer and other equipment.

  A total of 13 police officers (three on a part-time basis) and two civilian support staff are employed on the investigation.

  Police (Disciplinary Notices)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the officer heading the Operation Waller inquiry into Cleveland Police has issued Regulation 6 disciplinary notices concerning senior police officers; and if he will make a statement. [101421]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Cleveland Police Authority has not appointed an investigating officer to investigate its senior officers, so the question of Regulation 6 notices has not arisen.

  Rural Policing
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many additional police officers will be required in each of the rural counties referred to in the report prepared by ORH Ltd.; [101173]
  391W
  (2) if he will place in the Library the report prepared by ORH Ltd. relating to the provision of police forces in rural areas; [101171]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the report prepared by ORH Ltd. relating to the provision of police forces in rural areas. [101172]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 25 November 1999,Official Report, columns 182–83W.

  A copy of the Operational Research in Health Ltd. (ORH) report on the cost of providing policing services in sparsely populated rural areas, and a copy of the report's executive summary, is available in the Library.

  The findings of the report were considered by a Home Office chaired Working Group—which included representatives of the police service, police authorities and local authorities—in July. There was no single view within the Working Group on the conclusions of the research report. There was general agreement that a sparsity factor had been detected, but less agreement about how to include it appropriately in the police funding formula.

  In announcing funding allocations for police authorities for 2000–01, we set considerable store by stability in the grant system to help police authorities plan ahead. In the July 1998 White Paper, "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People", the Deputy Prime Minister said that we would not expect to make fresh changes to the method of calculation of Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) whilst a fundamental review of the SSA system across local government is conducted. This applies equally to police grant, as a common formula is used for distribution of police grant and SSA.

  Our present intention is that, subject to consultation and approval by the House, we shall not make any changes to the method of police grant distribution for 2000–01. We do not, therefore, propose to make any substantive changes to the operation of the police funding formula for next year. Rural police forces will continue to benefit from the existing 'sparsity' element in the funding formula.

  The research report made recommendations in respect of changes to the police funding formula. There were no specific recommendations in relation to police officer numbers in the rural forces. The powers for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to set police establishment levels for each force were removed under the Police and Magistrates Courts Act 1994. It is for chief officers of police to determine staffing requirements within the overall resources available. However, the new ring-fenced Crime Fighting Fund will enable the police to recruit 5,000 officers, over and above the number forces would otherwise have recruited over the next three years, commencing April 2000. Rural police forces will be able to apply for a share of this funding.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the conclusions of his Department's report on rural policing were taken into account in his recent allocation of funding to police authorities in England; and if he will make a statement; [101169]
  392W
  (2) when he received the report on policing in rural areas; and when he intends to publish its conclusions. [101170]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to a Question from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean), on 25 November 1999,Official Report, columns 182–83W.

  In announcing funding allocations for police authorities for 2000–01 we set considerable store by stability in the grant system to help police authorities plan ahead. In the July 1998 White Paper, "Modern Local Government—In Touch With the People", the Deputy Prime Minister said that we would not expect to make fresh changes to the method of calculation of Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) while a fundamental review of the SSA system across local government is conducted. This applies equally to police grant, as a common formula is used for distribution of police grant and SSA.

  Our present intention is that, subject to consultation and approval by the House, we shall not make any changes to the method of police grant distribution for 2000–01. We do not, therefore, propose to make any substantive changes to the operation of the police funding formula for next year. Rural police forces will continue to benefit from the existing 'sparsity' element in the funding formula.

  The Home Office received the final report on the cost of providing police services in rural areas from the researchers on 6 May 1999, following which an executive summary of the report's conclusions were commissioned. The full report and executive summary were presented to a Home Office chaired Working Group, which included police representatives, on 8 July. The executive summary was sent to all police authorities in England and Wales on 21 July. A copy of the full report and the executive summary are available in the Library.

  Ruth Ellis
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the death penalty on Ruth Ellis; and if he will arrange for further investigation by his Department. [101217]

  Mr. Straw
  Ruth Ellis was convicted of murder in 1955, for which the death sentence was mandatory. No appeal was lodged. The Home Secretary of the day concluded that there were insufficient grounds to justify the sentence not being carried out. The powers of the Home Secretary to refer alleged miscarriages of justice to the Court of Appeal were replaced in 1997 by new powers vested in the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which is now responsible for the investigation of cases of alleged wrongful conviction. I understand that an application for a review of Ruth Ellis's case has recently been submitted to the Commission. It will be for the Commission to decide in due course whether the case should be referred to the Court of Appeal.

  Target Setting
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many targets have been agreed between his Department and (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies apart from his own agencies and non-departmental bodies since May 1997. [99476]
  393W
  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: A very wide range of targets set by the Home Office impact, to varying degrees, upon local authorities and other bodies. The precise information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Examples of areas of activity for which such targets have been introduced since May 1997 include: reduction in the level of vehicle crime; reduction in the number of police officers taking medical retirement; and the recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority officers in the fire service, the police service and the probation services. Details of the ethnic minority employment targets are available in "Race Equality—the Home Secretary's Employment Targets. Staff targets for the Home Office, the Prison Service, the Police, the Fire and the Probation Services", published by the Home Office on 28 July 1999. A copy has been placed in the Library.

CABINET OFFICE

  Modernising Government Action Plan
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made on the corporate IT strategy framework documents promised in the Modernising Government Action Plan. [101687]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  In the Modernising Government Action Plan we are committed to publishing a corporate IT strategy for government in March 2000. I am now able to announce that I have published, as part of that strategy, a framework document on Call Centres. This document provides the public sector with guidelines on the issues they need to consider when using call centres, such as standards and accessibility. Over the next month I will be publishing further framework documents covering websites, smart cards, authentication and digital TV. I have arranged for copies of these frameworks to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  DOE Building, Marsham Street
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she intends to demolish the former Department of the Environment building in Marsham Street, SW1. [100907]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Edward Leigh, dated 6 December:
  The Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Ian McCartney, has asked me as Chief Executive of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) to respond to your Parliamentary Question about the demolition of 2 Marsham Street.
  It remains our intention to demolish 2 Marsham Street as soon as practicable. You may be aware that, in connection with its Headquarters PFI project, the Home Office has made the property available to its bidders to consider as one of their options.
  A decision by Home Office is now expected in late Spring next year. Pending this decision, Home Office has assumed management responsibility and is paying the holding costs of the property.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many non-departmental public bodies have been(a) established and (b) abolished since 2 May 1997. [100892]

  Mr. Stringer
  Data on numbers of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are collated on a financial year basis and published annually in the publication "Public Bodies", copies of which are available in both Libraries of the House. "Public Bodies 1998" reported a net reduction of 55 NDPBs on the previous year. "Public Bodies 1999", which is due to be published later this month, is likely to show a further reduction in NDPBs.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which non-departmental public bodies were(a) established and (b) abolished in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999. [100622]

  Mr. Stringer
  The following lists all the non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) that have been abolished or created in the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99. The publication "Public Bodies 1998", which is available in both Libraries of the House, provides comprehensive information on each NDPB. "Public Bodies 1999" is due to be published later this month.

  Abolished1
  Executive

  British Board of Agrément

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

  Countryside Commission

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  Education Assets Board

  Land Authority for Wales

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission

  North Hull Housing Action Trust

  Residuary Body for Wales

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority

  Scottish Community Education Council

  Scottish Seed Potato Development Council

  Tai Cymru

  UK Ecolabelling Board

  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Ulster Museum

  Urban Development Corporations x 9

  Advisory

  Advisory Committee on Coal Research

  Advisory Committee on Dental Establishments

  Advisory Committee on Design Quality in the NHS

  Advisory Committee on Joint Environmental Markets

  Advisory Committee on Plant and Machinery

  Advisory Committee on Service Candidates

  Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales

  Assessment Panel for Construction Research

  Aviation Committee

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

  Citizens Charter Panel of Advisers

  Consultative Panel on Badgers and Bovine TB

  County Court Rule Committee

  Crime Prevention Agency

  Dartmoor Working Party (formerly part of the Dartmoor

  395W

  Steering Group)

  Defence Scientific Advisory Council (sub-committees) x 5

  Deregulation Task Force

  Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland

  Local Government Property Commission for Scotland

  Local Government Staff Commission (England)

  Microbiology Advisory Committee

  National Advisory Council for the Employment of People with Disabilities

  Northern Ireland Citizen's Charter Advisory Panel

  Nuclear Powered Warships Safety Committee

  Nuclear Weapons Safety Committee

  Overseas Project Board

  Race Relations Employment Advisory Group

  Regional Panels in MAFF x 9

  Residuary Body for Wales

  Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly

  Scottish Agricultural Consultative Panel

  Scottish Crime Prevention Council

  Scottish Economic Council

  Scottish Studentship Selection Committee

  Secretary of State for Scotland's Advisory Group on Sustainable Development

  Standing Advisory Committee on Human Rights (NI)

  Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education

  Statistics Advisory Committee

  Sugar Beet Research and Education Committee

  Supported Employment Consultative Group

  Supreme Court Rule Committee

  Teaching Company Scheme Board

  Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee

  Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse

  Welsh Council for Post Graduate Medical and Dental Education

  Tribunals NDPBs
  Scheme of Compensation for Loss of Earnings through Civil Unrest (NI)

  1Include NDPBs which have been reclassified e.g. those moved to the private sector

  Created
  Executive

  British Potato Council

  Commission for Racial Equality for Northern Ireland

  Community Learning Scotland

  Competition Commission

  Countryside Agency

  Docklands Light Railway

  Education Transfer Council

  English Tourism Council

  Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland

  Historic Royal Palaces

  National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

  National Lottery Commission

  National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland

  New Opportunities Fund

  NI Human Rights Commission

  Police Information Technology Organisation

  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

  Regional Development Agencies x 8

  Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission

  Scottish Further Education Funding Council

  Youth Justice Board for England and Wales

  396W
  Advisory

  Advisory Committee for Disabled People in Employment and Training

  Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs

  Advisory Committee on Consumer Products and the Environment

  Advisory Committee on Lifelong Learning Targets

  Aerospace Committee

  Better Regulation Task Force

  Civil Justice Council

  Civil Procedure Rule Committee

  Commission for Integrated Transport

  Committee on Chemicals and Materials and Construction for use in Public Water Supplies and Swimming Pools

  Defence Nuclear Safety Committee

  Development Awareness Working Group

  Expert Group on Airborne Particles

  Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies

  Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals

  Expert Panel on Sustainable Development Education

  Football Task Force

  Genetics and Insurance Committee

  Low Pay Commission

  New Deal Task Force

  People's Panel Advisory Group

  Race in Employment and Education Forum

  Race Relations Forum

  Royal Commission on Long Term Care for the Elderly

  Scottish Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards

  Scottish Childcare Board

  Security Vetting Appeals Panel

  Sentencing Advisory Panel

  Skills Task Force

  Spectrum Management Advisory Group

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Zoos Forum

  Tribunal

  Office of the Surveillance Commissioners

  Registered Nursery Education Inspectors Appeal Tribunal

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Unmarried Fathers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to seek to amend the law to provide unmarried fathers with the same right of parental responsibility as married fathers; and if he will make a statement. [101085]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government intend to introduce an amendment to the Children Act 1989 that unmarried fathers who sign their child's birth certificate jointly with the mother will acquire parental responsibility without further formality. This provision will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many research contracts have been let by his Department since May 1997; what is the value of each contract; and in each case whether the contract included(a) a departmental veto over publication of the research results, (b) departmental control over the

  397W
  date of publication of the research results and (c) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [100156]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has awarded 37 research contracts since May 1997 with a total overall spend of £1,003,776; details of these, including the cost of each contract are provided in the table. None

  LCD research projects contracted since May 1997

  Project Title

  Cost£

  Date completed

  Researcher details

  Regulating Legal Services

  9,000

  August 1997

  Robert Baldwin—London School of Economics

  The Use of Judicial Appointment Commissions: A Review of the US and Canadian Models

  2,250

  August 1997

  Kate Malleson—London School of Economics

  Judicial Appointments in Continental Europe

  8,400

  August 1997

  Cheryl Thomas—Wolfson College, Oxford University

  Review of the Court of Appeal

  12,602

  August 1997

  Joyce Plotnikoff and Richard Woolfson—Consultants in Management, IT and the Law

  Contracting for civil litigation: modelling volumes, access and regional distributions for certified non-matrimonial civil legal aid

  1,800

  September 1997

  Tamara Goriely—TPR Social and Legal Research

  The Division of Marital Assets Following Divorce With Particular Reference to Pensions

  4,900

  October 1997

  Antony Dnes—University of Hertfordshire

  Contracting For Legal Services With Different Cost Rules

  6,200

  March 1998

  Gwyn Bevan—London School of Economics and Political Science Paul Fenn—University of Nottingham Neil Rickman—University of Surrey

  Costing Fast Track Procedures Through Hypothetical Case Studies

  96,000

  March 1998

  Tamara Goriely, Farah Butt and Avrom Sherr—Institute of Advanced Legal Studies

  Review Papers on Marriage—causes, and ways of preventing marital breakdown

  79,150

  March 1998

  One plus One

  Economic Impact of Law on Ancillary Relief

  4,000

  April 1998

  Antony Dnes—University of Hertfordshire

  Court Customer Needs

  4,200

  July 1998

  Sarah Beinart (Independent consultant)

  Empirical Analysis of Standard Fees in Magistrates' Courts

  6,000

  July 1998

  Paul Fenn—University of Nottingham

  Government Policies and Lawyers' Roles

  11,075

  September 1998

  Phillip Lewis—Wolfson College, Oxford University

  Ancillary Relief Pilot Scheme

  206,703

  September 1998

  KPMG

  Economic Impact of the Quality of Legal Machinery

  2,500

  October 1998

  Alice Belcher—University of Dundee

  Fast Track Simulation Pilot

  31,386

  December 1998

  John Peysner—Nottingham Trent University

  Criminal Justice Reform and the Organisation of Criminal Defence Services

  15,200

  June 1998

  Lee Bridges—University of Warwick

  Toward a Civil Justice Audit

  32,168

  June 1998

  Joanna Shapland—University of Sheffield

  Study of the services to litigants in person provided by the Citizens' Advice Bureau in the Royal Courts of Justice

  10,693

  June 1998

  Joyce Plotnikoff and Richard Woolfson—Consultants in Management, IT and the Law

  Impact of legal aid on litigants behaviour: an empirical analysis

  43,800

  January 1999

  Paul Fenn—University of Nottingham Alastair Gray—Wolfson College, Oxford University

  Neil Rickman—University of Surrey

  Regional study of local authority and court processes in homelessness cases

  30,989

  March 1999

  Trevor Buck—University of Leicester

  Civil legal aid for children: a mapping exercise

  24,654

  March 1999

  Judith Masson—University of Warwick

  ADR in the Court of Appeal—Preliminary Work

  5,000

  March 1998

  Hazel Genn—University College London

  Applicability to other tribunals and court jurisdictions of principals/practice in the London Parking Appeals Service

  25,246

  April 1999

  John Raine—University of Birmingham

  Professionalising Lay Justice: Effective Clerking in Family Proceedings

  39,507

  July 1999

  Joan Hunt—Wolfson College, Oxford University

  County court baseline data

  52,361

  May 1999

  Hazel Genn—University College London

  Alternative Dispute Resolution in Commercial Cases

  14,500

  September 1999

  Hazel Genn—University College London

  New public management and the administration of justice in the magistrates' court

  25,000

  December 1999

  Ben Fitzpatrick—Leeds University

  Community Legal Service: Developing joined-up solutions

  19,500

  January 1999

  Jane Steele

  Legal Aid and the Human Rights Act 1998

  26,507

  May 1999

  Richard Moorehead—Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Claire Brown—Independent consultant

  Cross-jurisdictional issues in case management

  12,500

  1April 2000

  Joyce Plotnikoff and Richard Woolfson—Consultants in Management, IT and the Law

  398W
  of the projects was subject to a specific veto on publication of results or control over date of publication. A standard clause in research contracts is that
  "the contractor shall always consider any representation from the Contract Manager for the revision of any publication, interim or final, of the results".
  The Department retains the right to insert a disclaimer in published reports.
  399W

  LCD research projects contracted since May 1997

  Project Title

  Cost £

  Date completed

  Researcher details

  Factors affecting the decision to apply for Silk/Judicial Office

  9,652

  1April 2000

  Kate Malleson—London School of Economics Fareda Banda—School of Oriental and African Studies

  Community Legal Service: Pioneer Community Legal Service Partnerships

  33,779

  1December 1999

  Richard Moorehead—Institute of Advanced Legal Studies

  Finalising the civil justice audit

  25,377

  1April 2000

  Joanne Shapland—University of Sheffield

  Ancillary Relief Pilot Study

  11,177

  1December 1999

  Gwynn Davis—University of Bristol

  Study on Lay and Stipendiary Magistrates

  60,000

  2—

  Rod Morgan—University of Bristol and Taylor Nelson Sofres—Consultants

  Total

  1,003,776

  1Anticipated completion date

  2To be determined

  In addition £18,853 was contributed (1998–99 financial year) to a study entitled "Baseline Customer Research" commissioned by the Legal Services Ombudsman. The study was run by Customer Management Consultancy Ltd. and the resulting data were published in a Summary of Findings and Recommendations by the Legal Services Ombudsman in March 1999.

  Immigration and Asylum
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish the names and addresses of the solicitors' firms and other agencies which have been awarded block contracts by the Legal Aid Board to give advice, assistance and representation in immigration and asylum cases. [101295]

  Mr. Lock
  The Legal Aid Board has only recently offered contracts in immigration and asylum work to solicitors and other agencies and the exact number of contracted providers will not be known until the end of December 1999. Almost 500 contracts have been offered and the Board expects a high proportion of them to be taken up. From January 2000, the Board will be able to provide information on those contracted to do immigration and asylum work. It would not be right to publish the names and addresses of firms and agencies who have been offered contracts, but who have not yet decided to accept them, because to do so would be breaking the commercial confidentiality held between the Board and the suppliers. The names and addresses of those solicitors firms and other agencies awarded contracts will be placed in the Library in January 2000 and will also be set out in the Community Legal Service Directory. The Directory is expected to be published in April 2000.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Antartic Environmental Treaty
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards ratification of the Antarctic Environmental Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [100806]

  Mr. Hain
  The Environmental Protocol to the Antartic Treaty and its Annex I to IV entered into force on 14 January 1998. The United Kingdom's instrument 400W
  of ratification of the Protocol was deposited on 25 April 1995. To give effect to the Protocol in UK law, the various Sections of the Antartic Act (1994) were brought into force between 1 November 1995 and 14 January 1998.

  The fifth Annex to the Protocol, dealing with the Antartic protected areas system, is anticipated to enter into force in 2000, following approval by four remaining Antartic Treaty Parties. The UK approved V Annex in May 1996.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions he has taken to promote a peace process in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [100802]

  Mr. Hain
  We believe a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka can only be reached through a political settlement. We have made clear that we stand ready to help in the resolution of the conflict if both sides ask us to play a role.

  Burma
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Burma regarding(a) human rights, (b) religious freedom and (c) the detention of James Mawdsley. [100712]

  Mr. Battle
  Our Ambassador in Rangoon frequently raises our concerns with the Burmese authorities about human rights, including religious freedom, most recently with the Burmese Foreign Minister on 16 November. The UK also co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on 19 November, condemning the human rights violations and urging the Burmese regime to ensure full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedom. Our Ambassador in Rangoon, accompanied by Mrs. Mawdsley, visited James in prison on 20 November and remains in close touch with the Burmese authorities on his case.

  Chechnya
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he raised matters relating to the Russian military activity in Chechnya and
  401W
  compliance with the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and additional protocols of 1977 at the OSCE Istanbul summit; and if he will make a statement. [100837]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has raised our concerns on Chechnya with Foreign Minister Ivanov, including at the OSCE Istanbul summit. We and our EU partners have reminded all parties to the conflict of the necessity to observe international humanitarian law.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Russian authorities over the invasion of Chechnya; and if he will make a statement. [101193]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had regular discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov, most recently in a telephone conversation on 3 December, urging that Russia should seek a negotiated political settlement to the conflict. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has also written to the Russian President and Prime Minister underlining our concerns.

  EU Policy (Northern Dimension)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the development of a Northern Dimension in EU policy; what areas are covered; what policies are concerned; and what budgets are involved. [101003]

  Mr. Vaz
  The development of a Northern Dimension to EU policy has progressed under the Finnish Presidency. I attended a conference in Helsinki on 16 November. The Commission are now drafting an Action Plan. Key policy areas concerned are energy, environment, nuclear safety, transport and cross-border co-operation. Activities will be financed through the EU PHARE, TACIS and INTERREG programmes.

  Death Penalty
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) national and (b) EU programmes are in progress to encourage states to abolish the death penalty. [101007]

  Mr. Hain
  The United Kingdom opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. Together with EU partners, we regularly call upon all states to abolish it. Where the death penalty is retained, we urge states to apply it only for the most serious crimes and to observe international minimum standards such as the non-execution of minors, pregnant women or the insane.

  The UK, along with its EU partners, regularly carries out demarches in a number of countries including most recently, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, the USA, Iran, Ukraine, the Philippines and Uganda.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future role of the Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers. [101005]
  402W
  Mr. Vaz
  The Deputy Secretary-General will be responsible for the day to day running of the Council Secretariat and supporting the Secretary-General as appropriate.

  EU Stability Pact
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the development of a European Union Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe; what finances are involved; which Directorate-Generals are involved; which countries are concerned; what is the purpose of this agreement; what representations he has received from concerned parties; and what Common Financial and Security Policy considerations are covered; [101011]

  (2) what staff will be required for the European Union Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe; at what cost; what nationalities will be eligible to join; and from which institutions the Special Co-ordinator will be chosen. [101012]

  Mr. Vaz
  The founding document of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe places the pact under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The Special Co-ordinator for the Stability Pact (Bodo Hombach) was appointed by the European Union, after consultation with OSCE Chairman in Office and other Pact participants.

  The Office of the Special Co-ordinator is in Brussels. The Office currently has 29 staff, many secondees from participant countries (including the UK). We anticipate that the UK's contribution to cover the costs of the inaugural Summit meeting of the Stability Pact, and the costs incurred in supporting the EU's Special Representative for the Stability Pact until 31 December 1999, will be approximately £225,000.

  The Pact brings together the countries of the region, the EU, the USA, Russia, a range of other countries, many international organisations and International Financial institutions. It has been stressed at all Stability Pact meetings that there is a role for FRY when conditions permit. Meanwhile, Montenegro is fully involved in the Pact's work.

  The Pact aims to promote peace, stability and democracy in the region. The EU plays a leading role in the Pact. But other international organisations and the IFIs also have a critical role to play. The Pact's strength is as a catalysing and co-ordinating organisation. It is not intended to be a grant-giving body. We will continue to support the implementing agencies (EU, OSCE, IFIs, etc.) through our regular contributions and on a case-by-case basis.

  The UK has played an active role in the first meetings of the Regional Table and three Working Tables (covering Democracy/Human Rights, Economic Reconstruction/ Development/Co-operation and Security Issues). These and other meetings and regular bilateral contacts enable us to have a full exchange of views with all Pact participants and the Special Co-ordinator on all aspects of the Stability Pact process.

  There was an informal meeting of Stability Pact Foreign Ministers in the margins of the OSCE Summit in Istanbul on 18 November. This provided a useful stock-taking opportunity. Overall progress has been good.

  403W
  But the Stability Pact has been in existence for less than six months and although early wins are important, sustainable progress in the long-term is the real prize.

  Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the Charter of Fundamental Rights will identify those rights pertaining solely to EU citizens; and what voting procedure will pass the final document. [101004]

  Mr. Vaz
  The reference in the Cologne Conclusions on rights pertaining to EU citizens is designed to make the Charter an effective showcase of existing EU rights.

  The decision-making process in the Charter drafting body is consensus-based. The Cologne Conclusions state that the European Council will propose to the European Parliament and the Commission that, together with the Council, they should solemnly proclaim a European Charter of Fundamental Rights on the basis of the draft document.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposals under discussion for the establishment of an EU agency for human rights and democracy; what is the relevant treaty base; if such will fall under the remit of the Common Foreign and Security Policy; and what timescale is envisaged. [101010]

  Mr. Hain
  In the Vienna Declaration of 10 December 1998, the EU undertook to consider various ways of strengthening its human rights structures. This year's Cologne Council suggested that the advisability of setting up an Agency for Human Rights and Democracy should be considered. We would give careful thought to any such proposal, including how an Agency would fit with existing Common Foreign and Security Policy mechanisms.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the types of rights planned for inclusion into an EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. [101009]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Charter drafting body has yet to start work. Its first meeting is on 17 December. But the Cologne Conclusions provide some indications of the ground that might be covered. We believe that the Charter should make it easier for EU citizens to know the civil and political rights which they already enjoy under the Treaties.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department first received reports of moves by other EU Governments to propose an EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; and from what initial source. [101006]

  Mr. Vaz
  There was a specific reference to work on an EU Charter of Rights in the German Presidency Work Programme produced at the turn of the year.

  European Security Charter
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the incorporation of Russia into elements of the European Security Charter. [101008]
  404W
  Mr. Vaz
  Like other OSCE participating states, the Russian Federation signed the European Security Charter at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul on 18–19 November 1999. The Charter, which as well as confirming participating states' adherence to previous OSCE commitments sets out principles for future security co-operation in Europe, was the result of lengthy negotiations amongst OSCE participating states, including Russia.

  British Deaths (Nigeria)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of procedures used by British High Commission staff to obtain police reports on the deaths of British citizens in Nigeria. [101363]

  Mr. Hain
  I am satisfied that the British High Commission in Abuja and the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos do all they properly can to obtain police reports on the deaths of British citizens in Nigeria.

  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions when British High Commission staff have met representatives of the Nigerian Government to ask for a copy of the complete police report on the death of Mr. Mark Davey. [101362]

  Mr. Hain
  British High Commission staff met representatives of the Nigerian Government on the following occasions:15, 18 and 29 May 1998;
  4 August 1998;
  27 August 1998;
  27 October 1998;
  5 March 1999;
  8 April 1999;

  12 April 1999; and
  21 September 1999

  In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service raised the issue with the Permanent Secretary at the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 16 February 1999.

  The British High Commission has reminded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on numerous occasions that a copy of the report has not been forthcoming. They have written to officials and Ministers on five occasions and sent Diplomatic notes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a further five occasions. I look for opportunities to raise this matter when I visit Nigeria early next year.

  The British High Commission will continue to press the Nigerian authorities for a copy of the report.

  Torture
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which member countries of the OSCE have failed to eradicate torture and cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. [101366]

  Mr. Vaz
  The issue of torture was discussed at the Human Dimension session of the OSCE Review Conference in Istanbul on 9 November. It was noted that, while torture is prohibited in all OSCE participating states, instances of abuse persist in many parts of the
  405W
  region. No state should be complacent. Eradication of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment is a constant process, requiring in particular effective human rights protection for detainees and investigation and punishment of offences.

  The Government are funding work by the OSCE to address these issues, for example the production of a handbook on combating torture.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia about wildlife conservation, with particular reference to orang-utans and Tanjung Puting National Park; and if he will make a statement. [99675]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government are concerned that forest degradation, including illegal logging in Indonesia and elsewhere, represents a critical threat to the survival of many species including orang-utans. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other Government departments are in frequent touch with the Indonesian authorities on forest issues. The Government are working with other countries and international institutions to encourage Indonesia urgently to put in place systems to ensure the sustainable management of forests, and the protection of forest habitats. The Department for International Development appointed a Forestry Adviser to Indonesia in January 1999, who is working closely to this end with the Government of Indonesia and local communities.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Kosovo; and how long he estimates UK troops will remain there. [101330]

  Mr. Vaz
  The situation in Kosovo has been transformed in the six months since the deployment of KFOR on 12 July.

  KFOR has robust presence throughout Kosovo. The Serbian VJ and MUP forces have withdrawn and their reign of terror and repression has ended. The KLA have been demilitarised. But problems remain. KFOR are having to devote 50 per cent. of their manpower to the protection of minorities, with a permanent presence in Serb communities. Some 1,800 UNMIK police have been deployed covering 60 per cent. of Kosovo but further resources are needed. The murder rate has fallen but crime and violence remain too high. The UK is working with EU partners to help the UN Mission (UNMIK) more effectively to tackle organised crime.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed export of smoke and incendiary grenades to the Norwegian KFOR contingent in Kosovo; and what assessment he has made of its compatibility with the UN and EU arms embargoes in place in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. [101732]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have granted a licence for the export to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) of 2,000 incendiary hand grenades and 6,000 coloured smoke 406W
  grenades for use in de-mining activities by the Norwegian KFOR contingent deployed in Kosovo. These goods are on the UK's military List.

  UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1160 imposed an arms embargo on the FRY. The only exception to this embargo is that UNSCR 1244 provides that prohibitions imposed by UNSCR 1160 shall not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material for the use of the international civil and security presences in Kosovo. Equipment needed for de-mining activities is not covered by the EU arms embargo.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his current foreign policy objectives are aided by the ECGD. [101486]

  Mr. Hain
  ECGD aids the following foreign policy objectives:

  Objective 2:
  To improve, through international action, economic opportunities for a prosperous UK.

  Objective 3:
  To improve quality of life worldwide; and develop a strong international community.

  Objective 4:
  To increase the impact and respect for British foreign policy and values.

  Objective 5:
  To ensure the UK plays a strong role in a strong Europe, responsive to people's needs.

  UN Security Council resolution 1244 established UNMIK and KFOR for an initial deployment of 12 months, to continue thereafter unless the Security Council decided otherwise. We believe the international presence should remain in Kosovo for as long as is necessary to ensure a secure environment for the people of Kosovo to live in peace.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution the ECGD makes to Britain's foreign policy objectives. [101485]

  Mr. Hain
  ECGD contributes to Britain's foreign policy Objective 2 (to improve, through international action, economic opportunities for a prosperous UK) by promoting an safeguarding UK trade and outward investment, and other economic, financial and technological interests overseas; and by developing and implementing arrangements to further free, fair and sustainable trade and economic relations. Objective 3 (to improve quality of life worldwide; and develop a strong international community) is assisted by ECGD encouraging growth and development through out the world; and by international action to protect the environment.

  Objective 4 (to increase the impact and respect for British foreign policy and values) is contributed to by ECGD's involvement in multilateral bodies, such as the OECD and Paris Club, and through multilateral and bilateral debt, and debt relief initiatives; by ensuring that international considerations inform government policy-making; and by providing a response to the

  407W
  concerns of Parliament, the public, and the media. Objective 5 is supported (to ensure the UK plays a strong role in a strong Europe, responding to people's needs) by ECGD's involvement in promoting effective EU external policies in the field of export credits.

  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how nuclear test is defined in the context of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; what the source is of the definition; and if he will make a statement. [101387]

  Mr. Hain
  The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty does not set out a definition of a nuclear test. The obligations of parties to the Treaty are contained in Article I. These obligations are not to carry out any nuclear weapons test explosion or any other nuclear explosion, and to prohibit and prevent any such nuclear explosion at any place under its jurisdiction or control. State parties also undertake to refrain from causing, encouraging, or in any way participating in the carrying out of any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion.

  These obligations where drawn up in the course of the treaty negotiations.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty following the failure of the United States Senate to ratify the Treaty. [101389]

  Mr. Hain
  We have made clear our deep disappointment with the US Senate's vote against ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We will continue to work with the US Administration, and with other key countries, to bring the Treaty into force as soon as possible.

  Russia
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) UK bilateral and (b) NATO financial assistance is being (i) offered and (ii) provided to Russia in relation to (1) decommissioning redundant nuclear weapons and delivery systems, (2) destruction of chemical weapons and (3) other arms control systems; and if he will make a statement. [101384]

  Mr. Hain
  The UK has provided £35,900,000 in bilateral assistance to support the decommissioning of redundant nuclear weapons. This figure comprises £35 million for equipment to transfer warheads from the Former Soviet Union to Russia between 1992–95 and approximately £900,000 assistance on safeguards and materials accountancy. We have also announced a £5 million bilateral assistance programme to help Russia deal with its nuclear waste and spent fuel legacy. Specific projects are now being considered, but, before we can initiate projects on the ground, we need an adequate legal and financial framework for such assistance. This is under negotiation.

  NATO does not provide financial assistance in these areas. At the Washington Summit this year, NATO said that it would consider options for confidence and security-building measures, verification, non-proliferation
  408W
  and arms control and disarmament. The Council in Permanent Session will propose a process to Ministers this month for considering such options.

  The Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced on 24 November that nuclear safety in the Former Soviet Union would be the subject of cross departmental study in the 2000 Cross-cutting review. The UK is also contributing to ongoing discussions in the EU on a "Joint Action Establishing a European Union Co-operation Programme for Non-proliferation and Disarmament in the Russian Federation."

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the high-level parliamentary visits planned this year to Russia, referred to at paragraph 19 of the paper dated 6 October prepared by his Department and supplied to the Foreign Affairs Committee. [101386]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer my hon. Friend to the annexe of Parliamentary visits attached to the supplementary Memorandum submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 2 December. The list of visits for 1999 is as follows:

  Parliamentary Visits 1999

  January
  Ivan Rybkin, President Yeltsin's personal envoy to CIS, plus seven deputies for seminar on standards in public life, organised by Leeds University.

  March
  Nine MPs, House of Commons Defence Committee.

  April
  Alexander Shokhin, Chairman of Duma faction of "Our Home is Russia" Party, plus four deputies to London and regions.
  North Atlantic Assembly delegation to Moscow.
  Five Deputies, Duma Budget Committee (tax sub-committee).

  May
  Alexander Zhukov, Chairman, Duma Budget Committee plus four deputies Terry Davis, MP (as candidate for Secretary General Council of Europe).

  June
  Six deputies, Duma Budget Committee (tax sub-committee)1.
  Three deputies, Duma Budget Committee (tax sub-committee)1.
  Five deputies, Duma Information Policy Committee Nikolai Stolyarov, Deputy Chairman, Duma Foreign Affairs Committee plus four deputies.
  Four Deputies, Duma Veterans Committee.
  Nineteen deputies to UK for election study visit.
  Five MPs to Moscow and Regions.
  Six MPs to Moscow, for discussions on Kosovo.
  Two deputies to UK (in group of Ministry of Labour officials and NGO representatives).

  July
  Vladimir Lukin, Chairman, Duma Foreign Affairs Committee, for opening of Scottish Parliament.
  Nikolai Stolyarov, Deputy Chairman, Duma Foreign Affairs Committee for Inter-parliamentary seminar on security issues.

  September
  Lord Cromwell and Dr. Michael Clark, MP to Moscow, for meetings on democracy and governance.
  Two Duma deputies, Ivan Rybkin and Viktor Sheinis, for a seminar on media and elections campaigns.

  October
  Eight MPs from the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, to Moscow, St. Petersburg and Ekaterinburg.

  November
  Andrew Tyrie, MP to Moscow, for meetings on human rights issues.

  1Separate visits
  409W
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the United Kingdom made representations to the Russian Government about the prosecution of the journalists Nikitin and Pasko; and if he will make a statement. [101383]

  Mr. Vaz
  We, along with our EU partners, have been concerned that the trials of the environmentalists Nikitin and Pasko should be conducted fairly, justly and in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. We will continue to monitor both cases.

  Russia (QMV)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason qualified majority voting has been introduced into the Common EU strategy on Russia; what was his policy on its introduction; what decisions henceforth will no longer be subject to unanimity; what decisions have been taken under the new procedure; and what is the procedure for restoring the unanimity principle. [101013]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Treaty on European Union, as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam, which entered into force on 1 May 1999, provides for the European Council to decide on common strategies unanimously. It also provides for the Council to act by qualified majority when adopting joint actions, common positions, or taking any other decisions on the basis of a common strategy. If a member of the Council declares that it intends for important and stated reasons of national interest to oppose the adoption of a decision to be taken by qualified majority, a vote shall not be taken. The Council may, acting by qualified majority, request that the matter be referred to the European Council for decision by unanimity. No actions have yet been taken on the basis of the common strategy on Russia by qualified majority. We support the new arrangements for the common foreign and security policy put in place by the Treaty of Amsterdam.

  Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the extent to which the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty has been(a) ratified and (b) implemented by the relevant states. [101385]

  Mr. Vaz
  (a) The Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty was ratified by all 30 States and entered into force in July 1992. The adapted CFE Treaty was signed in Istanbul on 19 November 1999. The adapted Treaty will not come into force until all 30 signatories have ratified. This could take some time. In the interim period, the original CFE Treaty remains in force.

  (b) While there have been a number of examples of non-compliance, implementation since the Treaty came into force has generally been good. We and our NATO Allies continue to press for full compliance, and have made clear that our ratification of the adapted Treaty will depend upon the level of all Parties' compliance with limits that have been agreed.

  State Visits (Policing)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is standard 410W
  practice for minutes not be taken of meetings held between officials of his Department and the Metropolitan Police on security matters relating to state visits. [101293]

  Mr. Battle
  It has not been standard practice to take minutes of such meetings.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he or his officials have had access to minutes taken by the Metropolitan Police of meetings between his officials and the police in relation to the visit of the Chinese President. [101354]

  Mr. Battle
  There are no such minutes.

  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on those detained by the police during the state visit of the President of China to the UK. [101891]

  Mr. Battle
  Following a further review, I am now able to give figures for arrests for activities related to the State Visit in all police areas visited by the Chinese President. As I made clear in the Debate on the Address, no-one was charged. As the Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Clarke) said on 5 November 1999,Official Report, column 366W, 15 people were arrested in the Metropolitan Police Area. I regret that I may have implied during the Debate on the Address that there were no arrests. I can now confirm that, in addition to those above, one person was arrested in the City of London. There were no arrests in Cambridge. I reconfirm that no one was charged in any of these police areas.

  Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the enhancement of non-military crisis response tools within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as established in section 56 of the Cologne Presidency Conclusions; to what extent qualified majority voting will apply; what the role will be of (i) national Governments and (ii) the Commission in their deployment; and what is his policy towards the pooling of national civil resources and expertise complementing other CFSP initiatives. [100998]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Presidency have carried forward the conclusions of the European Council at Cologne on non-military crisis response tools, and will present a report to the European Council at Helsinki suggesting how the Cologne conclusions may be taken further. Decisions on any new arrangements in this area will be taken by consensus. No decisions have yet been taken on the roles of the Commission or of national governments in any new coordinating arrangements. We support better coordination of the various non-military crisis response tools at the disposal of the Community and member states as a way of strengthening the European Union's common foreign and security policy.

  Bilateral Visits (US)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of major inward and outward bilateral visits
  411W
  to and from the USA since September 1998 compiled on the same basis as the annexe contained in the memorandum dated 5 October submitted by his Department to the Foreign Affairs Committee entitled "The FCO's Role in Promoting British Interests in Relations with Russia". [101388]

  Mr. Battle
  Once a complete list is available in the early part of next year, it will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Child Care
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the strengthening of early years development and child care partnership plans to ensure a comprehensive network of child care provision. [98727]

  Ms Hodge
  My Department issued planning guidance to assist the early years development and child care partnerships to draw up their updated plans for 2000–01 in September. The guidance emphasises that plans should be working towards comprehensive coverage of child care services. Between May 1997 and end of June 1999, this Administration has created 94,316 new child care places, compared with 74,053 new places created by the out of school child care initiative in the four years between April 1993 and April 1997.

  Since September, we have held a series of 14 planning guidance conferences around England attended by over 900 partnership members. As part of an extensive programme of partnership support we have also made a series of two and three day strategic planning modules available to partnerships. These modules offer workshop sessions tailor made to suit the needs of individual partnerships and give an opportunity for partners to identify detailed strategies to implement their early years development and child care plan.

  The wider programme of partnership support includes publication of a series of good practice guides, the setting up of quarterly, regional partnership meetings for partnership chairs, lead officers and members, and the issue of regular newsletters and information sheets to partnership members. We are currently assessing partnership training needs and will make training packages available to them by the end of this financial year.

  Nursery Places
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by local education authority the number of additional nursery school places created since May 1997. [100007]

  Ms Hodge
  Since September 1998, all four-year-olds have been eligible for a free early education place. Currently around 587,000, or 95 per cent., of these places are taken up.

  In addition, we are making available £390 million over three years to almost double the number of three-year-olds in England able to access a free early education place. These resources will fund 190,000 new places by March
  412W
  2002. From September 1999, £40 million of this new money has been allocated to the 57 local education authorities with the highest levels of social need, to create around 48,000 new, free places during 1999–2000. From April 2000, additional funding for three-year-olds will be distributed across all local education authorities, again prioritised by social need.

  The table shows the number of places that we expect to be created across all authorities by 2000–01. We have yet to determine the allocation for 2001–02.

  LEA

  1999–2001

  Liverpool

  1,167

  Manchester

  563

  Birmingham

  6,059

  Newham

  1,618

  Sandwell

  466

  Hackney

  1,444

  Knowsley

  65

  Tower Hamlets

  275

  Southwark

  958

  Lambeth

  1,646

  Nottingham

  1,016

  Greenwich

  821

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  762

  Haringey

  704

  Wolverhampton

  100

  Bradford

  1,220

  Sunderland

  469

  Leicester

  1,412

  Middlesbrough

  57

  Kingston upon Hull

  460

  Lewisham

  1,566

  Islington

  1,043

  Walsall

  102

  Salford

  154

  Oldham

  1,086

  Rochdale

  900

  Sheffield

  2,565

  Barking and Dagenham

  262

  Brent

  1,017

  Coventry

  1,229

  Doncaster

  593

  Gateshead

  625

  Camden

  831

  Blackburn with Darwen

  887

  Waltham Forest

  1,562

  South Tyneside

  73

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  595

  Hartlepool

  34

  Halton

  544

  Ealing

  410

  Bolton

  748

  Barnsley

  885

  Leeds

  1,247

  Stoke-on-Trent

  439

  Wandsworth

  1,601

  Stockton-on-Tees

  66

  Redcar and Cleveland

  54

  St. Helens

  725

  Rotherham

  1,186

  Blackpool

  1,058

  Wirral

  1,437

  Tameside

  593

  North Tyneside

  68

  Durham

  301

  North East Lincolnshire

  629

  Wakefield

  581

  Hounslow

  584

  Westminster

  918

  Southampton

  1,579

  413W

  LEA

  1999–2001

  Sefton

  486

  Derby

  687

  Kirklees

  1,100

  Kensington and Chelsea

  695

  Brighton and Hove

  1,046

  Bristol

  821

  Luton

  1,179

  Enfield

  1,284

  Telford and Wrekin

  914

  Wigan

  1,339

  Portsmouth

  1,045

  Calderdale

  381

  Plymouth

  1,262

  Croydon

  884

  Redbridge

  913

  Dudley

  77

  Slough

  244

  Isle of Wight

  506

  Torbay

  327

  Darlington

  25

  Cornwall

  1,644

  North Lincolnshire

  493

  Thurrock

  547

  Southend-on-Sea

  590

  Lancashire

  1,871

  Nottinghamshire

  180

  Reading

  183

  Northumberland

  67

  Bournemouth

  435

  Peterborough

  651

  Hillingdon

  638

  Bury

  51

  Trafford

  54

  Barnet

  82

  Merton

  51

  Medway

  665

  Derbyshire

  176

  Harrow

  225

  Warrington

  50

  Cumbria

  112

  Havering

  78

  Bexley

  58

  Richmond upon Thames

  41

  Lincolnshire

  141

  Swindon

  122

  Stockport

  70

  Bromley

  341

  Norfolk

  176

  City of London

  1

  Staffordshire

  194

  Herefordshire

  41

  Devon

  150

  Suffolk

  563

  Oxfordshire

  234

  Cambridgeshire

  142

  Cheshire

  161

  Kent

  467

  Dorset

  282

  Milton Keynes

  61

  Gloucestershire

  735

  Surrey

  251

  Bracknell Forest

  89

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  34

  Bedfordshire

  98

  Kingston upon Thames

  35

  East Sussex

  110

  Somerset

  112

  West Berkshire

  37

  Wiltshire

  215

  North Somerset

  51

  Solihull

  46

  414W

  LEA

  1999–2001

  Shropshire

  63

  North Yorkshire

  106

  Isles of Scilly

  19

  Warwickshire

  119

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  80

  Northamptonshire

  164

  Bath and North East Somerset

  37

  Essex

  314

  Leicestershire

  349

  Poole

  34

  Worcestershire

  130

  Sutton

  46

  South Gloucestershire

  61

  Wokingham

  37

  Rutland

  8

  York

  42

  Buckinghamshire

  124

  Hampshire

  295

  Hertfordshire

  265

  West Sussex

  163

  Total

  83,636

  New Deal (Heywood and Middleton)
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many clients have joined the New Deal Voluntary Option since its launch(a) nationally and (b) in the constituency of Heywood and Middleton. [100295]

  Ms Jowell
  From the launch of the New Deal in January 1998 to the end of September 1999, 22,400 young people nationally, and 11 young people in Heywood and Middleton constituency, had left the Gateway to start the Voluntary Sector option.

  Early Year Services
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the inspection system for early years services. [99096]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 29 November 1999]: On 2 December, the Care Standards Bill was introduced into another place. Part V of the Bill makes provision for the reform of the regulation of early years services. In particular, it enables the regulation of child care and early years education in England to be brought together under a distinct and new Early Years Directorate in Ofsted.

  Part V also makes other important changes to the regulation of child care. For example, it provides for new and uniform national standards for child care. It introduces, for the first time, checks on people working with children aged 8 and over. It will also ensure that overnight care is properly regulated.

  These measures will ensure greater consistency in child care provision. They will result in safer environments of a higher quality for children and less bureaucracy for providers. Parents will have access to more information and so make better informed choices. And they will have greater peace of mind knowing that unsuitable people are prevented from caring for their children.

  LEA Administration Costs
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent, in cash terms, by local education authorities in England on administration within their education budgets in the most recent year for which information is available. [100928]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table gives information by each local education authority in England for the financial year 1997–98 on central administration expenditure within the local education authorities education budgets.

  Expenditure on administration by LEAs in England for financial year 1997–98

  LEA number

  LEA name

  Total net expenditure (£000)

  201

  London, City of

  640

  202

  Camden

  6,108

  203

  Greenwich

  8,318

  204

  Hackney

  8,037

  205

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  3,631

  206

  Islington

  5,222

  207

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,409

  208

  Lambeth

  768

  209

  Lewisham

  5,355

  210

  Southwark

  6,505

  211

  Tower Hamlets

  8,867

  212

  Wandsworth

  3,823

  213

  Westminster, City of

  5,143

  301

  Barking and Dagenham

  3,782

  302

  Barnet

  4,021

  303

  Bexley

  4,780

  304

  Brent

  2,883

  305

  Bromley

  4,638

  306

  Croydon

  3,604

  307

  Ealing

  6,576

  308

  Enfield

  6,959

  309

  Haringey

  3,431

  310

  Harrow

  3,444

  311

  Havering

  2,623

  312

  Hillingdon

  3,878

  313

  Hounslow

  3,902

  314

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,887

  315

  Merton

  3,745

  316

  Newham

  4,267

  317

  Redbridge

  2,566

  318

  Richmond upon Thames

  2,302

  319

  Sutton

  3,825

  320

  Waltham Forest

  7,579

  330

  Birmingham

  13,139

  331

  Coventry

  2,518

  332

  Dudley

  3,070

  333

  Sandwell

  4,199

  334

  Solihull

  2,960

  335

  Walsall

  2,258

  336

  Wolverhampton

  3,464

  340

  Knowsley

  3,518

  341

  Liverpool

  8,4311

  342

  St. Helens

  2,519

  343

  Sefton

  3,611

  344

  Wirral

  5,324

  350

  Bolton

  3,284

  351

  Bury

  2,173

  352

  Manchester

  7,160

  353

  Oldham

  2,343

  354

  Rochdale

  3,124

  355

  Salford

  6,808

  356

  Stockport

  3,434

  357

  Tameside

  2,935

  416W

  Expenditure on administration by LEAs in England for financial year 1997–98

  LEA number

  LEA name

  Total net expenditure (£000)

  358

  Trafford

  1,906

  359

  Wigan

  4,094

  370

  Barnsley

  2,555

  371

  Doncaster

  3,477

  372

  Rotherham

  3,626

  373

  Sheffield

  6,408

  380

  Bradford

  6,516

  381

  Calderdale

  2,882

  382

  Kirklees

  6,401

  383

  Leeds

  9,419

  384

  Wakefield

  4,961

  390

  Gateshead

  4,343

  391

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  5,210

  392

  North Tyneside

  1,217

  393

  South Tyneside

  3,208

  394

  Sunderland

  2,218

  420

  Isles of Scilly

  48

  800

  Bath and North East Somerset

  2,685

  801

  Bristol, City of

  7,427

  802

  North Somerset

  3,502

  803

  South Gloucestershire

  5,222

  805

  Hartlepool

  1,899

  806

  Middlesborough

  2,890

  807

  Redcar and Cleveland

  1,907

  808

  Stockton on Tees

  2,562

  810

  Kingston upon Hull, City of

  3,464

  811

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  4,057

  812

  North East Lincolnshire

  2,573

  813

  North Lincolnshire

  5,227

  815

  North Yorkshire

  6,894

  816

  York, City of

  1,359

  820

  Bedfordshire

  4,738

  821

  Luton

  2,436

  825

  Buckinghamshire

  10,175

  826

  Milton Keynes

  5,128

  830

  Derbyshire

  4,688

  831

  Derby City

  2,428

  835

  Dorset

  3,066

  836

  Poole

  1,736

  837

  Bournemouth

  2,252

  840

  Durham

  7,556

  841

  Darlington

  1,656

  845

  East Sussex

  7,767

  846

  Brighton and Hove

  4,044

  850

  Hampshire

  13,474

  851

  Portsmouth

  1,952

  852

  Southampton

  1,058

  855

  Leicestershire

  7,991

  856

  Leicester City

  16,577

  857

  Rutland

  374

  860

  Staffordshire

  2,243

  861

  Stoke on Trent

  3,484

  865

  Wiltshire

  5,915

  866

  Swindon

  1,485

  903

  Berkshire

  8,404

  905

  Cambridgeshire

  8,392

  906

  Cheshire

  8,888

  908

  Cornwall

  4,839

  909

  Cumbria

  3,581

  911

  Devon

  9,049

  915

  Essex

  5,872

  916

  Gloucestershire

  6,431

  918

  Hereford and Worcester

  4,791

  919

  Hertfordshire

  11,744

  921

  Isle of Wight

  3,233

  922

  Kent

  27,805

  923

  Lancashire

  19,887

  925

  Lincolnshire

  7,965

  417W

  Expenditure on administration by LEAs in England for financial year 1997–98

  LEA number

  LEA name

  Total net expenditure (£000)

  926

  Norfolk

  5,349

  928

  Northamptonshire

  5,848

  929

  Northumberland

  4,918

  930

  Nottinghamshire

  16,335

  931

  Oxfordshire

  8,468

  932

  Shropshire

  3,549

  933

  Somerset

  6,492

  935

  Suffolk

  5,309

  936

  Surrey

  11,662

  937

  Warwickshire

  6,914

  938

  West Sussex

  8,767

  Total

  678,572

  Labour and Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the outcome of the Labour and Social Affairs Council held in Brussels on 29 November; and if he will make a statement. [100994]

  Ms Jowell
  I represented the UK at this meeting of the Council.

  The Council approved the draft Joint Employment Report for 1999, the latest draft Employment Guidelines for 2000 and the latest draft of the Council Recommendation on the implementation of member states' employment policies. These elements were also agreed by the Joint ECOFIN/Social Affairs Council, held on the same day, at which the Secretary of State and I represented the UK. They will now be submitted to the Helsinki European Council on 10–11 December for agreement.

  The Council reached political agreement on the Council Decision establishing the Employment Committee.

  A Resolution on the employment and social aspects of the Information Society was adopted by the Council. This calls on member states to maximise the job potential of the Information Society through measures related to: learning and research; the world of work and public services.

  In the absence of consensus on the provisions for employees involvement in the proposed European Company, Presidency efforts to find a compromise solution will continue in December.

  The UK confirmed that it could only accept Article 63(4) as a legal base for extending Regulation 1408/71 (Co-ordination of Social Security Systems to Third Country Nationals). Some other member states supported Articles 42 and 308. The issue will be taken forward under the Portuguese Presidency.

  Most member states called for varying degrees of extension of Regulation 1408/71 to cover Third Country Nationals and non-active persons. The UK argued in
  418W
  favour of simplifying the Regulation first and then extending it later as a separate exercise. Discussions will continue under the Portuguese Presidency.

  The Council adopted Conclusions on a concerted strategy for modernising and improving social protection and agreed to the establishment of a Group of High Level Officials to exchange information and best practice and to write reports for the Council.

  The Council noted a Presidency progress report on the Proposal for a Directive on Physical Agents (Vibration).

  The Commissioner presented a package of measures to prohibit discrimination under the new powers of the Amsterdam Treaty (Article 13). There will be a discussion of the package in the appropriate working group in December in order to prepare the work of the Portuguese Presidency.

  Employment Pact
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if section II 4 of the Resolution of the European Council on the European Employment Pact permits positive discrimination. [101099]

  Ms Jowell
  Section II 4 of the Resolution of the Employment Council does not permit positive discrimination and, in any case, has no legal effect.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the implementation of subsidiarity within the Employment Pact, with reference to individual projects planned. [101098]

  Ms Jowell
  The European Employment Pact is consistent with the principles of subsidiarity. The Pact is an amalgam of three non-binding processes, the existing Luxembourg employment process and the Cardiff economic reform process, and a third, new element, the macro-economic dialogue, termed the 'Cologne process'. There are no new individual projects planned.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the Macro-economic Dialogue, indicated in section 12 of the Resolution of the European Council on the European Employment Pact; and what discussions he has held on the dialogue. [101111]

  Ms Jowell
  The macro-economic dialogue referred to in section III of the Resolution of the European Council on the European Employment Pact takes place biannually among social partners and fiscal and employment policy makers at EU level. There are two elements, a technical working party which had their first meeting on 29 October 1999 and a political level ministerial meeting which took place for the first time on 8 November 1999. These meetings provided an opportunity for an initial exchange of views.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the Jumbo Council meeting referred to in the report to the Cologne Council on the European Employment Pact. [101113]
  419W
  Ms Jowell
  The Jumbo Council is the meeting of the Finance and Economic Policy Council and the Employment and Social Affairs Council. It meets every six months during each Presidency.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the measures for closer co-operation between EU states within the framework of the European Employment Pact; what new priorities are under discussion; and if he will make a statement on progress made under the Pact. [101110]

  Ms Jowell
  The European Employment Pact agreed at the Cologne European Council on 3–4 June 1999 brought together three processes. Two of these were the existing Luxembourg employment process and the Cardiff economic reform process. The third, new, element was the macro-economic dialogue, termed the 'Cologne process'. The Pact gives fresh impetus, through the macro-economic dialogue, to the promotion of long term, sustainable job creation in a climate of stability and steady growth.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobs his Department estimates have been created as a consequence of decisions taken through the Employment Pact. [101112]

  Ms Jowell
  The European Employment Pact gives fresh impetus to the existing Luxembourg employment process as well as introducing a macro-economic dialogue process which helps create a climate of stability and steady growth. The UK National Action Plan, produced as part of the Luxembourg process sets out policy initiatives for a medium term strategy to maximise job creation.

  Teachers
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) maths and (b) science trainee teachers have been placed in the employment-based route to teaching schemes in each of the three terms of the 1998–99 school year; and what was the average cost per place in each of those terms. [100908]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: In the school year 1998–99, the number of training plans approved for the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programmes from people who had secured a placement to teach mathematics or science was as follows:

  Term

  Mathematics

  Science

  Autumn 1998

  15

  9

  Spring 1999

  9

  11

  Summer 1999

  8

  11

  The average termly training grant for maths and science programmes approved during 1998–99 was:

  Term

  Cost (£)

  Autumn 1998

  1,075.41

  Spring 1999

  1,051.75

  Summer 1999

  1,206.53

  Middle Schools
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future of middle, deemed secondary, schools. [101177]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Systems of organisation involving middle deemed secondary schools are traditional in some local education authority areas. We recognise that a variety of patterns of organisation are possible, and we support those that are in the best interests of education in the area. Any proposals to change the age range of a school by a full year or more will need to go through the formal statutory proposal process. If there are any objections, the proposals will be decided by a local school organisation committee or, if the committee cannot agree, by an independent adjudicator.

  Unauthorised Absence
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average level of unauthorised absence(a) in schools in local education authorities with three-tier school systems and (b) nationally. [101176]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Promoting regular school attendance is a key component in the Government's strategy to raise educational standards. Our recently published strategy document "Tackling Truancy Together" sets out our proposals to reduce days lost to education as a result of truancy. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  In 1998–99, 0.6 per cent. of half days were missed as a result of unauthorised absence in maintained primary and secondary schools in those local education authorities in England which operated a three-tier system. This compares with an overall national figure of 0.7 per cent. of half days missed.

  Head Teachers (Early Retirement)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many headteachers are eligible to apply to be considered for early retirement under his proposals; and how many retirement packages can be provided from within the funding allocated for the scheme; [101395]

  (2) who will determine whether headteachers applying for the Government's early retirement package meet his Department's criteria of not being able to carry forward the major changes envisaged in improving education; and how applicants will be judged against the criteria. [101393]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  £10 million of Standards Fund money has been made available for 2000–01 to support the early retirement of headteachers. A limit of £50,000 has been placed on the support available in any individual case. This will allow for at least 200 retirements to be supported by the scheme. Local Education Authority employers will determine which of their headteachers appear to meet the scheme's criteria and prioritise those for whom they are applying for support. This Department and OFSTED will consider the evidence provided by LEAs in support of each application and announce during January which applications have been approved.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the planned expenditure on performance-related pay for teachers over the next two years, broken down by category of expenditure, including(a) training, (b) cost of external assessors and advisers and (c) pay awards for teachers passing through the threshold. [101397]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government have set aside up to £1 billion over the next two years to fund Green Paper proposals, the vast majority of which is for pay. We have announced a Standards Fund grant of £20 million in 2000–01 for introductory training for performance management and provisionally a further £8 million in 2001–02. We are considering what further training and support might be provided centrally for schools. The costs associated with this training and the external assessors and advisers will be subject to the outcome of negotiations. The Government has proposed to the STRB that teachers should receive up to £2,000 for passing the threshold. There will be no quota on threshold successes and it is not possible therefore to give a total cost in advance; this will depend upon the number of teachers who pass the threshold.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications have been received in response to his Department's advertisement for external assessors to operate under the teachers' performance-related pay scheme. [101394]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have received over 3,000 expressions of interest from people wishing to be an external assessor under our proposed threshold arrangements for teachers.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when Hay/McBer will complete its work on the threshold criteria under the teachers' performance-related pay proposals; and when he will publish the criteria. [101391]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has commissioned Hay/McBer to undertake research into the characteristics of effective teaching. In relation to the threshold, they will identify models of good practice which the Department will take into consideration in finalising its proposals for the threshold standards. He intends to invite views on the draft threshold standards early next year.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  DVLA
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the backlog of unopened post at the DVLA; and what operational problems exist at the DVLA; [99106]

  (2) what the current waiting time is for driving licence applications; and if he will make a statement. [99105]
  422W
  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: Approximately 80,000 items of mail are received at DVLA daily. For security and operational reasons, DVLA post is never opened until the point of processing and therefore there is currently a four to five day queue of unopened mail, which is about normal for the time of year. The level of work awaiting processing is carefully monitored each day.

  On the driving licence side, which accounts for 20,000 to 30,000 applications per day, the DVLA undertakes to issue driving licences, including return to the applicant, within three weeks—15 working days—from the date of receipt at the Agency. This three-week standard has been met or bettered consistently throughout the year.

  In cases where a driver declares a medical condition—amounting to some 1,100 applications a day—because of the increased complexities the service standard is five weeks for a car licence and seven weeks for a bus or lorry licence. Some current cases in these categories are taking longer. Action is being taken to bring this service up to standard and the position is steadily improving.

  There are no exceptional operational difficulties at the Agency. Over the pas 18 months, major changes to both driver and vehicle computer systems have been successfully introduced.

  Ruddy Duck
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the direct cost is to his Department of each ruddy duck shot this season as part of the Central Science Laboratory's culling programme. [99592]

  Mr. Mullin
  The cost of the control trial is approximately £800,000 over four financial years. The aims of the control trail are to test the feasibility of eradicating the UK's population of ruddy duck within ten years, determining the financial cost of such a programme and indicating the number of birds needed to be culled each year to achieve this.

  Additionally, the control trial aims to identify the factors which will impact on any national programme, such as whether compulsory access to land would be necessary, the distribution and numbers of ducks at various sites, methods of control dependent upon differing habitats and the number of visits needed to individual sites. Due to the many varied aspects and requirements of this control trial, a cost of controlling each individual duck was not requested from the contractors.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many ruddy duck have been shot by the Central Science Laboratory this season. [99598]

  Mr. Mullin
  The control trial is being undertaken in three areas of the country: Western Midlands, Anglesey where the control is all year round, and Fife, where the control is post-season only. The control trial does not focus on the numbers of birds culled, it looks at the wider picture of how the control is progressing given the various conditions, such as habitat, numbers of birds at each site, migratory movements, access to land, and number of site visits. However, between March and end of September 1999, with control only taking place in two of the regions,
  423W
  over 12 per cent. of the total national ruddy duck population was culled. At the conclusion of the first year, the contractors will produce a detailed report one aspect of which will be the number of birds culled.

  River Thames
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who has responsibility for search and rescue on the River Thames in the event of an emergency. [99624]

  Mr. Hill
  Her Majesty's Coastguard is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of civil maritime search and rescue within the United Kingdom search and rescue region. That region includes all tidal waters within UK territorial limits, and so includes the tidal River Thames.

  Within that, responsibility for search and rescue on the Thames is undertaken by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Port of London Authority (PLA) and the Metropolitan Police; under detailed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between them, MCA retains overall responsibility and also handles incidents in the Thames estuary upstream to Canvey Island as part of its coastal operation. Under the MoU between MCA and the PLA, the PLA co-ordinates search and rescue incidents on the rest of tidal Thames, west of Canvey Island to Teddington Lock. PLA in turn have an MoU with the Metropolitan Police, covering the Thames between Crayfordness and Teddington, under which the Police assume responsibility for handling major incident in that area.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the division of responsibilities between the Marine Coastguard Agency, the River Police (Thames Division), the Fire Brigade and the Port of London Authority for safety on the River Thames. [99622]

  Mr. Hill
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is responsible for developing, promoting and enforcing high standards of marine safety; for minimising loss of life among seafarers and coastal users; and for responding to maritime emergencies 24 hours a day. This responsibility applies to the River Thames where MCA is responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of search and rescue.

  The Port of London Authority (PLA) is responsible for the maintenance of the safety of navigation and for the conservancy of the tidal Thames. Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MCA, the PLA also co-ordinates search and rescue incidents west of Canvey Island to Teddington Lock. The PLA in turn has an MoU with the Metropolitan Police covering the Thames between Crayfordness and Teddington, under which the Police assume responsibility for any major incident in that area.

  The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Thames Division is responsible for the prevention of crime and disorder, high visibility patrolling and emergency policing response, which includes saving or preserving life when called upon to do so. It has general responsibility for the co-ordination of the response to civil emergencies. Accordingly, the MPS assumes responsibility for any major incident between Crayfordness and Teddington. But it does not provide a dedicated search and rescue facility.
  424W
  The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has designated responsibility for fire fighting and the provision of fire prevention information and advice. It has no designated responsibility for river rescue. With a view to increasing flexibility of river borne operations, it recently took delivery of two new fast response craft. While the primary purpose of these craft is for firefighting, they can be used to assist rescue operations and are equipped to do so. In the event of a serious incident on the Thames, the LFB would place their vessels and themselves at the disposal of the other relevant authorities to help rescue casualties.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the Regional Marine Safety Committee has met; who are the members; what recommendations it has made on safety on the Thames; and how many recommendations have not been acted on. [99620]

  Mr. Hill
  The London District Marine Safety Committee covers safety on the Thames. It is chaired by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and has met on 11 occasions. Its members are representatives of HM Coastguard; Norfolk County Council; London Fire and Civil Defence Authority; Environment Agency; Port of London Authority; Health and Safety Executive; Trinity House; the Metropolitan Police; P&O European Ferries; Stena Line; F T Everard and Sons; National Federation of Fisherman's Organisations; Royal Yachting Association and Upper Thames Passenger Boat Association.

  The main purpose of District Marine Safety Committees is to keep under review the distribution of responsibilities for safety, rescue and control of pollution on inland and coastal waters. They facilitate communication between interested parties and resolve local issues quickly. In fulfilling this role the London District Safety Committee, its sub-committees and working groups have considered a wide range of issues, many relevant to safety on the Thames. Achievements include development of model guidelines for Port Emergency Plans; assisting in the development of two Codes of Practice, one for local authorities and one for users, on Personal Watercraft; providing guidance on manning scales for small passenger boats; development of an inland waterway boat activity matrix as a basis for risk assessment and development of emergency plans for stretches of water with significant usage.

  The London District Marine Safety Committee has made recommendations of more general interest to the annual National Marine Safety Steering Group Committee and its successor, the Marine Safety Co-ordinating Committee. Of particular relevance was a recommendation on the need to introduce more specific regulation to control alcohol abuse; a public consultation document was issued on 2 December 1999.

  Child Passengers (Risks)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the risk involved in children(a) travelling as car passengers and (b) travelling as motorcycle pillion passengers; and if he will make a statement. [100011]

  Mr. Hill
  There were 85 child car passenger casualties per 100 million km travelled between 1996 and 1998 in Great Britain. Of these, seven per 100 million km were fatal or serious.
  425W
  The number of children identified in the National Travel Survey making journeys as motorcycle pillion passengers over the last five years has been too small to provide a reliable estimate for the population as a whole.

  The absolute numbers of child passenger casualties in the past three years are as shown in the table.

  Child passenger casualties (aged 0–15) in Great Britain: 1996–98

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1996–98

  Two-wheel motor vehicle passengers

  Fatal

  1

  3

  0

  4

  Serious

  51

  48

  34

  133

  Slight

  130

  137

  141

  408

  Total

  182

  188

  175

  545

  Car passengers

  Fatal

  75

  72

  63

  210

  Serious

  1,218

  1,171

  1,133

  3,522

  Slight

  14,036

  14,598

  14,546

  43,180

  Total

  15,329

  15,841

  15,742

  46,912

  Croydon Tramlink
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when Croydon Tramlink will be fully operational and open to the public. [100437]

  Mr. Hill
  This is a matter for Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. (TCL), the private sector consortium which holds the concession to build, operate and maintain the tram system. I understand that TCL's latest programme has an opening date for the full system in February 2000.

  Scooters
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in enabling scooters to be conveyed on trains since February 1997. [100727]

  Mr. Hill
  The position is little changed. The majority of train operating companies and, indeed, other transport operators, will not carry scooters. The difficulty is that many are physically too big to be accommodated, or they are not sufficiently stable to travel safely.

  We are continuing to work with the wheelchair manufacturing industry to develop a system of labelling mobility equipment which is transportable. This will help disabled people to choose a scooter or wheelchair to suit their particular lifestyle.

  Auxiliary Coastguards
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many coastguard stations in the UK auxiliary coastguards have operated digital selective calling in the last 12 months; for what period the emergency has lasted; how many auxiliary coastguards have been trained in the last year; and where they are located. [100665]

  Mr. Hill
  There have been no occasions on which Auxiliary Coastguards have operated digital selective calling in emergency situations in the last 12 months. 73 426W
  Auxiliary coastguards have been trained in the last year and details of where they are located is summarized in the following table:

  Coastguard Region

  Auxiliary Coastguards having received familiarisation

  Location

  West of Scotland and Northern Ireland Region

  59 in total

  Greenock, Ardossan, Campbeltown, Tarbert and Islay

  North East Scotland

  2 in total

  Kirkwall and Wick

  Eastern

  0

  —

  West

  0

  —

  South-East

  0

  —

  South-West

  12 in total

  St. Marys, Isles of Scilly, Lizard, Lands End, Trevose Head

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many training courses have been given to auxiliary coastguards in the operation of digital selective calling. [100664]

  Mr. Hill
  The training of Auxiliary Coastguards to operate Digital Selective Calling is undertaken on the job as part of their annual training programme, therefore specific training courses are not necessary.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding has been made available to the Marine and Coastguard Agency for training auxiliary coastguards to operate digital selective calling in case of an emergency involving the failure of radio equipment. [100663]

  Mr. Hill
  Training of Auxiliary Coastguards who may be required to operate digital selective calling, eg in the case of an emergency involving the failure of radio equipment, is provided on the job. Funding for this would be met from the overall Auxiliary Coastguard budget which was increased by 6.5 per cent. for the financial year 1999–2000.

  Rent
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to monitor the performance of the Greater Manchester Rent Officer Service in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [100769]

  Mr. Mullin
  Rent Officers are independent statutory officers, and my Department does not intervene in their decisions. Until recently, the conduct and performance of rent officers in Greater Manchester were the responsibility of the Chief Rent Officer for the Greater Manchester Rent Registration Area, under the supervision of a Proper Officer appointed by Manchester City Council. However, on 1 October the Rent Service was established as an Executive Agency of my Department. The Agency is committed to ensuring consistency and raising standards throughout the Rent Service.

  Road Noise
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish
  427W
  the list of the responses he has received to the Government's announcement of new measures to help alleviate noise on motorways and trunk roads. [100177]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Government's announcement of the budget and the criteria on 22 March this year to deal with some of the most serious and pressing cases of traffic noise on existing trunk roads did not invite responses. However, as a result of the announcement a further 43 sites have been brought to our attention, of which 23 have been taken forward for further study.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had recently with(a) the European Commission and (b) other EU ministers with regard to a common system of road noise measurement, and methods of alleviating road noise. [100172]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: Although there have not been recent Ministerial discussions on these issues, my Department is co-operating in a number of EU initiatives on noise, including work to finalise a Directive which, for the first time, would specify standards and limits for the noise generated by tyres.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on levels of noise nuisance to nearby residents which are caused by noise emanating from nearby motorways and trunk roads. [100216]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: The Highways Agency is currently undertaking detailed studies at a considerable number of locations with a view to identifying appropriate measures to reduce excessive levels of noise at nearby properties. The results of these studies are not yet available.

  Untaxed Cars
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions with which agency the responsibility to pursue the owners of untaxed cars lies; and if he will make a statement. [100790]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: The responsibility for pursuing the keepers of unlicensed vehicles rests with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The Agency works closely with the police and traffic wardens to detect unlicensed vehicles on the public road. Where an offence has been confirmed, action is taken through out of court settlement or, in the more serious cases, by prosecution.

  Last year successful action was taken against 475,000 tax dodgers with some £57.9 million recovered in fines and penalties. In addition, 125,000 evaders or potential evaders relicensed their vehicles as a direct result of enforcement action bringing in a further £15 million.

  Road Diggings
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the use of permanent reinstatement materials by utility companies when they dig up paved roads and footways. [101135]
  428W
  Mr. Hill
  Utilities carrying out street works are required to reinstate the street in accordance with the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways, which is a statutory code of practice published under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. The specification requires the permanent reinstatement to match the original surface materials as closely as possible.

  Public Transport (Women)
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the initiatives taken since May 1997 on women and public transport usage, indicating in each case the(a) date of the initiative, (b) budget and (c) impact assessment carried out; and if he will make a statement. [100886]

  Mr. Hill
  As women are the main users of public transport, our "New Deal for Transport" is of particular importance to them. It has put a greater emphasis on providing better quality transport services; on providing safer public transport; on improving the quality of the pedestrian environment; and on promoting land-use policies which encourage local services. The Commission for Integrated Transport will also take full account of women's transport needs.

  A number of initiatives have been—and will be—undertaken to improve the general availability and accessibility of public transport; for example, through Local Transport Plans, Bus Quality Partnerships and the national public transport information system. More specifically, we are finalising the production of a gender audit to assist transport planners and operators to develop and implement public transport systems that meet women's transport requirements and encourage sustainable development. The audit will be available in the new year.

  We are also continuing to make use of consultations, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women. We also require the inclusion of policy appraisal statements in each Ministerial policy submission.

  A380 Kingskerswell Bypass
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will include the A380 Kingsherswell bypass in his review of future road building. [101049]

  Mr. Hill
  The A380 Kingskerswell bypass was withdrawn from the trunk road programme in 1996 and, indeed, the A380 no longer forms part of the Trunk Road Network. Responsibility for the promotion of any such scheme lies with Torbay Council and Devon County Council which would have to consider it within the context of their respective Local Transport Plans. The Authorities are currently undertaking a joint study along the A380 corridor, which is to be developed for inclusion within their final Local Transport Plans, due for submission in July 2000.

  Countryside (Public Access)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what
  429W
  plans he has to increase public access to woodlands and river banks; and if he will make a statement. [101215]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government's plans, announced in March this year, to introduce a new statutory right of access on foot to specified categories of open countryside—mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land—will be included in the countryside Bill which was announced in the Queen's Speech. At the Government's request, the Countryside Agency, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission have recently reported on the case for extending public access to other types of open countryside, such as coast, woodland and riverside. We are considering their views carefully before deciding how best to proceed.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount has been spent since 20 March 1998 on(a) legal, (b) financial and (c) other consultancy costs for the public private partnership for London Underground; and (i) what were the initial budgets and (ii) what are the future estimates for future consultancy work. [101082]

  Mr. Hill
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on 12 May 1999,Official Report, columns 154–55W. I shall shortly be reporting London Transport's expenditure on external consultants up to the end of the first half of the current financial year. London Transport will not know the overall requirements or costs for external advice until the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) transaction has been

  London Underground delays of 15 minutes and over period 1 January 1998 to date (November 1999)Count of incident rate

  Symptom

  Bakerloo Line

  Central Line

  District Line

  Jubilee and East London Lines

  Metropolitan and Circle Lines (C and H)

  Metropolitan and Circle Lines(Main)

  Northern Line

  Piccadilly Line

  Victoria Line

  Total

  Altercation/assault

  22

  42

  26

  8

  5

  16

  28

  21

  2

  170

  Animal incident

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  2

  2

  1

  —

  10

  Antisocial behaviour

  7

  15

  13

  15

  8

  9

  15

  12

  3

  97

  Asset damaged/unfit to use

  17

  9

  5

  2

  1

  3

  6

  4

  —

  47

  Audible warning on train

  —

  3

  —

  8

  1

  15

  3

  —

  —

  30

  Awaiting connection

  —

  1

  —

  11

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  15

  Bomb alert—nothing found

  —

  1

  2

  1

  2

  —

  1

  3

  1

  11

  Booking office closed

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Chemical release

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Computer system failure

  4

  2

  2

  48

  3

  4

  2

  12

  —

  77

  Congestion

  2

  7

  4

  1

  —

  3

  7

  3

  1

  28

  Contact between person and train

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  3

  1

  1

  —

  8

  Current charges late

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  4

  —

  8

  Current discharged

  9

  3

  4

  1

  —

  —

  3

  4

  1

  25

  Damage to personal property

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Doors obstructed/held open

  1

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  1

  1

  2

  13

  Drunk

  1

  3

  4

  5

  2

  5

  4

  11

  —

  35

  Dual aspect on signal

  —

  —

  —

  6

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  8

  Earth recorded

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  7

  Emergency brakes applied on train

  —

  101

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  3

  108

  Erratic acceleration of train

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  430W
  completed, but the Government are working with LT to ensure that we receive the best advice while minimising the overall costs of implementing the PPP.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list research published by the London Underground task force; and if he will make a statement on its future work programme. [101080]

  Mr. Hill
  The Task Force for London Transport has published no research. Its role is to ensure that the extra resources London Transport were given in July, translate into real improvements for passengers.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the findings of the task force set up to monitor improvements to London Underground indicating how often the task force has met and when. [100952]

  Mr. Hill
  The Task Force monitors investment in the London Underground to ensure the delivery of improvements to passengers; this work is on-going. The task force meets every month.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of delays to passenger services of 15 minutes or more for each line of the London Underground for 1998 and 1999. [100946]

  Mr. Hill
  London Underground Limited (LUL) are responsible for delays for the day-to-day running of their Underground network, including any delays to services. LUL have provided the information set out in the table.
  431W

  London Underground delays of 15 minutes and over period 1 January 1998 to date (November 1999)Count of incident rate

  Symptom

  Bakerloo Line

  Central Line

  District Line

  Jubilee and East London Lines

  Metropolitan and Circle Lines (C and H)

  Metropolitan and Circle Lines(Main)

  Northern Line

  Piccadilly Line

  Victoria Line

  Total

  Error miscellaneous

  22

  36

  14

  15

  14

  24

  25

  19

  3

  172

  Escalator incident

  10

  6

  —

  3

  —

  1

  1

  1

  3

  25

  Fall between train and platform

  3

  6

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  14

  Fire/smoke alert

  73

  66

  37

  20

  22

  15

  59

  29

  20

  341

  Flooding

  2

  4

  4

  4

  1

  5

  4

  2

  —

  26

  Gas leak

  —

  —

  1

  3

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  7

  High wind

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Infrastructure damage/unfit to use

  1

  4

  2

  8

  4

  5

  4

  3

  —

  31

  Leaves on track

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Lift incident

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  14

  —

  17

  Miscellaneous/no details

  1

  2

  17

  2

  2

  3

  3

  5

  2

  37

  Missile

  —

  8

  3

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  14

  No aspect on signal

  1

  2

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  6

  No forward movement of train

  42

  124

  18

  35

  20

  32

  63

  13

  12

  359

  No stock

  —

  50

  —

  1

  3

  1

  3

  2

  —

  60

  Object on train

  7

  10

  6

  8

  4

  11

  10

  9

  —

  65

  Passenger alarm operated

  —

  16

  2

  3

  —

  1

  4

  2

  4

  32

  Person action miscellaneous

  5

  1

  6

  5

  3

  5

  1

  3

  3

  32

  Person caught/struck by doors

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Person ill

  8

  38

  24

  5

  15

  14

  30

  21

  3

  158

  Person on track

  14

  15

  10

  6

  8

  9

  13

  8

  10

  93

  Person overcarried to depot/siding

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Person train safety (other)

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  5

  Person under train

  8

  11

  7

  1

  4

  2

  13

  13

  6

  65

  Person(s) injured

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  1

  4

  1

  —

  11

  Platform edge door incident

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Platform overrun

  —

  4

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Points failure

  41

  54

  61

  21

  21

  48

  35

  24

  1

  305

  Police request

  5

  12

  5

  7

  2

  9

  5

  7

  2

  54

  Possession overrun

  16

  12

  46

  10

  14

  7

  26

  20

  10

  161

  Power failure

  12

  11

  7

  10

  4

  9

  6

  6

  —

  65

  Rail broken or displaced

  10

  9

  9

  3

  3

  3

  1

  4

  23

  65

  Signal overrun

  13

  11

  9

  15

  8

  11

  22

  13

  —

  102

  Signal remaining at danger

  75

  16

  56

  82

  16

  32

  32

  30

  11

  350

  Smell on train

  1

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  5

  Snow/ice

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Staff absent/not in position

  10

  54

  24

  237

  22

  33

  55

  55

  29

  519

  Stopped at closed station

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Surfer

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  TEP/TMS flashing or dead

  —

  —

  1

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12

  Theft

  2

  5

  3

  3

  1

  6

  4

  2

  1

  27

  Track circuit failure

  82

  148

  75

  27

  61

  67

  39

  30

  21

  550

  Track miscellaneous

  10

  3

  8

  16

  6

  7

  12

  6

  18

  86

  Track safety compromised

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  5

  Train brakes weak

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Train braking too hard

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Train collision

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Train defect miscellaneous

  26

  66

  42

  87

  22

  75

  67

  66

  30

  481

  Train derailment

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Train door safety system failure

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Train door opened incorrectly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  2

  432W 433W

  London Underground delays of 15 minutes and over period 1 January 1998 to date (November 1999)Count of incident rate

  Symptom

  Bakerloo Line

  Central Line

  District Line

  Jubilee and East London Lines

  Metropolitan and Circle Lines (C and H)

  Metropolitan and Circle Lines(Main)

  Northern Line

  Piccadilly Line

  Victoria Line

  Total

  Train failed brake test

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Train sluggish

  —

  15

  —

  7

  2

  3

  2

  1

  1

  31

  Train uncoupled

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Tunnel telephone operated

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Unattended/lost property

  17

  29

  26

  14

  32

  9

  44

  22

  28

  221

  Unauthorised access

  —

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  6

  Unauthorised use of inter-car doors

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Unexploded bomb

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Unusual noise on train

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  5

  Vandalism

  5

  34

  21

  8

  2

  15

  9

  4

  4

  102

  Vomit

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  4

  —

  10

  Wheels flatted

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Wrong signal cleared

  1

  21

  6

  3

  3

  6

  1

  9

  1

  51

  Wrong train description

  —

  —

  3

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  6

  Total

  596

  1,117

  629

  810

  353

  557

  689

  534

  259

  5,544

  Westminster Underground Station
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Westminster Underground Station on the Jubilee Line will open. [101081]

  Mr. Hill
  London Transport aim to open the Jubilee Line station at Westminster shortly before Christmas. It is, however, a deep and complex station, being constructed on a constricted site. LT cannot therefore guarantee the opening date at present.

  Essex County Council Press Officer
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement of the Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes) of 24 November 1999,Official Report, column 731, on what evidence the Minister based her statement that an Essex County Council press officer contacted newspapers and other media outlets in Essex, indicating the media outlets contacted and the dates and means of contact. [100844]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The statement was based on information received from the County Council and the Programme Officer. The media outlets contacted were as follows:

  Evening Gazette

  Evening Echo

  East Anglian Daily Times

  Essex Courier

  Epping Gazette

  Herts and Essex Observer

  Yellow Advertiser

  BBC Essex

  Essex FM

  Anglia TV

  BBC TV East

  BBC Newsroom Southeast

  434W
  All the above mentioned outlets were contacted on 3 November, by fax. Additionally, the Essex Chronicle was dealt with in the manner I alluded to in my oral statement.

  Housing Stock
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he has in place to help local authorities in relation to large-scale voluntary transfer of housing stock. [101084]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department has published comprehensive guidance on the stock transfer process, which is designed to assist local authorities who are transferring all or part of their housing stock to a Registered Social Landlord. Other measures in place include(a) the ability to use capital resources (i.e. provision for credit liabilities) rather than revenue to meet the cost of premium payments which arise when outstanding loans with the Public Works Loan Board are repaid early; (b) allowing authorities to capitalise for up to three years after transfer which additional rent allowance expenditure would otherwise fall on the general fund; (c) allowing authorities to value their stock using a discount rate of 7 per cent. rather than 8 per cent. as previously, thereby increasing the size of their capital receipt; and (d) guidance about warranties.

  M6
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for widening the M6 motorway between Preston and Birmingham. [101348]

  Mr. Hill
  I have no plans to widen the M6 between Preston and Birmingham.

  My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for roads and road safety announced on 23 March the programme of multi-modal and roads-based studies proposed in the Roads Review. The West Midlands to North West Conurbation Study, including the M6 between

  435W
  junctions 11 and 20, is in Tranche 1 of this programme. I have pleasure in announcing that this study has recently been awarded to consultants and will be completed by the summer of 2001.

  The consultants will be asked to indicate a comprehensive range of strategies across all modes that could be used to tackle the traffic problems in the area, and encourage modal shift especially for freight.

  As regards the M6 between junction 20 and the Scottish Border, the Highways Agency are seeking to develop a route management strategy study starting in the spring of 2000.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what matters concerning air traffic control will be decided at the 9 to 10 December Transport Council. [101624]

  Mr. Mullin
  Although there will be an exchange of views on air traffic management at the Transport Council on 9 and 10 December, no decisions on any matters concerning air traffic control will be taken.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place a copy of the Commission Communication on air traffic delays which will be discussed at the Transport Council on 9 to 10 December in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [101610]

  Mr. Mullin
  A copy of the final version of the Commission's Communication on "the creation of a single European sky" will be placed in both Libraries of the House as soon as it is received.

  Eurocontrol
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the final decision will be made on the EU membership of Eurocontrol; and if he will make a statement. [101623]

  Mr. Mullin
  Negotiations between Eurocontrol and the European Community on the terms and conditions for Community accession to Eurocontrol are still in progress. It is hoped to conclude them early next year.

  Domestic Airline Routes
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government are doing to encourage competition in the main domestic airline routes in the United Kingdom. [101299]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government believe that the interests of UK consumers are best served by ensuring that a framework exists within which airlines can compete freely to provide services. The UK strongly supported the creation of the European Single Aviation Market for scheduled, chartered and air cargo services, which came into force on 1 January 1993.

  Within the Single Market, Community carriers may offer the services they wish and set fares according to their commercial judgment. It is therefore open for any
  436W
  Community air carrier to offer domestic air services on routes within the UK, if it considers that such services are commercially viable. It will often be the case however, in the UK as elsewhere, that demand on domestic air routes is insufficient to support competitive provision of services.

  Housing Capital Resources
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to make an announcement about the distribution to local authorities of housing capital resources for 2000–01. [101644]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Details of housing capital allocations for local authorities for 2000–01 will be announced tomorrow. I am arranging for tables giving individual Housing Investment Programme allocations to be placed in the Library of the House. These tables will also show the performance band in which each authority has been placed.

HEALTH

  Nurses National Register
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered nurses have been struck off the national register held by the UK Central Council for Nurses and Midwives and subsequently reinstated, and in what time period this reinstatement occurred, since the creation of the UK Central Council for Nurses and Midwives for(a) all disciplinary issues and (b) cases involving care of the elderly. [98469]

  Mr. Denham
  In the period since 1 July 1983, when the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting was first established, to 31 March 1999, 1,098 practitioners have been removed from, and 256 restored to the register. Further information on this and on cases involving care of the elderly is available from the UKCC.

  Nursing Vacancies (West Surrey)
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurse vacancies exist in West Surrey Health Authority. [99911]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of nurse vacancies in West Surrey Health Authority area as at 31 March 1999 is given in the table.

  Total vacancies

  3 month vacancies

  Qualified nurses

  310

  260

  Unqualified nurses

  50

  40

  Notes:

  Total vacancies are those posts trusts were actively trying to fill.

  Hard to fill vacancies are those posts that were vacant for three months or more at 31 March 1999.

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 as hard to fill

  Source:

  Department of Health Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies Survey March 1999

  Tooth Whiteners
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the removal of tooth whiteners from sale following its change of status from a medical device to a cosmetic. [100661]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have received 51 representations on tooth whiteners, comprised of 32 letters from Parliamentary colleagues, seven Parliamentary questions and 12 letters from industry and the public following the confirmation from the Court of Appeal that these products are subject to the provisions of the Cosmetics Directive.

  Avon Health Authority
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of Avon Health Authority's scheme to reduce out-patient waiting times by guaranteeing a number of out-patient appointments for each primary care group. [100641]

  Mr. Denham
  Avon Health Authority, working with local general practitioners and National Health Service trusts, is looking at ways of improving orthopaedic waiting times. As part of this work, the health authority is considering whether the successful pilot scheme, operated by North Bristol NHS Trust and North West Bristol Primary Care Group, which guarantees individual GP practices a specified number of out-patient appointments can be extended across the health authority area. No formal assessment of the North Bristol pilot scheme has been undertaken by the NHS Executive. We welcome local initiatives to reduce out-patient waiting times by involving PCGs.

  Denplan
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists have required their patients to take out insurance with Denplan in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [100625]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not available on the number of dentists who decide to de-register some or all of their National Health Service patients, and at the same time offer to provide future care and treatment under a private arrangement, which may include an insurance plan such as Denplan.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Young Carers Project. [100830]

  Mr. Hutton
  While the Department has made no specific assessment of this project, we are aware of the valuable work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society in this and other fields. The Department is however, working closely with local authorities, health authorities, the voluntary sector, and young people themselves to implement our commitment to young carers as outlined in the National Carers Strategy.

  Anaesthetists
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled in the last 12 months at Bolton Royal Hospital due to unavailability of an anaesthetist. [100921]

  Mr. Denham
  Over the last twelve months, no operations were cancelled at the Royal Bolton Hospital due to the unavailability of an anaesthetist. All consultant anaesthetist posts at the hospital are currently filled and two additional consultants are expected to be appointed early next year.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled at(a) St. Bartholomew's Hospital, (b) the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and (c) the Homerton Hospital in Hackney due to the lack of availability of an anaesthetist. [101409]

  Mr. Denham
  Since April 1999, St. Bartholomew's Hospital has cancelled an estimated three operations, the Royal London Hospital an estimated 14 operations and the Homerton Hospital no operations, due to illness or absence of anaesthetic staff, or because an anaesthetist was called away to deal with a clinical emergency. Currently, all consultant anaesthetist posts within the Homerton National Health Service Trust are filled.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure the availability of anaesthetists, and to prevent operations being cancelled due to their absence. [101410]

  Mr. Denham
  At national level, numbers of higher specialist trainees in anaesthetics have been reviewed recently and we are satisfied there are sufficient to meet National Health Service demands for consultant anaesthetists over the next few years. Currently, there are enough higher specialist trainees in anaesthetics, for there to be around 1,280 extra qualifying for consultant posts by 2005. It will be for individual NHS trusts and health authorities who are accountable for the quality of the services they provide, to determine the number, grade and mix of staff they will require to deliver quality services in their location.

  Health Expenditure (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital projects have been approved in Leicestershire during(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01. [101056]

  Mr. Denham
  Figures are provided in the table. Capital schemes for 2000–01 are still awaiting approval.

  Year

  NHS Trust

  Capital project

  Amount £ million

  1996–97

  Leicester Royal Infirmary

  Linear Accelerators

  2.7

  1997–98

  —

  —

  —

  1998–99

  Leicestershire Mental Health Services1

  Elderly Psychiatric Disorder/Elderly High Dependency Unit

  9.2

  1998–99

  Leicestershire Mental Health Services1

  Community Mental Health Teambase

  1.1

  439W

  Year

  NHS Trust

  Capital project

  Amount £ million

  1999–2000

  Leicester General Hospital

  Satellite Dialysis (Lincoln County Hospital site)

  1.1

  1999–2000

  Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare

  Loughborough District General Hospital (Phase II)

  9.4

  1 On 1 April 1999 Leicestershire Mental Health Services National Health Service Trust and Fosse Health NHS Trust merged to form Leicestershire and Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what has been the average level of increase in percentage terms for health authorities for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000; and what has been the percentage increase for Leicestershire Health Authority; [101055]

  (2) what level of funding would be received by Leicestershire Health Authority if it was funded at 100 per cent. of weighted capitation. [101054]

  Mr. Denham
  Leicestershire Health Authority's weighted capitation target for 1999–2000 is £530.78 million.

  The table shows the average cash increase for health authorities for 1997–98,1998–99 and 1999–2000 and the cash increase for Leicestershire Health Authority.

  Year

  Average cash increase in percentage terms

  Leicestershire Health Authority cash increase in percentage terms

  1997–98

  3.93

  4.28

  1998–99

  4.70

  5.19

  1999–2000

  6.60

  7.15

  Anti-bullying Policies
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by region, those NHS trusts which have implemented anti-bullying policies. [100937]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: Bullying of staff, in whatever form it may take, is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by any National Health Service employer. Information on local anti-bullying policies is not collected centrally, but may be obtained from individual National Health Service employers.

  The National Health Service depends on the skill and dedication of its staff. Providing staff with a good, safe working environment free from discrimination and harassment is a key priority for local managers.

  Radiation
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on whether persorption and translocation expose certain subgroups of the population to increased radiation doses. [100861]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The Department has funded, and continues to fund, research into the phenomenon of persorption (absorption
  440W
  of particulate material through the gut wall). This research has demonstrated that particulate material can be persorped and translocated in some animal models under very specific biological conditions. However, further work is required to determine whether this would increase the dose to those tissues affected.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the risks associated with ingestion and inhalation of radioactive particles. [100854]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has a comprehensive programme of research on the biokinetics and dosimetry of inhaled particles, including human studies of particle deposition and clearance and animal studies of particle dissolution in the lung. Complementary studies on ingested particles have also been undertaken. These studies have the aim of improving estimates of dose and risk by providing information for the development of biokinetic and dosimetric models. In recent years, many of these studies have been carried out with partial support from the European Commission in multi-partner projects involving institutions in several member states. The NRPB has recently participated in a review of risks from ingested and inhaled particles, and in the development of a database of experiments on radionuclide biokinetics, undertaken for the European Late Effects Programme funded by the European Commission. The Department has also funded studies on the behaviour and effects of inhaled and systemically administered radioactive particles.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on methods for assessing the relative biological effectiveness of Auger-emitting radionuclides. [100858]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The National Radiation Protection Board has undertaken studies of the biokinetics, dosimetry and relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the Auger-emitting nuclide, zinc-65. The method used to compare the RBE of zinc-65 and x-rays was to measure chromosome damage in cultured prostate cells either incubated with zinc-65 or exposed to x-rays. The NRPB has recently contributed to a review of data on Auger-emitting nuclides, undertaken for the European Late Effects Programme, funded by the European Commission. The Department is also currently funding research into the effects of Auger emitters which is not yet complete.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the risks from low doses and low dose rates of ionising radiation; and what research his Department is(a) undertaking and (b) has commissioned on this subject. [100841]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: Since 1986, the Department and its predecessor, the Department of Health and Social Security, has administered the Radiological Protection Research Programme. The objective of this programme is to identify the research which is needed to inform policy development in the area of low level radiation exposure (both ionising and non-ionising), its effects, and the need

  441W
  to quantify the risk to public health and to implement appropriate preventative measures. The programme has funded many individual research projects designed to examine these aspects of radiation exposure. During that 14-year period, the Department has had a considerable number of representations on the effects of low level radiation exposure from both individuals and groups representing a large variety of environmental concerns.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will commission research into the health effects of(a) ingested and (b) inhaled uranium as a result of exposure to ammunition containing depleted uranium. [100842]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department has not commissioned any research into the effects of exposure to depleted uranium and has no plans to do so.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what epidemiological research his Department has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned into the health effects of aqueous and atmospheric discharges of radioactive isotopes from licensed nuclear sites in England and Wales. [100843]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The Department is funding a project entitled "Geographical variations in childhood cancer incidence generally and in relation to nuclear installations." The contract is held by the Childhood Cancer Research Group in Oxford but is a multi-centre collaboration so that all cases of childhood cancer in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) between 1969 and 1993 can be included in the study. The study will be looking at variations in incidence rate in relation to socio-demographic factors, clustering, population mixing, nuclear installations and parental preconceptual irradiation.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on the relationship between the chemical form of specific radionuclides and their localisation in the body. [100860]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The Department has funded research into whether the chemical form (speciation) of particular radionuclides effects their uptake. Currently, the Department is funding a study of the gastro-intestinal uptake by critical populations of certain radionuclides found in the general environment, such as strontium. The results, when available, will be used to test the validity of uptake models.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the radiation dose from plutonium incorporated in tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes is determined. [100853]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: There are two methods that are currently in widespread use by the radiation protection profession around the world. Both were developed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The first is the ICRP 30 Lung Model, the second the ICRP Human Respiratory Tract Model for Radiological Protection (HRTM). The approaches in both are broadly similar to each other, but HRTM is based on more recent
  442W
  information and understanding. In particular, the parameters used in the HRTM to calculate the amounts of inhaled materials retained in the tracheobronchial lymph nodes (TBLN) were based on numerous measurements of radionuclides in lungs and TBLN from tissues taken at autopsies.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken to establish whether plutonium isotopes concentrate in human gonads. [100856]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The Department has funded research to establish whether plutonium concentrates in human gonads. The project, using extremely low levels of a very pure form of plutonium-237 in volunteers, demonstrated that plutonium does not concentrate in human testes.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into whether radionuclides concentrate in human gonads. [100855]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The Department relies on advice on this matter from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). As part of a programme of research on the biokinetics and dosimetry of radionuclides, NRPB have measured the retention of radionuclides in the testes of rodents and, in collaboration with the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, studied mechanisms of uptake. Work has concentrated on the behaviour of naturally occurring and artificial alpha emitters and also Auger emitters, because of the importance of the relative position of the retained nuclide and target cells for these short range emissions. Most radionuclides do not concentrate selectively in the gonads. The NRPB' s Assessment of Internal Doses to Subjects in the Health and Safety Executive Follow-up to Gardner Study involved calculating doses to testes from incorporated radionuclides for a group of Sellafield workers. As a part of this project, information relating to radionuclide retention in the testes was reviewed. Particular attention was paid to plutonium. From the data available, it was found that only between one thousandth and one ten thousandth part of the plutonium taken up by the body ended up in the testes.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on the interaction between ionising radiation and other environmental agents. [100857]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department has funded research in an attempt to examine the interaction between ionising radiation and other environmental agents, specifically the interaction between gamma rays and benzene. These experiments proved very difficult to perform in realistic biological systems and the results were inconclusive. Further information on the mechanisms of interaction between radiation and other environmental agents remains a priority for research.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on methods for assessing the relative biological effectiveness of natural alpha-emitting radioisotopes. [100859]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The National Radiation Protection Board has undertaken experimental studies of the biokinetics and dosimetry of

  443W
  naturally-occurring alpha-emitting radioisotopes of thorium, uranium and polonium, with the aim of improving estimates of dose and risk from exposure to these radionuclides. An NRPB study of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of in-utero exposure of mice to plutonium-239 alpha emissions, chromosome damage in bone marrow cells of offspring was compared in animals exposed to either plutonium-239 or x-rays. This methodology is applicable to naturally occurring alpha-emitting nuclides and avoids large-scale studies of tumour induction. The Department is also funding studies in animals on the effects of inhaled radon. These studies, concentrating on dose and dose rate effects in the induction of lung cancer, will provide information for the assessment of RBE.

  Audiology Services
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by the review into hearing aid and audiology services; and when he will receive the report of the review. [101142]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 2 December 1999]: The National Health Service Executive established a working group to take a closer look at hearing aid services and the part they play in a modern NHS. Ways of developing hearing aid services are currently being considered.

  Childline
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Childline; and if he will make a statement. [100945]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is committed to ensuring that voluntary organisations in receipt of section 64 funding gain maximum benefit from this financial support. The Department constantly keeps under review grants awarded, to check that the voluntary organisations such as Childline are performing effectively and the grants continue to take forward departmental policy priorities and objectives.

  As part of this process, during the autumn of 1997, Childline had a routine but in depth inspection by the Department. The report was extremely positive, describing Childline as a significant national organisation. The monitoring, evaluation and review arrangements attached to grants received by voluntary organisations such as Childline, requires them to provide us with an annual report on the way the Department's funding has been used. The report gives a detailed account of what has been achieved during the preceding financial year.

  Over its 10-year existence, Childline's achievements have been considerable. In particular, the agency has identified a previously largely unrecognised need; established a unique non-statutory service shaped from the start by children themselves in the way they used the service and the needs they expressed; built a good reputation becoming well respected and credible in the field; and maintained a very clear image to the public through the purity and consistency of its focus.

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the(a) number of patients to be
  444W
  treated, (b) number of beds, (c) number of consultant surgeons and (d) revenue budget for the financial year 2000–01 for (i) the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and (ii) the Christie Hospital in Manchester. [101492]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not yet available. The National Health Service trusts responsible for the Royal Marsden and the Christie Hospitals are currently developing plans but are unable to give estimates due to the number of variable factors which will affect forecasts this far in advance.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the Government's response to the report of the Royal Commission on long-term care. [101351]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the House on 2 December 1999,Official Report, columns 444–54.

  Nurses
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts have awarded the 12 per cent. pay rise to newly qualified nurses. [101355]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not centrally available.

  All National Health Service bodies employing nurses on national contracts should have implemented the pay scales set out in Advance Letter (NM) 1/99 issued to the service on the 8 April 1999.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial incentives he has evaluated for E-grade nurses, ward sisters and charge nurses. [101356]

  Mr. Denham
  This year nurses got their biggest real terms pay rise for 10 years, and for the first time in five years the award is being paid in full without staging. Most E grade nurses, ward sisters and charge nurses received a 4.7 per cent. increase in basic pay.

  Our proposals for modernising the National Health Service pay system were outlined in "Agenda for Change" published on 15 February 1999. Our aim is for a new pay system which properly rewards responsibility, competence and performance. For nurses these changes will mean a new career structure to replace the current clinical grades, which will provide better career progression and fairer rewards for developing new skills, taking on extended roles and team working. This is under active discussion with the trades unions.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he will take to stop experienced nurses from leaving the NHS. [101357]

  Mr. Denham
  The human resources framework "Working Together" sets out the Government's determination to improve the quality of working lives for all staff in the National Health Service and requires NHS employers to improve retention rates for all health professional staff. "Making A Difference" sets out a new
  445W
  vision for the future of nursing in the new NHS to ensure that nurses are able to develop satisfying and rewarding careers, including the introduction of nurse consultant posts. Significant progress has already been made to improve pay, tackle racism and inequality and create safe and healthy work places.

  In September this year, Ministers launched a £1 million campaign called "Improving Working Lives in the NHS" as part of our wider agenda on supporting the family. Each region has appointed a high profile champion to lead a multi disciplinary task force to introduce more flexible and family friendly policies in the NHS. The "Improving Working Lives Champion" for Chorley is Kath Holbourn, Director of Nursing, Leighton Hospital, Middlewich Road, Crewe and can be contacted on 01270 612 351.

  Medicines
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he intends to take in order to stop the practice of making medicines available by postcode area. [101358]

  Mr. Denham
  We have said many times we recognise and will tackle unacceptable variations in access to care and treatment. That is why we have set up the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE will reduce post-code variations by issuing authoritative national guidance based on evidence of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of treatments.

  Primary Care
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he will issue guidelines setting out which services primary care trusts will manage; [101411]

  (2) if it will be possible for new primary care trusts to provide (a) acute elders' services, (b) children's services, (c) maternity services and (d) services for those with learning difficulties. [101408]

  Mr. Denham
  Only Level 4 primary care trusts will be permitted to directly provide primary health care services. The range and nature of these services will be defined individually, by the outcome of local consultation. PCTs will not be able to provide acute services; however, a key part of their role will be to commission these services from a secondary care provider. As existing guidance ("Primary Care Trusts: Establishing Better Services") states, PCTs will adopt the commissioning role previously employed by Health Authorities.

  Guidance on the establishment, preparatory period and functions of PCTs is currently being prepared and will be issued in late December. This will further outline the PCT role in commissioning and developing community health services.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were employed in England's care homes and day centres(a) in each of the past 20 years, (b) on 1 May 1997, (c) on 9 March 1998 and (d) on the most recent date for which figures are available. [101310]
  446W
  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally. Information is available on people employed by local authority social services care homes and day centres. The table sets out the whole time equivalent for staff employed in England's care homes and day centres on 30 September of each year since 1979.

  Local authority personal social services staff employed in day centres and residential care homes on 30 September, 1979 to 1998

  England

  Whole time equivalents

  Staff of day centres

  Staff of residential care homes

  1979

  11,356

  80,734

  1980

  12,103

  82,516

  1981

  12,781

  83,117

  1982

  13,522

  83,611

  1983

  14,468

  85,413

  1984

  15,035

  85,058

  1985

  15,680

  85,456

  1986

  16,383

  86,694

  1987

  17,766

  88,242

  1988

  18,440

  88,496

  1989

  19,423

  88,285

  1990

  19,720

  87,858

  1991

  20,220

  83,001

  1992

  20,864

  78,918

  1993

  21,591

  74,048

  1994

  22,504

  72,155

  1995

  22,488

  68,650

  1996

  23,139

  67,973

  1997

  23,092

  65,422

  1998

  23,170

  62,146

  Source:

  SSDS001 return

TREASURY

  Personal Pensions
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will announce his decision on the abolition of the carry forward/carry back tax rules relating to personal pensions; and if he will make a statement. [101382]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The proposal to remove the carry forward and carry back facility forms part of the current public consultations on stakeholder pensions. We will announce our intentions when we have considered the responses to the consultation.

  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the tax relief that will be saved as a result of his proposal to abolish the carry forward/carry back tax rules relating to personal pensions; and if he will make a statement. [101381]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The consultation proposal to remove the carry forward and carry-back facility is intended to simplify pension administration not to raise revenue. We would not expect the removal of carry forward carry back to save tax relief.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Exchequer is estimated to receive as pension contributions and compensation this financial
  447W
  year and in each of the following three years in respect of public sector employees who were mis-sold personal pensions between 1988 and 1994. [100917]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  It is estimated that receipts of between £100 and £160 million will be received by the Exchequer this financial year, and in each of the following three years, as a result of public service employees who were mis-sold personal pensions being reinstated into public service pension schemes. The amount of receipts paid in match future liabilities. Any compensation paid into public service schemes will be matched by future benefits to pensioners.

  Electric Shock Dog Collars
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many electric shock dog collars Her Majesty's Customs and Excise possess; and how many times they have been used, and on how many dogs, since July 1998. [101435]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  HM Customs and Excise do not use collars which administer electric shocks to their dogs.

  Appropriation Orders
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a list of the Transfer of Appropriation Orders applied for by the Commission of the European Union and approved by, or awaiting the approval of, a meeting of a Council of Ministers, indicating for each the(a) budget reference purpose and amount of the original appropriation, (b) reason why it was not spent on the proposed purpose, (c) purpose for which it is to be spent and (d) parliamentary scrutiny to which it was subject. [101625]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Details of all transfers of appropriations dated up to 30 June 1999 have been deposited and are available in the House of Commons Library. Transfers since that date will be deposited in compliance with the usual procedures.

  "Europe as an Economic Entity"
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the Commission report, "Europe as an economic entity"; and if he will make a statement on policy thereto. [101027]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The 1996 Commission report "The mutually beneficial effects of greater co-ordination of economic and structural policies (Europe as an economic entity)" presented a study of the employment history of the EU. The report highlighted the importance of the European single market for growth and employment across Europe and underlined the need for further structural reforms to Europe's product and labour markets. A copy of the report has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Tax Rate
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire will benefit from the 10p tax rate; and if he will make a statement. [101139]
  448W
  Dawn Primarolo
  Almost all of the individual income taxpayers in Shrewsbury and Atcham and in Shropshire will benefit from the 10p tax rate.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire will benefit from the reduction in capital gains tax; and if he will make a statement. [101128]

  Dawn Primarolo
  My right hon. Friend announced in the Pre-Budget Report that he would be consulting on the detail of a number of possible changes to the capital gains tax treatment of business assets. Any changes to capital gains tax would apply to all qualifying businesses in the area, but we have no specific figures for these.

  Adlearn Foundation
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress of the Inland Revenue investigation into the Adlearn Foundation. [100862]

  Mr. Timms
  The Inland Revenue has a statutory duty of confidentiality in respect of all taxpayer's affairs. I cannot reveal details of the Department's dealings with any taxpayer.

  EU Pensions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the current pensions liabilities of the European Communities; and what reforms to a private-based system are under consideration. [101035]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by the Economic Secretary on 3 November 1999,Official Report, column 238W.

  The Council has formally invited the Commission to present an assessment of future needs resulting from the pension scheme as well as a proposal to revise the scheme, by the end of June 2000.

  Any reforms to a private-based system would have to be proposed by the Commission and they have not yet made any proposals for us to consider.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are projected to benefit from the working families tax credit for each of the first five years. [101329]

  Mr. Timms
  It is estimated that for 2000–01, the first full year of the Working Families Tax Credit, about 1.4 million families will be in receipt of the credit.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls have been received by the Working Families Tax Credit Hotline since its inception from(a) Worcester, (b) Worcestershire, (c) from the West Midlands Region and (d) nationally. [100904]
  449W
  Mr. Timms
  The response line for the Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit had handled 780,000 inquiries up to the 30 November. In the Central TV region the response line had handled about 120,000 calls. A more detailed breakdown is not available.

  Children's Fund
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire will benefit from the new Children's Fund; and if he will make a statement. [101125]
  450W
  Mr. Timms
  In the 1999 Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that the Government will set up a new Children's Fund in the spending review in 2000. The Fund will support pioneering work by voluntary and community sector organisations working with low-income children and their families, building on the sector's access to communities and families that the statutory sector struggles to engage. The review will take place in forthcoming months and as yet resources have not been allocated to the Fund, but we expect children from all over England to benefit from the activities it will support.

  EDS: Government Contracts
  EDS: Government Contracts
  Parliamentary and Crown Copyright: Public Access to Information
  Parliamentary and Crown Copyright: Public Access to Information
  Capital Market Liberalisation
  Capital Market Liberalisation
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Country Assessments
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Country Assessments
  Crime Fighting Fund: Bidding Guidelines
  Crime Fighting Fund: Bidding Guidelines
  Tibet and Inner Mongolia: World Bank Project
  Tibet and Inner Mongolia: World Bank Project
  National Curriculum: Food and Nutrition Component
  National Curriculum: Food and Nutrition Component
  Road Policy: De-trunking
  Road Policy: De-trunking
  National Beds Inquiry
  National Beds Inquiry
  Female Genital Mutilation
  Female Genital Mutilation
  British Fluoridation Society: Government Financial Contribution
  British Fluoridation Society: Government Financial Contribution
  Community Pharmacy Strategy
  Community Pharmacy Strategy
  Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act: Sections 17 and 18
  Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act: Sections 17 and 18
  Glufosinate Ammonium
  Glufosinate Ammonium
  Food Safety: WTO Trade Negotiations
  Food Safety: WTO Trade Negotiations