Written Answers of 13 December 1999

HOME DEPARTMENT

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) 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; [99486]

  (2) how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997. [102097]

  Mr. Straw
  I am sorry that I am unable to provide this information at present. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Integrated Casework Directive
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library details of the performance of the Integrated Casework Directorate against its four key performance indicators for each week since those performance indicators were first applied. [101491]

  Mrs. Roche
  The four key indicators are those against which it was agreed that the recovery of the Integrated Casework Directorate's (ICD) business would be measured in the first instance. I have put in the Library a chart giving a breakdown of the weekly output in these four categories since January 1999. The categories are: general and settlement casework; asylum first decisions; asylum appeals dispatched to the Immigration Appellate Authority; and European casework. The chart shows that cumulatively the ICD first exceeded the target on week ending 22 May, and has consistently done so since 10 September.

  Public Interest Defence
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the consistency between the absence in UK law of a public interest defence to breaches of the Official Secrets Act 1911 and(a) the UK's membership of the Council of Europe and (b) the UK's human rights obligations. [101390]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 6 December 1999]: I am advised that the absence of a public interest defence act in the Official Secrets Act 1911 is compatible with the United Kingdom's international obligations.

  Prisons (Religious Advisers)
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many religious advisers are employed to work within the Prison Service; and what is the cost of their salaries. [101627]
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  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service obtains advice on religious matters from a range of sources including the Prison Service Chaplaincy, visiting ministers and the advisory group on religion in prisons. It employs one religious adviser. The salary for this post is within the Prison Service grade 7 range of £29,152-£45,984 and the post attracts £1,842 Inner London Weighting.

  Fire Authorities
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which fire authorities retain day staffing. [101895]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The fire authorities in England and Wales which have day-crewed fire stations are:

  Avon

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

  Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

  Cheshire

  Cornwall

  Derbyshire

  Devon

  Dorset

  East Sussex

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Greater Manchester

  Hampshire

  Hereford and Worcester

  Hertfordshire

  Isles of Scilly

  Kent and the Medway Towns

  Lancashire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  North Yorkshire

  Northamptonshire

  Northumberland

  Oxfordshire

  Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

  Suffolk

  Warwickshire

  West Sussex

  West Yorkshire

  Wiltshire

  Mid and West Wales

  North Wales

  South Wales.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many section 19 applications arising from the Fire Services Act 1947 have been submitted from each fire authority since 1994; how many have been refused; and what was the basis for each refusal. [101894]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of section 19 applications submitted since 1 January 1994 (excluding some which were later withdrawn by the fire authority)
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  was 259. One application was refused and one refused in part. Eight applications are still outstanding. These details with a breakdown of the applications by authority are:

  Fire authorities

  Total

  Avon

  1

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  1

  Berkshire

  4

  Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

  1

  Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

  2

  Cheshire

  10

  Cleveland

  3

  Cornwall

  3

  Cumbria1

  6

  Derbyshire

  5

  Devon

  5

  Dorset

  7

  Durham and Darlington1

  4

  East Sussex

  3

  Essex

  3

  Gloucestershire

  2

  Greater Manchester

  4

  Hampshire

  9

  Hereford and Worcester

  3

  Hertfordshire

  3

  Humberside

  3

  Isle of Wight

  1

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Kent and the Medway Towns

  6

  Lancashire1

  10

  Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland1

  1

  Lincolnshire

  2

  London2

  15

  Merseyside

  6

  Norfolk

  3

  Northamptonshire

  0

  Northumberland

  4

  North Yorkshire

  5

  Nottinghamshire and the City of Nottingham

  9

  Oxfordshire1

  5

  Shropshire and the Wrekin

  7

  Somerset

  4

  South Yorkshire

  7

  Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

  6

  Suffolk

  6

  Surrey

  6

  Tyne and Wear

  8

  Warwickshire

  10

  West Midlands1

  11

  West Sussex3

  4

  West Yorkshire1

  11

  Wiltshire and Swindon

  9

  Mid and West Wales4

  3

  North Wales5

  8

  South Wales6

  10

  1 One application still under consideration; two in the case of West Yorkshire.

  2 One application mostly approved, but a proposal to remove one appliance and 24 posts refused on the grounds that the Home Secretary was not satisfied that the Authority had given adequate consideration to representations that had been made about arrangements for dealing with special fire risks.

  3 Application to remove nine posts refused on the grounds that there were insufficient retained firefighters at the fire station in question for the Home Secretary to be satisfied that the Authority would be able to maintain the national standards of fire cover.

  4 Pre 1 April 1996 Powys, West Glamorgan. Dyfed.

  5 Pre 1 April 1996 Clwyd, Gwynned.

  6 Pre 1 April 1996 Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan, Gwent.

  Young Offenders (Custody)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children below the ages of(a) 15 and (b) 18 years have been held in custody in each of the last five years. [102036]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on the number of receptions into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales of persons aged 15–17 between 1994 and 1998 is given in the table. This information is also published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics England and Wales" (Table 3.10 of the 1998 edition, column 4430) copies of which are in the Library. In addition, 107 Secure Training Orders were made between 1 March 1998, the implementation date, and 31 December 1998. Such persons would, at that time, have been accommodated in either a Secure Training Centre or in local authority secure accommodation.

  Information on the population of persons aged less than 15 years in local authority secure accommodation is published in a Department of Health statistical bulletin entitled "Children Accommodated in Secure Units". This information is presented on a financial year basis with the last report (Bulletin 1999–6) covering the year ending 31 March 1998.

  Receptions1 into prisons in England and Wales of 15–17 year olds by type of custody 1994–98

  Year

  Remand

  Sentenced

  1998

  6,482

  5,585

  1997

  6,625

  5,617

  1996

  6,513

  5,285

  1995

  5,960

  4,671

  1994

  5,716

  4,120

  1 Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category because there is double counting. However, double counting has been allowed for in the figures of receptions of prisoners under remand where the figures for 'remand' record only once a person received as an untried prisoner who is subsequently received also as a convicted unsentenced prisoner.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children below the ages of(a) 15 and (b) 18 years are currently serving custodial sentences. [102037]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available provisional information is for 31 October 1999 and shows that there were 1,770 sentenced persons aged 15–17 in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on that date. In addition, a further 99 sentenced 12–14 year olds were held in Secure Training Centres with a further two persons being placed in local authority units in England and Wales.

  Information on the population of persons aged 15–17 years in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales is published in "Prison statistics England and Wales" (Table 3.2 of the 1998 edition, column 4430) a copy of which is in the Library.

  Information on the population of persons aged less than 15 years in local authority accommodation is published in a Department of Health statistical bulletin entitled "Children Accommodated in Secure Units". This

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  information is presented on a financial year basis with the last report (Bulletin 1999–6) covering the year ending 31 March 1998.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 2 and 3 December; and if he will make a statement. [102095]

  Mr. Straw
  The Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), and I represented the United Kingdom at the Council. The main matters dealt with were as follows:"A" points
  The Council agreed as an "A" point, among other things, the draft Council Conclusions on the implementation of measures to combat child sex tourism.
  Follow-up to the Tampere Council
  The European Commission presented its proposals for a "scoreboard" to monitor the implementation of the conclusions of the Tampere Special European Council and commitments arising from the Treaty of Amsterdam.
  Draft Mutual Legal Assistance Convention
  Good progress was made on the negotiation of this important instrument and a number of Member States were able to lift their reservations.
  Counterfeiting the Euro
  The Council agreed the substance of the proposed Framework Decision subject to a small number of, mainly procedural, reservations.
  Draft Insolvency Regulation
  All aspects of this draft instrument were agreed, except for the question of territorial application on which discussions are continuing.
  Draft Service of Documents Regulation
  The Council agreed the text of the proposed Regulation subject to a United Kingdom Parliamentary scrutiny reservation and reserves relating to the instrument's scope.
  Draft Directive on Electronic Commerce
  The Council discussed the criminal law aspects of this draft Directive, the overall objectives of which the United Kingdom fully supports.
  Organised Crime
  The Council considered progress of work on two draft documents: "Prevention and Control of Organised Crime: A European Strategy for the New Millennium"; and the 1998 European Union "Organised Crime Situation Report".
  Draft Eurodac Regulation
  The Presidency reported that considerable progress had been made on the draft regulation. It was noted that the European Parliament would need to be re-consulted on the draft instrument and that the United Kingdom maintained a Parliamentary scrutiny reserve.
  Commission Proposal on Admission on Family Reunification
  The Commission introduced its proposal to give European Union citizens and legally resident third country nationals the right to have non-European Union family members join them. Member States gave a general welcome to the proposal which was remitted to the relevant working group for detailed consideration.
  Draft Negotiations mandate on Dublin Parallel Agreement with Norway and Iceland
  The Council noted that the negotiating mandate had effectively been agreed, other than as regards the question of its territorial application.

  Prisons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate(a) the prison population and (b) spending on prisons in the next five years. [101964]

  Mr. Boateng
  New short-term prison population projections as at October 1999, and revised long-term projections, have been prepared by the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. A summary is in the Library and available in the September prison population brief on the Home Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm.

  The projected average population for 1999–2000 and each of the next five years for the central scenario is given in the table.

  The budget for the Prison Service was set following the comprehensive spending review. The figures, which incorporate some minor subsequent adjustments are listed in the table. The budget for 2002–03 and 2003–04 will be determined in the next spending review.

  Prison population projections 1999–2000 to 2004–05

  Year

  Number

  1999–2000

  65,300

  2000–01

  68,100

  2001–02

  70,100

  2002–03

  70,800

  2003–04

  71,300

  2004–05

  71,900

  Prison Service budget 1999–2000 to 2001–05

  Year

  £ million

  1999–2000

  1,925.280

  2000–01

  1,981.280

  2001–02

  2,004.912

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Eccles will receive a reply from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate Board to his letter of 6 July, reference number 915495/99. [101935]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles on 8 December requesting additional information.

  Swords
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the law regarding retail availability of swords and similar weapons, with particular reference to the age limits for intending purchasers. [101937]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is an offence under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1999 for any person to have with them an offensive weapon in a public place, including private premises to which the public have access. In addition, the Criminal Justice Act 1988, as amended, prohibits the sale of any knife, knife blade or other article with a blade or which is sharply pointed, to a person under
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  the age of 16, with the exception of a folding pocket knife with a blade not exceeding three inches and a permanently enclosed razor blade cartridge.

  We have no immediate plans to amend this legislation but will keep the matter under review.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) male and (b) female prison officers were currently suspended from duty for alleged misconduct on 1 December. [102405]

  Mr. Boateng
  The table shows the number of prison officers suspended for alleged misconduct on 1 December.

  Prison officers

  Male

  Female

  Number suspended

  97

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  Prevention of Torture
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when in the last five years the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture has visited the United Kingdom; how many months elapsed between each visit and the publication of the Committee's report; and when he expects the report of the Committee's most recent visit to be published.[102186]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The report of the Committee's third visit to the United Kingdom, in May 1994, was published in March 1996. The report of the Committee's fourth visit, in September 1997, has not yet been published; that is a matter for the Committee. The Committee's fifth visit took place between 30 November and 8 December 1999.

  Prisons (Disinfecting Tablets)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the findings of the pilot project into the provision of disinfecting tablets in prisons to reduce transmission of HIV and hepatitis viruses will be made available. [102206]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service is currently considering a report from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine evaluating the pilot project for the re-introduction, on a trial basis, of disinfecting tablets in 11 prisons in England and Wales. I expect to be able to make an announcement on the results and outcome of the evaluation in the New Year.

  Operation Lancet
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of Operation Lancet into the Cleveland Police Force under its recently appointed investigating officer. [102146]

  Mr. Boateng
  There is nothing I can add at present to the extensive comments made by the Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich South (Mr. Clarke), in responding to my hon. Friend in an Adjournment Debate on 10 November 1999,Official Report, columns 1093–95.

  Operation Dollar
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Cleveland Police on matters concerning Regulation 6 disciplinary notices relating to senior police officers and Operation Dollar;[102196]

  (2) if he will meet the Chairman of the Cleveland Police Authority to discuss matters concerning Regulation 6 disciplinary notices relating to senior police officers and Operation Dollar. [102197]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, South (Mr. Clarke) on 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 392W.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of Operation Dollar into the Cleveland Police Force, indicating the person responsible as the investigating officer of the operation. [102147]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Mr. Lloyd Clarke, Deputy Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Police, is the Investigating Officer for Operation Lancet and for Operation Dollar, which is linked to Lancet. Both operations are currently on-going.

  Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is being given to(a) the police service and (b) the Prison Service on the implications for their work of the incorporation of the Convention on Human Rights into United Kingdom law.[101979]

  Mr. Boateng
  Training in Human Rights issues is already included in a number of courses provided by National Police Training (NPT) including the Probationer Training Programme, when recruits to the police service are made aware of the extent and limitations of their powers as police officers. Human rights issues are also covered in the Strategic Command Course and the Accelerated Promotion Course which are delivered by NPT at Bramshill, and NPT have also held executive seminars for senior officers at Bramshill.

  The majority of police training (about 87 per cent.) is delivered in forces. NPT is working with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on an audit of ACPO policy which may identify service-wide training needs. Work is almost complete on the development of a Human Rights competency framework and further work is under way on the identification of the generic and role specific training needs of officers up to inspector. All NPT courses will be reviewed to ensure that Human Rights awareness is incorporated. Role specific training will focus on those roles, such as that of Custody Officer, which are most likely to be exposed to Human Rights issues.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will estimate how many people claiming political asylum arrived in the United
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  Kingdom in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [102210]

  (2) how many people were (a) accepted and (b) rejected for political asylum in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [102209]

  Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions, 1994 to 19981

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  19982

  Applications

  32,830

  43,965

  29,640

  32,500

  46,015

  Total decisions

  20,990

  27,005

  38,960

  36,045

  31,570

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

  825

  1,295

  2,240

  3,985

  5,345

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave

  3,660

  4,410

  5,055

  3,115

  3,910

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave

  16,500

  21,300

  31,670

  28,9450

  22,315

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest five

  2 Provisional

  Electoral Costs
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost of a person voting by post at a(a) parliamentary and (b) local government election.[102543]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In England, Wales and Scotland(a) for parliamentary elections, no separate records of the administrative costs of processing postal votes are kept; and (b) local authorities are responsible for the cost of conducting local government elections and this information is not collected centrally.

  In Northern Ireland the cost for a person voting by post is estimated to be £1.27 both for parliamentary and local elections.

  2 Marsham Street
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 391W, on 2 Marsham Street, if he intends to maintain the current rate of expenditure in 2000. [102193]

  Mr. Straw
  A large proportion of the costs are for reactive maintenance rather than routine preventive maintenance. This makes it difficult to finalise a firm budget until part-way through the year. However, at present, we anticipate that next year's cost will not exceed the current budgeted cost for the year ending 31 March 2000.

  Hemp Seed
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the proposal for a Council regulation amending Reg(EC) No. 1251/99 on the use of hemp seed. [102496]

  Mr. Boateng
  Representations regarding the application of Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 licensing controls under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 have been received from Hemcore Ltd. and the National Farmers Union. I also understand that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department in the lead for Regulation (EC) No. 1251/99, is considering representations from the Hemp Food Industries Association and others.
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  Mrs. Roche
  Information on persons applying for asylum on or after entry to the United Kingdom is given in the table. Information on the number of asylum applications and decisions received in 1999 can be found on the Home Office internet site at:
  http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm.

  Drug-misusing Offenders
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of the money awarded to police forces in England and Wales to fund arrest referral schemes for drug-misusing offenders is to be derived from(a) his Department's office budget and (b) the overall drugs misuse strategy and UK National Plan budget; how much money this will be; and if he will make a statement; [102567]

  (2) what proportion of the money awarded to police forces in England and Wales to fund arrest referral schemes for drug-misusing offenders is in addition to the Government's current total drugs misuse strategy and UK National Plan Budget; and if he will make a statement. [102566]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 14 July, at the Association of Chief Police Officers summer conference, that an extra £20 million was to be made available to police forces to support the spread of arrest referral schemes across all custody suites in England and Wales. This £20 million is part of the Government's Crime Reduction Programme and is in addition to the money that is committed to the delivery of the anti-drugs strategy, Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain.

  Police forces, with the support of their local Drug Action Teams, were invited to bid for matched funding to help meet the cost of arrest referral workers and to bid for a contribution to the anticipated costs of providing treatment for drug-misusing offenders picked up by arrest referral schemes. Initial bids were received from 39 forces who are now being asked to prepare more detailed action plans. The initial allocations to the forces concerned, which were announced on 3 December, total of £19.7 million over the period up to March 2002.

  Immigration
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reasons underlie the length of time taken by his Department to consider the urgent request to a Minister for permission to visit the UK in the case of the Sengunes family. [102598]

  Mrs. Roche
  I am sorry it has taken so long to consider the hon. Member's urgent request to consider the Sengunes family's request to be given indefinite leave to
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  remain in the United Kingdom on compassionate grounds. This is a complicated case which has needed careful consideration. An interim reply was sent on 1 December and I wrote substantively today.

  Port of Liverpool Police
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his duties and responsibilities in respect of the Port of Liverpool Police. [101678]

  Mr. Hill
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Port of Liverpool Police were established under the Mersey Docks and Harbour (Police) Order 1975. The provisions of the Order impose no specific duties or responsibilities on the Government.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Military Exports
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which(a) Ministers and (b) officials discussed the export of Hawk aircraft to Indonesia with representatives of British Aerospace between 23 August and 16 September, indicating the dates; and if he will make a statement. [100838]

  Mr. Byers
  There were no discussions in this period between DTI Ministers and British Aerospace regarding the export of Hawk aircraft to Indonesia. As far as DTI officials are concerned, on 15 September the Director of the DTI's Export Control Organisation did ask British Aerospace if the three Hawk aircraft exported from the UK on 31 August under a licence issued by the previous Administration had been delivered to Indonesia.

  Motorway Services
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about excessive charges for items for sale at motorway service areas. [100912]

  Mr. Byers
  I have received a number of letters from MPs on behalf of their constituents and from members of the public about prices at Motorway Service Areas (MSAs).

  Those letters have been passed to the Director General of Fair Trading who, under UK competition law, has in the first instance responsibility to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour. The Office of Fair Trading are currently investigating the levels of prices charged at MSAs to determine whether they are the result of anti-competitive practices or exploitation of a monopoly position.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy in the WTO Millennium Round, to ensure that the principle of sustainable development is respected in international agreements on trade. [101675]
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  Mr. Caborn
  The Government are committed to the principle of sustainable development and to maintaining an open, non-discriminatory and equitable multi-lateral trading system. These aims are regarded as complementary and mutually supportive. We are committed to ensure that sustainable development is a key objective for any new round of trade negotiations.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the(a) dates, (b) places at which meetings were held and (c) purposes of conferences of the World Trade Organisation since its inception and those of the former General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, or other conferences relating to its preparations, together with the names of (i) members of the Government and (ii) officials who were present when draft rules were (1) considered and (2) agreed. [101920]

  Mr. Caborn
  The dates, locations, and main purposes of GATT and WTO Ministerial Conferences and Special Sessions are as follows:

  1946 United Nations Economic and Social Council in London establishes a Preparatory Committee to prepare for a United Nations Conference on Trade and Employment for the purpose of promoting the expansion of trade and production, exchange and consumption of goods.

  1947 Preparatory Committee in Geneva—tariff negotiations and drafting of the GATT

  1947 GATT Conference in Geneva—Signing of the "Final Act" covering tariff reductions and trade rules (GATT Articles);

  1948 GATT enters into force. GATT Session in Geneva to incorporate elements of the Havana Charter into the GATT;

  1949 GATT Conference in Annecy—tariff reductions;

  1951 GATT Special Session in Torquay—tariff reductions;

  1956 GATT Conference in Geneva—tariff reductions;

  1957 GATT Ministerial in Geneva—tariff reductions and rules;

  1959 GATT Ministerial in Tokyo to establish Trade Negotiations Committee for a new Round of negotiations on tariffs (Dillon Round);

  1961 GATT Ministerial in Geneva to discuss tariff reductions, trade in agriculture, and obstacles to the trade of least-developed countries;

  1963 GATT Ministerial in Geneva to agree measures to benefit exports from developing countries and establish the Trade Negotiations Committee for a new Round of negotiations on tariffs and anti-dumping measures (Kennedy Round);

  1964 Trade Negotiations Committee met in Geneva at Ministerial level to agree guidelines for and formally launch the Kennedy Round;

  1964 and 1965 GATT Special Session in Geneva to approve GATT Part IV (trade and development);

  1967 GATT Ministerial in Geneva to conclude the Kennedy Round;

  1973 GATT Ministerial in Tokyo establishing Trade Negotiations Committee for a new Round of negotiations on tariffs, non-tariffs and "framework" agreements (Tokyo Round);

  1982 GATT Ministerial in Geneva to agree a work programme and priorities for future work (which failed to launch a Round);

  1986 GATT Ministerial in Punta del Este, Uruguay to establish Trade Negotiations Committee for what became known as the Uruguay Round (negotiations covering tariff reductions, non-tariff measures, rules, services, intellectual property, dispute settlement, textiles, agriculture, and the creation of the WTO);

  1988 GATT Ministerials in Montreal and 1989 in Geneva—mid-term review of Uruguay Round;

  1990 GATT Ministerial in Brussels to discuss the closing of the Uruguay Round;

  1994 Ministerial in Marrakesh to conclude the Uruguay Round Agreements establishing the WTO;

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  1996 First WTO Ministerial in Singapore to discuss future WTO work programme;

  1998 Second WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva to mark 50th Anniversary of the GATT and start preparations for a possible new Round of trade negotiations (to be launched at the third Ministerial Conference);

  1999 Third WTO Ministerial in Seattle to discuss the launch of a new Trade Round.

  Records of Ministerial and Official attendance at meetings where rules were considered and agreed could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps were taken at the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Seattle to address the concerns of developing countries that existing agreements to put an end to dumping subsidised agricultural products have not been implemented; and if he will make a statement. [101182]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: The commitments made by WTO members, as part of the Uruguay Round, to reduce subsidised exports of agricultural products have been fully implemented. Negotiations mandated in the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture on further commitments to reduce agricultural support, including subsidised exports, will start in January 2000. This process will go ahead even though discussions on a wider Round of negotiations were suspended in Seattle.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps were taken at the recent World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Seattle to address the concerns of developing countries about the Trade-Related Aspects of the Intellectual Property Rights Agreement. [101183]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: Many developing countries with concerns about TRIPS relate to their ability to implement and enforce the agreement effectively. These concerns can be addressed through capacity building and technical assistance to which the UK is committed. If we had been successful in launching a new trade Round at Seattle, other issues of concern to developing countries in particular those relating to the protection of traditional knowledge and skills and increasing the protection for geographical indications could have been included. Opportunities do, however, remain to discuss some of these issues, for example in the built-in agenda of the TRIPS Council and in the forum of the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps were taken at the World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Seattle to increase market access in sectors of interest to developing countries, particularly agriculture and textiles; and if he will make a statement. [101184]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: The WTO Ministerial meeting in Seattle was suspended without formal agreement between Members to new improvements to market access for developing countries. However, improvements will be made as part of obligations entered into under agreements which were concluded as part of the Uruguay Round—the so-called built-in agenda. This means, for Agriculture, that negotiations will start in January 2000 in Geneva to continue the process of liberalising agricultural support
  14W
  and protection. For textiles, the planned progressive phase-out of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement will continue, and is due to be completed by 1 January 2005.

  In addition we will be pressing the EU to go ahead with its commitment to duty free access for essentially all products from the Least Developed Countries as soon as possible, and with the minimum of exceptions.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Government have taken to enhance the capacity of developing countries to participate in World Trade Organisation negotiations; and if he will make a statement. [101197]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: The Government are working bilaterally and with a wide range of other organisations, including UNCTAD, the World Bank, ITC and the Commonwealth Secretariat, to help build the capacity of developing countries to participate effectively in WTO and the multilateral trading system. To date, the UK has committed over –15 million to trade-related capacity building programmes of this type and a full list of activities has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  More specifically, in terms of helping developing countries participate in the WTO negotiations at Seattle, the UK has supported bilateral technical assistance programmes in Bangladesh (£0.56 million), Malawi (£0.25 million), South Africa (£0.1 million), Zimbabwe (£0.5 million) and the 14 CARICOM countries in the Caribbean (£1.1 million). A project in Pakistan is currently under review. This technical assistance comprises expert technical advice, training, trade policy studies and negotiating skills and is typically provided to a broad base of stakeholders from national Governments, the private sector and civil society organisations who are involved in trade policy negotiations.

  At the multilateral level, developing countries' participation in the WTO negotiations is being particularly supported by a major World Bank Trade Policy Development Programme (TPDP), to which the UK has committed £3 million. TPDP comprises trade policy research and analytical studies; seminars on key issues for the WTO negotiations; training for trade policy officials; and a handbook for trade negotiators from developing countries.

  In addition Commonwealth developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific are benefiting from the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Access Facility (TIAF), to which the UK has committed –1.4 million. TIAF's technical assistance projects include full-time specialist WTO and Trade Policy Advisers based in Geneva and in the Pacific, who have played a key role in helping Commonwealth developing countries prepare for, and participate in, the WTO Seattle Ministerial meeting.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will raise with the Council of Ministers ways of increasing the role of low-income countries in the WTO' s decision-making process. [102302]

  Mr. Caborn
  Reflecting the concerns of developing countries about their effective participation in the decision-making process, the UK in Seattle tabled a proposal in the EU Council of Ministers for a WTO
  15W
  Reform Conference during 2000 to look at improving formal and informal decision-making processes in WTO. This is one idea, there may be others; but the UK is pressing the issue of WTO reform within the EU as an issue which needs to be urgently addressed.

  Research Council
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Research Council held in Brussels on 2 December; and if he will make a statement. [101692]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Research Council of 2 December:

  1. Concluded bilateral scientific and technological co-operation agreements with Argentina and China and approved a decision to sign a similar agreement with Russia;

  2. Adopted Conclusions on the preparation of future Community RTD Framework Programmes;

  3. Adopted a Resolution on developing a coherent European space strategy;

  4. Adopted Conclusions concerning waste management and decommissioning obsolete nuclear installations of the Joint Research Centre (JRC);

  5. Adopted a Decision approving a supplementary programme for the High Flux Reactor at Petten in the Netherlands;

  6. Received information from the Commission on the implementation of the Fourth and Fifth Framework Programmes including the participation of associated CEECs and Cyprus, on women and science in light of the recent European Technology Assessment Network (ETAN) report and from the Presidency and the Commission on the ASEM Ministerial Conference of 14-15 October 1999. There was also a discussion on the possible co-ordination of various member states' "Science Week" activities with a European Science Week.

  Trade Negotiations
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he intends to consult the public about the Millennium round of trade negotiations. [101649]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department has consulted widely in forming the UK position on a new round of trade negotiations. DTI Ministers and Officials have held regular meetings with Non-Governmental Organisations; the Department has issued a document "The UK and the World Trade Organisation: An Introduction to the Next Round" for public comment in addition to consultation documents on WTO services negotiations and possible WTO negotiations on industrial tariffs; and a DTI trade policy website has also been established.

  We fully recognise the importance of public consultation and will continue to consult all interested parties on future trade liberalisation in the WTO.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the minimum wage will be implemented for company directors who wish to elect not to pay themselves a salary during periods of low or negative profits. [101836]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Company Directors are office holders. Office holders are not covered by national minimum wage legislation, which applies to employees and other workers. Only in exceptional circumstances will 16W
  office holders also have employment contracts making them "workers" for the purposes of employment law. If a company director chooses to work for a company under such an arrangement, his or her right to the minimum wage is the same as that of any other worker. There is no suspension of this right due to the company's hardship.

  Cash Dispensers
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to ensure that the providers of cash dispensing machines indicated if any charge will be made for the use of their machines. [102038]

  Mr. Byers
  My view is that any charges made for using cash machines should be displayed clearly before the transaction proceeds. I am aware that the industry is considering this and I hope that they will reach a voluntary agreement to do this but if not I will use my powers under the Prices Act 1974 to require them to do so.

  Mineworkers' Pensions
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what would be the estimated cost to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme of introducing an entitlement to a full pension at age(a) 58 years, (b) 55 years and (c) 53 years; [102091]

  (2) what would be the estimated cost to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme of introducing pensions at 50 years for miners who are made redundant. [102092]

  Mrs. Liddell
  These are matters for the Trustees of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.

  Digital Television
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what restrictions apply to the siting of digital television transmitting and receiving stations on rooftops; who can apply for permission for such siting; and to which Government Department. [102053]

  Ms Hewitt
  The siting of digital television transmission and reception equipment is a matter for local planning authorities in the context of Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications (PPG8 revised), and circular 4/99: Planning for Telecommunications, copies of which are available from the Library of the House.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many digital television transmitting and receiving stations there are in London. [102055]

  Ms Hewitt
  There is one prime Digital Terrestrial transmitter site that covers London. This is located at Crystal Palace. With respect to receiving stations, this is potentially every household that has a UHF aerial. In addition, a number of broadcasters up-link their programmes material from within the London area to satellites for onward transmission, either direct to the home (e.g. for some BskyB services), or to cable head ends for subsequent distribution to the home through cable networks.
  17W
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the lowest permissible height for digital television transmitting and receiving stations. [102054]

  Ms Hewitt
  Digital equipment is sited to deliver the best transmission and reception arrangements. For digital UHF, the higher the aerial the better the reception. Higher sited transmit antennas will also send a signal further, but with a greater potential for interference with other radio transmitters. The siting of the transmission masts and stations is a matter for local planning authorities in accordance with Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications (PPG8 revised) and circular 4/99: Planning for Telecommunications, copies of which are available from the Library of the House.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which frequencies have been granted to News International Digital Television by the Radio Authority. [102052]

  Ms Hewitt
  Racal Telecom hold a number of licences which are issued by the Radiocommunications Agency, under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, to use the radio spectrum to up-link material to satellites for onward transmission from the News International building at Wapping. The bands used for this purpose are at 14GHz. The Radio Authority has issued no licences under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 in relation to sound broadcasting services over these frequencies.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he granted a licence for News International to place a digital television transmitting and receiving station on the roof of its building in Wapping. [102056]

  Ms Hewitt
  Licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 for the use of radio transmission equipment (satellite up-links) at the News International Building in Wapping were issued to Racal Telecom on 12 January 1999, 2 February 1999 and 31 March 1999. For the most part, (with the notable exception of the Television Reception Licence used to finance the BBC), receiving stations are exempt from licensing under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

  Trade Union Recognition
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the timetable is for implementation of those provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999 relating to trade union recognition. [102304]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government intend to bring these provisions into force shortly after Easter next year.

  Ghana
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total value of trade between the UK and Ghana for each of the last five years; and what is his estimate for the current year. [101969]
  18W
  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: Information on UK trade in goods with Ghana is given in the following table. Information on trade in services is not available.

  £ million

  Year

  UK exports

  UK imports

  1994

  190.7

  138.7

  1995

  240.1

  163.8

  1996

  279.1

  189.3

  1997

  270.2

  135.0

  1998

  222.2

  155.2

  19991

  144.1

  139.7

  1 January to October

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Customs and Excise.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the timescale for the review of Objective 2 and assisted areas status [102341]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department has been discussing with the Commission the proposals for the new Objective 2 areas which we submitted on 8 October. We hope that the Commission will approve the areas in principle before Christmas and give formal approval in January.

  The four-month timetable for the submission of draft Objective 2 programmes to the Commission starts running from the date on which the map is approved. However, the Regulation allows funding to begin from 1 January 2000 provided that draft programmes are submitted by 30 April.

  Discussions are continuing with the Commission on the proposed new Assisted Areas map which we submitted in July. We are seeking early approval of our new Assisted Areas and will formally announce the new map as soon as possible.

  Terminal Illness
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to provide employment protection to employees taking compassionate leave to care for terminally ill relatives and friends. [102538]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  From 15 December 1999, all employees will be entitled to take a reasonable amount of time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant, and will be protected from dismissal or detriment for doing so. For the first time, employees will be able to take a short amount of leave when a dependant falls ill, which will help them make longer term care arrangements.

  As part of our wider strategy of promoting family friendly employment policies, we will be encouraging employers to go beyond the legal minimum, for example, by providing longer periods of leave to employees on compassionate grounds.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  International Court of Justice
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what international agreement the International Court of Justice at the Hague would act in respect of action taken by armed military force of the European Union. [101896]

  Mr. Vaz
  As is the case with the Western European Union, the European Union would, if new crisis management arrangements are agreed, only use force if it would be lawful under international law.

  The International Court of Justice can exercise jurisdiction only if the States concerned have both accepted the jurisdiction of the Court. This can be done by an ad hoc agreement; by being parties to a treaty which confers the necessary jurisdiction on the Court; or by matching acceptances of jurisdiction under Article 36 of the Statute of the Court.

  The EU, like the WEU, is not itself subject to the jurisdiction of the Court. Only States are subject to it.

  British Deaths (Nigeria)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, columns 405–06W, what assessment he has made of the factors underlying the inability of the British High Commission in Nigeria to obtain the complete police report on the death of Mr. Mark Davey. [102135]

  Mr. Hain
  The British High Commission in Abuja has done everything it properly can to obtain this report from the Nigerian authorities. Sadly, difficulties in obtaining such formal reports from the appropriate authorities are not unusual. Changes in the political system over the last year, and subsequent changes in personnel in the Government, civil service and police have been contributing factors.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps K-For is taking to secure the return of Kosovar coal and mineral mines to their former owners; and what reports he has received on the extent of shareholdings in the Trepca Company by President Milosovic and his family. [101962]

  Mr. Vaz
  The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has responsibility for the Trepca industrial complex. UNMIK has said it will run state property for the benefit of all communities in Kosovo, with issues of ownership, which are inevitably complex in Kosovo's present circumstances, to be resolved later. The priority is to promote a functioning economy in Kosovo as quickly as possible.

  The exact balance of involvement by the FRY/Serbian regime and its supporters in the ownership of the Trepca industrial complex is difficult to assess. The Government in Belgrade exercises extensive control over the public and private sectors of the economy, both directly and through banks and businesses manipulated by the regime.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date was the Government's last reassessment of the situation in Sri Lanka with respect to the appropriateness of granting export licences for controlled exports to that country. [102185]

  Mr. Hain
  Our policy on defence exports to Sri Lanka, as with all other countries, is constantly kept under review. Each export licence application is considered scrupulously on a case by case basis in accordance with national and EU criteria. Particular attention is paid to the Sri Lankan Government's human rights record and its legitimate defence and domestic security interests.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Sri Lanka concerning human rights violations by the Sri Lankan army and security forces. [102183]

  Mr. Hain
  We maintain a dialogue with the Sri Lankan Government and the armed forces on a wide range of issues including human rights and the importance of bringing to justice those responsible for abuses.

  UN Security Council
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the composition of the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement. [102312]

  Mr. Hain
  We believe early enlargement of the Security Council is essential to make the Council more representative of the world today. Making the Council more representative will enhance its authority and credibility.

  We support expansion of the Security Council from 15 members to 24. We propose five additional permanent seats: two for Germany and Japan plus three for developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America respectively. We also support four new non-permanent seats: one each for Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

  British Embassies
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that British mineral water be served at British embassies in Europe. [102770]

  Mr. Hain
  No. The Government's Public Purchasing Consolidated Guidelines require goods and services to be acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. The selection of a particular product or supplier solely on the grounds of national preference would run counter to this policy.

  UN Co-ordinator, Baghdad
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason he seeks to terminate the employment of Mr. Hans van Sponeck as a UN co-ordinator in Baghdad. [102449]
  21W
  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 26 November 1999,Official Report, column 257W.

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997. [102074]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Torture
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 406W, on the use of torture in OSCE participating countries, if he will list the parts of the OSCE region in which instances of abuse persist. [102321]

  Mr. Vaz
  As noted in my previous answer to the hon. Gentleman, instances of torture can occur even in countries with strong human rights protections. While in some countries there are effective mechanisms for the reporting and investigation of such abuse, in others there are not. It is not, therefore, possible to give an accurate and comprehensive list of countries where instances of torture persist.

  At the OSCE Review Conference in Istanbul reports of torture in various countries in the OSCE region, especially the Central Asian republics, were raised. Several states, including Turkey, Russia and the United States of America, also acknowledged that their own systems were not perfect and outlined measures they were taking to strengthen protection of the human rights of detainees.

  Jonas Savimbi
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) representations he has received from and (b) meetings he and his officials have held with, which organisations concerning the indictment of Jonas Savimbi for war crimes and crimes against humanity. [102490]

  Mr. Hain
  The Angolan Government has made public its view that Savimbi should be indicted for war crimes on a number of occasions in the United Nations Security Council, at meetings of the Southern Africa Development Community and in Luanda. We have received similar representations both in London and overseas on behalf of the Angola Emergency Campaign some of whose representatives I met on 8 November.

  Venice Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will announce the name of the United Kingdom representative to the Venice Commission. [101980]

  Mr. Vaz
  We are in the process of appointing a UK member, and expect to make an announcement in the new year. For the sake of transparency we have consulted 22W
  non-governmental organisations and academic bodies for nominations. We have also appointed an external member to the selection panel.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Portadown, RUC
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations were made by(a) individuals, (b) businesses, (c) churches and (d) political representatives to the Portadown Sub Division of the Royal Ulster Constabulary between 1 January 1997 and 27 April 1997 regarding the security and safety of nationalists in Portadown town centre; and what steps were taken by the RUC in respect of such representations. [101809]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no record of any such representations having been made during this time.

  Company Numbers
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the change in the number of companies in Northern Ireland in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available. [102482]

  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.

DEFENCE

  EU Co-operation
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on defence co-operation with other EU member states. [100970]

  Mr. Hoon
  We continue to develop our bilateral and multilateral defence relations with the other EU member states.

  In particular, we want to strengthen the EU' s Common Foreign and Security Policy, so that Europe can speak with authority and act decisively in response to crises where the North Atlantic Alliance as a whole is not engaged.

  We are making good progress with our Allies and Partners both in the European Union, in the Western European Union and in NATO.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made since the St. Malo agreement in promoting Anglo-French co-operation in defence. [100974]

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made since the St. Malo agreement in promoting Anglo-French co-operation in defence. [100991]

  Mr. Hoon
  Work has been taken forward on planning for non-combat evacuation operations; joint exercises; improved links between operational headquarters;
  23W
  co-ordination of naval deployments; information exchanges on peacekeeping activities; Year 2000 computer problems; logistics; and arrangements for dealing with the media.

  Specific examples of co-operation are: the posting of liaison offices into operational headquarters, the attachment of HMS Somerset, and later HMS Grafton, to the French Foch Carrier Task Group in the Adriatic during the Kosovo conflict; and co-operation on media handling during the Kosovo conflict. We also signed a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement at the UK/France Summit held on 25 November.

  Ballistic Missiles
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent meetings he has had with his US and European counterparts to discuss ballistic missile defence. [100971]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have a continuous dialogue with the US, and with our European allies on ballistic missile defence issues. The US has briefed us—nationally and in NATO—on their current thinking on the possible deployment of a National Missile Defence System.

  Departmental Land
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total value of MOD land and property sold since July 1998. [R] [100972]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Gross total receipts from the disposal of land and buildings in Financial Year 1998–99 was £158 million. We expect to receive £261 million in Financial Year 1999–2000. The Strategic Defence Review set a four-year target of £700 million for Financial Year 1998–99 to 2001–02 and we are on track to achieve this.

  Invincible
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the Government's plans to procure replacements for the current Invincible class of aircraft carriers. [100973]

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the Government's plans to procure replacements for the current Invincible class of aircraft carrier. [100988]

  Mr. Hoon
  Competitive contracts for the Future Aircraft Carrier Assessment Phase were awarded on 23 November to British Aerospace Land and Sea Systems and Thomson-CSF Naval Combat Systems. The Assessment Phase will investigate options for carrier design and by 2003 deliver proposals for the demonstration and manufacture of the vessels. The carriers are scheduled to enter service in 2012 and 2015.

  Aircraft Wiring
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the minimum estimated life of wiring in military aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [100975]

  Mr. Spellar
  Replacement intervals for electrical wiring are not prescribed in advance. Wiring is rigorously inspected during maintenance and replaced as necessary.
  24W
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military aircraft have been grounded as a result of advice on the safety of Kapton wiring. [100925]

  Mr. Spellar
  None. However, following two instances of electrical fires on RAF Harrier aircraft in 1991, the Harrier GR5 and GR7 fleets were restricted to operational flying only for a short period. Subsequent investigation showed that the fires had occurred as a result of the mis-routeing of wires. Modifications were subsequently introduced to improve the electrical installation.

  Rapid Intervention
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the prospects for creating a European force for rapid intervention in crises. [100977]

  Mr. Hoon
  We need to address the shortfalls in European military capability, as highlighted by experience in Kosovo and identified in the Western European Union's audit of European assets and capabilities, and in NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative.

  EU member states have committed themselves to strengthening their existing military capabilities so that European nations are able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain more effective forces for specific NATO or EU-led operations. We are not proposing to create a standing European Rapid Reaction Force.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work of the force research unit of the intelligence corps in Northern Ireland during the past decade. [100978]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Force Intelligence Unit (FIU) provides analytical support and security advice to assist the RUC in defeating terrorism.

  Medical Services
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much extra the Government are spending on the Defence Medical Services over the next three years as a result of the comprehensive spending review. [100979]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Strategic Defence Review made an additional £140 million available for the Defence Medical Services over the four years from 1998–99 to 2001–02, of which around –125 million falls in the years 1999–2000 to 2001–02.

  Efficiency Programme
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of all the efficiency measures taken in 1998–99 that contribute to the overall efficiency programme. [100980]

  Mr. Spellar
  Some 1,300 measures contributed to the successful achievement of £594 million worth of efficiency in 1998–99, –89 million more than the target. A list of representative measures and a further list of the most significant measures for this period has been supplied to the House of Commons Defence Committee. The representative list is contained in the Minutes of Evidence Taken before the Defence Committee on
  25W
  21 April, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. My Department does not hold a centrally compiled list of efficiency measures, nor does it duplicate activities delegated to managers for proper control of the detail of the efficiency programme.

  Kosovo
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on troop levels in Kosovo. [100981]

  Mr. Spellar
  British forces in Kosovo currently contribute a framework Brigade headquarters and two battle groups plus supporting elements. As our Allies have increased their contribution to KFOR operations, we have been able to make a commensurate reduction to the number of British forces deployed in the region without detriment to KFOR' s overall capability. Our contribution to KFOR now numbers less than 4,000—down from a peak of 10,400. KFOR as a whole continues to operate at its intended strength of around 50,000.

  RAF Buchan
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding the possible closure of RAF Buchan; and if he will make a statement. [100982]

  Mr. Spellar
  In addition to a letter from the hon. Member of 4 October 1999, I have received a letter regarding the future of RAF Buchan from the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) as well as correspondence from MSPs. My Department has also received three letters from local authorities and agencies and one from a former MP for Banff and Buchan. In addition, I received a delegation of representatives from Aberdeen Council on 20 October 1999. Some of the issues raised during consultation require further investigation before a final decision can be made on the future of RAF Buchan. I would hope to be able to make an announcement on this subject in the new year.

  Service Families
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by the Service Families Task Force in promoting welfare and support provision for service families; and if he will make a statement. [100983]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Service Families Task force has made good progress. The needs of service children are now recognised in the Department for Education and Employment's Codes of Practice on Schools Admission and Appeals. Service Children's Education, a Defence agency, now sits on key local education authority admission forums. The Department of Health has established incentive schemes for NHS dentists in 24 areas where there are large numbers of service families. The Department for Social Security and the Department for Social Security (Northern Ireland) have established simpler procedures for transferring claims for child benefit when moving to and from Northern Ireland.
  26W
  We are now working with the Department for Education and Employment to address the eligibility of service children for student loans, and with the same Department and the Department for Social Security to address the rules for claiming Jobseekers' Allowance.

  Green Transport Plans
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department is making in developing green transport plans. [100984]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Green Transport Plans are being taken forward as part of my Department's development of a corporate Environmental Management System. Plans are being prepared for sites across the Defence Estate where the potential impacts on travel patterns are thought likely to be significant. Initially, 23 sites have been asked to develop plans. Plans for headquarters buildings in London have not been drawn up due to the refurbishment of Main Building and the planned reduction in the number of other buildings.

  Albion and Bulwark
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated date in service of the new HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. [100985]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, the two Landing Platform Dock (Replacements), were planned to enter service in 2002 and 2003 respectively. These dates have, however, slipped due to industrial loading problems at the BAe Systems shipyard at Barrow. The current estimate of the slippage indicates delays to the in service dates of around one year for the first ship and some nine months for the second ship. Discussions with the company continue, with the aim of reducing these delays.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recruitment to the Territorial Army. [100986]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Members for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) and for Guildford (Mr. St. Aubyn) earlier today,official Report, columns 7–8.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Territorial Army are currently serving(a) in Kosovo, (b) in Bosnia and (c) elsewhere overseas. [100976]

  Mr. Spellar
  As of 3 December 1999, there were 288 members of the Territorial Army serving in Bosnia, 229 serving in Kosovo and two serving elsewhere overseas.

  European Strategic Defence Initiative
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the European strategic defence initiative. [100987]

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the European security and defence identity. [100989]
  27W
  Mr. Hoon
  At the Helsinki European Council, EU member states committed themselves to strengthening their military capabilities so that European nations will be able to assemble, deploy rapidly and sustain more effective forces for specific NATO or EU-led operations. EU member states also agreed to develop the military structures necessary for the EU to decide and act on crisis management operations.

  These aims are complementary to work under way in NATO and the Western European Union, all of which will have the effect of strengthening the European contribution to NATO.

  Gurkha Pensions
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his review of Gurkha pensions. [100992]

  Mr. Spellar
  The examination of Gurkha pensions and gratuities is still continuing. We hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

  Command Vehicles
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of adding the Raven 2V frequency-hopping digital radios and the ROVIS digital harnesses to the Scimitar and Sultan command vehicles. [99413]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  There are no plans to fit the Raven 2V frequency-hopping radio or the ROVIS digital harnesses into operational Scimitar or Sultan command vehicles. However, as part of a series of studies, my Department was provided with, free of charge, Raven radios and a ROVIS harness for trials involving Scimitar and Sultan. These trials, the result of which were shared with industry, were to improve the Department's ability to evaluate digitisation technology. As part of the partnership arrangement with industry, BAe carried out the installation and its cost is therefore not available to MOD.

  RAID System
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many United Kingdom aircraft the Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing Systems will be installed; and if he will make a statement. [101658]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing System requirement is for all current RAF fast jets to be capable of operating with the system.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the operational life of the Royal Air Force's Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing System. [101660]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing System requirement is for a system operational life of 20 years with each pod having a life of 8,000 flying hours.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of installing Marconi Electronic Systems' Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing Systems on an aircraft. [101657]
  28W
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We are currently in the process of tender evaluation of competing proposals for Rangeless Airborne Instrumented Debriefing Systems and it would be inappropriate to comment on aircraft installation costs at this time.

  Tornado Crash
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of the most recent Royal Air Force Tornado crash. [101662]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I await the report of the Board of Inquiry convened following the crash of an RAF Tornado F3 from RAF Conningsby on 17 November 1999. A summary of the Board of Inquiry's findings will be placed in the Library of the House once this is completed.

  Staff Dispositions
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Royal Navy he expects to be(a) at sea and (b) in a non-United Kingdom post on 25 December 1999, 31 December 1999 and 1 January 2000; what percentage of overall strength of the Royal Navy this represents; and if he will make a statement. [101729]

  Mr. Spellar
  Projections of the number of personnel serving overseas or at sea cover the Christmas period as a whole and are not available on a day-to-day basis. During the period 25 December 1999 to 1 January 2000, it is expected that some 647 Naval Service personnel will be at sea. Some 964 personnel will be serving in non-UK posts over the same period. The combined figure of 1,611 represents approximately 4.2 per cent. of the Naval Service Trained Strength.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Royal Navy were(a) at sea and (b) in a non-United Kingdom post on (i) 25 December 1998, (ii) 31 December 1998 and (iii) 1 January 1999; and what percentage of overall strength of the Royal Navy that represented. [101713]

  Mr. Spellar
  Statistics on the number of personnel serving overseas or at sea cover the Christmas period as a whole and are not available on a day-to-day basis. During the period 25 December 1998 to 1 January 1999, 594 Naval Service personnel were at sea. A further 948 personnel were serving in non-UK posts. The combined figure of 1,542 represented approximately 3.9 per cent. of the Naval Service Trained Strength.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of(a) the RAF, (b) the Army and (c) the Royal Navy were serving (i) abroad accompanied, (ii) abroad unaccompanied and (iii) deployed in front-line duties on (1) 25 December 1998, (2) 31 December 1998 and (3) 1 January 1999; and what percentage of overall strength of each force this represented. [101711]

  Mr. Spellar
  Statistics on the number of personnel serving overseas cover the Christmas period as a whole and are not available on a day-to-day basis. During the period 25 December 1998 to 1 January 1999, the RAF had 4,403 married personnel serving abroad, 1,574 single personnel serving abroad and 2,382 personnel deployed on front-line duties. The combined figure of 8,359 represented 16.1 per cent. of the RAF's Trained Strength.
  29W
  During the same period, the Army had 14,404 married personnel serving abroad, 10,034 single personnel serving abroad and 5,197 personnel deployed on front-line duties. The combined figure of 29,635 represented 30.7 per cent. of the Army's Trained Strength.

  Also during the same period the Naval Service had 703 married personnel serving abroad, 143 single personnel serving abroad and 696 personnel deployed on front-line duties at sea and ashore. The combined figure of 1,542 represented 3.9 per cent. of the Naval Service's Trained Strength.

  Information on whether married personnel were accompanied or unaccompanied is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of(a) the RAF, (b) the Army and (c) the Royal Navy he expects to be serving (i) abroad accompanied, (ii) abroad unaccompanied and (iii) deployed in front-line duties on (1) 25 December 1999, (2) 31 December 1999 and (3) 1 January 2000; what percentage of overall strength of each force this represents; and if he will make a statement. [101712]

  Mr. Spellar
  Projections of the number of personnel serving overseas cover the Christmas period as a whole and are not available on a day-to-day basis. During the period 25 December 1999 to 1 January 2000, it is expected that the RAF will have 3,641 married personnel serving abroad, 1,160 single personnel serving abroad and 2,252 personnel deployed on front-line duties. The combined figure of 7,053 represents 13.8 per cent. of the RAF's trained strength.

  During the same period, the Army is expected to have 12,851 married personnel serving aboard, 14,544 single personnel serving abroad and 5,800 personnel deployed on front-line duties. The combined figure of 33,195 represents 34.4 per cent. of the Army's trained strength.

  Also during the same period the Naval Service is expected to have 691 married personnel serving abroad, 154 single personnel serving abroad and 766 personnel deployed on front-line duties at sea and ashore. The combined figure of 1,611 represents 4.2 per cent. of the Naval Service's trained strength.

  Information on whether married personnel were accompanied or unaccompanied is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Large Transport Aircraft
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's requirement for the procurement of large transport aircraft. [101655]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) on 8 November 1999,Official Report, column 397W.

  Naval Vessels
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the planned deployments overseas by naval vessels which have been cancelled this year, indicating the reasons for cancellation. [101614]
  30W
  Mr. Spellar
  Three deployments away from the UK/Northern European theatre have been cancelled this year. These were the deployment of an Amphibious Task Group to the West Indies in May and June for operational reasons related to Kosovo; a deployment by an Aircraft Carrier Group to the USA and Caribbean from February to April for operational reasons relating to the Gulf; and a submarine deployment to the Gulf in March for operational reasons relating to Kosovo. I gave details on 8 December 1999,Official Report, column 560W of the naval vessels which had been withdrawn this year from exercises in the UK/Northern European theatre.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Tony Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what advice he has sought on the legality of British nuclear deterrence policy; [102127]

  (2) what review of nuclear targeting policy he has conducted since the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons of 8 July 1996; and if he will make a statement. [102126]

  Mr. Hoon
  Legal considerations are always taken into account in the formulation and application of defence policy. I am confident that our nuclear policy and posture, as set out most recently in the Strategic Defence Review, is entirely compatible with our obligations under international law.

  Mr. Tony Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which section or sections of his Department are responsible for nuclear targeting policy. [102125]

  Mr. Hoon
  Our nuclear missiles are not targeted. Within the Ministry of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff acts as principal adviser on the operational deployment of our nuclear deterrent. He is supported in this role by a range of senior officers and officials.

  Royal Marines (Women)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in respect of the employment of women in posts in the Royal Marines. [101936]

  Mr. Spellar
  We are committed to equality of opportunity in the Armed Forces, and some 73 per cent. of the posts within the Naval Service are already open to women. The possibilities for further extending employment opportunities for women were considered in the Strategic Defence Review. It was decided that posts in the Royal Marines General Service, and similar posts in the other Services whose primary role in battle is to 'close with and kill the enemy', should be subject to further work to assess the potential impact on combat effectiveness of opening such posts to women. This work is currently in hand.

  Royal Irish Regiment
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what correspondence he has received in the past two years concerning paramilitary infiltration of the Royal Irish Regiment(a) at Alma barracks, Catterick and (b) elsewhere; and what standing orders have been

  31W
  issued concerning (i) display of paramilitary insignia and emblems and (ii) possession or distribution of documents and other materials. [102031]

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

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date rules governing the security of classified documents and sensitive personal information were changed to restrict access by units of the Royal Irish Regiment; and if he will make a statement. [102032]

  Mr. Spellar
  Members of the Royal Irish Regiment are afforded the same access to classified information as any member of the British Army holding similar rank, position and responsibility. That access is strictly limited on a 'need to know' basis.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for each of the buildings under his Department's control how many rooms are set aside for(a) ethnic minority religious use, (b) pregnant and nursing mothers and (c) smokers. [102329]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  There are over 90,000 buildings on the Defence Estate of which a number will have rooms allocated for religious observances of staff, pregnant and nursing mothers and smokers as required. The number of rooms set aside for such purposes is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Satellite Television
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in fitting satellite television facilities on Royal Navy ships. [102343]

  Mr. Spellar
  The majority of the RN's major warships are currently fitted with conventional domestic satellite equipment which provides reception while in harbour in European waters. To allow reception while at sea, two of the aircraft carriers, HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious, have been fitted with a gyro-stabilised satellite television dish. This type of dish will be also fitted to the third aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, during her current refit at Rosyth. As there is no room to fit these dishes on the remaining major warships, an alternative system, which utilises existing satellite communications equipment, is currently being trialled. This system would allow the ship's crews to see broadcasts within about 12 hours of transmission. If the trials are successful, we plan to commence installation on board the major warships.

  The minor war vessels receive terrestrial television, and there are currently no plans to enhance this facility to include satellite television.

  Medical Assessment Programme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance produced by his Department's Medical Assessment Programme for the administration of tests to monitor the effects of depleted uranium exposure experienced by military and medical auxiliary personnel involved in the Gulf War in 1991. [102175]
  32W
  Mr. Spellar
  MAP policy on testing for uranium was set out in a MOD paper published on 19 March 1999 entitled "Testing for the Presence of Depleted Uranium—The Current Position". A copy of the paper is in the Library of the House. In summary, testing for uranium is carried out when, in the judgment of the MAP physician, there is a clinical need. The patient is required to provide urine over a 24-hour period which is then tested by a suitably accredited laboratory. Advice on Depleted Uranium is contained in the MOD' s publication intended for GPs and other health professionals entitled "Gulf Veterans' Illnesses: Information Pack" dated May 1999. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  I have in addition offered to arrange independent testing specifically for depleted uranium for those Gulf veterans who have privately had their urine tested for depleted uranium in Canada. This offer was made specifically to address the concerns of those tested. A draft protocol, under which this testing will take place, has been passed to veterans associations and others for comment. I will place a copy of the agreed protocol in the Library of the House in due course.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 December 1999,Official Report, column 454W, on the terms of service of young people in the armed forces, if he will list the steps to which he referred and by which his Department will ensure the compatibility of personnel policies with the Human Rights Act 1998. [102445]

  Mr. Spellar
  Further to my answer of 7 December 1999,Official Report, column 454W, my Department maintains a constant review of its personnel policies. We have not yet identified any need to make changes to the current terms of service of young people in order to ensure compatibility with the Human Rights Act 1998.

  RAF Chinook
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the inquiry by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch into the RAF Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre was independent of his Department; and if he will make a statement. [101402]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is an independent part of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. It is not unusual for the Ministry of Defence to take advantage of their expertise to examine the site of a military aircraft accident and/or undertake a full or limited wreckage analysis; this was the case with the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre.

  Military Air Accident Investigations
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if reports by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch into military accidents are placed in the public domain. [101403]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) investigate all accidents involving civil aircraft in the United Kingdom and its reports are published by The Stationary Office. If both
  33W
  military and civil aircraft are involved, a military Board of Inquiry will run in parallel with the AAIB investigation whose report will be published in the usual way.

  If a civilian aircraft is not involved, a RAF Board of Inquiry may, if it wishes, seek the assistance of the AAIB to examine the accident site and/or undertake a full or limited wreckage analysis. The AAIB report then forms part of the evidence of the Board of Inquiry. These reports are not published but may be provided to the next of kin in the event of a fatality as an Annexe to the Board of Inquiry findings. The next of kin are not restricted on copying the report further.

  Depleted Uranium Ordnance
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the firing of depleted uranium shells at the Kirkcudbright range; and if he will estimate the approximate number of shells which landed in the waters of the Solway in the last 15 years. [102452]

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

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Tam Dalyell, dated 13 December 1999:
  I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about Depleted Uranium (DU) firings at the Kirkcudbright Range since these firings are now conducted by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) on behalf of MOD.
  DU has been fired at the Kirkcudbright Range since 1982 and there is a continuing need for proof testing of the ammunition while it remains in service. Over the last 15 years, some 6350 rounds have been fired into the Solway Firth. A programme of environmental monitoring has been in place at the range since 1982. The monitoring programme has confirmed that there are only low levels of DU contamination which are well below anything that could be considered a health hazard either to those who work at the sites or those living nearby.
  In addition, in 1993 the MOD commissioned the consultants WS Atkins to conduct an independent environmental impact assessment of the firing of DU. The report of the study concluded that there was no significant risk to the public or to site personnel form air emissions from malfunctioning DU projectiles or marine food chain sources. A copy of that report has been placed in the House Library. Our own comprehensive environmental monitoring programme continues to confirm that this is still the case. The monitoring reports are all within the public domain; the most recent one was presented at a public meeting of the Dumfries and Galloway Stewartry Area Committee on 22 September 1999.
  DERA, however, is not complacent about these results. We work, closely, as you may know, with local interested parties and, in particular, have a close relationship with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). To this end, a meeting between representatives from DERA's Test & Evaluation Ranges Sector and Radiation Protection Services and SEPA was held on 29 November to review the progress on monitoring and to discuss plans for the future.

  Hostile Aircraft
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hostile aircraft have been shot down by Royal Air Force and Royal Navy fighters in the past 25 years; and if he will make a statement. [102455]

  Mr. Spellar
  The only conflict in the last 25 years in which Royal Navy and Royal Air Force aircraft have shot down hostile aircraft was the Falklands conflict of 1982.
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  Twenty-three Argentine aircraft were shot down, of which 17 were downed by Fleet Air Arm pilots and six were shot down by RAF pilots serving with Naval Air Squadrons.

  Beef Suppliers
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the country of origin of beef sold to UK forces(a) in the UK, (b) in Gibraltar, (c) in the Falkland Islands, (d) in Kosovo and (e) in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement. [102456]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The supply of food to our Armed Forces in the UK and overseas is contracted out. My Department does not specify the source from which our contractors should obtain beef (or any other products) but expects them to seek the best market price, whilst giving full consideration to British products. The beef currently supplied to our Armed Forces based in the UK is 100 per cent. British beef. The beef supplied for our service personnel based in Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, Kosovo and Bosnia is presently sourced primarily from Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay and Brazil.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if any zones in the Millennium Dome will not be fully functioning by(a) 10 December, (b) 24 December and (c) 31 December. [98822]

  Janet Anderson
  Work continues to complete the individual exhibit zones within the Dome. Zones are being completed in phases so as to enable the effective management of the overall site logistics, including contractor vehicle and staff movements. I am advised that all the zones will be fully functioning by the time of the opening celebration on 31 December 1999.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many parking spaces are currently allocated for very important persons at the Millennium Dome. [99320]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: Through its marketing and ticketing strategies, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is encouraging visitors to leave their cars and join public transport as close to their homes as possible. In addition, travel and tour operators are offering attractive travel and Dome admission packages. NMEC has parking capacity away from the Dome but close to good public transport links to North Greenwich using existing car parks where possible. When, in exceptional circumstances, NMEC is advised that parking is required for a particular VIP visit, it will be accommodated. There are no parking spaces dedicated for use by VIPs visiting the Dome.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tickets to the Millennium Dome within the first eight weeks for which they were on sale were(a) sold at full single adult rate, (b) sold at full single child rate, (c) sold at full family rate, (d) sold at discounted rates, (e) given away to sponsors, (f) given away in competition and (g) otherwise disposed of. [99335]
  35W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is concerned not to affect the ongoing success of ticket sales through publication of selected statistics at this stage. Ticket sales and reservations are running ahead of expectations and, at over one million, are far outstripping advance sales for any visitor attraction anywhere in the world for 2000. I am confident that NMEC will achieve its 12 million visitor target and that the resulting income targets will also be met, enabling the project, over its lifetime, to be delivered within the –758 million cash budget set for it in February 1997. I can confirm categorically that no tickets have been given away free to sponsors.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he intends to write to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central concerning ticket sales for the Millennium Experience following his answer of 11 November 1999,Official Report, column 834W. [100677]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: I wrote to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones) on 6 December and arranged for a copy of my response to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Mayor and Assembly of London will be permitted to make a bid during the eventual sale of the Millennium Dome. [101315]

  Janet Anderson
  The competition for the future of the Dome is well underway and we hope to announce a final shortlist of bidders early in the new year. This is prior to the Mayoral election and formation of the Assembly.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the timetable for the disposal of the Millennium Dome. [100260]

  Janet Anderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 2 December 1999,Official Report, column 324W.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the criteria are for allocation of tickets for the Millennium Dome celebrations on 31 December 1999; and if he will make a statement. [99854]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company, in liaison with the Government and others, has aimed to achieve an inclusive, exciting event, embracing a wide range of people of all ages and backgrounds and with the majority from "ordinary" life, and others who have made a contribution to, or have a responsibility for some aspect of, the project. The criteria for the allocation of tickets has been framed accordingly. As NMEC announced in June 1999, up to 3,000 of the approximate 10,000 guests are being drawn from national and local newspaper competitions; other public tickets are going to Millennium Commission Award Winners and members of the public associated with Millennium Commission projects, together with residents from the London Borough of Greenwich as the "host" borough. In addition, some of the project's sponsors are running public competitions. NMEC's further press release on 4 November gave details
  36W
  of how the celebration to open the Dome will be a passionate, powerful and spectacular event befitting the nation's welcome to the new Millennium.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which celebrities have agreed to perform in the Millennium Dome on 31 December. [101619]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: As the New Millennium Experience Company announced on 4 November, there will be a combined cast of over 900 performers using music, dance, and carnival, to move and inspire the audience within the Dome and the world-wide television audience of billions on 31 December 1999. The celebrations will start with the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen, following which the Archbishop of Canterbury will read the Lord's Prayer. The celebrations will feature Paul Daniel (Director of the English National Opera) directing an 80 piece orchestra, a mixed choir of more than 400, Jools Holland and his big band, and celebrity soloists from the worlds of popular and classical music. Announcements about other individual performers will be made in due course.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on publicity for(a) the Millennium Dome and (b) the Big Time Millennium eve celebrations; what is the total budget for these projects; and in terms of both current spend and projected budgets, if he will break this down by (i) consultants, including outside PR agencies, (ii) press offices, (iii) advertising and (iv) other expenses. [101618]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) marketing, communications and commercial budget, for the Millennium Experience, which includes the costs of publicity is set out in the company's Annual Report and Financial Statements to 31 March and was published in July 1999. NMEC considers that individual components of that budget are commercially confidential and that publication of the information in the categories requested would adversely impact on the company's ability to obtain optimum value for money from future procurement of the services set out, and would adversely impact on the company's relationship with its existing contractors in those fields. In the absence of a London-wide authority, and at the invitation of relevant Government Departments, statutory authorities, and the Millennium Commission, NMEC agreed in December 1998 to take responsibility for the co-ordination and management of the Big Time event, which focuses on new year's eve celebrations in central London on and alongside the River Thames between Vauxhall Bridge and Tower Bridge and at other specific locations nearby. Big Time is supported by the Millennium Commission as part of its Millennium Festival programme and London is one of 22 cities being supported in this way. The resources for Big Time are separate from those of the Millennium Experience's £758 million cash budget, but they will be accounted for by NMEC in the company's next Annual Report and Financial Statements, which will cover the period 1 April 1999 to 31 December 1999 and will be published in the new year. Details of the individual contracts relevant to Big Time are considered by NMEC to be commercially confidential.

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department has spent on Ministerial transport in each of the last two years. [98700]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The total cost of providing the Government Car Service for my Department was £318,807 in 1997–98 and £351,875 in 1998–99.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many representations he has received(a) in favour of and (b) against the suggested supplement to the licence fee for digital television purposes. [99322]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: To date we have received 543 representations on the independent review panel's recommendation for a digital licence supplement. Of those (a) 14 were in favour and (b) 529 were against the proposal.

  BBC World Service Television
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what recent representations he has received concerning the BBC's decision to remove current affairs and analysis programmes from the schedules of the BBC World Service Television; and if he will make a statement; [101361]

  (2) if he will meet the Chairman of the BBC to discuss the proposed reductions in resources and personnel in BBC World Service Television. [101377]

  Janet Anderson
  We have received three representations from hon. Members and their constituents. I have no present plans to meet the Chairman of the BBC to discuss BBC World, as it is a long standing principle that the Government do not intervene in the BBC's programming and editorial issues.

  BBC Funding
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the resolution of the National Assembly for Wales of 16 November concerning the future funding of the BBC; and what response he plans to make. [101646]

  Janet Anderson
  We are currently considering the recommendations of the independent review panel on the future funding of the BBC in the light of the responses to the public consultation and will take the National Assembly for Wales' resolution into account as part of that process. We expect to announce our final decisions in January.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if Pannell Kerr Forster will accept external submissions to their review of the future funding of the BBC; [102418]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the views of the commercial broadcasting sector will be taken into account in the review of the BBC's funding being undertaken by Pannell Kerr Forster. [102417]
  38W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  Pannell Kerr Forster are carrying out a tightly focused but detailed study of the BBC's finances to give us the information we need to reach a decision on the appropriate level of funding for the BBC up to 2006. It is not part of Pannell Kerr Forster's terms of reference to take account of views submitted in response to the public consultation or to accept external submissions. We will, of course, be taking account of the views of the commercial broadcasting sector, and everyone else who responded to the public consultation, in reaching our conclusions.

  World Cup 2006
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the current situation in respect of England's bid for the 2006 World Cup. [101349]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 6 December 1999]: The Government are providing the fullest diplomatic and promotional support for the Football Association's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup. For example, my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham (Mr. Banks), in his capacity as the Government's Special Envoy on 2006, was in New Zealand, Thailand and Korea recently with a Football Association delegation to promote the bid. We will continue to do so between now and the decision by the FIFA Executive Committee next July. It is an excellent bid.

  In late October, my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, and myself, met a FIFA Inspection Group. The FIFA delegates, who visited England to inspect the facilities, described England's bid and its stadiums as "outstanding".

  Tourism (North-West)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimates he has made of the value of the tourism industry to(a) the North West, (b) Greater Manchester and (c) Bolton in each of the last three years. [101666]

  Janet Anderson
  Tourism expenditure in(a) the North West and (b) Greater Manchester by visitors who stayed at least one night is as follows for each of the last three years:

  £ million

  1996

  1997

  1998

  North West

  1,850

  1,919

  1,790

  Greater Manchester

  413

  444

  405

  Source:

  UK Tourism Survey, International Passenger Survey.

  Official sources do not provide reliable estimates of tourism expenditure in Bolton or any other sub-county local authority areas.

  It is likely that the inclusion of the spending during tourism day visits would at least double these amounts.

  James Bond Film
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what location fee was paid to the New Millennium Experience Company by the producers of the film, "The World is not Enough". [101647]

  Janet Anderson
  A commercial rate was paid to NMEC by the makers of the film. The contractual arrangements reflect normal practice in the commercial sector and are subject to confidentiality requirements applicable to both parties.

  Duty Free
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations his Department has received from international tourism organisations on travellers' understanding of the new duty free system. [101629]

  Janet Anderson
  Since the abolition of duty-free sales to intra-EU travellers on 30 June 1999, my Department has received no representations from international tourism organisations about passengers' understanding of the new successor regime for ships and aircraft. I am advised that Customs and Excise are working very closely with the trade to ease the transition and make sure that accounting arrangements are made as simple as possible.

  Religious Organisations (Broadcasting Licences)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his plans to review the law prohibiting religious organisations from holding national radio broadcasting licences. [102215]

  Janet Anderson
  We are considering the introduction of early broadcasting and communications legislation to ensure that a regulatory framework is in place which recognises the developments across those industries. The ownership of radio licences for religious broadcasting will be one of the issues for consideration in that context.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Nuclear Deterrence Policy
  Mr. Tony Benn
  To ask the Solicitor-General what advice he has sought on the legality of British nuclear deterrence policy. [102132]

  The Solicitor-General
  As a matter of convention (observed by successive Governments) neither the substance of the Law Officers' advice on a question, nor the fact that they have been consulted, is disclosed outside Government, other than in exceptional circumstances. I can however confirm that legal considerations are always taken fully into account in the formulation and application of defence policy. The Government are confident that Britain's nuclear policy and posture, as set out most recently in the Strategic Defence Review, are entirely compatible with our obligations under international law.

  Mr. Tony Benn
  To ask the Solicitor-General what representations he has received about permission for a private prosecution of those responsible within 40W
  Government for infringements of international humanitarian law based on the Government's nuclear deterrence policy. [102131]

  The Solicitor-General
  My office receives letters from the public from time to time on the Government's nuclear deterrence policy. A request for permission for a private prosecution under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 was received last year. However, the Law Officers take the view that the application of the Government's nuclear deterrence policy does not involve an infringement of either domestic or international law, and accordingly permission was not given.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Spending Revisions
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 25 November 1999,Official Report, column 197W, on spending revisions, if he will provide a breakdown of the savings arising from changing disability benefit caseloads broken down between the different disability benefits. [101063]

  Mr. Darling
  The information is in the table.

  The figures are consistent with those published in the November 1999 pre-Budget Report, and show expenditure in Great Britain.

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Attendance Allowance

  —45

  —114

  —161

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  —28

  —50

  —71

  Disability Living Allowance

  —131

  —330

  —545

  Incapacity Benefit

  —47

  —90

  —142

  Total

  —250

  —585

  —920

  Notes:

  1. The figures may not appear to sum due to rounding.

  2. The forecast of expenditure on these benefits has used administrative data newly available since the forecast made for the March 1999 Budget. The new information on awards of the benefits indicated that estimates of future caseload levels should be lower than those underlying the Budget forecast.

  Departmental Organisation
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he received the review of the work and organisation of his Department carried out by the permanent secretary at his Department; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [100913]

  Mr. Darling
  The departmental management study involves a wide-ranging programme of work which it is envisaged will continue for some time. I shall announce the conclusions in due course.

  Payment Cards
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library the results of the assessment of the recent Payment Card trials carried out by his Department in the North East and South West of England. [100914]

  Mr. Rooker
  As part of the BA/POCL project, limited trials of the Benefit Payment Card were conducted with 37,000 customers in 204 post offices in the north east and
  41W
  south west of England. In the trials, benefit payments were made using plastic magnetic stripe cards, the Benefit Payment Card, instead of outdated paper-based methods of payment. This was supported by a new automated system at post offices. The trials undertaken were limited to Child Benefit and were carried out to provide experience of live running and to inform later stages of the BA/POCL project, including a full scale live trial of all aspects of the Card method of payment and the technology to support it.

  The project, which was commissioned in 1996, suffered a series of setbacks and delays and the key milestone of a full scale live trial of the Card was not delivered. There were concerns that the project was too complex and would be undeliverable and in May 1999, the Government announced a new way forward to achieve the original objectives of the project, while simplifying it and reducing risk. Under this approach, the Benefit Payment Card element of the project was removed and, from 2003 DSS will move from paper-based methods of paying benefits to payment by automated credit transfer, a more modern, secure and efficient method of payment.

  It was clear that the Benefit Payment Card had added substantially to the complexity of the BA/POCL project, and hence to the delay that had occurred and that its continuation could only increase the risk of further slippage to the programme. There were also increasing concerns that even if the Benefit Payment Card could have been delivered, the magnetic stripe technology on which it was based looked increasingly outdated as banks and others turned their attention increasingly to smart card technology. This, together with the combination of a three year delay to the project and the escalating trend of people opting for payment by ACT, had substantially reduced the role that the Benefit Payment Card could expect to play.

  Parental Benefits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of calculating entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit for non-resident parents on the basis of income net of any maintenance they have been assessed as liable to pay under the proposed new child support scheme. [101204]

  Angela Eagle
  We estimate that the cost of an income disregard for maintenance paid by non-resident parents in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit would be in the order of –30 million a year.

  Notes:

  1. Based on data taken from the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey uprated to 2000–2001 prices, benefits and earnings levels.

  2. Assumes an October 2001 start date. Caseloads have been projected forward on the basis of actual growth in the CSA caseload between 1996–97 and August 1999, and subsequent forecast growth until October 2001.

  3. The cost has been rounded to the nearest –10 million.

  4. This cost will include a small element of spousal maintenance, plus child maintenance which is not organised through the CSA.

  Students
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what benefits are available to support 19-year-old students who wish to remain in full-time secondary education at(a) maintained schools and (b) further education colleges. [101665]
  42W
  Angela Eagle
  Most students who are undertaking a full-time course of study, whether in a maintained school, college of further education or elsewhere, are not entitled to benefits as a means of supporting themselves while studying. Primary financial support for students comes from the education student support systems. However, certain students in vulnerable groups, including disabled students and students who are responsible for a child are eligible to claim Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. In addition, partners of students, who are not full-time students themselves, may claim benefits on behalf of the couple, providing they satisfy the relevant criteria.

  War Disablement Pensions
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many times over the last five years he has exercised his discretion in granting war disablement pensions in cases where claimants failed to make claims within three months of termination of service. [101667]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of War Pensions Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Gordon Hextall. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. David Crausby, dated 9 December 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. You asked how many times over the last five years he has exercised his discretion in granting war disablement pensions in cases where claimants failed to make claims within three months of termination of service.
  The War Pensions Agency does not keep statistics relating to the information that you require. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  It may help if I were to explain that the legislation under which such pensions are awarded is Schedule 3, Article 65 of the Naval, Military and Air Forces (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983. This provides that where a claim is not made within 3 months from termination of service, payment of pension shall not be made for any period before the date of claim, unless the Secretary of State's discretion is used.
  The Secretary of State's discretion is only used in exceptional circumstances where it is considered reasonable to do so. Examples would be where there has been Departmental error or misdirection, or where the claimant was prevented by illness from, or had some other good reason for, not claiming earlier. The Agency considers the individual merits of each case when considering the claim.
  I hope this information is helpful. If you need any further information, I will be happy to assist.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are currently in receipt of a United Kingdom state pension in(a) the USA and (b) the EU, excluding the UK; and if he will estimate how many (i) United States citizens and (ii) citizens of the EU, excluding the United Kingdom, who are domiciled in the United Kingdom are in receipt of a retirement pension from their country of origin. [102124]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  The number of overseas pensioners who were in receipt of a United Kingdom State Retirement Pension or Widow's Benefit at July 1999 is estimated at 110,000 in the USA and

  43W
  222,000 in the EU (excluding UK). At September 1999 there were some 23,000 former US residents in the UK receiving US retirement or widow's benefits.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Benefits (Automated Credit Transfer)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on the Government's plans for payment of benefits by automated credit transfer. [102238]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith) on 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 374W.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is his intention that, by 2005, all benefits will be paid into bank accounts through the automated credit transfer system. [102450]

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that recipients of benefits who do not choose to have benefits paid by automated credit transfer retain the option of payment by order book. [102241]

  Mr. Rooker
  Starting in 2003 we will be moving to a more modern, secure and efficient method of paying benefits through automated credit transfer (ACT). Payment by ACT will become the norm for paying benefits and the move to ACT will be completed in 2005.

  Final consultancy expenditure

  Management consultants

  IT consultants

  Total

  1997–98

  Headquarters

  448,955.30

  1,480,765.97

  1,929,712.27

  Independent Statutory Body

  34,182.70

  35,214.33

  69,397.03

  Benefits Agency

  7,749,889.74

  3,026,673.24

  10,776,562.98

  Contributions Agency

  196,832.43

  433,165.36

  629,997.79

  Child Support Agency

  334,344.96

  —

  334,344.96

  War Pensions Agency

  113,646.04

  44,714.25

  158,360.29

  Information Technology Services Agency

  2,690,542.90

  3,298,078.42

  5,988,621.32

  Total

  11,568,394.07

  8,318,602.57

  19,886,996.64

  1998–99

  Headquarters

  2,958,491.58

  1,644,500.02

  4,602,991.60

  Independent Statutory Body

  112,130.29

  2,240.00

  114,370.29

  Benefits Agency

  7,153,738.38

  7,302,862.98

  14,456,601.36

  Contributions Agency

  419,792.10

  673,328.50

  1,093,120.60

  Child Support Agency

  198,868.56

  0.00

  198,868.56

  War Pensions Agency

  306,915.25

  73,326.65

  380,241.90

  Information Technology Services Agency

  1,829,312.36

  4,532,311.51

  6,361,623.87

  Total

  12,979,248.52

  14,228,569.66

  27,207,818.18

  1999 to October 1999

  Headquarters

  1,822,083.84

  313,644.84

  2,135,728.68

  Independent Statutory Body

  21,602.48

  0.00

  21,602.48

  Benefits Agency

  10,021,830.60

  3,997,569.32

  14,019,399.92

  Contributions Agency

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Child Support Agency

  377,982.29

  24,490.19

  402,472.48

  War Pensions Agency

  7,699.68

  3,808.00

  11,507.68

  Information Technology Services Agency

  854,986.87

  1,218,525.51

  2,073,512.39

  Total

  13,106,186.76

  5,558,037.87

  18,664,223.63

  44W
  However, there will have to be some, limited, exceptions. We have given an assurance that those benefit recipients, whether paid by ACT or otherwise, who wish to collect their benefits in cash at Post Offices, will continue to be able to do so.

  Information Technology Services Agency
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the objectives of the strategic outsourcing project of the Information Technology Services Agency. [102422]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department faces ever more complex business change in order to deliver a modern, responsive welfare service to the public. Key to the successful achievement of the required business change is the provision of modern IT services. In defining the Department's strategic direction, the overall objective has been to achieve a sustainable organisation in support of DSS IS/IT provision which also preserves the best possible career opportunities for staff. We believe that outsourcing the Department's IT provision will provide the best way of delivering its IS/IT needs while securing a better long-term future for it's staff.

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997. [102077]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
  45W

  Independent statutory bodies (ISB) breakdown

  Management consultants

  IT consultants

  1997–98

  The Appeals Service

  0.00

  0.00

  Central Adjudication Service

  0.00

  0.00

  Pensions Ombudsman

  0.00

  35,214.33

  Independent Review Service

  34,182.70

  0.00

  Total

  34,182.70

  35,214.33

  1998–99

  The Appeals Service

  0.00

  0.00

  Central Adjudication Service

  0.00

  0.00

  Pensions Ombudsman

  0.00

  2,240.00

  Independent Review Service

  112,130.29

  0.00

  Total

  112,130.29

  2,240.00

  1999 to October 1999

  The Appeals Service

  0.00

  0.00

  Central Adjudication Service

  0.00

  0.00

  Pensions Ombudsman

  0.00

  0.00

  Independent Review Service

  0.00

  0.00

  Total

  21,602.48

  0.00

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA)

  Year

  Management Consultants

  IT consultants

  1997–98

  377,000.00

  395,000.00

  1998–99

  485,980.83

  943,541.52

  1999 to October 1999

  436,538.98

  301,446.39

  Note:

  OPRA expenditure—(OPRA is classed as an Independent Statutory Body and an executive non-departmental public body. It is not funded directly from vote 3, it is funded by grant in aid).

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total cost was of Housing Benefit in

  Housing benefit recipients in Great Britain and Scotland

  Great Britain

  Scotland

  Recipients of:

  Thousand

  Percentage

  Thousand

  Percentage

  All housing benefit

  4,372

  10

  518

  13

  Local authority

  2,590

  6

  383

  9

  All private (excluding Housing association)

  923

  2

  55

  1

  Housing association

  859

  2

  80

  2

  Notes:

  1. The figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and percentages to the nearest whole per cent.

  2. The percentage quoted is a proportion of the population aged over 16 in the relevant country, and is an estimate based on 1996 mid-year Population estimate figures provided by the Office for National Statistics.

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

  4. The Question asks for details of how many people in privately owned accommodation receive Housing Benefit. However, people who own their accommodation are not entitled to Housing Benefit.

  5. Information is for Great Britain only. For information about Northern Ireland the hon. Member should refer to the Minister for the Department of Social Development.

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System, quarterly 100 per cent. caseload counts, taken in February 1999.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social report was published in October 1998 and a copy is Security what estimate he has made of the level of available in the Library. housing benefit fraud among benefit claimants living in public sector accommodation. [102384]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is contained in tables 16 and 17 of the Government Statistical Service's report on the methodology and findings of the 1997–98 National Housing Benefit Accuracy Review. The
  46W
  (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland in each of the last five years; and what his estimate is of the cost of Housing Benefit in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Scotland in each of the next three years. [102381]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Total cost of Housing Benefit in Great Britain and Scotland in each of the last five years and the estimated cost for each of the next three years

  £ million cash

  Great Britain

  Scotland

  1994–95

  10,103

  864

  1995–96

  10,876

  907

  1996–97

  11,380

  967

  1997–98

  11,180

  1,017

  1998–99

  11,156

  1,034

  1999–2000

  11,485

  1,069

  2000–01

  12,115

  1,124

  2001–02

  12,731

  1,177

  Notes:

  1. The information for 1994–95 to 1997–98 is final outturn, 1998–99 information is estimated outturn and the figures for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 are forecasts.

  2. This Department can only provide information on Great Britain. For information about Northern Ireland the hon. Member should refer to the Minister for the Department of Social Development.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit recipients there are in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland in (i) council housing, (ii) private rented accommodation, (iii) privately owned accommodation and (iv) other public sector rented accommodation broken down by type; and what proportion this represents in each case of the relevant population. [102383]

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

  report was Published in October 1998 and a copy is available in the Library.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what (i) percentage and (ii) number of households in the UK claim one or more(a) in-work and (b) means-tested benefits. [102246]
  47W
  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Percentage and number of households in Great Britain claiming one or more in-work and means-tested benefit

  Number of households (millions)

  Percentage of private households (Great Britain)

  In-work benefits

  1.0

  4

  Means-tested benefits

  6.8

  29

  Notes:

  1. Figures are given at a point in time. For In-work benefits this is May 1998, for estimates for means-tested benefits this is 1997–98 which is the latest information that is available.

  2. Means-tested benefits are Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, Social Fund and Back to Work Bonus.

  3. In-work benefits are Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Claimants aged 60 or over are only included where the claimant and or partner have earnings (either part-time or full-time) recorded.

  4. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  5. Where benefits overlap, only one benefit has been taken into account.

  6. In-work benefit data includes second adult rebate cases.

  7. Estimates from the FRS are based on sample counts, which have been adjusted for non response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for region, Council Tax and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non response.

  8. All data relate to Great Britain rather than the United Kingdom as FRS data Cover GB.

  Source:

  1. Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards

  2. Disability Working Allowance 100 per cent. count of claims

  3. Housing Benefit Management Information system annual 1 per cent. sample May 1998

  4. Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance Family Resources Survey 1997–98

  Terminal Illness
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to provide financial support for partners and close relatives of terminally ill people. [102537]

  Mr. Bayley
  A person who is diagnosed as terminally ill can be awarded, among other benefits, the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance or the higher rate of Attendance Allowance. This award may entitle someone caring for that person, including a partner or close relative, to Invalid Care Allowance and, if appropriate the carer premium of Income Support.

  The National Carers strategy commits us to keeping financial support for carers under review, which we are doing.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Pakistan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the total value of overseas aid; to what projects such aid is allocated in Pakistan; and if she will make a statement. [102406]
  48W
  Clare Short
  DFID spent £2,354 million on overseas development assistance in the 1998–99 UK Financial year, of which £25.18 million was for Pakistan.

  Our bilateral programme to Pakistan targets poverty reduction and improved access by the poor to basic services, such as elementary education and primary health care. Following the military coup on 12 October, I announced a freeze on all direct development assistance to the Government. Our support is continuing through non-governmental channels. These include the Aga Khan Development Network and the Save the Children Fund.

  The projects which we are continuing to support include rural development and health programmes for poor communities in Chitral and Northern Areas, and measures to reduce child labour in Sialkot. We have recently allocated £800,000 through a local nongovernmental organisation to provide 'micro-credit' for poor women in and around Lahore to improve their income earning opportunities. The full list of projects is as follows:
  Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Chitral District;
  Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Gilgit District;
  Primary Health Care Programme, Chitral District;
  Family Planning Association of Pakistan: 'Doorsteps' Community Based Family Planning;
  Marketing of Hormonal Contraceptives through the Private Sector (Futures Group);
  Social Marketing of Condoms (Population Services International);
  Family Planning Association of Pakistan: Audio Visual Vans to inform Communities in remote areas;
  Pakistan Association for Voluntary Health and Nutrition (PAVHNA): Reproductive Health in Sindh and Punjab;
  Protecting the Rights of Working Children in Sialkot, Punjab Province;
  Lachi Poverty Reduction Project, North West Frontier Province;
  Kashf Foundation: Micro-Credit for Poor Women (Lahore);
  Sindh Education Foundation: Community Primary Schools in Sindh Province;
  Frontier Education Foundation: Community Primary Schools in North West Frontier Province;
  Small Grants Scheme: Miscellaneous small grants to non-government organisations engaged in poverty reduction and human rights.

  Departmental Employees (Disabled People)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the total workforce in her Department is registered as disabled; and what steps she is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people in her Department. [102045]

  Clare Short
  At present, 1.8 per cent. of staff in my Department have declared a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

  Our recruitment adverts say that we are committed to a policy of equal opportunities and encourage applicants from all sectors of the community. At the recruitment stage applicants are invited to tell us if they have a disability for which they need reasonable adjustment made during the selection process. We have met all requests so far. We also make adjustments for staff who develop disabilities during the course of their employment with us.

  Southern Africa
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to her European counterparts concerning the development of a regional action programme on small arms in Southern Africa. [101929]

  Clare Short
  DFID funded a seminar last year organised by Saferworld and the South African Institute for Security Studies to consider how to tackle the proliferation of small arms in Southern Africa. The conference was attended by representatives from a number of EU countries and Governments from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region, plus other Governments and organisations interested in small arms proliferation.

  Participants identified a number of practical ways in which countries in Southern Africa could co-operate and how the EU might help. Participants agreed an EU/SADC regional action programme which set out four main elements for action, namely measures to combat illicit trafficking including strengthening laws and operational capacity, strengthening regulations on accumulation and transfer of arms, promoting collection and destruction of surplus arms, and enhancing transparency and information exchange on arms issues. The Programme was subsequently endorsed by EU/SADC Ministers in Vienna in November 1998.

  I discussed the issue of small arms proliferation with other Development Ministers in the European Council in May this year. The Council subsequently adopted a Resolution on small arms.

  Target Strategy Papers
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she will release for consultation the target strategy papers currently being drafted. [102203]

  Clare Short
  We shall be releasing the Target Strategy Papers individually for external consultation as they become ready. The first paper has just been sent out for consultation and the other will be issued over the next few months.

  Civil Society Strengthening
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will set out her Department's strategy on strengthening civil society following the consultation process earlier this year. [102202]

  Clare Short
  A report on the civil society consultation process was published in February this year.

  This led on to the announcement of the launch of The Civil Society Challenge Fund and partnership Programme Agreements. I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 26 July 1999, Official Report, columns 12–13W, which set out the objectives of these mechanisms.

  The Guidelines on the Civil Society Challenge Fund were published in September. In my forward I set out the reasons why a strong civil society is a crucial element in the fight against poverty and the importance we attach to strengthening civil society, in both poor and transition countries.

  Drugs Control Programme
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how she plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the UN International Drugs Control Programme's drug reduction programme in drug-producing regions. [102494]

  Clare Short
  My Department routinely monitors and periodically reviews all the major projects we fund to assess their effectiveness, including those managed by the UN International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). Monitoring and review is systematically undertaken in order to assess DFID-assisted interventions in terms of their relevance, effectiveness and efficiency and, as far as possible, their impact and sustainability. We also subject a small proportion of our projects and programmes to rigorous ex-post evaluation. We have also welcomed UNDCP's plans to strengthen their own evaluation and monitoring procedures.

  Kashmiri Refugees (Pakistan)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department provides for Kashmiri refugees in Pakistan. [102495]

  Clare Short
  We are not currently providing any assistance for these refugees, but would be willing to consider doing so if a suitable channel for our funds could be identified. At present, neither the UN High Commissioner for Refugees nor the International Committee of the Red Cross is operating on the Pakistan side of the Line of Control.

  So far as bilateral assistance is concerned, our freedom and ability to operate effectively is constrained by the difficult security and other circumstances which prevail there. However, two British non-governmental organisations have been assessing the humanitarian needs in the region, and we await their reports.

HEALTH

  National Burn Care Review
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the terms of reference are of the National Burn Care Review. [100497]

  Mr. Denham
  This is a professionally led review being carried out by the British Burn Association. Copies of the terms of reference have been placed in the Library.

  Primary Care
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he will give to primary care groups to ensure that they apply a policy of equal opportunities in their planning and service delivery. [101612]

  Mr. Denham
  As sub-committees of a health authority, primary care groups are bound to follow the guidelines and legislation set out in respect to equal opportunities. Existing health authority guidance states that services must be equitable, both in terms of accessibility and range, in order to ensure that high standards of care exist across the entire National Health Service.
  51W
  Primary care trust guidance will be issued shortly, which emphasises PCTs' responsibility to promote equality of opportunity in their treatment of staff and the provision of services to the whole community.

  Nursing Vacancies
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nursing vacancies and (b) hard to fill nursing vacancies there are, broken down by region. [101611]

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

  Department of Health recruitment, retention and vacancies survey Vacancies in NHS Trusts by region; all nursing staff, including midwifery, as at 31 March 1999

  whole time equivalents

  Qualified nurses

  Total vacancies1

  3 month vacancies2

  England total

  14,950

  6,820

  Northern and Yorkshire

  1,040

  390

  Trent

  930

  360

  West Midlands

  1,530

  700

  North West

  1,640

  680

  Eastern

  1,280

  550

  London

  4,880

  2,350

  South East

  2,620

  1,450

  South West

  1,020

  350

  whole time equivalents

  Unqualified nurses

  Total vacancies1

  3 month vacancies2

  England total

  1,170

  360

  Northern and Yorkshire

  120

  40

  Trent

  70

  20

  West Midlands

  120

  30

  North West

  120

  30

  Eastern

  180

  30

  London

  150

  60

  South East

  300

  130

  South West

  100

  20

  whole time equivalents

  All nurses

  Total Vacancies1

  3 month vacancies2

  England total

  16,120

  7,180

  Northern and Yorkshire

  1,170

  420

  Trent

  1,000

  380

  West Midlands

  1,650

  740

  North West

  1,760

  710

  Eastern

  1,460

  580

  London

  5,030

  2,410

  South East

  2,910

  1,570

  South West

  1,120

  360

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

  2 Posts that had been vacant for 3 months or more at 31 March 1999.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source:

  Department of Health Recruitment, Retention and Vacancies Survey 1999

  Hospital Beds
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the minimum and (b) the maximum occupancy of intensive care and high dependency beds (i) at the Royal Bolton Hospital and (ii) in each region of England during the winter months of 1998–99. [101676]

  Mr. Denham
  Available information is the average daily number of available and occupied beds by ward type for each National Health Service Trust. This is published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England", copies of which are available in the Library. However, as wards classified as "intensive care" may contain high dependency beds and general beds, we have piloted a new census focusing specifically on adult intensive care and high dependency beds. We expect to publish the results shortly.

  Runwell Medium Secure Unit
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of state for Health what plans he has to close Runwell Medium secure Unit, Essex; and if the make a statement. [101734]

  Mr. Hutton
  Southend Community care Services National Health Service trust is preparing plans for the reprovision of all services currently on the Runwell Hospital site, including the Medium Secure Unit.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many professional care workers, care assistants and registered nurses there are in England caring for the elderly outside the NHS.[101897]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. For directly employed local authority care workers, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 24 November 1999,Official Report, column 144W. Information is not available on staff working in the independent and voluntary sector or on nursing staff employed by local authorities.

  Nurses
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered nurses practising outside the NHS have been struck off the national register held by the UK Central Council for Nurses and Midwives and have subsequently been reinstated; and in what time period this reinstatement occurred since the creation of the UK Central Council for Nurses and Midwives for all disciplinary issues and cases involving care of the elderly. [101902]

  Mr. Denham
  The national register held by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting does not distinguish between those nurses practising outside the National Health Service and those practising within it.

  Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy towards treatment for Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy. [102093]
  53W
  Mr. Hutton
  Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP), also known as Factitious Illness by Proxy, is a form of abuse, usually perpetrated against a child. The term refers to a complex range of behaviours in which a person deliberately produces or feigns physical or psychological symptoms in another person who is under the individual's care. Typically the victim is a young child and the perpetrator is the child's mother.

  We recognise that suspected cases of MSBP are among the most difficult and demanding areas of activity for paediatricians and other professional groups devoted to child care and protection.

  The professionals involved are best placed to decide on the most appropriate means of determining whether MSBP is at issue and, if so, how to act in the best interests of the child and the carer throughout any intervention.

  Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area have waited more than 18 months for treatment; [101941]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the announcement by the North Essex Health Authority concerning patients in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area who have waited more than 18 months for treatment; [101939]

  (3) what reasons a number of patients in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area have been waiting more than 18 months for treatment. [101940]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: As a result of work carried out to review waiting lists and tighten procedures, a number of patients at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust have been identified as waiting over 18 months for treatment as at the end of November 1999.

  The figures for November 1999 are not due to be published until the week commencing 10 January 2000. However, Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust, in conjunction with the North Essex Health Authority and the Eastern Regional Office, are taking steps to ensure that patients identified as waiting over 18 months are treated as soon as possible.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he proposes to answer the question tabled by the hon. Member for Waveney on 24 November concerning the terms of reference of the National Burn Care Review (ref. 100497). [102600]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to my hon. Friend today at column 50W.

  Biomedical Scientists
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the pay scales of trainee biomedical scientists in the NHS. [102346]

  Mr. Denham
  Biomedical scientists are classed as medical laboratory scientific officers (MLSOs) for pay and grading purposes. Their pay scales are attached to 54W
  a common pay spine for National Health Service professional and technical staff. The current pay scale for trainee MLSOs, effective since 1 December 1998 is:

  Spine point

  £

  00

  7,476

  01

  7,726

  02

  7,988

  03

  8,260

  04

  8,544

  05

  8,839

  06

  9,146

  07

  9,463

  08

  9,796

  Pay is negotiated in the Professional and Technical Staffs Whitley Council. The staff side is consulting their members on the NHS management side's offer of:
  An increase in national pay scales for professional and technical B staff of 3 per cent.
  An increase of 13.5 per cent. in London Weighting Allowances which will restore them to 1995 values.
  Additional increases for staff working in cytology screening, with trainee cytology screeners getting 6.6 per cent. and qualified cytology screeners getting up to 11.4 per cent.
  Additional increases for staff in the MLSO grades, with trainee MLSOs getting up to 26 per cent., and MLSO1s and some MLSO2s getting 7.1 per cent.

  If accepted this offer would produce a new pay scale for trainee MLSOs effective from 1 April 1999 of:

  Spine point

  £

  00

  9,420

  01

  9,747

  02

  10,090

  03

  10,443

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many biomedical scientists are employed in each NHS hospital trust; and at what grade. [102303]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what educational and training qualifications biomedical scientists require to gain state registration. [102347]

  Mr. Denham
  The title "state registered biomedical scientist" is not protected in law. Most biomedical scientists become state registered as medical laboratory technicians following acquisition of an approved honours degree in biomedical science and a minimum of one year's practical training in an approved laboratory. The approval of courses, qualifications and institutions for the purpose of state registration as a medical laboratory technician is a matter for the Medical Laboratory Technicians Board of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine.

  Social Care Staff
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safety training is mandatory for social care staff. [102386]
  55W
  Mr. Hutton
  Social care employers are under a duty to ensure that their staff are trained to lift properly and to use any equipment that is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive. The Training Organisation for the Personal Social Services will incorporate health and safety issues in the new induction training it is preparing to be made available for all social care staff.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of violence have been recorded against social workers in each of the last five years; what measures his Department takes to monitor such incidents; and what plans he has to review the monitoring process. [102385]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information about the number of incidents of violence against social workers is not collected centrally. However, we are determined to reduce substantially the incidence of violence towards everyone working in social care. We have set up a taskforce to produce a national action plan by November 2000 with recommendations and timescales for action to reduce violence against social care staff and to promote the safety and welfare of social care workers.

  In particular, the taskforce will advise the Department on the setting of targets that social care employers will be set for the reduction of violence against social care staff, and the arrangements for monitoring progress. They will also advise social care employers on the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies to reduce violence, to train the workforce in handling confrontational situations, and to support staff who have been the victims of violent incidents.

  Social Service Authorities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis, and on what assessment of performance, each of the local social service authorities were identified for special Government scrutiny; and in what form, and over what period, this scrutiny is to take place. [102421]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are 17 local social service authorities which are the subject of special monitoring arrangements by the Department's Social Services Inspectorate (SSI). Of these, five received adverse joint review reports; nine received adverse SSI inspection reports and three received an adverse external inquiry report into their care practices.

  These authorities have been on the monitored list from between 2 and a half years and one month. All authorities are required to develop an action plan to resolve the problems which resulted in their being monitored by the SSI.

  All 17 authorities will continue to receive special monitoring until further inspections and other assessments of their performance indicate that the requirements for improvements in their action plans have been met and that the changes are sustainable.

  Children (Leaving Care) Bill
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of extending eligibility as defined in Clause 1 of the Children (Leaving Care) Bill[Lords] to young people up to the age of 21 years. [102201]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is essential that any new duties introduced through the Children (Leaving Care) Bill are fully and properly funded as part of our commitment to improving the life chances of these young people. Work is currently under way to estimate the costs of extending assistance to young people up to the age of 21.

  Referring to the duty to assess and meet the needs of young people in and leaving care, our response to the Children's Safeguards Review stated
  "the Government is also minded to extend this duty until the young person reaches the age of 21. However, it will first study the costs, limitations and affordability of doing so".

  We remain committed to extending the duty to 18–21-year-old care leavers when finances allow. The Children (Leaving Care) Bill makes provision for this at Section 24A 4(a).

  Health and Social Care Concordat
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the health and social care concordat. [102693]

  Mr. Milburn
  The text of the Health and Social Care Concordat which will guide the work of officials has been agreed with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, without prejudice to the position of the Northern Ireland Executive Committee. Copies were placed in the Library on 9 December.

  Children's Homes (Regulation)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his progress towards regulating children's homes where four or fewer children are accommodated.[102213]

  Mr. Hutton
  We introduced the Care Standards Bill on 2 December into another place. Clause 38 of the Bill is intended to amend the Children Act 1989 to allow local authorities to extend regulation to small homes which are currently not registered or inspected. These are small private children's homes which accommodate fewer than four children.

  Home Chiropody Services
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of home chiropody services by health authorities in England and Wales. [102214]

  Mr. Hutton
  It is the responsibility of individual health authorities in England and Wales to assess the broad health care needs of their population, and to secure a range of hospital and community health services such as home chiropody services to meet those needs. Decisions about health care and the use of resources are best taken at local level because it is there that people's needs are best known and services can be tailored accordingly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will reply to the letter of the hon. Member for Witney of 5 May regarding a constituent, Dr. Kate Cropper.[102191]

  Ms Stuart
  I replied to the hon. Member on 8 December.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if any of the field trials in the UK of GM maize crops during 1999 under part C of Council Directive 90/220/EEC have not appeared on the DETR public register for GMO releases. [101716]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  A Part C consent for cultivation of a GM crop, issued under EU Directive 90/220/EEC, permits growing anywhere within the geographical region specified in the consent. There is no formal requirement to notify the locations of where the crop is being grown.

  AgrEvo holds a Part C consent for cultivation of GM maize (Ref: C/F/95/12/07). Information on field trials of this maize has not been placed on the statutory public register, as there is no requirement to do so. However, information on the locations of the farm-scale evaluations has been published by my Department.

PRIME MINISTER

  Appointments (Religion)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) disbarments and (b) special requirements based on religion relating to appointment to positions within the Government and to functions carried out by Government Ministers. [99809]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: Special requirements apply to certain functions carried out by the Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in relation to some Church of England appointments. If any of the first three of these are either Roman Catholic or Jewish, his or her ecclesiastical functions are carried out by another Minister; in the same circumstances it has been customary for the Chancellor of the Duchy's functions to be carried out by the Clerk of the Council.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the impact of the Statute Repeals Act 1989 on his ability to appoint individuals to positions within the Government on the basis of their profession of the Jewish religion. [99657]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: I am not aware that the impact of the Statute Repeals Act 1989 has any effect on my ability to appoint individuals to positions within the Government on the basis of their profession of the Jewish religion.

  Royal Family
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to seek to amend 58W
  the law to (a) allow members of the Royal family to marry a Catholic without losing their right to inherit the throne and (b) allow Roman Catholics to inherit the throne; and if he will make a statement. [99658]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The Government have always stood firmly against discrimination in all its forms, including against Roman Catholics, and it will continue to do so.

  The Government have a heavy legislative programme aimed at delivering key manifesto commitments in areas such as health, education, crime and reform of the welfare system. To bring about change to the law on succession would be a complex undertaking involving amendment or repeal of a number of items of related legislation, as well as requiring the consent of legislatures of member nations of the Commonwealth. It would raise other major constitutional issues. The Government have no plans to legislate in this area.

  Galileo Project
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the Galileo project; what is the assessed cost of the project; what representations he has received on the issue; what is the current status of the project; for what reasons it had been rejected by the Council; and if he will make a statement. [101015]

  The Prime Minister
  The Transport Council of the European Union, at its meeting in June, adopted a Resolution which invited the European Commission to proceed with the definition phase of Galileo in conjunction with member states and the European Space Agency. This work has begun. The Commission is required to put forward proposals to the Council on the best way to proceed with the project either independently or in co-operation with international partners by the end of 2000.

  The cost of the project is estimated to be at least £2 billion but the definition phase work will help to clarify the overall cost and the arrangements for a possible public-private partnership to fund these.

  Following the consultation exercise the Government believe further analysis needs to be done on issues such as cost, the public-private partnership, benefits to users and security arrangements. The work now being undertaken by the Commission should enable decisions on the best way forward to be taken.

  Cologne Council
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the discussions held between the European Council and President-nominate Prodi at the Cologne Council on 3 June; what were the questions raised; if he will deposit the presentation on the future Commission's work and reform programme in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [101016]

  The Prime Minister
  At the Cologne European Council, President Prodi outlined his intention to implement far reaching reform of the Commission. This will include improved financial and personnel management, a better standard of integrity and a clearer
  59W
  division of responsibilities. The Commission will publish a full programme for reform in early 2000. This will be deposited in the Library in due course.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reason the mandate of the forthcoming intergovernmental conference was set at consideration of the voting mechanics of the European Council and size of the Commission; if policy areas may also be negotiated; which policy areas he called for negotiations to cover; and if he will make a statement. [101023]

  The Prime Minister
  The Cologne European Council agreed that next year's IGC should deal with the institutional reforms necessary for the next enlargement of the Union. The Government welcome this. Enlargement is not just about the applicant countries preparing for accession, but also about the EU preparing to receive them.

  As for specifying agenda items, Cologne agreed that the IGC should focus on three key issues: the size and composition of the Commission, the reweighting of votes in the Council and a possible extension of QMV. Some related items may be added to the agenda, but these too should focus on institutional, not policy, issues.

  Performance and Innovation Unit
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister what the budget is of the Performance and Innovation Unit's for(a) the current financial year and (b) for each future year for which budgets for the unit have been set. [101174]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 6 December 1999]: The Performance and Innovation Unit's budget for 1999–2000 is £2,243,000. Future years' budgets have not been set.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister how many staff there were in the Performance and Innovation Unit in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c)1999; and what plans he has for future staffing levels in the period 2000 to 2002. [1001175]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 6 December 1999]: I announced the setting up of the Performance and Innovation Unit on 28 July 1998, Official Report, columns 132–34W. The Unit was fully up and running by early 1999. Staff numbers will vary depending upon the number of projects under way and the size of the teams. Staff numbers, on a whole-time basis, were 36 at the end of 1998 and are expected to be 51 at the end of 1999. Future staffing levels will depend upon future projects.

  Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister when the last meeting of the Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee was; and if he will publish its agenda and minutes. [101501]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 362W.

  Helsinki Council
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the documents relating to authority for further policy 60W
  commitment, or action, able to be given approval at the European Council Meeting at Helsinki on 10 and 11 December, indicating the parliamentary scrutiny to which the documents were subject in each case. [101616]

  The Prime Minister
  All appropriate documents are submitted for parliamentary scrutiny in accordance with the guidelines for scrutiny of European Union business.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister how many special advisers are employed in 10 Downing Street. [101454]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: Twenty-five, one of whom is part-time and unpaid.

  Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Issues
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) how often the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Issues has met in the past year; [101747]

  (2) which is the lead Department for the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Issues; and which Department provides the secretariat for this group; [101850]

  (3) which Ministers are represented on the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Issues; [101746]

  (4) on how many occasions the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Issues has discussed equine issues; and if he will indicate the specific issues discussed. [101849]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: Ministers from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Home Office and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have twice met informally to take forward preparations for the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Animal Welfare. An announcement of the membership and remit of the Group, and of how it will take account of UK-wide animal welfare responsibilities, will be made as soon as possible.

  Chinese Embassy Bombing (Belgrade)
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has received from the United States an explanation of the circumstances surrounding the bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade on 7 April; and if he will make a statement. [102058]

  The Prime Minister
  The circumstances which led to the accidental strike against the Chinese Embassy on 7 May were considered in detail by NATO at the time.

  State Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if, when Her Majesty the Queen makes a state visit overseas, she does so in her capacity as Head of State of the United Kingdom as well as in her capacity as Head of State of the other Commonwealth countries of which she is Queen. [101404]
  61W
  The Prime Minister
  The British Government advise The Queen to undertake State Visits as Head of State of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty the Queen welcomed the President of China to London in her capacity as Head of State of the United Kingdom or as Head of State of all the Commonwealth countries of which she is Head of State; and if he will make a statement.[101405]

  The Prime Minister
  The British Government advised The Queen, as Head of State of the United Kingdom, to invite the President of the People's Republic of China on a State Visit to Britain.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Concrete
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives he is pursuing to help concrete manufacturers search for alternative fuels.[100035]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government recognise that using high calorific value wastes to replace conventional fuels in industrial processes can deliver benefits, where it is the best practicable environmental option for the waste stream. The use of alternative fuels must also meet stringent environmental controls under Integrated Pollution Control.

  The use of alternative fuels on cement kilns must represent the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost. Trials of alternative fuels are regulated by the Agency under the Substitute Fuels Protocol, which sets out detailed requirements for emissions monitoring and public consultation. If trials are successful, the Environment Agency issues authorisations which set stringent emissions limits on emissions to all environmental media, so as to protect human health and the environment.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of homes each year which will be removed from fuel poverty by the Government's policies; [100824]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the length of time required for the Government's programmes to end fuel poverty; [100823]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the cost of eradicating fuel poverty. [100825]

  Mr. Meacher
  Households who would require to spend more than 10 per cent. of their total households income on fuel in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime are commonly regarded as being fuel poor. 4.3 million households in England in 1996 were in this situation.
  62W
  The Government's New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is designed to treat 460,000 households between now and April 2002 at a cost of £260 million for these years. These households should be substantially moved away from fuel poverty.

  In addition an unknown number of households will be taken out of fuel poverty as a result of other programmes including the liberalisation of the energy markets and the energy efficiency standards of performance schemes (EESOPs) which are being extended to gas suppliers and customers in the New Year.

  The inter-Ministerial group chaired jointly by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions will consider the impact of these programmes. The group will then seek to develop a more accurate picture of the extent of the problem, how quickly it can be addressed, and at what cost, so that a target date can be set for the elimination of fuel poverty in England. Some of the policy initiatives in this area, such as the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, are devolved functions. Therefore a target date for Scotland and Wales would be a matter for the Parliament and Assembly respectively.

  A41 (Aylesbury)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his latest estimate of the average number of vehicles using the(a) A41 ring road, Aylesbury, and (b) A41 Bicester road, Aylesbury (i) each day and (ii) during peak hours. [101118]

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

  Letter from Richard Thorndike, on behalf of Mr. Peter Nutt, to Mr. David Lidington, dated 13 December 1999:
  I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Keith Hill, to reply to your recent parliamentary question about the latest estimates of the average number of vehicles using the A41 ring road, Aylesbury and the A41 Bicester Road, Aylesbury. I am replying in the absence of the Chief Executive, Peter Nutt.
  The following figures were recorded in June 1999. The Highways Agency has a traffic counter in Friarage Road, and this recorded an average two-way traffic flow of 30,676 vehicles per day. The highest hourly flows were 2,655 vehicles between 8.00am and 9.00am, and 2,442 between 5.00pm and 6.00pm both during the week. There are no counters on Bicester Road, but the closest on the A41 is near Fleet Marston approximately 1 mile away. This recorded two-way flows of 15,041 vehicles per day, and the highest weekday hourly flows were 1,437 vehicles and 1,466 vehicles, again between 8.00am and 9.00am and 5.00pm and 6.00pm respectively.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent public transport services will be reduced in London as a result of arrangements for public transport to the Millennium Dome. [101158]

  Mr. Hill
  There will be no reduction in public transport. On the contrary, the extended Jubilee Line, new river services and new bus services will enhance public transport provision in the capital city. The maximum number of visitors attending a single session at the
  63W
  Millennium Dome will be 35,000, which equates to less than 1 per cent. of the passenger traffic in the capital on any weekday morning.

  There are many potential choices of mode and route for journeys to the Dome from within the London area. These journeys are therefore expected to be accommodated with only minimum impact on the capital's public transport system. Around 60 per cent. of visitors are expected to arrive at the Dome on the new extended Jubilee Line, which has sufficient capacity to carry up to 24,000 people per hour. A further 14 per cent. are expected to arrive on either the new river or Millennium Transit bus services, which are being introduced as part of the Millennium Experience Transport Strategy.

  Ladbroke Grove
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the rail layout at Ladbroke Grove was designed, approved and installed. [101596]

  Mr. Hill
  The track layout at Ladbroke Grove is part of a larger scheme extending from Paddington station to past the Heathrow Airport turnoff at Airport Junction. The layout was designed and installed during the late 1980s and early 1990s by British Railways. The works were staged over a number of years and railway privatisation occurred during that time. The works included Airport Junction and electrification on the overhead line system for Heathrow Express. Statutory approval by Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) matched the stage at which the works had reached. Some of the works were approved but approval of the signalling was not completed before the accident at Southall occurred. After the Southall accident the remaining signalling approval was held in abeyance by HMRI pending the findings of the public inquiry.

  Concessionary Fares
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will encourage local authorities which do not currently run concessionary fares schemes to visit those which do. [101688]

  Mr. Hill
  This is a matter for the local authorities concerned, though it would always seem sensible for local authorities to consider whether they might usefully draw on the experience of others.

  Rail Services (Northampton/Euston)
  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress on his discussions with Railtrack on the protection of access for local rail services between Northampton and Euston following the upgrade of the West Coast main line. [101490]

  Mr. Hill
  The Rail Regulator is consulting on a draft order which, if confirmed, would require Railtrack to complete by the end of February 2000 various strategic reviews, including one of the scope for faster services between Euston and Northampton following the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line. The review is intended to provide sufficient information to enable train operators 64W
  and the shadow Strategic Rail Authority (sSRA) to take informed decisions on the existing access arrangements and on the potential for improved services.

  GM Farm-scale Trials
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the requirements are for informing the public of the existence of GM farm-scale trials in their area; and if he will make a statement. [101718]

  Mr. Meacher
  In the case of consents for crops in the farm-scale evaluation programme issued in conformity with Directive 90/220/EEC Part B (ie research and development consents), there is a requirement under the GMO legislation to make available the locations of the sites. These are held on a public register, and advertisements are placed in the local press. For crops which have approval for Part C consent (ie placing on the market), under the GMO legislation there is no requirement for companies to make the locations of these sites publicly available. At the present time, this applies to herbicide tolerant maize within the farm-scale evaluations. However, the locations of all fields within the farm-scale evaluations are notified to my Department, and the Department makes the information available to the public, including via the DETR website.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received against GM farm-scale trials in each month from 1992; and if he will make a statement. [101715]

  Mr. Meacher
  I announced the setting up of the farm-scale evaluation programme in October 1998. Since then, approximately 4,400 letters from members of the public have been received across the whole range of biotechnology issues. My Department does not classify these according to individual subject, but I estimate that approximately one third of these are concerned with the farm scale evaluations programme. I have received approximately 260 representations concerned with the farm-scale evaluations from Members of Parliament. In addition, approximately 36,550 representations have been received to date through campaigns and signatures on petitions. My Department is still receiving individual representations.

  Pesticides Tax
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the reduction in pesticides use which will be achieved as a result of the Government's proposed pesticides tax. [101831]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government published a consultants' report in March this year on the design of a tax or charge scheme for pesticides which contained estimates of the reduction in pesticide use which might be expected under various assumptions. No decision has been taken yet on whether to proceed with a tax. The current position is set out in the Chancellor's November Pre-Budget Report.

  Carbon Monoxide Emissions
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the reduction in carbon monoxide emissions over a 10-year period that would be achieved by replacing two 1200MW coal-fired power stations with two gas-fired power stations of the same capacity. [101832]

  Mr. Meacher
  The amount of carbon monoxide emitted over a 10-year period will depend on a number of factors including, critically, the number of hours that the plant will operate over that time. For this reason an answer in tonnage cannot be given. We might expect, however, that a combined cycle gas turbine power station would emit approximately 5 per cent. of the carbon monoxide a similar capacity and similarly loaded coal-fired power station would. In total, power stations contribute only 1 per cent. to total carbon monoxide emissions in the UK.

  Trains (Telephone Links)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is a requirement that all trains be equipped with telephones that are operational at all times. [101482]

  Mr. Hill
  It is not a requirement that all trains be equipped with telephones that are operational at all times. The provision of telephones for passenger use is, along with other facilities provided on trains, a commercial matter for the train operating company concerned.

  Most trains are fitted with radio communication systems to enable contact with signalling or control centres by train crew. In areas where the ability of radio communication systems to reliably operate is restricted or possibly not available at all, line side telephone equipment is available.

  Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will carry out a full investigation of the operation of the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Dover, having particular regard to the adequacy of(a) physical and (b) human resources at the time of maximum communications traffic in the operation of the Channel Navigation Information Service. [101823]

  Mr. Hill
  There is no perceived basis for an investigation into the physical or human resources at the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Dover in the operation of the Channel Navigation Information Service.

  The physical and human resources required to execute the tasks of the Centre are adequate for its primary role of search and rescue and the Channel Navigation Information Service roles.

  At times of maximum communications traffic, exceptionally, ships may experience a wait of no more than ten minutes. This has no effect on the safe navigation of vessels within the Dover Strait.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what additional resources are to be made available at the 66W
  Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Dover, following the suspension of the Channel Navigation Information Service, on 24 August; [101825]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the dangers to shipping as a consequence of suspension of the Channel Navigation Information Service at the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Dover. [101824]

  Mr. Hill
  The Channel Navigation Information Service at the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Dover has not been suspended. Therefore, there have been no dangers caused to shipping as a consequence.

  The responsibility for the safe navigation of vessels passing through or across the Dover Strait remains with the Masters of those vessels. The recently introduced mandatory reporting requirements for vessels of 300 gross tons or more is a means of assisting French and British coastguards in identifying vessels should they fail to comply with international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, specifically Rule 10 which covers the use of Traffic Separation Schemes.

  The very brief, rare and temporary suspension of the mandatory reporting, not the Channel Navigation Information Service, following the serious collision between the Norwegian Dream and Ever Decent on 24 August 1999 did not endanger shipping within the Straits of Dover.

  Ivanhoe Line
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has held with Leicestershire County Council about the extension of the Ivanhoe Line rail service. [101442]

  Mr. Hill
  None. However, the shadow Strategic Rail Authority met with Leicestershire County Council on 23 September to discuss rail service development plans for Leicester and Leicestershire. Leicestershire County Council indicated that they would submit two bids early in the new year under the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme, one of which was Stage two of the Ivanhoe Line.

  A6 Bus Lane
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the A6 bus lane in Loughborough during its trial period. [101440]

  Mr. Hill
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Andrew Reed, dated 13 December 1999:
  I have been asked by the Transport Minister, Keith Hill, to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the bus lane on the A6 in Loughborough.
  Proposals for a busy lane on the A6 between Quorn and Loughborough were developed by the Agency and the Loughborough Bus Partnership.
  Following public consultation on the proposals in October 1998, the bus lane was introduced on an experimental basis in March 1999.
  The results have been encouraging. Bus journey time reliability has improved in the morning peak, maximum queue lengths have been reduced, traffic flows have improved and car journey times at

  67W
  the height of the morning peak have improved. If you require any further details on the results gathered to date please contact Peter Adams, Project Manager for the scheme, on telephone number 0121 678 8215.
  We have consulted with the local authorities and the police about the future of the bus lane and are minded to make it permanent. This would require the publication of draft Orders, on which the public may make representations.
  We expect to announce a decision early next year and I shall write to you again nearer the time.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the drink driving rehabilitation scheme; and what plans he has to extend it to other parts of the country. [101919]

  Mr. Hill
  The experimental rehabilitation scheme for drink drive offenders has been running since 1993 and 175 court areas are currently designated to refer offenders to courses. Research carried out for the Department has shown that those who attend a rehabilitation course are three times less likely to reoffend than those who do not. Having now been approved by both Houses of Parliament, the scheme will be made permanent and will operate throughout Great Britain from 1 January 2000. We are issuing guidance about the scheme to all course providers and to the courts, and will place a copy in the Library of both Houses.

  Thatched Roofs
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government are taking to ensure that those who have houses with thatched roofs are able to maintain and keep the thatch. [101892]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department has supported research in collaboration with the industry which has provided guidance on the use of thatch, on growing, selection, performance, best practice and fire safety. English Heritage has helped to develop various publications on thatch and a new publication "Thatch and Thatching", aimed at providing user-friendly guidance, will be published very shortly. English Heritage is also running exhibitions and half day conferences for thatchers and local authority planning officers starting early in the new year.

  Al2
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the five worst accident blackspots on the Al2 in Essex. [101847]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Bernard Jenkin, dated 13 December 1999:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Keith Hill, has asked me to write in response to your recent written Parliament Question about the five worst accident black spots on the Al2 in Essex.
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  The following table lists the sites which have the highest level of recorded personal injury accidents over the 3 years ending June 1999.

  Location

  No. of Accidents

  Al2 Junction with B1024 South Slip Roads at Kelvedon

  9

  Al2 South Slips at junction with A1023/B1002 Mountnessing

  8

  Al2 Junction with B1024 North Slip Roads at Kelvedon

  8

  Al2 Junction with B1389 South Slip Road at Witham

  8

  Al2 400 metres north of Lynfields Bridge, Witham

  8

  The Highways Agency does not keep records where damage is to the vehicle only.
  If you would like further information please contact Simon Amor, the Route Manager for the Al2, telephone 01234 796173.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many persons have been(a) killed and (b) seriously injured on the
  A12 in Essex in each of the past 10 years; and what is the corresponding figure in the current year so far. [101848]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Casualties on the Al2 in Essex: 1989–98

  Year

  Fatal

  Casualties Serious

  All

  1989

  12

  46

  347

  1990

  9

  43

  340

  1991

  15

  47

  357

  1992

  5

  37

  273

  1993

  9

  60

  307

  1994

  3

  42

  323

  1995

  2

  39

  235

  1996

  12

  48

  277

  1997

  7

  62

  333

  1998

  6

  35

  256

  Data for 1999 are not available yet.

  Land Reclamation Programme
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will allow parish councils to apply for grants under the Land Reclamation Programme;[101956]

  (2) what factors underlay the decision to restrict the granting of and application for grants under the Land Reclamation Programme to district and county councils. [101955]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Land Reclamation Programme (LRP) provides funding to local authorities to enable them to reclaim derelict land where there is no incentive for the private sector to undertake the task, typically because the land has no immediate prospect of development. LRP meets 100 per cent. of the approved eligible cost of approved projects because local authorities do not receive central government funding specifically for land reclamation. The widely accepted definition of local authority used for the purposes of LRP includes district, county and unitary authorities but excludes parish councils.
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  The vast majority of LRP projects have been promoted by local authorities within the context of an agreed land reclamation strategy for their area. They have therefore, on the whole, been large projects, which require intensive professional administration. It is unlikely that most parish councils would have the resources to manage such projects. However, a parish council can ask a borough, district or county council to champion a scheme on their behalf.

  LRP is now administered by the Regional Development Agencies (RDA) and paid for from physical regeneration budgets.

  Local Government Bill
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish draft regulations on each of the matters for which powers to make regulations will be conferred on him under the Local Government Bill [Lords]. [102089]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions indicated during the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill in another place that, as our response to the report of the Joint Committee indicates, draft regulations concerned with executive functions, policy framework and petitions will be available in time for Committee stage in the upper House. Draft of other regulations and key statutory guidance will be produced during the passage of the Bill.

  The Government's response to the Joint Committee's report on the draft Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill (Cm 4529), which preceded the current legislation, was published on 2 December and has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish a regulatory impact assessment in respect of the Local Government Bill [Lords]. [101951]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Explanatory Notes to the Local Government Bill, which were published along with the Bill on 26 November, make it clear that none of the measures under Parts I-IV of the Bill will impose any burden on business, charities or voluntary bodies.

  The provisions on welfare services in Part V will not in themselves impose any direct burden on such organisations, but the new arrangements for funding support services that the Government intend to implement through the new provisions will have implications for service providers. Elements of the new arrangements to scrutinise value for money more closely and which will separate the funding of accommodation and support services to improve service flexibility may involve additional management and administration for some service providers. This will be a factor that will need to be taken into account both locally and centrally.

  A copy of the Regulatory Impact Assessment is available from my Department.

  Charter of Local Self-Government
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of the European Charter of Local Self-Government; [101952]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the conformity of the Local Government Bill [Lords] with the European Charter of Local Self-Government; and if he will make a statement. [101953]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Our policy on the European Charter of Local Self-Government is set out in the Explanatory Memorandum which we laid before the House on 2 March 1998, prior to ratification of the Charter on 24 April 1998. As made clear in that Memorandum, our intention, which we are satisfied the Local Government Bill fulfils, was that any future legislation affecting local government should further strengthen the degree of compliance with aspects of the Charter and ensure continued compatibility with its provisions.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out in the case of farm-scale trials of genetically modified crops(a) with which party those farmers hosting the trials have a contract, (b) what fees and compensation payments are involved, (c) what protocols have been agreed for growing the crops, (d) what arrangements have been made for access to the farms for research or publicity purposes, (e) what are the procedures for harvesting the crop and (f) what are the procedures for destroying the crop after harvest. [101755]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: (a) Farmers have contracts with member organisations of the industry biotechnology body SCIMAC (supply chain initiative on modified agricultural crops) which hold consents for the release to the environment of GM crops for the purpose of the farm-scale evaluations.

  (b) Under the renewed agreement with industry announced on 5 November covering the conduct of the farm-scale evaluations, no direct commercial benefit will be sought by the consent holders from the plantings or obtained from use of the crops during the farm-scale evaluation period. Our understanding is that the farmers growing the crops in the farm-scale evaluations are likely to be compensated by the consent holders; that would be a matter for them.

  (c) The crops are grown according to a Government-endorsed industry code (the SCIMAC code), which sets out best practice in planting, managing and using GM crops.

  (d) The independent contractors conducting the biodiversity research through the farm-scale evaluations have all necessary access to the farms. Other research on the crops may be allowed where this does not conflict with the primary purpose of the farm-scale evaluations to investigate their effects on biodiversity: research on gene

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  flow has been added in this way. We are unaware of any other arrangements for access to the farms for publicity; that would be a matter for the farmers.

  (e) Crops are harvested according to the conditions of the consent issued under Directive 90/220/EEC, and procedures in the SCIMAC code.

  (f) The fate of the crops is set out in the consents for growing them and the approvals for use of pesticide. In the unlikely event that any of the crops within the farm-scale evaluations obtain full regulatory clearance to enter the UK food or feed chain during the farm-scale evaluation period, the produce would be used within identity-preserved channels.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will outline the circumstances which he has identified whereby a crop from a GM farm-scale trial could enter the human or animal food chain; and what procedures there are for ensuring identity preservation and labelling of such crops and products of livestock fed on such crops. [101756]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: The circumstances whereby a crop from a GM farm-scale evaluation could enter the human or animal food chain are when it has received food and feedstuffs approval through the EU regulatory system, and where a pesticide has been applied, approval under the UK pesticide regulations. The crops will be grown in accordance with the SCIMAC guidelines which ensure segregation and identity preservation on the farm. Currently, none of the GM crops within the farm-scale evaluations have all the necessary approvals to enter the UK food or feed chain. Should any of the crops receive full clearance during the farm-scale evaluation period the produce, to ensure consumer choice can at all times be respected, would be used within identity-preserved channels. This would include any products reaching the consumer from livestock fed on such crops. The particular procedures chosen to achieve this, including labelling, would be established at the appropriate time.

  LSVT
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to reform the voting rights of council tenants under large-scale voluntary transfers. [102063]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: None. Although a ballot is not a statutory requirement, the best way of assessing the level of tenant support for a proposed transfer is a properly conducted formal ballot of all secure and introductory tenants who will be affected.

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997. [102071]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Estimated expenditure on external consultants and advisers by the Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions since May 1997 to 30 November 1999 is as follows.
  72W

  £ million

  Year

  Agencies1

  NDPB's

  1997–98

  8.1

  21.2

  1998–99

  14.3

  23.1

  1999–2000 (to date)

  10.8

  22.5

  1 Figures for Agencies excludes the Highways Agency programme consultancy expenditure related to work on the road network.

  London Underground
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent to date on(a) legal, (b) financial and (c) other consultancy costs for the London Underground public-private partnership for each of the three proposed infrastructure companies. [102247]

  Mr. Hill
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Brake) on 6 December 1999,Official Report, columns 430–31W.

  Housing
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government intend to deal with future housing allocations in local authority areas which have no brownfield sites left. [102217]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The amounts of previously developed land will differ between local authority areas but all authorities will be expected to contribute as far as possible to achievement of regional and the national 60 per cent. target for recycling land and buildings, and to set their own targets accordingly.

  Hedges
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to change the planning regulations on permitted development rights relating to the inserting of windows into existing walls of properties, in connection with the plans to control the height of hedges and other such trees; and if he will make a statement; [102211]

  (2) what plans he has to bring the height of hedges and similar trees under planning law; and if he will make a statement. [102212]

  Mr. Mullin
  Last month my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment launched a consultation paper asking people for their views on possible solutions to the problems caused by high hedges. The consultation paper includes the report of a study, carried out by officials, which looked at the scale and nature of the problems and the effectiveness of a range of options for dealing with them. The study suggested that bringing the height of hedges under planning law might be disproportionate because it would not be targeted on hedges which were causing problems. It would also have other practical difficulties.
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  The study did not consider changing planning regulations on permitted development rights relating to the inserting of windows into existing walls of properties.

  We hope as many people as possible will respond to the consultation to help us decide whether more should be done to relieve this source of long-running and distressing neighbourhood disputes.

  Planning
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change planning law to enable a third party to appeal to the Secretary of State against a planning decision made by the local authority; and if he will make a statement. [102207]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government have no current plans to introduce a right of appeal for third parties.

  It is the responsibility of local planning authorities to act in the general public interest when determining planning applications. Local authorities must determine applications in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Such considerations can include views expressed by local residents and other third parties.

  The scope for third parties to participate fully in the development control process has been increased in recent years, through the statutory requirements to consult on the preparation of the development plan and to publicise all planning applications.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the amount of the business rate carried forward from the 1999–2000 to the 2000–01 local government settlement. [102518]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The basis for the calculation of the distributable amount of non-domestic rates for 2000–01 is set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Marsden) on 9 December 1999,Official Report, column 604W. In arriving at the distributable amount we have estimated that there will be a cumulative surplus of £1,058 million from the pooling of non-domestic rates and redistribution to Local Authorities in England.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was collected in business rates from businesses in(a) Gloucestershire, (b) Tewkesbury and (c) Cheltenham in the last three years for which figures are available; and how much he expects will be collected in 1999–2000 and 2000–01.[102208]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The amount of business rates collected by each shire district in Gloucestershire for the last three years is shown in the table, together with the estimated net yield for 1999–2000. Information for 2000–01 is not yet available.
  74W

  £000

  Business rate receipts1 for 1996–97

  Business rate receipts for 1997–98

  Business rate receipts for 1998–99

  Net yield for 1999–20002

  Cheltenham

  27,196

  27,123

  28,686

  27,776

  Cotswold

  11,189

  12,132

  12,947

  12,657

  Forest of Dean

  7,330

  7,403

  7,730

  7,723

  Gloucester

  26,621

  28,772

  30,061

  28,861

  Stroud

  12,848

  13,373

  14,683

  14,631

  Tewkesbury

  11,147

  11,876

  12,462

  12,229

  1 All business rate receipts are in respect of the year shown.

  2 The figure represents the gross yield reduced for mandatory relief, discretionary relief and transitional relief, but does not take into account any allowances for losses in collection and cost of collection. It was estimated just prior to the start of the financial year forming the provisional contribution made by the authorities to the business pool rate.

TREASURY

  Employment
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households which had no one in employment on 1 May 1997 now have a member of the family in paid employment. [101308]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 6 December 1999]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jim Murphy, dated 13 December 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking how many formerly workless households now have at least one person in employment.
  The ONS collects information about workless households via the Labour Force Survey. ONS analyses are based on working age workless households, which are defined as households where there is at least one person of working age and no household members are employed. Although estimates of the total numbers of such households are available on a half-yearly basis the ONS cannot accurately identify how many households have changed status from workless to working or vice versa; only the net change is available.
  The ONS estimates that between spring (March to May) 1997 and spring 1999 there was a net fall of 106,000 in the number of workless working age households (from 3,281,000 to 3,175,000).

  Income Tax
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the case of a single person starting work on 1 January earning(a) (i) 50 per cent. and (ii) 75 per cent. of average earnings, (b) average earnings, (c) 150 per cent., (d) 200 per cent., (e) 300 per cent. and (f) 400 per cent. of average earnings, how much income tax that person would pay over a working lifetime of 40 years based on current rates of income tax and assuming an annual increase in average earnings of 2 per cent. per annum.[101949]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A reliable estimate could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mortgages
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many domestic mortgages, underwritten
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  with endowment policies, matured with a shortfall in the sum insured in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, and (d) 1998. [102153]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This information could be obtained only from the endowment providers. To collect such information would entail disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the Financial Services Authority will regulate buy-to-let mortgages; [102509]

  (2) what is his timetable for announcing the outcome of his consultation on the regulation of mortgages. [102508]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Following consultation, the Treasury is in the process of reaching a decision on whether statutory regulation would best protect the interests of consumers and the Treasury will make an announcement in due course.

  Euro
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how much the United Kingdom would have lost through the decline in the value of the euro if it had joined economic and monetary union on 1 January, taking into account the obligation of member states to contribute(a) to the establishment of the initial share capital of the European Central Bank and (b) to the exchange reserves of the ECB; and if he will set out the assumptions made in calculating the answer. [102603]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The United Kingdom did not join the single currency on 1 January 1999 so therefore the circumstances did not arise.

  Gold Reserves
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the sales of gold reserves by the Bank of England are intended as a contribution towards the stability of bullion banks. [102148]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The gold sales are part of a technical restructuring of the UK's foreign currency and gold reserves to achieve a better balance in the portfolio by diversifying more widely and not being over exposed to one asset.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how many central banks the Bank of England acts as a depository for the leasing of their gold reserves. [102150]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Details of any arrangements the Bank of England has with other central banks are commercially confidential.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what criteria the Treasury will judge the success or failure of its policy to sell 415 tonnes of the gold reserves. [102151]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  By achieving a better balance in the portfolio these sales will enable the Treasury to meet one of its performance targets of"minimising the cost of holding the Government's foreign currency reserves, while reducing risk".
  76W
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much gold has been sold by the Bank of England since he instructed the Bank to undertake such sales; and what was the average price per ounce received from each such sale. [102069]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The results of the gold auctions held on 7 July 1999, 21 September 1999 and 29 November 1999 are published in Bank of England Press Notices issued on those days. Copies of the Press Notices are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if 40 per cent. of the proceeds from the gold sales by the Bank of England have been put into the Euro; and at what prices. [102149]

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of euro-based currencies acquired by the Bank of England since the initiation of gold sales; and what was the average price per euro in each such purchase. [102070]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The proceeds from sales of gold have been invested in interest bearing foreign currency assets in broadly the same proportion as currently held in the net foreign currency reserves (40 per cent. dollars; 40 per cent. euro; and 20 per cent. yen). Table 2 of the Quarterly Report on UK Official Holdings of Foreign Currency and Gold for the period July to September 1999, published on 2 December provides a breakdown of the size and composition of the United Kingdom's reserve holdings.

  Departmental Employees (Disabled People)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the total workforce in his Department is registered as disabled; and what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people in his Department. [102051]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The old system of registration of disabled people ended when the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 came into force on 2 December 1996. People who were registered as disabled on that date were given protection under the Act for a further three years, and into the future if they continued to meet the definition of disability contained in the Act. So employers, including the Chancellor's Departments now need to identify staff who might be covered by the employment provisions of the Act, rather than whether or not they were formerly registered as disabled. Current records show that about 4 per cent. of staff in the Treasury and Customs and 3.9 per cent. of staff in Inland Revenue have a disability as defined in the Act.

  Each Department has a variety of measures in place to ensure equal treatment for disabled people, and to ensure that they meet their legal obligations to protect disabled people from discrimination in the field of employment.

  EU Accounts
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to the European Court of Auditors' rejection of the European Union's accounts for 1997. [102179]
  77W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  In its Annual Report, the European Court of Auditors declined to give a positive statement of assurance on the EU accounts for 1997, and again on the accounts for 1998, because of the level of errors detected in payment transactions. This is clearly unacceptable and the Government will press the Commission and other Member States to take action. The Government strongly encourages and supports measures to reduce financial mismanagement and fraud against the EU budget. The Government has strongly backed Commission reform and expects the new Commission under Romano Prodi's presidency to act decisively.

  Early Retirement (Stress)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to reduce the number of workers in the public sector taking early retirement on the ground of stress; and if he will make a statement. [102399]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  In August this year my predecessor announced that he had set up a wide ranging review into the level of ill health retirement in the public sector. The terms of reference for the review are:"To review the factors leading to ill health retirement, including why its incidence is much higher in some parts of the public sector and in some employing authorities than others;
  To identify best practice both in the management of pension scheme provisions and the operation of relevant human resource policies; and
  To make recommendations to Ministers on the implementation of measures to spread best practice and to ensure the appropriate use of ill health retirement benefits."

  The contribution which stress related illness makes to the level of ill health retirement, and the measures which might be taken to reduce its incidence, is being considered in the review.

  The review is due to report early in 2000.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on(a) the net and gross contribution figures to the EU Budget listed in Table 3 of HM Treasury White Paper, European Community Finances (Cm 4382) and (b) the ONS UK Balance of Payments 1999 edition, Table 9.2 and Table 9.7. [102350]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Table 3 of the annual White Paper European Community Finances provides details, by calendar year, of UK contributions to, and public sector receipts from, the EU Budget broken down by the various elements. In particular, Cm 4382 contains outturn information in respect of years 1996 to 1998 and an estimate for 1999.

  Section 9 of the ONS Pink Book presents a geographical breakdown of the current account of the balance of payments. Table 9.2 includes total UK current account credits and debits with EU Institutions, including trade in service receipts and balance of payments income transactions as well as official transfers to, and from, EU Institutions. Table 9.7 includes the total current account transfers to, and from, EU Institutions.
  78W
  Thus the coverage of Table 3 of the White Paper and Section 9 of the Pink Book are different. The White Paper covers all public sector payments to, and receipts from, the EU while the Pink Book also includes balance of payments transactions between EU Institutions and UK companies. However, Tables 3.11, 5.1 and 6.1 of the Pink Book record receipts from, and payments to, EU Institutions and are comparable in coverage to the White Paper net contribution figures.

  Fuel Prices
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual increase in VAT income generated by each 1p increase in the pump price of fuel following an increase in crude oil prices; and what total increase he estimates will arise from such price increases in the current financial year. [102170]

  Mr. Timms
  The estimated increase in VAT revenues from road fuels resulting from a 1p per litre increase in pump prices is around £50 million. However the net effect on total VAT revenues of recent increases in pump prices is likely to be small as the additional expenditure on road fuels will have been offset by reduced expenditure on other VATable products.

  Amusement Machines
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the licence duty for amusement machines. [102181]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government keep duty rates under constant review.

  Revenue Estimates
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he has(a) reduced his second year revenue estimate from £375 million to £300 million and (b) maintained the first year revenue estimate at £475 million. [101816]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There has been no such reduction. The £300 million the right hon. Gentleman refers to is a full year cost for what will eventually be raised each year from this measure. It is not comparable to the first year cost shown in the 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  National Changeover Plan
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of the Government's National Changeover plan to date. [101820]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in his statement to the House on 23 February 1999,Official Report, columns 179–96, and repeated on 8 December 1999, Official Report, columns 824–26, we may spend some tens of millions of pounds. Any such expenditure would be required mainly in the DSS, Inland Revenue and Customs where the scale and complexity of their computer systems makes advance preparations critical so that we can maintain the flexibility for Britain to make any changeover as cost-effectively as possible.

  Land Settlement Tenants
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will meet the Chairman of the Inland Revenue and hon. Members representing former land settlement tenants to seek to establish a resolution to the tax issues relating to their compensation agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture in 1991. [102569]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A meeting would not be appropriate.

  Representations have been made querying the raising of tax charges by the Inland Revenue in respect of out of court compensation paid by MAFF to a number of former tenants of the Land Settlement Association, but it has been made clear that Ministers do not intervene in individual cases. The Inland Revenue's independence from Treasury Ministers in the handling of individuals' affairs must be scrupulously observed. Where disputes continue between taxpayers and the Revenue it is for the Appeal Commissioners and the courts to determine how the law is to be applied.

  Tax Rates
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have benefited from the 10p tax rate in each constituency. [102596]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Almost all of the individual income taxpayers in each constituency are benefiting from the 10p tax rate.

  Statistics Commission
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what terms of reference will be given to the proposed Statistics Commission; to which Minister it will report; and if he will make a statement. [102237]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The White Paper "Building Trust in Statistics", published in October (Cm 4412), outlined the role that the proposed Statistics Commission will play in advising on the scope, quality and priority-setting for National Statistics.

  More detail on the roles and responsibilities of all the key players in National Statistics, including the Statistics Commission, will be set out in a Framework for National Statistics, which the Government intend to publish as soon as possible.

  Income Drawdown
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to redefine the income limits for an individual to take income drawdown from a personal pension fund. [102187]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 78W.

  Limb Deficiency
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's classification is for recording children born with limb deficiency. [102317]
  80W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from John Pullinger, on behalf Dr. Holt, to Mr. Andrew George, dated 9 December 1999:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the classification of limb deficiency. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
  The National Congenital Anomaly System, based at the ONS, codes all anomalies using the International Classification of Diseases (LCD). The version currently being used is the 10th revision. The codes that cover limb reduction defects are:
  Q71 Reduction defects of upper limb
  Q72 Reduction defects of lower limb
  Q73 Reduction defects of unspecified limb
  The ONS also provides data on selected congenital anomalies to the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems. For limb reduction defects, the classification used is based on the text description provided to the National Congenital Anomaly System. Each defect is manually classified as upper, lower or both (upper and lower) and as:

  a. transverse: absence of limbs and digits (excluding thumb and little finger)

  b. preaxial: absence or partial absence of thumb/radius/tibia

  c. postaxial: absence or partial absence of little finger/ulna/fibula

  d. intercalary: absence of the limbs with hand or foot intact

  e. mixed: presence of more than one type of limb defect.

  CO2 Reduction Targets
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what study Her Majesty's Treasury has made of the reductions in carbon dioxide emissions already achieved by firms which will be affected by the climate change levy; and if those firms with significant recent reductions will be granted lower reduction targets. [101828]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have been asked to reply.

  Extensive analyses of energy use and carbon dioxide emissions within industry have been carried out on behalf of the Government by the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU). These studies estimate the potential for future energy efficiency improvements by industry sectors. The Building Research Establishment has undertaken similar research for building sectors.

  Targets for energy intensive firms which wish to enter into agreements with the Government are being negotiated on the basis of the potential for further cost-effective energy efficiency improvements. Those firms which are already relatively efficient will be expected to make fewer energy savings than those firms which still have substantial scope for further energy efficiency improvements.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Pre-school Learning
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out in respect of each education authority area the percentage of three-year-olds whose pre-school learning is being funded by his Department in the current financial year under the scheme announced in December 1998. [98589]
  81W
  Ms Hodge
  The Government are making available £390 million over three years to increase the number of free, good quality, early education places for three-year-olds. 190,000 new free places will be made available, which will mean 66 per cent. of three-year-olds will be able to access a free place by March 2002. In 1999–2000, around £40 million of this additional funding will be allocated to 57 Local Education Authorities with the highest levels of social need. The following table

  The 57 local education authorities receiving nursery education grant for 3-year-olds in 1999–2000

  Percentage

  Percentage of children receiving nursery education grant

  Current percentage of children receiving free early education (via Standard Spending Assessment)

  Total participation of three-year-olds in free early education in 1999–2000

  Barking and Dagenham

  12.9

  69.1

  81.9

  Barnsley

  30.8

  48.5

  79.3

  Birmingham

  39.4

  49.0

  88.5

  Blackburn with Darwen

  26.7

  41.3

  67.9

  Blackpool

  60.6

  17.3

  77.9

  Bolton

  20.4

  59.3

  79.7

  Bradford

  16.9

  66.4

  83.3

  Brent

  30.5

  51.2

  81.7

  Camden

  39.0

  41.7

  80.7

  County Durham

  5.5

  71.4

  76.9

  Coventry

  31.9

  49.4

  81.3

  Doncaster

  16.6

  64.1

  80.7

  Ealing

  10.5

  69.2

  79.7

  Gateshead

  25.7

  55.1

  80.7

  Greenwich

  26.0

  58.3

  84.2

  Hackney

  41.8

  44.6

  86.4

  Halton

  36.8

  43.3

  80.2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  29.0

  51.5

  80.5

  Haringey

  22.2

  61.3

  83.5

  Hartlepool

  3.0

  97.0

  100.0

  Hounslow

  8.7

  55.8

  64.5

  Islington

  37.6

  45.3

  82.9

  Kingston upon Hull

  13.9

  69.0

  82.9

  Knowsley

  3.0

  94.3

  97.4

  Lambeth

  39.9

  45.0

  84.9

  Leeds

  13.5

  65.7

  79.2

  Leicester

  31.1

  52.0

  83.1

  Lewisham

  42.7

  40.2

  82.9

  Liverpool

  20.2

  69.8

  90.0

  Manchester

  10.2

  79.7

  89.9

  Middlesbrough

  3.0

  97.0

  100.0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  25.4

  58.5

  83.9

  Newham

  38.3

  49.8

  88.1

  North East Lincolnshire

  30.0

  46.6

  76.5

  North Tyneside

  3.0

  78.8

  81.8

  Nottingham

  24.5

  60.0

  84.6

  Oldham

  34.0

  48.5

  82.5

  Redcar and Cleveland

  3.0

  97.0

  100.0

  Rochdale

  31.2

  51.2

  82.4

  Rotherham

  37.1

  40.9

  78.0

  Salford

  5.5

  77.2

  82.7

  Sandwell

  11.5

  76.5

  88.0

  Sheffield

  39.9

  42.1

  82.0

  South Tyneside

  3.8

  76.7

  80.5

  Southwark

  25.2

  60.2

  85.4

  St. Helens

  12.5

  46.4

  58.9

  Stockton-on-Tees

  3.0

  97.0

  100.0

  Stoke-on-Trent

  14.1

  64.9

  79.0

  Sunderland

  14.0

  69.2

  83.2

  Tameside

  20.7

  57.0

  77.7

  Tower Hamlets

  9.3

  76.6

  85.9

  Wakefield

  14.1

  62.3

  76.4

  Walsall

  3.0

  88.1

  91.1

  Waltham Forest

  45.5

  35.2

  80.7

  Wandsworth

  39.5

  39.3

  78.8

  Wirral

  35.5

  42.2

  77.7

  Wolverhampton

  3.0

  80.9

  83.9

  82W
  shows, by Local Education Authority, the percentage of three-year-olds that are expected to be funded through nursery education grant in this financial year. In addition, Local Education Authorities are also funding a proportion of three-year-olds via their Standard Spending Assessment allocations. This percentage is also shown. From April 2000, funding for additional new free places will be distributed across all Local Education Authorities.

  Pupil Expulsions (Easington)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils have been excluded and expelled and from which schools in the Easington district council area year-by-year since 1995 for drug related offences. [101428]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on exclusions from individual schools as a result of drugs related offences has not been held centrally.

  However, for the first time, the Department has recently been surveying local education authorities about the levels of drug related permanent and fixed period exclusions which arose in their schools during the academic year 1998–99. The data are being collected at local education authority area level so information on individual schools or district councils will not be available.

  Cromwell School, Tameside
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he is making with Tameside MBC in discussions on re-locating Cromwell School. [101447]

  Jacqui Smith
  Tameside local education authority has served a statutory notice, under section 339 of the Education Act 1996, to make prescribed alterations to Cromwell School, Thornley Lane South, Denton. Cromwell is a mixed day school for pupils with severe learning difficulties which is currently approved for 60 pupils aged 12–19.

  Tameside proposes to:
  re-locate the school onto a new site adjacent to Dukinfield Astley High School;
  increase the school's size to make provision for 70 pupils;
  reduce the school's age range to 11–16—students between 16 and 19 would attend Tameside College.

  If approved, the proposals would affect post-16 students from September 2000, pupils between 11 and 16 from September 2001.

  Officials from the Department will be meeting those from Tameside this week to discuss the proposals.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he has made for ensuring that trainee teachers have the necessary competence to identify pupils with specific learning difficulties. [101468]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: The National Standards for Qualified Teacher Status reflect the Secretary of State's requirement for Qualified Teacher Status as set out in the DfEE Circular 4/98. The standards apply to all trainees seeking Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and should be met by those to be assessed for QTS from May 1998. Successful completion of a course or programme of initial teacher training (ITT), including employment based provision, must require the trainee to achieve all these standards. All courses must involve the assessment of all trainees against all the standards specified. Qualified Teacher Status is a requirement for all those who teach in a maintained school.
  84W
  The National Standards require all newly qualified teachers to demonstrate that they can identify pupils who have special educational needs, including specific learning difficulties; know where to get help in order to give positive and targeted support; and are familiar with the Code of Practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs and, as part of their responsibilities under the Code, implement and keep records on individual education plans (IEPs) with pupils at stage 2 of the Code and above.

  Children's Education
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he is undertaking to encourage links between schools, communities and families in educating children; and if he will make a statement. [101086]

  Jacqui Smith
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: We recognise the vital role parents and the wider community can play in supporting children's learning. We have already introduced home-school agreements as one way of fostering a positive, forward-looking partnership between parents and teachers and recently launched a new website for parents. We also announced a "Parents Guide to the National Curriculum" to help them understand what their children are learning and how they can help. In addition, we are piloting National Curriculum topic leaflets for parents and a magazine containing practical tips and information. We also know that the family literacy and numeracy programmes we fund through local authorities can be effective in drawing into learning adults with low basic skills. This is particularly the case for parents who missed out at school, but whose concern for their children can renew interest in their own learning. This will be supported this year by £6 million from the Standards Fund, increasing to £7 million next year, to reach 20,000 parents and their children.

  We are also working with others to increase parental involvement. For example, we have been working with the Community Education Development Centre (CEDC) to develop the SHARE project which supports parents in helping their children at home with reading; Parentline Plus have been looking at the feasibility of a new service for parents to help with their children's homework; and we have asked the Institute for Public Policy Research to explore further ways of developing family involvement in children's education and look more widely at extending family involvement in enrichment activities. We are working with Age Concern to extend their Trans-Age grandparent mentoring scheme to secondary schools; and the National Mentoring Network to engage older people with young people in school through mentoring and literacy programmes.

  In the new year, the CEDC, partly funded by the DfEE, will publish practical advice to schools on how to develop as a community resource. We are also considering the recommendations in the report of the Schools Plus Policy Action Team on how activities such as study support, involving parents in their children's education, and engagement of the wider community can help reduce failure in the most disadvantaged areas.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment further to his answer of 23 November 1999,Official Report, columns 79–80W, on higher education funding, whether the higher education funding bodies for the United Kingdom apply the same degrees of selectivity in funding based on their common research assessment. [101706]

  A comparison of HEFCE, SHEFC and HEFCW research selectivity, 1999–2000 Research Allocations

  Rating transformations

  HEFCE/DENI

  SHEFC

  HEFCW

  3b-1

  3b-1

  3b-1

  Quality driven component (principal funding and QR funding)

  3a-1.5

  3a-1.55

  3a-1.4

  4–2.25

  4–2.4

  4–1.96

  5–3.375

  5/5⋆-3.72

  5–2.744

  5⋆-4.05

  —

  5⋆-3.293

  (50% increase for each point from 3b to 5, and 20% premium for 5⋆)

  (55% increase for each point from 3b to 5,5⋆ level with 5)

  (40% increase for each point from h3b to 5, and 20% premium for 5⋆)

  Note:

  Table prepared by HEFCE Analytical Services Group—RAE ratings are from 5⋆ down to 1, with 5⋆ being the highest, 1 the lowest. Ratings 1 and 2 receive no funding.

  Learning and Skills Council
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the(a) responsibilities of and (b) operational relationships between regional development agencies and (i) the Learning and Skills Council and (ii) local learning and skills councils. [101654]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 8 December 1999]: The White Paper "Learning to Succeed" set out the proposed functions of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and its relationship with Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).

  RDAs will be represented on both the national LSC and local Councils. At both national and local level the LSC and RDAs will share information to ensure that the national skills agenda and local LSC plans are developed with reference to regional priorities and skills strategies. RDAs will also be invited to comment on local LSC plans, and the extent to which they reflect regional learning and skill needs. RDAs and the LSC will also work together to develop skills packages for regional inward investment programmes.

  We will shortly publish a document setting out the Government's plans for implementing the proposals in the White Paper. The document will outline how the new arrangements will work and set out the next steps for implementation.

  New Deal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of additionality in each of the New Deal schemes. [102106]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: New Deal is a long-term programme, still in its early days. Consequently, most evaluation is still in progress and is yet to report. Employment Service Research report ESR13, published in March 1999 and available in the
  86W
  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 8 December 1999]: While the funding councils all use the research assessment exercise output to fund research selectively, they differ slightly in the degree of selectivity they apply because each of the funding bodies uses a slightly different funding model (except DENI institutions are funded via the HEFCE model).

  Library, gives an initial summary of progress on the New Deal for young unemployed, produced by the Institute for Employment Studies. It reports evidence of a positive effect on outflows of young people from unemployment into jobs as a result of the New Deal. Further quantitative evaluation on the impact of New Deal for young unemployed is likely to be published shortly and will also be placed in the Library.

  There is a comprehensive evaluation programme in place for all elements of New Deal. The article "New Deal for the young unemployed: monitoring and evaluation", published in Labour Market Trends in November 1998, sets out a strategy which is broadly common across New Deal.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the impact on the unemployment count of those people who were claiming Jobseeker's Allowance prior to participating on the New Deal for 18–24 year-olds and the New Deal for people aged 25-plus, and who have since ceased their claim as a result of leaving the gateway of the respective scheme for(a) an option and (b) claiming a benefit other than Jobseeker's Allowance. [102114]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: There is a comprehensive evaluation programme in place for the New Deal for young unemployed and New Deal for long term unemployed adults. It will be addressing issues such as this but, since New Deal itself is still in its very early stages, much evaluation is in progress and is yet to report. Early quantitative evaluation on the impact of New Deal for young unemployed is likely to be published shortly and will be placed in the Library.

  Skills Improvement
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to help businesses ensure that employees have the skills required to exploit modern communications and electronics. [100555]
  87W
  Mr. Wicks:
  [holding answer 9 December 1999]: This Department funds a number of initiatives to help individuals and businesses acquire the skills needed to exploit information and communications technologies (ICT). The University for Industry (WI) will offer new learning opportunities to individuals and businesses when it is launched in Autumn 2000—one of its priorities is ICT for the workplace. My Department is putting in place a network of up to 700 ICT Learning Centres to enable adults in the most disadvantaged areas to have access to ICT-based learning. There are a number of relevant employer-led National Training Organisations supported by my Department which offer help to employers. The IT, Communications and Electronics Skills Strategy Group, chaired by Alan Stevens, has produced a report containing options for further action in this area. We shall respond to it shortly. In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry provides support through the Information Society Initiative which aims to raise awareness, and use, of IT and related technologies amongst businesses.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have had an application for an individual learning account refused; and for what reasons. [102314]

  Mr. Wicks
  This year TECs/CCTEs in England have been operating local arrangements to provide individual learning accounts in advance of the national framework which will come in next year. Information is not held centrally on the number of applications refused or the reasons for the refusal. In advance of the national framework TECs/CCTEs have only been asked to provide limited numbers of accounts in 1999–2000.

  External Assessors
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to which unit of his Department the external assessors employed as part of the proposed threshold arrangements for teachers will be allocated; what their management structure will be; and how many will be employed on(a) permanent and (b) fixed-term contracts. [102615]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  External assessors will be employed by the organisation to which DfEE awards the contract for their recruitment, deployment and quality assurance. Management structure and contractual arrangements will depend upon the award of this contract. When let, the contract will be managed by DfEE's Teachers' Pay and Policy Division.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many external assessors will be employed under the proposed threshold arrangements for teachers; and what the budget is for these staff. [102614]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The deployment and remuneration of external assessors will be a matter for the organisation to which DfEE awards the contract for their management. This contract has not yet been awarded and so information on numbers and costs is not yet available.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Remains (Fuel)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which EU member states animal remains are used as a fuel in cement kilns; and if he will make a statement. [100576]

  Ms Quin
  This Department does not hold information on this issue.

  Incineration Plants
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what plans he has to approve further loans from the Intervention Board to companies for the purpose of converting existing incineration plants to take (a) meat and bone meal and (b) cattle carcases; [100828]

  (2) what the total value was of the loan made by the Intervention Board to Fibrogen Ltd. to fund the conversion of an existing incineration plant to take meat and bone meal. [100832]

  Ms Quin
  The Intervention Board's contract with Fibrogen is to incinerate 255,000 tonnes of meat and bone meal (MBM) from the Over-Thirty-Month-Scheme over a three year period at a total cost of some £16 million. Under the terms of the contract, the Government have agreed to advance part of the gate fee payable for the incineration service. The amount involved is £5.7 million, with a contingency of a further £0.5 million, to meet the cost of converting the power station and to meet the Environment Agency's requirement. The cost to the taxpayer of the advance, estimated to be £4 a tonne over the contract quantity of MBM, was fully considered in awarding the contract to Fibrogen. Even taking into account the cost of the advance, Fibrogen's gate fee to burn MBM is significantly below that negotiated with other incineration companies.

  The Intervention Board has now contracted, or there is available commercially, sufficient capacity to meet its future incineration requirements, and it is unlikely that there will be a need for other contracts with advance funding.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to improve the clarity and accuracy of country-of-origin labelling of food products in supermarkets. [100794]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 30 November 1999]: We are consulting all interested parties on guidance aimed at ensuring that country of origin markings on food labels do not mislead consumers about the true origin of the ingredients that have been used. We also intend to promote changes to European and international rules and advice to ensure that consumers are given accurate information about the true origin of the foods they are buying.

  Meat Industry
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report of the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group. [102771]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I have just received the report of the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group and I am immediately placing copies in the Libraries of the House.

  I am very grateful to the Working Group for their hard work in completing their report so quickly. I asked them to think radically and to suggest ways of doing things better. I note that a key recommendation is to modernise the approach to safeguarding meat hygiene to match the advances in food hygiene science. This supports the contention we have held for some time that the system, much of which is the subject of EU legislation, needs revision to ensure that it is effective and streamlined but at the same time provides the fullest safeguards for consumers. The Report makes a considerable number of other recommendations for both short and long term action. I shall therefore be considering the report very carefully with my colleagues. We will give our considered response in the New Year.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997 funded from (i) his Department's programme provision and (ii) the Lord Chancellor's Department's running costs. [99487]

  Mr. Lock
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1999, c.147W]: I regret to inform the hon. Member that the answer given was inaccurate. This was due to a misinterpretation of the figures collated to answer the question.

  The correct figures are as follows:
  Expenditure for the Department from April 1997 to end of October 1999 is £9,082,480.
  £129,974 of this has been spent from programmed provision and the remainder from running costs.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997. [102072]

  Mr. Lock
  The total expenditure on external consultants by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies from April 1997 to end of October 1999 is £7,540,453.

  Judiciary (Training)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what training is being given to the judiciary on the implications for their work of the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into United Kingdom law. [102067]

  Jane Kennedy
  Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) which is an independent non-departmental public body and is chaired by Lord Justice Waller.

  Between January and July 2000 the JSB will be holding a series of 58 one-day seminars on the Human Rights Act 1998 and the European Convention on Human Rights for all judges (including those who sit part-time) from District Judge level to the Court of Appeal.

  In addition the JSB is holding a series of after-court seminars at the Royal Courts of Justice for the senior judiciary. The first of these seminars was held in May 1999 and the series will continue during 2000.

CABINET OFFICE

  IT Initiatives
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to extend the initiatives based on the use of IT to improve public services set up by her Department to other parts of the country. [101915]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are committed to ensuring that the benefits of new technology are shared by the many not just the few. As a result we are working to extend our vision of Information Age Government, as set out in the "Modernising Government" White Paper, in close co-operation with the Devolved Administrations as well as local government.

  Earlier this year we invited the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Central IT Unit and the Local Government Association to nominate representatives to act as their Information Age Government Champions (IAGC). This is the Group charged with driving forward our Information Age Government agenda across the public sector.

  We have also established a new body, the Central Local Information Age Forum, which includes representatives from central and local government from across the whole of the United Kingdom. The Forum, which met for the first time in November, will encourage innovation and co-operation between central and local service providers and help to drive up technology standards.

SCOTLAND

  External Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies have spent on external consultants and advisers since May 1997. [102098]
  91W
  Dr. Reid
  Expenditure by Executive Agencies of the Scottish Office since May 1997 is estimated as follows:

  £ million

  1997–98

  0.7

  1998–99

  0.7

  1999–2000

  0.4

  92W
  These figures were included in the estimated total for the Scottish Office given in my answer of 10 November 1999, Official Report, column 626W. Figures for the current financial year do not include spending since 1 July onwards, as this is now a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Information on NDPBs of the Scottish Office is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Development Council, 11 November
  Development Council, 11 November
  Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999: Compensation Recovery
  Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999: Compensation Recovery
  Northern Ireland: Equality and Human Rights Commissions
  Northern Ireland: Equality and Human Rights Commissions
  Health and Social Care Concordat
  Health and Social Care Concordat
  Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999: Review of Operation
  Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999: Review of Operation
  Dental Strategy
  Dental Strategy
  Agenda 2000: Agriculture Support
  Agenda 2000: Agriculture Support
  Travel Insurance: Premium Tax
  Travel Insurance: Premium Tax
  Indebted Countries: 100 per cent Debt Relief
  Indebted Countries: 100 per cent Debt Relief
  IMF: Transparency and Accountability
  IMF: Transparency and Accountability
  The European Union and UK Jobs
  The European Union and UK Jobs
  Farmers: Mortality Statistics
  Farmers: Mortality Statistics
  The Economy: Predicted Cycle
  The Economy: Predicted Cycle
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  European Committee for the Prevention of Torture: UK Visit
  European Committee for the Prevention of Torture: UK Visit
  International Criminal Court
  International Criminal Court
  Youth Offending Teams
  Youth Offending Teams
  Young Offenders
  Young Offenders
  WTO: UK Representation
  WTO: UK Representation
  The European Social Model
  The European Social Model
  WTO Meeting: Delegate Numbers
  WTO Meeting: Delegate Numbers
  GATT Measures and the Environment
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  WTO: UK Policy on Poor Countries
  WTO: UK Policy on Poor Countries
  Channel Islands: Arms Exports Licensing
  Channel Islands: Arms Exports Licensing
  Cats-eyes: Safety Inspections
  Cats-eyes: Safety Inspections