Written Answers of 5 July 1999

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of(a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in National Insurance Contributions that will occur when it is introduced. [88863]

  Mr. Straw
  The net impact of the climate change levy and the associated reduction in main rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions on the Home Office will depend on the rates of climate change levy. The final rates of climate change levy will not be set until Finance Bill 2000.

  In addition, the Government are still considering a number of detailed issues on the tax treatment of different energy products which could have a significant impact in some instances. It is, therefore, not possible to give definitive figures about the impact of the climate change levy on the Home Office.

  Ministerial Protection
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which class of vote covers expenditure incurred on protection of Ministers and other current and former parliamentarians; and what is the total of this expenditure in the current financial year. [88849]

  Mr. Straw
  The class of vote covering such expenditure is Class IV. It is not the practice to publish how much is spent on protective security measures as to do so would provide an indication of the level of security being provided.

  Restaurant Health Inspections
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to include individual restaurant health inspection data in his Department's proposals for freedom of information. [89131]

  Mr. Straw
  Food hygiene inspections are conducted by local authority Environmental Health Officers under the Food Safety Act 1990. This Act does not prohibit the disclosure of inspection reports unless they contain confidential information.

  Local authorities are public authorities within the meaning of the draft Freedom of Information Bill and will be required to apply the legislation to information requests when the Bill is enacted.

  Clause 34(2) of the draft Bill exempts information from the right of access if disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person. It is possible that inspection reports may fall for consideration under this exemption. But, even if the disclosure of a
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  report is exempt by virtue of this clause, authorities would have a duty under clause 14 to consider, on a case by case basis, whether the information requested should be disclosed in the public interest.

  In addition, under clause 6 of the draft legislation, public authorities would have a duty to adopt a publication scheme, which has regard to the public interest and must be approved by the Information Commissioner. Under clause 6, a local authority could agree with the Information Commissioner that such reports should be published as of right and if so, in what form and to what timetable.

  Criminal Records Checks (Voluntary Sector)
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of providing free access to criminal records checks for the voluntary sector; [89123]

  (2) if he will review the decision to include the voluntary sector in charging for criminal records checks on people who want to work in the sector; [89122]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the effects of charging for criminal records checks on the voluntary sector; [89121]

  (4) when the Criminal Records Bureau will be established; [89124]

  (5) what representations he has received on the effects of charging for criminal records checks on the voluntary sector. [89120]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is intended that all applicants will be required to pay for certificates from the Criminal Records Bureau. We have received a large number of representations from voluntary organisations and individuals on this subject. We considered very carefully whether there was any way in which free checks could be provided for volunteers. Whilst we acknowledge the valuable contribution volunteers make, we have concluded that it will not be practicable to provide any free checks from the Criminal Records Bureau for volunteers or for any other groups. We realise that this is unwelcome news but providing free checks would prove an unsustainable burden on the public purse and may increase demand for certificates from the Bureau to an uncontrollable extent. In addition, we do not consider it would be fair to allow volunteers to have free certificates when there are other equally deserving groups such as the unemployed or the disabled.

  It is difficult to estimate what the cost of free certificates would be to the Bureau, as it is not known how many volunteers would be required to apply for certificates, but the cost is potentially enormous. If checks were provided only to new volunteers seeking the higher levels of checks, the cost could exceed £10 million a year. If checks were extended to all existing volunteers, the cost could be between £40–£200 million. The cost of the fees for certificates from the Bureau will be kept to the minimum necessary to recoup costs and to provide a satisfactory service.

  The Criminal Records Bureau is being established to enable checks to be carried out to help prevent unsuitable people from working with children or vulnerable adults. It will be for voluntary organisations to decide whether

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  volunteers require a certificate, and a certificate will not obviate the need for voluntary organisations to carry out their own checks and references as part of normal recruitment procedures. However, the over-riding consideration at all times must be the protection of the vulnerable, and the service provided by the Criminal Records Bureau will help to achieve this. We do not believe that volunteering will diminish with the introduction of these checks.

  The Bureau will be set up in Merseyside and work on implementation and timing is being taken forward.

  M4 Bus Lane
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists have been(a) cautioned and (b) charged for using the new bus lane on the M4. [89174]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not available.

  Emergency Services
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average time for an officer to answer the telephone to a 999 call for the(a) London Ambulance Service, (b) Metropolitan Police and (c) London Fire Service in (i) 1999 to date, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1997; what were the target times in each of those periods; and what percentage of calls met those targets. [89253]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not held centrally; however, the following information has been supplied by the London Ambulance Service, Metropolitan Police and London Fire Service:The London Ambulance Service answers approximately 90 per cent. of 999 calls within five seconds. It aims to achieve a target of 95 per cent. of calls within five seconds by April 2000. 99 per cent. of calls are answered within 15 seconds.
  The Metropolitan Police aims to answer 80 per cent. of calls within 15 seconds. In 1997, it answered 90.8 per cent. within target time; in 1998, 88.6 per cent; and to 30 June 1999, 80.2 per cent.
  The London Fire Brigade aims to answer 90 per cent. of calls within 20 seconds. In 1997 it answered 93 per cent. of calls in 6 seconds; in 1998, 96 per cent. of calls in 4 seconds; and to 29 June 1999, 96 per cent. of calls in 3 seconds.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people charged with immigration offences were detained in prisons in England and Wales on 1 June. [89177]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information is for 31 May 1999 and shows that 480 persons were detained in prisons in England and Wales under the Immigration Act 1971.

  Extradition Treaties
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the countries which do not have an extradition treaty with the United Kingdom. [89175]
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  Kate Hoey
  Details of the United Kingdom's extradition arrangements are not available on this basis. Those countries with whom the United Kingdom has extradition arrangements follow. The Extradition Act 1989 enables special extradition arrangements to be made with foreign states with whom the United Kingdom has no extradition arrangements. In addition, there are a number of international conventions which allow for the extradition of fugitives between ratifying states for certain serious offences, even in the absence of an extradition arrangement.

  Countries with bilateral extradition treaties with the United Kingdom (with date of entry into force)

  1. Albania: 1927

  2. Argentina: 1894, 1980

  3. Bolivia: 1898

  4. Brazil: 1997

  5. Chile: 1898

  6. Colombia: 1889

  7. Cuba: 1905

  8. Ecuador: 1886

  9. Guatemala: 1886

  10. Haiti: 1876

  11. Iraq: 1933

  12. Liberia: 1894

  13. Mexico: 1889

  14. Monaco: 1892

  15. Nicaragua: 1906

  16. Panama: 1907

  17. Paraguay: 1911

  18. Peru: 1907

  19. Salvador: 1882

  20. San Marino: 1900

  21. Thailand: 1911

  22. Uruguay: 1885, 1891

  23. USA: 1976, 1986

  24. Yugoslavia: 1901

  Commonwealth countries which have been designated by order in council under Section 5(1) of the Extradition Act 1989

  1. Antigua and Barbuda

  2. Australia

  3. The Bahamas

  4. Bangladesh

  5. Barbados

  6. Belize

  7. Botswana

  8. Brunei

  9. Canada

  10. Dominica

  11. Fiji

  12. The Gambia

  13. Ghana

  14. Grenada

  15. Guyana

  16. India

  17. Jamaica

  18. Kenya

  19. Kiribati

  20. Lesotho

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  21. Malawi

  22. Malaysia

  23. Maldives

  24. Mauritius

  25. Nauru

  26. New Zealand

  27. Nigeria

  28. Papua New Guinea

  29. St. Kitts and Nevis

  30. St. Lucia

  31. St. Vincent and the Grenadines

  32. South Africa

  33. Seychelles

  34. Sierra Leone

  35. Singapore

  36. Solomon Islands

  37. Sri Lanka

  38. Swaziland

  39. Tonga

  40. Tanzania

  41. Trinidad and Tobago

  42. Tuvalu

  43. Uganda

  44. Vanuatu

  45. Western Samoa

  46. Zimbabwe

  47. Zambia

  Overseas territories to whom the Extradition Act 1989 applies

  1. Anguilla

  2. Bermuda

  3. British Antarctic Territory

  4. British Indian Ocean Territory

  5. Cayman Islands

  6. Falkland Islands

  7. Gibraltar

  8. Montserrat

  9. Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands

  10. St. Helena and St. Helena Dependencies

  11. South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

  12. Turks and Caicos Islands

  13. The United Kingdom Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Cyprus)

  14. British Virgin Islands

  Parties to the European Convention on Extradition of 1957 which are designated by order in council under Section 4(1) of the Extradition Act 1989

  1. Austria

  2. Belgium

  3. Bulgaria

  4. Croatia

  5. Cyprus

  6. Czech Republic

  7. Denmark

  8. Estonia

  9. Finland

  10. France

  11. Germany

  12. Greece

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  13. Hungary

  14. Iceland

  15. Israel

  16. Italy

  17. Latvia

  18. Liechtenstein

  19. Lithuania

  20. Luxembourg

  21. Malta

  22 Moldova

  23. The Netherlands

  24. Norway

  25. Poland

  26. Portugal

  27. Romania

  28. Slovakia

  29. Slovenia

  30. Spain

  31. Sweden

  32. Switzerland

  33. Turkey

  Other Arrangements

  1. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Extradition arrangements with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are under the Extradition Act 1989 as amended by The Hong Kong (Extradition Order) 1997.

  2. Republic of Ireland: Extradition arrangements with the Republic of Ireland are under the Backing of Warrants (Republic of Ireland) Act 1965.

  Millennium Compliance (Kent Emergency Services)
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that the computer systems in use by the Kent Fire Brigade are millennium compliant and that emergency services will not be affected on 1 January 2000. [89186]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The millennium preparedness of all fire brigades in England and Wales is subject to independent assessment by Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate. The results, together with independent assessments of the millennium preparedness of the other emergency services and other key sectors of the national infrastructure, were reported to the Action 2000 National Infrastructure Forum on 21 April. Her Majesty's Inspectorate reported then that they expected all fire brigades in England and Wales to be fully prepared by September at the latest. That remains the case. The latest state of preparedness of each fire brigade will be reported at the next National Infrastructure Forum on 13 July, following which, I will forward further details to my hon. Friend.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that the computer systems in use by the Kent Police are millennium compliant and that law enforcement activities will not be affected on 1 January 2000. [89187]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is important that all police forces in England and Wales take every measure to ensure year 2000 compliance. The Home Office has commissioned an Independent Assessment of all forces, including Kent, by
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  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. The results of this survey will be published at the National Infrastructure Forum on 13 July.

  Prisoners (Cell Confinement)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 June 1999,

  Establishment

  Total population1

  Number of prisoners locked up for more than 22 hours

  Percentage

  Comment

  Birmingham

  1,070

  476

  44

  8 for good order and discipline, 36 patients in the health care centre. The population of 1,070 is 336 more than Birmingham's certified normal accommodation and the shortage of out of cell activity is one result of holding this number of additional prisoners.

  Liverpool

  1,411

  2

  0.1

  1 for good order and discipline, 1 refuses to leave the segregation unit.

  Dartmoor

  594

  27

  4.5

  7 for good order and discipline, 10 held in segregation at own request, 10 unemployed. They are being encouraged to apply for work vacancies.

  Feltham

  799

  13

  1.6

  All for good order and discipline.

  Swansea

  320

  1

  0.3

  Patient in health care centre unfit for work or association.

  1This figure is the 'unlock figure', that is, the actual number of prisoners held in the establishment on the morning of 29 June.

  Police Forces (Minority Group Consultation)
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance his Department has issued to police forces about consultation with minority groups in the communities which they serve; and if he will list those forces which have established procedures for liaison with(a) ethnic minorities, (b) lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, (c) disabled people and (d) transsexual and transgendered people. [89159]

  Mr. Boateng
  In December 1996, the Home Office Police Research Group published a report "It's Good to Talk: lessons in public consultation and feedback". This report looked at good practice in consultation and feedback on policing and provided advice to police authorities and forces in deciding how to undertake their consultation arrangements. It set out a matrix methodology to help each force and authority decide on the most appropriate arrangements, and included advice on how to consult with minority groups—particularly those who found it difficult to take part in the more formal consultation processes.

  Extensive guidance has been issued on the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which imposed new duties on police forces and local authorities to form partnerships to deal with crime and disorder. Consultation with local communities is a major aspect of these new duties and the guidance gives advice on the involvement of minority groups.

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's thematic report on police community and race relations "Winning the Race", published in October 1997, and the follow-up report "Winning the Race—Revisited", published in March 1999, also made recommendations on a number of issues including the need to have sound and representative public consultation processes—with particular reference to minority groups.
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  Official Report, column 428, what proportion of prisoners is confined for more than 22 hours a day in HMP (a) Birmingham, (b) Liverpool, (c) Dartmoor, (d) Feltham and (e) Swansea. [89287]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The precise numbers vary from day to day. The table gives the position on 29 June 1999.

  A survey of all forces undertaken as part of the inspection revealed that at the time of the second inspection (September 1998), 93 per cent. of forces had a strategy in place to consult minority groups. The remaining forces are developing their own strategies. Such strategies will not necessarily be specific to any one group but will encompass all groups within the local community. The issue will be looked at again when Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary carries out a further inspection of race and community relations in 2000.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has published guidelines for the police in dealing with gay and lesbian communities which includes advice on consultation arrangements.

  Special Constabulary Complement
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people served in the special constabulary of each police force in each of the past five years for which figures are available. [89552]

  Mr. Boateng
  As at 31 March, the figures for the number of special constables in post in each police force area in England and Wales for the past five years were:

  Force

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Avon and Somerset

  651

  688

  759

  621

  547

  Bedfordshire

  189

  189

  182

  186

  154

  Cambridgeshire

  279

  275

  303

  320

  310

  Cheshire

  321

  274

  475

  459

  407

  City of London

  83

  77

  86

  76

  64

  Cleveland

  212

  195

  160

  164

  126

  Cumbria

  241

  201

  188

  198

  204

  Derbyshire

  434

  413

  428

  380

  317

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,142

  1,102

  1,148

  1,024

  918

  Dorset

  221

  254

  289

  315

  305

  Durham

  200

  187

  184

  144

  159

  Dyfed-Powys

  302

  314

  283

  254

  237

  Essex

  674

  608

  634

  638

  544

  331

  Force

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Gloucestershire

  320

  333

  297

  276

  233

  Greater Manchester

  768

  746

  685

  598

  523

  Gwent

  126

  136

  157

  119

  113

  Hampshire

  598

  539

  621

  698

  760

  Hertfordshire

  320

  315

  297

  306

  238

  Humberside

  427

  391

  340

  324

  269

  Kent

  569

  555

  589

  592

  526

  Lancashire

  608

  531

  483

  489

  449

  Leicestershire

  356

  360

  415

  406

  316

  Lincolnshire

  322

  299

  271

  260

  216

  Merseyside

  384

  343

  401

  419

  458

  Metropolitan Police

  1,550

  1,841

  1,714

  1,282

  1,138

  Norfolk

  345

  319

  402

  337

  336

  Northamptonshire

  303

  289

  316

  288

  230

  Northumbria

  506

  471

  533

  400

  342

  North Wales

  288

  332

  341

  358

  400

  North Yorkshire

  381

  360

  362

  358

  276

  Nottinghamshire

  552

  537

  620

  558

  461

  South Wales

  477

  461

  361

  366

  338

  South Yorkshire

  452

  381

  308

  281

  246

  Staffordshire

  725

  702

  685

  595

  468

  Suffolk

  409

  407

  379

  397

  420

  Surrey

  238

  260

  297

  235

  224

  Sussex

  527

  511

  472

  442

  393

  Thames Valley

  679

  744

  656

  609

  569

  Warwickshire

  352

  344

  381

  345

  261

  West Mercia

  582

  613

  552

  512

  515

  West Midlands

  818

  897

  945

  889

  731

  West Yorkshire

  777

  709

  690

  589

  559

  Wiltshire

  318

  233

  154

  149

  184

  Total

  20,026

  19,736

  19,734

  18,256

  16,484

  1The figures for 31 March 1999 are provisional

  Motorway Accidents (Vehicle Removal)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal basis exists(a) for the warning by the Association of Chief Police Officers that vehicles in motorway accidents or which have broken down must be removed within 30 minutes and (b) for the police to engage their own contractors and charge the owners to remove vehicles after this time limit; when these provisions will come into effect; and if he will make a statement. [89553]

  Mr. Boateng
  Police powers to arrange for the removal of vehicles from motorways are contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986. Under this legislation, the precise arrangements adopted by police forces for the safe recovery of vehicles from the motorway including the engagement of contractors to carry out this work are an operational matter for individual chief officers of police.

  In view of the increasing traffic flows on motorways and the associated dangers the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) issued guidelines in May this year which reduced the period of leeway which the police allow for the removal of vehicles from the motorway from two hours to 30 minutes. A memorandum of understanding has recently been agreed between the four main motoring organisations and ACPO whereby Greenflag, the Royal Automobile Club, Automobile Association and Britannia will aim to attend the scene of a breakdown on the motorway within 30 minutes.

  Personal Data
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the progress made by the reviews(a) on retention of DNA profiles collected by the police from individuals for elimination purposes, (b) on the wider use of electoral roll personal data without the consent of the elector and (c) on the application of the national security exemption to the processing of personal data held by the Security Service for a purpose which relates to serious crime. 89653]

  Mr. Boateng
  We intend to issue a consultation paper shortly. The Working Party on Electoral Procedures, which has been looking at this alongside other issues, is expected to report to the Home Secretary later in the summer. Consideration is still being given to the exemptions for the Security Service that would be necessary under the Data Protection Act 1998. At this stage, it is not envisaged that the Security Service would rely on exemption provided by section 29 of the 1998 Act (crime and taxation).

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates since 1 July 1998 when the named veterinary surgeon appointed under section 7(5)(b) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 visited Harlan UK Ltd., indicating which visits were announced and which unannounced; and on which occasions he considered that the welfare of an animal gave cause for concern and so invoked the procedure laid down in section 7(b) of that Act. [89533]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office does not hold records concerning visits to establishments by the named veterinary surgeon. I understand, however, that the named veterinary surgeon for this establishment is employed on a full-time basis by the company and would, therefore, have been on site most days.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of beagles in animal experimentation. [89450]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Animals can be used in scientific procedures only where the benefits to humans, other animals or the environment outweigh the costs to the animals involved and where there are no suitable alternatives. Dogs (along with cats, primates and equidae) can be used only if animals of no other species are suitable or if it is not practicable to obtain animals of a suitable species. Unless otherwise authorised, only dogs acquired from designated breeding establishments can be used in scientific procedures.

  In 1997, 7,490 scientific procedures were carried out on dogs (less than 0.3 per cent. of all procedures) of which 7,240 involved beagles. Of the 7,490 total, 4,581 were for assessing the safety or efficacy of pharmaceuticals and 1,738 were for pharmaceutical research and development.

  No-one likes to use animals in scientific procedures and particularly dogs. However, their use in some procedures is still essential in medical research and testing. The aforementioned figures indicate the important areas of work in which the vast majority of dogs are used.
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  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will (1) make a statement on the findings of the recent British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection report into Harlan UK Ltd in relation to alleged infringements of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [89534]

  (2) instigate an investigation into Harlan UK Ltd. to establish whether infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have occurred; [89535]

  (3) list the dates since 1 July 1998 when his Department's Inspectorate has visited Harlan UK Ltd. under section 18(2)(d) of the Animals (Scientific Proceedings) Act 1986, indicating which visits were announced and which unannounced; and what reports were made to him in accordance with section 18(2)(e) of that Act; [89531]

  (4) make a statement on the death of two primates en route from Oxford University to Harlan UK Ltd. [89449]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have received, and are studying, a detailed report provided, on 29 June, by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV). An investigation into the allegations made has already been launched and I have asked for urgent advice on whether there is a need to suspend—under the powers granted by section 13 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986—the establishment's certificate of designation.

  A comprehensive and thorough investigation will be carried out. It will be led by a senior member of the Home Office Inspectorate unconnected with this establishment. This could take two or three months to complete, but I will be receiving interim reports.

  In addition to the standards of care and welfare of animals, the BUAV report criticises the Home Office Inspectorate. These allegations will be considered during the investigation.

  I will be advising the Animal Procedures Committee of the outcomes in due course.

  It would be wrong to pre-judge the outcome of the investigation and I will not, therefore, comment further at this time. However, I give the hon. Member my assurances that if any of the allegations of contraventions of the Act; of the terms and conditions of licences or certificates; or of the Codes of Practice are substantiated appropriate action will be taken to rectify the problems and to prevent recurrence. No options have been ruled out at this stage.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he is taking to end the practice whereby more animals are bred for research purposes than are used in experiments; [89448]

  (2) if he requires research, breeding and supply establishments to keep full records detailing the numbers of research animals killed each year, and where such animals have had their (i) blood, (ii) tissue and (iii) organs sold; [89455]

  (3) if he will make it a requirement under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for establishments to keep full records of (i) the number of animals bred for research purposes and (ii) the number of such animals subsequently destroyed without being so used. [89454]
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  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 30 November 1998,Official Report, columns 80–81.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedure) Act 1986 are currently in force at Harlan UK; and how many of these are classified as(a) mild, (b) moderate and (c) substantial severity. [89532]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There are currently two project licences in force that have primary availability at this establishment—i.e. it is the main place at which procedures are carried out under the authority of the licence. One of these is of mild severity and one moderate. There are a further 22 project licences that have primary availability elsewhere, but that have secondary availability at this establishment. Eleven of these are of mild severity and the remainder are moderate.

  Drivers (Drug-testing Kits)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when plans he has to introduce drug-testing kits for police to check people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. [89746]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no current plans to introduce such kits, but tests have been carried out on some to assess their practicality for police use and further work is being undertaken to develop a specification for a roadside screening device.

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Lidington,
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria which he is currently applying to decisions to extend expired passports for two years; and what plans he has to review these criteria. [89866]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The criteria are as follows:

  Where children are included on passports, they can be:
  extended until the date of the eldest child's sixteenth birthday so long as there is a minimum of six months, or
  extended for two years so long as all the included children are 14 years or younger.

  Children included on a passport require their own passport when they reach the age of 16.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates since 2 May 1997 on which the Chief Executive of the Passport Agency submitted his quarterly reports to ministers. [89865]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since 2 May 1997, the Chief Executive has submitted his quarterly reports to Ministers on the following dates:

  Period

  Date Submitted

  April to June 1997

  11 August 1997

  July to September 1997

  18 November 1997

  October to December 1997

  12 February 1998

  January to March 1998

  12 May 1998

  April to June 1998

  6 August 1998

  October to December 1998

  February 1999

  January to March 1999

  19 May 1999

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  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the present members of the Passport Agency's Advisory Board. [89863]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The present members of the Passport Agency's Advisory Board are:

  Mike Elland
  Deputy Director General, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office (Chairman)
  Keith Ackroyd
  Former Managing Director, Boots Retail Division
  Malcolm Davidson
  Former Managing Director, Littlewoods Pools
  Robert Fulton
  Principal Finance Officer, Home Office
  Linda Lockyer
  Director Corporate Resources, Home Office.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates on which(a) the Passport Agency's Management Board and (b) the Passport Agency's Advisory Board have met since 2 May 1997. [89864]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested on meetings of the Passport Agency's Management Board, and its Advisory Board since 2 May 1997 are as follows:

  Advisory Board

  Year

  Dates

  1997

  30 July, 30 October

  1998

  28 January, 29 April, 29 October

  1999

  28 January, 28 April

  Management Board

  Year

  Date

  1997

  19 May, 23 June, 2 July, 21 July, 18 August, 28 August, 15 September, 20 October, 17 November, 15 December

  1998

  19 January, 16 February, 16 March, 20 April, 18 May, 22 June, 20 July, 17 August, 16 September, 19 October, 9 November, 21 December

  1999

  18 January, 22 February, 22 March, 20 April, 17 May, 21 June

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy during the present delays at the Passport Agency to waive or reimburse the £10 additional fee due from applicants in person; and if he will make a statement. [89843]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 30 June that for any applicant calling personally at a passport office who applied more than two weeks ago, and had not yet received their passport, the £10 additional fee for personal applications would be waived.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to allow in urgent circumstances the two year extension of passports which include the names of children aged under 16 years; and if he will make a statement. [89844]
  336
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The arrangements to extend passports by two years includes passports where children are included.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone calls were made to the UK Passport Agency in June; and how many of those received the Agency's courtesy message. [89846]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Passport Agency has information only up to 25 June. Up to that date, the Agency had received 914,580 telephone calls, of which 621,915 received a courtesy message.

  Martin McGartland
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the Northumberland Police in identifying those involved in the attempted murder of Martin McGartland at Whitley Bay on 17 June; and if he will make a statement. [89356]

  Mr. Boateng
  The investigation into this crime is a matter for the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police. I understand, however, that at the present time there is no firm evidence to establish responsibility for the shooting and inquiries are, therefore, continuing.

  Child Care Workers (Criminal Offences)
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence received sentences of(a) custody, (b) community service and (c) probation; and in each case of what lengths, in each of the last 10 years; [89267]

  (2) how many people working with children have been (a) arrested for and (b) convicted of a criminal offence broken down by category of offences in each of the last 10 years; [89266]

  (3) if he will estimate the cost to public funds for each of the last 10 years of those people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence and who have received (a) a custodial sentence, (b) a suspended sentence, (c) community service, (d) a conditional discharge, (e) an absolute discharge, (f) a fine, (g) a probation sentence and (h) a police caution; [89270]

  (4) if he will estimate the cost to public funds for each of the last 10 years of those people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence and who have subsequently re-offended; [89269]

  (5) how many people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence have subsequently re-offended in each of the last 10 years; [89268]

  (6) how many people working with children who have been convicted of a criminal offence have received (a) a suspended sentence, listing the length of that suspension and the sentence, (b) a police caution, (c) a fine, and of what value, (d) an absolute discharge and (e) a conditional discharge in each of the last 10 years. [89265]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not available as details about an offender's occupation are not recorded on the Home Office Cautions and Court Proceedings Databases.

  Personation
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the level of personation in(a) the 1999 European elections, (b) the 1997 general election and (c) the 1999 local elections. [89442]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No arrests have been made for personation at either the 1999 European Parliamentary elections or at the local elections held in May 1999. We know of only two proven cases at the 1997 General Election, one of which resulted in prosecution and a substantial fine.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Climate Change Levy
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the extent of changes to energy savings targets for industrial sectors between 1990 and 2010; what proportion of the changes will have resulted from(a) adjustments in the economy and (b) the climate change levy; and if he will make a statement. [88011]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government intend to set significantly lower rates of the climate change levy for energy intensive sectors that agree targets for improving energy efficiency. Detailed negotiations on these targets are now underway with a number of industrial sectors with the intention of reaching agreement in October 1999.

  Over the period 1990–2000, the Government's climate change consultation paper estimated that about 70 per cent. of the fall in industrial carbon dioxide emissions relative to the increase in GDP is the result of large-scale fuel switching in electricity supply. Around three quarters of this fall is the result of the introduction of gas fired generation and the remainder from improved productivity of nuclear power and increased renewable energy. A further 10 per cent. can be attributed to changes in the UK's industrial structure and some 20 per cent. comes from improvements in energy efficiency.

  The climate change levy is expected to save around 1.5 million tonnes of carbon a year by 2010.

  Future reductions in greenhouse gases to 2010 from different sectors will depend on the policies and measures adopted as part of our climate change programme.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he will take to ensure that gas and electricity prices are competitive within the European Union after the climate change levy is introduced; and if he will make a statement. [88012]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government are committed to the promotion of competition in energy markets which will maintain downward pressure on pre-tax prices.

  The White Paper "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation" sets out the Government's broad energy policy, including radical reforms to the electricity market. These reforms will bring greater competition to the wholesale market and lower
  338
  prices for consumers. New arrangements to improve the competitiveness of the gas market will be introduced in October this year.

  Proposals for the climate change levy also recognise the need to have regard to the competitiveness of UK industry. The Government intend to set substantially lower rates of levy for those energy intensive sectors that enter into negotiated agreements on their energy use and emissions.

  Specialist Shops
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment his Department has made of the continuing commercial viability of small and specialist shops in small and medium-sized towns; and if he will make a statement; [88614]

  (2) what financial assistance is available from his Department to support small and specialist shops in (a) small and medium-sized towns and (b) Bewdley; and if he will make a statement. [88613]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]: Small and specialist shops are crucial to the economic, environmental and social development of small and medium-sized towns. They provide employment, regenerate the economy of town centres and have an important role to play in providing a service to those living and working in urban areas, particularly the disadvantaged, or those who may be socially excluded.

  The Urban White Paper published on 29 June will consider the effects of new technology on the retail sector and this is likely to include the role of small shops.

  In addition several Single Regeneration Budget schemes have an impact, either directly or indirectly, on retail sectors within small and medium-sized towns in the West Midlands region. Other assistance available to small businesses throughout the region includes schemes in Staffordshire, Hertfordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire that offer a mix of business services and support.

  Financial Transactions
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has had with representatives of banks and credit card operators about liberalising regulations regarding use of credit cards for e-commerce transactions with internet firms with a limited trading history; [89318]

  (2) what discussions he has had with representatives of banks and building societies regarding the raising of existing and the introduction of new charges for over the counter transactions and use of cash dispensing machines. [89317]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has held no discussions.

  Platform Lifts
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken by his Department in response to the proposals being considered by the EC to transfer regulation of platform lifts from the Health and Safety Directive to the Lift Directive. [89546]
  339
  Mr. Battle
  It is assumed that the question refers to the Machinery Directive (98/37EC) and to the Lifts Directive (95/16/EC). The Services of the European Commission have been preparing a draft Proposal for simplification of the Machinery Directive but no formal Proposal for amending the Machinery Directive has been adopted yet by the Commission or presented to the Council of Ministers.

  It is understood that the measure may seek to clarify the scope of the Directive in relation to a number of other Single Market Directives including the Lifts Directive.

  The Government would welcome simplification and clarification in principle but would need to study the precise terms of any such Proposal before they could give a view on their merits.

  Agency Nursing
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the competition implications of agency nursing. [89380]

  Dr. Howells
  There has been no such assessment carried out either by my Department or by the Office of Fair Trading.

  British Coal
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the competitiveness of British coal in (i) the European and (ii) the international market; and if he will make a statement. [89387]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government do not collect statistics on UK coal production costs. We understand that, on average, UK coal is produced at costs which are roughly a third of German production costs, and a quarter or less of Spanish costs. Unlike the German and Spanish coal industries, the UK coal industry receives no state aid.

  Outside the European Union the picture is different. The delivered cost of UK deep-mined coal is currently reported to be around a quarter to a third higher than the delivered price of internationally traded coal, much of which also has a lower sulphur content than most British coal.

  The competitiveness of the industry is not determined purely by its costs, but also depends on factors including location, security of supply and the precise characteristics of the coal required.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to support and encourage the export of British coal. [89386]

  Mr. Battle
  British Trade International, the new unified DTI/FCO operation, has lead responsibility within Government for trade promotion and development on behalf of British business and aims to help UK firms take full advantage of overseas business opportunities by providing support, information, advice and assistance throughout the exporting process.

  The Government seek to ensure that there is an open and competitive market for coal and coal products across the EU, and to ensure that markets are not distorted by products which do not reflect their production and
  340
  transport costs. To this end we have encouraged the European Commission to take action against such marketing practices which are supported by unauthorised state aid where there is damage to the export prospects of British coal.

  Classic Cars
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what exemptions are available to classic car owners from the European End of Life Vehicles Directive. [89436]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: The proposed End of Life Vehicles Directive would provide for improved recycling and treatment standards for vehicles when they have become waste (as defined under existing legislation). In other words, it would apply only when the owners have decided to discard them. For this reason, no exemptions would be needed for classic cars, and the European Commission has therefore not proposed any such exemptions.

  At the Environment Council on 24 June, it was decided to put back a decision on a Common Position on the Directive until the next Environment Council meeting, in recognition of the German Government's concerns over the approach adopted to producer responsibility.

DEFENCE

  Efficiency Savings
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 May 1999,Official Report, column 382, on efficiency savings, when he will write to the hon. Member. [87586]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The figures that the hon. Member has requested on savings measures are currently being validated for consideration by my Department's Ministerial Efficiency Steering Group. Once that exercise is complete, I shall write to the hon. Member. As my Department has supplied an illustrative list of efficiency measures for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, I am unable to make that information available to him until after the Committee have published the information in a Commons Daily Part. We expect that the Committee will make this information available to the House within the next week.

  US National Ignition Facility
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if United Kingdom involvement in the US National Ignition Facility replaces proposals to develop a high powered laser facility at AWE Aldermaston; [87694]

  (2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) of 9 June 1999, Official Report, columns 329–30, how much Britain has invested to date in the US National Ignition Facility; and what further investment is planned in each of the next five years; [87693]

  (3) if he will list the laser facilities in existence, under construction and proposed for the future at AWE Aldermaston, indicating their primary purpose and how they differ from the US National Ignition Facility. [87695]
  341
  Mr. George Robertson
  My Department has concluded that, as the cost of building a domestic laser of sufficient power would be unaffordable, we should, in the absence of nuclear testing, invest in the US National Ignition Facility, NIF, in order to make use of its facilities. The precise details of our investment in the NIF have yet to be formalised in a contract with the US. The information requested is, therefore, commercially sensitive. I can, however, say that the investment, to cover a shot rate enhancement programme and the design and construction of a UK target chamber, will be in the region of £100m. This represents an affordable and cost-effective way of discharging the undertaking we gave in the Strategic Defence Review that we would ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons.

  No new laser facility is under construction or planned for AWE Aldermaston. The present laser at Aldermaston, generally known as Helen and opened in 1979, has been used to research the principle of techniques to underwrite the integrity of nuclear warheads in the absence of nuclear testing. It is based on older technology than the NIF which is 600 times more powerful. Helen will be retained until access to NIF is obtained.

  Russian Missile Propulsion System
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has evaluated on the Russian ramjet propulsion system for a beyond visual range air to air missile. [88086]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The MOD has been aware of the development of a Russian ramjet propulsion system for a beyond visual range air-to-air missile since 1993, when a model, designated RVV-AE-PD, was displayed at the Moscow Airshow. During this year's Paris Airshow, the weapon itself was displayed. Representatives stated that the missile, which is a privately funded programme, had completed testing including ground-launched firings against a target. Air-launched firings had not been carried out due to the high costs involved. They also confirmed that it was now ready to go into production although they had no customers, either in Russia or elsewhere.

  We continue to assess the capabilities of this weapon, the development of its associated ramjet propulsion system and the scope for its deployment.

  Rosyth (Trident)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current status of the emergency dry-docking facility for Trident at Rosyth; and if he will make a statement. [88133]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Construction work on the Trident contingency docking facility is complete and the facility is in good shape for contingency use to support a Trident docking.

  Trawlerman IT Project
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on the Trawlerman IT project; for what reasons it was abandoned without use; and if he will make a statement. [88134]
  342
  Mr. Spellar
  A fixed price contract was let in July 1988 and ultimately the MOD spent £42 million on the Trawlerman IT project. The project experienced serious technical difficulties and delays such that, by the time it was delivered in May 1995, some 3½ years late, it was obsolete. The problems experienced by this project go back to the early 1990s. The Department subsequently acquired a replacement system at a fraction of the cost (£6 million), using a modern off-the-shelf design and applying the lessons learned from the experience of Trawlerman. Lessons have been learnt and procurement procedures have been improved with the introduction of the Smart Procurement Initiative launched earlier this year under the Strategic Defence Review. Further information is contained in the Eighteenth Report, Session 1988–99 of the Committee of Public Account on the Ministry of Defence: Appropriation Accounts 1997–98.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use is made of the plutonium recycling facilities at Sellafield for plutonium from old nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [88143]

  Mr. Spellar
  No use is made of facilities at Sellafield for the recycling of plutonium from decommissioned nuclear weapons. The recovery of this material is undertaken at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

  US Atomic Co-ordinating Offices
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the annual operating costs of the US Atomic Co-ordinating Offices in London and Washington; and how many staff are currently employed in each office. [881351

  Mr. George Robertson
  The details requested are as follows:

  Atomic Control Office,London

  Staff

  Number

  Senior Executive Officer

  10.5

  Executive Officer

  1

  Administrative Officer

  1

  Administrative Assistants

  4

  1This official has other duties in addition to his responsibilities as Head of Atomic Control Office, London

  Atomic Co-ordinating Office, Washington

  Staff

  Number

  Unified Grade 6

  1

  Unified Grade 7

  1

  Executive Officer

  1

  Administrative Officer

  1

  The annual running costs of the London and Washington offices are £122,000 and £263,000 respectively.

  Joint Working Groups (USA)
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide(a) a list of all joint working groups with the United States Department of Defense currently in existence, (b) a brief explanation of the purpose of each one and (c) the number of meetings that have occurred in the last two years. [88131]
  343
  Mr. George Robertson
  The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Trident
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will explain the purpose of payments made to the US Government under the heading Trident Refit Feasibility Study; and if he will provide the total cost of this item. [88144]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence gave him on 28 July 1998,Official Report, columns 200–02. The total we expect to pay for these studies remains in the region of £850,000, subject to exchange rate variations.

  Airlift Programme
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many companies will be on the tender list for the Strategic Short-Term Airlift Programme; and when the list will be announced. [88311]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence received expressions of interest from nine companies in response to the MOD Contracts Bulletin published in July 1998. The Invitation to Tender was issued to seven companies on 30 September 1998. Five tenders were received by the closing date of 29 January 1999 from Air Foyle, Airbus Transport International, Boeing in conjunction with British Aerospace, IBP Airlift Ltd. and Rolls Royce. The tenders are currently being assessed.

  Antonov 124
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Antonov 124 has military aircraft release. [88309]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are currently two variants of the Antonov 124: the basic version used by the Russian armed forces and others, and the An 124–100 used by civil operators. Neither has a UK Military Aircraft Release.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many targets were hit in Montenegro; and of what types. [88456]

  Mr. George Robertson
  UK forces were involved only in attacks on Podgorica airfield.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the destruction as a result of NATO action of civilian infrastructure in Montenegro; and if he will make a statement. [88457]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No estimate has been made of any damage to the civilian infrastructure of Montenegro during the course of the air campaign. NATO targeted only military related objectives.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of cluster bombs dropped by NATO in Operation Allied Force on Kosovo that did not explode; and what methods are being used to locate and disarm the unexploded NATO ordnance in Kosovo. [88597]
  344
  Mr. George Robertson
  I am not in a position to comment on NATO air forces as a whole. However, the RAF dropped some 500 RBL755 cluster weapons during Operation Allied Force, each containing 147 bomblets. Research trials of the equivalent weapon (BL755) when used at low level indicate that approximately 5 per cent. of the bomblets are likely to fail to detonate. However, when used at medium level as during Operation Allied Force, the failure rate is expected to be lower given that the impact angles and velocities are greater, and could be as low as 1 per cent.

  UK explosive ordnance disposal operators use visual and sub surface instrument detection to locate unexploded ordnance. The preferred disposal method is to destroy the ordnance in situ.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of(a) the extent of contamination of land in Kosovo by land mines, unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices and (b) the risk posed by these to returning refugees and displaced persons. [87374]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The full extent of the problem has yet to be determined. However, there is considerable contamination of the land in Kosovo, particularly by land mines, and especially in border areas. These pose a serious threat to everyone in Kosovo. Known areas are being marked and a mine awareness programme is being implemented, which includes advice on minimising the risk from mines and unexploded ordnance.

  Front-line Troops
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his projection on the strength of the Army in terms of front-line troops, for the next three years, taking into account any increase in premature voluntary release which may occur as a result of the extra deployments in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [88622]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]The forecast of trained strength of the Army over the next three years is:

  Year

  Amount

  April 2000

  100,271

  April 2001

  102,058

  April 2002

  103,670

  The figures represent the forecast of all UK trained Army personnel and Gurkha trained personnel. "Frontline" is not a recognised description of any part of the Army.

  Although it is still too early to measure the effect of deployment of troops to Kosovo on Premature Voluntary Release (PVR) rates, we are taking a number of measures to reduce overstretch, which is recognised as one of the causes of high PVR rates.

  Yugoslav Military Equipment
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of how
  345
  many Yugoslav (a) tanks, (b) surface-to-air missiles, (c) fighter aircraft, (d) armoured infantry fighting vehicles, (e) armoured personnel carriers, (f) towed artillery pieces, (g) self propelled artillery pieces and (h) helicopters were destroyed in (i) Kosovo, (ii) the Republic of Serbia, excluding Kosovo and (iii) Montenegro during Operation Allied Force. [88782]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 June 1999, Official Report, column 160 to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell).

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Department into Parliament in(a) 1998, (b) 1992, (c) 1985 and (d) 1973 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89161]

  Mr. George Robertson
  My Department introduced into Parliament three statutory instruments in 1998, six in 1992, five in 1985, and four in 1973. None had the European Union as its legislative source.

  Centre for Defence Medicine
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects an invitation to tender to be issued to the seven NHS trusts recently shortlisted by his Department as potential partners for the Centre for Defence Medicine; and if he will make a statement. [90047]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  An Invitation to Tender is being issued today to the following NHS Trusts:

  Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital Trust

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  North Bristol NHS Trust

  Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals

  The Lothian University Hospitals Trust (Edinburgh)

  The Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust

  University Hospitals Birmingham Trust.

  The Trusts were selected by my Department from an original list of 18 that had expressed interest in becoming the host for the Centre for Defence Medicine. Tenders will be due for return by 5 October 1999.

  The issuing of the Invitation to Tender is an important milestone in the development of the Centre for Defence Medicine, whose establishment is a fundamental element of the new strategy for the Defence Medical Services announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in December 1998. The Centre will have important academic, research and training roles as well as a significant clinical function, and will become a professional focus for medical personnel in the Armed Forces. We also envisage that the Centre will develop an international reputation for excellence in military medicine. Our aim is to have the formal Customer Service Agreement in place with our chosen partner by 1 April 2000 with a view to opening the Centre for Defence Medicine on 1 April 2001.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Common Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 1999,Official Report, column 264, concerning the purposes of the proposed European Union Political and Security Committee and associated Institute for Security Studies, if he will list (a) the date, nature, status and attendance of the meeting at Petersberg, (b) the ministerial attendance from the United Kingdom, and reference to the consequential statement in any parliamentary proceeding and (c) the scope and definition of the tasks in executing an integrated and single Union policy for foreign defence, security and military activity in aid of peace keeping and crisis management as defined in the consolidated Treaty on European Union. [88683]

  Mr. Hoon
  The meeting at Petersberg was a ministerial meeting of the Western European Union. It took place on 19 June 1992. The United Kingdom was represented by the right hon. Douglas Hurd MP, then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and the right hon. Malcolm Rifkind MP, then Secretary of State for Defence.

  The Treaty on European Union provides for the Union to define and implement a common foreign and security policy, covering all aspects of foreign and security policy: and for the common foreign and security policy to include all questions related to the security of the Union, including the progressive framing of a common defence policy, and that this shall include humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking. These are the "Petersberg tasks". The Treaty on European Union further provides for the Union to avail itself of the Western European Union to elaborate and implement actions of the Union which have defence implications.

  The "Petersberg tasks" are referred to in the European Council Declaration on Strengthening the Common European Policy on Security and Defence issued at Cologne on 4 June. The Declaration also outlines the objectives of future work within the European Union in order to enable the European Union to undertake these tasks.

  Sudan
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his officials recently met representatives of the Government of the Sudan; what was discussed; when normal diplomatic relations will be restored; and if he will make a statement. [89150]

  Mr. Hoon
  Dr. Hassan Abdeen, Under-Secretary at the Sudanese Ministry of External Relations, visited London during the week beginning 21 June. He paid a courtesy call on me and had other meetings with officials.

  Discussions covered a wide range of issues and on 25 June a joint statement was released announcing agreement to the return of British and Sudanese staff to Khartoum and London. This is an important step in normalising relations between the two countries.
  347
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the state of the ceasefire in the Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Western Upper Nile regions of Sudan. [89523]

  Mr. Hoon
  The ceasefire in southern Sudan, first agreed during the visit to the region of the late Derek Fatchett in July 1998 and recently confirmed at a meeting between the UN, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army, relates to Bahr el Ghazal.

  We shall continue to press for a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Sudan.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the treatment of Sudanese people in the peace camps in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. [89520]

  Mr. Hoon
  Owing to the difficulty of access, we receive few reports on the situation in the Nuba Mountains. However, a UN assessment mission did visit very recently. I look forward to seeing their report.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the progress of oil excavations in southern Sudan by Western oil companies. [89524]

  Mr. Hoon
  Oil exploration has been going on in southern Sudan for some time. A pipeline has recently been built from fields to the Red Sea coast. I understand that oil is likely to flow through the pipeline in the near future.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Department into Parliament in(a) 1998, (b) 1992, (c) 1985 and (d) 1973 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89167]

  Ms Quin
  The total number of Statutory Instruments (SIs) registered as General Instruments in 1998, 1992, 1985 and 1973 is listed in the following table. I have indicated where information is available, the number of SIs which were made by my Department to comply with European Community obligations.

  Year

  Number of SIs

  Number implementing EC obligations

  1998

  1,565

  5

  1992

  1,692

  2

  1985

  1,204

  3

  1973

  1,260

  2

  Loizidou v. Turkey Judgment
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the Loizidou v. Turkey judgment by the European Court of Human Rights. [89389]
  348
  Ms Quin
  Responsibility for implementing the judgment in Loizidou v. Turkey lies with Turkey. We take such responsibilities seriously, as with all obligations in the Council of Europe, and expect other members to do likewise. We continue to make clear to Turkey, including in the Committee of Ministers' Deputies, the need to respect the Court's judgment.

  The Chairman of the Committee of Ministers' Deputies wrote to the Turkish Foreign Minister on 22 June requesting information on how Turkey intended to satisfy its obligations in this case. The Government fully supported this action.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civilian Serbs in Kosovo have been unlawfully killed since NATO troops entered. [89602]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: KFOR are aware of a number of incidents where Serb civilians have been killed by Kosovo Albanians and are taking measures to ensure the security of all citizens. At present, no verifiable figures are available.

  As the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 2 July 1999, Official Report, column 314 made clear, steps are being taken to reassure Serb civilians in Kosovo.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to establish an armed international police force in Kosovo. [89603]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: UN Security Council Resolution 1244 authorised the UN Secretary General to establish an international civil presence in Kosovo, with responsibility inter alia for maintaining civil law and order, including through the establishment of local forces and meanwhile through the deployment of international police personnel. It was agreed at the Friends of Kosovo meeting in New York on 30 June that the United Nations Mission in Kosovo should acquire the capacity to take over responsibility for public security from KFOR as soon as possible.

  The UN Secretariat has recommended that UN police officers serving in Kosovo should be armed for self-defence purposes, but has left the final decision to UN members. The Foreign Secretary has already announced that the UK is willing to provide 60 police officers to recruit, to train and to monitor a civil police force in Kosovo.

  EU Business
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July, and the major European Union events for the next six months. [90107]

  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July, and the major European Union events for the next six months. [90108]
  349
  Mr. Hoon
  The business is as follows:

  Monthly forecast of business

  July 1999

  Venue

  Event

  2–3

  Oulu

  Industry and Research Ministers (Informal)

  9–10

  Oulu

  Labour/Social Affairs Ministers (Informal)

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  16

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  18–20

  Savonlinna

  Culture and Audiovisual Ministers (Informal)

  19–20

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  20–23

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  23–25

  Helsinki

  Environment Ministers (Informal)

  28

  Brussels

  Preparatory Meeting for EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting on 29–30 July

  29–30

  Brussels

  EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting

  No agendas have yet been circulated for the above meetings

  European Calendar: July-December 1999
  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  2–3

  Oulu

  Industry and Research Ministers (Informal)

  9–10

  Oulu

  Labour/Social Affairs Ministers (Informal)

  12

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  16

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  18–20

  Savonlinna

  Culture and Audiovisual Ministers (Informal)

  19–20

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  20–23

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  23–25

  Helsinki

  Environment Ministers (Informal)

  28

  Brussels

  Preparatory Meeting for EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting on 29–30 July

  29–30

  Brussels

  EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting

  August 1999

  No Council Business

  September 1999

  4–5

  Saariselka

  Foreign Ministers (Informal)

  10–11

  Turku

  ECOFIN (Informal)

  12–14

  Tampere

  Agriculture Ministers (Informal)

  13–14

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  13–17

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  16–17

  Turku

  Justice and Home Affairs Ministers (Informal)

  24–25

  Tampere

  Education Ministers (Informal)

  27–28

  Kuopio

  Ministers of Housing

  27–28

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  30 September–1 October

  Helsinki

  Ministerial Conference on Equality between Women and Men

  October 1999

  1

  Florence

  Trade Ministers (Informal)

  4–5

  Luxembourg

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  4–5

  Tampere

  Regional Policy Ministers

  4–8

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  6

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  8

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN

  11–12

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  11–12

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  15–16

  Tampere

  Special European Council

  18–19

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  22

  Luxembourg

  Labour/Social Affairs Council

  350

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  24–25

  Helsinki

  Energy Ministers Task Force Meeting

  25–29

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  26

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  28

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  29

  Luxembourg

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  November 1999

  3–4

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  8

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  8

  Brussels

  Consumer Affairs Council

  9

  Brussels

  Industry Council

  11

  Brussels

  Development Council

  12

  Brussels

  Labour and Social Affairs Council (possible)

  11–12

  Helsinki

  Ministerial Conference on the Northern Dimension

  15–16

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  15–16

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  15–19

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  18

  Brussels

  Health Council

  19

  Brussels

  Youth Council

  22

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (possible)

  22–23

  Brussels

  EU-ACP Ministerial Meeting (possible)

  23

  Brussels

  Culture and Audiovisual Council

  26

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  26

  Brussels

  Education Council

  29

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  29

  Brussels

  Labour and Social Affairs Council

  30

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  December 1999

  1–2

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  2

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  2–3

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  6–7

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  7

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  9–10

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  10–11

  Helsinki

  European Council

  13–14

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  13–17

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  14–15

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  16–17

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  Indonesia
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the Government played in monitoring the recent elections in Indonesia; and if he will make a statement. [89207]

  Mr. Hoon
  We provided almost £2m in electoral assistance to Indonesia, making us the fourth largest national contributor overall and the largest European contributor. Bilateral projects included substantial support for the student-based election monitoring group UNFREL, which fielded over 100,000 domestic monitors; and financial support for an election media monitoring project, organised by the International NGO Article XIX.

  This bilateral assistance was in addition to our contribution to the European Union's 7m euros electoral assistance package. We also nominated five British election observers who formed part of the European Community's election observer team.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the Government played in improving electoral administration in Indonesia. [89208]
  351
  Mr. Hoon
  As part of the £2m bilateral electoral assistance package, referred to in my written answer to the hon. Member today (ref 89207), we provided funding for a pre-election programme of in-country workshops on cross-party lines for Indonesian political parties run by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, with the co-operation of hon. Members. This helped to develop a code of conduct for political parties as well as address issues of transparency, policy formulation and financial integrity. We also provided financial support for voter education programmes, including some aimed specifically at reaching women and first-time voters.

  Working Time Directive
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the costs to his Department of complying with the Working Time Directive in all foreign posts. [89870]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No additional financial costs have been incurred so far.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if all British embassies are applying the Working Time Directive. [89871]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  All UK-based staff in overseas posts are subject to the provisions of the Working Time Directive and Regulations. Guidance for staff and managers on their application has been circulated.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many F680 applications for clearance to promote products for export were (i) made, (ii) approved and (iii) refused in 1998. [86205]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have been asked to reply.

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

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce changes to the Jobseeker's Allowance to allow those who lose their job because of insolvency to claim the allowance. [88042]

  Angela Eagle
  We are aware of the effect of the JSA rules in this area and are considering the matter in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry to see whether any changes can be made. There are, however, complex issues to be resolved. Meanwhile, there are existing safeguards to protect those most in need as payments can be made if hardship would otherwise result.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if school ancillary staff who were in term-time employment were entitled to claim Jobseeker's Allowance during the summer vacation of 1998; whether they are entitled to claim it during the summer vacation of 1999; if he will list the changes to 352
  Jobseeker's Allowance rules over the last 18 months which affect term-time employees; and if he will make a statement. [89288]

  Angela Eagle
  There has been no change to the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations in the past 18 months specifically relating to term-time employees.

  However, an independent Social Security Commissioner has recently decided that people who are not entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance during term-time because of the number of hours they work, are also not entitled to benefit during holiday periods. In deciding claims for Jobseeker's Allowance, adjudication officers are legally bound to follow this interpretation of the law.

  School ancillary staff may claim Jobseeker's Allowance during the 1999 summer vacation. This position has not changed since 1998. Whether such claims result in entitlement to benefit will depend upon the circumstances of each individual case. Where any doubt exists about entitlement to benefit, individual school ancillary staff should claim.

  State Pension (Over-80s)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase the state pension to those aged 80 years and above. [88043]

  Mr. Timms
  Our priority is to help those pensioners who are the least well off. Our minimum income guarantee for pensioners over 80, delivered through Income Support, is £82.25 for single people and £125.30 for couples. After next year's earnings uprating of the guarantee, pensioner couples over 80 will be around £ a Week better off in real terms than before the guarantee was introduced. Older pensioners will also benefit from the £100 winter fuel payment to be paid to every pensioner household before Christmas.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department is taking to assist lone parents to get work. [88044]

  Mr. Darling
  We are taking a wide range of action to help lone parents into work. These include the New Deal for Lone Parents programme which has helped over 16,500 lone parents into work and changes to the benefits rules from this October, which will allow lone parents to have a two week run-on of Income Support when they start work.

  Disabled People (Pensions)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to improve the pensions of people forced to leave work through long-term disability. [88045]

  Mr. Bayley
  Currently, those who are in receipt of certain disability benefits can earn credits towards their basic State Retirement Pension.

  The Pensions Green Paper published in December set out our proposals to extend the new State Second Pension to long-term disabled people with broken work records. They will receive flat-rate credits subject to a

  353
  simple contribution test. This will represent a significant improvement in the financial position of disabled people in retirement.

  Social Security Fraud
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to improve co-ordination between the Benefits Agency and Local Authorities in combating fraud. [88048]

  Mr. Timms
  We regard improved co-operation across Government, as well as with Local Authorities, as fundamental to our anti-fraud work. We are continuing to encourage and develop strong links between the Benefits Agency and Local Authorities. For example, we have installed 360 Random Access Terminals in 349 Local Authorities to facilitate the exchange of data between the Benefits Agency and Local Authorities. More widely, the Government are helping Departments, Local Authorities and the private sector to work more closely together to combat fraud across the range of welfare services. There is a continuing work programme to measure the size of the security problem facing welfare services, to ensure that Departments know what type of data each holds and to explore new ways of working in concert to fight fraud and uphold compliance with the law. An Inter-Ministerial Group on Welfare Fraud was announced in July 1998 to oversee this work.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to improve the performance of the Child Support Agency. [88054]

  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security set out our plans to reform the child support system in the White Paper published last week.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the working of the Child Support Agency. [88021]

  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced our plans for reform last week. These will put children's rights at the centre of child support and get money to a million children who today miss out.

  Widows Benefits
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the proposed changes to widows benefits. [88049]

  Angela Eagle
  Our proposed changes will modernise the present, out-dated widows benefits scheme, which was devised over 50 years ago and has altered little despite the enormous changes in society.

  We will continue to provide support to bereaved people. Our reforms will concentrate help available from the State where and when it is most needed: on immediate needs and on children and families. Importantly, our reforms will give equal treatment to married men and women; making bereavement benefits available to men for the first time.

  Pension Reform
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his proposals for pension reform. [88050]

  Mr. Timms
  Our strategy for a fundamental reform of the pensions system was set out in the pensions Green Paper "A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions" published before Christmas. It is based on the principle that everyone who can save for his or her retirement has a responsibility to do so. In turn we have a responsibility to provide security in retirement for those who cannot save enough. Our proposals are based on four interlinked pillars:the contributory Basic State Pension, increased at least in line with prices, will remain the key building block of the pension system.
  the Minimum Income Guarantee, delivered through Income Support, which will provide an income floor below which no pensioner without savings will fall, and we aim to uprate that guarantee in line with earnings as resources permit. The new Minimum Income Guarantee will form the target which we want people to beat through their pension provision and they will do that in different ways.
  a new State Second Pension to replace SERPS. State Second Pension will ensure that everybody who has worked and contributed throughout their working lives will have an income on retirement above the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee. People caring for a disabled person or bringing up children aged five and under, and disabled people with broken work records, will get credits for State Second Pension.
  Stakeholder Pension schemes, which will provide good value, reliable funded pensions for people for whom no suitable funded scheme is available.

  We believe that for most people on moderate and higher incomes it is a funded pension that offers them the best prospects for their income in retirement and that is why we are determined to ensure that those people who today can save for their retirement have the framework in which to do so. Stakeholder Pension schemes will combine the low overheads and high security of occupational pensions with the flexibility of the best of personal pensions, and will be available to all. They will be particularly designed to help those on middle incomes, those earning roughly between £9,000 and £20,000 a year, but will benefit those on higher incomes as well. Once secure low-cost value for money Stakeholder Pension Schemes have become established, we expect the State Second Pension will no longer be earnings-related but paid at a flat rate.

  Occupational pension schemes are one of the main reasons for the improvement in pensioners' incomes over the recent decades and will continue to play a vital role. We want to build on the success of traditional occupational schemes. In the "Strengthening the Occupational Pensions Framework" consultation paper that was published on the day after the pensions Green Paper we set out a number of proposals to strengthen and simplify the regulation of occupational schemes.

  Our objective is to bring the UK pensions system up to date and to make sure that after a lifetime of hard work people do not arrive at retirement certain to depend on income-related benefits. We are determined to ensure that everyone has a decent income in retirement and these objectives are at the heart of the Pensions Green Paper we published in December.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received from landlords on the reform of housing benefit. [88052]

  Angela Eagle
  I have received representations from landlords on a number of aspects of Housing Benefit. I welcome these representations. It is important that we understand the effect of Housing Benefit on landlords as well as tenants, as we consider proposals to reform the system.

  Welfare Reform
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on his proposals for reform of the benefits system. [88053]

  Mr. Timms
  We have received numerous representations on our recent proposals for reform from organisations, academic bodies, MPs and members of the public towards our central aim of work for those who can and security for those who cannot. Over 4,000 responses have been received in total to formal consultation exercises on welfare reform since March 1998.

  Minimum Incomes
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when and how he last assessed the minimum income needed by(a) young people, (b) single people, (c) couples, (d) pensioners, (e) people with disabilities and (f) people with dependants; and how his conclusions relate to social security rates. [88056]

  Angela Eagle
  Benefit rates are reviewed annually. Our welfare reform programme aims to tackle the root causes of poverty, help people to earn a decent income through work and provide security for those unable to work. We have introduced improvements in benefits for pensioners through the Minimum Income Guarantee, and announced plans for a new Disability Income Guarantee. We have also increased support for families with children through the tax and benefit systems.

  Disabled Children
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the level of support given to children with disabilities. [88057]

  Mr. Bayley
  The level of financial support given to a disabled child is dependent upon the circumstances of the case. There is a wide range of financial assistance available which contributes towards the extra costs faced by families of disabled children and which includes:Disability Living Allowance which provides a contribution towards the extra costs incurred because of the effects of disability. The Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, currently before Parliament, provides that the age limit for entitlement to the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance will be lowered to the age of three, giving help to an additional 8,000 children.
  Within Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, groups identified as likely to have extra expenses receive help through the disability premium structure. The new Disability Income Guarantee will
  356
  provide extra help in these premiums for families with disabled children getting the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
  Help is also available from the Family Fund Trust. This is funded by the UK Health Departments and has been allocated over £24 million for 1999–2000. It provides grants to low-income families with severely disabled children to enable them to continue to care for them at home.

  Pensioner Support
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to help the poorest pensioners; and if he will outline a timetable for introducing the new measures. [88058]

  Mr. Timms
  We have already announced that next April the minimum income guarantee, delivered through Income Support, will rise in line with earnings, demonstrating our determination that the least well-off pensioners should share in rising national prosperity.

  We are currently considering options for encouraging more pensioners to claim the Income Support they are entitled to. We are also looking at ways in which the rules on the treatment of savings can be changed to better reward those pensioners who have managed to save a modest amount for their retirement.

  We will be bringing forward our plans on these measures in due course.

  Maternity Costs
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to assist mothers with the costs of maternity. [88059]

  Mr. Bayley
  We are extending Maternity Allowance to women who earn £30 a week or more and increasing it for self-employed women, who currently receive less benefit than employed women.

  The existing Social Fund Maternity Payment will be replaced with a Sure Start Maternity Grant from April 2000 and doubled from £100 to £200 for each child.

  These improvements will give low-earning mothers-to-be some financial help towards the costs of a new baby, enable them to take their full entitlement to maternity leave and help them achieve a better balance between work and family life.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons had their invalidity benefit cancelled in the most recent annual period for which figures are available. [88060]

  Mr. Bayley
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 31 March 1999,Official Report, column 839.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the proposed 1 per cent. maximum charge for stakeholder pensions is intended to cover the costs of advice. [88051]
  357
  Mr. Timms
  We want to set the overall charge limit at a level which will, over time, allow stakeholder pension schemes to meet the cost of delivering a number of services, including information and basic advice, to potential members. These costs are likely to vary from scheme to scheme and it would not be sensible to specify what proportion of the charge should be used to provide each element.

  We will be consulting further on the advice arrangements for stakeholder schemes, including defining what basic advice should cover. The final decision on the overall limit on charges will be made in the light of this further work.

  Pensioners (Benefit Take-up)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to ensure that pensioners receive the benefits to which they are entitled. [88055]

  Mr. Timms
  We undertook pilot projects and research last year to understand more about why many pensioners do not claim the Income Support they are entitled to, and what could be done to improve this situation. We are currently exploring options for further activity to encourage more pensioners to claim, and we will be bringing forward our plans in due course.

  Departmental Spending
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of total spending on each benefit provided by his Department and on central, regional and agency administration costs in each of the last three years. [89075]

  Mr. Timms
  A breakdown of total spending on each benefit provided by Department of Social Security grouped by the Departmental objectives is published in Tables 9 and 10 (pages 117 to 1720) of the Social Security Departmental Report (The Government' s Expenditure Plans—1999/2000).

  DSS running cost expenditure for its central (HQ) and Agencies

  for the period 1996–97 to 1998–99

  £ million

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–991

  Central (HQ)

  77

  87

  2-112

  Benefits Agency

  1,862

  1,743

  1,800

  Child Support Agency

  212

  211

  208

  Contributions Agency

  15

  3-4

  3

  War Pensions Agency

  36

  33

  28

  Information Technology Services Agency (purchaser function)

  16

  16

  15

  1Estimated outturn

  2Net of PRIME receipts of £250 million

  3All of Contributions Agency costs are recoverable, in the main from the National Insurance Fund, however this may not occur in the year of expenditure. Contributions Agency was transferred to Inland Revenue on 1 April 1999.

  Note:

  The Department does not allocate its running cost funding on a regional basis

  Tax-benefit Model Tables
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish tax-benefit model tables (1) under the system operating when the Working Families 358
  Tax Credit is introduced for a married couple with two children aged under 11, with average council tax and a mortgage of (i) £35,000, (ii) £45,000 and (iii) £55,000, where there is (a) no earner, (b) one earner on £3 per hour and (c) one earner on £3.60 per hour and where, if there is an earner, he works for (A) five hours, (B) 10 hours, (C) 15 hours, (D) 20 hours, (E) 25 hours, (F) 30 hours, (G) 35 hours, (H) 40 hours, (I) 45 hours and (J) 50 hours; [89308]

  (2) if he will publish tax-benefit model tables under the existing system for a lone mother with two children aged under 11, who is an owner-occupier with a mortgage of (a) £35,000, (b) £45,000 and (c) £55,000, paying average council tax, where her earnings as (a) nil, (b) £3 per hour and (c) £3.60 per hour, where, if she is an earner, she works for (i) five hours, (ii) 10 hours, (iii) 15 hours, (iv) 20 hours, (v) 25 hours, (vi) 30 hours, (vii) 35 hours, (viii) 40 hours, (ix) 45 hours and (x) 50 hours and where, if she is an earner, she has childcare costs of (A) £20, (B) £30, (C) £40, (D) £50 and (E) £60. [89310]

  (3) under the present system for a married couple with two children aged under 11, with average council tax and a mortgage of (i) £35,000, (ii) £45,000 and (iii) £55,000, where there is (a) no earner, (b) one earner on £3 per hour and (c) one earner on £3.60 per hour and where, if there is an earner, he works for (1) five hours, (2) 10 hours, (3) 15 hours, (4) 20 hours, (5) 25 hours, (6) 30 hours, (7) 35 hours, (8) 40 hours, (9) 45 hours and (10) 50 hours; [89307]

  (4) under the system operating when the Working Families Tax Credit is introduced for a lone mother with two children aged under 11, who is an owner-occupier with a mortgage of (a) £35,000, (b) £45,000 and (c) £55,000, paying average council tax, where her earnings are (i) nil, (ii) £3 per hour and (iii) £3.60 per hour, and where, if she is an earner, she works for (A) five hours, (B) 10 hours, (C) 15 hours, (D) 20 hours, (E) 25 hours, (F) 30 hours, (G) 35 hours, (H) 40 hours, (I) 45 hours and (J) 50 hours and where, if she is an earner, she has childcare costs of (1) £20, (2) £30, (3) £40, (4) £50 and (5) £60. [89311]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available as the Department's Tax-Benefit Model Tables are not produced in respect of owner-occupiers who have mortgages.

  Personal Data
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will request the Audit Commission to keep records with respect to each data matching programme undertaken or investigated which contains(a) the total number of individuals whose personal data were matched, (b) the number of matches which resulted in no further action, (c) the number of matches which required further investigation by staff, (d) the number of matches which following such investigation resulted in no further action, (e) the number of withdrawn claims or prosecutions identified by data matching, (f) the cost of the data matching programme including all direct and indirect staff costs and (h) the amounts saved by the data matching programme. [89592]

  Mr. Timms
  The Audit Commission's National Fraud Initiative which was carried out in 1996, 1997 and 1998 will help to provide this type of information. The Audit Commission are due to publish a report on the outcome of this work in late 1999.

  Compensation
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the matters within his Department's responsibility in respect of which it has had to pay out compensation to members of the public since May 1997. [89708]

  Mr. Timms
  Compensation has been paid to members of the public on a number of areas since 1997. A great many of these payments stem from problems that arose before May 1997, including the NIRS2 computer system.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much compensation has been paid to people who have been underpaid benefits as a result of the NIRS2 computer breakdown. [89709]

  Mr. Timms
  The amount of compensation, under the normal Departmental Special Payment rules, which has been paid to people who have been underpaid benefits as a result of the NIRS2 computer problems is £12,891.13. These figures are up to the end of May 1999. Further compensation has been made to customers who suffered inconvenience as a result of NIRS2 delays. However, not all of these people have been underpaid benefit.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89689]

  Mr. Timms
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security of those households below half average income whose main source of income is welfare benefits, what proportion have income from earnings; and what is the(a) mean and (b) median amount of those earnings. [89529]

  Angela Eagle
  Eight per cent. of households with below half average income whose main source of income is benefits have income from earnings. This proportion is the same both Before Housing Costs (BHC) and After Housing Costs (AHC).

  Both BHC and AHC, the mean of those earnings (for those households below half average income whose main source of income is benefits) is £55 per week and the median £52 per week (BHC) and £51 per week (AHC).

  Notes:

  1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data set which is based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not include Northern Ireland. 1996–97 is the latest year for which information is available.

  2. For the purposes of this analysis, benefits are deemed to be the 'main source of income' where they form more than 50 per cent. of a household's total gross income.

  3. The income measure used to determine whether or not a household is below half of the national average is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household). It is
  360
  standard HBAI practice to give results for income both before and after housing costs, in order to allow for the effect of variations in housing costs between households.

  4. Monetary values are given in April 1998 prices and refer to gross weekly household earnings.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of households below half average income have any earnings; and what the(a) median and (b) mean amount of their earnings is. [89530]

  Angela Eagle
  Twenty six per cent. of households with below half average income have income from earnings. This proportion is the same both Before Housing Costs (BHC) and After Housing Costs (AHC). The median of those earnings is £125 per week BHC (for those below half average income) and £138 per week (AHC). The mean of those earnings is £145 per week (BHC) and £160 per week (AHC).

  Notes:

  1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data set which is based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not include Northern Ireland. 1996–97 is the latest year for which information is available.

  2. The income measure used to determine whether or not a household is below half of the national average is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household). It is standard HBAI practice to give results for income both before and after housing costs, in order to allow for the effect of variations in housing costs between households.

  3. Monetary values are given in April 1998 prices and refer to gross weekly household earnings.

  Single Gateway
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the administrative cost of the Single Gateway to benefits. [88030]

  Angela Eagle
  An additional £79.5 million has been allocated from the Invest to Save Budget to fund the ONE service (formerly Single Gateway) in the 12 Pilot areas.

  The extra allocation is on top of the amount that would be required to administer benefits in the pilot areas under current arrangements. It also covers one-off start-up costs (for example, estates and training costs), and Information Technology and capital expenditure over the period of the pilots.

  Pensions
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the potential liability for compensation incurred by his Department from advice from(a) Benefits Agency offices to widows on changes to their SERPS entitlement and (b) the new hotline to advise people on Stakeholder pensions and other pension schemes. [89707]

  Mr. Timms
  Existing widows are not affected by the change in inherited SERPS. We are aware of concern about the information given in response to inquiries about the change that is due to take place from April 2000. We are considering how best to resolve this matter and will make an announcement in due course.

  The "Pensions Power for You" helpline is being organised by the TUC and this Department as a partnership initiative with the CBI, the Financial Services

  361
  Agency and other supporting organisations and companies to provide general pensions information. Call handlers will not provide individual financial advice.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what his Department is doing to help disabled people obtain jobs. [88025]

  Mr. Bayley
  We have a comprehensive strategy for helping people with disabilities who want to work. We are providing active help and encouragement for people to move towards work; we are addressing barriers to work in the benefit system; we are taking steps to make work pay; and we are promoting radical change in the workplace to ensure equality and opportunity.

PRIME MINISTER

  Serbia (Reconstruction)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Prime Minister what measures he will take to prevent Governments providing Serbia with funds to repair bridges whilst President Milosevic remains in power. [88084]

  The Prime Minister
  We have no plans to provide reconstruction assistance as long as Milosevic remains in power; we do of course support the UNHCR programmes and others which offer humanitarian aid to the Serbian people. We believe that this approach is widely shared by our partners and allies. We are discouraging other countries from providing reconstruction assistance, but there are no legal means to stop them.

  Danube (Destroyed Bridges)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the destruction of bridges on the Danube in Serbia upon the economies of (i) Germany, (ii) Turkey, (iii) Austria, (iv) Romania and (v) Bulgaria. [88083]

  The Prime Minister
  All countries to which the hon. Member refers participated in, or gave wholehearted support to, the NATO action in the Balkans.

  We are in close touch with all the countries of the region and with the international financial institutions, who are carrying out assessments of the reconstruction needs. We have already contributed to packages of support for those most directly affected, and will continue to do so.

  EU Anti-fraud Office
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what amendments he supported to proposals for the formation of the EU Anti-Fraud Office; and if he will make a statement. [88466]

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom supported amendments which would serve to deliver a strong, effective, independent anti-fraud office with wide ranging powers and rights matched by responsibility and accountability including reporting to the European Parliament and the Council, in line with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's initiative at the 362
  January ECOFIN Council. Details of the original and amended proposals and the final Regulation which was supported by the Government are set out in explanatory memoranda dated 15 January 1999, 5 May 1999 and 10 June 1999.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 21 June 1999,Official Report, column 766, what the status is of the undertaking given by the KLA on demilitarisation; and what are the consequences of such demilitarisation for an unaccompanied tour obligation for British armed forces and their families. [88872]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: The undertaking of 21 June 1999 commits the KLA to a cease-fire and to a process of disengagement from the zones of conflict, subsequent demilitarisation and reintegration into civil society. The Commander of KFOR, Lieutenant General Sir Mike Jackson, is the final authority regarding interpretation.

  We will reduce our contribution to KFOR as soon as circumstances permit.

  Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister who chairs meetings of the JCCC in his absence. [89282]

  The Prime Minister
  Such an occasion has not arisen.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list those hon. Members from the Liberal Democratic Party who have attended meetings of the JCCC; [89305]

  (2) how many meetings of the JCCC there have been since its inception.[89303]

  The Prime Minister
  Like all Cabinet Committees, details of the proceedings of the Joint Consultative Committee are exempt from disclosure under the internal discussion and advice exemption of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy that the JCCC should continue indefinitely. [89304]

  The Prime Minister
  The Joint Consultative Committee exists to consider policy issues of joint interest to the Government and the Liberal Democratic Party. I would expect it to remain in existence while it continues to fulfil this remit satisfactorily.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what considerations led him to conclude that the subjects for discussion within the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee should be exempt from the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [89837]

  The Prime Minister
  Paragraph 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information states that information is exempt from the commitments under the Code if its disclosure would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.
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  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if the 30 year rule applies to the Joint Cabinet Consultative Committee; and if he will make a statement. [89838]

  The Prime Minister
  Yes.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will lift the exemption from disclosure under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information of proceedings in the Joint Consultative Committee. [89815]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister how many meetings(a) he has and (b) his staff have had with representatives of the American Government at which opportunities for inward investment by American companies in the British retail sector were discussed. [89338]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: I, Ministers, advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of our work. This properly includes meetings with representatives from foreign governments. By convention it is not the practice of governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available.

  It is the job of the British Prime Minister to promote this country as a place to invest, boosting British jobs and prosperity. I have done this on many occasions and will continue to do so.

  EU Rights Charter
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if the EU Charter of Rights will include rights not presently accorded to citizens under EU law. [89813]

  The Prime Minister
  It is too early to say what the final Charter will contain; the draft will be submitted to the European Council during the French Presidency in the second half of 2000. Most member states (including the UK) favour a document which sets out in a more accessible form the many rights which citizens already enjoy at European level.

  European Commissioners
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions the acting European Commissioners have represented the Commission(a) at Council of Ministers meetings, (b) at other internal Committee meetings, (c) at public events and (d) at international meetings, following the no-confidence motion at the European Parliament. [89828]

  The Prime Minister
  The Commission resigned following the publication of the Committee of Independent Experts' Report into its activities. It was not dismissed and no motion of no-confidence was passed by the European Parliament. In accordance with the Treaty, Commissioners have since carried out their 364
  responsibilities in a caretaker capacity pending the appointment of a new College. We expect this to take place in September.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidance he gives Ministers about letting hon. Members know in advance when they visit an hon. Member's constituency in a ministerial capacity. [89396]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 27 November 1997, Official Report, column 604.

  Yugoslavia (Civilian Deaths)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his present estimate of(a) military and (b) civilian deaths resulting from NATO air activity over Yugoslavia. [89736]

  The Prime Minister
  Our most recent assessment is that up to 5,000 members of the Serbian forces may have been injured or killed during the recent military action. We have no estimate of the number of civilian casualties and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 20 May 1999,Official Report, column 403.

  Turkey (Arms Exports)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the export of arms to Turkey. [89836]

  The Prime Minister
  The criteria to be used in considering licence application for the export of conventional arms was announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the House on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26—30. The criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Sales, agreed during the UK Presidency of the EU in 1998, provide clear guidance. The Government's policy is clear: they will not issue an export licence if there is a clearly identifiable risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression or international aggression. All applications for exports to Turkey are considered on a case-by-case basis according to the criteria.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to answer parliamentary question 81450, a holding answer for which was given on 20 April. [89742]

  The Prime Minister
  I did so on 21 April.

  Telecommunications Masts (Chilterns)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations have been made on his behalf to Wycombe District Council about planning applications to erect telecommunication masts in the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. [89868]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if in relation to the Monsanto field trials of genetically modified sugar beet approved to take place in Ruddington, Nottingham, he will set out details of(a) the pre-planting environmental audit of the area surrounding the field test site, (b) the sub-soil analysis of the field test site prior to planting, (c) the terms and timing set for impact assessments and (d) who will be responsible for the monitoring; (e) what steps he will take to ensure that the monitoring is independent of corporate genetically modified crops interests. [81075]

  Mr. Meacher
  (a) The pre-planning environmental audit of the area surrounding the field test site included details of the release site ecosystem including climate and fauna, details of any sexually compatible wild relatives or cultivated plant species present and the proximity of officially recognised biotopes or protected areas.

  (b) Adverse effects on soil micro-organisms arising from the expression of the transgenes introduced into the genetically modified sugar beet were not identified as a potential hazard in the risk assessment. This is because the gene products are not associated with any known toxicology effects on micro-organisms and are of microbial origin. As the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) accepted this assessment, the release consent did not require a sub-soil analysis of the field test site to be undertaken prior to planting.

  (c) The terms and timing set for impact assessment are set out in the terms and conditions of the consent. All consent holders must notify the Secretary of State of the effects of the release for assessment of any risks to the environment. In this particular consent, the consent holder is also required to submit a report to the Secretary of State on the outcome of the release one month after the termination of the trial. For two years following the trial the consent holder must ensure effective control of volunteer GM sugar beet.

  (d) The consent holder is responsible for monitoring the outcome of the release. The programme of inspections by the Health and Safety Executive ensures that the terms and conditions of the consent, including any monitoring requirements, are adhered to.

  (e) Independent monitoring of the results will be undertaken by ACRE.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the implications for British beekeepers wishing to produce honey free of genetically modified material of the commercial growing of genetically modified oilseed rape. [81395]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 20 April 1999]: In evaluating a risk assessment for the release of a genetically modified (GM) plant, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment will always take into account the consequences of bees visiting the flowers of the GM plant. The Advisory Committee for Novel Foods
  366
  and Processes have considered the food safety issues relating to the presence in honey of pollen from GM plants.

  If in the future we move to the widespread cultivation of GM crops in the UK, it may not be possible in those areas with intensive arable farming to guarantee that honey will be entirely free of genetically modified material. I am aware that the European Commission is currently considering guidelines for those wishing to make claims that foods are free from GM materials.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the farm-scale sites for genetically modified sugar or fodder beet, indicating the (i) location, (ii) area grown and (iii) consent holder and number. [85943]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 8 June 1999]: SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) are carrying out a farmscale evaluation of genetically modified (GM) sugar beet with ecological monitoring at Manor Farm, East Bradenham, Norfolk. The total area of the trial is two hectares. The consent holder is Monsanto Life Sciences and the consent number is 98/R22/12. Further information on the trial and the environmental risk assessment are available on the statutory public register held by my Department.

  The Government are not directly involved with this trial. GM sugar and fodder beet are not included in the joint Government/SCIMAC farm-scale evaluations which I announced to the House of Lords Select Committee on 21 October 1998.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions where the seed used for and to be used for this year's farm-scale trials of genetically modified oilseed and maize were grown; and where the seeds to be used for next year's trials will be grown. [85948]

  Mr. Meacher
  The seed being used this year in the farm-scale evaluations of genetically modified maize and spring oil seed rape has been imported from outside of the European Community by AgrEvo UK Ltd.

  The particular varieties of seeds to be used in the evaluations of winter oil seed rape, starting later this year, and for the evaluations planned for next year, have not yet been decided. Consequently the source of the seed is not yet known.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations were undertaken with neighbouring farmers about the location of genetically modified crop farm-scale trials. [85950]

  Mr. Meacher
  All crops in the farm-scale evaluations are being grown in accordance with the SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) guidelines. The code sets out requirements for separation distances between genetically modified (GM) crops and conventional and organic crops. Neighbouring farmers must be contacted if these separation distances cannot be maintained within the boundaries of the farm.

  The farm-scale evaluations of genetically modified spring oil seed rape were planted under a consent issued under Part B of Directive 90/220/EEC. This required

  367
  consent holders to place an advertisement in a local paper, giving information about the release including the exact location of the field, prior to planting. The farm-scale evaluations of genetically modified maize were planted under a consent issued under Part C of Directive 90/220/EEC. This does not require consent holders to make any public notification prior to planting.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the crops grown in genetically modified crop trials which have so far entered the food chain by(a) type, (b) volume and (c) date. [75111]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 8 March 1999]: Material from genetically modified (GM) crop trials cannot enter the food or feed chain without specific approval. No material has been used as food. Of the 154 consents for GM crop trials issued one, in respect of a GM maize, has approval to be used as animal feed. Consent was issued in April 1996. It is not known whether the crop was used in this way but, if it was, the yield from the site would be less than one tonne. Two further consents, in respect of GM oil seed rape given consent in August 1994 and March 1997, have approval for the meal from the trial crop to be used as feed. Again, it is not known whether the crop was used in this way but, if it was, the maximum yield would be in the region of 4 tonnes.

  Air Bags
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the number of people(a) killed, (b) injured and (c) whose lives have been saved, by air bags in vehicles in the most recent year for which figures are available. [86300]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Statistics collected for Great Britain do not yield this information. However, international research indicates that air bags provide an overall safety benefit for drivers.

  BMW Advertisement
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to BMW about its national newspaper advertisements on 10 June which refer to the enjoyment of cornering on country lanes at high speed; if he will publish its response; and if he will discourage such advertisements. [87633]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department registers complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority against press advertisements which contravene the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion in relation to road safety. The advertisement for BMW to which the hon. Member refers is one in a series placed over three pages. The three advertisements include many road safety messages taken from "The Advanced Driver's Manual" published by the motoring organisation the Institute of Advanced Motorists. The Department does not consider 368
  this advertisement contravenes the advertising guidelines and supports advertising campaigns which encourage drivers to take responsibility for their driving and to learn advanced driving skills.

  Public Service Agreements (Environmental Objectives)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which non-departmental public bodies do not have aims or objectives under the public service agreements, related to environmental protection or environmentally sustainable development; and if he will list them. [88909]

  Mr. Meale
  The Green Ministers Committee has reviewed how departments and their associated bodies (including non-departmental public bodies) take account of sustainable development in their aims and objectives. The first annual report of the Green Ministers Committee is due to be published in July 1999 and will set out the findings of this review. As part of this review non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department have been advised of the Government's policy on sustainable development, including the environmental protection aspects of the policy. They have been encouraged to include their plans for sustainable development in their corporate plans and work is in hand to discuss with them their scope for contributing further to the policy. Many of the Department's non-departmental public bodies do contain environmental matters as part of their aims and objectives and we are considering whether all our non-departmental public bodies should have an environmental policy on which they should report.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Government Departments do not have aims or objectives, under the public service agreements, relating to environmental protection or environmentally sustainable development. [88908]

  Mr. Meale
  Each Department's Public Service Agreement was set out in the document "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability" which was presented to Parliament by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in December 1998. The Green Ministers Committee has since then reviewed the aims and objectives of Departments in terms of how sustainable development and the environment are addressed. We will set out our findings and the background in the first annual report of the Green Ministers Committee which is due to be published in July 1999.

  London Transport (Consultants)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what has been the amount spent on consultants in relation to London Transport matters in each of the last eight years; and how much is currently(a) committed and (b) estimated to be spent; [89012]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the principal reasons for the use of consultants in relation to London Transport matters (a) in each of the last three years and (b) currently. [89013]
  369
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information is not available in the form requested. The Government use external consultants when they require expert independent advice. Over the last eight years consultants have been employed to advise on, among other issues, the Jubilee Line Extension, Crossrail and the privatisation of London Transport's bus operating companies. Consultants that are currently employed by the Department to advise on London Transport are Ove Arup, acting as the Secretary of State's Agent on the Jubilee Line Extension project, and Gibb Ltd. to advise on integrating the national rail network with the Underground. In 1998–99 the Department spent £693,000 on consultancy work relating to London Transport and in 1999–2000 the amount spent by 1 July was £294,000.

  Leyton Yard
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) negotiations and (b) consultations took place prior to his Department selling the site of Leyton Yard to Asda; which other potential purchasers expressed an interest and how the sale decision was determined; what amount was agreed; how much of the proceeds will be paid to Government and how much to other parties; what conditions were attached to the sale agreement; and if he will make a statement. [89017]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) Development Agreement, London & Continental Railways (LCR) is permitted to dispose of land, transferred to them under that Agreement, which the Secretary of State determines to be surplus to the needs of the CTRL Project. Leyton Yard is such a site. The sale of the Leyton Yard site, as with other sites which may be declared surplus, is subject to a clawback which returns half the proceeds to the taxpayer, allowing for the costs of site development and sale. London & Continental Railways' share of the sale proceeds has to be used to fund the CTRL project. The disposal price of Leyton Yard was arrived at through an open bidding process. I understand from LCR that, in addition to Asda, negotiations were held with other major supermarket chains. The final size of the clawback payment cannot yet be calculated as the development is still at an early stage. The non-cash terms of the agreement are a matter for LCR, but the agreement also delivers significant planning gains to the London Borough of Waltham Forest, and helps to facilitate and finance important local highway improvements.

  London Underground
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the figures for each of the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 in respect of the operations of London Underground Ltd. for(a) total sales revenue from (i) fares, (ii) elderly and disabled concessions and (iii) other sources, (b) staff costs, including pensions, (c) energy, including power distribution, (d) train movement and maintenance, (e) track and signalling maintenance, (f) stations and escalators and (g) other revenue costs including administration, excluding costs arising from the extensions to, and adaptation of, the Jubilee Line. [89015]
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  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following table shows London Underground Revenue and Operating Costs from 1995–96 through to 1997–98:

  London Underground revenue and operating costs 1995–98

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Revenue

  Ordinary Fares

  746

  779

  878

  Elderly and disabled concessionary

  18

  17

  20

  Other fare income

  1

  1

  1

  Non-fare income

  51

  57

  62

  Total

  816

  854

  961

  Operating Costs

  Employee costs

  356

  376

  363

  Energy

  28

  29

  27

  Maintenance

  58

  57

  58

  Other costs

  182

  182

  248

  Total

  624

  644

  696

  Gross Margin

  192

  210

  265

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the decision of London Underground Ltd. to dispense with its own means of electricity generation in London; and if he will make a statement. [89010]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I imagine my hon. Friend is referring to the Power PH deal with London Underground signed last August with the private sector Powerlink consortium. The deal involves the modernisation of the Underground's power generation and distribution network and all assets will return to the public sector at the end of this 30 year PFI contract.

  I met my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) and union representatives on 22 December 1997 to discuss a number of issues arising out of London Transport's PH deals, including Power. Ministers have also received a total of 10 letters concerning the project from hon. Members and trade unions representatives.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had concerning plans to avoid disruptions to travellers during the scheduled closure of the London Underground Northern Line City Branch this summer. [89136]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I meet with the managing directors of London Underground (LU) and London Transport Buses (LTB) on a regular, monthly basis to discuss issues such as any line closures and measures to minimise the resulting passenger disruption. Officials from the Government Office for London have also been involved in regular meetings with LU, LTB, the London Boroughs and the Police to discuss replacement services during the Northern Line City Branch closure.

  In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and I met the managing director of LU on 23 June to discuss both the Circle and Northern Line City Branch closures. He assured us that LU are making every effort to keep passenger disruption as low as possible. During the Northern Line City Branch closure, extra buses

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  will be provided along the route and LU will also increase the number of trains along the Charing Cross Branch. Alternative routes are being advertised and extra station staff will help to keep passengers informed.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had concerning efforts to end disruptions for travellers on the Circle and District London Underground lines arising from current closure of parts of the line. [89137]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and I met the managing director of London Underground (LU) on 23 June to discuss both the Circle and Northern Line City Branch closures. He assured us that the timetable LU are now operating around the Circle Line is robust and that it is providing passengers with a better service than they received in the first week after Circle Line engineering works began on 12 June. He also promised to provide us with a full report on what went wrong and to inform us immediately if the service around the Circle Line should deteriorate again.

  In addition, I meet with the managing directors of LU and London Transport Buses on a regular, monthly basis to discuss issues such as any line closures. My officials have also discussed with LT the measures they are taking to minimise disruption around the Circle Line.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress made with the construction of the Jubilee Line Extension; and when the section between Green Park and North Greenwich is due to be fully operational. [89134]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Phase 1 of the Jubilee Line Extension opened on 14 May. London Transport plan to open phase 2 (on to Waterloo) in late summer, and phase 3 (linking with the existing line and providing an end-to-end Stratford to Stanmore service) by late autumn.

  Somerset Levels
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance he is providing to the Environment Agency to further the promotion of eco-tourism on the Somerset Levels. [89019]

  Mr. Meale
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions provides the Agency with grant in aid each year to enable it to carry out its statutory duties. One of its duties is to promote the conservation and enhancement of water and associated land for recreational purposes. In addition the Agency is a lead organisation for flood defence and water level management, both of which contribute to the distinctive landscape of the area.

  The Agency is just one of many organisations that has a role in maintaining, managing and developing the internationally important Somerset Levels wetland area. An organisation known as the Levels and Moors Partnership (LAMP) was set up some years ago to bring all the partnership organisations together to address such issues as the socio-economic development of the Levels. This work has included the development of a sustainable
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  tourism strategy which recognises the economic needs of the local people and the needs of visitors, while providing effective protection to the environment.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of(a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in National Insurance Contributions that will occur when it is introduced.[88857]

  Mr. Meale
  The net impact of the climate change levy and the associated reduction in the main rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions on the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will depend on the rates of the climate change levy. The final rates of climate change levy will not be set until Finance Bill 2000.

  In addition, the Government are still considering a number of detailed issues on the tax treatment of different energy products which could have a significant impact in some instances. It is, therefore, not possible to give definitive figures about the impact of the climate change levy on the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Renovated Empty Properties
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the percentage of properties undergoing major repairs and renovation that have been empty for over 12 months. [88839]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Out of an estimated 11,200 vacant local authority-owned dwellings in England awaiting or undergoing major repairs on 1 April 1998, almost one third (31 per cent.) had been empty for more than a year. Equivalent information for Registered Social Landlord vacant stock indicates that of approximately 9,000 such dwellings, just over a quarter (27 per cent.) had been vacant for over one year.

  Comparable information about other residential stock in the public and private sectors is not available centrally.

  Tunstall Floral Hall
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will visit Tunstall Floral Hall, Stoke-on-Trent. [88810]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  London Taxis (Millennium)
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will alter the rate of the charge tariff for licensed London taxis for the period of the millennium public holiday. [89068]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I shall make a decision later in the year on whether any supplement, above that which would normally apply at the New Year, is justified for the millennium public holiday, and if so, what it should be.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the proposed Food Standards Agency will have powers to publish the details of all regular health and safety inspections of restaurants under the proposals for freedom of information. [89132]

  Mr. Meale
  The proposed Food Standards Agency remit is to look after food hygiene. Health and safety inspection of restaurants and similar premises is carried out by local authorities under the general direction and guidance of the Health and Safety Commission. Each local authority will be directly responsible under the Bill for the disclosure of the information it holds.

  "Sustainable Energy from Waste"
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation took place with his Department on the contents of "Sustainable Energy from Waste", published by the Department for Trade and Industry; what representations he made; and if he will make a statement. [89116]

  Mr. Meale
  The pamphlet is itself publicity for the Government's complementary strategies on waste, "A Way With Waste: a draft waste strategy for England and Wales", and renewable energy "New and Renewable Energy: prospects for the 21st century".

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publicise the Government's pamphlet, "Sustainable Energy from Waste"; and if he will make a statement. [89117]

  Mr. Meale
  Officials in both Departments work together closely on the full range of waste and renewable energy issues. This document was prepared by consultants in line with agreed policy.

  Rural Housing
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue guidelines to the Environment Agency on its responsibilities in relation to housing in rural areas. [89156]

  Mr. Meale
  The Environment Agency has no direct responsibilities for housing in rural areas. The Department has no plans to issue rural housing policy guidance to the Agency.

  Our White Paper for Rural England will, however, explore how a wide range of policies will support sustainable rural communities in the future.

  Environment Agency (Estate)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses the Environment Agency owned in each parliamentary constituency in the South West in each of the last five years. [89154]
  374
  Mr. Meale
  Since 1994 the Environment Agency has owned houses in the following constituencies in the South West region:

  Cotswold: 2 houses

  New Forest: 1 house

  North Dorset: 1 house

  Salisbury: 2 houses (one sold in 1996)

  West Dorset: 2 houses

  Somerton and Frome: 2 houses (one also sold in 1994)

  Taunton: 3 houses (one being sold by auction in July 1999)

  Tewkesbury: 2 houses

  Torridge and West Devon: 2 houses (one sold in 1996 and the other sold by auction on 30 June 1999)

  Truro: 1 house bought in 1998 and demolished for a flood defence scheme.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the disposal of Environment Agency properties; and what matters he will take into consideration in respect of such disposals in rural and environmentally sensitive areas. [89155]

  Mr. Meale
  Disposal of property is an operational matter for the Agency to determine in accordance with the Financial Memorandum issued to it by the Department.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Department into Parliament in(a) 1998, (b) 1992, (c) 1985 and (d) 1973 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89163]

  Mr. Meale
  The total number of Statutory Instruments (SIs) registered as General Instruments in 1998, 1992, 1985 and 1973 is listed in the table. Of the SIs so registered in 1998, 306 were made by my Department, of which 9.9 per cent. were made (either wholly or as to part) to comply with Community obligations. As a result of machinery of government changes, it is impracticable, without incurring disproportionate cost, to determine how many of the SIs made in 1992, 1985 and 1973 by the predecessor departments of my Department were introduced to comply with Community obligations.

  Year

  Number of SIs

  1998

  1,565

  1992

  1,692

  1985

  1,204

  1973

  1,260

  Source:

  Statutory Publications Unit of HMSO: an SI is classified as a General Instrument if it is in the nature of a Public General Act. SIs may otherwise be registered as Local Instruments if they are in the nature of local or private Acts. SIs implementing EC/EU legislation will always be classified as General Instruments.

  Birth Certificates
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those purposes for which his Department and its executive agencies require a birth certificate to be furnished by(a) employees, contractors or those applying for employment or contracts, and (b) other persons. [89152]
  375
  Mr. Meale
  The sight of a birth certificate is requested in the following circumstances within DETR(C) and its executive agencies:to enable checks on identity and nationality to be carried out on people applying for jobs in the Department;
  to establish the identity of relatives of departmental staff in circumstances relating to the payment of pensions.

  Where contractors or consultants are directly employed by the Department, it may be necessary in certain circumstances to see certificates for security clearance purposes and where contractors supply individuals to the Department, for example building security guards or temporary staff, the contracts may include the need for basic checks to be carried out which could involve the contractor seeing a birth certificate.

  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency requires applicants for photocard driving licences to provide evidence of identity. One of the documents that is acceptable is an original birth certificate.

  Arts Grants (London)
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of local authority grant aid has been paid by the London boroughs of(a) Wandsworth, (b) Hammersmith and Fulham and (c) Bromley to arts and theatre organisations in each of these boroughs for (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998; and if he will make a statement. [89466]

  Mr. Meale
  This information is not centrally available.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his departmental news release number 544, of 11 June, what is the reason for the delay in the posting of the Sellafield MOX plant consultation documents on his Department's web site; and if he will extend the consultation period to compensate for the shortened notice given. [89314]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: On 11 June 1999, Official Report, columns 399–400, my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced the go-ahead for uranium commissioning and a further round of consultation into the economic case for the Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication plant at Sellafield. On the day of the announcement, copies of the consultation documents were sent to:
  organisations previously consulted by the Environment Agency as part of their consideration of the MOX plant;
  organisations and individuals who made representations in response to either of the two consultations held by the Environment Agency; and
  organisations and individuals who made representations to my Department.

  The publishing of consultation papers is an important part of my Department's communication strategy. Although it is our policy to publish consultation papers on the web site, this is not the primary method of consultation. It is there to complement our more established means of publication and notification. Therefore, I do not see any case for extending the consultation period. The documents were available on the web site on 25 June, as soon as the necessary preparations could be completed.

  Diesel Duty
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate the Government made, prior to its announcement, of the effect of the increase in diesel fuel duty announced in the Budget statement on employment in the road haulage industry; and what estimate he has made of levels of employment in the industry over the next six months; [89650]

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of jobs lost in the British road haulage industry since the recent increase in the diesel fuel duty. [89649]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government closely monitor the level of employment in the road haulage industry through the Labour Force Survey and the Annual Employers Survey. The statistics for the spring quarter of 1999 will not be ready for release until 14 July. However, the figures for goods vehicles drivers do not show a significant change between end-1997 and end-1998.

  Aircraft (Low Fuel)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority concerning low fuel state occurrences involving foreign airlines; and if he will make a statement. [89519]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  DETR and Civil Aviation Authority officials discussed the allegations concerning an aircraft of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in detail with representatives of the airline. MAS has co-operated fully in reviewing their fuel policy and examining why, on a very few occasions, low fuel levels may have been recorded at the completion of a flight. MAS offered to provide weekly reports of fuel levels for all its aircraft on arrival in the UK and this has been incorporated into their conditions for operating into this country.

  Under the Chicago Convention, responsibility for regulating an airline, including compliance with minimum fuel regulations, lies with the country in which the airline is based.

  Archaeological Services
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from(a) The British Archaeological Trust and (b) the Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers regarding the effect of the local government settlement for 1999–2000 on archaeological services. [89402]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: We have received no direct representations from these organisations on the settlement approved by this House on 4 February 1999, Official Report, columns 1138–86. I am, however, aware of their concerns, through the Early Day Motion number 377 laid in the House on 2 March and correspondence from the hon. Member.

  OSPAR Convention
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and the outcome of the
  377
  OSPAR Convention meeting in Hull on 21 to 25 June; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the submissions made by (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other OSPAR contracting parties and recognised observer organisations relevant to the United Kingdom. [89732]

  Mr. Meale
  The annual meeting of the OSPAR Commission, held in Hull at the invitation of the UK Government from 21 to 24 June, was opened by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. The main outcomes were the adoption of a strategy on environmental goals and management mechanisms for offshore activities (which, with the four strategies adopted at the Ministerial meeting in Portugal last year, means that all the main activities of the OSPAR Commission are now covered by long-term strategies), of a recommendation on the best available techniques for the manufacture of emulsion-PVC, and (with a reservation from Norway) of guidelines on artificial reefs in relation to marine living resources.

  Other matters discussed mainly concerned the implementation of the long-term strategies adopted last year. On the strategy for radioactive substances, the Contracting Parties agreed to intensify their efforts to implement it by focusing on the principal sources of discharges, emissions and losses, including the reprocessing of nuclear fuel and some other nuclear and non-nuclear activities; where action by the operators of nuclear installations is required, the Contracting Parties agreed to ensure that this is taken without delay. Another major theme was the improvement of the structure of the OSPAR Commission and of its working practices, in order to help the implementation of the strategies.

  The UK delegation presented no formal papers to the meeting. The papers which the OSPAR Commission has agreed to make public can be found on its web-site: www.ospar.org.

  Raptors
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the harmful effect on the racing pigeon population of raptors. [89658]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: My Department has received a number of representations concerning the effect of raptors on racing pigeons. This issue is being considered by the Raptor Working Group co-chaired by my Department and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The working group is due to make its final report before the end of the year. To assist the working group in drawing its conclusions my Department let a research contract to assess the impact of raptor predation on pigeons and to investigate the effectiveness of non-lethal deterrents. It is hoped that the findings of this research will help to provide some guide to pigeon fanciers as to how they may best reduce any losses they may be incurring.

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will use his powers under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to control raptors. [89417]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 2 July 19991: Raptors are protected by Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This reflects obligations under the EC Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC to protect all naturally
  378
  occurring species of birds. The control raptors can only be licensed for the reasons set out in Section 16 of the 1981 Act, provided that there is no other satisfactory solution.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to answer parliamentary question 81262, a holding answer for which was given on 19 April. [89741]

  Mr. Meacher
  A full answer was given to the hon. Member on 27 April 1999,Official Report, columns 88–89.

  Greater London Authority Elections
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made with the possibility of using electronic equipment in the Greater London Authority elections. [90057]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government have been considering the potential for introducing more innovative and up to date electoral procedures. Electronic voting is one of the areas the Howarth Working Party recommended for further consideration and piloting. The Working Party expects to submit a summary of its recommendations to Government later this month and its detailed report at the end of the summer. The London Mayor and Assembly elections on 4 May 2000 provide an excellent opportunity to introduce a more up to date system of voting or counting, more in keeping with our modern way of life.

  Following the invitation for expressions of interest from potential suppliers, issued in March, we received a number of suggestions as to how we might make best use of some form of electronic voting equipment for the London elections next year. We have shortlisted four potential suppliers, all of which have experience in elections worldwide where electronic equipment has been used successfully and offer either touch-screen voting at polling stations or optical scanning equipment to speed the counting process. The four suppliers are Data and Research Services Plc; Election Systems and Software Inc with Unisys Ltd.; Nedap; and Smurfit Ltd.

  The next stage is to carefully consider the detailed proposals for London's elections which the four shortlisted suppliers have been invited to submit. Our top priority is to run a successful election on 4 May 2000—less than a year away. We need to be sure that the use of electronic equipment will be cost effective, help rather than confuse voters, and lead to a more efficient delivery of results. The Greater London Authority will be a new modern form of governance and we need to consider voting systems to match as we move into the 21st century.

  EU Directives (Water Standards)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the costs to the water industry of complying with EU directives on environmental and water quality standards for the period 2000 to 2005. [89445]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government announced on 1 March decisions on environmental and water quality improvement programmes which should be included in
  379
  water company business plans for 2000–05. These programmes were largely comprised of investment required to meet the requirements of EC Directives, although they also included, in a fully integrated manner, significant programmes to improve compliance with domestic quality objectives.

  We consider that these proposals can be delivered for around £8 billion. Companies' draft strategic business plans are now being considered by the Director General of Water Services, who will reach a provisional view later this month on the costs of these obligations for the purposes of the Periodic Review of water company price limits between 2000 and 2005.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress the Government have made in producing guidelines for water companies on alternative payment arrangements to water metering. [89205]

  Mr. Meale
  We are considering with water companies and other groups with an interest in water charging how any alternative to the present system of unmeasured charging, such as the use of Council Tax bands, could be designed to provide for fair charges and to avoid significant losses for some groups.

  There is no statutory bar on water companies introducing alternative unmeasured charging systems. Under the Water Industry Act 1999, companies will be obliged to include in charges schemes details of the basis on which they wish to charge for water and sewerage services to homes. Schemes will be subject to approval by the Director General of Water Services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will issue guidance to the Director General on the approval of schemes. We shall be consulting on draft guidance shortly.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to review water rates, with particular reference to help for pensioners. [89206]

  Mr. Meale
  The Director General of Water Services' periodic review of prices for the period 2000–05 may be expected to offer reductions in average water and sewerage bills in April 2000.

  The Water Industry Act 1999 will, for the first time, require water companies to give householders a measure of choice in the method by which they are charged for water. Many pensioners, if they make comparatively small demands on the water system, will be able to benefit from the new statutory right to be charged on a measured basis free of initial cost. We propose to make regulations under the Act to provide protection for households who are particularly vulnerable to high measured charges because of unavoidable high water use, such as those with certain medical conditions.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure long-term reductions in water charges to domestic consumers. [89701]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the Water Industry Act 1991 the regulation of water and sewerage undertakers' price limits is for the Director General of Water Services. Changes 380
  in average charges for water and sewerage services must remain within limits set by the Director General for each company for each year. The Director General is currently conducting his periodic review of prices for the period 2000 to 2005. The Government have given guidance to the Director General on the environmental and water quality improvements to be delivered by 2005. We believe that these can be secured while offering reductions in average water and sewerage bills. The Director General expects to announce draft price limits for each undertaker later this month.

  Energy Efficiency (Pensioner Households)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department has taken to reduce the level of energy inefficiency in pensioner households. [89440]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government have developed a wide range of measures to improve domestic energy efficiency.

  The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is currently the main programme for insulating the homes of the neediest householders. The Scheme provides grants (up to a maximum of £315) for energy efficiency improvements in the homes of people on benefits, the disabled and the over-60s. Those aged 60 or over but not on a qualifying benefit are entitled to a 25 per cent. grant.

  On 11 May I launched our consultation proposals for revising and expanding HEES. With a budget of some £300 million for the first two years, New HEES will provide comprehensive packages of heating and insulation improvements. The programme will provide substantial help for over-60s on low income, including central heating systems, with a revised grant maximum of £1,800.

  The Government have also increased the annual Winter Fuel Payment to £100 for every eligible pensioner household. Pensioners can put this money towards the cost of their fuel bills, or to help fund energy efficiency improvements.

  In addition to a broad range of Government energy efficiency programmes, the Director General for Electricity has, since 1994, set Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance requiring the public energy suppliers to encourage and assist customers with energy efficiency measures. Around two thirds of this help has gone to pensioner and low-income families.

  Telecommunication Masts (Chilterns)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about applications to erect telecommunication masts in the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty. [89867]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department received two representations about a proposed mast at Chisley Wood, Buckmoorend.

  Traffic Census (M56)
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost to the local economy of his Department's traffic census on the M56 in May. [89441]
  381
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The relationship between delays to traffic and their impact on the local economy is complex and cannot be estimated for a one-off incident of this nature.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost to his Department of the traffic census carried out on the M56 in May. [89444]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The census point on the M56/Princes Parkway site was one of 70 sites being surveyed for DETR, to monitor the effect of the completion of the Manchester Outer Ring Road (M60) Denton to Middleton. The average cost per site was about £4,000.

  Remand Provisions (Housing Act 1996)
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will bring into force the commencement order for the remand provisions associated with section 152(2)(b) of and Schedule 15 to the Housing Act 1996. [89443]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department is aware that some local authorities take the view that non-implementation of certain provisions in Part V of the Housing Act 1996 (Conduct of Tenants) is hampering their efforts to deal with anti-social behaviour on estates. My Department is actively considering this issue and is discussing with the Lord Chancellor's Department the best way forward. I will write to my hon. Friend when we have reached a decision.

  Departmental Car Pool
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cars are available for the use of(a) his Department's Ministers, (b) his Department's officials and (c) executives and officials of his Department's non-Governmental bodies and agencies. [88087]

  Mr. Prescott
  [pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1999, c.288]: The position at March 1999 was as follows:

  Number of cars

  (a) Ministers

  19

  (b) DETR (Central)

  25

  (c) Agencies

  181

  1leased from GCDA

  2one leased from GCDA

  In addition, the Department owns or leases 25 cars at the MAVIS (Mobility Advice Vehicle Information Service) Mobility Unit at Crowthorne. These cars are specially adapted for disabled assessment and although this is their primary purpose some are occasionally used by DETR officials on official business.

  Information is not kept centrally for non-Government bodies.

  My Department also has a shared responsibility (with DTI and DfEE) for the operational management of the Government Offices for the Regions. As at March 1999, there were 79 cars available for use of officials of these three departments.

SCOTLAND

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89684]

  Dr. Reid
  Information on market and opinion research carried out by The Scottish Office, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sports Clubs
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of allowing voluntary sports clubs to become eligible for charity status. [88747]

  Mr. Banks
  The Charity Commission is currently undertaking a review of the Recreational Charities Act 1958, in which I am taking a close interest with Home Office colleagues who are responsible for charity issues. The outcome of the review will inform a subsequent public consultation about the charitable status of community based sports clubs. I understand that Sport England will make the case for a change to enable sports clubs to benefit from the many advantages that charitable status can offer. The Government will consider carefully the responses to the consultation.

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the European Communities working groups which met over the last 12 months with a representative from his Department in attendance; if he will list the number of times each met; if he will indicate the nature of the Government's representation; and if he will make a statement. [88482]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Officials from my Department regularly attend meetings of Council working groups. Occasionally, my Department is represented by officials from the United Kingdom's Permanent Representation of the European Union. I have listed in the table the working groups with which my Department is most closely involved, and the number of meetings attended in the last 12 months.

  Meetings attended

  Audiovisual

  9

  Cultural affairs

  16

  Economic questions (tourism)

  15

  Intellectual property

  13

  1DTI lead

  Lottery Funding
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if lottery funds from the World Class Performance Programme will be available for(a) chess,

  383
  (b) bridge, (c) pigeon racing and (d) hang-gliding when the new financial directions for the lottery come into force. [89142]

  Mr. Banks
  As a sport recognised by the UK and home Sports Councils, hang-gliding is eligible to apply for Lottery Sports funding. Lottery funds are, however, not unlimited and it will be necessary for the Sports Councils, when looking at applications, to prioritise and target awards based on criteria which they have established as the statutory distributors of Lottery funding for sport.

  Currently, UK Sport and the four home country Sports Councils do not recognise bridge, chess and pigeon racing and are not eligible to receive Lottery Sports funding. We will seek to amend existing legislation when parliamentary time allows so that chess may become eligible for Lottery sports funding. The final details of the Bill have yet to be determined and we will consider again later in the year whether to extend these changes to other activities such as bridge.

  Sports Governing Bodies
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers the United Kingdom sports councils have to delegate the handling of small grants to member clubs to the governing bodies of sports; and who will be responsible for assessing whether those governing bodies have adequate administrative controls. [89145]

  £000

  1994–1995

  1995–1996

  1996–1997

  1997–1998

  1998–1999

  British Library

  Grant-in-aid

  75,171

  80,364

  84,324

  87,200

  82,364

  Newspaper Library

  Total gross expenditure

  2,176

  2,145

  2,400

  2,199

  2,020

  Total net (grant-in-aid) expenditure

  1,423

  1,337

  1,667

  1,476

  1,222

  Archiving and filming (gross)

  1,034

  1,126

  1,203

  1,044

  978

  Public services (gross)

  436

  446

  468

  496

  469

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the estimated durability and life expectancy of post-1850 newspaper newsprint copies held in the national newspaper collections. [89109]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Newspapers produced in the last 150 years have not been made to last. It is estimated that the durability of newsprint is unlikely to be more than 60 years. After this time, the paper is too brittle to be handled. The British Library is addressing the problem in its retrospective transfer of newsprint to microfilm and the continuing process of microfilming all issues of UK daily and weekly national and regional newspapers received under legal deposit.

  The Library is also a subscriber to Newsplan, a co-operative programme devised by public libraries, national libraries and the newspaper industry for microfilming and preservation of local newspapers and for making them accessible to users. It is estimated that, since the late 1980s, over 14,000 reels of microfilm, each corresponding to a bound volume of historic local newspapers, have been filmed by the Newspaper Library for Newsplan. In March this year, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £5 million in support of Newsplan.
  384
  Mr. Banks
  As independent corporate bodies set up by Royal Charter, it is for the UK and the four home country Sports Councils to determine their own spending and distribution priorities, to enable the most efficient and effective use of the public funds made available to them. Some of these funds are directed as grant-in-aid to sports governing bodies. The Sports Councils, as Lottery distributing bodies, have powers to delegate the handling of any grants made to governing bodies, member clubs and other groups. The Chief Executive of the Sports Councils act as Accounting Officers for the funding they receive and distribute and are explicitly required to ensure that any organisations given powers of delegation have suitable administrative controls and systems.

  Newspapers
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for each of the last five years, how much funding was allocated to(a) the British Library, (b) Colindale Newspaper Library, (c) archiving and filming at Colindale Newspaper Library and (d) public services at Colindale Newspaper Library. [89106]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The allocations to the four categories requested are shown in cash, excluding depreciation, internal charges and internal income. They are direct costs and exclude overheads, e.g. estates expenditure.

  Acid Paper
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to discourage the use of acid paper for the printing of books, newspapers and paper records; and if he will make a statement. [89110]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The National Preservation Office at the British Library (in conjunction with the Library Association and the Society of Archivists) has for several years been instrumental in promoting actively the use of acid free paper, particularly to the UK publishing community. Resolutions for the use of permanent paper were adopted by the International Publishers Association in 1989, and by UNESCO IN 1997.

  Newspapers (Microfilm)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) in the national newspaper collections, how many(a) national and (b) regional newspaper titles have (i) been copied onto microfilm and (ii) remain to be copied; and, on present estimates, how long it is forecast that it will take to complete the task; [89107]
  385
  (2) for each of the last five years, how many (a) national and (b) regional newspaper titles have been copied onto microfilm by the national newspaper library collections. [89108]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  On current microfilming, since 1986, the policy of the British Library Newspaper Library at Colindale has been to film all issues of UK daily and weekly national and regional newspapers received through legal deposit.

  The following numbers of newspaper "titles" were in publication and received through legal deposit in each of the five years:

  Year

  National titles

  Regional daily and weekly titles

  1994–95

  31

  627

  1995–096

  31

  694

  1996–97

  30

  711

  1997–98

  30

  709

  1998–99

  30

  706

  The serial nature of newspaper publication means that the transfer of newsprint to microfilm is a continuous process. The transfer of issues of national titles to microfilm has been given high priority and this programme is up-to-date. Material awaiting transfer from issues of regional newspaper titles would constitute five years' microfilming at present output levels.

  Retrospective transfer of newsprint to microfilm is undertaken in response to customer demand (self-funded) and in the light of conservation requirements within allocated budgets.

  The total number of preservation frames microfilmed from newspapers in the last five years is:

  Year

  Number frames

  1994–95

  9,976,710

  1995–96

  11,127,221

  1996–97

  15,502,623

  1997–98

  11,608,279

  1998–99

  8,288,201

  The Library has increased its allocation for current and retrospective microfilming in 1999–2000 by 37 per cent. over the previous year with a view to targeting production of 11.5 million frames. Further increases are planned for the following two years.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, for each year since the introduction of the National Lottery,(a) the percentage of income derived from sales in Scotland and (b) the percentage of charitable awards paid to Scottish-based voluntary organisations and charities. [89659]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: Total National Lottery ticket sales to date have reached £21 billion, of which sales in Scotland account for £1.6 billion (7.8 per cent. of ticket sales). Registered charities in Scotland have received 9.1 per cent. of all
  386
  awards going to registered charities in the UK. Awards to voluntary organisations are not separately identified. The following table sets out the position in each year.

  Shares for Scotland

  Percentage

  Ticket sales for Scotland as percentage of the sales

  Scotland total awarded to registered charities as a percentage of awards to all charities

  1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995

  7.9

  15.2

  1 April 1995 to 31 March 1996

  7.8

  8.2

  1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997

  7.7

  11.3

  1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998

  7.7

  7.8

  1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999

  8.1

  8.6

  Total

  7.8

  9.1

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Law Reform Bills (Parliamentary Scrutiny)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the Government's response to the Law Commission recommendation for parliamentary procedural reform to facilitate scrutiny of law reform Bills. [87779]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I met the Chairman of the Law Commission on 22 June, after publication of the 33rd annual report, to discuss the enactment of Law Commission Bills. There are already special procedures in both Houses for such Bills, but modernisation of parliamentary procedures may in time create other opportunities for their scrutiny. The Government attach great importance to the work of the Law Commission. Where the Government do accept that the Commission's proposals merit legislation, we will seek to make the best use of available parliamentary time and procedures.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Attorney-General how many cases there were in 1998 which were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for criminal proceedings in which no further action was taken. [89178]

  The Attorney-General
  The table shows the number of cases which the Crown Prosecution Service received from the police, and the number which the Service finalised, during 1998. Both figures are inclusive of cases submitted for pre-charge advice and non-criminal proceedings, and the number of these are shown separately.

  The number and proportion of cases in which a prosecution did not proceed are then shown. These outcomes are divided into cases discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service, and those which were written off because the defendant could not be traced or had died, or because proceedings were adjourned indefinitely.
  387
  Finally, the number and proportion of cases in which a prosecution proceeded are shown, divided into those where the defendant was bound over, those which proceeded to a committal hearing, and those which proceeded to a trial or guilty plea.

  A prosecution did not proceed in 251,167 cases, amounting to 18.5 per cent. of those completed during the year. However, it would not be true to say that no further action was taken in those cases. Every case received by the Crown Prosecution Service is reviewed by a lawyer, who must ascertain whether there is sufficient reliable and admissible evidence to offer a realistic prospect of conviction. If so, then the reviewing lawyer must determine whether a prosecution is in the public interest. The criteria on which these decisions are based are set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors, and are applied in every case.

  If the balance of the evidence or the public interest weigh against a prosecution then the police must be consulted, wherever time allows, before a decision is taken.

  Review is a continuing process, extending up until the point at which a hearing begins. Thus a case may proceed as far as the date of the trial before the need for discontinuance becomes apparent and, in these circumstances, the prosecution will have taken all the action necessary to prepare for a contested hearing.

  More than half of discontinued cases are unable to proceed because: witnesses fail to appear at court, refuse to give evidence, or change their evidence; defendants produce driving documents providing their innocence on the day of trial; evidence is excluded because of irregularities in its collection; or gaps in the prosecution case cannot be plugged by the police

  Cases not proceeding include those written off as well as those discontinued. However, these are quite distinct outcomes: a write off is an administrative procedure whereby dormant cases are removed from the record of live proceedings, so giving a more accurate account of work on hand. The majority of write offs occur where the police cannot trace a defendant for the service of a summons, or where a bench warrant for arrest remains unexecuted following the defendant's failure to surrender to bail. If the defendant is subsequently arrested, the prosecution can recommence.

  Crown Prosecution Service Magistrates' Court cases 1998

  Number

  Percentage

  Received

  1,427,837

  —

  Finalised of which

  1,430,555

  —

  Pre-charge advice

  59,799

  —

  Non-criminal proceedings

  11,660

  —

  Did not proceed

  Discontinued

  162,661

  12.0

  Written off

  88,506

  6.5

  Total cases which did not proceed

  2,51,167

  18.5

  Cases proceeding

  Bind over

  24,914

  1.8

  Committal hearing

  95,073

  7.0

  Trial or Guilty plea

  987.943

  72.7

  Total cases proceeding

  1,107,930

  81.5

CABINET OFFICE

  Genetic Modification Committees
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what(a) the relationship is between and (b) the relative responsibilities are of the (i) Interdepartmental Group on Genetic Modification Technology and (ii) MISC 6; [87827]

  (2) what is the membership of the Interdepartmental Group on Genetic Modification Technology; how often it has met; and if he will make a statement. [87826]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Interdepartmental Group on Genetic Modification Technology (IGGMOT) is an internal forum for officials across Government to co-ordinate policy matters on genetic modification. The Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification (MISC 6) is responsible for making decisions on Government policy in respect of biotechnology. IGGMOT supports the work of Ministers by ensuring that the wide range of Government Departments with an interest in this issue are in close and regular contact with one another about developments. It is not the normal practice of Government to release details of internal discussions, advice to Ministers, specific meetings or their content. This principle is reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89693]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The information requested is not held centrally and is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Sector Staff (Transfers)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made on the Government's policy to protect the terms and conditions of public sector staff when they transfer to a new employer; and if he will make a statement. [90060]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  I have today published for public consultation a Statement of Practice for Staff Transfers in the Public Sector which should ensure that Public Private Partnership (PPP) deals and modernisation within the public sector go forward smoothly and guarantee fair and consistent treatment of employees rights—utilising the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)—TUPE—Regulations. The publication of this Statement reaffirms our commitment in the Modernising Government White Paper to support staff by presuming TUPE protections apply

  PPPs and organisational change within the public sector have a key part to play in delivering high-quality modern public services. I want future PPPs and organisational change to be conducted with the presumption that the protections of TUPE will apply unless there are genuinely exceptional reasons not to do so, ensuring that staff involved are treated fairly and consistently and their rights protected. Clarity and certainty about the treatment of staff involved in the modernisation of the public sector is

  389
  fair to staff, employers, contractors and taxpayers alike. The new Statement of Practice is designed to achieve this aim across the whole public sector

  The Statement of Practice, which includes the Chief Secretary's new policy for protecting pensions in PFI and PPP deals—14 June 1999, Official Report, column 30—will now be subject to a 3-month public consultation exercise

  The Statement of Practice, following the public consultation exercise, will apply to Government Departments and Agencies and the intention is to apply it to the NHS. I hope that other public sector employers will also apply its principles, and the Government will encourage and facilitate that outcome

  Copies of "Staff Transfers in the Public Sector; Statement of Practice" have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Genetic Modification
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will set out the terms of reference for the inquiry he has established into the unauthorised disclosure of material relating to the public presentation of genetically modified issues. [89452]

  Year

  Pre registration house Officer

  Student nurse

  Grade D nurse

  Trainee MLSO (Biomedical scientist)

  MLSO 1 (Biomedical Scientist)

  1990

  9.5% from 1.1.1991 (7.0% from 1.4.1990)

  13.9% from 1.1.1991 (7.0% from 1.4.1990

  9.0% (7.0% from 1.4.1990)

  7.9%

  12.2%

  1991

  9.5% from 1.12.1991 (7.5% from 1.4.1991)

  11% from 1.12.1991 (7.5% from 1.4.1991)

  9.6% (7.5% from 1.4.1991)

  11.3%

  7.9%

  1992

  5.5%

  6.0%

  5.8%

  6.8%

  4.8%

  1993

  1.5%

  1.5%

  1.5%

  1.5%

  1.5%

  1994

  3.0%

  3.0%

  3.0%

  2.6%

  2.4%

  1995

  2.5%

  1.0% national with 2.0% agreed locally

  1.0% national with 2.0% agreed locally

  1.0% national with 2.0% agreed locally

  1.0% national with 2.0% agreed locally

  1996

  6.8%

  **

  2.0% plus local pay (2.8% as baseline for 1997 pay)

  2.0% plus local pay (2.8% as baseline for 1997 pay)

  2.0% plus local pay (2.8% as baseline for 1997 pay)

  1997

  3.75% from 1.12.1997

  —

  4.1% from 1.12.1997 (2.0% from 1.4.1997)

  3.3% from 1.12.1997 (2.0% from 1.4.1997)

  3.3% from 1.12.1997 (2.0% from 1.4.1997)

  1998

  4.55% from 1.12.1998

  —

  3.8% from 1.12.1998 (2.0% from 1.4.1998)

  3.8% from 1.12.1998 (2.0% from 1.4.1998)

  3.8% from 1.12.1998 (2.0% from 1.4.1998)

  1999

  3.5%

  —

  112.0%

  Under negotiation

  Under negotiation

  1Increase for lowest point of scale.

  Notes:

  1. All staged settlements are shown in full with the date of implementation first, followed by initial payment and date.

  2. In 1993 all settlements in the public sector were agreed at 1.5%.

  * Project 2000 nurse training was fully implemented so all trainees receive a bursary.

  Biomedical Scientists are classed as Medical Laboratory Scientific Officers (MLSOs) for pay and grading purposes.

  Pay Offers for 1999, now subject to consultation by Staff Side with their members, would give trainee MLSOs between 6.6% and 26% and 7.1% to all MLSO1s.

  Source:

  Advance Letters, Report of Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives and Health Visitors.

  GP Lists (Removals)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will implement the Health Ombudsman's recommendation that health authorities review removals from GPs' lists and conduct research on such removals. [87971]
  390
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  An inquiry was established by the Secretary of the Cabinet on 2 March 1999 to establish the facts regarding the unauthorised disclosure of a Cabinet Office document concerning genetically modified foods.

HEALTH

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to announce the consultation arrangements in respect of the report of the Centre for Policy on Aging on National Standards for Residential and Nursing Homes, presented to him on 19 January; and if he will make a statement. [85047]

  Mr. Hutton
  We intend to publish the Centre for Policy on Aging report during the summer for full and extensive consultation

  Medical Staff (Pay)
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the percentage increase in pay for trainee and newly qualified(a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) biomedical scientists in each year from 1990 to 1999. [86468]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is shown in the table

  Mr. Denham
  In his evidence to the Select Committee on Public Administration, Sir Alan Langlands made a commitment to further research into the reasons why general practitioners remove patients from their lists. Funding has been arranged for this and a steering group, which will include representation from the General Practitioners Committee, will be set up

  Junior Doctors
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what will be the hourly rate of pay for house officers working in hospitals on 31 December 1999 and 1 January 2000. [88066]

  Mr. Denham
  Those staff who are required by roster to work in hospitals on 31 December 1999 and 1 January 2000 will receive their normal rate of pay: 100 per cent. for their standard hours, and payments for additional duty hours at the rate appropriate to their working pattern. Doctors rostered for duty on either of these two bank holidays will also receive time off in lieu.

  The payment of additional duty hours (ADHs) for a 72 hour week adds an extra 40 per cent. to the basic salary of a junior doctor, enhancing the basic salary from £16,710 for a first year house officer to £23,394 when ADHs are included.

  Pay for first year house officers expressed as an hourly rate is £8.04 for each standard hour of duty. A class 1 (full shift) additional duty hour (ADH) will be paid at £8.04; a class 2 (partial shift) ADH will be paid at £5.63; and a class 3 (on-call) ADH will be paid at £4.02. Doctors in more senior training grades will receive higher pay rates according to their incremental point: for example, a specialist registrar on the fourth point of scale would receive ADHs at the hourly rate of £12.90, £9.63 and £6.45 respectively. The basic salary scale for an SpR is from £23,300 to £33,965. When ADH rates are included the total salary payable ranges from £32,617 to £45,571. For senior house officers the basic salary scale is from £20,845 to £27,845 and, including ADHs, the total salary payable ranges from £29,176 to £38,993

  Diamorphine
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has made recommendations on dosages of Diamorphine that can be given to patients suffering from a terminal condition. [87990]

  Ms Jowell
  In June 1998 the Department endorsed and distributed throughout the National Health Service three documents of good practice in palliative care, produced by the National Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services. One of these documents was "Guidelines for Managing Cancer Pain in Adults", which was designed for use by health professionals in primary care and institutional settings and includes guidance on dosages of Diamorphine for terminally ill patients. Copies are available in the Library.

  Women's Unit
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) reports and (b) research have been produced by the Women's Unit; when these were produced; and which have been published. [88388]
  392
  Ms Jowell
  The Women's Unit has produced the following:(a) Reports and Guidance

  National Childcare Strategy (with Department for Education and Employment) May 1998

  Policy Appraisal for equal treatment, (with the Home Office and DfEE) on 9 November 1999

  Delivering for women: Progress so far, on 9 November 1998

  4th Report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, on 15 January 1999

  (b) Research

  Tackling violence against women, on 9 November 1998

  Researching Women's Attitudes, on 9 November 1998

  Women's Individual Income (with Government Statistical Services, and Department of Social Security Analytical Services Division), on 26 March 1999

  Women's attitudes to combining paid work and family life, on 31 March 1999

  Citizens' Juries: An appraisal of their role based on the conduct of two women only jurie, on 31 March 1999

  Relationship Breakdown: a Guide for Social Landlords (with Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Department of Health), on 18 May 1999

  Living Without Fear: An integrated approach to tackling violence against women, on 30 June 1999.

  The reports and research have all been published. The Women's Unit has also contributed to a wide range of other Government publications and reports.

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the European Communities working groups which met over the last 12 months with a representative from his Department in attendance; if he will list the number of times each met; if he will indicate the nature of the Government's representation; and if he will make a statement. [88473]

  Ms Jowell
  Officials from the Department regularly attend meetings of Council working groups. Occasionally the Department is represented by officials from the United Kingdom's Permanent Representation to the European Union. The Department is most closely involved with the Health working group which has met 18 times in the last 12 months. Officials from the Department also attend meetings of the Economic Questions. Social Affairs, and Youth working groups when relevant issues are discussed.

  Influenza
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of last winter's influenza epidemic to his Department. [88774]

  Ms Jowell
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Cancer Services
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1999,Official Report, column 416, if he will list the cancer centres in the West Midlands. [88734]
  393
  Mr. Hutton
  The following hospitals in the West Midlands Region have designated cancer centres:

  University Hospital Birmingham National Health Services Trust

  Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust

  Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

  North Staffordshire NHS Trust

  Royal Shrewsbury Hospital NHS Trust, which is a joint cancer centre with North Staffordshire Hospital Trust cancer centre.

  These centres are designated for treating certain types of cancer, and not necessarily all cancers

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the percentage profit made by drug companies on each individual drug used in cancer treatment. [88729]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government indirectly control the prices of branded prescription medicines supplied to the National Health Service by the pharmaceutical industry through the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). Companies have freedom of pricing for new medicines launched on the market, although the PPRS controls the profits that pharmaceutical companies are allowed t make through their trade with the NHS.

  Under the PPRS, pharmaceutical companies are required to submit annual financial returns to the Department of Health reporting, among other things, sales, research and development expenditure, other costs and profits. These returns, however, are reported in aggregate form. It is not possible, therefore, to identify separately the profits made by pharmaceutical companies on individual medicines.

  Special Advisers (Costs)
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will (1) list the total number of occasions when(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997; [76828]

  (2) what was the total cost, including travel and accommodation, of each occasion when a special adviser from his Department travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997, whether accompanied by a Minister or not, indicating the place visited. [89066]

  Ms Jowell
  Between 2 May 1997 and 30 June 1999, special advisers have accompanied my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State abroad on six occasions to America, Brussels and Madrid at a total cost of £6,370.

  All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Maternity Units
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the midwife lead maternity units without a full consultant unit on site [88930]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department does not collect the information requested. Details of local maternity service provision can be obtained from health authorities and individual National Health Service trusts. They are 394
  responsible for decisions about patterns of service delivery taking account of the needs of local people, evidence of effectiveness and available resources.

  Vaccinations
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the present methods of reporting adverse reactions to vaccination; and if he will make a statement. [88806]

  Ms Jowell
  The safety of medicines, including vaccines, in the United Kingdom is continuously monitored by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and the Medicines Control Agency (MCA). Various data sources are used including spontaneously reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs), company produced periodic safety update reports, clinical trials and epidemiological studies such as the recent North Thames study on MMR vaccine.

  Under the UK spontaneous reporting (Yellow Card) Scheme, doctors, dentists, hospital pharmacists and coroners may report adverse drug reactions to the CSM and MCA. Pharmaceutical companies have a statutory obligation to report suspected adverse reactions received world wide in relation to their products.

  The Yellow Card Scheme is regularly reviewed by the MCA and CSM and initiatives are undertaken to strengthen reporting when necessary.

  The reporting of suspected ADRs to vaccines through the Yellow Card Scheme was specifically reviewed by the MCA and CSM in 1997.

  Market Testing
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been given to NHS trusts on market testing their insurance requirements; and if he will make a statement. [89081]

  Mr. Denham
  Historically, National Health Service trusts have not been required to market test their insurance requirements. As with other goods and services, however, they have been expected to obtain best value for money. Since 1 April this year trusts have only been permitted to renew commercial insurance to cover motor vehicle risks. They are now able to cover other non-clinical risks—mainly buildings, property and liabilities—by membership of two new NHS risk pools established under Section 21 of the NHS and Community Care Act, 1990. Alternatively, they may choose to self-indemnify. These new arrangements are already significantly reducing the overall cost of insurance to the NHS, releasing additional money for patient care.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the planned cost of NHS Direct in the current year. [89060]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: £54 million has been allocated in 1999–2000 to NHS Direct.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls have been made to the NHS Direct phone line to date; and what was the average cost per call. [89057]
  395
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: Over 250,000 calls have been made to the NHS Direct phone line since its launch in March 1998. While call volumes are building up rapidly it is not possible to provide a realistic estimate of the average cost per call.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change has been recorded in the number of visits to general practitioners' surgeries and accident and emergency units in those areas where the first three pilots of NHS Direct were established. [89054]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: Sheffield University's Medical Care Research Unit has been commissioned to carry out an evaluation of the first wave pilots of NHS Direct. Data, in their first interim report published in March 1999, on the impact of NHS Direct on other services covered only the first 5 months of operation of NHS Direct and the researchers concluded that it would have been surprising to have seen any measurable impact at such an early stage. Monitoring of this data is continuing and a further report will be published later in the year.

  GP Consultations
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the cost of an average GP consultation in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99; and what is the forecast cost for 1999–2000 [89058]

  (2) how many general practitioner consultations took place in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99; and what number is forecast for 1999–2000 [89059]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: The information is not available in the form requested. The latest information collected (and published as figure 4.18 in the Departmental Report for 1999–2000) relates to 1996–97 when there were estimated to be 270.97 million consultations with general practitioners. These data were based on the General Household Survey and may overestimate the number of consultations.

  Hospital Waiting Times (Oxfordshire)
  Mr. Heseltine
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of patients waiting over 13 weeks for an outpatient appointment following a written referral from their GP in the Oxfordshire Health Authority area in(a) March 1996, (b) March 1997, (c) March 1998 and (d) March 1999. [89072]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) These figures were not collected.

  (b) These figures were not collected.

  (c) 1,136

  (d) 2,006.

  GP Prescribing
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the cost effectiveness of GP prescribing. [89091]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government continue to encourage general practitioners to prescribe cost effectively. A number of measures are in place to help them to achieve this, for example the employment of prescribing advisers 396
  by health authorities. Recent developments such as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will also help to ensure cost effective prescribing.

  Patient Satisfaction Survey
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on publishing patient satisfaction survey results for each NHS trust [89084]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are committed to publishing national and local results of the national survey of National Health Service patients. As part of this programme, a survey of patients with coronary heart disease is underway, and we expect to publish headline results in due course.

  Health Products
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to health specialists on the altered status of particular health substances following the Government's consultation document MLX 249. [89290]

  Ms Jowell
  No guidance is required. The proposals in the consultation document MLX 249 will not alter the status or classification of health products.

  Processed Food (Salt Content)
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his discussions with the food industry on reducing the salt content of processed food [89298]

  Ms Jowell
  Following initial discussions between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Joint Food Safety and Standards Group and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) which represents the food and drink manufacturing industry) to explore the scope for broadening public choice in, and reducing, the salt content of processed foods, the FDF has announced that it will be conducting a systematic review of the purpose and usage of sodium in manufactured foods. We have welcomed this review.

  Millennium Compliance (West Kent)
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that the computer systems in use by the West Kent Health Authority are millennium compliant and that hospital and health provision will not be affected on 1 January 2000; [89185]

  (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that the computer systems in use by the Kent Ambulance Service are millennium compliant and that emergency services will not be affected on 1 January 2000. [89184]

  Mr. Denham
  Detailed local arrangements for the National Health Service and social services in planning for winter 1999–2000 including the millennium period were set out in a joint circular to the National Health Service and Social Services (LAC(99)15) in April 1999. Copies are available in the Library.
  397
  Kent Ambulance NHS Trust and West Kent Health Authority are making good progress towards ensuring year 2000 compliance.

  Progress is monitored quarterly by the National Health Service Executive to ensure robust arrangements are in place to deliver services for the coming winter including the millennium period

  Cloning
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on therapeutic cloning of human tissue [89181]

  Ms Jowell
  The use of cloning techniques on non-embryonic human cells and tissue is a long-established medical practice for the treatment of serious disorders. This may include treatment using vaccines developed with cloning technology, or tissue grants such as skin for burn victims.

  In December 1998 the joint Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC) and Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) report "Cloning Issues in Reproduction, Science and Medicine" was published. The Report recommended, among other things, that the Government should consider making regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to extend the purposes for which human embryos may be used in research to include particular therapeutic purposes.

  The Government's response to the joint HGAC/HFEA report, 24 June 1999, Official Report, column 436, reaffirmed their policy that human reproductive cloning is ethically unacceptable and cannot take place in this country. However, we recognise that the recommendation to extend the regulations to allow research for particular therapeutic purposes should be very carefully considered. We believe that more evidence is required of the need for using human embryos in such research, its potential benefits and risks and also that account should be taken of alternative approaches that might achieve the same ends.

  We announced that a group chaired by the Chief Medical Officer would be set up to examine these issues and report early next year. We expect to announce the membership of that group shortly.

  Agency Nurses
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes(a) to monitor the cost of agency recruited nurses and (b) to give guidance to health purchasers on appropriate charges for agency nurses. [89383]

  Ms Jowell
  The National Health Service Executive is working with the Social Partnership Forum to review the use of bank and agency staff and the alternative approaches to employment flexibility, with a view to recommending good practice guidance to NHS employers.
  398
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost to the NHS in London of(a) hiring a nurse through an agency and (b) recruiting a nurse of comparable grade through the NHS. [89382]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally

  NHS Staff Pay
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the letter dated 1 February sent by the Chief Executive of the NHS to NHS trusts and health authorities concerning pay for staff in 1999–2000 [89587]

  Mr. Denham
  Copies of the letter have been placed in the Library.

  Clinical Terms
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the formal review of Read Codes 3 will take place. [89651]

  Mr. Denham:
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt) on 14 April 1999, Official Report, columns 270–71.

  The independent evaluation of the Read Codes is taking place in the following three stages.

  (i) An assessment of the need for clinical terminology and the robustness of Clinical Terms Version 3 against alternatives;

  (ii) Development of a methodology for evaluating clinical codes in use;

  (iii) A process of continuous evaluation in live use in clinical practice.

  The first stage has been completed, and copies of the report are available in the Library. A contract has been awarded after open competition to First Consulting Group for the second stage. The methodology for the evaluation of clinical terminology will be developed by September 1999. It will then be rigorously trialled in the National Health Service in preparation for stage 3.

  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner practices are using Read Codes Version 3. [89647]

  Mr. Denham
  Records indicate that 41 software system suppliers to the National Health Service have licences giving them access to Version 3 of the Read Codes (CTV3). Suppliers are building systems to support CTV3 to underpin the development of the Electronic Patients Record in full. Current software in common use by general practitioners is based on earlier versions of the Read Codes.

  The NHS Executive intends to mandate the use of a coded clinical terminology (currently Clinical Terms Version 3 (Read Codes)) which is a central plank of the NHS Information Management and Technology Strategy "Information for Health", published in September 1998. This is a pre-requisite for the development of the Electronic Health record which is the cornerstone of the strategy.
  399
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis Mr. Roger Browell was selected for the Phase 1 Read Codes Review [89656]

  Mr. Denham
  Roger Browell was selected for the Phase 1 Read Codes evaluation via the Strategic Assignment Consultancy Service (SACS) of the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA).

  SACS is an established service whereby CCTA procures consultants with a wide experience of Information Services and Information Technology. CCTA was asked to procure an independent consultant with no previous input to the work area in order to maintain independence.

  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts are using Read Codes Version 3 on a hospital-wide basis; and in which hospitals. [89646]

  Mr. Denham
  Licensing records indicate that 41 software system suppliers to the National Health Service and 149 NHS trusts have access to Version 3 of the Read Codes. Records also indicate that the Version 2 terms in a Version 3 file format is used in Scotland and by one system supplier with several sites in England.

  Health Act 1999
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to use his order-making powers under schedule 3 of the Health Bill [Lords]. [89464]

  Mr. Denham
  The powers in Section 60 of what is now the Health Act 1999 allow for the regulation of new professions and the strengthening of existing regulatory schemes by Order. We intend to use these powers to fulfil our commitment to work with the professions to strengthen and modernise the existing systems of health professional self-regulation

  Clinical Negligence
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if NHS trusts are free to use private sector insurance to obtain clinical negligence cover [89354]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: There is no legal impediment to a National Health Service trust using commercial insurance for clinical negligence risks. However, the NHS Executive has always strongly discouraged trusts from doing so on the basis that it does

  Date

  Destination

  Project

  5–9 July

  Nicaragua and Honduras

  DFID Projects

  19–21 July

  Sierra Leone

  DFID Projects

  28–30 July

  Brussels

  Lome Ministerial meetings

  30August–September

  Bolivia

  DFID Project

  25–27 September

  Washington

  IMF/World Bank meetings

  29 September

  New York

  Ministerial Group on Environment and Poverty

  Both the Secretary of State's and my diaries for the rest of the year are likely to include speaking engagements and overseas travel which are as yet undetermined.

  My ministerial responsibilities involve working from offices in East Kilbride and London.
  400
  not represent good value for money, and trusts have accepted that advice. The Clinical Negligence Scheme for trusts was established to help trusts manage their clinical negligence liabilities. At present all trusts are members of that Scheme.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from whom the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts has sought reinsurance; and if the reinsurance was competitively tendered. [89355]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: The Clinical Negligence Scheme for trusts is a voluntary risk pooling scheme set up under Section 21 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to help NHS trusts manage their clinical negligence liabilities. It is self-funding through annual contributions from member trusts. At present all NHS trusts are members of the scheme. Individual members' contributions are assessed according to the type of services they provide and their past claims history.

  Prescriptions Charges
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which patients qualify for free prescriptions; which illnesses qualify patients for free prescriptions; and if he will make a statement [89663]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: The information requested is contained in leaflet HC11 "Are you entitled to help with health costs?", copies of which are available in the Library

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Visits
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what dates she and the Minister of State plan to be absent from the office in 1999; [89618]

  (2) what overseas visits are proposed for (a) her and (b) Ministers in her Department from 1 July to 1 December. [89617]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have planned overseas visits on Government business up to 1 December 1999 as follows:

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list actual and planned expenditure in each financial year by his
  401
  Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies on (a) market research, (b) conferences, (c) direct mail, (d) advertising and publicity, (e) opinion polling, (f) websites, (g) hospitality, (h) central administration costs and (i) external consultants and advisers on (i) summer literacy schools, (ii) the National Grid for Learning, (iii) the New Deal for Schools Phase 3 and (iv) special educational needs. [88182]

  Summer literacy schools

  £

  Year

  Market research

  Conferences

  Direct mailing

  Advertising and publicity

  Opinion polling

  Websites

  Hospitality

  Central administration Costs

  External consultants and advisers

  1997–98

  Planned

  0

  15,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2,500

  7,500

  Actual

  0

  15,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3,500

  7,500

  1998–99

  Planned

  0

  70,000

  4,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  12,000

  10,000

  Actual

  0

  70,000

  4,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10,500

  10,000

  1999–2000

  Planned

  0

  0

  4,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9,000

  0

  National Grid for Learning—departmental spend

  £

  Year

  Market research

  Conferences

  Direct mailing

  Advertising and publicity

  Opinion polling

  Websites

  Hospitality

  Central Administration Costs

  External consultants and advisers

  1997–98

  Planned

  0

  1—

  780

  44,000

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  22,900

  Actual

  0

  1—

  780

  44,000

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  22,900

  1998–99

  Planned

  0

  1—

  1—

  98,000

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  55,000

  Actual

  0

  1—

  1—

  98,000

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  55,000

  1999–2000

  Planned

  0

  50,000

  1—

  40,000

  0

  0

  0

  1—

  154,200

  1There costs were unable to be separated from total spend incurred in this category

  National Grid for Learning—spend incurred by British Educational Communications and Technology Agency

  £

  Year

  Market Research

  Conferences

  Direct mailing

  Advertising and publicity

  Opinion polling

  Websites

  Hospitality

  Central administration Costs

  External consultants and advisers

  1997–98

  Planned

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  285,000

  0

  1—

  0

  Actual

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  285,000

  0

  1—

  0

  1998–99

  Planned

  0

  0

  0

  27,000

  0

  330,000

  0

  333,900

  137,000

  Actual

  0

  0

  0

  27,000

  0

  330,000

  0

  333,900

  137,000

  1999–2000

  Planned

  0

  125,000

  0

  0

  0

  435,000

  0

  655,350

  430,000

  1These costs were unable to be separated from total spend incurred in this category

  402
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The following tables list the actual and planned expenditure for the financial years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 as appropriate. These costs represent expenditure which has been identified as additional to that which would have been incurred as part of the normal operational activity.
  403
  New Deal for Schools Phase 3

  There was no additional spend in any of the categories identified for the New Deal for Schools programme—Phase 3.

  Special educational needs

  Year

  Market research

  Conferences

  Direct mailing

  Advertising and publicity

  Opinion polling

  Websites

  Hospitality

  Central administration costs

  External consulants and advisers

  1997–98

  Planned

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Actual

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1998–99

  Planned

  0

  120,000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  64,528

  Actual

  0

  127,247

  1,750

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  64,528

  1999–2000

  Planned

  0

  32,500

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  127,204

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school playing fields were sold(a) between 1979 and 1997 and (b) from May 1997 to date; and how these figures were collated. [88662]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department did not collect information in the form requested before 1 October 1998, when section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 came into force. However, sports bodies suggest that under the previous Government 40 playing fields a month were being sold off. Since 1 October 1998 an average of 8 applications a month have been approved. Because of the tightening up of the rules, local authorities are usually only putting forward proposals which meet our very strict criteria which have been further strengthened by new guidance we published on 7 June.

  Schools Funding
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each local education authority the percentage share of the local schools' budget delegated to schools, calculated to take account of whether an authority has capitalised Standard Fund money or delegated it to schools.[89153]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Tables which the Government published on 24 June showed, in column 2, the percentage of each local education authority's Local Schools Budget being delegated to schools this year. Delegated funding in this context took into account that part of an authority's Standards Fund programme which they were devolving to schools. We expect authorities to exclude from their Local Schools Budget any grant-supported expenditure of a capital nature.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to implement the policies outlined in the Green Paper, Excellence for All Children: Meeting Special Educational Needs. [89339]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We received over 3,600 responses to consultation on the proposals in the Green Paper, "Excellence for all children: meeting special educational needs". In the light of those responses, and advice from the 404
  National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs, we published "Meeting Special Educational Needs: A programme of action" in November 1998. The Action Programme explains how we will implement our policies for children with special educational needs for the remainder of this Parliament.

  Deprived Areas (Educational Achievement)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to raise parents' expectations of their children's educational achievement in deprived areas. [89340]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Involving parents in their children's learning is crucial to raising their expectations and we are pursuing a number of initiatives to encourage them to be actively involved. Parents have an important role to play in helping to raise standards in Education Action Zones and in the new "Excellence in Cities" initiative.

  We are supporting family literacy and family numeracy courses, targeted on parents and children with low basic skills, often in deprived areas. Many parents are helping with our summer school pilots this year, several of which are targeted at pupils in deprived areas who might not otherwise have access to the opportunities offered. And our "Playing for Success" initiative is establishing study support centres with Premier League and Nationwide Division One football clubs, most of which are situated in deprived areas. The centres target local pupils who have lost motivation, involving their parents through pre-course meetings and questionnaires.

  The publication of school performance tables enables parents to look at the results obtained by similar schools and encourages them to demand more of those in which their children are educated.

  Head Teachers
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he has taken to increase the(a) support for and (b) training of head teachers. [89362]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor) on 10 June 1999,Official Report, column 390.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he has taken to monitor the impact of equal opportunities legislation on recruitment, pay and promotion opportunities of(a) male, (b) female, (c) disabled and (d) ethnic minority university research and teaching staff; and what were the results of this monitoring. [89563]

  Ms Hodge
  The Government have promoted the recommendation of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (the Dearing Committee) that all higher education institutions should review their Equal Opportunities policies, and identify and remove barriers to recruitment and progression for particular groups. The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and the Commission on University Career Opportunity are advising institutions on equal opportunities policies and monitoring their implementation in the sector.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local authority received the highest level of support through ethnic minority achievement grant for 1999–2000. [89439]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: In 1999–2000, Tower Hamlets local education authority will receive the highest level of support—an allocation of £8,125,390.

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local authority contributed the greatest amount towards ethnic minority achievement grant for 1999–2000. [89437]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: In 1999–2000, Bradford local education authority will make the greatest contribution—50 per cent. of its allocation of £7,569,000.

  LEAs (Strategic Management)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of its budget for strategic management in 1999–2000 as a percentage of that for management and administration in 1998–99; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant-maintained schools in 1998–99. [89740]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Direct comparison cannot be drawn between local authorities' estimated expenditure on management and administration for 1998–99 and their estimated expenditure on strategic management for 1999–2000 in view of the very different definitions set down in regulations. Figures extracted from the statements for 1998–99 prepared under section 122 of the Education Act 1996 and for 1999–2000 prepared under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 are provided in the following table.
  406

  £ million

  LEA name

  Management and administration 1989–90

  Strategic management (a) 1999–2000

  City of London

  0.044

  0.370

  Camden

  0.953

  *3.317

  Greenwich

  2.038

  *5.622

  Hackney

  1.023

  *4.536

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  0.881

  *1.787

  Islington

  0.960

  3.173

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1.339

  *1.998

  Lambeth

  1.069

  *3.511

  Lewisham

  2.157

  *5.041

  Southwark

  2.197

  *5.129

  Tower Hamlets

  2.644

  *5.113

  Wandsworth

  0.851

  *3.272

  Westminster

  2.07

  1.521

  Barking and Dagenham

  1.351

  1.692

  Barnet

  1.313

  *3.978

  Bexley

  1.607

  *4.198

  Brent

  1.393

  *2.800

  Bromley

  1.101

  *3.525

  Croydon

  1.041

  *3.666

  Ealing

  2.103

  *3.050

  Enfield

  2.354

  *4.669

  Haringey

  1.845

  *6.158

  Harrow

  1.081

  *3.670

  Havering

  0.876

  *3.146

  Hillingdon

  1.056

  *2.469

  Hounslow

  1.839

  *3.521

  Kingston upon Thames

  0.726

  *1.517

  Merton

  0.747

  *3.717

  Newham

  2.493

  *3.837

  Redbridge

  2.314

  *6.043

  Richmond upon Thames

  0.872

  1.936

  Sutton

  0.944

  *3.331

  Waltham Forest

  1.945

  *3.820

  Birmingham

  5.066

  *16.766

  Coventry

  2.355

  5.358

  Dudley

  1.006

  *4.929

  Sandwell

  1.605

  *5.990

  Solihull

  0.660

  *3.179

  Walsall

  1.510

  *4.690

  Wolverhampton

  1.755

  *3.430

  Knowsley

  1.582

  *4.354

  Liverpool

  6.489

  *9.387

  St. Helens

  1.504

  2.952

  Sefton

  2.996

  4.652

  Wirral

  1.938

  *7.380

  Bolton

  1.407

  *4.428

  Bury

  1.312

  *4.356

  Manchester

  4.085

  *15.706

  Oldham

  1.76

  3.533

  Rochdale

  1.225

  *3.780

  Salford

  2.097

  *4.706

  Stockport

  1.175

  4.128

  Tameside

  1.102

  *4.036

  Trafford

  1.303

  *3.321

  Wigan

  1.525

  3.733

  Barnsley

  0.872

  3.552

  Doncaster

  2.369

  *5.553

  Rotherham

  1.732

  2.639

  Sheffield

  2.751

  *8.831

  Bradford

  3.053

  *7.693

  Calderdale

  1.074

  *2.925

  Kirklees

  2.345

  *6.694

  Leeds

  3.157

  *10.747

  Wakefield

  1.763

  4.905

  Gateshead

  1.372

  4.439

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2.582

  9.114

  North Tyneside

  1.215

  *2.874

  South Tyneside

  1.012

  2.821

  Sunderland

  1.087

  3.771

  Isles of Scilly

  0.008

  0.119

  Bath and North East Somerset

  1.713

  *3.141

  Bristol City

  3.362

  6.767

  North Somerset

  1.266

  3.031

  South Gloucestershire

  1.859

  4.145

  Hartlepool

  0.866

  1.875

  Middlesbrough

  1.322

  3.277

  Redcar and Cleveland

  1.152

  2.949

  407

  £ million

  LEA name

  Management and administration 1989–90

  Strategic management (a) 1999–2000

  Stockton on Tees

  1.851

  4.281

  Hull City

  1.537

  3.948

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  2.436

  *4.290

  North East Lincolnshire

  1.273

  2.865

  North Lincolnshire

  1.448

  3.35

  North Yorkshire

  2.824

  *6.384

  York

  1.119

  1.957

  Bedfordshire

  2.980

  *3.468

  Luton

  1.453

  *3.444

  Buckinghamshire

  2.63

  *6.249

  Milton Keynes

  2.011

  *3.464

  Derbyshire

  2.713

  *8.883

  Derby City

  1.058

  *3.267

  Dorset

  2.811

  *5.584

  Poole

  0.944

  *1.725

  Bournemouth

  1.098

  *2.423

  Durham

  2.773

  7.070

  Darlington

  0.788

  0.981

  East Sussex

  2.176

  8.065

  Brighton and Hove

  2.571

  3.757

  Hampshire

  6.427

  *13.445

  Portsmouth

  1.307

  *3.006

  Southampton

  1.503

  *3.663

  Leicestershire

  3.755

  *8.311

  Leicester City

  1.833

  *5.068

  Rutland

  0.194

  *0.375

  Staffordshire

  3.084

  *10.131

  Stoke-on-Trent

  2.495

  *3.617

  Wiltshire

  2.047

  *5.732

  Swindon

  0.903

  *2.268

  Bracknell Forest

  1.036

  2.384

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  1.023

  *2.249

  West Berkshire

  0.958

  *3.034

  Reading

  0.885

  *2.251

  Slough

  0.607

  *1.484

  Wokingham

  1.465

  *3.632

  Cambridgeshire

  2.37

  *6.946

  Peterborough City

  0.909

  *2.801

  Cheshire

  2.508

  *8.714

  Halton

  0.689

  *3.791

  Warrington

  0.983

  2.966

  Devon

  2.706

  *8.375

  Plymouth City

  2.523

  *3.828

  Torbay

  1.099

  *2.811

  Essex

  3.674

  *17.648

  Southend-on-Sea

  0.486

  *1.662

  Thurrock

  0.740

  *2.657

  Herefordshire

  1.088

  2.558

  Worcestershire

  2.692

  *7.175

  Kent

  7.771

  *24.551

  Medway Towns

  1.876

  *4.485

  Lancashire

  4.852

  *13.013

  Blackburn with Darwen

  1.880

  *2.814

  Blackpool

  0.494

  1.669

  Nottinghamshire

  0.527

  *9.140

  Nottingham City

  1.608

  *2.481

  Shropshire

  1.286

  *4.071

  Telford and Wrekin

  0.771

  *2.712

  Cornwall

  2.278

  *5.464

  Cumbria

  1.282

  *5.162

  Gloucestershire

  1.915

  *5.783

  Hertfordshire

  1.401

  *11.978

  Isle of Wight

  0.624

  3.168

  Lincolnshire

  2.125

  *6.273

  Norfolk

  2.566

  *9.102

  Northamptonshire

  2.900

  *7.697

  Northumberland

  2.045

  *4.430

  Oxfordshire

  2.051

  *3.013

  Somerset

  0.935

  *3.450

  Suffolk

  2.535

  8.384

  Surrey

  4.312

  *9.980

  Warwickshire

  1.912

  *5.691

  West Sussex

  3.112

  *9.706

  England

  274.155

  734.042

  LEAs with grant-maintained schools

  LEAs (Schools Budgets)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of the schools components of its Standard Spending Assessment for 1999–2000 as a percentage of the value of those components for 1998–99; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant maintained schools in 1998–99. [89738]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows, for each local education authority, the value of the Schools Standard Spending Assessments (SSA) for 1999–2000 and 1998–99, and the former expressed as a percentage of the latter, ranked by this percentage. Schools SSA has been interpreted as an authority's total SSA excluding the "Other" block. Local education authorities with grant maintained schools in 1998–99 are indicated by an asterisk.

  A Schools SSA 1999–2000 £ million

  B Schools SSA 1998–99 £ million

  Percentage A/B

  Swindon

  71.394

  *65.630

  108.8

  Kensington and Chelsea

  36.522

  *33.726

  108.3

  Redbridge

  114.800

  *106.051

  108.2

  Trafford

  88.508

  *81.915

  108

  105.577

  *97.865

  107.9

  Torbay

  48.404

  *44.914

  107.8

  Westminster

  61.744

  57.347

  107.7

  Lambeth

  104.611

  *97.205

  107.6

  Dorset

  131.751

  *122.506

  107.5

  Newham

  151.616

  *141.033

  107.5

  Herefordshire

  59.594

  55.448

  107.5

  Blackpool

  50.928

  47.402

  107.4

  Southwark

  118.447

  *110.258

  107.4

  Waltham Forest

  106.917

  *99.612

  107.3

  South Gloucestershire

  91.649

  85.388

  107.3

  Devon

  237.013

  *221.027

  107.2

  Thurrock

  58.773

  *54.817

  107.2

  Poole

  48.59

  *45.340

  107.2

  Wiltshire

  115.218

  *145.063

  107

  Barking and Dagenham

  81.858

  76.54

  106.9

  Solihull

  85.868

  *80.313

  106.9

  Brighton and Hove

  78.939

  73.861

  106.9

  Somerset

  171.012

  *160.076

  106.8

  North Yorkshire

  214.69

  *201.036

  106.8

  Bournemouth

  53.715

  *50.316

  106.8

  Norfolk

  278.525

  *260.907

  106.8

  Lincolnshire

  244.589

  *229.168

  106.7

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  118.455

  *111.062

  106.7

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  59.335

  *55.647

  106.6

  Bromley

  122.179

  *114.604

  106.6

  Southampton

  84.088

  *78.908

  106.6

  Leicestershire

  222.692

  *209.019

  106.5

  Cambridgeshire

  185.36

  *173.981

  106.5

  Surrey

  347.795

  *326.472

  106.5

  Gloucestershire

  209.368

  *196.545

  106.5

  Croydon

  135.162

  *126.887

  106.5

  East Sussex

  169.055

  158.738

  106.5

  Sutton

  76.637

  *71.967

  106.5

  Sheffield

  187.774

  *176.357

  106.5

  Warrington

  76.599

  71.958

  106.4

  Cornwall

  184.804

  *173.627

  106.4

  Southend

  66.566

  *62.549

  106.4

  The Wrekin

  64.419

  *60.535

  106.4

  Portsmouth

  69.82

  *65.612

  106.4

  Enfield

  134.984

  *126.870

  106.4

  West Sussex

  261.745

  *246.109

  106.4

  Reading

  46.01

  *43.274

  106.3

  Lewisham

  121.996

  *114.743

  106.3

  Northamptonshire

  251.23

  *236.313

  106.3

  York

  58.422

  54.954

  106.3

  Derbyshire

  265.534

  *249.778

  106.3

  409

  A Schools SSA 1999–2000 £ million

  B Schools SSA 1998–99 £ million

  Percentage A/B

  Darlington

  38.491

  36.213

  106.3

  Tameside

  93.028

  *87.528

  106.3

  Slough

  57.089

  *53.714

  106.3

  Shropshire

  98.323

  *92.522

  106.3

  Rotherham

  113.162

  106.488

  106.3

  Newbury

  59.637

  *56.127

  106.3

  Bexley

  103.186

  *97.112

  106.3

  Ealing

  123.927

  *116.643

  106.2

  Calderdale

  85.924

  *80.877

  106.2

  Tower Hamlets

  140.484

  *132.302

  106.2

  Suffolk

  243.909

  229.726

  106.2

  Essex

  509.944

  *480.339

  106.2

  Staffordshire

  315.414

  *297.145

  106.1

  Barnet

  130.946

  *123.371

  106.1

  Derby

  93.620

  *88.206

  106.1

  Nottinghamshire

  288.497

  *271.821

  106.1

  Plymouth

  104.410

  *98.377

  106.1

  Hampshire

  434.902

  *409.794

  106.1

  Walsall

  121.361

  *114.368

  106.1

  Wandsworth

  92.513

  *87.207

  106.1

  Stockton-on-Tees

  79.882

  75.302

  106.1

  Worcestershire

  193.086

  *182.023

  106.1

  Bury

  69.526

  *65.576

  106.0

  City of Bristol

  128.538

  121.26

  106.0

  Nottingham City

  111.505

  *105.221

  106.0

  Lancashire

  455.316

  *429.663

  106.0

  Dudley

  117.159

  *110.561

  106.0

  Richmond upon Thames

  50.301

  47.478

  105.9

  Kent

  538.741

  *508.568

  105.9

  Warwickshire

  182.725

  *172.526

  105.9

  Rochdale

  94.018

  *88.775

  105.9

  Buckinghamshire

  188.986

  *178.479

  105.9

  Bath and North East

  60.526

  *57.188

  105.8

  Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  North Somerset

  66.255

  62.619

  105.8

  Hillingdon

  104.296

  *98.573

  105.8

  Stockport

  101.452

  95.89

  105.8

  Wolverhampton

  108.116

  *102.190

  105.8

  Hackney

  98.449

  *93.053

  105.8

  Hertfordshire

  435.257

  *411.418

  105.8

  Hartlepool

  41.380

  39.139

  105.7

  Cheshire

  257.244

  *243.373

  105.7

  Bolton

  114.221

  *108.100

  105.7

  Leeds

  282.890

  *267.770

  105.6

  Kirklees

  159.304

  *150.825

  105.6

  Wakefield

  125.526

  118.848

  105.6

  Merton

  63.641

  *60.267

  105.6

  Cumbria

  190.629

  *180.529

  105.6

  Barnsley

  84.769

  80.286

  105.6

  Luton

  84.918

  *80.433

  105.6

  Hounslow

  103.456

  *97.997

  105.6

  Wigan

  122.006

  115.594

  105.5

  Rocheser and Gillingham

  115.093

  *109.048

  105.5

  Sefton

  118.649

  112.426

  105.5

  Camden

  82.403

  *78.119

  105.5

  Salford

  91.810

  *87.038

  105.5

  Kingston upon Thames

  51.451

  *48.784

  105.5

  North Lincolnshire

  63.333

  60.056

  105.5

  South Tyneside

  66.683

  63.237

  105.4

  Wokingham

  57.211

  *54.263

  105.4

  Brent

  117.837

  *111.776

  105.4

  Bracknell Forest

  40.406

  38.349

  105.4

  Oldham

  105.634

  100.267

  105.4

  Manchester

  199.028

  *188.920

  105.4

  Greenwich

  121.599

  *115.435

  105.3

  Isle of Wight Council

  51.708

  49.090

  105.3

  Northumberland

  126.090

  *119.705

  105.3

  Knowsley

  82.478

  *78.305

  105.3

  Islington

  87.151

  82.756

  105.3

  Sandwell

  131.856

  *125.232

  105.3

  Birmingham

  489.002

  *464.835

  105.2

  City of Kingston upon Hull

  110.726

  105.260

  105.2

  Middlesbrough

  66.093

  62.831

  105.2

  Durham

  197.484

  187.738

  105.2

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  106.356

  101.118

  105.2

  410

  A Schools SSA 1999–2000 £ milliion

  B Schools SSA 1998–99 £ million

  Percentage A/B

  Oxfordshire

  210.862

  *200.487

  105.2

  Wirral

  144.316

  *137.280

  105.1

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  49.727

  *47.316

  105.1

  Milton Keynes

  90.186

  *85.837

  105.1

  Coventry

  131.560

  125.246

  105.0

  Havering

  96.233

  *91.641

  105.0

  Bedfordshire

  157.120

  *149.634

  105.0

  Doncaster

  132.481

  *126.185

  105.0

  Gateshead

  75.712

  72.121

  105.0

  North Tyneside

  75.332

  *71.812

  104.9

  Sunderland

  125.016

  119.218

  104.9

  Redcar and Cleveland

  64.427

  61.440

  104.9

  Harrow

  78.116

  *74.513

  104.8

  Halton

  57.671

  *55.062

  104.7

  North East Lincolnshire

  71.056

  67.861

  104.7

  Leicester

  129.892

  *124.054

  104.7

  Bradford

  226.718

  *216.979

  104.5

  Liverpool

  229.767

  *219.973

  104.5

  St. Helens

  74.297

  71.160

  104.4

  Stoke on Trent

  96.247

  92.200

  104.4

  Blackburn

  68.623

  *65.780

  104.3

  Rutland

  11.333

  *10.898

  104.0

  Peterborough

  76.769

  *74.177

  103.5

  City of London

  0.703

  0.683

  103.0

  Isles of Scilly

  1.184

  1.177

  100.6

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of the individual schools budget as a percentage of the value of the local schools budget; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant maintained schools in 1998–99. [89739]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows for local education authorities in England, ranked from the highest to the lowest, the Individual Schools Budget for 1999–2000 as a percentage of the Local Schools Budget. Those local education authorities with grant maintained schools in 1998–99 are indicated by an asterisk.

  LEA name

  ISB 1999–2000 £ million

  LSB 1999–2000 £ million

  ISB as percentage of LSB

  Southend-on-Sea

  57.732

  66.015

  *87.5

  Northamptonshire

  213.487

  247.729

  *86.2

  Hillingdon

  89.225

  103.622

  *86.1

  Havering

  81.688

  94.944

  *86.0

  Portsmouth

  60.352

  70.406

  *85.7

  Barnet

  115.046

  135.336

  *85.0

  Brent

  95.060

  112.343

  *84.6

  Slough

  42.493

  50.297

  *84.5

  Hampshire

  363.305

  430.498

  *84.4

  Solihull

  72.305

  85.866

  *84.2

  Suffolk

  207.075

  245.930

  84.2

  Staffordshire

  256.602

  305.397

  *84.0

  Nottinghamshire

  242.569

  288.696

  *84.0

  Leeds

  236.632

  281.633

  *84.0

  Walsall

  97.639

  116.282

  *84.0

  Birmingham

  415.080

  495.981

  *83.7

  West Berkshire

  49.350

  59.105

  *83.5

  Warrington

  63.990

  76.651

  83.5

  Somerset

  142.293

  170.571

  *83.4

  Norfolk

  231.185

  278.245

  *83.1

  Dudley

  101.629

  122.370

  *83.1

  Sunderland

  98.485

  118.690

  83.0

  Cheshire

  219.381

  264.400

  *83.0

  Redbridge

  90.777

  109.434

  *83.0

  Hounslow

  83.880

  101.123

  *82.9

  Wigan

  105.141

  126.794

  *82.9

  411

  LEA name

  ISB 1999–2000 £ million

  LSB 1999–2000 £ million

  ISB as percentage of LSB

  Hertfordshire

  350.786

  423.152

  *82.9

  Poole

  40.069

  48.34

  *82.9

  Southampton

  67.847

  81.916

  *82.8

  West Sussex

  216.381

  261.283

  *82.8

  North Yorkshire

  179.496

  216.901

  *82.8

  Swindon

  56.479

  68.254

  *82.7

  Kingston upon Thames

  43.316

  52.391

  *82.7

  Bedfordshire

  129.678

  156.891

  *82.7

  Waltham Forest

  86.873

  105.138

  *82.6

  Leicestershire

  184.441

  223.688

  *82.5

  Sutton

  61.955

  75.17

  *82.4

  Lewisham

  92.475

  112.208

  *82.4

  Oxfordshire

  165.601

  201.093

  *82.4

  Rutland

  10.278

  12.482

  *82.3

  Essex

  417.561

  507.5

  *82.3

  Derbyshire

  215.216

  261.848

  *82.2

  York

  49.663

  60.436

  82.2

  Cumbria

  157.633

  191.879

  *82.2

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  99.003

  120.611

  *82.1

  Lambeth

  77.169

  94.015

  *82.1

  Wokingham

  48.208

  57.809

  *82.0

  Bath & North East Somerset

  53.875

  65.760

  *81.9

  Gloucestershire

  166.583

  203.403

  *81.9

  Lincolnshire

  196.988

  240.541

  *81.9

  Bromley

  96.139

  117.765

  *81.6

  Plymouth City

  84.481

  103.508

  *81.6

  Bournemouth

  43.255

  53.006

  *81.6

  Thurrock

  46.212

  56.744

  *81.4

  Windsor & Maidenhead

  39.231

  48.179

  *81.4

  Medway Towns

  91.713

  112.773

  *81.3

  South Gloucestershire

  78.060

  96.135

  81.2

  Telford and Wrekin

  51.793

  63.812

  *81.2

  Nottingham City

  88.378

  108.958

  *81.1

  Oldham

  85.477

  105.401

  81.1

  Richmond upon Thames

  42.02

  51.827

  81.1

  Rotherham

  88.438

  109.085

  81.1

  Calderdale

  68.122

  84.047

  *81.1

  Stoke-on-Trent

  75.590

  93.347

  *81.0

  Surrey

  276.423

  341.364

  *81.0

  Redcar and Cleveland

  49.916

  61.669

  80.9

  Worcestershire

  153.581

  189.780

  *80.9

  Milton Keynes

  68.376

  84.495

  *80.9

  Croydon

  106.012

  131.066

  *80.9

  Trafford

  72.001

  89.049

  *80.9

  Halton

  45.2

  55.952

  *80.8

  Hartlepool

  31.889

  39.515

  80.7

  Tameside

  72.651

  90.052

  *80.7

  Wiltshire

  124.224

  153.989

  *80.7

  Bexley

  78.4

  97.202

  *80.7

  Coventry

  107.939

  133.865

  80.6

  Stockton on Tees

  65.255

  80.945

  80.6

  Bristol City

  112.797

  139.962

  *80.6

  Warwickshire

  149.502

  185.777

  *80.5

  Doncaster

  104.981

  130.662

  *80.3

  Kent

  429.172

  534.287

  *80.3

  Stockport

  81.645

  101.833

  80.2

  Barking & Dagenham

  64.739

  80.752

  80.2

  Darlington

  29.270

  36.529

  80.1

  North East Lincolnshire

  57.108

  71.369

  80.0

  Wolverhampton

  85.984

  107.504

  *80.0

  Sheffield

  144.125

  180.221

  *80.0

  Kirklees

  124.3

  155.542

  *79.9

  Enfield

  106.512

  133.386

  *79.9

  Wandsworth

  74.366

  93.170

  *79.8

  Liverpool

  171.983

  215.671

  *79.7

  Shropshire

  77.418

  97.084

  *79.7

  Sefton

  96.88

  121.503

  79.7

  North Somerset

  54.604

  68.496

  79.7

  Wirral

  112.100

  140.651

  *79.7

  Bolton

  90.427

  113.754

  *79.5

  Reading

  34.780

  43.761

  *79.5

  St. Helens

  58.446

  73.588

  79.4

  East Sussex

  134.245

  169.036

  79.4

  Harrow

  64.174

  80.808

  *79.4

  Bury

  55.273

  69.607

  *79.4

  Bracknell Forest

  31.107

  39.183

  79.4

  412

  LEA name

  ISB 1999–2000 £ million

  LSB 1999–2000 £ million

  ISB as percentage of LSB

  Brighton & Hove

  61.738

  77.788

  79.4

  Northumberland

  100.049

  126.392

  *79.2

  Durham

  154.961

  195.831

  79.1

  City of Kingston upon Hull

  83.741

  105.869

  79.1

  Rochdale

  68.797

  87.043

  *79.0

  Islington

  61.693

  78.074

  79.0

  Luton

  63.909

  80.89

  *79.0

  Blackpool

  38.421

  48.641

  79.0

  South Tyneside

  50.036

  63.362

  79.0

  North Tyneside

  60.651

  77.116

  *78.6

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  45.732

  58.196

  *78.6

  Dorset

  103.34

  131.553

  *78.6

  Devon

  182.248

  232.083

  *78.5

  Ealing

  93.875

  119.573

  *78.5

  Merton

  50.732

  64.758

  *78.3

  Buckinghamshire

  141.691

  181.138

  *78.2

  Derby City

  70.233

  89.894

  *78.1

  Lancashire

  354.402

  453.67

  *78.1

  Knowsley

  60.562

  77.614

  *78.0

  North Lincolnshire

  49.46

  63.476

  77.9

  Sandwell

  103.388

  132.69

  *77.9

  Cornwall

  135.115

  173.723

  *77.8

  Leicester City

  97.215

  125.016

  *77.8

  Torbay

  37.585

  48.384

  *77.7

  Bradford

  163.495

  210.656

  *77.6

  Herefordshire

  44.938

  57.929

  77.6

  Peterborough City

  58.601

  76.044

  *77.1

  Greenwich

  91.204

  118.529

  *76.9

  Wakefield

  94.812

  123.359

  76.9

  Camden

  63.001

  82.089

  *76.7

  Gateshead

  58.796

  76.713

  76.6

  Middlesbrough

  48.644

  63.482

  76.6

  Isle of Wight

  39.147

  51.534

  76

  Barnsley

  60.699

  80.046

  75.8

  Salford

  71.119

  93.993

  *75.7

  Blackburn with Darwen

  50.547

  67.094

  *75.3

  Tower Hamlets

  99.000

  131.444

  *75.3

  Isles of Scilly

  0.867

  1.152

  75.3

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  80.323

  106.999

  75.1

  Newham

  98.939

  132.656

  74.6

  Cambridgeshire

  137.63

  185.096

  *74.4

  Kensington and Chelsea

  30.942

  41.825

  *74.0

  Southwark

  85.803

  116.234

  *73.8

  Hackney

  65.391

  88.808

  *73.6

  Manchester

  145.009

  197.538

  *73.4

  Haringey

  77.2

  105.572

  *73.1

  Westminster

  46.454

  64.804

  71.7

  City of London

  0.652

  1.497

  43.6

  England

  15,759.478

  19,507.598

  80.8

  *LEAs with grant-maintained schools

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the differences between spending shown in local education authorities' section 52 statements and that shown in their section 122 statement for 1998–99 which are attributable to the existence of grant maintained schools. [89745]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Estimated expenditure on schools which were grant maintained in the financial year 1998–99 was not required to be included in budget statements prepared by local education authorities under section 122 of the Education Act 1996 since these schools were funded direct by the Funding Agency for Schools. Budget statements prepared under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 cover estimated expenditure for the financial year 1999–2000. Whilst grant-maintained status remains until the end of August, local education authorities have been responsible for passing on funding to these schools since 1 April and
  413
  section 52 statements include the full year's funding, together with any transitional protection to which individual schools may be entitled.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will rank each local education authority according to the value of its individual schools budget for 1999–2000 as a percentage of the value of its Aggregate Schools Budget for 1998–99; and if he will show those percentages and values distinguishing the authorities with grant maintained schools. [89737]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows for local education authorities in England, ranked from the highest to the lowest, the Individual Schools Budget for 1999–2000 as a percentage of the Aggregated Schools Budget for 1998–99. Those local education authorities with grant maintained schools are indicated by an asterisk.

  LEA name

  ISB 1999–2000 £ million

  ASB 1998–99 £ million

  ISB as percentage of ASB

  City of London

  0.652

  0.658

  99.1

  Isles of Scilly

  0.867

  0.872

  99.4

  Richmond upon Thames

  42.020

  41.034

  102.4

  St. Helens

  58.446

  56.602

  103.3

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  80.323

  76.977

  104.3

  North Somerset

  54.604

  52.321

  104.4

  Islington

  61.693

  58.96

  104.6

  Manchester

  145.009

  138.513

  *104.7

  Hackney

  65.391

  62.45

  *104.7

  Salford

  71.119

  67.742

  *105.0

  Redcar and Cleveland

  49.916

  47.386

  105.3

  Sunderland

  98.485

  93.463

  105.4

  Isle of Wight

  39.147

  37.132

  105.4

  North Tyneside

  60.651

  57.482

  *105.5

  Westminster

  46.454

  43.932

  105.7

  Gateshead

  58.796

  55.591

  105.8

  Oldham

  85.477

  80.807

  105.8

  Coventry

  107.939

  101.954

  105.9

  Barnsley

  60.699

  57.268

  106.0

  Leicester City

  97.215

  91.714

  *106.0

  Bracknell Forest

  31.107

  29.329

  106.1

  Stockport

  81.645

  76.948

  106.1

  Greenwich

  91.204

  85.9

  *106.2

  South Gloucestershire

  78.06

  73.497

  106.2

  Solihull

  72.305

  68.075

  *106.2

  North East Lincolnshire

  57.108

  53.745

  106.3

  North Lincolnshire

  49.46

  46.511

  106.3

  City of Kingston upon Hull

  83.741

  78.681

  106.4

  Leeds

  236.632

  222.29

  *106.5

  Brighton & Hove

  61.738

  57.859

  106.7

  Wokingham

  48.208

  45.171

  *106.7

  Middlesborough

  48.644

  45.532

  106.8

  Herefordshire

  44.938

  42.049

  106.9

  Cornwall

  135.115

  126.34

  *106.9

  Rotherham

  88.438

  82.652

  107.0

  Sefton

  96.88

  90.525

  107.0

  Wigan

  105.141

  98.226

  107.0

  Wakefield

  94.812

  88.468

  107.2

  Durham

  154.961

  144.424

  107.3

  West Sussex

  216.381

  201.515

  *107.4

  Sandwell

  103.388

  96.236

  *107.4

  Blackpool

  38.421

  35.741

  107.5

  Darlington

  29.27

  27.228

  107.5

  Knowsley

  60.562

  56.25

  *107.7

  Suffolk

  207.075

  192.304

  107.7

  Nottinghamshire

  242.569

  225.158

  *107.7

  North Yorkshire

  179.496

  166.577

  *107.8

  East Sussex

  134.245

  124.341

  108.0

  Warrington

  63.99

  59.039

  108.4

  Oxfordshire

  165.601

  152.76

  *108.4

  South Tyneside

  50.036

  46.062

  108.6

  Bristol City

  112.797

  103.745

  108.7

  York

  49.663

  45.662

  108.8

  Northumberland

  100.049

  91.981

  *108.8

  414

  LEA name

  ISB 1999–2000 £ million

  ASB 1998–99 £ million

  ISB as percentage of ASB

  Harrow

  64.174

  58.962

  *108.8

  Stockton on Tees

  65.255

  59.868

  109.0

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  99.003

  90.715

  *109.1

  Haringey

  77.200

  70.675

  *109.2

  Merton

  50.732

  46.347

  *109.5

  Hartlepool

  31.889

  29.124

  109.5

  Braking & Dagenham

  64.739

  58.978

  109.8

  Cheshire

  219.381

  199.603

  *109.9

  Shropshire

  77.418

  70.308

  *110.1

  Doncaster

  104.981

  95.039

  *110.5

  Halton

  45.200

  40.904

  *110.5

  Bury

  55.273

  49.869

  *110.8

  Newham

  98.939

  89.123

  *111.0

  Leicestershire

  184.441

  166.088

  *111.1

  Windsor & Maidenhead

  39.231

  35.144

  *111.6

  Lancashire

  354.402

  316.358

  *112.0

  Sheffield

  144.125

  127.823

  *112.8

  Lewisham

  92.475

  81.984

  *112.8

  Kirklees

  124.300

  110.189

  *112.8

  Devon

  182.248

  161.186

  *113.1

  Somerset

  142.293

  125.401

  *113.5

  Southampton

  67.847

  59.675

  *113.7

  Plymouth City

  84.481

  74.266

  *113.8

  Staffordshire

  256.602

  225.248

  *113.9

  Stoke-on-Trent

  75.590

  66.345

  *113.9

  Tower Hamlets

  99.000

  86.720

  *114.2

  Worcestershire

  153.581

  133.945

  *114.7

  Redbridge

  90.777

  79.079

  *114.8

  Wirral

  112.100

  97.538

  *114.9

  Liverpool

  171.983

  149.121

  *115.3

  Bradford

  163.495

  141.116

  *115.9

  Dorset

  103.340

  89.119

  *116.0

  Bath & North East Somerset

  53.875

  46.432

  *116.0

  Blackburn with Darwen

  50.547

  43.203

  *117.0

  Bolton

  90.427

  77.285

  *117.0

  Hounslow

  83.880

  71.225

  *117.8

  Torbay

  37.585

  31.903

  *117.8

  Wolverhampton

  85.984

  72.543

  *118.5

  Tameside

  72.651

  60.799

  *119.5

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  45.732

  38.022

  *120.3

  Warwickshire

  149.502

  123.878

  *120.7

  Rochdale

  68.797

  56.997

  *120.7

  Hampshire

  363.305

  299.740

  *121.2

  Camden

  63.001

  51.934

  *121.3

  Dudley

  101.629

  83.298

  *122.0

  Havering

  81.688

  66.874

  *122.2

  Kensington and Chelsea

  30.942

  25.292

  *122.3

  Nottingham City

  88.378

  72.231

  *122.4

  Waltham Forest

  86.873

  70.832

  *122.6

  Birmingham

  415.080

  338.420

  *122.7

  Buckinghamshire

  141.691

  115.424

  *122.8

  Bexley

  78.400

  63.821

  *122.8

  Norfolk

  231.185

  183.873

  *125.7

  Portsmouth

  60.352

  47.889

  *126.0

  Bedfordshire

  129.678

  102.333

  *126.7

  Hertfordshire

  350.786

  270.356

  *126.7

  Enfield

  106.512

  82.059

  *129.8

  Cambridgeshire

  137.630

  105.589

  *130.3

  Southwark

  85.803

  65.726

  *130.5

  Derbyshire

  215.216

  163.700

  *131.5

  Surrey

  276.423

  208.275

  *132.7

  West Berkshire

  49.350

  36.867

  *133.9

  Northamptonshire

  213.487

  159.466

  *133.9

  Luton

  63.909

  47.728

  *133.9

  Walsall

  97.639

  71.928

  *135.7

  Ealing

  93.875

  69.052

  *135.9

  Telford and Wrekin

  51.793

  37.955

  *136.5

  Cumbria

  157.633

  112.415

  *140.2

  Milton Keynes

  68.376

  48.527

  *140.9

  Swindon

  56.479

  40.076

  *140.9

  Medway Towns

  91.713

  64.418

  *142.4

  Croydon

  106.012

  74.029

  *143.2

  Derby City

  70.233

  48.595

  *144.5

  Reading

  34.780

  23.978

  *145.0

  Kingston upon Thames

  43.316

  29.433

  *147.2

  Trafford

  72.001

  46.763

  *154.0

  415

  LEA name

  ISB 1999–2000 £ million

  ASB 1998–99 £ million

  ISB as percentage of ASB

  Bournemouth

  43.255

  27.842

  *155.4

  Peterborough City

  58.601

  37.525

  *156.2

  Lambeth

  77.169

  49.288

  *156.6

  Wandsworth

  74.366

  47.406

  *156.9

  Barnet

  115.046

  73.241

  *157.1

  Sutton

  61.955

  39.235

  *157.9

  Kent

  429.172

  270.191

  *158.8

  Lincolnshire

  196.988

  122.265

  *161.1

  Thurrock

  46.212

  28.654

  *161.3

  Wiltshire

  124.224

  74.784

  *166.1

  Poole

  40.069

  23.989

  *167.0

  Calderdale

  68.122

  39.423

  *172.8

  Slough

  42.493

  23.72

  *179.1

  Gloucestershire

  166.583

  92.539

  *180.0

  Brent

  95.060

  48.976

  *194.1

  Essex

  417.561

  212.747

  *196.3

  Hillingdon

  89.225

  41.565

  *214.7

  Southend-on-Sea

  57.732

  26.296

  *219.5

  Bromley

  96.139

  41.116

  *233.8

  Rutland

  10.278

  4.010

  *256.3

  England

  15,759.478

  12,965.534

  121.5

  *LEAs with grant-maintained schools

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the local education authorities which failed to meet the statutory deadlines(a) for notifying their fair-funding budget shares to schools and (b) for supplying to him details of their fair-funding schemes for 1999–2000, stating in each case the date by which the information was supplied. [89700]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on the notification of budget shares to schools is not collected centrally. All authorities' schemes for the financing of schools made under section 48 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 were approved by 31 March 1999.

  Learning Difficulties (Spending)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the amount of special needs provision(a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire in terms of children with (i) moderate learning difficulties, (ii) severe learning difficulties and (iii) emotional and behavioural difficulties, in the most recent year for which figures are available. [89744]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The latest available data drawn from Annual Schools' Census returns relates to January 1998. The number of children with a statement of special educational needs nationally is 242,294 and in Gloucestershire 2,539. Information is not collected centrally by type of special need.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he is taking to ensure that all public buildings and facilities comply with the standards set out in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [89209]

  Ms Hodge
  The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 does not set specific standards for buildings or facilities. Rather, it requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people.
  416
  The new duties on those who provide goods, facilities and services to the public to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people are coming into force on 1 October, although service providers will not be required to make physical adjustments to their premises until 2004. The October phase of implementation is being supported by a revised Code of Practice which was issued on 29 June. The Code gives guidance to service providers about their responsibilities under the Act and how to adopt good practice. A similar Code of Practice in respect of employers' duties under the Act was issued in 1996. In addition, other information for service providers and employers can be obtained from the DDA Helpline and more will become available as 1 October approaches.

  Whether a service provider or employer has fulfilled their duties under the DDA can only be determined when an individual pursues a claim through an Employment Tribunal or the Courts. However, we are currently taking legislation through Parliament to establish the Disability Rights Commission which will support disabled people in securing their rights under the Act and seek to ensure that employers and service providers who discriminate change their practices and procedures. The Commission will also work to promote good practice among service providers and employers, and be a central source of information and advice about the DDA.

  A campaign to raise awareness about the DDA, and disability in general, with employers and service providers, as well as the general public is currently underway. From 1 July, national newspaper advertisements have been alerting service providers to the new rights in respect of access to goods, facilities and services. Further newspaper and radio advertisements are planned for the autumn. The campaign will also be working with intermediaries such as the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce and the Local Government Association to ensure that all service providers, in both the public and private sector, are aware of the new rights and duties.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published. [89699]

  Mr. Mudie
  Assembling this information will take a few days. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  New Deal (Lone Parents)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in respect of the New Deal for Lone Parents, how many(a) participants have been invited to interview, (b) interviews have been booked, (c) interviews have been attended by participants and (d) jobs have been attained. [89706]

  Ms Hodge
  From April this year, the Government Statistical Service will be reporting independently on New Deal for Lone Parent (NDLP) results, and reports will be published on the first Thursday of every month.
  417
  The first report was published on 1 July, and for the period since the full national roll-out of the New Deal for Lone Parents' programme, i.e. from 26 October 1998 to 30 April 1999, the figures requested are:

  377,840 lone parents were sent an initial invitation letter.

  66,832 initial interviews were booked.

  57,500 lone parents attended an initial interview.

  11,200 lone parents obtained employment: these jobs are in addition to the 5,400 already helped into work during the earlier phases of the programme.

  Copies of the full report are available in the Library.

WALES

  Ancient Monuments (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the arrangement for disabled access to Skenfrith Castle in Monmouthshire; [89447]

  (2) what statutory responsibilities CADW has to ensure that ancient monuments in Wales are accessible to people with disabilities who need wheelchairs. [89446]

  Mr. Michael
  These are matters for the National Assembly for Wales.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Wal-Mart/Asda Merger
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the effect on farm gate prices of purchasing policies following the proposed merger between Wal-Mart and Asda. [89258]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The purchasing policies of individual supermarkets are primarily a matter for the businesses concerned. The Competition Commission is conducting a 12 month investigation of grocery retailing 418
  and will examine, as part of that review, the nature of the relationships between the multiples and their suppliers including agricultural producers.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to answer parliamentary question 81263, a holding answer for which was given on 19 April. [89743]

  Mr. Rooker
  I replied to the hon. Member on 20 April.

  Genetic Modification
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement outlining the extent to which the UK is permitted to impose restrictions on the growing of GM foods without the permission of the European Union. [88945]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: I have been asked to reply.

  The release into the environment and the marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are regulated by Council Directive 90/220/EEC. All such releases are carried out following a scientific assessment of risk carried out case-by-case on the basis of an environmental risk assessment. All authorisations for the experimental release of GMOs are issued by the UK authorities on the basis of this Directive. The UK authorities may impose specific conditions on any release, and may suspend a release where there is evidence of harm to human health or the environment.

  Consents to market GMO products (Part C consents under the Directive) are issued at Community level in order to secure the single market for these products. Notifications on the basis of the Directive are submitted through the competent authority of one member state and all other competent authorities may then comment upon the application. If there are differences between member states, the matter is resolved by qualified majority voting.

  Restrictions may always be imposed to take account of specific environmental conditions in member states, and the safeguard clause allows member states to suspend any release immediately if evidence emerges of harm to human health or the environment. This is subject to confirmation within three months at Community level.

TREASURY

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of families earning more than(a) £20,000, (b) £25,000 and (c) £30,000 a year who will be eligible for the working families tax credit. [88906]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that in 2000–01, the first full year of the Working Families Tax Credit, about 1.4 million families will be in receipt of the credit. About 100,000 families will have earnings over £20,000. The numbers of families in receipt of the credit with earnings over £25,000 and over £30,000 are so small that reliable estimates are not available.

  Scottish Widows
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many life insurance ISAs are accounted for by policies with Scottish Widows. [89353]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]: None. We understand that Scottish Widows does not offer policies suitable for inclusion in life insurance ISAs.

  Financial Services Authority
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of the contract of the head of the FSA. [R] [89329]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: The head of the FSA was appointed in 1997 for a five year fixed term, which expires on 31 July 2002. His salary and other benefits are set out in the Notes to the Accounts of the FSA' s Annual Report.

  Inland Revenue 35
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made in the Government's Impact Assessment of the effects of the implementation of the IR35 proposals on small business failures. [89316]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: The National Insurance compliance implications for small businesses are set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill. The Government are continuing to consult with business representatives on the actual detail of the proposals. Those being consulted include small businesses and their representatives.

  Tax-free Savings
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the benefits of (1) streamlining tax-free savings schemes by merging PEPs and ISAs; [R] [89324]

  (2) if he will assess the benefits of merging single company PEPs and general PEPs. [R] [89323]
  420
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: In the light of responses to the initial public consultation on the shape of the ISA scheme, we concluded that existing PEPs at 5 April 1999 should continue, separately from ISAs, under the existing PEP rules. This decision reflects the wishes of a majority of respondents to the consultation and has been approved by Parliament.

  However, as my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Mrs. Liddell) made clear to the hon. Member during the Committee stage of last year's Finance Bill, 4 June 1998, Official Report, Standing Committee E, column 524, we will be keeping the position under review.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many investors have taken out life insurance ISAs; [R] [89325]

  (2) how many people have taken out (a) maxi and (b) mini ISAs and how many took out general and single company PEPs at the same stage in the financial year last year; [R] [89322]

  (3) what is the amount of money invested in cash ISAs to date as a proportion of overall investment in ISAs; [R] [89703]

  (4) what is the amount of money invested in life insurance ISAs to date as a proportion of overall investment in ISAs. [R] [89704]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: Over £4 billion were contributed to ISAs in the first two months after their introduction. This is twice the comparable figures for PEPs and TESSAs in the same period last year.

  Bank of England figures show over £3 billion saved in ISA cash accounts operated by banks and building societies and AUTIF figures show over £1 billion saved in ISAs investing in authorised unit trusts and OEICs in April and May. The available figures do not include ISA investment in other areas such as individual shares, or life insurance ISAs, so the full total will be higher.

  ISA managers are required to make a quarterly statistical return, which will identify subscriptions made to mini and maxi ISAs, and to individual components, on a quarterly basis. The first return is due to be received in August. The Inland Revenue will be publishing ISA statistics on a quarterly basis, starting later this year.

  Reliable comparisons with PEP take-up in earlier years cannot be made on a quarterly basis as statistical returns from PEP managers identify subscriptions only on an annual basis.

  Health and Education Spending
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the extra £40 billion allocated to health and education spending over the next three years in the 1999 Budget and the Comprehensive Spending Review, how much has been allocated to specific programmes; and if he will give a breakdown of how the allocated funds will be spent. [89528]
  421
  Mr. Milburn
  The allocation of health and education spending to specific programmes is set out in the following Departmental Reports listing the Government's Expenditure Plans for 1999–2000 to 2001–02: the Department for Education and Employment and Office for Standards in Educations (Cm 4202); the Department of Health (Cm 4203); the Scottish Office (Cm 4215); the Welsh Office (Cm 4216) and Northern Ireland (Cm 4217).

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual cost of the disabled person's tax credit is estimated to be in 2010. [89874]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the cost of the Disabled Person's Tax Credit in 2010.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 5 March, 15 April and 27 May with regard to Mrs. M. Wilson from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton. [89958]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has written to my right hon. Friend.

  Death Totals
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the statistical significance of the fluctuations in death totals in the past three years measured over the previous 52 weeks published in ONS (99) 224. [89648]

  Ms Hewitt
  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. Peter Bottomley, dated 5 July 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking what assessment has been made of the statistical significance of the fluctuations in death registration totals in the past three years measured over the previous 52 weeks published in News Release ONS (99) 224.
  Fluctuations in annual death totals are primarily related to mortality in the winter months. Deaths from all causes increase during the winter but the magnitude of this increase varies considerably from year to year, depending on, for example, temperature and the incidence of influenza.
  There was a sharp peak in mortality in the 1996/7 winter. This was described and statistically analysed in the ONS publication, Population Trends No. 90, Winter 1997–Mortality during the 1996/7 Winter, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons library.
  In the first part of January 1999 there was a higher than expected winter influenza activity. Such activity is known to lead to an increase in respiratory disease deaths generally, not just influenza deaths. This is reflected in the date presented in News Release ONS (99) 224.
  The increase in winter mortality for 1997/8 was less pronounced than for the winters before and after.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Department into Parliament in(a) 1998, (b) 1992, (c) 1985 and (d) 1973 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89173]

  Mr. Vaz
  Of statutory instruments (SIs) introduced by my Department in 1998, 1992, 1985 and 1973, one in 1985 included amendments to rules of court resulting from legislation implementing the Brussels Convention. Otherwise, no SIs were made by my Department in the specified years to comply with European Community obligations.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women from ethnic communities are justices of the peace serving in courts in the Greater London area; what were the figures in(a) 1990 and (b) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [89176]

  Mr. Hoon
  I cannot give my hon. Friend the information he seeks for 1990 and 1995 because this information was not collected. In July 1998, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor issued revised Directions to Advisory Committees requiring, among other things, that they keep information about the gender and ethnicity of magistrates. The first full set of figures will be available in January 2000. The latest figures available (which draw partly on a survey in May 1997) show that there are 199 women from the ethnic minorities serving as justices of the peace in Greater London.

  "Who Decides?"
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he proposes to publish the results of his consultation on the Green Paper "Who Decides?", published on 10 September 1997. [89179]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government published the consultation paper "Who Decides?" in December 1997 about the recommendations of the Law Commission on decision-making for mentally incapacitated adults. We wish to give very careful consideration to all the issues involved before deciding the way forward. No decisions have yet been taken on whether there should be legislation and, if so, when it should be introduced.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published. [89695]
  423
  Mr. Vaz
  The information is shown in the table.

  Market and opinion research commissioned by Lord Chancellor's Departments, agencies and NDPBs since May 1997

  Title

  Purpose

  Commissioned by

  Publication

  Applying to become a magistrate: Expanding the socio-demographic base of applicants, COI

  To inform the development of a communications strategy that would attract a broader base of applicants to the magistracy from all sections of the community.

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Not published

  Provision of Information Meetings: market research findings, KPMG

  To assess potential interest in the private sector in the provision of information meetings under Part II of the Family Law Act 1996.

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Not published

  Monitoring the rise in the small claims limit: litigants' experiences of different forms of adjudication, Professor John Baldwin

  To support research into the effect of the rise in the small claims limit.

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Published

  Investors in People

  To obtain staff views on matters relating to IiP in order to determine whether the Department met the standards required for IiP accreditation.

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  The results were made available to staff.

  Staff Attitude Survey

  To obtain staff views on aspects of their employment in order to ascertain where improvements to systems, procedures and practices are required.

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Survey in progress. The results will be made available to staff.

  The Court Service Investors in People Project—Staff opinion survey 1998, British Market Research Bureau

  To obtain staff views on matters relating to IiP in order to determine whether the Department met the standards required for IiP accreditation.

  Court Service

  The results were made available to staff.

  Staff opinion survey 1999, British Market research Bureau

  To find out staff views on the areas of training and development; communication and appraisal.

  Court Service

  Survey in progress. The results will be made available to staff.

  ONS Omnibus module: non-Franchising: Post Campaign Study, MORI

  Research into public perceptions of what damages for non-pecuniary loss in personal injury cases should be. The purpose was to assist in the preparation of report on Damages for Personal Injury: Non Pecuniary loss. ((1999) Law Comm. 257)

  Law Commission

  Published

  Tracking Public Opinion on Legal Aid Franchising: Post Campaign Study, MORI

  A number of questions were placed on the MORI omnibus poll to gauge public awareness of legal aid in general, and franchising in particular.

  Legal Aid Board

  Published

  Survey on divorce (commissioned by Office of Law Reform)

  Contribution towards a survey of public opinion on divorce law and experiences in Northern Ireland.

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  Not published

  Annual Customer Surveys

  To provide independent verification of customers' satisfaction with the delivery of services and identify areas for improvement.

  HM Land Registry

  Published

  424

  Private Medical Insurance: OFT Report
  Private Medical Insurance: OFT Report
  Coal Imports
  Coal Imports
  RAF Aircraft Service Re-programming
  RAF Aircraft Service Re-programming
  NATO and the Kosovo Campaign
  NATO and the Kosovo Campaign
  Kosovo Liberation Army: Demilitarisation
  Kosovo Liberation Army: Demilitarisation
  Environmental Spending
  Environmental Spending
  A.303 Stonehenge Improvement Scheme
  A.303 Stonehenge Improvement Scheme
  Sudan: Dr. Abdeen's UK Visit
  Sudan: Dr. Abdeen's UK Visit
  River Danube: Environmental Restoration
  River Danube: Environmental Restoration
  Kosovo
  Kosovo
  Palestinian Refugees
  Palestinian Refugees
  Syrian President's Meeting with Lord Levy
  Syrian President's Meeting with Lord Levy
  Kosovo: Mine and Bomb Clearance
  Kosovo: Mine and Bomb Clearance
  Use of Military Force
  Use of Military Force
  Bosnia Herzegovina: Train and Equip Programme
  Bosnia Herzegovina: Train and Equip Programme
  Haemophiliacs Infected with Hepatitis C
  Haemophiliacs Infected with Hepatitis C
  Meat Hygiene
  Meat Hygiene
  Food Standards Agency
  Food Standards Agency
  Salmonella Poisoning
  Salmonella Poisoning
  Smoking on Television
  Smoking on Television
  Dioxins: Carcinogenicity
  Dioxins: Carcinogenicity
  Special Advisers: Pay
  Special Advisers: Pay
  Double Jeopardy
  Double Jeopardy
  Outstanding Asylum Applications
  Outstanding Asylum Applications
  Persistent Young Offenders: Sentencing
  Persistent Young Offenders: Sentencing
  Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum
  Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum
  Law Commission Recommendations
  Law Commission Recommendations