Written Answers of 6 July 1999

DEFENCE

  BAe Closure (Dunsfold)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what action is being taken to ensure continued operational support for RAF Harriers following BAe's announcement of the closure of its Dunsfold factory; [89347]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect the closure of BAe Dunsfold will have on the ongoing operational support for Royal Navy Harriers; and if he will make a statement. [89348]

  Mr. Spellar
  Ministry of Defence contracts with British Aerospace for Harrier work are negotiated with, and awarded to, the British Aerospace Military Aircraft and Aerostructures Division at Warton. Work continues on existing contracts. The decision about where work is undertaken on these, or any future contracts, is ultimately a matter for the company.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his Special Advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89988]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the Party and helping to brief Party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

  Defence Diplomacy Scholarship Scheme
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the launch of his Department's Defence Diplomacy Scholarship Scheme. [90046]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Defence Diplomacy Mission has placed renewed emphasis on the provision of high quality defence related training and education in Britain for overseas students, for which we already have an excellent reputation.

  As part of this wider initiative, I am pleased to announce the launch of the MOD's new two-tier Defence Diplomacy Scholarship Scheme. Its principal aims are to
  426
  introduce selected overseas officers and officials to the principles of Defence Diplomacy, and to help them develop the skills needed to lead and run modern democratically accountable armed forces.

  Cranfield University at the Royal College of Military Science will run this scheme.It will comprise a year long MSc based "Defence Diplomacy Fellowship" and a shorter seven-week "Diploma in Defence Diplomacy". Up to 12 Fellowships will be offered annually,starting from the next academic year (1999–2000).A further 30–40 places will be available annually for the shorter Diploma course.

  This scheme is further evidence of the high priority that the MOD attaches to the Defence Diplomacy Mission, and is an excellent example of the MOD's contribution to the Government's initiative to attract more international students to the UK.

  Chief Scientific Adviser
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of state for Defence who the new Chief Scientific Adviser to his Department will be.

  Mr. George Robertson
  I am announcing today that Professor Sir Keith O'Nions will become the Chief Scientific Adviser to the MOD on 4 January 2000. His appointment will be for three years.

  KFOR
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the contribution to KFOR.

  Mr. George Robertson
  Some elements of the UK contribution to KFOR have now completed the tasks for which they were deployed. In the light of this,I have agreed to the withdrawal of the Headquarters of the 5th Airborne Brigade, Headquarters 3(UK) Division, and seven support helicopters, together with their supporting elements. HQ 5 Airborne Brigade and the helicopters will start moving immediately, to be followed by HQ 3 (UK) Division from 23 July. These withdrawals will not affect the number of UK battalions in KFOR, nor their ability to perform their assigned tasks.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of state for Defence if he will list cost-benefit analyses carried out in connection with his proposal for a Public Private Partnership for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, [89202]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: The study team's primary objective was to find a long-term solution for the future of DERA which would provide MOD with the scientific services it will continue to need. These were defined by the "MOD Customer Needs Statement" as laid down in Figure 1 of the Consultation Document and were used as option evaluation criteria throughout the study,to identify both the benefits and risks of each option.

  A financial model, supported by some analytical work,was used to asses each option against the financial objectives.
  427
  The three requirements shown at Paragraph 13 of the consultation document, "capability", "financial" and "wider issues", were judged to be interdependent. MOD did not assign quantitative weightings between them. Although no formal cost-benefit analysis is available, iterative judgments were made throughout the options process on the relative benefits, risks and costs of each option.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under his Public Private Partnership proposals for DERA, if, when property is transferred to a new private sector owner, his Department retains liability for clearing contaminated land and unexploded ordnance. [89195]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: No decisions have been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership, PPP, for DERA, and it is too early to speculate on the precise form it would take. The MOD study team is supported by legal experts who provide advice on a range of legal and commercial issues, including the future treatment of liabilities. The details have not yet been addressed as they will depend on the precise nature of the PPP. During implementation, further work would be required on the negotiation of such liabilities between MOD and DERA.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what ways DERA's relationships with the Research Councils will be affected by his public private partnership proposals for DERA.[89197]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: The MOD strives to develop and maintain close working relationships with all relevant scientific and research bodies, including the Research Councils. DERA's main relationship with the Research Councils arises through the operation of the Joint Grants Scheme, JGS, whereby the Ministry of Defence part funds research which has some direct defence relevance.

  No decisions have been made on the form of a public private partnership, PPP, for DERA, and it is too early to speculate on the precise form it would take. Whatever the form, the importance of maintaining effective relationships with the Research Councils will be taken into consideration.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under his public private partnership proposals for DERA, if DERA will lose Crown immunity. [89198]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: No decisions have been made on the nature of a public private partnership, PPP, for DERA, and it is too early to speculate on the precise form it would take. The MOD study team is supported by legal experts who provide advice on a range of legal and commercial issues which may affect the PPP. This includes the subject of Crown immunity. While further analysis would be required during the implementation phase, the basic premise is that Crown immunity would cease to apply in the event that assets, facilities and employees were transferred out of the direct control of the Crown.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under his public private partnership proposals for DERA, if liability for insurance cover against catastrophic accident will be transferred to private sector partners from his Department. [89199]
  428
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: No decisions have been made on the nature of a public private partnership, PPP, for DERA, and it is too early to speculate on the precise form it would take. However, the apportionment of risk between a PPP DERA and the MOD, including the handling of liability for catastrophic accident, is an important issue. During the implementation phase, these and other legal and commercial considerations will be addressed in detail by the MOD study team and their advisers, in consultation with DERA and key stakeholders.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under his Public Private Partnership proposals for DERA, if Boscombe Down airfield will be upgraded to civil airfield standards; and at what cost. [89200]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]No decisions have been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership, PPP, for DERA, and it is too early to speculate on the precise form it would take. In the proposal outlined in the consultation document, the aircraft test and evaluation activities at Boscombe Down would form part of the PPP, operating in the private sector, with implications for the licensing of the airfield. Further work would be required on the detailed aspects of this during implementation.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the terms of risk analyses and the risk assessments carried out on his proposals for a Public Private Partnership for DERA. [89201]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: The study team's primary objective was to find a long term value for money solution for the future of DERA which would provide MOD with the scientific services it will continue to need. These were defined by the "MOD Customer Needs Statement" as laid down in Figure 1 of the Consultation Document. These are being used as option evaluation criteria in the study, to identify both the benefits and risks of each option. Risks to achievement of financial objectives and compatibility with wider MOD and UK interests are also being addressed.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposals for a Public Private Partnership for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on his smart procurement initiative; and if he will make a statement. [89203]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: Throughout the DERA PPP study, the MOD study team has had frequent discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry and UK industry as well as the MOD Smart Procurement Initiative implementation team, to ensure that the DERA PPP and Smart Procurement projects complement one another.

  Our consultation process, announced on 5 May 1999, Official Report, columns 384–85, has included significant debate with industry over the way a DERA PPP would function in the Smart Procurement environment. We have had many constructive responses and discussions. Although it is too early to summarise the outcome of the consultation, these views will be reflected in the study team's final recommendation, along with a view on how DERA will operate with the Smart Procurement Initiative.
  429
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is conducting a full economic appraisal of the proposals for the DERA public private partnership; and if he will place the results of his appraisal in the Library. [89027]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: During the DERA PPP options study, the MOD study team paid much attention to assessing the long term financial benefits of each option. However, in choosing between options, the evaluation process addressed not just financial issues, but also each option's ability to deliver top quality scientific and technical capability to meet future defence needs and to complement wider MOD and Government policy. There is no specific stand-alone economic appraisal suitable for the Library.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce a decision on the DERA public private partnership proposals before the summer recess. [89029]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: Our formal consultation period is now drawing to a close and the study team is analysing the responses received. The consultation process has highlighted the complexity of some of the issues involved, and, on the recommendation of the study team, we have agreed that further analysis and discussions with key stakeholder groups are required. We do not expect a final recommendation from the team before the summer recess.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location and size of common land owned by DERA.[89196]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir John Chisholm to Mr. Robert Key, dated 6 July 1999:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), I have been asked to reply to your question about the location and size of common land owned by DERA.
  I am afraid that we do not hold this information ourselves, nor is it held centrally by Defence Estates (DE). The official Register of Common Land is kept by the County Councils or Unitary Authorities. Copy title deeds are actually held at 8 regional DE offices and the Head Office. Enquiries to the regional offices have not identified common land within the estate vested in DERA, though this preliminary search cannot be considered exhaustive.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful on this occasion.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is(a) the current asset value of and (b) the revenue stream derived in the last financial year from, the intellectual property rights of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.[89204]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir John Chisholm to Mr. Robert Key, dated 6 July 1999:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), I have been asked to reply to your questions about intellectual property rights.
  430
  You asked for the current asset value of the intellectual property rights of DERA. Prediction of intellectual property is unreliable due to uncertainty over the industrial implementation of inventions and the arrival of competing technologies as well as general economic uncertainty. Because of these sources of uncertainty, the Agency has reviewed its accounting policies in the context of recent changes in the guidance on best practice and no longer allocates a capital value to its intellectual property.
  Accordingly, the balance sheet for the year ending 31 March 1999 shows a zero value for intangible fixed assets (effectively intellectual property). This is, of course, an accounting convention and does not reflect the open market value of DERA's intellectual property which cannot be precisely defined except by an actual sale following a process of due diligence by prospective buyers.
  Your second question asked about the revenue stream derived in the last financial year for the intellectual property rights of DERA. The financial statements for the year ending 31 March 1999 are currently being finalised but we expect to report non-Exchequer royalty income in the order of £6M.
  I hope that this information is helpful.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Eurofighters are being purchased for the RAF and at what cost; and how many are being purchased by other NATO countries.[88961]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 6 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of Eurofighters being purchased for the RAF and by other NATO countries and the cost to the UK. The matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The 4 Eurofighter Partner Nations are procuring 620 aircraft: 232 for the UK; 180 for Germany; 121 for Italy and 87 for Spain. Production contracts for the first tranche of 148 aircraft, 55 of which are for the UK, were placed in September 1998.
  The total procurement cost of the Eurofighter programme to the UK is estimated at £16.1 Billion at current prices.

  Porton Down (Animal Procedures)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many project licence applications for animal procedures at Porton Down have been(a) approved unamended for submission to the Home Office, (b) approved in amended form for submission to the Home Office and (c) rejected for each month since 1 January 1997.[89451]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 6 July 1999:
  I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about the number of applications for project licences to conduct research involving work with animals, which have been submitted to the Home Office from Porton Down since January 1997.
  The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down has operated both an internal consultative process and ethical review process for several years, although the latter was only an official requirement by the Home Office from January 1999.

  431
  The operation of a preliminary internal consultation process and ethical review means all of the project licence applications are modified, amended and refined prior to application to the Home Office. However, during this period no application was totally rejected and none required resubmission to the ethical review. The numbers of project licence applications processed internally and submitted to the Home Office since January 1997 are shown in the table below.

  Number of project licence applications processed

  Year

  Month

  1997

  1998

  1999

  January

  0

  0

  1

  February

  2

  1

  0

  March

  0

  1

  0

  April

  1

  1

  0

  May

  2

  0

  0

  June

  1

  1

  1

  July

  0

  2

  —

  August

  2

  0

  —

  September

  0

  0

  —

  October

  1

  0

  —

  November

  0

  1

  —

  December

  0

  0

  —

  I hope that you find this information helpful.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals have been bred for use in experiments at Porton Down in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and how many of each year's total were subsequently killed without being so used. [89453]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 6 July 1999:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about the numbers of animals bred at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down for use in research and the numbers culled without use.
  These numbers for the financial years 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 are given in the table below.

  Species of animal bred

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Mice

  Weaned

  5,656

  3,232

  Surplus cull

  4,468

  2,603

  Rats

  Weaned

  7,235

  4,555

  Surplus cull

  4,055

  3,851

  Marmosets

  Weaned

  116

  154

  Surplus cull

  0

  0

  Rhesus

  Weaned

  42

  46

  Surplus cull

  0

  0

  Pigs

  Weaned

  44

  85

  Market sales

  18

  7

  In 1998–99, 2,375 of the culled mice and 3,080 of the culled rats were given to two local bird sanctuaries.

  I hope that this information answers your question.

  Antonov 124
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Antonov 124, with a military aircraft release certificate, would meet his Department' s required in-service date of 2001 under the Strategic Short-Term Airlift Programme. [88313]

  Mr. Spellar
  The five tenders received for the Short Term Strategic Airlift programme are currently being assessed by DPA officials against the authorised Staff Requirement, which includes the in-service date of 2001. Owing to the commercial confidentiality of the tenders and assessment process, I am withholding the information that my hon. Friend seeks under exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

PRIME MINISTER

  Biotechnology
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if the studies of the consequences of developments in biotechnology to be undertaken by the OECD on behalf of the G8 will be published; [88085]

  (2) pursuant to his oral statement of 21 June 1999 on the G8 summit, Official Report, columns 761–64, if he will ensure that the terms of reference of the studies on the consequences of developments in biotechnology, to be undertaken by committees of the OECD and reported to next year's summit, are placed in the Library. [88094]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are committed to ensuring an open and informed debate on biotechnology both within the United Kingdom and internationally. I firmly endorse the G8 conclusions inviting the OECD to carry out studies in this area, and we are currently discussing with G8 partners and the OECD the detailed arrangements under which these can best be taken forward.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the total cost, including travel and accommodation, of each occasion when a special adviser of the Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury has travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997, whether accompanied by a Minister or not, indicating the place visited. [89047]

  The Prime Minister
  The two Special Advisers to the then Chief Whip visited the European Parliament in Brussels in September 1997. The cost of flights and accommodation was £300 each.

  Following a request from the South African Parliament, one Special Adviser was a member of a party, which included the Principal Clerk, Select Committees in the House of Commons and other officials who visited South Africa to assist the Parliamentary Administration to prepare for the new induction of MPs following the national elections on 2 June. This was funded from the development assistance programme of the Department for International Development. The cost attributed to the Special Adviser's flight was £2,334. Subsistence was paid at a rate of £72 a night for the three nights of the visit.
  433
  All visits have been in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 1, on special advisers, if he will list the total cost including travel, accommodation and subsistence allowances, and place visited of each occasion that his (a) Chief of Staff and (b) Chief Press Secretary travelled abroad in an official capacity since 2 May 1997, whether accompanied by him or not. [89065]

  The Prime Minister
  My Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary regularly accompany me on official overseas visits and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 25 June 1999,Official Report, column 482–83 which accounted fully for costs of my official visits overseas, including the costs of those accompanying me. In addition, during the conflict in Kosovo, my Chief Press Secretary has visited NATO HQ in Brussels on six occasions, at the request of the NATO Secretary General and General Clark, SACEUR at an average cost of £400 per visit; and undertook a single visit to Macedonia and Kosovo at a cost of £570. Wherever possible, any accommodation needed was provided at no charge by HM Ambassador, NATO or General Clark. Normal subsistence rates for civil servants have applied.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by special advisers in his policy department for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89995]

  The Prime Minister
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model

  Title

  Author

  Date published

  Environmental Planning

  Professor J. B. Cullingworth

  1975–80

  Nationalisation of British Industry

  Professor Sir Norman Chester

  1975

  Colonial Development

  D. J. Morgan

  1980

  External Economic Policy Vol. 1

  Professor L. S. Pressnell

  1987

  The British Part in the Korean War

  General Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley

  1990–95

  The Health Services since the War

  Dr. Charles Webster

  1988–96

  In addition a number of official histories are in preparation. These were listed in my answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) on 3 February 1999, Official Report, column 646. Both the published histories, and those in preparation, relate only to the Cabinet Office official history programme. Other Government Departments produce histories relating to their own responsibilities. No central record of these is held.

TREASURY

  Fixed Penalty (Speeding)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income the Treasury has received to date from fixed penalty fines issued as a result of speeding offences detected by speed cameras. [89381]
  434
  Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning with the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the party and helping to brief party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Administrations.

  Intelligence Services Act
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will identify the Secretary of State referred to in Paragraph 13 of the report of the Commissioner for 1998 in respect of the Intelligence Services Act 1994. [88715]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: As has already been made public, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has confirmed that reference was to him and that he acted in accordance with long-standing procedures which were in place at the time.

  The Commissioner's Annual Report made no criticism of any Secretary of State, but the Government will take account of advice received from the Commissioner and introduce any necessary procedural changes.

  Official Histories
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the official histories held by each Government Department. [89727]

  The Prime Minister
  Official histories are those produced by the Cabinet Office. Since the current programme began in 1966, the following titles have been published:

  Mr. Milburn
  This information is not held centrally. However I understand that the following Fixed Penalty Notices in respect of automatic speed detection have been issued:

  Year

  England and Wales (a)

  Scotland (b)

  Northern Ireland (c)

  1993

  25,767

  646

  n/a

  1994

  95,510

  8,464

  n/a

  1995

  170,014

  15,049

  n/a

  1996

  212,600

  23,860

  n/a

  1997

  288,622

  27,145

  n/a

  1998

  n/a

  n/a

  6,674

  1999 (to date)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Notes:

  (a) Automatic detection came into force on 1 April 1993. The penalty has been £40 since 1 April 1992.

  (b) Automatic detection came into force on 1 April 1993. The penalty has been £40 since then.

  (c) Mobile speed cameras came into being on 1 October 1997. The penalty has been £40 plus 3 penalty points since then.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of how much the Treasury will receive annually as a result of the climate change levy; and if the levy will be fiscally neutral within the manufacturing sector. [89568]

  Ms Hewitt
  The climate change levy will be introduced in April 2001 raising around £1.75 billion in its first full year. Its introduction will entail no increase in the overall burden of tax on business as the revenue will be fully recycled via a 0.5 percentage point cut in the main rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions. Business will also benefit from an additional £50 million for schemes aimed at promoting energy efficiency and support for renewable sources of energy, like solar and wind power.

  The net impact of the climate change levy and the associated reduction in National Insurance Contributions on individual sectors will depend on the rates at which the levy is set. The final rates of the levy will not be set until the Finance Bill 2000.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his Special Advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89982]

  Ms Hewitt
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the party and helping to brief party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

  Financial Services Authority
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the annual report of the Financial Services Authority to be published. [90168]

  Ms Hewitt
  A copy of the Board's report was laid before Parliament today. It includes a report, pursuant to Section 1(3) of the Banking Act 1987 on the exercise of the Authority's functions under that Act, during the 13 month period to 31 March 1999. It also includes the report made by the FSA under section 117 of the Financial Services Act 1986, covering the period 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 19 June the number of (a) punishment beatings and (b) punishment shootings which took place in
  436
  Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [89262]

  Mr. Ingram
  The numbers of paramilitary attacks during 13–19 June 1997 are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  1

  1

  Shootings

  3

  3

  Total

  4

  4

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 26 June the number of(a) punishment beatings and (b) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many in each category were committed by (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [89260]

  Mr. Ingram
  The numbers of paramilitary attacks during the period 20–26 June 1999 are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  1

  0

  Shootings

  0

  0

  Total

  1

  0

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 26 June the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [89259]

  Mr. Ingram
  The numbers of security incidents during the period 20–26 June 1999 are as follows:

  Incidents

  Deaths

  0

  Shooting

  1

  Bombing

  3

  The numbers of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks during the period are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  1

  0

  Shootings

  0

  0

  Total

  1

  0

  Notes:

  1. The shooting and bombing incidents can as yet be firmly attributed to a grouping

  2. Figures may be subject to minor amendment

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ended Saturday 19 June the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [89261]
  437
  Mr. Ingram
  The numbers of security incidents during the period 13–19 June 1999 are shown below:

  Deaths—1

  Shooting incidents—7

  Bombing incidents—nil.

  The numbers of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style attacks during the period are as follows:

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Assaults

  1

  1

  Shootings

  3

  3

  Total

  4

  4

  Notes:

  1. The shooting and bombing incidents cannot as yet be firmly attributed to a grouping.

  2. Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

  Fair Employment Commission
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many employees the Fair Employment Commission has and what are their(a) grades or positions and (b) religious affiliations; and if he will provide the same information for 1994. [89547]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Fair Employment Commission currently employs 76 staff. Of these 63 are operational staff and 13 support staff. The religious composition is 30 Protestant and 46 Roman Catholic overall. Of these 25 operational and 5 support staff are Protestant and 38 operational and 8 support staff are Roman Catholic.

  In 1994 staffing also stood at 76, with 57 operational and 19 support staff. The religious composition was 34 Protestant and 42 Roman Catholic overall. Of these 27 operational and 7 support staff were Protestant and 30 operational and 12 support staff were Roman Catholic.

  Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums she has expended to date under section 2 of the Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999. [89879]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date £694.50 has been spent under section 2 of the Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999. Of this £610.50 has been spent on transport and associated expenses for the UK Commissioner, Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. The other £84 has been spent on setting up a Post Office Box.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  A130 Bypass Scheme
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authority transport schemes which were considered for PFI when the A130 bypass scheme was approved. [88589]
  438
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following local authority transport schemes were being considered last autumn along with the A130 bypass project:

  Baldock Bypass

  Bristol/South Gloucestershire Rapid Transit

  Doncaster North Bridge

  East Leeds Radial

  Manchester Metrolink Extensions

  North Yorkshire PFI

  Northumberland County Council Street Lighting Nottingham Express Transit

  South Hampshire Rapid Transit

  Surrey Cross Thames Integrated Transport Corridor

  Tyne and Wear Metro Extension

  Walsall Integrated Transport Project

  Walsall Street Lighting

  Weymouth Transportation and Regeneration Project.

  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the criteria by which the different schemes were judged when the PFI Scheme for the A130 bypass was approved; and how each scheme scored against the criteria. [88735]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The A130 bypass PFI project and the other local road schemes considered for PFI funding last autumn were appraised using the New Approach to Appraisal developed during the Roads Review. The Appraisal Summary Table for the A130 was placed in the Library, as specified on 19 May 1999,Official Report, column 354. As the other schemes considered at the time were not progressed and are subject to further evaluation by the local authorities concerned, Appraisal Summary Tables for these have not been published.

  Environment Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Environment Council held in Luxembourg on 24–25 June; and if he will make a statement. [89125]

  Mr. Meacher
  The meeting of the Environment Council on 24–25 June reached political agreement on common positions for seven proposals which will now go forward to the European Parliament for a second reading. The Council also reached conclusions on several other matters.

  Political agreement was reached on the proposal to amend Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms. This amendment provides improved risk assessment procedures which will now include an assessment of direct, indirect, immediate or delayed effect of GMOs. The agreement introduces a post-market monitoring regime, recognition of the precautionary principle, and recourse to a Commission committee on questions of a general ethical nature. It also includes a more comprehensive labelling regime for GMOs. The Commission's review of the Directive in 2003 will include an assessment of whether sufficient experience has been gained to consider differentiated procedures for marketing release. Of key importance, the voice of member states will be strengthened in the Commission chaired regulatory committee responsible for resolving objections lodged by one or more member states (referred to as the comitology procedure). GMOs subject

  439
  to authorisation under other EU product legislation will be exempted from authorisation under amended Directive 90/220 only where the relevant product legislation provides for equivalent risk assessment requirements to those in the amended Directive. Likewise, such exemptions will apply only where equivalent safeguarding provisions to those in Directive 90/220 apply. These allow member states to take unilateral emergency action in the event of new evidence of risk. The text provides for the identification and phasing out of antibiotic marker genes which are harmful to human health and the environment. It provides for first time consent to be time-limited to a period of up to ten years. In addition, the text provides clear timetables for the taking of decisions on marketing of GMOs; this will make it easier for industry to invest and plan. The UK made a statement for the minutes calling on the Commission to consider, as a matter of priority, the feasibility of a liability regime to cover the release and marketing of GMOs.

  The Council reached agreement on a proposal for a directive to minimise adverse environmental effects from the incineration of waste. The agreement will extend EU controls to virtually all waste incineration plants, update the requirements of the 1989 municipal waste incineration directives and, by merging them with the 1994 Hazardous Waste Incineration Directive, consolidate incineration controls into a single piece of legislation. It sets stringent minimum emission limit values for a range of substances emitted from incineration and co-incineration processes, including a 10 fold tightening of the dioxins limit currently set by the Environment Agency.

  Agreement was also reached on a proposal concerning noise from outdoor machinery which will set noise labelling requirements for 57 types of machinery and noise limits for 22 of these. A further agreement will set controls for the first time on diesel exhausts for agricultural and forestry tractors and set emission limits in line with those already agreed for non-road mobile machinery.

  The regulation governing the EU' s funding programme for projects which improve environmental quality, known as the LIFE programme, has also been updated, and agreement was reached on a budget of 613 million euros over the next 5 years.

  Revisions to two voluntary schemes were also agreed. Political agreement was reached on a revised EU ecolabelling regulation, governing the scheme which enables products to display the EU eco label symbol if they meet agreed environmental criteria. The UK made a statement for the minutes recording disappointment that it had not been possible to agree better arrangements for promoting convergence between the EU ecolabelling scheme and various national labelling schemes which will continue to run alongside it. Political agreement was also reached on a revised regulation to govern the EU eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS), which gives recognition to companies and organisations with good systems for environmental management and reporting.

  Council deferred a decision on a common position on the draft end of life vehicles directive which should now be decided under the Finnish Presidency.

  The Council agreed conclusions on EU Chemicals policy, as part of a process begun at the informal Environment Council at Chester under the UK
  440
  Presidency; on negotiations with Japanese and Korean car manufacturers concerning a voluntary reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from new passenger cars; on the Convention on Biological Diversity; on the proposed Biosafety Protocol; and on the environmental situation in the former Republic of Yugoslavia.

  The Council held a policy debate on a proposal for directive on the environmental assessment of plans and programmes and noted presentations from the Commission on the integration of the environment into the internal market and on the implementation of the Kyoto protocol on climate change.

  London Underground
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations his Department has received concerning current disruptions on the Circle and District London Underground lines. [89138]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As of 1 July 1999, my Department has received letters from four members of the public on the recent disruptions on the Circle and District lines. We have also received questions from four hon. Members, including the hon. Gentleman.

  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make public the report into the London Underground penalty fares scheme; and if he will make a statement. [90252]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have today placed a copy of the review in the Library.

  The operation of the penalty fares scheme on London Underground is the statutory responsibility of London Transport in accordance with powers under the London Regional Transport (Penalty Fares) Act 1992.

  Leaded Fuel
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to(a) advise consumers of the removal of leaded fuel from the market and (b) assist owners of cars where conversion is uneconomic to dispose of their vehicles appropriately or support their continued use. [89083]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since December 1998 over 3.5 million leaflets have been made available to inform motorists using leaded fuel that they will have several alternatives available to ensure that they can continue to use their cars after the general removal of leaded fuel from the market by 1 January 2000. The Government will shortly be launching a further publicity campaign to reinforce this message. Information leaflets are already being provided with Vehicle Excise Duty payment reminders and these will be followed by advertisements in the national press and the provision of further information leaflets at MOT garages and at filling stations. Information will also be available on the DETR site on the internet.

  Most cars will be able to run on lead replacement petrol (LRP) without adjustment to their engines. LRP will become widely available at pumps from the autumn with a duty rate set by the Chancellor some 3.67p per litre

  441
  lower than that of leaded petrol. Alternatively, where LRP is not available, motorists will be able to buy special additives in bottles or syringe-like applicators for use with the grade of unleaded petrol (super or premium) recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

  Many cars could alternatively be switched to ordinary unleaded petrol, with no alteration to the engine or with only a simple adjustment to the ignition timing, the cost of which could be recovered through lower fuel costs. In a relatively few cases where motorists often use their cars for prolonged heavy motorway driving or for towing they may find they need to have their engines modified. However, the vast majority of cars will not need this extreme modification and independent advice should be obtained before deciding whether this is necessary.

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the environmental costs and benefits of alternative refrigerant gases in the next generation of installed equipment; and if he will make a statement; [89254]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the projected impact of the use of HFCs as refrigerant gases on the United Kingdom's target for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement. [89256]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department has carried out several assessments of alternatives to the use of ozone depleting substances such as CFCs. Alternatives to CFC refrigerants include HFCs, which are potent greenhouse gases, ammonia and hydrocarbons. While ammonia and hydrocarbons benefit from not being greenhouse gases, they are either toxic or highly flammable. Nevertheless, in suitably designed systems, they may be used for many refrigeration applications. Energy efficiency is an important factor in determining overall greenhouse gas

  Terminal passengers

  1998

  1997

  Percent change on previous year

  London area airports

  Gatwick

  29,032,838

  26,792,797

  8.36

  Heathrow

  60,360,404

  57,848,625

  4.34

  London City

  1,360,182

  1,161,065

  17.15

  Luton

  4,115,924

  3,221,266

  27.77

  Southend

  4,053

  8,652

  -53.16

  Stansted

  6,830,289

  5,366,197

  27.28

  Total London area airports

  102,216,797

  94,398,602

  8.28

  Battersea Heliport

  4,709

  5,072

  -7.16

  Other UK airports

  Aberdeen

  2,651,995

  2,568,620

  3.25

  Barra

  8966

  8,597

  4.29

  Barrow-in-Furness

  105

  206

  -49.03

  Belfast City

  1,314,346

  1,282,390

  2.49

  Belfast International

  2,626,963

  2,459,344

  6.82

  Benbecula

  36,294

  36,983

  -1.86

  Biggin Hill

  6,967

  7,269

  -4.15

  Birmingham

  6,607,910

  5,903,434

  11.93

  442
  emissions from the use of refrigeration systems, and is generally comparable for well designed systems using HFCs, ammonia or hydrocarbons as refrigerants.

  Emissions of HFCs used as refrigerant gases were 0.2 million tonnes of carbon-equivalent in 1995 and are currently projected to rise to 1.3 million tonnes of carbon-equivalent in 2010. This increase in emissions is equivalent to 0.5 per cent. of total UK emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases in 1990. These projections assume the increased use of alternative refrigerants in some applications. The Government are developing a UK climate change programme which will address both their legally binding target of 12.5 per cent. reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2008–12, and the domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in CO2 emissions.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to encourage the use of non-HFC refrigerants inside Government buildings; and if he will make a statement. [90061]

  Mr. Meale
  My Department issued a model improvement statement for greening government operations in May 1998. Since then Government departments have been adopting and adapting the model to meet their own special circumstances and develop further their environmental strategies. Among other things, the model statement promotes switching from HFCs to environmentally preferable substitutes having a low or zero global warming potential. Advice on suitable alternatives is given in DETR's "Green Guide for Buyers" and other guidance which can be found on our website.

  Air Passengers
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each airport in the United Kingdom the percentage increase in passenger volume for the last year for which figures are available. [89385]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The most recent year for which Civil Aviation Authority data are available is 1998. The absolute and percentage increases in 1998 over 1997 for each UK airport are listed.
  443

  Terminal passengers

  1998

  1997

  Percent change on previous year

  Blackpool

  93,745

  83,218

  12.65

  Bournemouth

  312,924

  265,067

  18.05

  Bristol

  1,814,237

  1,586,420

  14.36

  Cambridge

  16,605

  19,919

  -16.64

  Campbeltown

  9,137

  8,710

  4.90

  Cardiff Wales

  1,230,193

  1,124,131

  9.44

  Carlisle

  957

  834

  14.75

  Coventry

  2,639

  1,694

  55.79

  Dundee

  8,737

  15,777

  -44.62

  East Midlands

  2,136,064

  1,878,313

  13.72

  Edinburgh

  4,544,992

  4,161,359

  9.22

  Exeter

  240,753

  213,355

  12.84

  Glasgow

  6,480,765

  6,011,792

  7.80

  Gloucestershire

  2,236

  2,103

  6.32

  Hawarden

  3,507

  2,113

  65.97

  Humberside

  344,363

  331,849

  3.77

  Inverness

  323,661

  379,256

  -14.66

  Islay

  21,024

  19,508

  7.77

  Isle of Man

  700,929

  676,832

  3.56

  Isles of Scilly (St. Marys)

  131,617

  128,265

  2.61

  Isles of Scilly (Tresco)

  33,559

  27,303

  22.91

  Kent International

  2,269

  2,936

  -22.72

  Kirkwall

  83,460

  88,701

  -5.91

  Leeds Bradford

  13,304

  1,247,090

  12.13

  Lerwick (Tingwall)

  4,029

  4,221

  -4.55

  Liverpool

  868,885

  682,265

  27.35

  Londonderry

  49,095

  56,043

  -12.40

  Lydd

  2,370

  2,596

  -8.71

  Manchester

  17,206,130

  15,741,516

  9.30

  Newcastle

  2,919,885

  2,592,382

  12.63

  Norwich

  317,525

  263,887

  20.33

  Penzance Heliport

  119,800

  108,805

  10.11

  Plymouth

  110,137

  103,044

  6.88

  Prestwick

  558,214

  567,338

  -1.61

  Scatsta

  104,297

  102,234

  2.02

  Sheffield City1

  46,521

  254

  18,215.35

  Shoreham

  2,156

  2,685

  -19.70

  Southampton

  725,029

  618,205

  17.28

  Stornoway

  95,735

  96,180

  -0.46

  Sumburgh

  287,028

  345,027

  -16.81

  Teesside

  651,435

  556,938

  16.97

  Tiree

  4,095

  5,056

  -2.99

  Unst

  1,752

  19,999

  -12.36

  Wick

  23,102

  25,195

  -8.31

  Total other UK airports

  57,288,253

  52,419,258

  9.29

  Total all reporting UK airports

  158,996,652

  146,822,932

  8.29

  Channel Islands airports

  Alderney

  77,196

  81,046

  -4.75

  Guernsey

  890,279

  870,741

  2.24

  Jersey

  1,693,791

  1,687,054

  0.40

  Total Channel Islands airports

  2,661,266

  2,638,841

  0.85

  1Sheffield city began reporting June 1997

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of passengers from(a) the UK and (b) the Yorkshire and Humberside Region flying to destinations (i) in the USA, (ii) in Europe and (iii) elsewhere in (1) 1978, (2) 1988 and (3) 1998. [89390]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Estimates of passengers originating in the Yorkshire and Humberside region and travelling to the United States, Europe and elsewhere are not regularly produced by the Civil Aviation Authority. Estimates of passengers flying from airports in the 444
  Yorkshire and Humberside region, which are Leeds, Bradford and Humberside, to these destinations are available. Data for 1978, 1988 and 1998 are listed in the table.

  Estimates are also made by the Civil Aviation Authority of the total number of UK passengers originating in the Yorkshire and Humberside region flying from UK airports on international services. These data are not disaggregated by destination and are available only for selected years. Figures for 1987 and 1997 are listed in the table.
  445

  Passengers flying from Yorkshire and Humberside airports by destination for 1978, 1988 and 1998

  USA

  Western Europe

  Elsewhere

  Total terminal passengers

  1978

  United Kingdom

  5,137,652

  24,061,548

  9,521,028

  38,720,228

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  31,705

  343,879

  375,584

  1988

  United Kingdom

  8,538,829

  47,039,170

  37,583,530

  93,161,529

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  253,419

  565,192

  818,611

  1998

  United Kingdom

  17,152,197

  82,462,356

  59,382,099

  158,996,652

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  0

  1,217,791

  524,876

  1,742,667

  Source:

  CAP 552 Tables 10.1 and 12

  UK Airports 1998 Tables 2.2 and 12

  UK passengers originating in the Yorkshire and Humberside region traveling on international flights from UK airports

  Year

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Total United Kingdom

  1987

  2,653,000

  39,123,000

  1997

  4,476,000

  61,141,000

  Sources:

  CAP 690 Tables 71 and 72

  A36 (Salisbury)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will(a) impose a 12 tonne weight limit on the A36(T) between Wylye and Salisbury, (b) erect signage to divert traffic from that route to the A303 and A360 between Wylye and Salisbury via Long Barrow roundabout, (c) detrunk and (d) declassify that road. [89190]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]We are currently undertaking a detailed study of the potential options available to help solve the transport problems of Salisbury and the surrounding area. As the A36 forms an integral part of the highway network of the study area, the problems associated with it are being considered as part of the overall study. The results should be available in the Autumn and will be the subject of public consultation. It is too early to comment on what solutions may be proposed but weight limits and diversions are among the many options being considered for the Salisbury area. A final decision on the classification of the A36 will be taken after a further study, as announced by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 7 April.

  Domestic Electrical Systems
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations exist to ensure the correct fitting of electrical systems and circuits in homes; and if he will make a statement. [89598]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]There are no such existing regulations. My Department is considering the merits of extending the Building Regulations to cover this.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the. Environment, Transport and the Regions what timetable the Government have for the introduction of the direct high-speed access to the Channel Tunnel from York; and if he will make a statement. [90084]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 28 January 1999, Official Report, columns 340–41, the commissioning of a thorough and independent review of regional Eurostar services. On 17 June the consultancy firm Arthur D. Little were appointed to undertake this review, and it is underway. The review, which will include an assessment of possible York services, will be thorough and wide ranging in its consideration of alternative options. It will, in particular, seek to assess the regional economic and social benefits of regional Eurostar services, and will examine the proposals put forward by the Virgin Group and the report produced last year by Inter-Capital and Regional Rail Ltd. The final report is due to be submitted at the end of October, and we expect to make a statement to the House before the end of the year.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the square footage is of the English Partnerships' offices in Cockermouth. [88755]

  Mr. Meale
  English Partnership offices in Cockermouth were transferred to the North West Development Agency on 1 April 1999. I understand from the Agency that the net lettable area of the office is 5,135 square feet.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what proposals the North West Development Agency has for the future of the English Partnerships' offices in Cockermouth; [88752]

  (2) what arrangements are being made for the sale or rental of the English Partnerships' offices in Cockermouth. [88762]
  447
  Mr. Meale
  Issues relating to office accommodation are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand that once the Agency has confirmed a vacation date, the Cockermouth Offices will be marked as 'available to let'.

  In the longer term, once the development is fully let, consideration will be given to its disposal on the open market.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the annual rental costs are of the premises to be occupied by(a) English Partnerships and (b) the Rural Development Commission at Penrith. [88756]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions on accommodation are for the North West Development Agency. I understand from the Agency that no final decision has been made on the location of the Penrith office. The annual rental costs of the likely premises to be occupied by the RDA staff (including former EP and RDC staff) are still under negotiation. However, I understand that the rental cost may be in the order of£10 per square foot.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the staff complement was at the English Partnerships office in Cockermouth in(a)1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998 and (d) 1999; and what the proposed complement of staff at English Partnerships' new offices at Penrith is for the first three years following relocation from Cockermouth. [88751]

  Mr. Meale
  I understand that English Partnerships' staff complements in Cockermouth were(a) 1996–14, (b) 1997–14 (c) 1998–11 and (d) 1999–11; and that the proposed complement of staff at the North West Development Agency's offices in Penrith is 18 to 20 people.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Standard's Excellent Standard will apply to the offices which will be occupied by English Partnerships and other North West Development Agency operations at Penrith. [88757]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions on accommodation are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand that in conducting the negotiations for the Penrith office the Agency has told the construction firm that they are looking for a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Standard's Excellent Standard (BREAM). The Cockermouth office has no BREAM rating.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the schemes for which funding had been approved by English Partnerships but not legally committed and which are the subject of funding reappraisal following the commencement of the operation of the North West Development Agency. [88766]

  Mr. Meale
  There were no such schemes outstanding at the commencement of the North West Development Agency.
  448
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are(a) the nature of the title and (b) the annual running costs of the English Partnerships offices in Cockermouth. [88753]

  Mr. Meale
  Issues relating to accommodation are for the North West Development Agency. I understand from the Agency that the office at Cockermouth is held on freehold. The total running costs for the financial year 1998–99 were £513,735 for office related costs, including salaries, and £352,797 for estate related costs in connection with the Agency's portfolio of land and buildings in Cumbria. (Physical work on the 375 units comprising 845,000 sq. ft. across Cumbria).

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the budget for English Partnerships in each year since 1994; and what are the proposed budgets for the next three years. [88759]

  Mr. Meale
  Details of English Partnerships' total income and expenditure up to 1997–98 are given in their Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

  The information on grant-in-aid provided by my Depaertment is:

  Year

  Grant-in-aid cash outturn (£million)

  1994–94

  183.0

  1995–96

  210.1

  1995–97

  226.0

  1996–98

  1259.8

  1998–99

  2294.2

  1999–2000

  3,5227.5

  2000–01

  4,6208.7

  2001–02

  4,6208.7

  Total

  1,818.8

  1Includes grant-in-aid for the Greenwich Peninsula development.

  2Includes grant-in-aid for Greenwich and for projects inherited from the Urban Development Corporations

  3This figure includes an allocation for the Partnership Investment Programme (PIP) which will remain with English Partnerships (EP) Pending the resolution of issues that the Government are currently discussing with the European Commission. EP and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will be co-operating closely on PIP projects. Full details given in a written answer to my hon Friend the Member for St. Helens North (Mr. Watts) on 21 Aprill 1999, official Report, columns 545–46

  4Although no grant-in-aid provision has been Voted by Parliament for 2000–01 and 2001–02, the table shows Government's spending plans for English Partnerships announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review. This will be divided between EP and the RDAs.

  5Provision

  6Planned

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum number of staff it is possible to accommodate in the English Partnerships offices in Cockermouth; and if the proposed personnel requirements of English Partnerships' and the Rural Development Commission in Cumbria could be accommodated there. [88754]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions about office accommodation are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand from the Agency that it estimates that up to
  449
  20 staff could be accommodated in the Cockermouth offices. The offices are of sufficient size to accommodate the Agency's Cumbria Area Office.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions(1) what estimate he has made of (a) the change in the amount of excess mileage allowances arising out of the transfer of persons currently working at the English Partnerships office in Cockermouth to offices in Penrith and (b) the costs of excess mileage allowance if persons currently working for the RDC in Penrith had been required to travel to the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships; [88764]

  (2) what estimate has been made of the change in the costs in travelling time and mileage allowances in servicing West Cumbria following the move of English Partnerships' operations from Cockermouth to Penrith. [88769]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand from the Agency that the cost of travelling time and mileage, including excess mileage costs for staff required to change their location, were among the factors taken into account in the decision in principle to locate the Agency's Area Office in Penrith. However, the costs are impossible to estimate with any confidence because the staff concerned will often travel to appointments direct from home. The Area Office will service the whole of Cumbria; some journeys will be shorter and others longer depending on the destination for appointments.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions from which year's budget the additional costs of the location of English Partnerships' in Penrith will be funded. [88760]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand from the Agency that its relocation may take place towards the end of this financial year, in which case the cost may be met in part this year and in part next year.

  My Department will not be providing additional funding for the relocation.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment has been made of the costs of complying with TUPE arising out of the transfer of staff from the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships to a new location at Penrith. [88765]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand that costs associated with the transfer of staff have been fully taken into account when value for money aspects of the potential move were being considered by the Agency.

  North West Development Agency
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation took place prior to the appointment of the membership of the North West Development Agency. [88749]
  450
  Mr. Meale
  Candidates for the Boards of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were sought from as wide a field as possible. Three main approaches were taken to identify candidates: RDAs were included alongside other Non Departmental Public Bodies in a general advertisement for Board Members; the databases of the Public Appointments Unit, DETR and other government departments were searched for suitable candidates; and a large number of regional and national stakeholders were invited to offer nominations.

  I have placed in the Library a list showing the regional stakeholders who were invited to nominate members for the North West Development Agency.

  Candidates encouraged to apply by stakeholders were considered alongside applicants from other sources. Information on which stakeholder, if any, nominated those appointed to the Boards was not recorded separately.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the financial implications for the Exchequer are arising out of the movement from Mercury Court of the North West Development Agency's premises in Liverpool. [88761]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency. The movement of some staff from Mercury Court to alternative premises, including area offices, is still being negotiated. However, any net increase in cost which may arise will be contained within the Agency's overall budget. There will therefore be no direct financial implications for the Exchequer.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation took place and with which organisations and individuals prior to the North West Development Agency's decision to close the Cockermouth Office of English Partnerships. [88750]

  Mr. Meale
  Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand that, in deciding in principle to locate its Area office in Penrith, the Agency took account of a range of factors.

  The Board reached a decision to locate the Area Office and Headquarters on the M6/West Coast Main Line (in respect of Cumbria and Lancashire); at the interchange of the M6/M62 and West Coast Main Line (Warrington Headquarters and Cheshire Area office) and on the M62/East West Rail Line (Liverpool and Manchester). The Penrith decision flowed from the application of these criteria-particularly the need to have public transport access via rail. There was no general consultation on this specific decision.

  Road Use Levies
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he will take to ensure that levies on(a) road use and (b) workplace parking schemes will not unfairly penalise car ownership by vulnerable groups. [89457]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government's proposals on road user charging and the workplace parking levy will not penalise car ownership, but will tackle congestion and other problems caused by car use in certain circumstances. The Government are keen to ensure that the needs of vulnerable groups are considered when charging schemes
  451
  are introduced. The Secretary of State will take all relevant impacts into account when considering proposed local authority schemes for approval.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving the national targets for reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from road accidents in the United Kingdom. [89710]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1987, a target was set to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries from road accidents in Great Britain by one third by the year 2000, compared with the average for 1981–85.

  The target has been exceeded for both road fatalities and serious injuries. By 1998, fatalities were 39 per cent. below baseline and serious injuries were 45 per cent. below. Compared with 1997, there was a fall of 5 per cent. for both deaths and serious injuries.

  This substantial reduction in road casualties is to be welcomed, but there is no room for complacency. We are working on a new casualty reduction target for 2010, and a road safety strategy, which we are aiming to publish in the Autumn.

  Countryside Agency
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what it will cost the Countryside Agency to occupy the property at Penrith formerly occupied by the Rural Development Commission. [88763]

  Mr. Meale
  The rent payable by the Countryside Agency is £l6,763 a year, which includes service charges and utility costs. In addition, the Agency incurred one-off costs of about £4,500 on minor refurbishment works, including the installation of computer cabling.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Gene Patents
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to restrict the exercise of monopoly power under gene patents. [87371]

  Company

  Grade

  Period of secondment

  Aerospace Industries

  British Aerospace

  R10 (formerly Grade 7)

  November 1994–February 1995

  SBAC

  R9 (formerly SEO)

  October 1995–September 1997

  British Aerospace

  R10

  January 1996–December 1996

  Matra Marconi Space

  R10

  April 1996–September 1997

  British Airways

  R9

  August 1996–September 1996

  Textile Industries

  British Footwear Association

  R8

  December 1997–March 1999

  Faith Charnock Wilson

  R8

  June 1997 (2 weeks)

  John Partridge

  R6

  4 x 1-day attachments

  Illingworth

  R6

  4 x 1-day attachments

  Drummonds

  R6

  4 x 1-day attachments

  Paul James Knitwear

  R6

  4 x 1-day attachments

  452
  Mr. Battle
  Rights available to patent owners, including those relating to genetic engineering, offer encouragement to undertake the costs and risks of technical innovation, but are already limited in their scope and duration in order that others can gain access to patented inventions and the technical knowledge on which they are based. There are no plans for change.

  As for all technologies, patent rights in the genetics field can last for a maximum period of 20 years after which the invention becomes part of the public domain and all are free to use it. There are exceptions to rights allowing the use of a patented invention to undertake research relating to that invention. If the market for an invention is not being satisfied in the UK, then rights may be compulsorily licensed to others. It is also important to note that patented inventions are published in sufficient detail to allow others skilled in the technology to use them. This ensures that technical advances are disclosed so stimulating research for further inventions, and rights may be challenged more easily since their foundation is made available for all to see. These restrictions are consistent with European and International laws concerning patentability.

  In addition to these restrictions on patent rights, in the event that a patented invention places the rights owner in a dominant market position, exercise of patent rights is subject to competition law.

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [88478]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have nothing further to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 18 June 1999, Official Report, column 255.

  Civil Servants (Secondments)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number and grade of civil servants seconded to work in the(a) textile and (b) aerospace industries for each year since 1992. [89549]

  Mr. Battle
  The Department does not keep comprehensive historical records of secondments. From the information that is available the details requested are:

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [89169]

  Mr. Byers
  This question cannot be answered without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Inward Investment
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the levels of inward investment into(i) the South East Government Office Region, (ii) the West Midlands Government Office

  Region

  Number of Projects

  Number of new jobs

  Number of safeguarded jobs

  Number of associated jobs

  South East

  1993–94

  20

  916

  5,950

  6,866

  1994–95

  37

  3,248

  14,895

  18,143

  1995–96

  50

  5,385

  13,482

  18,867

  1996–97

  46

  3,775

  2,756

  6,531

  1997–98

  56

  5,534

  7,442

  12,976

  West Midlands

  1993–94

  84

  3,370

  46,069

  46,439

  1994–95

  62

  4,797

  7,469

  12,266

  1995–96

  77

  7,072

  4,479

  11,553

  1996–97

  76

  4,350

  15,351

  19,701

  1997–98

  81

  5,631

  12,546

  18,177

  Yorkshire and Humber

  1993–94

  41

  2,829

  3,998

  6,827

  1994–95

  26

  3,152

  3,867

  7,019

  1995–96

  45

  1,964

  7,515

  9,479

  1996–97

  36

  1,887

  3,503

  5,390

  1997–98

  65

  2,874

  15,131

  18,005

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are currently employed in the medical and pharmaceutical applications of biotechnology in the United Kingdom; and what has been the annual financial contribution of this area of biotechnology to the United Kingdom's gross domestic product from 1992 to date in actual terms and in terms of a percentage of gross domestic product [89715]

  Mr. Battle
  This information is not available from official statistics.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential for incorporating renewable energy sources in the rebuilding works in Kosovo. [89919]

  Mr. Battle
  During my brief visit to Kosovo on 28 and 29 June heading the Taskforce it was clear that rehabilitation of the power sector was urgently required. However, it is too early to assess the extent to which the potential exists to incorporate renewable energy resources in the refurbishment of Kosovo's power generation capacity; this will have to await more detailed assessment studies of all aspects of the power sector.
  454
  Region and (iii) the Yorkshire and the Humber Government Office Region for the last five years for which figures are available. [89384]

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

  There is no requirement to notify the Department and so the figures include only those projects where the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice. Comprehensive capital expenditure details are often not available at the time of the decision to invest, and are therefore not included.

  Small and Medium Enterprises
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for stimulating the availability of finance for SMEs through the regional venture capital funds element of the Enterprise Fund. [89955]

  Mr. Byers
  I have today published a consultation paper, "Addressing the SME Equity Gap—Support for Regional Venture Capital Funds" which sets out our proposals and seeks views on the design and form of the support for the Regional Venture Capital element of the Enterprise Fund. Depending on the results of the consultation, I will be making up to £50 million available over the next three years to support the creation of Regional Venture Capital Funds. I expect this to lever in significant amounts of matching private sector finance.

  The intention of our support is to provide a model which regional partnerships, working with Regional Development Agencies, can use to stimulate venture capital funds to address the equity gap. The purpose of this intervention is to increase the amount of equity finance available to growing SMEs to enable them to compete in a global economy and ensure that each region in England has access to a viable, regionally based venture capital fund. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have in place mechanisms for venture capital support.
  455
  The Government are seeking views from entrepreneurs, representatives of Small Firms, the venture capital and finance industries, Regional Development Agencies and business support organisations.

  Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library. I look forward to receiving comments from those interested by 30 September.

  Milk Marque
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the MMC report on the Supply in Great Britain of raw cows' milk. [90250]

  Mr. Byers
  I have today published the MMC report on the supply in Great Britain of raw cows' milk.

  I am requiring major changes to the conditions of sale of raw milk by the dominant supplier, Milk Marque, to prevent it from exploiting its monopoly position, but have rejected the MMC recommendation to enforce a break-up of Milk Marque.

  The MMC have found that Milk Marque, which was responsible for nearly half of the raw milk sales in Great Britain in 1997–98, is exploiting its monopoly in the supply of raw milk, using a variety of practices which raise the price of raw milk. Consumers pay more for fresh milk than they should, and the competitiveness of the dairy processing sector is being damaged.

  This is a thorough and detailed examination of Milk Marque's selling practices and their effects, and I accept the Commission's findings.

  With regard to the remedies necessary to stop these damaging effects, the MMC have explored the possibilities of either reforming Milk Marque's auction sales system, or of restructuring of Milk Marque into several independent producer bodies. Both of these options present difficulties, as the MMC recognises.

  The MMC recommends the restructuring of Milk Marque, by dividing it into independent and competing quota-holding bodies, able to sell their milk on an ordinary commercial basis and to engage in milk processing, that is the making of milk products, if they wish. I have not accepted this recommendation.

  An imposed restructuring of Milk Marque would be a drastic step which would affect a large proportion of the farmers of England and Wales. I am also conscious that this remedy would take a considerable time to put fully into effect: perhaps as long as two years. This would itself introduce worrying uncertainties for the industry. There is a strong possibility that by the end of the period the market may have changed considerably. I believe a wider debate about the future of Milk Marque is appropriate, informed by the analysis provided by the MMC report.

  In the meantime the raw milk market must continue to function, and it must do so on as fair a basis as possible. The report found that Milk Marque has been able to exploit its position by using its selling system to price discriminate and control the supply of milk available to the market. It is clear that Milk Marque must reform its sales procedures. I am therefore asking the Director General of Fair Trading to consider and advise me by the end of this year what changes should be made, after consulting with Milk Marque and its customers.
  456
  Milk Marque will be aware that from 1 March next year it will be subject to the prohibitions on anti-competitive behaviour and abuse of market power introduced under the Competition Act 1998. The DGFT will have interim relief powers to stop behaviour which is damaging third parties.

  The MMC also recommends (paragraph 2.400 of the report) a number of interim remedies to prevent Milk Marque abusing its market power. I accept these recommendations.

  I am aware that, in its recent auctions, Milk Marque has relied increasingly on sales on undisclosed contract terms to dispose of its milk. The undertakings I am seeking will apply to both auction and private sales.

  The MMC have concluded that Milk Marque's planned increase in its milk processing capacity may be expected to operate against the public interest, by enhancing its ability to exploit its monopoly power.

  Milk Marque, while it remains a monopoly supplier of raw milk to the processing sector, should not be allowed to extend its milk processing activities in this way. I am therefore also asking the Director General to seek undertakings from Milk Marque that it will not take any further steps towards making or carrying out any agreement to acquire or build processing plant without prior agreement by the Director General, as the MMC have recommended.

  Copies of the report have been laid before Parliament.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress made through negotiated agreements with energy intensive industries as part of the climate change levy to improve energy efficiency; and what measures his Department is taking to safeguard the international competitiveness of manufacturing firms in the United Kingdom [89458]

  Mr. Battle
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) is leading for the Government on the development of negotiated agreement with a number of energy intensive sectors. We have said that significantly reduced rates of the climate change levy will be available to those energy intensive sectors which enter negotiated agreements with the Government to deliver targets covering energy efficiency improvements and/or cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. The eligible sectors are those covered by the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulations (IPPC). Negotiations are under way between DETR officials, with some assistance from DTI, and the sectors concerned. DETR initiated discussions with an initial group of the nine main energy intensive sectors following the budget, and is also now holding meetings with around twenty further sectors. The negotiations are progressing in a constructive manner. The aim is to have negotiated heads of agreement with proposed targets by the autumn, when the levels of discounts from the levy will be determined, taking account of the stringency of the targets offered.

  The Government have previously stated that they aim to avoid taking action on climate change which damages business competitiveness. In this context, I welcome the

  457
  intention to recycle revenues from the climate change levy, primarily via reduced employers National Insurance Contributions, and also the promised support for promotion of energy efficiency and new and renewable energy technologies, as well as the special arrangements proposed for intensive energy sectors. DTI is contributing to interdepartmental discussions both on the development of the levy proposal and also on the draft national climate change strategy, which is intended for publication later this year for consultation, and which will set the broader policy framework for business's response to climate change.

  It is the case that the UK is not alone in having to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or in using economic instruments to do so. Since 1990, seven European countries have introduced carbon or energy taxes. On current projections, most OECDS countries will have to introduce new measures of one form or another to meet their Kyoto targets.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his special advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89994]

  Mr. Byers
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the party and helping to brief party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

  European Commission Communication
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place a copy of the European Commission Communications on (a) the Environment and the Internal Market and (b) Mutual Recognition in the Library. [90090]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Commission Communications referred to are available in the Library under the Commission references 99/263 (10 June) and 99/299 (21 June) respectively. They can also be accessed electronically via the Commission website: (www.europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm).

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  EU Cultural and Audiovisual Meeting
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library a copy of the presentation on European identity given at the EU Weimar meeting on cultural and audiovisual issues; what is his policy on the issues raised; and if he will make a statement. [88464]
  458
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I will ensure that a copy of Jorge Semprun's Weimar speech is placed in the Libraries of the House. The meeting in Weimar underlined to those present the benefits which can accrue from learning the lessons of history and using culture as a means towards better mutual understanding between the peoples of Europe. Following the meeting in Weimar, the German Presidency presented a draft Council Resolution on integrating history into the European Community's cultural action. The Resolution was agreed unanimously at the Culture/Audiovisual Council in Luxembourg on 28 June, and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House when the final text is available.

  EU Culture Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the outcome of the Culture Council held in Luxembourg on 28 June; and if he will make a statement [89289]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Arts represented the United Kingdom at the Culture/Audiovisual Council held in Luxembourg on 28 June. The Council agreed a Common Position on the Culture 2000 funding programme. A Council Resolution on integrating history into the Community's cultural action was agreed, as was a decision on the appointment by the Council of the members of the selection panel for the Community action concerning the European Capital of Culture. There was an exchange of views on the cultural dimension of the Kosovo conflict. On audiovisual matters, Council conclusions on convergence and self-regulation in the media were agreed.

  Television Licence Fee Evasion
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many offences of television licence fee evasion were adjudicated upon in magistrates' courts in(a) England and (b) Wales during each of the last five years; what was the cost; what proportion of the cost was borne by (i) the magistrates' courts and (ii) the BBC; and what has been the amount of fines imposed. [89558]

  Janet Anderson
  The Home Office Court Proceedings database records prosecutions under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts. The great majority, but not all, of these relate to television licence fee evasion. The reporting of prosecutions where there has been no police involvement, as in this case, is known to be incomplete. Accurate information on the cost of prosecutions under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts is not available.

  The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts in England and Wales for offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts from 1993–1997 was:

  Total Proceeded against

  Total convicted

  Total fined

  Average fine, where imposed (£)

  England

  1993

  182,738

  157,959

  154,205

  113

  1994

  180,876

  156,138

  152,837

  94

  19951

  122,635

  106,694

  103,976

  99

  1996

  174,956

  153,753

  151,079

  102

  1997

  86,088

  71,600

  70,341

  105

  459

  Total proceeded against

  Total Convicted

  Total fined

  Average fine, where imposed (£)

  Wales

  1993

  12,130

  10,747

  10,560

  95

  1994

  7,925

  6,721

  6,636

  93

  19951

  8,321

  7,101

  6,974

  94

  1996

  13,162

  11,103

  10,913

  96

  1997

  6,661

  5,405

  5,279

  92

  1In 1995, as a result of an error in data processing procedures, there was a shortfall in the recording of data for certain summary offences, including those under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts

  Libraries (Lottery Money)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how local authorities will obtain money made available through the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund to develop a public libraries IT network; and what plans he has to ensure that all public libraries will benefit from this money. [89470]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Guidance on applications for funding for the £20m ICT training programme for librarians and the £50m programme for creation of digitised learning material will shortly be issued by the New Opportunities Fund (NOF).

  Guidance on applications for funding for infrastructure development, to be delivered through NOF's £200m Community Access To Lifelong Learning Programme, is likely to be issued at the end of this year.

  Millennium Prayers
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to facilitate the saying of prayers at midnight on 31 December 1999 in the Millennium Dome by the Archbishop of Canterbury. [89579]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is responsible for the content and delivery of the opening celebrations at the Millennium Dome on 31 December. NMEC is discussing these arrangements with a number of interested parties including the Royal Household and Lambeth Palace, and the Government are kept fully informed of these discussions. The nature and scope of the celebrations will be announced in due course.

  Preston Television Licensing Enquiry Office
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many successful prosecutions took place in the Preston Television Licensing enquiry office area for each year since 1992. [89550]

  Janet Anderson
  From April 1993, the Preston TV Licensing enquiry office (TVLEO) area also included Morecambe. From December 1996, the Preston TVLEO area was incorporated into TV Licensing's Northern Region; figures from 1996–97 onwards therefore relate to 460
  addresses with the PR postcode. The number of convictions for television licence evasion during the period in question was:

  Number of convictions

  1992–93

  (Preston TVLEO)

  5,360

  1993–94

  (Preston TVLEO) including Morecambe

  6,569

  1994–95

  (Preston TVLEO)

  5,503

  1995–96

  (Preston TVLEO)

  5,165

  1996–97

  (PR Postcode)

  1,058

  1997–98

  (PR Postcode)

  757

  1998–99

  (PR Postcode)

  522

  Air Passenger Duty
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the tourism industry calling for(a) change to and (b) hypothecation of Air Passenger Duty. [89560]

  Janet Anderson
  We have had a number of representations on Air Passenger Duty either calling for change to, or a hypothecation of, the duty and these have been passed to the Treasury.

  Heritage Buildings
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the historic and architectural merit of surviving buildings from the British Empire Exhibition held at Wembley in 1923. [89193]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: Wembley Stadium and the Palace of Arts were added to the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest in Grade II in 1976. The other surviving buildings from the Exhibition were inspected by English Heritage in 1997, as a result of which the Palace of Industry was listed in Grade II.

  Verulamium
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action his Department is taking to safeguard archaeological remains at Verulamium; what plans English Heritage has to secure a management agreement for the site; and if he will make a statement. [89405]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]The site is protected as Scheduled Ancient Monument. English Heritage has commissioned a detailed survey which should provide the basis for discussions with the owners about implementing a new management plan for the site.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Select Committees
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Council if she will propose the appointment of a select committee on young people and sport. [88499]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have no plans to do so. Whilst the area is an important one, both the Culture, Media and Sport and the Education and Employment Committees are able to conduct inquiries into it.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by her special advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89997]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speech writing and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the Party and helping to brief Party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Kosovo
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if her Department has funded non-Governmental organisations which have supplied out-of-date medicines to Kosovo. [89999]

  Clare Short
  We adhere to the World Health Organisation Guidelines on the donation of drugs, which require pharmaceutical donations to have a minimum of a year's shelf life and be provided against strict need assessment criteria. We have funded the provision of essential drugs in response to the Kosovar refugee crisis through the World Health Organisation itself and through reputable operational agencies which follow the guidelines.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what data her Department has collated on possible breaches of regulations in respect of the supply of out-of-date medicines to Kosovo by British based non-Governmental organisations in the past three months. [90000]

  Clare Short
  The World Health Organisation leads on the collation of data with respect to the international guidelines for the donation of drugs. They have recently reported that up to 65 per cent. of drugs donated to Albania in May have a shelf life of less than a year. Over 100 non-governmental organisations, including British based NGOs, have been active in Albania as a result of the Kosovo crisis. It is likely that many of these are not aware of, or choose not to adhere to, the WHO guidelines. We provide funding for drugs only to NGOs who adhere to the guidelines.
  462
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will hold an inquiry into the supply to Kosovar Albanians of obsolete medical supplies by non-Governmental organisations. [90001]

  Clare Short
  The World Health Organisation, the lead agency for medical supplies and assistance, have recently audited the provision of drugs to Albania during the refugee crisis. The results of the audit have been widely circulated. We have already made it clear that we will only fund the provision of essential drugs in response to assessed need in Kosovo and elsewhere, in line with the standards published by WHO.

  European Development Fund Committee
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the voting allocations given to the members of the European Development Fund Committee. [89372]

  Clare Short
  Within the European Development Fund (EDF) Committee, the votes of the members states are weighted as follows:

  Member state

  Votes

  Austria

  6

  Belgium

  9

  Denmark

  5

  Finland

  4

  France

  52

  Germany

  50

  Greece

  4

  Iceland

  2

  Italy

  27

  Luxembourg

  1

  Netherlands

  12

  Portugal

  3

  Spain

  13

  Sweden

  6

  United kingdom

  27

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's policy is on the proposed European Development Fund grant to support the Rehabilitation of Roads in Cameroon (PERFED II); and what discussions her officials have had on this proposal with other members of the European Development Fund Committee. [89373]

  Clare Short
  We support the maintenance of roads in the Cameroon. Improved rural roads can bring considerable benefits to the poorest, particularly those living in isolated rural communities. My officials are examining the European Development Fund project proposal to ensure that it meets our concerns over consultation, social and environmental impacts and capacity for ongoing maintenance. My officials have been in contact with the German Development Ministry (BMZ), who are the lead bilateral donors to the transport sector in the Cameroon. Their view is similar to ours.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what dates Special Advisers from her Department have travelled abroad on official business since 2 May 1997; which countries were visited on each occasion; and what were the names of the Special Advisers who travelled on each occasion. [88437]
  463
  Clare Short
  [holding answer 30 June 1999]For the period 2 May 1997 to 5 July 1999, Special Advisers in my Department have travelled overseas in an official capacity on 16 occasions to a variety of locations. The total cost of travel and accommodation was £33,285.00. All travel complied with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by her special advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89979]

  Clare Short
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the Party and helping to brief Party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published. [89685]

  Clare Short
  There are two relevant pieces of research:a report was produced in October 1997 by Opinion Leader Research to explore public attitudes to international development issues. This was published on the Department for International Development (DFID) website;
  in June 1999 a readership survey was carried out in relation to "Developments", a magazine produced by DFID to raise awareness of development issues. The results of this are still being analysed and have not been published.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by her Department into Parliament in 1998 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89164]

  Clare Short
  None.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid is being delivered to the people of the Nuba Mountains region in Sudan. [89521]

  Clare Short
  UN and non-governmental organisations are delivering assistance to Government of Sudan controlled areas of the Nuba Mountains. They are also delivering more limited relief aid to Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) held areas, where access is a serious constraint.

  A UN mission visited the Nuba Mountains region, including some SPLA controlled areas, from 21 to 26 June. The team's conclusion was that although there is no evidence of widespread famine, there is malnutrition
  464
  among children and displaced people, and significant needs for water, health and basic education. The UN is negotiating with the parties to the conflict for improved access for relief supplies.

  Serbia
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if, in the context of aid for Serbia, assistance to reconstruct a hospital is humanitarian assistance or reconstruction. [89973]

  Clare Short
  We will consider the provision of humanitarian assistance to Serbia on a case by case basis. We would assist with the provision of hospital facilities if they were an immediate humanitarian need which could not be met from other sources. We are not aware of any such needs.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish information about preparations made by other countries to deal with the millennium bug. [90106]

  Mr. Hoon
  Action 2000 are summarising on their website information which is already publicly available from other countries' official Year 2000 web pages. This is designed to assist businesses by providing the information in one place. In addition the Government are in the process of gathering local information which will be placed on the FCO website.

  Chile
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with the Government of Chile concerning(a) its legal process and (b) the immunity of members of the armed forces from prosecution. [88893]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]We have not held discussions with the Government of Chile concerning these matters. My understanding is that members of the Chilean armed services do not have "immunity from prosecution" under Chilean law.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what dates Ministers in his Department plan to be absent from the office in 1999; [89615]

  (2) if he will list the overseas visits proposed for (a) himself and (b) Ministers in his Department between 1 July and 1 December. [89614]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 July 1999]It is not possible to provide a definitive list as my visits programme is under constant review, but during the period 1 July-1 December 1999 I expect, on present plans, to make a number of visits to Finland, Brussels and Luxembourg on European Union business. I intend to visit New York for the United Nations General Assembly. I will be in attendance upon Her Majesty The Queen
  465
  during her State Visit to Ghana and Mozambique. I will visit South Africa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

  I, and Ministers in my Department, will also undertake a number of bilateral visits. Our bilateral programme is currently under consideration, but I am already committed to visit Estonia in July and Japan in September.

  Vietnam
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the(a) persecution of the Hmong people in Vietnam and (b) migration of the Hmong peoples from their ancestral homelands; and what discussions he has had with his international counterparts about the protection of minorities in Vietnam. [89463]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government receive regular reports from our Embassy in Hanoi of the persecution of Hmong Christians in Vietnam; and regularly raises human rights concerns with the Vietnamese Government.

  The late Derek Fatchett raised our human rights concerns with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister during last year's ASEM II meeting in London, and again with the Vietnamese Ambassador earlier this year. The Embassy, together with other EU Embassies, regularly raises with the Vietnamese Government concerns about human rights, including on individual Hmong Christian detainees, and will continue to do so.

  Solomon Islands
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of the Solomon Islands regarding the recent activities of the Guadalcanal Liberation Army. [89526]

  Mr. Hoon
  The British High Commissioner in Honiara has been in close contact with the Solomon Islands Prime Minister and Government since the escalation of the ethnic unrest. In response to requests from the Solomon Islands Prime Minister the Department for International Development is providing £50,000 to the Solomon Islands Red Cross to help displaced Malaitans and we are providing a vehicle to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. We are also exploring with EU partners the possibility of EU assistance.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the British embassies in which locally engaged staff are paid less than the UK national minimum wage. [89872]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: This salary information is not held centrally and to provide it for 220 Diplomatic Posts worldwide would incur disproportionate cost.

  The salary scales and conditions of service of locally engaged staff vary from country to country. Salary scales are set by reference to comparable employers based locally at a level which enables posts to recruit, retain and motivate suitable staff.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards the continuation of the trade embargos on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, indicating the proportion of global shipping that is subject to the stop and search regime. [89820]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Our aim is to continue to use sanctions to maintain pressure for democratic reform in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The search and visit regime prepared by NATO has not been put into effect following the termination of NATO's military action against the FRY.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he is doing to assist the peoples of Kashmir to determine their own future. [89892]

  Mr. Hoon
  We believe that any solution, if it is to be permanent and acceptable, must involve, and reflect the views of, the people of Kashmir. Our role, and that of others who wish India and Pakistan well, is to encourage both countries to resolve, through dialogue, the issues between them.

  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning whether the current shelling in and around Kashmir was caused by infiltrators. [89891]

  Mr. Hoon
  We are clear that the current fighting, including shelling by both sides, in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir was instigated by the infiltration of a large number of armed personnel across the Line of Control.

  Indian Ocean Territories
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of the United States of America on the future of the Indian Ocean territories. [89676]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We hold annual bilateral talks at official level, with the United States, to discuss the British Indian Ocean Territory. This year they were held in May. At these talks both delegations agreed on the continuing strategic importance of the defence facility in Diego Garcia, including in operations against Iraq.

  Helms Burton Act
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the United States administration on the effects of the Helms Burton Act on Cuba; and if he will make a statement. [89827]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have made it clear to the US that we entirely reject the use of extraterritorial legislation such as Helms Burton. We have consistently told the Americans that the best way of encouraging reform in Cuba is to convince the Cubans themselves, through dialogue and co-operation, of the need for change.

  Chechnya
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the persecution and the resultant migrations of Christians in Chechnya. [89998]

  Ms Quin
  We are aware of unconfirmed reports that some Christians have left Chechnya. But we have no clear evidence to show whether this is as a result of persecution, or local political instability, or the collapse of social support structures in Chechnya. We are discussing the situation with NGO's connected to the region.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  HM Prison Aldington
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has for Her Majesty's Prison, Aldington; and if he will make a statement. [89306]

  Mr. Straw
  Following a review of the projected future requirements of both the Prison Service and the Immigration Service, it has been agreed that Her Majesty's Prison, Aldington should be closed by the end of August 1999 and the site handed over to the Immigration Service to pursue its development as an Immigration detention centre.

  Our plans are to redevelop the site under a form of private finance to provide at least 300 detention places with sufficient flexibility to accommodate males, females and families in a safe and secure environment by the spring of 2002. The opening of the Aldington site by the Immigration Service will enable detainees held in prisons elsewhere in the south to be placed in conditions better suited to their status and needs. It will also free much needed spaces in local prisons.

  The Prison Service plans to redeploy the staff of the prison elsewhere within the Service. No compulsory redundancies of "mobile" grades are envisaged as a result of the closure of Aldington. Every effort will also be made to avoid redundancies for "non-mobile" grades. In addition to the employment opportunities arising from the construction of a new centre, we estimate that around 150 new jobs will be created once the facility is opened.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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. [89165]

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

  Year

  Number of SIs

  Number implementing European Community obligations (where applicable)

  1998

  118

  1

  1992

  86

  2

  468

  Year

  Number of SIs

  Number implementing European Community obligations (where applicable)

  1985

  84

  —

  1973

  116

  —

  With regard to 1985 and 1973, it is not possible, without incurring disproportionate cost, to determine how many of these SIs were introduced to comply with European Community obligations.

  The figures given exclude Statutory Instruments which deal with European Parliamentary elections since these do not give effect directly to a Community obligation.

  Racial Discrimination
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about persons who have not been racially discriminated against having the power to bring forward a complaint on the part of a group or individuals who have been victims of such discrimination. [89544]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The question has been taken to mean "representative action". In this context, no representations have been received.

  In the Commission for Racial Equality's Third Review of the Race Relations Act 1976, there were a large number of proposals for amending the Act. One of the proposals was that the Act should be amended to enable a court or tribunal to consider a complaint where the discrimination affects a number of people who wish to bring a group complaint, without the need for each person separately to bring proceedings. This proposal envisages "class action" and it, along with all the other proposals in the Commission's Review, is currently under consideration.

  Highway Offences
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been(a) for offences related to cycling and (b) for dangerous behaviour by pedestrians in the last five years. [89541]

  Mr. Boateng
  Available information on the number of defendants proceeded against for offences connected with pedal cycles is given in the table.

  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts for offences connected with pedal cycles, England and Wales 1993–97

  Persons proceeded against

  1993

  1,370

  1994

  1,129

  1995

  1,298

  1996

  1,513

  1997

  1,718

  Information on the number of pedestrians prosecuted for highway offences are not identifiable separately within the Home Office Court Proceedings Database.

  Parking Offences
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many spot fines have been levied by the police on motorists for(a) illegal parking and (b) parking on cycle lanes in the last five years; [89542]
  469
  (2) how many motorists have been prosecuted for (a) illegal parking and (b) parking on cycle lanes in the last five years. [89543]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is not possible to separately identify illegal parking on cycle lanes in the statistics collected centrally.

  The table shows the number of proceedings at magistrates courts and the number of fixed penalty notices issued for all offences of obstruction, waiting and parking in England and Wales during the years 1993 to 1997. Statistics for 1998 are not yet available.

  Proceedings at magistrates courts and fixed penalty notices issued for offences of obstruction, waiting and parking, England and Wales, 1993–97

  Year

  Number of proceedings at magistrates courts

  Number of fixed penalty notices issued

  1993

  45,137

  3,383,011

  1994

  32,111

  2,698,349

  1995

  24,192

  2,270,732

  1996

  23,348

  2,282,481

  1997

  23,631

  2,199,242

  From 1994, local authorities were allowed to enforce parking controls within Special Parking Areas by parking attendants. The number of penalty charge notices issued

  Initial decisions made on applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom1.2 by type January to April 1999, nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Iraq and Somalia

  January 1999

  February 1999

  March 1999

  April 1999

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Total decisions of which:

  45

  50

  75

  985

  Grants of asylum

  *

  10

  10

  805

  Grants of ELR

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Refusals

  45

  40

  50

  20

  Grants of ELR under the backlog criteria3,4

  *

  *

  15

  160

  Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Iraq

  Total decisions of which:

  10

  15

  30

  35

  Grants of asylum

  *

  *

  10

  10

  Grants of ELR

  5

  *

  10

  15

  Refusals

  5

  10

  10

  5

  Grants of ELR under the backlog criteria3.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somalia

  Total decisions of which:

  5

  10

  25

  20

  Grants of asylum

  *

  5

  5

  5

  Grants of ELR

  *

  *

  —

  —

  Refusals

  5

  5

  15

  15

  Grants of ELR under the backlog criteria3.4

  —

  —

  5

  5

  Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria3

  —

  —

  *

  —

  1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with '* = 1or 2

  2Excluding dependants

  3Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre 1996 asylum backlog

  4May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Cox
  To Ask the secretary of state for the Home Department if he will list each of the prisons in England and Wales where prison officers have been suspended for alleged assaults against prison inmates or for other 470
  was 1,706,000 in 1994; 3,148,000 in 1995; 3,523,000 in 1996; and 3,769,000 in 1997.

  Personal Data
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the purposes of each order, currently under preparation, which will relate to the processing of personal data in accordance with the provisions in Schedules 2, 3 and 4 of the Data Protection Act 1998. [89652]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We are preparing an order under paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 to the Data Protection Act 1998 specifying additional circumstances in which sensitive personal data may be processed. We have no current plans to bring forward subordinate legislation made under any other provision of Schedules 2, 3 or 4 to the 1998 Act.

  Asylum Applications
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were processed in(a) January, (b) February, (c) March and (d) April from (i) Kosovo, (ii) Iraq and (iii) Somalia; how many of these were (1) agreed and (2) refused; and if he will make a statement. [89467]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is given in the table. I regret that it is not possible to separately identify Kosovans within the available statistics for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  breaches of prison rules; and how many officers at each prison have been suspended for these alleged offences in the last year. [89346]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The table shows in which prisons prison officer grades were suspended as at 1 July 1999.
  471

  Suspended prison officers in prisons in England and Wales

  Prison

  Number

  Alleged offence

  Bedford

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Belmarsh

  1

  Sexual misconduct

  Birmingham

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Blundeston

  1

  Seeking loan from prisoner

  Brinsford

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Brixton

  3

  Favours for prisoners for monetary gain

  Brockhill

  2

  Fraud

  Theft

  Bullingdon

  2

  Assault on prisoner

  Confidentiality breach

  Cardiff

  1

  Failure to get authority for relationship with prisoner

  Castington

  1

  Assault on prisoner

  Chelmsford

  2

  Preventing course of justice

  Assault

  Coldingley

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Cookham Wood

  1

  Sexual harassment, assault

  Downview

  2

  Expenses fraud

  Money laundering and harbouring

  Elmley

  1

  Improper relationship with prisoner

  Everthorpe

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Feltham

  2

  Assault on prisoner

  Frankland

  1

  Possession of drugs

  Full Sutton

  3

  Action that led to assault of prisoner by prisoners

  Garth

  2

  Fraud

  Improper relationships with prisoner's wife

  Gartree

  1

  Improper relationship with prisoner

  Gloucester

  1

  Public order offence

  Haverigg

  1

  Fraud

  High Down

  3

  Assault on prisoner

  Sexual harassment

  Indecent assault

  Highpoint

  1

  Misappropriation of funds

  Hollesley Bay

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Holloway

  1

  Indecent behaviour in front of prisoners

  Hull

  1

  Harassment of staff; unnecessary force on prisoners

  Lancaster Farms

  1

  Fraud

  Latchmere House

  I

  Expenses fraud

  Leeds

  1

  Possession of drugs

  Long Lartin

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Low Newton

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Maidstone

  2

  Expenses fraud

  Racial comments

  Manchester

  6

  Assault on prisoner

  Assault on wife

  Indecent assault on member of staff

  Sexual activity on duty

  Interfering with witnesses

  Bribery

  Moorland

  1

  Expenses fraud

  Norwich

  1

  Unlawful sale of goods

  Nottingham

  1

  Falsely claiming sick

  Parkhurst

  1

  Unlawful sexual intercourse

  Pentonville

  1

  Indecent assault on minor

  Portland

  1

  Assault

  Send

  2

  Expenses fraud

  Releasing prisoner without authority

  Shrewsbury

  1

  Harassment

  Thom Cross

  1

  Fraud

  The Verne

  1

  Loss of keys

  Wandsworth

  3

  Harassment of staff

  Theft

  Threatening behaviour to staff

  The Weare

  2

  Expenses fraud

  Rape

  Woodhill

  4

  Drug use

  Failed to give sample, criminal damage

  Failed to prevent assault on prisoner Deception

  Wormwood Scrubs

  26

  Assault on prisoners x 25

  Aiding prisoner escape

  Wymott

  1

  Expenses fraud

  472

  Sexual Offences (Children)
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of sexual offences against children(a) led to charges being preferred, (b) were prosecuted and (c) resulted in convictions in each year from 1989. [89581]

  Table A: Number of offenders cautioned for sexual offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  39

  59

  49

  30

  27

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  2

  7

  5

  8

  8

  Buggery by a male of a male under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male with a female under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  157

  221

  199

  209

  184

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  1,121

  1,117

  1,023

  1,081

  1,007

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  83

  72

  63

  59

  67

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  1,122

  984

  850

  706

  553

  Incest with girl under 13

  11

  16

  13

  12

  19

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  —

  1

  —

  5

  —

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  3

  —

  —

  2

  3

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  3

  7

  3

  3

  3

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 18

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 or under

  44

  53

  41

  46

  56

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 or under

  34

  41

  40

  52

  45

  Table A: Number of offenders cautioned for sexual offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  41

  8

  5

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  6

  1

  1

  —

  Buggery by a male of a male under 161

  —

  2

  5

  44

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Buggery by a male with a female under 161

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Burggery by a male aged 18– with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  176

  137

  120

  102

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182

  —

  4

  4

  11

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  5

  11

  18

  Rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  2

  4

  3

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  849

  670

  664

  624

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  45

  41

  40

  16

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  500

  400

  369

  273

  Incest with girl under 13

  11

  8

  4

  7

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male2

  —

  —

  3

  1

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  5

  2

  2

  2

  474
  Mr. Boateng
  Detailed information on the number of people charged is not collected centrally. We do have some information from the Home Office Cautions and Court Proceedings Databases, on the number of persons cautioned, proceeded against and convicted for sexual offences against children. This is given in the tables and is not comprehensive as it is not possible to identify all offences where the victim was under 16 years of age.
  475

  Table A: Number of offenders cautioned for sexual offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 18

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 or under

  49

  28

  21

  27

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 or under

  36

  30

  33

  37

  1Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual offences Act 1956 S 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S143

  2Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 S12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S144

  2Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 S1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S142

  Table B: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts for sexual offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  281

  327

  300

  329

  294

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  32

  25

  24

  27

  15

  Buggery by a male of a male under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male with a female under 161

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  553

  570

  522

  457

  432

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  2,169

  2,285

  2,138

  2,005

  1,896

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  139

  146

  155

  112

  97

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  290

  292

  254

  254

  189

  Incest with girl under 13

  88

  111

  80

  50

  52

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  3

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  6

  7

  3

  9

  8

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  16

  12

  20

  24

  13

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 18

  1

  1

  3

  —

  —

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 or under

  130

  156

  117

  131

  102

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 or under

  147

  161

  122

  130

  155

  Table B: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts for sexual offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  345

  125

  16

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  21

  6

  3

  —

  Buggery by a male of a male under 161

  —

  48

  66

  107

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  1

  2

  6

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Buggery by a male with a female under 161

  —

  25

  26

  35

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  2

  —

  1

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 171

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  449

  400

  325

  373

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 182

  —

  10

  9

  30

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 182

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  336

  477

  592

  Rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  18

  20

  45

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 163

  —

  32

  44

  74

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 163

  —

  —

  4

  5

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  2036

  1797

  1604

  1639

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  88

  77

  40

  40

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  202

  195

  164

  153

  Incest with girl under 13

  41

  22

  26

  14

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  5

  3

  2

  7

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  —

  4

  4

  3

  476 477

  Table B: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts for sexual offences against children by type of offences, England

  and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  1

  —

  2

  —

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male2

  —

  1

  —

  6

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  27

  11

  9

  6

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 18

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 or under

  87

  62

  61

  63

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 or under

  129

  109

  97

  109

  1Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual offences Act 1956 S 12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S143

  2Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 S12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S144

  3Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 S1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S142

  Table C: Number of offenders convicted1 at all courts for offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  183

  189

  168

  163

  136

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  26

  18

  26

  17

  20

  Buggery by a male of a male under 162

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male with a female under 162

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  406

  421

  351

  363

  293

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 183

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 183

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rape of a female aged under 164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rape of a male aged under 164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 16°

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  1,657

  1,537

  1,469

  1,331

  1,205

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  96

  110

  105

  89

  76

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  262

  304

  223

  218

  170

  Incest with girl under 13

  100

  84

  68

  52

  51

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  5

  3

  3

  3

  2

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  3

  5

  1

  3

  6

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  1

  2

  2

  —

  1

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  13

  8

  8

  12

  6

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 18

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 or under

  104

  128

  91

  99

  80

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 or under

  115

  148

  128

  129

  123

  Table C: Number of offenders convicted1 at all courts for offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  135

  86

  5

  —

  Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal

  16

  14

  2

  —

  Buggery by a male of a male under 162

  —

  29

  66

  70

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 172

  —

  2

  3

  6

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged 16 or 172

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Buggery by a male with a female under 162

  —

  7

  17

  21

  Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 172

  —

  2

  2

  —

  Buggery by a male aged 18–20 with a female aged 16 or 172

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Indecent assault on male person under 16 years

  324

  339

  355

  363

  Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 183

  —

  11

  11

  17

  Gross indecency by a male aged 18–20 with a male aged under 183

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Rape of a female aged under 164

  —

  113

  210

  198

  Rape of a male aged under 164

  —

  2

  13

  24

  Attempted rape of a female aged under 164

  —

  21

  35

  52

  Attempted rape of a male aged under 164

  —

  2

  2

  2

  Indecent assault on a female under 16

  1355

  1,446

  1,597

  1,627

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  64

  81

  54

  44

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  205

  203

  207

  199

  478 479

  Table C: Number of offenders convicted1 at all courts for offences against children by type of offence, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Offence description

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Incest with girl under 13

  35

  21

  19

  19

  Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse

  4

  5

  —

  3

  Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  2

  3

  —

  1

  Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc.

  —

  3

  1

  1

  Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male3

  —

  2

  3

  6

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 16

  9

  6

  3

  1

  Abduction of unmarried girl under 18

  —

  1

  1

  0

  Gross indecency with boys aged 14 or under

  77

  56

  53

  56

  Gross indecency with girls aged 14 or under

  112

  99

  109

  111

  1Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences

  1Buggery and attempted buggery offences under the Sexual offences Act 1956 S12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S143

  3Indecency between males offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 S12 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S144

  4Rape and attempted rape offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 S1 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, S142

  Child Prostitution
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children under 16 years of age have been charged with prostitution offences broken down by age in each year from 1989. [89582]

  Number of offenders cautioned and defendants prosecuted in magistrates courts for prostitution related offences, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Aged 10

  Aged 11

  Aged 12

  Aged 13

  Aged 14

  Aged 15

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Kerb-crawling (Sexual Offences Act 1985 s1)

  Males

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Females

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Persons

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Persistent soliciting of women for the purpose of prostitution (Sexual Offences Act s2)

  Males

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Females

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Persons

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Common prostitute loitering or soliciting for the purposes of prostitution (Street Offences Act 1959 sl)

  Males

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Females

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  9

  —

  32

  6

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  3

  —

  13

  1

  19

  3

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  5

  —

  10

  —

  34

  6

  1992

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  6

  1

  41

  10

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  32

  1

  32

  8

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  5

  3

  19

  5

  25

  14

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  4

  —

  11

  1

  27

  8

  1996

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  5

  —

  16

  —

  31

  6

  1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  11

  1

  42

  6

  480
  Mr. Boateng
  Detailed information on the number of people charged is not collected centrally. Available information, taken from the Home Office Cautions and Court Proceedings Databases, on the number of persons aged under 16 cautioned or prosecuted for prostitution related offences is given in the table.
  481

  Number of offenders cautioned and defendants prosecuted in magistrates courts for prostitution related offences, England and Wales, 1989–97

  Aged 10

  Aged 11

  Aged 12

  Aged 13

  Aged 14

  Aged 15

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Caut.

  Proc.

  Persons

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  9

  —

  32

  6

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  3

  —

  13

  2

  19

  4

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  5

  —

  10

  —

  34

  6

  1992

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  6

  1

  42

  10

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  32

  1

  32

  8

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  5

  3

  19

  5

  25

  14

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  4

  —

  11

  11

  28

  9

  1996

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  5

  —

  16

  —

  31

  6

  1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  —

  11

  1

  42

  6

  Male soliciting or importuning in public place for immoral purposes (Sexual Offences Act 1956 s32)

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  —

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  1

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Note:

  Years in which no cautions or prosecutions were reported to the Home Office have been excluded

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were charged with living off the immoral earnings of child prostitutes in each year since 1989; and what was the average sentence for such offenders on conviction. [89583]

  Mr. Boateng
  Detailed information on the number of people charged is not collected centrally.

  Although the Home Office Cautions and Court Proceedings Databases identify persons cautioned or proceeded against for offences of
  "living off immoral earnings or exercising control over prostitute"
  (S30 and S31 combined of the Sexual Offences Act 1956), they do not hold information on the age of the prostitute.

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unprocessed passport applications were outstanding at each office of the UK Passport Agency and in total at the end of the week beginning 27 June. [89845]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]The information requested on the number of unprocessed passport applications outstanding at the end of the week beginning 27 June is set out in the table.

  Unprocessed passport applications outstanding end of week commencing 27 June 1999

  No.

  London

  11,026

  Liverpool

  174,422

  Peterborough

  95,852

  Newport

  119,544

  Glasgow

  124,374

  Belfast

  1,803

  Total

  527,021

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, during the present difficulties concerning passports, he will reintroduce the practice of making one-year passports available over the counter at post offices. [89461]
  482
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No. A review by the Passport Agency in 1994 established that the one year's British Visitors Passport (BVP) was used in the evasion of immigration controls and by criminals, terrorists and football hooligans, and had been a cause of great concern to police and immigration authorities in this country and in Europe for some considerable time. The review also found that the BVP had a poor reputation and with the immigration pressures that other European Union governments were facing, the point had been reached when the BVP's flaws could no longer be tolerated. As a result, the Home Secretary announced on 20 December 1994,Official Report, columns 1214–15, that the BVP would cease to be available after 31 December 1995.

  The sound reasons for withdrawing the BVP are such that there is no case for its re-introduction.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the criteria which he applied in awarding the Passport Agency's contract for passport-issuing arrangements to Siemens Business Services. [89974]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The high level criteria applied in awarding the Passport Agency's contract for passport issuing arrangements were:

  Security

  Continuity of Service

  Compatibility

  Management Information Systems

  Archive System

  Commercial and Technical Criteria

  Examining Support/Speed/Method/Customer Service

  Evergreening

  Cultural Compatibility

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates, since 1 April 1998 when(a) Ministers and (b) the Chief Executive of the Passport Agency met trade union representatives to discuss the introduction of new passport-issuing arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [89977]
  483
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since 1 April 1998, meetings with trade union representatives to discuss various issues, which may have included the introduction of new passport issuing arrangements, have been held on the following dates:With Ministers, on 19 October 1998, 15 March 1999, 27 May 1999 and 28 June 1999. A further meeting is scheduled for 8 July 1999. With the Chief Executive formally on 13 May 1998, 5 November 1998, 27 May 1999, 23 June 1999 and on an ad hoc basis on other occasions that are not formally recorded.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Civil Service trade unions since 1 April 1998 about the introduction and implementation of new passport issuing arrangements. [89978]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have met with the trade unions on four occasions since 1 April 1998 to discuss staffing issues, including the introduction and implementation of new passport issuing arrangements, in order to understand the trade unions' views and, where necessary, bring them to the attention of the Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Passport Agency. In early April 1999, I agreed that 300 extra staff should be recruited.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff at each passport office have transferred to Siemens Business Services. [89976]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 5 October 1998, 100 United Kingdom Passport Agency staff at Liverpool Passport Office (82 full time equivalents) transferred to Siemens Business Services.

  On 16 November 1998, 96 staff at Newport Passport Office (76 full time equivalents) transferred to Siemens Business Services.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his original target dates for the introduction of new passport-issuing arrangements at the(a) London, (b) Belfast, (c) Glasgow and (d) Peterborough offices of the Passport Agency and the dates when he decided not to implement those targets. [89975]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In order of implementation of the new system, the original target dates were:

  Target date

  Passport Office

  7 December 1998

  Peterborough

  18 January 1999

  Glasgow

  8 February 1999

  Belfast

  22 February 1999

  London

  The decision not to implement the system beyond the multi site pilot at Liverpool and Newport was taken on 18 November 1998.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the contracts awarded in relation to computerisation of the Passport Agency, indicating in each case to whom it was awarded and on what date. [89882]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Contracts were awarded to Siemens Business Services and The Stationery Office (now Security Printing and Systems Ltd.) on 9 July 1997 and 13 June 1997 respectively.

  Visitor Processing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of installing and operating a system of recording the entry and departure of visitors to the United Kingdom. [89829]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We estimate that the additional staffing costs at ports would be about £10 million per annum in order to support a system of recording the entry and departure of all visitors. There would also be further significant cost implications for enhancement of the present record systems.

  Miss Sokcevic
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the travel documents for Miss Sokcevic (Immigration Reference No. S797486) will be produced. [89862]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The document was issued on Friday 2 July.

  Prisons (Mothers and Children)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the review of principles, policies, and procedures relating to mothers and babies/children in prison will be published. [90056]

  Mr. Straw
  The Prison Service report of the review of principles, policies and procedures on mothers and babies/ children in prison is published today and copies have been placed in the Library. There are 62 recommendations. The report concludes that the overriding principle guiding the provision of, and allocation of places in, mother and baby units should be in the best interests of the child. The Director General of the Prison Service accepts and welcomes the report and that conclusion specifically. A full action plan, setting out how it proposes to proceed on each of the recommendations will be published soon. A copy of that action plan will be placed in the Library.

  EU Corruption
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1999,Official Report, column 435, concerning the European Union Convention concerning corruption involving its officials, what parliamentary consideration it received. [88678]

  Kate Hoey
  The draft Convention and an Explanatory Note were sent to the House of Commons Select Committee on European Legislation, the House of Lords Select Committee on European Legislation and the Home Affairs Committee on 8 May 1996. The House of Lords Select Committee cleared the draft Convention from scrutiny on 6 June 1996. The House of Commons Select Committee did not have a formal role in the scrutiny of proposals falling under the Third Pillar (Justice and Home Affairs) until 17 November 1998.

  Asylum Seekers (Benefits)
  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to ensure
  485
  that persons who have applied in time for renewal of exceptional leave to remain are not denied benefits due to delays in processing their applications. [90239]

  Mr. Straw
  Responsibility for deciding who is eligible to receive benefits is a matter for the Department of Social Security and the Benefits Agency. An official in the Integrated Casework Directorate wrote to the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency on 27 April to clarify the immigration status of such applicants. In immigration law, provided a person with leave to remain applies for an extension before that leave expires, that person may remain lawfully in the United Kingdom after expiry of that leave until the application is decided, and of course beyond that date if the application is granted. The Chief Executive was advised that provided persons seeking benefits produced evidence to Benefits Agency staff that they had submitted an application for extension of leave before it had expired, then Benefits Agency staff could assume that they were here lawfully.

  It was suggested that the Chief Executive might wish to circulate this information widely among Benefits Agency staff, as the Immigration and Nationality Directorate were aware that some applicants were being refused benefits although they had submitted an application for an extension before expiry of their permitted leave.

  The delay in dealing with some applications owing to the reorganisation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is regretted. However, the situation is improving and output from the Integrated Casework Directorate has now recovered to about 80 per cent. of the level achieved during last year.

  European Elections
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of instruction material provided to(a) polling clerks and (b) returning officers for the European Elections on 10 June. [89972]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The cost of the training programme for electoral staff for the European Parliamentary elections was £4 million. Much of the material produced for returning officers and presiding officers was common to both so it is not possible to cost these elements separately.

  In addition, the Home Office produced a guidance manual for returning officers. The production and distribution costs were approximately £3,500.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations his Department carried out with organisations representing blind and visually-impaired people before publishing and distributing literature on the new proportional representation system for the 1999 European elections; [89748]

  (2) for what reason his Department's leaflet explaining the new proportional representation system for the 1999 European elections was not available in large print; [89749]

  (3) what steps his Department took to ensure that blind and visually impaired people were aware that his Department's leaflet explaining the new proportional representation system for the 1999 European elections was available in Braille and audio-cassette. [89750]
  486
  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government's explanatory leaflet was produced using 14-point type which is the Royal National Institute for the Blind's (RNIB) minimum recommended size to make the text accessible to visually impaired people. The text of the leaflet was also included on teletext where it is normally possible to enlarge the text size.

  It is made clear in the leaflet that it was available in Braille and audio-cassette forms. In addition, advertisements about the leaflet were taken in seven RNIB publications. A press notice about the leaflet was sent to 40 disability oriented publications.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his Special Advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these.[89985]

  Mr. Straw
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the party and helping to brief party Members of Parliament. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

  European Council (Tampere)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1999,Official Report, column 9, concerning the agenda items and related documents to be discussed at the additional European Council to be held in Tampere, Finland, in October, to consider the European Judicial Area, what criteria were used to determine which documents are inappropriate for publication; and what committees of either House of Parliament will be able to consider those published prior to that council meeting. [88690]

  Kate Hoey
  The draft Convention and an Explanatory Note were sent to the House of Commons Select Committee on European Legislation, the House of Lords Select Committee on European Legislation and the Home Affairs Committee on 1 June 1995. The House of Lords Select Committee cleared it from scrutiny on 13 June 1995.

  Prior to ratification of the Convention, the instrument of ratification is drafted, signed by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, sealed, bound and deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union.

  Styal Prison (Babies' Diet)
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the daily allowance of fresh fruit and vegetables is for babies in Styal Prison. [89345]
  487
  Mr. George Howarth
  There is no specific allowance. Mothers in the mother and baby unit at Styal select and order ingredients for their children's meals from a list of available items and prepare them individually to suit the particular child. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always available.

  Police Manpower (Costs)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of increasing police force strength by 6,000 officers. [89360]

  Mr. Boateng
  The estimated annual cost of 6,000 additional constables would be around £150 million.

  Ministers have no direct control over police numbers. Under legislation passed by the previous Government in 1994, it is for individual chief constables to determine the numbers of officers in their forces on the basis of the resources made available to them.

  Election Information
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to publish election information material in large print for partially-sighted people. [89374]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that visually impaired voters receive accessible information. We are currently reviewing our guidance on access by disabled people to electoral services following a recommendation in last year's interim report of the Working Party on Electoral Matters, which I am chairing, and will of course continue to keep under review the size of print in which future election material is produced.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the level of re-offending among those young offenders who are released on bail. [89363]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Home Office research in 1997 found that 38 per cent. of juveniles bailed by the police or courts committed offences while on bail. The relevant report is in the Library: Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate Research Findings No 72, "Offending on bail and police use of conditional bail 1998".

  The Government have since made up to £35 million available to the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales for bail support and supervision schemes and other remand-related initiatives. Together with the Board and local youth justice services, they are also taking steps to speed up the operation of the youth justice system, which would reduce time spent on bail.

  Metropolitan Police Commissioner
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what selection criteria are used 488
  in determining the appointment of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. [89561]

  Mr. Straw
  An advertisement inviting applications for the post of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis was placed in the Police Review on 4 and 11 June. The advert invited applications from serving chief constables, equivalent police ranks and above.

  Shortlisting and interviews will be conducted in July by a panel chaired by my Permanent Secretary, David Omand and three members: Sir John Quinton, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Committee, Sir Roger Hum, Chairman of GEC and Sylvia Denman CBE, Chair of Camden and Islington Health Authority.

  The selection criteria for the new Commissioner will be based on the competency framework which was developed for the selection of chief officers of police in England and Wales using accepted techniques of job analysis. The competencies sought will include: judgment, self confidence, strategic perspective, achievement focus, communication, effective action on diversity, building teams and influencing others, building upon the professional experience of policing that the candidates will have already demonstrated.

  I will make the final selection based on the advice of the selection panel. I intend to announce the name of the successful candidate in August or early September this year. The successful applicant will be appointed in good time to replace the existing Commissioner who retires in January 2000. The appointment is expected to be for a term of five years.

HEALTH

  Social Workers
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the professional qualifications of the social care workforce. [88254]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are committed to improving the education and training of the social care workforce, and the Government's specific proposals were outlined in the White Paper "Modernising Social Services." We are currently considering the outcome of the second stage of a fundamental review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. This review has addressed in detail the widespread concerns about the quality of training leading to professional qualifications in social work. We hope to be able to make an announcement as to the findings of this review and its implications for improving professional social work education and training later this year.

  Carlisle Hospital
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the new district general hospital in Carlisle will be completed. [88255]

  Mr. Denham
  The contractual completion date is May 2000.

  Artificial Limbs
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent of the choice of types of artificial limb available to NHS patients. [88256]

  Mr. Hutton
  The range of limbs and components available on the NHS Supplies contract is extensive and includes virtually all the products available. Health authorities can, however, provide a product outside the range generally available if clinicians judge that there is a clinical need to do so.

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the financial position of the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority. [88257]

  Mr. Denham
  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority has an allocation for 1999–2000 of £423 million, a 6.35 per cent. cash increase over last year. The Health Authority is forecasting a small surplus this year.

  Mental Health Services
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what improvements he proposes to make to the quality and provision of mental health services. [88258]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Service Framework, to be published shortly, will set national standards and issue clear and robust guidance that will seek to address regional variations in the provision of clinical and cost effective treatments through the publication of service standards. The Framework will focus on consistent, quality care delivered by safe, sound and supportive services.

  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds were available to admit new patients detained under the Mental Health Acts on 16, 17 and 18 May. [88829]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not collect information on the number of available beds on a daily basis. It requests data on the availability and occupancy of National Health Service beds in mental illness wards and, by way of the central return ICH03, produces information on an annual basis from each NHS trust.

  Personal Social Services
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the increase in gross expenditure in England on personal social services in the last year. [88259]

  Mr. Hutton
  The level of expenditure on personal social services is set by local authorities. Gross expenditure on personal social services in England in 1997–98 was £9,984 million, an increase of £721 million or just under 8 per cent. compared to 1996–97. Gross expenditure figures for later years are not available.

  Health Inequalities
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of current levels of health inequalities in England. [88260]

  Ms Jowell
  Reducing health inequalities is one of the main aims of our health strategy and a shared national priority for health and social services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appointed Sir Donald Acheson to lead an independent inquiry into inequalities in health which, among other things, reviewed the latest available information and summarised the evidence of inequalities. Sir Donald's report, published last November, has assisted the development of our health strategy which we shall be publishing as a White Paper, together with a report on action being taken across Government to reduce inequalities in health.

  Modernisation Fund
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the level of the NHS Modernisation Fund in the past year; and how much of the outgoings has been spent on waiting lists, capital investment, education, staff training, primary care and mental health. [88261]

  Mr. Denham
  This is the first year of the Modernisation Fund. It has been earmarked for modernising and developing the National Health Service.

  Over £1.2 billion has been allocated in 1999–2000. This includes:

  £320 million to help tackle waiting in the NHS;

  £170 million for capital investment, including £100 million from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund;

  £120 million to expand education and training opportunities for doctors and nurses;

  £320 million for Primary Care, including £54 million for the establishment of NHS Direct; and

  £50 million for mental health services.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what period of consultation he proposes on the draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations. [88263]

  Ms Jowell
  There will be eight weeks of public consultation on the draft regulations and accompanying draft Regulatory Impact Assessment. The consultation paper was published on 17 June and consultation will end on 13 August.

  Cancer
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for introducing a national cancer action team for the NHS. [88264]

  Mr. Hutton
  The establishment of a national Cancer Action Team was announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20 May 1999,Official Report, columns 401–02, as part of a plan of action to tackle cancer and save lives. The Team will work with the National Health Service and other key organisations to raise the standard

  491
  of cancer care in all our hospitals to that which is already being achieved in our best. The Director of the Cancer Action Team will take up post in July.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the psychological problems suffered by cancer patients; and if he will make a statement. [89097]

  Mr. Hutton
  Psychological problems suffered by cancer patients have been extensively researched. The need for psychological support for cancer patients was acknowledged in the "Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" published by the Department in 1995 (the Calman-Hine report). The Joint Collegiate Council for Oncology in May 1996 issued guidance to doctors on psychological support services for cancer patients and their families. The importance of psychological support has also been encompassed in the series "Improving Outcomes in Cancer" published by the National Health Service Executive since 1996.

  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has assessed on the usefulness of gemcitabine in treating patients with cancer of the pancreas; and how many health authorities are funding this treatment. [89082]

  Mr. Hutton
  Gemcitabine is licensed by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) for palliative treatment of advanced non-small cell lung and pancreas cancers. The MCA licenses drugs on the basis of quality, safety and efficacy. We do not have central information on which health authorities authorise hospitals to prescribe gemcitabine.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will commission a study into the impact on long-term survival rates for cancer patients of using the latest chemotherapy drugs; and if he will make a statement; [84237]

  (2) if he will commission a study into the relative cost effectiveness of using (a) drugs, (b) surgery, (c) chemotherapy, (d) radiography and (e) other methods in the treatment of cancers; and if he will make a statement. [84242]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department and the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, are already funding studies which evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for individual cancers. Details of projects supported by the Department can be found on the National Research Register available in the Library or on www.doh.gov.uk/nrr.htm.

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence will also appraise the effectiveness of specific cancer drugs for use in the National Health Service.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the findings of the report, "The Case for an Increase in Oncology Drug Expenditure in the UK", by the Campaign for Effective and Rational Treatment, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement; [84246]
  492
  (2) what guidance he has given to health authorities on oncology drug spending following the publication of the report by CERT on oncology drug expenditure in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [86624]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are committed to equitable access to high quality care and have made the treatment of cancer one of our first priorities. Treatment decision, including the use of chemotherapy, should be evidence based and agreed jointly between doctor and patient. We will consider carefully the information contained in the Campaign for Effective and Rational Treatment report as we take forward work to reduce variations in cancer care across the country.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those cancer treatment drugs most effective in treating each type of cancer in the past year. [84417]

  Mr. Hutton
  The British National Formulary lists all cancer drugs used for cancer treatment and side effects. It is for clinicians to decide the most appropriate and most effective treatment for individual patients.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Cancer Beacon will be assessed in terms of raising standards in cancer care; and if he will make a statement. [89071]

  Mr. Hutton
  The eight Cancer Beacons announced on 23 June are part of a wider programme to raise the quality of care provided by the National Health Service. Over the first two years, Cancer Beacons will focus on improving cancer care by demonstrating examples of a quality service. Each Cancer Beacon will receive £50,000 over two years to enable them to share good practice through networks and events organised through the NHS, such as exchange visits, open days and a new national 'service delivery practice' database on the NHS web to which all NHS organisations will have access. Cancer Beacons will agree with NHS Executive Regions on the education arrangements and dissemination of messages about their service and will produce an annual report on progress.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities which authorise GPs to prescribe(a) Irinorelbine for the treatment of lung cancer, (b) Irinotecan for the treatment of colorectal cancer and (c) Paclitaxel for the treatment of ovarian cancer. [89096]

  Mr. Hutton
  All cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs for the treatment of cancer are prescribed by hospital specialists and not by general practitioners in the community. We do not have central information on which health authorities authorise hospitals to prescribe these drugs. Irinorelbine has not yet been licensed by the Medicines Control Agency so we would expect it to be used only in the context of clinical research.

  Nurses
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage nurses to return to the NHS. [88265]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are supporting a number of initiatives to encourage nurses to return to practice in the National Health Service.
  493
  On 1 February, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a £5 million nursing recruitment campaign outlining improved pay and conditions for nurses and targeting, in particular, trained nurses who are no longer working in the NHS. The campaign attracted a very encouraging response with over 53,000 inquiries, 5,000 of which were from potential returners. Since the campaign began, over 1,000 nurses have returned to employment in the NHS, in England.

  Doctor Training
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his plans to increase the number of medical doctors in training. [88266]

  Mr. Denham
  In July 1998 the Government accepted the proposal to increase medical student intake in the United Kingdom by about 1,000 places per year. 842 additional places have already been announced for medical students in England, with more to be allocated in due course. Numbers of postgraduate medical trainees are also increasing.

  Government Policies
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to explain their policies to the medical profession. [88267]

  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to effective communications with all stakeholders of the National Health Service. Members of the ministerial team and officials meet representatives of all health professions frequently. Specific examples of policy communications this year include: Primary Care Groups which involved the medical profession attending meetings, seminars and a major national conference on 13 April—"Primary Care: Turning the Vision into Reality"; "Primary Care Trusts: Establishing Better Services" provides answers to some of the initial questions about the establishment of Primary Care Trusts; "Clinical Governance: Quality in the New NHS" contains proposals for making quality of care the driving force for the development of health services in England; and "Working Together", a framework to secure a quality workforce.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are being made independently to audit the relevance and accuracy of NHS waiting list figures. [88268]

  Mr. Denham
  The management processes which support data management and their data outputs, including National Health Service waiting list data, are independently audited within Data Accreditation, which was launched in August 1997. Data Accreditation is currently voluntary but it is intended that elements of it should become mandatory from April 2000.

  Departmental statisticians working to their professional code of practice also carry out regular reviews of the needs for the statistics collected, which include the relevance of the data, and carry out validation checks on waiting list data before they are published.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Beard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will publish their strategy on NHS dentistry. [88270]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government's strategy on National Health Service dentistry will be published later this year.

  Lancashire Health Authority
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what increase in revenue provision he is planning for Lancashire health authority for 2000–01. [88271]

  Mr. Denham
  Announcements on the unified allocations to health authorities for 2000–01 will be made later this year.

  Millennium Emergency Cover (Merseyside)
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that NHS trusts in Liverpool are able to meet the challenge of providing emergency cover over the millennium period. [88272]

  Mr. Denham
  A Liverpool and North Mersey Emergency Services Action Group has been established to develop further a whole systems strategy for primary and secondary services across Liverpool and North Merseyside to ensure that health authorities, National Health Service trusts and general practitioners work together cohesively and make best use of available resources during next winter and the millennium holiday period. Additionally, NHS Direct, the telephone advice service, is expected to be fully operational in Liverpool and North Merseyside in December and this will provide additional support to enable health care systems across Liverpool and North Merseyside to cope better next winter.

  Private Health Care
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure the effective regulation of private health care. [88273]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Miss Johnson) today.

  Smallpox
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the retention of samples of smallpox-related material. [88274]

  Ms Jowell
  I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

  Casualty Services
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many casualty modernisation schemes are planned this year. [88275]

  Mr. Denham
  170 modernisation schemes in 149 hospitals are being funded this year through the accident and emergency modernisation programme. This is the
  495
  largest ever investment in the modernisation of accident and emergency departments in the National Health Service.

  Accident and Emergency Services (Wakefield)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the provision of acute and accident and emergency hospital services by Wakefield health authority. [88276]

  Mr. Denham
  Wakefield health authority is considering a range of options on the future delivery of health services. It expects to undergo consultation in August of this year.

  Out-patients
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many first out-patient appointments were seen by the NHS in the year to the end of March; and what the figure was in each of the two previous years. [88269]

  Mr. Denham
  The figures requested are set out in the table:

  Year

  First out-patients seen (all specialities)

  1996–97

  11,220,320

  1997–98

  11,496,788

  1998–1

  11,621,481

  1Provisional

  Oncology Drugs
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of the total amount spent on oncology drugs in each of the past five years which has been paid for by private healthcare insurance; and what proportion of the total spending for each of these years has been spent within clinical studies. [86632]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Public Health
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish the White Paper on public health. [87447]

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the White Paper "Our Healthier Nation" will be published; and if he will make a statement. [89090]

  Ms Jowell
  This afternoon, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health launched "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation", the White Paper setting out the Government's health strategy for England.

  NHS Trusts (Running Costs)
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the running costs of NHS trusts, with particular reference to(a) cost and quality of service and (b) overheads, buildings and plant. [88390]
  496
  Mr. Denham
  No research has been specifically commissioned into the running costs of National Health Service trusts.

  There is no accepted definition for running costs of NHS trusts. The Department collects information from trusts on their management costs. This information is available from audited accounts and compiled in accordance with guidance issued by the NHS Executive. The definition of management costs has recently been tightened to ensure that all costs relating to clinical care are excluded, and all costs properly relating to management (including appropriate proportions of clinicians' time) are included.

  Carers
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the most recent figures showing the number of people who are(a) carers and (b) receiving home care, in each of the regions covered by the new Regional Development Agencies in the age ranges (i) 0 to 8, (ii) 18 to 24, (iii) 25 to 50, (iv) 50 to 65, (v) 65 to 85 and (vi) 85 years and over. [88651]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not available for carers aged less than 8. However, the estimated number of carers aged 8 to 17 in Great Britain, for 1996, was between 19 and 51 thousand. The estimated number of adult informal carers in Great Britain is 5.7 millions. Information on the number of(a) adult informal carers for 1995, the latest year for which details are available and (b) the number of households receiving home help or home care, for a survey week in 1998, are given in the tables. The requested information is not available for the new Regional Development Agency areas or for the precise age groups requested.

  In response to the National Carers' Strategy, a question is currently being tested for the 2001 Census. This will provide details of the number of carers for different geographical areas by age, and give the number of hours per week for which care is provided.

  Table (a): Estimates of adults (aged 16 or more) who were carers,

  1995, Great Britain

  Age group

  Estimates of those who were carers (millions)

  16–29

  0.7

  30–44

  1.2

  45–64

  2.6

  65 and over

  1.2

  16 and over

  5.7

  Source:

  1995 General Household Survey, mid-1995 population estimates

  Table (b): Number of households receiving home help or home

  care services, for a survey week in September 1998, England

  Age group of oldest client in household

  Number of households

  Under 18

  6,200

  18–64

  71,200

  65–74

  83,800

  75–84

  144,900

  85 and over

  139,800

  All ages

  445,900

  Source:

  Department of Health annual statistical return, HH1

  Breast Screening
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the findings of the pilot projects assessing the impact of extending routine breast screening to women aged 65 to 69 years will be published. [88660]

  Mr. Hutton
  The pilot studies are due to finish in 2000 and the results will be published once the data have been analysed and evaluated.

  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the report of the Chief Medical Officer's working group on contingency plans for implementing the findings of the pilot studies on extending the routine call element of the breast screening programme to women aged 65 to 69 to be published. [88659]

  Mr. Hutton
  The working group set up by the Chief Medical Officer was asked to assess the extent and nature of both current and future workforce pressures in the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme and identify possible ways in which these pressures could be eased. The Chief Medical Officer and Ministers are currently considering the working group's report and its recommendations, which will inform the ongoing work programme to ensure that the screening programme maintains the three year screening interval.

  Blood Product Screening
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the(a) total national cost, (b) the average cost to health authorities and (c) the cost to Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority for the screening of blood products for CJD infection; if he will make a supplementary allocation from central health funds available to cover these costs; and if he will make a statement. [89016]

  Mr. Hutton
  There is no test available at present for screening blood or blood products for Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease infection. However, the Government have instructed the National Blood Authority to leucodeplete (ie remove white blood cells) from blood for transfusion and not to use United Kingdom-sourced plasma in the manufacture of blood products for the time being. The estimated cost nationally to health authorities of these measures in 1999–2000 is £73.5 million. The cost to individual health authorities will vary depending on their usage of blood throughout the year, and information on the average cost to health authorities and to Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority is therefore not available centrally. Account was taken of this additional cost pressure when allocating additional resources to health authorities in 1999–2000.

  Patient Nutritional Screening
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital trusts in England and Wales have in place a system of nutritional screening for newly admitted patients; and what advice his Department has given on the introduction of such systems. [88867]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are no data available on the number of hospital trusts which have in place a system of nutritional screening for newly admitted patients as this information is not collected centrally. The Department commissioned a resource pack from the University of 498
  Newcastle-upon-Tyne which was published in 1997 and a copy was issued to all trusts. It is intended to help trusts to develop and implement a system for nutritional screening.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that good-quality food is provided for people in NHS care. [88247]

  Mr. Denham
  Guidance on delivering a good quality catering service and improving nutrition standards has been issued to the National Health Service in recent years. All NHS trusts have been asked to adopt a recommended framework for auditing and monitoring performance to ensure consistent standards.

  Morbidity Rates
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data his Department has collated on the change in morbidity en route to hospital when the journey is greater than eight miles. [88932]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally. Recent work suggests that mortality may be greatest for total journey distances between three and six miles, and significantly less for shorter or longer total journeys. However a significant body of published research has established a causative link between the length of time from incident to treatment and morbidity/mortality. This is the measure used to set national performance standards for National Health Service ambulance services. Regardless of distance all ambulance services will be required to meet the response time targets set out in Health Circular 1999/091 "Modernisation of Ambulance Services" in 2001, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Ambulance Journeys
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average mileage by ambulance from collection of the patient to the nearest accident department. [88931]

  Mr. Hutton
  The average round trip mileage for emergency ambulance journeys in England is 11.2 miles for urban services and 21.2 miles for rural services.

  Route Services
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital trusts are reconfiguring acute services in England where they occupy more than one site, with particular reference to(a) maternity services, (b) intensive care and (c) accident and emergency services. [88933]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Centre for Policy on Ageing
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to(a) publish and (b) implement the national standards for care homes developed for his Department by the Centre for Policy on Ageing. [89079]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are currently considering the Centre for Policy on Ageing' s report setting out their proposals for national regulatory standards for older people in care
  499
  homes. We will be issuing the CPA's proposed standards to a wide range of organisations and individuals for consultation nationally in the summer.

  We will carefully consider all the comments we receive on the CPA's report before finalising the standards and the arrangements for implementing them.

  Domiciliary Care
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what qualifications and experience are required to be demonstrated by a person wishing to offer domiciliary care services. [89285]

  Mr. Hutton
  There are currently no requirements outside local contractual arrangements, but new standards are being developed as part of the new regulatory framework for domiciliary care which was outlined in the Social Services White Paper. These will address issues such as fit person criteria, references, checks and training for people offering domiciliary care services.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Government's consultation on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Long-term Care to be concluded; and if he will make a statement. [89299]

  Mr. Hutton
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State outlined in his statement to Parliament, the Royal Commission has produced a very detailed report in which the Commissioners themselves call for an informed debate on their recommendations. We expect that debate, which has already begun, to be an on-going one and to inform decisions we take on the Commission's recommendations.

  Sight Tests
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that sight-testing remains confined to medical practitioners and optometrists. [89465]

  Mr. Denham
  We have no plans to amend Section 24 of the Opticians Act 1989 which reserves the testing of sight to registered medical practitioners and ophthalmic opticians (optometrists).

  Doctor Registration
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that doctors who have been struck off the medical register abroad are not employed by NHS trusts and private hospitals in the UK. [89527]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Health Service issued guidance "The Management of Health, Safety and Welfare Issues for NHS Staff' to all NHS employers in April 1998. This emphasised the need to ensure that references are thoroughly checked and career histories explored when recruiting staff. Private employers would be expected to carry out appropriate checks before recruiting medical staff. The National Health Service Executive is working on a proposed change to application forms for medical staff to include a declaration that a doctor has not been subject to disciplinary action by appropriate regulatory bodies anywhere in the world.

  Eastbourne District General Hospital
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the review of services at Eastbourne District General Hospital. [88262]

  Mr. Denham
  The review of nursing care at Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust is being carried out by the South East Regional Office of the NHS Executive.

  With strong independent membership, it will provide an objective assessment of the current position and provide recommendations which will form the basis of an agreed action plan for the trust. The review group's report will be published.

  The review group have now met and are presently collecting evidence from all parties concerned.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 24 May regarding a constituent (ref: POH(6)5608/25). [90065]

  Mr. Denham
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 5 July.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Ministerial Meetings (Ireland)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 January 1998, indicating the dates and locations, the Ministers involved and the names of the Irish Ministers and officials in each case. [87432]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Since 1 January 1998, Ministers in my Department have held meetings with Ministers of the Irish Government on four occasions.

  The then Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Mr. Cunningham) met Mr. Joe Walsh the Irish Minister of Agriculture on 18 June 1998 in London and I met him on 13 November 1998 in Dublin.

  Lord Donoughue met Joe Walsh on 17–19 April 1998 in Dublin and on 17 June 1999 in London.

  In addition, informal discussions take place from time to time in the margins of Agriculture Councils.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) the microbiological results of the Meat Hygiene Service's policy of requiring the trimming of contamination from freshly-dressed carcases, and (ii) if the Meat Hygiene Service procedure had resulted in an overall reduction in the incidence of E. coli 0157 in carcase meat. [88297]

  Mr. Rooker
  No such research has been commissioned or evaluated by my Department. The trimming of meat contaminated with faecal material from carcases will inevitably reduce the incidence of E. coli 0157 on carcase meat.
  501
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received on conversion qualifications to allow meat hygiene inspectors and environmental health officers to qualify as official veterinary surgeons. [88282]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have received a number of such representations, including an outline proposal from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health for a conversion course for environmental health graduates to enable them to take on the role of Suitably Qualified Officers for Veterinary Purposes at ports and in licensed fresh meat premises.

  However, current EU meat hygiene rules and the EU Directives on veterinary qualifications and training require that an official veterinary surgeon for meat hygiene purposes must be a veterinarian whose veterinary qualifications meet the requirements of the relevant Directives.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the level of official supervision in(a) meat processing plants supervised by local authorities and (b) cutting plants supervised by the Meat Hygiene Service. [88298]

  Mr. Rooker
  None. The specific requirements for official supervision in meat processing plants supervised by local authorities are laid down in the EU Minced Meat Preparations Directive (94/65/EC) and the Meat Products Directive (77/99/EEC, as amended). The frequency of official inspection in such premises is based on a risk assessment using the Inspection Rating in Annexe 1 to Code of Practice No. 9 under the Food Safety Act 1990.

  The level and frequency of official supervision of licensed fresh meat cutting plants is specified in the EU meat hygiene Directives (64/433/EEC, as amended; and 71/118/EEC, as amended).

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are taken to ascertain whether, in respect of allegations being made as to contraventions by owners, managers or staff of slaughterhouses of the meat hygiene or specified risk material regulations, there are mitigating circumstances or other factors which would indicate that to continue or initiate proceedings would not be in the public interest. [88296]

  Mr. Rooker
  Any allegations which might result in criminal proceedings are thoroughly investigated by members of the Ministry's investigation section in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and other relevant legislation. Such investigations inevitably include questions of whether there are mitigating circumstances. Their report is then sent to the Ministry's prosecution section who, when considering initiating proceedings, comply with the Code for Crown prosecutors and consider not only evidence that may substantiate the contravention but also potential defences and whether, in all the circumstances it is in the public interest for proceedings to be instituted.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will establish an independent inquiry, chaired by a senior lawyer, into the performance and activities of his Department's legal department, in respect of their proceedings against the 502
  owners, managers and staff of slaughterhouses for alleged contraventions of the meat hygiene and specified risk material regulations. [88293]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am not aware of any need for such an inquiry.

  Bovine Head-skinning
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the complete skinning of bovine heads is required in instances where no part is to be used for human consumption. [88284]

  Mr. Rooker
  The complete skinning of the heads of adult bovines is required by the EU Fresh Meat Directive (64/433/EEC, as amended), even when meat is not to be harvested for human consumption, to allow post-mortem inspection to be carried out hygienically.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions(a) he and (b) his officials have had with and what communication he has received from, EU Commission officials on the establishment of the Food Standards Agency. [88285]

  Mr. Rooker
  We and our officials maintain regular contact with the EU Commission over the full range of food safety and standards matters, including keeping it informed of the Government's plans for the Food Standards Agency.

  Genetically Modified Ingredients (Labelling)
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress in establishing a labelling regime for food genetically modified ingredients/additives and derivatives in human and animal feed. [89014]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are continuing to press the European Commission to publish proposals for labelling of GM additives and GM animal feeds as soon as possible. There are signs that proposals on the labelling of GM additives may be issued by the Commission shortly.

  Food Labelling
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make the labelling of food by country of origin compulsory; and if he will make a statement. [88854]

  Mr. Rooker
  Food labelling rules require country of origin labelling only where it is needed to avoid misleading consumers. Since these rules are harmonised throughout the European Community any additional requirements for country of origin labelling could be introduced only at European level. Retailers may, of course, provide country of origin information on a voluntary basis, provided what they give is true and not likely to mislead the consumer.

  Free-range Products
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the criteria which determine whether farmers may call their products free range. [89009]
  503
  Mr. Rooker
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to free-range egg and poultry meat production. Before eggs and poultry meat can be marketed as free range, EU Commission Regulations require, among other things, that poultry have continuous daytime access to open air runs, mainly covered with vegetation. They also specify maximum outdoor and indoor stocking densities.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the reform of hill livestock compensatory allowances. [88354]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]: Responses to the Ministry's initial consultation document on the reform of hill livestock compensatory allowances were requested by 25 June. We have received 67 responses from a wide range of interests. These are being analysed and will be made available for public scrutiny in accordance with normal Ministry procedures. A summary of the main points to emerge will be included in a further consultation paper setting out detailed proposals.

  Aspartame
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to restrict the use of aspartame in products aimed at children. [89158]

  Mr. Rooker
  Aspartame has been thoroughly assessed for safety by a number of scientific bodies world-wide including the UK's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment and the EC Scientific Committee for Food, and an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) set. EC sweeteners legislation limits the use of this sweetener to specific food categories and to certain maximum levels of use in order to ensure that consumers, including children, do not regularly exceed the ADI. This legislation also prohibits the use of aspartame and other sweeteners in foods specifically designed for infants and young children. The Government have no plans at this time to seek further restrictions on the use of this sweetener.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the World Health Organisation concerning the recommended daily intake for aspartame; and what plans he has to amend this level. [89157]

  Mr. Rooker
  Aspartame has only been permitted for use in food after careful evaluation by independent expert committees in the UK, EU and internationally, including the World Health Organisation committee which deals with food additives. All of these committees have concluded that aspartame is safe for use in food and have set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for this sweetener of 40 mg/kg body weight. The Government currently have no plans to seek an amendment to this level.

  Dioxin Contamination
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what levels of dioxin contamination in United Kingdom and imported fish and fish products have been identified; and if he will make a statement. [89294]
  504
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: The levels of dioxin found in the latest survey of marine fish are comparable to those reported in other published studies. Full results of this survey and advice from the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) will be published at the end of July in the MAFF Food Safety Information Bulletin and the accompanying Food Surveillance Information Sheet.

  Farmers' Markets
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance he has given to the establishment of farmers' markets; and if he will make a statement. [89554]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 1 July 1999,Official Report, column 266.

  Set-aside (Lancashire)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area of agricultural land in Lancashire is currently subject to set-aside; and what was the annual cost to public funds in the last year for which figures are available. [89557]

  Mr. Rooker
  The area of set-aside in Lancashire on claims made in 1998 under the Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) was 1,189 hectares. The comparable figure for 1999 is not yet available.

  At the 1998 payment rate for set-aside, the area payment for this area of set-aside would have been £359,000.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if British sovereign bases in Cyprus will be included in the list of countries to which the current quarantine arrangements will no longer apply for pets entering the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [89555]

  Mr. Rooker
  Discussions are underway with the Cypriot authorities to establish whether the island meets the criteria for rabies freedom set out by the Office International des Epizooties (0IE).

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those countries from which pets entering the United Kingdom will no longer be required to fulfil the current quarantine arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [89580]

  Mr. Rooker
  To be exempt from quarantine, pets will have to arrive from European Union and European Economic Area countries, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican and Gibraltar: or from islands outside Europe meeting the Office International des Epizooties definition of freedom from rabies. An announcement of which islands are eligible will be made in due course. The question of eligibility of animals from North America is still being considered.

  EC/Seychelles Fishing Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the
  505
  national shares allocated in the fishing agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles. [89712]

  Mr. Morley
  Fishing opportunities for EC vessels in Seychelles waters, for the period 18 January 1999 to 17 January 2002, have been allocated between member states as follows:(a) Tuna seiners

  Spain: 25 vessels

  France: 20 vessels

  Italy: 1 vessel

  UK: 1 vessel

  (b) Surface longliners

  Spain: 20 vessels

  France: 5 vessels

  Portugal: 7 vessels.

WALES

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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-department public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89683]

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

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his special advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89991]

  Mr. Michael
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the "Model Contract for Special Advisers". Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the Party and helping to brief Party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

SCOTLAND

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of statutory instruments introduced by his Department into Parliament in(a) 1998, (b)(c) 1985 and (d) 1973 had the European Union as their legislative source. [89172]

  Dr. Reid
  The total number of statutory instruments (SIs) registered as general instruments by my Department in 1998, 1992, 1985 and 1973 is listed.
  506

  Year

  Number of Scottish SIs

  1998

  213

  1992

  279

  1985

  159

  1972

  159

  It is not possible without incurring disproportionate cost to determine how many of these SIs were introduced to comply with European Community obligations.

  Parliamentary Questions (Scottish Parliament)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what proportion of(a) written and (b) oral questions, answered by his Department since 26 January, the reply contained an indication that this would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament after the transfer of functions. [89806]

  Dr. Reid
  Since 26 January, my Department has answered 798 written questions and 199 oral questions and sampling suggests that around three quarters and two thirds respectively indicated that either the subject matter or part of the subject matter would be for the Scottish Parliament after the transfer of functions.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his Special Advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89987]

  Dr. Reid
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the "Model Contract for Special Advisers". Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the party and helping to brief party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Security Administration (Scotland)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the costs of creating a separate social security administration in Scotland; and if he will publish the assumptions made in these calculations. [89077]

  Mr. Timms
  Social security is reserved to Parliament and remains a Great Britain-wide scheme. Social security administration is integrated across GB and no detailed assessment has therefore been made of the annual costs of administering the present system separately in Scotland. We estimate that the costs of administering social security, child support and pensions in Scotland to be in the region of £600 million.

  The estimate assumes that the Department's fixed costs and the fixed costs of its agencies, including the cost of investing in new computer systems, have to be reproduced

  507
  separately in Scotland without the benefits of GB-wide economies of scale. It also includes the costs of operating the branch network.

  Statutory Instruments
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [89171]

  Mr. Timms
  No such statutory instruments had the European Union as their legislative source.

  All Work Test
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will produce the alternative to the all work test. [89180]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill contains provisions to replace the all work test with the Personal Capability Assessment. The Personal Capability Assessment will continue to determine, in the same way as now, whether a person meets the threshold of incapacity for entitlement to incapacity benefits. That threshold will not change but the Personal Capability Assessment will also be able to provide additional constructive information about what a person can do, despite their medical condition or disability. This additional information will help personal advisers give their clients the support they need to move back to work. Subject to the passage of the Bill, the Personal Capability Assessment will be included in the ONE service pilots from this Autumn.

  Pensions (Age Additions)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates he has made of the cost of

  Percentage of households by amount of savings and gross weekly household income

  Gross weekly household income

  Capital

  Less than £100

  £100 but less than £200

  £200 but less than £300

  £300 but less than £400

  £400 but less than £500

  £500 but less than £600

  £600 but less than £700

  £700 or more

  Total households

  No savings

  43

  48

  39

  27

  21

  17

  13

  8

  30

  Less than £1,500

  17

  18

  22

  25

  29

  26

  23

  17

  22

  £1,500 but less than £3,000

  9

  7

  7

  9

  10

  10

  12

  9

  8

  £3,000 but less than £8,000

  12

  11

  10

  13

  14

  18

  20

  18

  14

  £8,000 but less than £10,000

  3

  2

  2

  3

  3

  3

  4

  5

  3

  £10,000 but less than £16,000

  5

  4

  5

  6

  7

  7

  8

  10

  6

  £16,000 but less than £20,000

  2

  2

  2

  3

  3

  3

  4

  5

  3

  £20,000 or more

  7

  7

  12

  14

  13

  15

  18

  28

  14

  Total

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  Notes:

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

  2. It should be noted that questions on assets are a sensitive part of the FRS questionnaire and have relatively low level of response, and hence higher level of imputation, compared to other parts of the survey. Responses are imputed in around one in ten cases. Evidence also suggests some under reporting of capital by respondents, and figures for income from these sources for pensioners are lower on the FRS compared to other surveys such as the Family Expenditure Survey. In addition, the under reporting of capital is likely to lead to an underestimate of income from the investment and thus contribute to underestimating gross weekly household income.

  3. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest integer.

  Source:

  1997-98 Family Resources Survey (GB)
  508
  increasing the age additions within the basic state pension by (a) £3 a week for the over-75s and (b) £5 a week for the over-80s. [89376]

  Mr. Timms
  The net cost of introducing age addition of £3 per week for pensioners aged 75 to 79 and increasing the age addition paid to over-80's from £0.25 to £5.25 would be £640 million.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates for Retirement Pension have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  2. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the Income Support Simulation Model and the 1996/97 Family Resources Survey.

  3. Estimates are in current prices and benefit rates, and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the total amount of housing benefit, in thousands of pounds per annum, payable to tenants(a) in each local authority, (b) in each region and (c) nationally, for 1998–99. [89586]

  Angela Eagle
  Information is not available for 1998-99. Such information as is available has been placed in the Library.

  Household Savings
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the percentages of households with(a) no savings, (b) savings up to £1,500, (c) savings between £1,500 and £3,000, (d) savings between £3,000 and £8,000, (e) savings between £8,000 and £10,000, (f) savings between £10,000 and £16,000, (g) savings between £16,000 and £20,000, (h) savings above £20,000, among households with gross weekly income of (i) less than £100, (ii) £100 to £200, (iii) £200 to £300, (iv) £300 to £400, (v) £400 to £500, (vi) £500 to £600, (vii) £600 to £700 and (viii) over £700. [89878]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his Special Advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89992]

  Mr. Timms
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the party and helping to brief party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

CABINET OFFICE

  Policy Co-ordination (Sport)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to co-ordinate Government policy for sports matters between departments. [88497]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  Government policy on sports matter is co-ordinated through the Cabinet Committee on Home and Social Affairs; specific questions might be dealt with by other Committees as appropriate.

  Additionally the Sports Cabinet, which I chair, provides for a collective policy discussion of most strategic priorities for UK sport. The Ministers with responsibilities which affect sport in England also keep in close touch, and will continue to do so.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Records
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will ensure that the retention for non-administrative reasons of departmental records over 30 years old is justified under the same criteria as those which justify extended closure of records over 30 years old at the Public Record Office. [89634]

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will take action to ensure that the retention for non-administrative reasons of departmental records over 30 years old will be justified under the same criteria as those which justify extended closure of records over 30 years old at the Public Record Office. [89637]

  Mr. Vaz
  The current system for the retention by Government departments of records over 30 years old is explained in the White Paper "Open Government" (1993, Cm 2290), particularly paragraphs 9.8 and 9.23–9.27. Grounds for retention are laid out in paragraphs 9.23 and 9.26.
  510
  When departments make applications to retain records, they are required to give clear and explicit reasons, making clear in each case what harm would be caused by release. These reasons are considered by the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Council on Public Records before being submitted to the Lord Chancellor. The Lord Chancellor permits departments to retain records for no more than 10 years before they must either release the records or submit another application for retention.

  The withholding of public records for a period longer than 30 years is currently the subject of public consultation as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Freedom of Information Bill.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will review the criteria against which the extended closure of records over 30 years old, under section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958, must be justified, with particular reference to(a) the definition of national security, (b) protection of the identities of confidential informants and (c) protection of those mentioned, or their relatives, from substantial distress or endangerment. [89632]

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will review the criteria against which the extended closure of records under section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958 must be justified, with special reference to(a) the definition of national security, (b) protection of the identities of confidential informants and (c) protection of those mentioned or their relatives from substantial distress and endangerment. [89635]

  Mr. Vaz
  Revised criteria for the closure of records are included in the draft Freedom of Information Bill which is currently the subject of public consultation.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will publish the guidelines given to departmental record officers on judging whether the release of a document is likely to cause substantial distress or endangerment to a person mentioned in that document or to relatives of such a person. [89633]

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will publish the guidelines given to departmental record officers on judging whether the release of a document is likely to cause substantial distress or endangerment to a person mentioned in that document or to relatives of such a person. [89636]

  Mr. Vaz
  After an initial consultation draft in 1994, the Public Record Office produced guidance for departmental record officers in 1995. Copies of that guidance will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The guidance is currently being revised as part of the development of a Manual on Access to Public Records which will be issued
  511
  in September 1999. It is proposed that this manual should be available to the public.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the subject and date of each written briefing prepared by his special advisers for all Labour Members since May 1997 and the total number and total cost to date of these. [89984]
  512
  Mr. Vaz
  Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1, Part 1 of the Model Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. As well as research for Ministers and reviewing papers, contributing to policy planning within the Department and preparing policy papers, speechwriting and liaison with outside interest groups, their role explicitly includes liaising with the Party and helping to brief Party MPs. Records are not held of when such briefings are given. Similar arrangements have applied under successive Governments.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Universities (Doctorates)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many academics who held doctorates at the time when recruited were in post in UK universities in the latest year for which the information is available and in each of the previous 10 years, broken down by (i) subject and (ii) domicile. [88689]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information available, covering the years 1994–95 to 1998–99, is shown in the following table. Information for previous years is not held centrally.

  Number of academics1, with doctorate qualifications of uk and other EU institutions, in post in UK higher education institutions, by subject group taught and domicile2

  Subject group taught

  Home

  Overseas

  Total

  1994–95

  Medicine and Dentistry

  2,128

  368

  2,496

  Subjects allied to medicine

  2,102

  368

  2,470

  Biological sciences

  7,210

  1,223

  8,433

  Veterinary science

  179

  15

  194

  Agriculture and related subs

  356

  45

  401

  Physical sciences

  7,327

  1,511

  8,838

  Mathematical sciences

  1,855

  382

  2,237

  Computer science

  905

  285

  1,190

  Engineering and Technology

  3,881

  1,411

  5,292

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  251

  56

  307

  Social, economic and political science

  3,808

  830

  4,638

  Law

  253

  93

  346

  Business and Administrative studies

  727

  194

  921

  Librarianship and Information science

  97

  24

  121

  Languages

  2,215

  483

  2,698

  Humanities

  2,363

  426

  2,789

  Creative arts and design

  344

  63

  407

  Education

  603

  49

  652

  Combined

  485

  315

  800

  Total

  37,089

  8,141

  45,230

  1995–96

  Medicine and Dentistry

  2,153

  409

  2,562

  Subjects allied to medicine

  2,360

  361

  2,721

  Biological sciences

  8,328

  1,345

  9,673

  Veterinary science

  210

  22

  232

  Agriculture and related subs

  415

  43

  458

  Physical sciences

  8,264

  1,572

  9,836

  Mathematical sciences

  2,080

  397

  2,477

  Computer science

  971

  317

  1,288

  Engineering and Technology

  4,265

  1,501

  5,766

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  259

  70

  329

  Social, economic and political science

  4,340

  1,031

  5,371

  Law

  302

  97

  399

  Business and Administrative studies

  801

  206

  1,007

  Librarianship and Information science

  92

  31

  123

  Languages

  2,525

  602

  3,127

  Humanities

  2,736

  512

  3,248

  Creative arts and design

  419

  76

  495

  Education

  662

  63

  725

  Combined

  431

  85

  516

  Total

  41,613

  8,740

  50,353

  1996–97

  Medicine and Dentistry

  2,362

  463

  2,825

  Subjects allied to medicine

  2,549

  433

  2,982

  Biological sciences

  8,704

  1,568

  10,272

  514

  Number of academics1, with doctorate qualifications of UK and other EU institutions, in post in UK higher education institutions, by subject group taught and domicile 2

  Subject group taught

  Home

  Overseas

  Total

  Veterinary science

  217

  24

  241

  Agriculture and related subs

  452

  57

  509

  Physical sciences

  8,383

  1,691

  10,074

  Mathematical sciences

  2,085

  387

  2,472

  Computer science

  990

  339

  1,329

  Engineering and Technology

  4,304

  1,485

  5,789

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  252

  82

  334

  Social, economic and political science

  4,482

  1,060

  5,542

  Law

  317

  106

  423

  Business and Administrative studies

  798

  234

  1,032

  Librarianship and Information science

  95

  39

  134

  Languages

  2,635

  576

  3,211

  Humanities

  2,812

  530

  3,342

  Creative arts and design

  460

  83

  543

  Education

  685

  61

  746

  Combined

  551

  99

  650

  Total

  4,133

  9,317

  52,450

  1997–98

  Medicine and Dentistry

  2,338

  417

  2,755

  Subjects allied to medicine

  2,696

  376

  3,072

  Biological sciences

  8,977

  1,338

  10,315

  Veterinary science

  210

  22

  232

  Agriculture and related subs

  458

  45

  503

  Physical sciences

  8,460

  1,415

  9,875

  Mathematical sciences

  2,125

  312

  2,437

  Computer science

  1,086

  321

  1,407

  Engineering and Technology

  4,340

  1,205

  5,545

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  287

  62

  349

  Social, economic and political science

  4,919

  816

  5,735

  Law

  343

  97

  440

  Business and Administrative studies

  919

  186

  1,105

  Librarianship and Information science

  124

  36

  160

  Languages

  2,780

  453

  32,233

  Humanities

  2,963

  418

  33,381

  Creative arts and design

  528

  62

  590

  Education

  741

  41

  782

  Combined

  468

  86

  554

  Total

  44,762

  77,708

  52,470

  1Includes staff on fixed-term research contracts;

  2'Home' students are UK domiciled; 'overseas' students are domiciled in other EU and other overseas countries.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many PhD students were in their first year of research and taught courses in UK universities in the latest year for which the information is available and in each of the previous 10 years, broken down by (i) subject and (ii) domicile. [88687]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information available, covering the years 1994–95 to 1998–99, is shown in the following table. Information for previous years is not held centrally.
  515

  First year students on doctorate degree courses in UK higher education institutions, by subject group and domicile1

  Mainly by research

  Not mainly by research

  Subject

  Home

  Overseas

  Total

  Home

  Overseas

  Total

  1994–95

  Medicine and Dentistry

  824

  146

  970

  0

  0

  0

  Subjects allied to medicine

  527

  111

  638

  5

  0

  5

  Biological Sciences

  1,332

  303

  1,635

  70

  2

  72

  Veterinary Science

  37

  21

  58

  0

  0

  0

  Agriculture and related subjects

  109

  93

  202

  0

  0

  0

  Physical Sciences

  1,524

  338

  1,862

  16

  15

  31

  Mathematical Sciences

  269

  109

  378

  0

  3

  3

  Computer Science

  315

  186

  501

  0

  0

  0

  Engineering and Technology

  1,234

  661

  1,895

  3

  0

  3

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  113

  46

  159

  2

  0

  2

  Social, economic and political studies

  783

  423

  1,206

  4

  7

  11

  Law

  100

  59

  159

  0

  0

  0

  Business and Administrative studies

  393

  233

  626

  0

  2

  2

  Librarianship and Information Science

  44

  24

  68

  0

  0

  0

  Languages

  488

  264

  752

  0

  9

  9

  Humanities

  487

  202

  689

  0

  0

  0

  Creative Arts and Designs

  197

  59

  256

  0

  0

  0

  Education

  384

  149

  533

  0

  0

  0

  Combined

  195

  30

  225

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  9,335

  3,457

  12,812

  100

  38

  138

  1995–96

  Medicine and Dentistry

  721

  142

  863

  9

  0

  9

  Subjects allied to medicine

  456

  157

  613

  14

  0

  14

  Biological Sciences

  1,243

  382

  1,625

  132

  13

  145

  Veterinary Science

  47

  13

  60

  0

  0

  0

  Agriculture and related subjects

  91

  79

  170

  0

  0

  0

  Physical Sciences

  1,595

  422

  2017

  11

  8

  19

  Mathematical Sciences

  266

  160

  426

  0

  3

  3

  Computer Science

  270

  169

  439

  0

  2

  2

  Engineering and Technology

  1,187

  817

  2,004

  2

  0

  2

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  115

  67

  182

  0

  0

  0

  Social, economic and political studies

  801

  468

  1,269

  6

  4

  10

  Law

  103

  90

  193

  6

  0

  6

  Business and Administrative Studies

  361

  272

  633

  5

  6

  11

  Librarianship and Information Science

  56

  28

  84

  0

  0

  0

  Languages

  505

  344

  849

  2

  9

  11

  Humanities

  560

  263

  823

  0

  0

  0

  Creative Arts and Design

  167

  50

  217

  4

  1

  5

  Education

  388

  140

  528

  14

  0

  14

  Combined

  181

  47

  228

  0

  2

  2

  Total

  9,113

  4,110

  13,223

  205

  48

  253

  1996–97

  Medicine and Dentistry

  666

  135

  801

  33

  0

  33

  Subjects allied to medicine

  387

  137

  524

  3

  2

  5

  Biological Sciences

  1,409

  402

  1811

  98

  3

  101

  Veterinary Science

  32

  15

  47

  0

  0

  0

  Agriculture and related subjects

  108

  111

  219

  0

  0

  0

  Physical Sciences

  1,418

  430

  1,848

  0

  0

  0

  Mathematical Sciences

  247

  123

  370

  0

  0

  0

  Computer Science

  240

  143

  383

  1

  0

  1

  Engineering and Technology

  1,085

  803

  1,888

  4

  1

  5

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  84

  68

  152

  2

  0

  2

  Social, economic and political studies

  710

  507

  1,217

  2

  2

  4

  Law

  110

  117

  227

  26

  1

  27

  Business and Administrative Studies

  328

  241

  569

  1

  0

  1

  Librarianship and Information Science

  41

  22

  63

  0

  0

  0

  Languages

  495

  372

  867

  0

  0

  0

  Humanities

  549

  245

  794

  8

  2

  10

  Creative Arts and Design

  155

  55

  210

  5

  0

  5

  Education

  332

  229

  561

  144

  3

  147

  Combined

  182

  44

  226

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  8,578

  4,199

  12,777

  327

  14

  341

  1997–98

  Medicine and Dentistry

  646

  151

  797

  27

  0

  27

  Subjects allied to medicine

  411

  146

  557

  7

  0

  7

  Biological Sciences

  1,368

  439

  1807

  98

  5

  103

  Veterinary Science

  29

  12

  41

  0

  0

  0

  Agriculture and related subjects

  110

  96

  206

  0

  0

  0

  Physical Sciences

  1,368

  454

  1,822

  0

  0

  0

  Mathematical Sciences

  245

  148

  393

  0

  0

  0

  516 517

  First year students on doctorate degree courses in UK higher education institutions, by subject group and domicile1

  Mainly by research

  Not mainly by research

  Subject

  Home

  Overseas

  Total

  Home

  Overseas

  Total

  Computer Science

  202

  175

  377

  0

  0

  0

  Engineering and Technology

  909

  780

  1,689

  0

  0

  0

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  92

  63

  155

  0

  0

  0

  Social, economic and political studies

  652

  434

  1,086

  10

  1

  11

  Law

  83

  84

  167

  0

  0

  0

  Business and Administrative Studies

  336

  287

  623

  2

  2

  4

  Librarianship and Information Science

  44

  30

  74

  0

  0

  0

  Languages

  490

  330

  820

  0

  0

  0

  Humanities

  525

  276

  801

  3

  2

  5

  Creative Arts and Design

  155

  50

  205

  5

  0

  5

  Education

  424

  204

  628

  64

  8

  72

  Combined

  331

  128

  459

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  8,420

  4,287

  12,707

  216

  18

  234

  1998–99

  Medicine and Dentistry

  753

  197

  950

  31

  0

  31

  Subjects allied to medicine

  432

  147

  579

  9

  0

  9

  Biological Sciences

  1,422

  413

  1,835

  102

  0

  102

  Veterinary Science

  29

  15

  44

  0

  0

  0

  Agriculture and related subjects

  115

  98

  213

  0

  0

  0

  Physical Sciences

  1,240

  492

  1,732

  0

  0

  0

  Mathematical Sciences

  196

  147

  343

  0

  0

  0

  Computer Science

  178

  81

  259

  0

  0

  0

  Engineering and Technology

  469

  285

  754

  3

  2

  5

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  91

  63

  154

  0

  0

  0

  Social, economic and political studies

  614

  569

  1,183

  14

  1

  15

  Law

  76

  108

  184

  0

  0

  0

  Business and Administrative Studies

  349

  316

  665

  10

  6

  16

  Librarianship and Information Science

  51

  31

  82

  0

  0

  0

  Languages

  436

  339

  775

  0

  0

  0

  Humanities

  190

  179

  369

  0

  0

  0

  Creative Arts and Design

  441

  267

  708

  44

  11

  55

  Education

  871

  828

  1,699

  12

  1

  13

  Combined

  165

  76

  241

  1

  0

  1

  Total

  8,118

  4,651

  12,769

  226

  21

  247

  1'Home' students are UK domiciled; 'overseas' students are domiciled in other EU and other overseas countries.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how may PhDs were awarded to students in UK universities in the latest year for which the information is available and in each of the previous 10 years, broken down by (i) subject and (ii) domicile. [88685]

  Students in UK HEIs awarded PhDs by domicile1 and subject

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Home

  O'seas

  Total

  Home

  O'seas

  Total

  Home

  O'seas

  Total

  Home

  O'seas

  Total

  Medicine and Dentistry

  427

  117

  544

  526

  202

  728

  674

  224

  898

  706

  201

  907

  Subjects allied to medicine

  246

  104

  350

  329

  125

  454

  378

  136

  514

  382

  142

  524

  Biological Sciences

  848

  266

  1,114

  1,112

  372

  1,484

  1194

  386

  1,580

  1,296

  378

  1,674

  Veterinary Science

  34

  21

  55

  44

  22

  66

  50

  28

  78

  65

  39

  104

  Agriculture and related subjects

  95

  121

  216

  137

  148

  285

  106

  140

  246

  98

  190

  288

  Physical Sciences

  1,115

  342

  1,457

  1,440

  435

  1,875

  1369

  441

  1,810

  1,485

  466

  1,951

  Mathematical Sciences

  147

  85

  232

  204

  117

  321

  212

  133

  345

  162

  140

  302

  Computer Science

  136

  86

  222

  164

  117

  281

  138

  103

  241

  154

  109

  263

  Engineering and Technology

  721

  606

  1,327

  792

  765

  1,557

  1010

  745

  1,755

  1,016

  821

  1,837

  Architecture, Building and Planning

  57

  36

  93

  29

  52

  81

  53

  59

  112

  51

  83

  134

  Social, economic and political studies

  248

  253

  501

  305

  341

  646

  394

  307

  701

  439

  377

  816

  Law

  27

  49

  76

  38

  70

  108

  39

  74

  113

  34

  68

  102

  Business and Administrative Studies

  131

  84

  215

  201

  141

  342

  143

  142

  285

  150

  174

  324

  Librarianship and Information Science

  14

  13

  27

  10

  18

  28

  14

  16

  30

  16

  24

  40

  Languages

  242

  144

  386

  302

  190

  492

  303

  190

  493

  336

  230

  566

  Humanities

  225

  164

  389

  336

  188

  524

  342

  183

  525

  344

  246

  590

  Creative Arts and Design

  45

  15

  60

  50

  18

  68

  53

  31

  84

  72

  23

  95

  Education

  106

  64

  170

  110

  88

  198

  174

  99

  273

  217

  121

  338

  Combined

  105

  20

  125

  186

  37

  223

  95

  36

  131

  95

  43

  138

  Total

  4,864

  2,570

  7,434

  6,129

  3,409

  9,538

  6,646

  3,437

  1,083

  7,023

  3,832

  1,855

  1'Home' students are UK domiciled; 'overseas' students are domiciled in other EU and other overseas countries.

  518
  Mr. Mudie
  Information on a consistent basis is not available centrally for the full ten year period. Available information covering UK HE institutions for the years 1994–95 to 1997–98 is shown in the table.
  519
  Available information for the years prior to 1994–95 is that published by the University Statistical Record (USR) for the University Funding Council funded institutions in

  PhDs awarded in UFC funded institutions in Great Britain

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Medicine and dentistry

  437

  456

  473

  578

  643

  Studies allied to medicine

  352

  330

  336

  403

  412

  Biological sciences

  1,154

  1,276

  1,213

  1,226

  1,346

  Veterinary science, agriculture and related studies

  229

  228

  232

  265

  275

  Physical sciences

  1,625

  1,659

  1,788

  1,663

  1,671

  Mathematical sciences

  407

  465

  530

  504

  528

  Engineering and technology

  1,282

  1,463

  1,440

  1,294

  1,522

  Architecture and related studies

  63

  69

  82

  68

  78

  Social sciences

  732

  683

  718

  675

  735

  Business and financial studies

  153

  150

  145

  167

  171

  Librarianship and information science

  29

  28

  30

  24

  30

  Languages and related studies

  387

  426

  427

  453

  477

  Humanities

  463

  464

  443

  489

  512

  Creative arts

  54

  42

  52

  44

  54

  Education

  208

  207

  195

  216

  203

  Multi-disciplinary studies

  70

  63

  54

  61

  60

  Total

  7,645

  8,009

  8,158

  8,130

  8,717

  There were, additionally, a small number of PhD awards reported in the non-UFC funded English HE institutions prior to 1994–95 amounting to 118 in 1993–94, 81 in 1992–93 and 45 in 1991–92. No awards are recorded before this time.

  School Cricket
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many state schools have(a) cricket nets, (b) cricket squares and (c) inter-school cricket fixtures. [88935]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department does not collect this information.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the percentage of leavers from the 18 to 24 New Deal by each unit of delivery in the United Kingdom from April 1998 to the latest date for which the figures are available(a) whose destination was unsubsidised employment and (b) whose destination was unknown. [89377]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The table shows the percentages of young people leaving New Deal for unsubsidised employment and for whom no destination is recorded for the period April 1998 to April 1999, by each Employment Service Unit of Delivery. In addition to these figures for unsubsidised jobs, the independent research report on leavers with unknown destinations published last month showed that 43 per cent. of respondents said they had left the New Deal for paid employment.

  Percentage

  Destination on leaving

  Revised units of delivery

  Unsubsidised employment

  Not known

  Tayside

  44

  32

  Ayrshire

  47

  28

  Borders

  49

  34

  Dumfries and Galloway

  46

  32

  Dunbarton

  52

  26

  520
  Great Britain and are given in the table. Such data were not published by domicile

  Percentage

  Destination on leaving

  Revised units of delivery

  Unsubsidised employment

  Not known

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  44

  30

  Fife

  43

  36

  Forth valley

  56

  24

  Glasgow

  38

  32

  Grampian

  39

  34

  Moray, Strathspay and Badenoch

  54

  27

  Lanarkshire

  49

  24

  Renfrewshire

  46

  27

  West Lothian

  49

  29

  Argyll and The Islands

  56

  28

  Caithness and Sutherland

  52

  27

  Inverness and Nairn

  49

  30

  Lochaber

  58

  35

  Western Isles

  49

  35

  Orkney

  72

  22

  Ross and Cromarty

  59

  26

  Shetland

  45

  45

  Skye and Lochalsh

  44

  50

  Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside

  38

  35

  Northumberland

  49

  26

  Tyneside North

  48

  28

  Durham North and Durham South

  47

  28

  City of Sunderland formerly Wearside

  47

  23

  Tees North and Tees South

  41

  30

  Cumbria

  48

  29

  Wirral

  42

  38

  Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre

  43

  36

  Bolton

  41

  34

  Bury

  43

  35

  Central Lancashire

  46

  28

  Cheshire

  46

  31

  City Pride Manchester

  40

  36

  East Lancashire

  42

  33

  Halton and Warrington

  48

  31

  Knowsley

  38

  29

  Liverpool

  39

  32

  North Lancashire

  48

  31

  Oldham

  47

  31

  Rochdale

  44

  31

  Sefton

  50

  26

  St. Helens

  44

  28

  Stockport

  45

  31

  West Lancashire

  49

  19

  Wigan

  49

  30

  Sheffield

  39

  42

  521

  Percentage

  Destination on leaving

  Revised units of delivery

  Unsubsidised employment

  Not known

  Rotherham

  39

  37

  South Humber

  53

  26

  Calderdale and Kirlees

  40

  34

  Barnsley and The Dearne

  44

  27

  Bradford

  39

  37

  Hull and East Coast formerly Hull

  49

  27

  Leeds

  37

  42

  North Yorkshire

  45

  34

  Wakefield and Doncaster

  42

  35

  West Wales

  47

  29

  Swansea

  45

  31

  North West Wales

  57

  24

  Powys

  44

  34

  Ceredigion

  53

  22

  North East Wales formerly Flintshire and Wrexham

  50

  27

  North Wales Coast

  41

  33

  Cardiff and Vale

  42

  34

  Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys

  45

  26

  Heads of the Valley and Caerphilly

  48

  26

  Newport, Torfaen and Monmouth

  45

  32

  Black Country

  43

  33

  Birmingham

  35

  39

  Solihull

  36

  39

  Staffordshire

  45

  32

  Hereford and Worcester

  51

  31

  Coventry

  40

  39

  Warwickshire

  47

  36

  Shropshire

  49

  30

  Southern Derbyshire

  44

  32

  Cambridge TTWA

  52

  31

  North Derbyshire

  47

  31

  Leicestershire

  42

  38

  Lincolnshire

  46

  33

  Norfolk

  51

  30

  West Norfolk

  60

  23

  Northamptonshire

  43

  40

  Greater Nottingham

  40

  36

  North Nottinghamshire

  48

  29

  Peterborough

  44

  37

  Suffolk

  53

  25

  Waveney

  56

  23

  Cornwall

  51

  34

  Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset

  53

  29

  Bristol and South Gloucestershire formerly Central Bristol

  45

  34

  Dorset

  47

  36

  Exeter and East Devon

  49

  27

  Torbay and South Devon formerly South Devon

  54

  28

  North Devon

  49

  32

  Gloucestershire

  47

  33

  Plymouth

  48

  31

  Somerset

  52

  31

  Wiltshire and Swindon formerly Wiltshire

  50

  30

  Eastbourne and Hastings formerly Eastbourne

  43

  40

  Lambeth

  35

  48

  Percentage

  Scotland

  Northern

  North West

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  Wales

  West Midlands

  East Mids and Eastern

  South West

  London and South East

  Those leaving before having a first interview

  44

  46

  38

  38

  44

  37

  41

  43

  30

  Those leaving during the gateway

  48

  47

  46

  45

  49

  44

  49

  53

  45

  Those leaving from an option

  45

  39

  44

  40

  45

  37

  39

  44

  37

  Those leaving from follow-through

  31

  32

  30

  31

  33

  36

  34

  40

  34

  522

  Percentage

  Destination on leaving

  Revised units of delivery

  Unsubsidised employment

  Not known

  Harlow

  39

  42

  Hackney and City

  32

  46

  Hertfordshire

  50

  33

  Brighton

  43

  36

  Canterbury

  43

  39

  Channel

  52

  30

  Chatham

  48

  33

  Crawley

  44

  40

  Croydon and Bromley

  41

  43

  Guildford

  50

  36

  Lewisham

  41

  41

  Maidstone, Dartford and West Kent

  50

  33

  Southwark

  35

  41

  Greenwich

  43

  36

  Bexley

  49

  34

  Sutton, Merton, Esher, Kingston, Epsom

  45

  38

  Wandsworth

  36

  43

  West Sussex Coastal Plain

  50

  32

  South Essex

  51

  26

  North Essex formerly North and Mid Essex

  53

  30

  Edgware and Leaside

  37

  43

  North East London

  38

  43

  Havering, Barking and Dagneham

  41

  41

  Newham

  34

  45

  Tower Hamlets

  38

  42

  Camden and North Islington

  37

  47

  Ealing and Hillingdon formerly Ealing

  41

  42

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  40

  41

  Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire

  41

  41

  Mid Hants

  47

  37

  Oxfordshire

  42

  39

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  45

  37

  Isle of Wight

  48

  33

  Reading

  43

  41

  Slough

  43

  41

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  45

  37

  Wembley

  38

  44

  Westminster

  32

  48

  Hounslow and Richmond

  38

  43

  Hammersmith, Fulham, Kensington, Chelsea

  37

  43

  Total

  44

  34

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each region the proportion of all those who left the 18 to 24 New Deal for unsubsidised employment who left at each stage of the New Deal process between April 1998 and April 1999. [89371]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The table shows the number of young people leaving each stage of New Deal and the proportion of them who went into unsubsidised employment between April 1998 and April 1999, by each Employment Service region.
  523
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 25 June 1999,Official Report, columns 467—68 on the New Deal, what assessment he has made of the reliability of the survey of young people leaving the New Deal for unknown destinations [89394]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The recently published survey on leavers with unknown destinations was carried out by a reputable independent organisation under careful management from the Employment Service. It was produced and released in accordance with the Government Statistical Service Code of Practice and I am, therefore, satisfied that the survey results are reliable.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal scheme for those aged under 25 years in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [89379]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical figures to the end of April 1999 show that 1,284 people have entered the New Deal for Young People in the Shropshire Unit of Delivery which cover Shrewsbury and Atcham. Statistics from the New Deal are not available yet for individual constituencies; rather they are broken down by Unit of Delivery. I am very encouraged by the progress being made in Shropshire and pleased to see that they are currently in the top quartile in the New Deal Core Performance tables for the proportion of people moving from the New Deal into jobs.

  Teaching Days
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on how many days pupils in the state primary and secondary schools will be taught in the 1998–99 academic year; and what were the comparable figures for 10, 20 and 30 years previously. [89823]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Regulations require there to be 380 half-day sessions during any school year. This provision is consistent with the 190 days a year on which teachers may be required under their statutory conditions of service to teach children.

  Football Study Support Centres
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effect of attendance at football study support centres on the educational standards of the children concerned. [89719]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In June 1998, the Department commissioned the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to evaluate the first six centres in order to provide early indications of their effectiveness and to inform future development plans. NFER's report is very positive about the impact of the centres and will be published in September 1999. A more extensive evaluation of all Playing for Success centres will begin in August 1999.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the cost per pupil of a pupil attending a football study support centre. [89720]
  524
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Precise figures are not yet available. Most centres are still in the early stages of development and are adjusting module lengths, pupil numbers and infrastructure arrangements in the light of experience. However, the Department estimates the average cost per pupil at approximately £150.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding for football study support centres has been obtained from(a) sponsors and (b) football clubs. [89723]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The amount of sponsorship for Playing for Success is substantial, and sponsors have equipped some centres with full suites of IT hardware. The Department is in the process of quantifying the total sponsorship sum. Each football club is required to contribute one third of the total costs, estimated at £110,000 per annum, in cash or kind.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the extent to which children who are(a) disaffected with school and (b) likely to become disaffected have joined football study support centres. [89718]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Playing for Success initiative is specifically targeted at those young people who are disaffected or who are identified as in danger of becoming so. The schools involved are the best judges of which pupils fall into those categories and select pupils who are most likely to benefit from attendance at the centres.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the Premier League and Division One football clubs providing study support centres in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000; and how many children are (i) attending and (ii) planned to attend such centres in the case of each football club. [89721]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Details are shown in the table. Expected opening dates are provisional and the numbers of children taking part are estimated.

  Clubs committed

  Pupil numbers (estimated)

  Arsenal

  1—

  Expected to open in 2000

  Barnsley

  200

  Open

  Birmingham City

  2—

  Expected to open in 1999

  Blackburn Rovers

  550

  Open

  Bolton Wanderers

  300

  Open

  Bradford City

  1—

  Expected to open in 2000

  Bristol City

  2—

  Expected to open in 1999

  Charlton Athletic

  540

  Open

  Crystal Palace

  1,000

  Open

  Derby County

  1,500

  Open

  Everton

  1—

  Expected to open in 2000

  Huddersfield Town

  240

  Open

  Leeds United

  360

  Open

  Leicester City

  720

  Open

  Liverpool

  2—

  Expected to open in 1999

  Manchester City

  160

  Open

  Manchester United

  2—

  Expected to open in 1999

  Middlesbrough

  800

  Open

  Newcastle United

  5,000

  Open

  Norwich City

  160

  Expected to open in 1999

  Nottingham Forest

  180

  Open

  Port Vale

  150

  Open

  Queens Park Rangers

  675

  Open

  Reading

  1—

  Expected to open in 2000

  525

  Clubs committed

  Pupil numbers (estimated)

  Sheffield United

  240

  Open

  Sheffield Wednesday

  560

  Open

  Southampton

  2—

  Expected to open in 1999

  Stoke City

  210

  Open

  Stockport County

  2—

  Expected to open in 1999

  Sunderland

  350

  Open

  Swindon Town

  575

  Open

  Tottenham Hotspur

  1—

  Expected to open in 2000

  Watford

  1—

  Expected to open in 2000

  West Bromwich Albion

  2—

  Expected to open in 1999

  West Ham United

  1,160

  Open

  Wolverhampton Wanderers

  120

  Open

  1Not applicable

  2Not Known

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of girls attending football study support centres. [89722]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The national evaluation report of the first six centres by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) found girls attended in equal numbers to boys. Feedback from individual Playing for Success centre managers, who monitor attendance by gender, confirms this pattern.

  Local Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in establishing boundaries for local Learning and Skills Councils, how he will ensure that the boundaries fit with local travel-to-work and travel-to-study patterns and are within regional development agency/Government office boundaries in cases where local travel-to-work and travel-to-study patterns cross the RDA/Government office boundaries. [90086]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have asked the regional development agencies (RDAs) and the London Development Partnership for advice on the boundaries of the local Learning and Skills Councils within each region. In drawing up their advice, we have proposed a set of 526
  principles which RDAs need to follow. These include that boundaries must fit within RDA/Government office boundaries and should take into account best fit with travel-to-work and travel-to-study areas. They should also be consistent with other key local economic or social units and partnerships—especially with local authorities. We will take decisions on boundaries on the basis of these criteria and the advice of RDAs.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the maximum number of local Learning and Skills Councils in each regional development agency/Government office boundary consistent with the Government's objectives of having no more than 50 such councils nationally. [90064]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have asked regional development agencies (RDAs) and the London Development Partnership to make proposals on the boundaries for local Learning and Skills Councils by the end of September. We have not set a maximum number for each region, but have set some key principles which will underpin the RDAs' considerations and our decisions on the boundaries. These include a minimum residential population of 0.5 million.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 1999,Official Report, column 336, on nursery education, what percentage of three-year-olds in each of the local education authorities listed (a) currently have (i) free full-time early education places and (ii) free part-time early education places and (b) will have (i) free full-time early education places and (ii) free part-time early education places when the promised additional places are provided. [89751]

  Ms Hodge
  The information is not available in the form requested. Participation rates for individual ages cannot be provided at local education authority level as the underlying population estimates are not sufficiently reliable.

  Each three-year-old offered one of the additional free places will be eligible to receive five sessions of early education per week.

  Regional Venture Capital Funds
  Regional Venture Capital Funds
  Immigration and Asylum Bill: Secondary Legislation
  Immigration and Asylum Bill: Secondary Legislation
  Asylum Applications: Outcomes
  Asylum Applications: Outcomes
  Illegal Immigrants
  Illegal Immigrants
  Mothers and Babies in Prison: Report
  Mothers and Babies in Prison: Report
  Immigrants with Leave to Remain: Benefits
  Immigrants with Leave to Remain: Benefits
  Scotland: Murders by Persons Previously Convicted of Homicide
  Scotland: Murders by Persons Previously Convicted of Homicide
  Diabetes among Minority Ethnic Groups
  Diabetes among Minority Ethnic Groups
  KFOR: UK Contribution
  KFOR: UK Contribution
  Millennium Compliance Information for Businesses
  Millennium Compliance Information for Businesses
  Ministerial Meetings with KLA
  Ministerial Meetings with KLA
  Treaty of Lausanne
  Treaty of Lausanne
  South East Turkey: School Closures
  South East Turkey: School Closures
  Council of the European Union: Forthcoming Business
  Council of the European Union: Forthcoming Business
  Green Top Milk
  Green Top Milk
  Meat Hygiene
  Meat Hygiene
  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
  Food Standards Enforcement
  Food Standards Enforcement