Written Answers of 8 July 1999

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Ceasefires
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the status of her review of the state of terrorist ceasefires. [87879]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State keeps the ceasefires of all paramilitary organisations under continuous review. The judgment needs to be made in the round, taking into account all relevant information including the advice she receives regularly from her security advisers.

  Drumcree
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards solving the Drumcree Church parade difficulties. [87878]

  Mr. Ingram
  Every effort has been made by both the British and Irish Governments to reach a satisfactory resolution to the Drumcree dispute. No such resolution has yet been reached, but our efforts continue. The decision taken by the Parades Commission to reroute the planned parade by Portadown LOL District is a legal one, and I am pleased to note that on Sunday 4 July the marchers complied with the conditions imposed by the Parades Commission.

  Barry Mason
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) of 9 June 1999,Official Report, column 326, on Barry Mason, what action she plans to take; and if she will make a statement. [87765]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]: The Royal Ulster Constabulary are presently liaising with the West Midland police to see if there are any lines of inquiry arising from the claims made by Barry Mason. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to take any action herself.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what legislation he plans to introduce to implement his proposed reforms of the Post Office. [90730]

  Mr. Byers
  Much of the package of reforms for the Post Office that I have set out in the White Paper I have published today can be implemented without any change in the law. But I propose three pieces of legislation to complete the reform package:
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  First, I am today laying an order under Section 69 of the British Telecommunications Act 1981 to reduce the Post Office monopoly to letters for which the post is not more than 50 pence (or which do not weigh more than 150 grams). The new limits will have effect from 1 April 2000. This will supersede the Order made in 1981 to fix the monopoly limit to items costing less than £1 for a period of 25 years, ending in 2006.

  Secondly, I am today also making available the draft of a Regulation I propose to make shortly under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 to implement the European Union Postal Services Directive on common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services. As the intention of the Directive is, inter alia, to provide a regulatory framework for postal services and the creation of a national regulatory authority, and to establish common rules for the provision of a universal postal service, the proposed Regulation will establish a new regulatory regime, designating the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and a new Postal Services Commission, that will assume its duties from 1 April 2000, as the national regulatory authorities for the postal sector in the United Kingdom, and to amend the Post Office Act 1969 so as to define in the legislation the minimum levels of service to be provided by the Post Office.

  Thirdly, as soon as Parliamentary time permits, I will bring forward primary legislation to consolidate the reform of the Post Office and the postal market. The Bill will
  ensure that the Post Office can take full and certain advantage of the commercial freedoms proposed in the package;
  convert the Post Office into a plc to underline the commercialisation of the business (though the legislation will not provide for any disposal of shares without further Parliamentary approval, and in particular no share sale will be possible without further primary legislation);
  clarify and consolidate the independent regulatory and consumer representative framework, putting it on a basis similar to that for the private utilities; and
  enable any reduction in the Post Office monopoly to be put on a permanent (rather than temporary) basis.

  Power Stations
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce further decisions on power station proposals currently with his Department. [90734]

  Mr. Battle
  I have today given directions under Section 14 (3) of the Energy Act 1976 to Southern Electric and Sabre Power not to proceed with a number of their gas-fired schemes. The schemes affected are Southern Electric's mini power plants (49 MW) at Loudwater, Nr High Wycombe and Quidhampton, Salisbury and Sabre Power's mini power plants (50 MW) at Hirwan, Rhondda and Bridgwater, Somerset. These decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).
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  Decisions on other proposals under consideration will be announced in due course.

  Copies of the Press Notice and the relevant decision letters are being placed in the Library of the House.

  EU Takeovers Directive
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the legislative changes required by the proposed EU Takeovers Directive. [90092]

  Dr. Howells
  It would not be possible to say, until the Directive had been finally adopted by the Council and the European Parliament, following its consideration for the second time by the European Parliament under the co-decision procedure, precisely what legislative changes would be required to Implement the Directive. However, it is likely that such legislation would formally designate the supervisory body which would be responsible in the UK for regulating takeovers (this could be a private body such as the Takeover Panel). In addition, some basic aspects of the regulatory framework set out in the Directive—such as the general principles which are presently included in Article 3—would no doubt have to be incorporated into legislation.

  Genetic Engineering
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the United Kingdom patents which have been(a) applied for and (b) granted since 18 May 1998 in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals. [89932]

  Dr. Howells
  I can only give information about patent applications which have been published. Prior to publication such information is confidential. There have been a total of three applications filed under the Patents Act 1977 and published since 18 May 1998 relating to genetically engineered animals and processes for preparing them. Patent No. GB 2331301 relates to a transgenic mammal for use as a model in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Patent No. GB 2327679 relates to transgenic fish and Patent No. GB 2331751 relates to methods of cloning animal embryos. Only Patent No. GB 2327679 has so far been granted.

  Three other patents have been granted since 18 May 1998. They are Patent No. GB 2312899 for transgenic mammals useful as models for the treatment of bone disorders, GB 2291646 which relates to transgenic fish transformed with growth hormone and GB 228807 which relates to mammals transformed with a gene encoding a neurotoxin.

  This information covers only applications filed at the UK Patent Office and does not include applications filed at the European Patent Office and which may have the legal effect of UK patents when granted by that Office.

  EU Artists' Resale Right Directive
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the EU Artists' Resale Right Directive. [90089]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government are concerned that the current proposal would drive sales out of the EU and hit our art market far harder than others, while bringing little 582
  or no benefit to the majority of artists. We therefore welcome the postponement of a decision on the draft Directive by the 21 June Internal Market Council to allow more time for discussions to continue and see if a way forward can be found to overcome the very substantial difficulties the UK and others still see with it.

  Weights and Measures
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings he has had with members of the National Market Traders Federation to discuss whether to seek an extension to the derogation permitting loose from bulk produce to be sold in imperial only measures. [90096]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: I have had no specific meetings with the National Market Traders Federation to discuss metrication but I met representatives of the Federation at a reception in the House of Commons on 10 May 1999. The Federation had previously submitted written representations to me concerning the derogation.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood of the United States adopting metric measurements as the authorised units for pre-packaged food by 31 December 2009. [90101]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: As part of the US metrication programme, pre-packaged goods (foods and non-foods) marketed in the USA are already required to be marked with an indication of quantity in metric and US customary units. The European Commission is in discussion with the US Government about permitting indications of quantity to be given only in metric units by 2009.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) market traders, (b) delicatessens and (c) other retailers arising from the expiry of the derogation permitting loose from bulk produce to be sold using imperial measures only. [90103]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: The DTI published a compliance cost assessment when the legislation to phase in the gram and the kilogram was made in 1994. The assessment identified the conversion or replacement of weighing machines as the main cost for traders. At today's prices, according to the United Kingdom Weighing Federation, the average cost of a conversion is about £100 and the cost of a new weighing machine starts at about £450. According to the Federation, 80 per cent. of machines should be capable of conversion. The cost of a set of metric weights is about £50.

  If, as the Government expect, the European Commission's proposal to permit dual indications in metric and non-metric units until 31 December 2009 is adopted, weighing machines that show metric and imperial units will not have to be converted or replaced if the imperial units are not larger than the metric ones.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he made to the European Commission calling for it to extend the derogation permitting loose from bulk produce to be sold using imperial measures only; and what reasons underlie his policy on making such representations. [90095]
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  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: The Government have not made any representations to the European Commission to extend the derogation in Directive 80/181/EEC on units of measurement, under which the ounce and the pound may be used until 31 December 1999 as the legal units in the UK for goods sold loose from bulk and weighed at the point of sale.

  I intend reporting to Parliament in the near future concerning the adoption of metric units in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the European Union's Trade Commissioner, and whether such discussions have included the expiry of the derogation permitting loose from bulk produce to be sold using imperial measures only. [90100]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: The Government have not discussed the derogation for goods sold loose with Members of the European Commission.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department has taken to inform market traders of the consequences of the expiry of the derogation permitting loose from bulk produce to be sold using only imperial measures; and what was the cost of such measures. [90102]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: The DTI is putting together a programme of measures to inform and advise small traders and their customers about using the gram and kilogram for goods sold loose. The projected cost of the programme is £400,000.

  Financial Failure
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish his Department's internal report on reducing the stigma of financial failure. 190292]

  Dr. Howells
  When additional work has been undertaken in order to further develop the areas identified by officials a Consultation Document will be published, probably during the coming winter, 1999–2000.

  Insolvency
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Government reviews and reports currently being conducted into reform of the insolvency laws. [90293]

  Dr. Howells
  Two reviews of Insolvency Law and Practice were announced in the Competitiveness White Paper. The first was an internal review of insolvency (and particularly bankruptcy) law and the extent to which it contributed to the stigma of failure and inhibited enterprise. Officials reported to Ministers on 30 April 1999, and work to further develop the ideas generated is underway. The second review is a joint DTI/HM Treasury Review of Company Rescue Mechanisms, the Terms of Reference of which were announced on 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 580. That review will now report by the end of 1999.

  British Nuclear Fuels
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to sell a 49 per cent. stake in British Nuclear Fuels Limited. [90299]

  Mr. Battle
  I hope to be able to make an announcement about the future of BNFL shortly.

  Disqualified Directors
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to prevent disqualified company directors becoming involved with new companies. [90094]

  Dr. Howells
  Action is taken by a combination of active monitoring of the appointment of new directors by Companies House and of the enforcement of disqualification law by the Insolvency Service.

  Companies House records details of all disqualified directors in a public register and since 1995 has been taking continuous steps to improve the accuracy of, and access to, the register. It has also been carrying out checks to ensure that disqualified directors resign their directorships in active companies. It also routinely checks that new directors of companies notified to it are not already disqualified.

  In addition, the Insolvency Service—through Official Receivers and insolvency practitioners—reports contraventions of disqualification orders for prosecution; liaises with central and local government departments and agencies which may identify breaches in the course of their own contacts with businesses; and has set up a telephone hotline for the public and business to report disqualified directors who continue to act while banned.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of(a) the cost of the climate change levy to his Department and (b) the savings from the reduction in national insurance contributions that will occur when it is introduced. [88862]

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

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

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the economic impact of the climate change levy on those chemical industries which are based on the electrolysis process; and if he will make a statement; [88198]

  (2) what estimate he has made of (a) the number of extra jobs which will be created as a result of the reduction in employers' National Insurance Contributions

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  and (b) the extent of job losses in manufacturing industry following the introduction of the climate change levy; and if he will make a statement. [88406]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply

  The climate change levy is estimated to save around 1.5 million tonnes of carbon a year by 2010, thereby making a very significant contribution to meeting the Government's legally-binding target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions set under the Kyoto Protocol, and its domestic coal of a 20 per cent. cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.

  The climate change levy 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 employer 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.

  Following Lord Marshall's recommendations, and the Government's Statement of Intent on Environmental Taxation, the Government recognises the need for special consideration to be given to energy intensive industries given their energy usage and exposure to international competition. Consequently, significantly lower rates of tax will be set for those energy intensive sectors that agree targets for improving their energy efficiency. A number of sectors including the aluminium, iron and steel, and chemicals sectors are currently involved in those negotiations. 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 Finance Bill 2000.

  The Government is keen to work with business on the detailed design and administration issues relating to the levy. HM Customs and Excise have just completed a further round of consultation on these issues and the Government is assessing these responses alongside other representations in deciding how to design the levy to maximise the environmental benefits while safeguarding competitiveness.

  As the Government's climate change consultation document makes clear, all sectors of the economy will need to play their part in tackling the problem of climate change. It is not the Government's intention to introduce new taxes on domestic fuel and power, for social policy reasons. However, there are a number of measures in place to encourage energy efficiency in households, including the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. These measures are set out in the climate change consultation document and will form part of the climate change strategy to be published later this year.

  The UK is not alone in having to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or in using economic instruments to do so. Since 1990, seven EU countries have introduced explicit taxes on the carbon or energy content of fuels, including most recently, the Eco-Tax' introduced by the German Government. On current projections, most OECD countries will have to introduce new measures of one form or another to meet their Kyoto obligations.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89692]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

DEFENCE

  RMAS Arrochar
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the RMAS Arrochar, based in Portsmouth, is being disposed of. [89968]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service, RMAS, Naval Armament Vessels are employed primarily for freighting armament stores and other dry cargo.

  A reduction in the freighting task as a result of the Strategic Defence Review, together with a decrease in the requirement to transport munitions for British forces in Germany, has cut the total volume of routine work to a level which can satisfactorily be met by using one vessel.

  An independent study is being undertaken to assess the material state of uhe two vessels, RMAS Arrochar and RMAS Kinterbury, before we decide which vessel to retain in service.

  Leeming Village
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for his Department's houses in Leeming Village; and if he will make a statement. [90085]

  Mr. Spellar
  Of the 32 houses in Leeming Village, 11 are currently occupied. The Defence Housing Executive (DHE) plans to release 20 of the remaining properties back to Annington Homes Ltd. next year.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Bus Lane (M4)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many buses a day use the bus lane on the M4 between the M25 and the elevated section; and how many cars a day use the same section of motorway. [88491]

  Mr. Prescott
  The eastbound carriageway of the M4 motorway, between junction 3 and the elevated section where the motorway reduces from 3 lanes to 2, incorporates the bus lane. Based on the first three weeks monitoring of the operation of the road since the opening of the bus lane, 450 buses a day use the bus lane and some 49,200 cars use the same section of motorway. Additionally 2,900 taxis use the bus lane and 2,400 commercial vehicles use the motorway.
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  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from 10 Downing Street in respect of the M4 bus lane. [88636]

  Mr. Prescott
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: I received no representations from the Prime Minister, but my Department and 10 Downing Street have discussed the improvements in traffic flow for all vehicles which have occurred.

  George Green Tunnel (Wanstead)
  Mr. Cohen:
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 June 1999, Official Report, columns 404-05, on George Green Tunnel, how many vehicles were employed in the limited staged incident on 28 May; how many London Fire Brigade vehicles attended; and if he will place a copy of the Fire Brigade's report in the Library. [89391]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Three cars were used to simulate an accident in the eastbound bore of the tunnel and three London Fire Brigade appliances attended. The publication of the report is a matter for the Fire Brigade. I would not normally place copies of such reports in the Library but, subject to the Fire Brigade's agreement, I will send my hon. Friend a copy as soon as one is available.

  Ministerial Visits
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what dates he has made official visits to the New Forest, East constituency since 2 May 1997. [89630]

  Mr. Prescott
  None.

  Correspondence
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons he has not replied to the(a) letter dated 16 March and (b) fax dated 25 May from the hon. Member for New Forest, East. [89631]

  Mr. Prescott
  Because the matter was dealt with by our offices over the telephone.

  Bus Passes
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that mental health service users have the same legal entitlement to local authority bus passes as physically disabled people. [89545]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Outside London, local authorities may provide concessionary travel for people who are mentally handicapped, but not for people who are mentally ill (except for those who would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds). Local authorities also have the power to provide concessionary travel for people with a number of specified physical disabilities (including those who are blind) as well as those people with a disability or injury which seriously impairs their ability to walk. In all these instances, the decision on whether to allow concessionary travel for any or all of these groups of people is a matter for the local authority.
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  In London, local authorities have the legal power to provide concessionary travel for people who are blind, or who have a disability or injury which seriously impairs their ability to walk.

  Millennium Urban Village
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the reasons for the resignation of the architect responsible for designing the Millennium Urban Village at Greenwich; and if the sustainable aspects of conservation and design have been changed from the original project proposals. [89733]

  Mr. Caborn
  I cannot comment on the reasons for the resignation of HTA Architects Ltd. from the Greenwich Millennium Village project, since that is a commercial matter between HTA and its client. However, the lead architect responsible for the Village masterplan has publicly expressed his continued commitment to the scheme. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has asked English Partnerships for a full report on progress against the original aspirations for the Village, but we are confident that this exciting development will, as planned, set high standards of innovation and sustainability.

  Public Footways
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to discourage parking on public footways; and if he will make a statement. [89933]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highway Code (Rule 218) makes it clear that motorists should not park on the footway or pavement as it can seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs, the visually impaired and people with prams and pushchairs. Enforcement is a matter for the police under the law relating to obstruction.

  Motorists should also be aware that where there are yellow line or clearway restrictions in operation, it is an offence to park on the adjacent pavement or verge.

  Pavement parking is a specific offence in London, unless there is a positively signed exemption. Local authorities in London are generally responsible for enforcement of pavement parking under the Road Traffic Act 1991.

  Elsewhere, local authorities can also make pavement parking a specific offence in individual streets or over a wider area by the making of traffic regulation orders and placing the appropriate signs. We are encouraging local authorities outside London to apply for decriminalised parking enforcement powers under the 1991 Act as this offers scope for them to target enforcement where it is most needed—such as pavement parking.

  We also issue advice to local authorities on the use of largely self-enforcing methods, such as bollards, to prevent or deter pavement parking (Traffic Advisory Leaflet 4/93).

  Refrigerants
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the use of alternatives to HFCs in refrigeration; and if he will make a statement [89953]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government do not promote one refrigerant over another but encourage business and industry to choose the safest, most environmentally acceptable and energy efficient system for each particular application.

  The Government have also agreed a Declaration of Intent with the refrigeration and air conditioning industry with the aim of reducing emissions of HFCs. The Declaration recommends that the servicing, maintenance and decommissioning of equipment containing HFCs are carried out only by competent persons. It also encourages all reasonably practicable precautionary measures to minimise refrigerant leakage, and recommends that refrigerants are recovered for reuse, reclamation or disposal during servicing and prior to equipment decommissioning.

  We are reviewing the effectiveness of this Declaration and the other voluntary agreements on minimising HFC emissions as part of the development of a new climate change programme to meet the UK's legally binding target of 12.5 per cent. reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2008–12, and move towards the domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

  Wild Boar
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to designate wild boar as(a) vermin and (b) game; and if he will make a statement. [89938]

  Mr. Meale
  There are no plans to designate wild boar as vermin or game.

  Wild boar are not protected and may be killed or taken by owners and occupiers of land using any method, e.g. shooting or trapping, which is not prohibited by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  London Transport
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will arrange for London Transport to disclose the terms regarding times, frequency and interchange arrangements sent to those invited to tender for any bus service. [89942]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is a matter for London Transport. Although they do not publish details of the invitation to tender, I understand that where changes to a bus route are proposed, London Transport do provide details in terms of the route and service frequency as part of the consultation process. If these details remain unchanged, the information will already be in the public domain.

  Concessionary Fares (Schoolchildren)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to issue guidelines to local authorities 590
  regarding concessionary fares for children travelling to and from school in order to reduce the volume of school traffic at peak times. [89918]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Concessionary fares are essentially a matter for locally elected councils. However, my Department, with the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Health, published on 30 June a booklet entitled "School travel strategies and plans—a best practice guide for local authorities". This set out many instances of steps that have been taken in different parts of the country to improve safety and reduce car use on the journey to school; it included an example of the introduction of lower fares for pupils.

  North West Development Agency
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what are(a) the name of the landlord and (b) the address of the site of the new premises to be occupied by the North West Development Agency and related activities in Penrith, Cumbria; [88767]

  (2) what the terms of the lease are for the property to be occupied by English Partnerships and other North West Development Agency operations at Penrith; [88758]

  (3) what assessment has been made of the comparative costs of locating North West Development Agency activities in premises (a) owned by English Partnerships in Cockermouth and (b) rented in Penrith. [88768]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 6 July 1999]: Decisions on location are a matter for the North West Development Agency. I understand that the Agency has not yet taken a final decision on the location of the Penrith office. Discussions are underway with Allen Commercial Development Agency in respect of a building on the Penrith 40 Business Park at Junction 40 of the M6.

  The annual rental costs and other terms of a lease are thus still under negotiation but I understand that the rental cost may be in the order of £10 per square foot. The opportunity cost of the Agency occupying the premises in Cockermouth transferred to it from English Partnership is about £4.50 per square foot.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the names of those organisations and individuals who nominated each member of the Board of the North West Development Agency. [89062]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 6 July 1999,Official Report, columns 449–50.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of officials in the North West Region in the nomination and selection of each person appointed to the Board of the North West Development Agency. [89063]

  Mr. Meale
  The appointment of members to the Board of the Regional Development Agencies was carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice and Guidance laid down by Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  Government Offices in the Regions were involved in the sift of candidates and the interviews. Independent assessors participated at the sift and interview stages to

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  ensure independent scrutiny of the process, and that the appointments procedures were fair and consistently applied. The final decisions on the appointments were made by Ministers.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have for a direct Channel Tunnel rail link with the north east of England. [90257]

  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 Channel Tunnel services. On 17 June the consultancy firm Arthur D. Little were appointed to undertake this review, and it is underway. The review 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.

  M60
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the M60 from(a) Denton to Hollinwood and (b) Hollinwood to Middleton to open. [90320]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Andrew F. Bennett, dated 8 July 1999:
  The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Lawrie Haynes, to reply to your recent question about expected opening dates for the M60 Denton to Hollinwood and M60 Hollinwood to Middleton road contracts. I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office.
  Contract 1: Denton to Medlock (Hollinwood in your question) was awarded in 1996 as a three year contract in the then traditional form in which much of the risk remains with the Highways Agency. Problems arose on this contract due largely to a lack of suitable clay material to construct a replacement dam. An extension to the contract period was granted to summer 2000. Suitable materials have now been identified and the contract is on course for completion in summer 2000.
  Contract 3: Medlock to Middleton was awarded as a 26 month design and build contract in April 1998, using the Agency's new procurement strategy. This contract has been selected as one of the demonstration projects under the Egan "Rethinking Contract" initiative. This is one of the 50 projects selected to demonstrate the commitment of government and industry to improve the industry's performance by identifying and delivering best practice. It remains on schedule for completion in summer 2000.

  Housing Needs Indices
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the review of the needs indices used in the allocation of housing capital resources to local authorities and registered social landlords. [90503]
  592
  Ms Armstrong
  A consultation paper is to be published today seeking views on a number of proposals for revisions to the needs indices to be used in the allocation of resources for 2000–01. The Paper will also seek views on a number of issues on the longer term development of the indices. Copies are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Urban Renewal
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what part English Partnerships will play in the implementation of the report by the Urban Task Force "Towards an Urban Renaissance". [90280]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government are currently considering the recommendations of the Urban Task Force report "Towards an Urban Renaissance". As part of this, English Partnerships will fully contribute its thinking.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what budget each regional development agency has for the year 1999–2000; [90284]

  (2) what were the set-up costs of the regional development agencies; and how much are the projected running costs for the current financial year; [90285]

  Mr. Caborn
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, South (Mr. Pearson) by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale), on 17 May 1999,Official Report, columns 246–48, which gave details of resource allocations to regional development agencies (RDAs) for this financial year. In the last financial year, when they were set up, RDAs received grant in aid of £5.138 million.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much in grants has been allocated by each regional development agency since its inception. [90286]

  Mr. Caborn
  Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) took on their executive functions on 1 April 1999. Between then and 30 June RDAs have paid the following amounts in grant:

  RDA

  £ million

  One North East

  0.762

  North West

  1.310

  Yorkshire Forward

  2.558

  East Midlands

  1.434

  Adcantage West Midlands

  0.981

  East of England

  0.311

  South East

  2,117

  South West

  3.020

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public money will be received by English Partnerships in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [90281]
  593
  Mr. Caborn
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 6 July 1999,Official Report, column 448.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much money English Partnerships has granted to British industry in the latest year for which figures are available; [90282]

  (2) how much money English Partnerships plans to provide in grant to British industry over the next financial year. [90283]

  Mr. Caborn
  The principal means of support for British industry is through English Partnerships Partnership Investment Programme (PIP). Grant in aid for PIP amounted to £200.7 million in 1998–99 and there is planned expenditure of £185 million in 1999–2000.

  Rail Vehicle Accessibility
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the fleet of new trains to be introduced into service by Central Trains Ltd. and Anglia Railways Train Services Ltd. complies with the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [90800]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As I explained in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) on 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 167, we are expecting to receive a number of exemption applications from train operating companies whose designs for new rail vehicles were well advanced prior to the 1998 Regulations coming into force.

  We have received applications from both Central Trains Ltd. for their Class 170/5 rail vehicles and Anglia Railways Train Services Ltd. for their Class 170/2 rail vehicles. The exemptions have been assessed by our statutory advisers, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. They are mostly of a minor nature and have been requested for a relatively short time only.

  The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed we believe that their introduction will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people. Exemption Orders have been laid in Parliament today.

  Shellfish Waters Directive
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce new designations under the European Commission's Shellfish Waters Directive. [90923]

  Mr. Meacher
  A list of 93 areas in England to be designated under the Shellfish Waters Directive has been placed in the House. New designations will be made in 76 locations and the existing 17 designations will be included within revised boundaries for those areas.

  These new designations take account of views expressed in a wide ranging public consultation exercise. I believe that they will more than meet the expectations
  594
  of the shellfish industry. This extensive package of new designations will improve our environmental credentials in Europe. It represents very good news for the shellfish industry, the quality of whose harvests will be improved. But, more importantly from a water quality viewpoint, it should be good news for environmentalists, who should see yet further improvements in water quality around our coasts and in estuaries. Pollution control measures for designated waters will help improve nearby bathing waters.

  I believe that all shellfish waters currently in need of protection are now covered by the pollution prevention measures which apply following designation. But I will keep the situation under review so that other shellfish areas can be protected where necessary.

  For public health reasons, we need to minimise the levels of bacteria in shellfish. The Government's aim is that bacteriological standards should be achieved in designated waters which allow harvesting areas to achieve at least category B standard under the system applied by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to classify shellfish harvesting areas for food safety purposes.

  We expect the total cost of improvements to continuous and intermittent discharges affecting shellfish waters in England to be around £81 million between 2000 and 2005. Much of this expenditure is necessary to achieve other water quality and environmental objectives, including those for bathing waters. The current Periodic Review of water company price limits will include allowance for the necessary investment by water companies.

  Tree Preservation Orders
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to bring forward new regulations on tree preservation orders; and if he will make a statement. [90924]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Town and Country Planning (Trees) Regulations have been laid in both Houses today, and are due to come into force on 2 August. The Regulations will replace all existing secondary legislation in England and Wales on the subject of tree preservation orders.

  A consultation paper setting out our proposals for these Regulations was issued in July last year. A summary of responses to the consultation paper, 204 in all, has been placed in the House Library.

  A large majority of respondents broadly supported our proposals, so we have modelled the new Regulations closely on the provisions in the consultation paper.

  We have made some revisions, however, in response to detailed points made in consultation. Local authorities were concerned that our proposals on compensation would lead to an unwelcome increase in petty claims for minor loss or damage caused by protected trees, so we have taken steps to rule out such claims by setting a lower limit of £500. In response to a general call for tree preservation orders to be circulated more widely, local authorities will be required to copy each new order to the people whose property adjoins the land on which the protected trees stand. In response to concerns that our proposal to exempt the pruning of fruit trees was open-ended, we have included new provisions making

  595
  clear that such pruning must be carried out in accordance with good horticultural practice. Our proposals for speeding up appeals to the Secretary of State, which are made against a local authority's refusal of consent to do work on protected trees and handled without an inquiry or hearing, have also been revised to bring them into line with forthcoming reforms of planning appeals.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kashmir
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will provide assistance to innocent people who have had lives and property damaged on either side of the Kashmir line of control by Indian forces. [89890]

  Clare Short
  I have been asked to reply.

  As we state in the Conflict Reduction and Humanitarian Assistance Policy Statement, we will provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by armed conflict, wherever this may be (a copy of the Statement is in the Library of the House). We will consider proposals to relieve the humanitarian needs of people on either side of the Line of Control in accordance with our policy statement.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the currency in Kosovo; and when a final decision on the currency to be used in Kosovo will be taken. [90127]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Such decisions are for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

  Libya
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions have taken place between Ministers and officials in his Department and those in the Department of Trade and Industry, concerning delegations of hon. Members intending to visit Libya; [90097]

  (2) what advice has been provided by his Department to hon. Members intending to join delegations visiting Libya. [90098]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in the House on 7 July 1999, Official Report, columns 1033–34.

  Commonwealth Head of Government Meetings
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the procedure for drawing up the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings; and when the agenda for the next meeting will be(a) determined and (b) published. [90109]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The agenda for a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is initially drawn up by the host Government in consultation with the Commonwealth Secretariat. This provisional agenda is 596
  then circulated to all Heads of Government for comment. We understand that a provisional agenda for the forthcoming CHOGM, in November in South Africa, will be circulated in September. However, the South African Government have already proposed that the agenda be centred around the special theme of "People-Centred Development: The Challenge of Globalisation".

  "Reinventing the Commonwealth"
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Foreign Policy Centre's recent report on Reinventing the Commonwealth. [90112]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We share the view of the Foreign Policy Centre and other organisations that the role of the Commonwealth in the 21' century needs careful re-examination, particularly in order to ensure that its values, objectives and principles are more widely understood and shared. We consider the Centre's report a useful contribution to the debate.

  UN Commission on Human Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the substantive resolutions and decisions made at the 55'h session of the UN Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva on 22 March to 30 April. [89900]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Eighty two resolutions and 13 decisions were adopted at the 55th session. A full list is available in the Library of the House and on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' internet website.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the members of the United Kingdom delegation to the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. [89901]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights was attended by the late Derek Fatchett, who made a national statement in plenary on behalf of the United Kingdom.

  The United Kingdom delegation was headed by Audrey Glover CMG. She was supported by a team of officials from the United Kingdom Permanent Missions in Geneva and New York, and received additional support from London.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the issues of substance concerning the death penalty discussed under Item 17 at the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights; what position was argued by the United Kingdom; what issues were put to the vote; what were the voting figures; and which way the United Kingdom voted on each occasion. [89902]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The UK co-sponsored an EU resolution calling on all States to abolish the death penalty and, where it is retained, to observe minimum international safeguards. The resolution, the text of which is available on the website of the office of the UN Commission on Human Rights, was adopted by 30 votes in favour, with 11 against and 12 abstentions. A paragraph vote tabled with the aim of weakening the text was defeated.
  597
  The UK also co-financed with Germany a panel discussion on the death penalty, with expert participants from the Council of Europe, International Commission of Jurists, Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, UK, USA and Trinidad and Tobago.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were raised by the United Kingdom on the concept and practice of affirmative action under Item 16 at the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights; what resolutions were moved by the United Kingdom; and what was the result. [89903]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom sponsored a decision entitled "The concept and practice of affirmative action", under agenda item 16 at the 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. The decision endorses the appointment of a Special Rapporteur to undertake a study on the subject of affirmative action. It was adopted by consensus by the Commission. There were no resolutions on this topic under this agenda item.

  Human Rights Project Fund
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects, with the amounts of grant being paid in each case, being supported by the Human Rights Project Fund in(a) Armenia, (b) Azerbaijan, (c) Georgia, (d) Kazakhstan, (e) Kyrgyzstan, (f) Tajikistan, (g) Turkmenistan and (h) Uzbekistan. [89898]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Human Rights Project Fund supported six projects in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in 1998–99. Details are set out in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox), 11 May 1999,Official Report, column 110. In the present financial year no projects in any of the countries referred to in the question have, as yet, been funded by the Human Rights Project Fund.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Safety
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when regulations will be made to give effect to the Government's decision to take the necessary steps to meet the concerns expressed by the European Commission about the United Kingdom's implementation of the general fire safety provisions of the European Council framework directive, as set out in his answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) of 8 April 1998,Official Report, column 255; and if he will make a statement. [90697]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have laid before Parliament Regulations to amend the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 to the necessary extent to address the Commission's concerns about meeting the terms of the directive in full. The Regulations, as amended, apply throughout Great Britain. A regulatory impact assessment is attached to the Regulations showing that the estimated costs to employers attributable to these Regulations is expected to be between £2.3 million and £28.2 million. I am satisfied that the balance between cost and benefit is 598
  the right one in the circumstances. Copies of the Regulations and the regulatory impact assessment are in the Library.

  There are two main changes to the 1997 Regulations. First, the deletion of most of the exceptions from the application provisions of these Regulations (among them, one for fire certificated premises) to meet the Commission's concerns. Second, in the light of the views expressed in response to the public consultation exercise we conducted, we have also taken this opportunity, for reasons of consistency, to provide the Regulations with a criminal sanctions only regime that is in line with existing fire safety and health and safety legislation. The Regulations, in their amended form, come into force on 1 December 1999. This, we hope, will give everyone sufficient time to prepare for their introduction.

  We expect to publish fresh guidance for employers on 22 July to help them to meet their fire safety responsibilities in the workplace. To complete the picture, new guidance on the enforcement provisions and other requirements of the amended Regulations will be issued to fire authorities this autumn, after consultation of interested parties.

  Domestic Violence
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward proposals for a new legal definition of domestic violence. [90110]

  Mr. Boateng
  There is currently no legal definition of domestic violence, since domestic violence is not a specific offence. The Government have no plans to change this situation.

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary recently introduced a new definition for use by police forces in their returns of incidents reported. This is purely for the purposes of national statistics, to ensure that data obtained are more precise, consistent and comparable. It is not designed to change operational practice or to prevent police forces or other agencies from using other definitions if they consider that helpful locally.

  Rape
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the definition of belief on the part of defendants in rape cases. [90241]

  Mr. Boateng
  This will form part of the consideration of the law by the Sex Offences Review.

  Security Service
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 1999,Official Report, column 568, on the Security Service, if he will list the law enforcement agencies which could potentially task the Security Service with respect to serious crime. [89655]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service Act 1996 does not define the meaning of "law enforcement agencies" for the purpose of the Act.
  599
  However, I would regard a law enforcement agency for these purposes (and having regard to the serious crime provision in section 1(4) of the 1989 Act) as being a public body or government department whose functions include investigation of serious crime.

  In practice, the Security Service will generally be acting in support of the following law enforcement agencies:

  National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS)

  National Crime Squad

  Police forces

  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  However, as the then Government made clear in the debate on the Security Service Act 1996, other agencies, including the Serious Fraud Office, the Immigration Service and the Inland Revenue, could also receive support from the Security Service.

  All requests for Security Service assistance to law enforcement agencies in support of the prevention or detection of serious crime are co-ordinated through the NCIS in accordance with arrangements formally agreed between the Director General of NCIS and the Security Service.

  Departmental Modernisation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the(a) consultancies, (b) companies and (c) project managers involved in the computerisation and modernisation of (i) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (ii) the Passport Agency; [89924]

  (2) if he will list the companies that are or have been responsible for (a) consultancy and project management and (b) the supply of computer hardware and software in relation to the information technology programmes which are currently being planned and implemented in (i) the Passport Agency, (ii) the Immigration and Nationality

  Contractor

  Awarded

  Casework Programme

  Siemens Business Services

  July 1996

  Home Office Information Technology Service

  Sema Group

  November 1994

  Government Catalorue

  EDS

  1April 1996

  Suspect Index development and support contract

  ICL

  December 1992

  Home Office Unix Systems Environment

  BULL and ICL

  October 1992

  Impact/Rosplan (ports resource planning)

  BAA

  March 1997

  By Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders received a caution plus in 1998–99 in each police authority area in England. [89922]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on caution plus schemes is not collected centrally.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time accused young offenders spend between being charged by the police and first appearing in court in each police authority area in England. [90051]
  600
  Directorate and (iii) the Immigration Service; and, in each case, what penalties are included in their contracts for failure to deliver to cost, on time and to standard; [89886]

  (3) if he will list the information technology programmes that have been planned and those which are currently being implemented to update (a) the Passport Agency, (b) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (c) the Immigration Service, indicating in each case (i) their purpose, (ii) what stages of implementation have been planned and (iii) when it is expected to be fully implemented; [89885]

  (4) if he will list (a) the payments received and (b) those currently being negotiated in respect of the failure of companies to fulfil their contracts in respect of the computerisation of the (i) Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (ii) the Passport Agency since 1990; [89887]

  (5) if he will make a statement regarding the compatibility of the software and data handling systems currently being implemented in (a) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (b) the Passport Agency; [89884]

  (6) if he will place in the Library copies of all documents relating to the computerisation of (a) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, (b) the Document Reception Centre, (c) the Public Inquiry Office, (d) the casework programme and (e) the Passport Agency, listing those pages which have been withheld, giving the reason in each case. [89883]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In view of the detail sought, I shall write to the hon. Member.

  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 Immigration and Nationality Directorate, indicating in each case to whom it was awarded and on what date. [89881]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The following contracts are currently used for major computer developments in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

  Mr. Boateng
  The exact information requested is not available. Information on the duration of criminal cases is available from the magistrates courts Time Intervals Survey which is carried out by the Lord Chancellor's Department. The latest available results refer to 1998 when the survey collected information on cases completed in magistrates courts in one week of each of February, June and October. The date of first appearance in court is not collected by the survey but the date of first listing–which is the same as first appearance when the defendant appears at first listing—is collected. The 1998 surveys do not specifically distinguish between adult and youth
  601
  defendants, but do differentiate whether a case was completed in a Youth Court or an Adult Court, and the answer is supplied on that basis.

  The table shows the average time from charge to first listing for defendants in indictable cases in the Youth Court by police authority area in England, and for England as a whole, in 1998.

  Average number of days from charge to first listing for charged defendants in indictable cases in the Youth court, 19991,2,3

  Police authority area

  Average number of days from charge to first listing

  Number of defendants (sample size)

  Avon and Somerset

  23

  50

  Bedfordshire

  23

  12

  Cambridgeshire

  30

  44

  Cheshire

  33

  52

  City of London 4

  n/a

  n/a

  Cleveland

  25

  75

  Cumbria

  29

  34

  Derbyshire

  33

  47

  Devon and Cornwall

  27

  31

  Dorset

  22

  17

  Durham

  25

  86

  Essex 5

  33

  74

  Gloucestershire

  29

  31

  Greater Manchester

  26

  228

  Hampshire

  20

  100

  Hertfordshire5

  37

  49

  Humberside

  19

  75

  Kent

  27

  82

  Lancashire

  25

  165

  Leicestershire

  28

  56

  Lincolnshire

  28

  20

  Merseyside

  23

  109

  Metropolitan 4,5

  29

  478

  Norfolk

  25

  49

  North Yorkshire

  21

  32

  Northamptonshire

  33

  19

  Northumbria

  27

  229

  Nottinghamshire

  28

  107

  South Yorkshire

  27

  99

  Staffordshire

  25

  111

  Suffolk

  33

  30

  Surrey 5

  37

  30

  Sussex

  35

  30

  Thames Valley

  27

  98

  Warwickshire

  22

  78

  West Mercia

  26

  49

  West Midlands

  27

  139

  West Yorkshire

  28

  186

  Wiltshire

  39

  27

  England

  27

  3,237

  1Excludes defendants summoned to court (i.e. rather than charged).

  2Defendants for whom the offence to charge time was over 10 years, or where the time from charge to first listing or first listing to completion was over 1 year, are excluded from the analysis.

  3 Small sample sizes mean that figures are subject to greater sampling error. Results based on a sample size of less than 100 should be interpreted with particular caution.

  4Youths charged by the City of London police are normally dealt with at an Inner London Youth Court and are included in results for the Metropolitan Police Authority area.

  5The Metropolitan Police Authority covers parts of Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey. Defendants charged by the Metropolitan Police but whose case was completed in a magistrates court in Essex, Hertfordshire or Surrey are included in the results for these police authority areas.

  Source:

  Lord Chancellor's Department Time Intervals Survey

  Refugees (Balkans)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from(a) Bosnia and (b) Kosovo have arrived in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years. [90049]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is given in the table. This relates to people who have applied for asylum and is a separate measure from those who arrived in the United Kingdom under the recent humanitarian and medical evacuation programme. Under those programmes, 4,380 Kosovars have arrived in the United Kingdom. A number of these may subsequently apply for asylum and thus be included in the tables. In addition, 2,736 arrived under earlier programmes announced from 1992 and 1995. I regret that, prior to 1996, statistics for the former Yugoslavia were not recorded under the individual states. It is also not possible separately to identify Kosovars within the available statistics for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  Asylum application 1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, 1996 to 1999 2 for nationals of Bosnia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  Year

  Bosnia

  Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

  1996

  245

  400

  1997

  170

  1,865

  1998

  160

  7,395

  1999

  50

  3,455

  1Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  2January to May

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letters to him dated 19 March, 22 April and 27 May with regard to Mr. Kochi Ahmed, husband of Mrs. S. Khan, from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton. [89959]

  Mr. Straw
  I replied to my right hon. Friend's letters on 6 July.

  Rohypnol
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of crimes involving Rohypnol in the last year; and what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to raise public awareness on this issue. [89941]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We understand that in 1998, the Forensic Science Service screened 139 samples in rape cases for flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with no positive results. Up until 20 May this year, 45 samples had been screened in rape cases also with no positive results.

  The Home Office has recently given a police research award to two Metropolitan police officers for a research project which aims to establish the extent of drug assisted sexual offences in the United Kingdom. They are expected to report in April 2000. We will await the results of the study before making a decision on whether and how to further raise public awareness on the issue or take any further action.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has received on the compatibility of the prosecution for bearing false documents of asylum seekers in transit with Article 31 of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the status of refugees. [89717]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The details of the advice I receive from my officials are confidential, but I am advised that prosecution in these circumstances is not necessarily incompatible with the United Kingdom's obligations under Article 31. However, a decision about whether or not to prosecute in a particular case is entirely a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Palace of Westminster (Demonstrations)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for(a) permitting and (b) policing demonstrations in the neighbourhood of the Palace of Westminster; who is responsible for issuing such permission; and on what authority. [89830]

  Kate Hoey
  Police permission is not required for people to assemble and protest peacefully. Marches or processions must be notified to the police. Under the Public Order Act 1986, the police have powers to impose conditions if it is necessary to prevent serious public disorder, serious damage to property, or serious disruption to the life of the community or intimidation. The Commissioners of Police, in both the City and Metropolitan police areas may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, make an order prohibiting the holding of processions for a specified period within their police areas.

  In most cases, organisers contact the police who will advise on how the protest should be held without causing obstruction, breach of the peace or contravening any other legislation. Inevitably, there are cases where the numbers attending a demonstration will cause some obstruction and arrangements are made which endeavour to strike the correct balance between the rights of the protesters and those people going about their day to day business.

  The policing of demonstrations in the neighbourhood of the Palace of Westminster is undertaken by the Charing Cross Division of the Metropolitan police with due regard to various legislation including the Public Order Act 1986, the Highways Act 1835, Common Law and the Sessional Orders.

  Under Section 52 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 and Sessional Orders, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police instructs all constables of the Metropolitan police to facilitate free passage to and from the Palace of Westminster on any day when Parliament is sitting. In carrying out this duty, no march will be authorised where there is any possibility of interference with Members travelling to or from the Houses of Parliament.

  Race Relations Forum
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings the Race Relations Forum has held since its formation; what priorities and targets the Forum has adopted; what representations the 604
  Forum has made to which departments of Government; what changes have been made to the membership of the Forum; what procedures are in place for the appointment of new members of the Forum; and what measures the Forum has taken to secure representations from the Irish community. [89904]

  Mr. Straw
  The Forum has met four times: on 23 June, 14 October 1998, 9 March and 28–29 June 1999. The Forum has discussed race issues in the Home Office and its services with me and the Permanent Secretary; in the armed forces with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence; and with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in his areas of responsibility. It also had a presentation from two of the Advisers to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry and discussed how the Report's recommendations might be implemented. At its last meeting, it considered the development of a race equality strategy across government.

  There have been three changes in membership. Pauline Schofield, Project Co-ordinator of the Birmingham Irish Community Forum, has replaced Gobnait Ni Chrualaoi, who resigned as the representative of the Irish community. Sukhvinder Kaur Stubbs, Chief Executive of the Runnymede Trust and a Member of the Department for Education and Employment Advisory Group on Raising Awareness of Ethnic Minority Pupils, and Gloria Mills, Director of Equal Opportunities at UNISON, have joined the Forum. Appointments are made on the basis of recommendations from a selection panel comprising the Head of the Race Equality Unit, my Race Relations Adviser and an independent, academic member.

  Family Court Welfare Officers
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in reviewing the future arrangements for the Family Court Welfare Officer Service; what plans he has to amalgamate their Service with that of the guardians ad litem; when such changes will be made; and if he will make a statement. [90077]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.

  Ministers and officials have been considering the key issues arising from last year's inter-departmental consultation paper on the future organisation of court welfare services. Discussions are proceeding and a decision is expected shortly.

TREASURY

  Single-earner Couples
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reintroduce the option of joint tax assessment for married couples, with particular reference to single-earner couples. [89895]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None. The Government believe that the measures announced in the Chancellor's Budgets-such as the lop starting rate of tax, National Insurance Contributions reform, the introduction of the children's tax credit—provide a better deal for people in work and for families.

  Income Tax
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate inquiries into the delays involved in issuing the CIS5 and CIS6 certificates to industrial and commercial firms; and if he will take steps to ensure that the relevant certificate will be issued to Messrs EK Mechanical Services of 97 West Road, Westcliff on Sea, Essex, by the Inland Revenue before 1 August. [90184]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue is taking all possible steps to issue CIS5 and CIS6 certificates as rapidly as possible to all applicants who qualify for them. The majority of those applicants have already been issued with the relevant certificate. The balance will be issued as soon as possible, bearing in mind that the new scheme begins on 1 August.

  It would not he proper to disclose publicly whether an individual taxpayer has received or will receive a certificate, since that would involve disclosure of his or her personal tax affairs. I will write to the hon. Member specifically on his constituent.

  Departmental Joint Working
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to improve joint working between his departments. [90735]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A number of Government departments—not only ones reporting to the Chancellor of the Exchequer—will be working on a pilot project to test different ways in which Government departments can work together more closely. The focus for this pilot will be the fashion industry in London. The aim of the pilot is to improve services to business through joint working (eg combined visits and trader education) to help traders understand what they need to do to meet legislative requirements. The pilot will also be looking to identify ways of raising compliance and reducing fraud and creating a level playing field for business so that legitimate business can thrive.

  Road Fuels (Northern Ireland)
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the loss of revenue from cross-border shopping and smuggling of road fuels, petrol and diesel from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland. [90736]

  Ms Hewitt
  Customs and Excise has provisionally assessed the combined loss from cross-border shopping and smuggling to be of the order of £100 million per annum.

  International Financial Crises
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United Kingdom's position as regards the responsibility of the private sector in the response to international financial crises. [87881]

  Ms Hewitt
  We are working with our G7 partners to shape expectations so that private-sector creditors know that they will be expected to bear the consequences of the risks they take. There are several ways in which this can be achieved. First, there needs to be a greater use of 606
  market-based tools to involve the private sector in forestalling and managing crises, for example through a broader use of collective action clauses in sovereign debt contracts. Second, efforts should be made to ensure there is better communication and co-operation between emerging market countries and their creditors. Third, the G7 countries have agreed that a broad framework for involving the private sector in crisis resolution should be drawn up, which sets out in advance principles, considerations and a broad range of tools.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the reassessment of the objectives of IMF policy in responding to financial crises. [87880]

  Ms Hewitt
  At last week's summit in Cologne, G7 leaders announced a six-point plan for strengthening the international financial system. This included measures to increase the effectiveness of the IMF and the other international financial institutions; proposals to promote transparency and best practice, with the IMF monitoring compliance with new codes and standards; a new framework for involving the private sector in crisis prevention and management; steps to strengthen financial regulation in industrialized countries, and macroeconomic policies and financial systems in emerging markets where the IMF will work with the World Bank in providing advice and assistance; and promoting social policies to protect the poor and most vulnerable to ensure that they are better protected from the burden of adjustment at times of crisis.

  Taken together these recommendations represent a significant strengthening of the international financial system which will help reduce the risk of financial crises and make it easier for the international financial community, especially the IMF, to manage future crises effectively. We are working closely with the IMF to see that these initiatives and reforms are implemented successfully.

  Climate Change Levy
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the effect on the balance of payments of the impact which the climate change levy will have on the chemical and steel industries in the 10 years after its introduction; [88104]

  (2) what action he proposes to take to ensure that manufacturing industry remains competitive after the introduction of the climate change levy; and if he will make a statement; [88106]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the effect the introduction of the climate change levy will have on inward investment in each sector of industry; and if he will make a statement; [88113]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the effect of the climate change levy on energy-intensive industry on (a) direct and (b) indirect employment in that industry over the next five years; and if he will make a statement; [88010]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of the climate change levy on global carbon dioxide emissions caused by industry relocating to countries with less stringent environmental legislation; and if he will make a statement; [88064]
  607
  (6) what assessment he has made of the scope for other European Union countries to introduce the climate change levy at rates which are low but consistent with them achieving their Kyoto commitment; and if he will make a statement; [88114]

  (7) on what basis the calculation of the revenue generated from the introduction of climate change levy was made; and if he will make a statement; [88199]

  (8) if he will publish his targets in terms of income from national insurance contributions and allowances for energy efficiency agreements on an industry by industry basis; and if he will make a statement; [88225]

  (9) what estimate he has made of the net financial impact on the Government following the introduction of the climate change levy, in terms of the reduction of national insurance contributions for (a) central Government employees and (b) local government and public services employees; and if he will make a statement; [88322]

  (10) what assessment he has made of the advantages of basing the climate change levy on the amount of carbon dioxide released; and if he will make a statement; [88387]

  (11) if he will assess the (a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of applying the climate change levy to domestic consumers; and if he will make a statement. [88323]

  Ms Hewitt
  The climate change levy is estimated to save around 1.5 million tonnes of carbon a year by 2010, thereby making a very significant contribution to meeting the Government's legally-binding target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions set under the Kyoto Protocol, and its domestic goal of a 20 per cent. cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.

  The climate change levy 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 employer National Insurance Contributions. Business will also benefit from an additional £50m for schemes aimed at promoting energy efficiency and support for renewable sources of energy, like solar and wind power.

  Following Lord Marshall's recommendations, and the Government's Statement of Intent on Environmental Taxation, the Government recognise the need for special consideration to be given to energy intensive industries given their energy usage and exposure to international competition. Consequently, significantly lower rates of tax will be set for those energy intensive sectors that agree targets for improving their energy efficiency. A number of sectors including the aluminium, iron and steel, and chemicals sectors are currently involved in those negotiations. 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 Finance Bill 2000.

  The Government are keen to work with business on the detailed design and administration issues relating to the levy. HM Customs and Excise have just completed a further round of consultation on these issues and the Government are assessing these responses alongside other representations in deciding how to design the levy to maximise the environmental benefits whilst safeguarding competitiveness.
  608
  As the Government's climate change consultation document makes clear, all sectors of the economy will need to play their part in tackling the problem of climate change. It is not the Government's intention to introduce new taxes on domestic fuel and power, for social policy reasons. However, there are a number of measures in place to encourage energy efficiency in households, including the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. These measures are set out in the climate change consultation document and will form part of the climate change strategy to be published later this year.

  The UK is not alone in having to meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or in using economic instruments to do so. Since 1990, seven EU countries have introduced explicit taxes on the carbon or energy content of fuels, including most recently, the Tco-Tax' introduced by the German government. On current projections, most OECD countries will have to introduce new measures of one form or another to meet their Kyoto obligations.

  Gold
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make extra provision for debt relief in the highly indebted poor countries whose export revenues and central bank reserves have been affected by falls in the gold price. [88824]

  Ms Hewitt
  Decisions on the level of reduction in Heavily Indebted Poor Countries' debt burdens needed to achieve debt sustainability take account of economic variables, including the level of exports.

  Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings of the JCC he has attended. [89279]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Prime Minister on 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 362.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list from the JUVOS database for each region of the United Kingdom the proportion of all those who left the claimant count for jobs who left after(a) less than six months claiming jobseeker's allowance, (b) six to 12 months claiming jobseeker's allowance, (c) 12 to 24 months claiming jobseeker's allowance and (d) more than 24 months claiming jobseeker's allowance during (i) April 1997 to April 1998 and (ii) April 1998 to April 1999. [89370]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Paul Keetch, dated 8 July 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on those leaving the claimant count for jobs.
  The attached tables give the information requested in respect of those claimants whose destination is known.
  609

  Claimants leaving the claimant count 10 April 1997 to 8 April 1998 who are known to have found work by duration of claim

  Duration of claim (months)

  Government office region

  0–6

  >6–12

  >12–24

  >24

  All durations percentage

  North East

  78.6

  11.1

  5.9

  4.4

  100

  North West

  79.9

  11.0

  5.7

  3.4

  100

  Merseyside

  72.6

  12.7

  8.3

  6.4

  100

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  78.5

  11.3

  6.1

  4.0

  100

  East Midlands

  78.6

  11.1

  6.0

  4.3

  100

  West Midlands

  76.9

  11.7

  6.4

  5.0

  100

  Eastern

  77.4

  11.8

  6.3

  4.6

  100

  London

  68.0

  13.9

  9.2

  8.9

  100

  South East

  77.9

  11.2

  6.1

  4.8

  100

  South West

  79.0

  10.8

  5.9

  4.3

  100

  Wales

  78.0

  11.6

  6.5

  3.9

  100

  Scotland

  80.2

  11.2

  5.5

  3.0

  100

  Northern Ireland

  73.9

  11.1

  7.0

  8.0

  100

  Claimants leaving the claimant count 9 April 1998–7 April 1999 who are known to have found work by duration of claim

  Duration of claim (months)

  Government office region

  >6–12

  >6–12

  >12–24

  >24

  All durations percentage

  North East

  82.7

  10.5

  4.4

  2.4

  100

  North West

  83.6

  10.7

  4.0

  1.7

  100

  Merseyside

  76.3

  13.3

  6.4

  4.0

  100

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  80.0

  11.1

  4.7

  2.2

  100

  East Midlands

  83.8

  10.5

  4.0

  1.7

  100

  West Midlands

  81.1

  11.3

  5.1

  2.5

  100

  Eastern

  82.1

  11.0

  4.4

  2.5

  100

  London

  73.1

  14.8

  7.5

  4.5

  100

  South East

  82.9

  10.5

  4.3

  2.2

  100

  South West

  83.5

  10.6

  3.9

  2.0

  100

  Wales

  82.1

  11.1

  4.5

  2.2

  100

  Scotland

  83.2

  11.0

  4.2

  1.6

  100

  Northern Ireland

  76.5

  11.7

  5.9

  5.8

  100

  ISAs
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what research he has commissioned to gauge the take-up of ISAs among new investors; [R] [89321]

  (2) how many investors have so far taken out mini or maxi ISA schemes who previously did not have (a) PEPs or (b) TESSAs. [R] [89702]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answers 1 and 5 July 1999]: Information on the extent to which ISA investors hold PEPs or TESSAs will be identifiable from the annual returns provided to the Inland Revenue by PEP and ISA managers and TESSA operators after the end of each year.

  We keep all aspects of tax policy under review, and commission research where necessary to supplement available data. For example, HM Treasury has commissioned ongoing research on the ISA market from McKinsey & Company, Inc., which will collect data from providers on take-up of ISAs by component, broken down between those accounts meeting the CAT standards and those not.

  Euro (EC Seminars)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer further to his answer of 24 June 1999,Official Report, column 423–24, on the Euro (EC Seminars), at which vulnerable sectors of the population The Prince Programme was targeted. [89826]
  610
  Ms Hewitt
  The Prince Programme covers an information campaign called the "Euro". This includes a series of projects, with the objective of facilitating the changeover to the euro among vulnerable sectors of the population. Vulnerable sectors covered are those in economic and social difficulty, the elderly, visually impaired, hard of hearing and those with learning difficulties.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, stating in each case whether the results were published. [89697]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: I regret that this information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Divorce Statistics
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give his most recent estimate of the number of marriages which ended in divorce in the last year for which figures are available. [90327]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
  611
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 8 July 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the number of marriages estimated to end in divorce.
  The table below gives the numbers of marriages which took place in England and Wales in a selection of past years, and the numbers and percentages of those marriages which had ended in divorce by 1994. Also given are the percentages of those marriages estimated to have ended in divorce by the tenth wedding anniversary.

  Numbers and percentages of marriages which ended in divorce,

  by year of marriage, England and Wales

  Marriages which endedin divorce by the end of 1994

  Year of marriage

  Number of marriages (thousand)

  Number (thousand)

  Percentage1

  Percentage of marriages which ended in divorce by tenth wedding anniversary

  1951

  361

  246

  213

  23

  1961

  347

  81

  23

  6

  1971

  405

  119

  29

  15

  1981

  352

  95

  27

  21

  1986

  348

  69

  20

  223

  1991

  307

  18

  6

  —

  1Percentage of original number of marriages

  2Estimates

  In addition, an estimate has been made of the percentage of marriages which would end in divorce were the divorce rates by duration of marriage to remain unchanged at their 1993-94 levels. On this basis, 41 per cent. of marriages would ultimately end in divorce.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ireland/UK Co-operation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom in developing east-west relations since publication of the progress report issued on the margins of the European Council Meeting in Luxembourg on 12 December 1997; on what dates the Joint Steering Group co-chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and the Cabinet Office has met in 1998 and in 1999 to date; if he will list those documents agreed by the Joint Steering Group; and if he will place a copy of each in the Library. [89899]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  There has been close and effective co-operation between the two Governments since the Luxembourg Council, and officials and Ministers of both Governments have continued to take forward the programme of work outlined in the Joint Report of 12 December 1997, with frequent ministerial visits in both directions. There was further evidence of the closeness of the relationship when the Prime Minister accepted an invitation from the Taoiseach to address the Irish Parliament on 26 November last year. Co-operation has also been manifested in the efforts of the two Governments to facilitate the Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998 and its subsequent implementation. It has not been 612
  necessary for officials of the Department of Taoiseach and the Cabinet Office to meet specifically in order to coordinate this work. The Government look forward to strengthening that co-operation further when the British-Irish Council and the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, established under the agreement come into operation.

WALES

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he has taken to reduce hospital waiting lists; and if he will make a statement. [89854]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Since April 1997, the Government have invested £58 million to help NHS Wales reduce waiting lists and cope with increased pressures from emergency medical admissions during the winter months. An additional £19 million per year has been made available recurrently from 1999–2000.

  Between March 1997 and March 1999 in-patient and day case waiting list figures fell from 67,609 to 65,315, following a peak of 76,016 in August 1998.

  Since then, in-patient and day case waiting list figures have increased and stood at 67,732 at the end of May 1999.

  Bringing waiting lists down remains a priority for the Government.

  Following the transfer of functions on 1 July 1999, waiting lists are now a matter for the National Assembly for Wales to address.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the(a) cost of and (b) numbers affected by amending the law to ensure entitlement to Incapacity Benefit is reliant on a requisite record of past National Insurance contributions in (i) one of the last three complete tax years, (ii) one of the last four complete tax years, (iii) one of the last five complete tax years, (iv) one of the last six complete tax years and (v) one of the last seven complete tax years. [89714]

  Mr. Bayley
  Under current legislation entitlement to Incapacity Benefit depends on a minimum number of National Insurance contributions having been paid in only one tax year. The table shows the benefit savings and numbers affected in the first, third and tenth years of requiring the same amount of contributions to have been paid in one of the last three, four, five, six and seven years. Only about 30 per cent. of those affected would have a cash loss. In 70 per cent. of cases Income Support would fully compensate for loss of entitlement to Incapacity Benefit.
  613

  Savings Year 1 £ million

  Number affected Year 1

  Savings Year 3 £ million

  Number affected Year 3

  Savings Year 10 £

  Number affected Year 10

  Tax years over which contributions must be paid

  1 in 3

  20

  25,000

  55

  55,000

  115

  110,000

  1 in 4

  15

  15,000

  35

  40,000

  80

  80,000

  1 in 5

  10

  15,000

  30

  30,000

  60

  60,000

  1 in 6

  10

  10,000

  20

  20,000

  45

  45,000

  1 in 7

  5

  5,000

  15

  15,000

  35

  35,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  2. All figures are in April 1998 benefit rates. Savings figures quoted are net benefit expenditure savings.

  State Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the net saving to public expenditure of raising the state pension age to(a) 66 and (b) 67 years from 2039. [90188]

  Mr. Timms
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioner benefit units claiming Income Support, where the head of household is over 80 years, receive(a) at least one full basic state pension and (b) some payment of basic state pension. [90189]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  The proportion of claimants aged over 80 in receipt of Income Support and retirement pension

  Pensioners

  Number

  Total Income Support claimants over 80

  593,000

  Percentage receiving a full basic State pension

  87.7

  Percentage receiving an element of the basic State pension

  8.8

  Percentage not in receipt of any basic State pension

  3.6

  Number of primary benefit recipients where marital breakdown is available

  Income Support(February 1999)

  Jobseeker's Allowance(November 1998) 1

  Family Credit (February 1999)

  Disability Working Allowance (January 1999)2

  Married men with children3

  163,000

  138,000

  298,000

  3,743

  Married women with children3

  36,000

  8,000

  90,000

  582

  Single men with children3

  59,000

  4,000

  16,000

  217

  Single women with children3

  977,000

  10,000

  385,000

  1,991

  Single men less than 65

  626,000

  683,000

  16,000

  4,776

  Single women less than 60

  1,367,000

  227,000

  385,000

  5,558

  Married male pensioners4

  126,000

  n/a

  n/a

  15

  Married female pensioners4

  19,000

  n/a

  n/a

  15

  Single male pensioners4

  205,000

  n/a

  n/a

  7

  Single female pensioners4

  1,083,000

  n/a

  n/a

  26

  1All Jobseeker's Allowance cases are shown and may therefore include some cases where nil benefit is in payment but the claimant signs for National Insurance Contributions only.

  2Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand except Disability Working Allowance where exact figures have been provided.

  3Dependent children are defined as aged 0–18 years.

  4Pensioners are defined as men aged 65 and over, and women aged 60 and over.

  Notes:

  1. Primary benefit recipients have been interpreted as being the benefit claimant.

  2. Family Credit figures reflects the gender of the main earner when in practice the primary recipient is normally the female.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, February 1999

  2. Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, November 1998

  3. Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of all awards as at February 1999

  4. Disability Working Allowance 100 per cent. count of claims as at January 1999
  614
  Notes:

  1. The table shows information relating to the type of pension received by the claimant only, rather than the benefit unit. Of the claimants aged over 80, 31,000 have partners of pension age, of whom 30,000 are receiving some State pension. Information on the type of pension in payment to a partner cannot be included in the table, as the sampling methods used to obtain this information relate to individual pensioners, not benefit units.

  2. Estimates of the number of Income Support claimants aged over 80 years, and the number of partners, are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. Estimates of Income Support and State Pension caseloads are based on a 5 per cent. sample size, and are therefore subject to a degree of error.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry February 1999

  2. Pensions Strategy Computer System January 1999

  Primary Benefit Recipients
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for the most recent available date the number of primary benefit recipients who are(a) married men with dependent children, (b) married women with dependent children, (c) single men with dependent children, (d) single women with dependent children, (e) single men under pension age, (f) single women under pension age, (g) married male pensioners, (h) married female pensioners, (i) single male pensioners and (j) single female pensioners, broken down for each benefit. [90323]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
  615

  Number of primary benefit recipients where marital breakdown is not available

  Retirement Pension1

  Widow's Benefit1

  Incapacity Benefit2

  Severe Disablement Allowance2

  Attendance Allowance3

  Disability Living Allowance3

  Men with dependent children

  15,500

  n/a

  85,480

  2,360

  n/a

  n/a

  Women with dependent children

  3,900

  46,700

  20,220

  4,000

  n/a

  n/a

  Men under pension age

  n/a

  n/a

  1,035,020

  145,940

  n/a

  817,700

  Women under pension age

  n/a

  234,900

  488,080

  183,640

  n/a

  635,200

  Men over pension age

  3,961,100

  n/a

  58,220

  6,100

  347,900

  217,100

  Women over pension age

  6,905,500

  n/a

  18,140

  34,640

  884,100

  372,300

  1Figures as at 31 March 1999 based on a 5 per cent. sample from the Pension Strategy Computer System, including people resident overseas.

  2Figures as at 30 November 1998 based on a 5 per cent. sample.from the PSCS Incapacity system, and may exclude a small number of cases held clerically.

  3Figures as at 28 November 1999 based on a 5 per cent. sample.

  Recipients of council tax benefit by status, pensioner status and dependent children, for GB, May 1998 where there is no available gender breakdown

  With dependent children1

  Non-pensioners2

  Pensioners2

  Recipients with partner

  473,000

  657,000

  681,000

  Single recipients

  1,033,000

  2,057,000

  1,930,000

  Total recipients

  1,506,000

  2,714,000

  2,611,000

  1 Recipients with dependent children could be pensioners or non-pensioners, similarly, pensioners or non-pensioners may have dependent children.

  2 'Pensioner' status has been determined by those in receipt of any of the pensioner premiums, and therefore non-pensioners or are those not in receipt of a pensioner premium.

  Note:

  The data is provisional and has been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source:

  Management Information System 1 per cent. sample taken in May 1998

  Recipients of council tax benefit by status, pensioner status and dependent children, for GB, May 1998 where there is no available gender breakdown

  With dependent children1

  Non-pensioners2

  Pensioners2

  Recipients with partner

  398,000

  536,000

  394,000

  Single recipients

  1,015,000

  2,114,000

  1,431,000

  Total recipients

  1,413,000

  2,650,000

  2,825,000

  1 Recipients with dependent children could be pensioners or non-pensioners, similarly, pensioners or non-pensioners may have dependent children.

  2 'Pensioner' status has been determined by those in receipt of any of the pensioner premiums, and therefore non-pensioners or are those not in receipt of a pensioner premium.

  Note:

  The data is provisional and has been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source:

  Management Information System 1 per cent. sample taken in May 1998

  Means-tested Benefits
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has of the extent of income sharing within couples in receipt of means-tested benefits. [90322]
  616
  Angela Eagle
  We have commissioned a qualitative research study into the financial arrangements of couples on benefit, which should give us a better picture of the arrangements that couples make to manage their benefit income. The results of this study should be available later this year.

  The research study builds on a number of previous studies which have explored how resources are allocated within households. We have undertaken a comprehensive review of these studies which will be published in the Autumn.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to introduce benefit splitting for means-tested benefits. [90321]

  Angela Eagle
  Current rules provide for benefit paid in respect of a family to be paid to the main claimant. However, there are provisions to allow the payment of all or part of the benefit to be paid to a third party, including the claimant's partner, where this is in the interests of the family; for example in cases where the claimant has difficulties in budgeting or suffers from alcohol or drug abuse. We have included provisions in the current Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill to allow these splitting arrangements to apply to hardship payments of Jobseeker' s Allowance, but we have no plans for any further extensions to these arrangements at present.

HEALTH

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to implement the joint recommendations of its Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser on population health surveillance in respect of genetically modified and other novel foods. [89055]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: A sub-group of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and other experts is already considering this issue. It has already held two open meetings and is planning to hold another shortly. It will publish proposals in due course.

  Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting to receive hospital treatment in Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust hospitals at(a) March 1996, (b) March 1997, (c) March 1998 and (d) March 1999. [89728]

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

  Number of patients waiting for elective admission in Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust hospitals

  Year

  Total waiting

  31 March 1996

  5,835

  31 March 1997

  8,391

  31 March 1998

  11,360

  31 March 1999

  9,967

  Note:

  The figures are hospital-based and include private patients as well as those funded by the NHS.

  Source:

  Form KH07—completed by the trust quarterly.

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients on the hospital waiting lists of the Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust had waited for treatment in March of(a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998 and (d) 1999, in excess of (i) three months, (ii) six months, (iii) nine months and (iv) 12 months. [89729]

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

  Number of people waiting for elective admission at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust by time on waiting list

  In excess of:

  Year

  3 months

  6 months

  9 months

  12 months

  31 March 1996

  2,804

  1,357

  475

  0

  31 March 1997

  4,035

  1,904

  732

  104

  31 March 1998

  6,813

  4,033

  2,108

  849

  31 March 1999

  6,043

  3,693

  2,191

  1,093

  Note:

  The figures are hospital-based and include private patients as well as those funded by the NHS

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients referred to a consultant within the area of Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust as at March in the years (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998 and (iv) 1999 had been waiting for their first appointment with a consultant in excess of(a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months and (d) 12 months. [89730]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. Information on the number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment following written referral by a general practitioner who had been waiting over 13 weeks and over 26 weeks at 31 March of each year, is given in the table.

  Information on time waited for all types of referral is not available centrally.

  Information is not collected in separate timebands for patients waiting over 9 months or over 12 months-they are included in the 26 weeks and over category.
  618

  The number of patients waiting at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust to see a consultant for first outpatient appointment following written referral from a GP

  Number waiting, by time waited

  Year

  13 weeks and over

  26 weeks and over

  31 March 1996

  971

  141

  31 March 1997

  555

  74

  31 March 1998

  1,317

  234

  31 March 1998

  2,422

  575

  Note:

  These figures are provider-based and include private patients as well as those funded by the NHS.

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients received elective surgery from Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust in the years commencing(a) April 1995, (b) April 1996, (c) April 1997 and April 1998. [89731]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally. The nearest proxy "count" is for the number of admissions which will count an individual each time they are admitted to hospital. The information below is extracted from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) system. HES contains details of patients admitted to, and treated in NHS hospitals in England.

  Elective admissions followed by surgery in Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust in the following years:

  Year commencing

  Number of elective admissions followed by surgery

  April 1995

  20,023

  April 1996

  22,453

  April 1997

  21,161

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [89989]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 6 July 1999]: 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.

  Smoking
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence of smoking is among teenagers(a) overall and (b) in each region. [89569]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: The information available is given in the tables.
  619

  Prevalence of cigarette smoking among secondary school children aged 11 to 15, and adults aged 16 to 19 England 1996

  Percentage

  Age

  Males

  Females

  Persons

  11

  1

  0

  1

  12

  2

  4

  3

  13

  8

  11

  10

  14

  13

  24

  18

  15

  28

  33

  30

  All pupils aged 11–15

  11

  15

  13

  Adults aged 16–19

  25

  32

  29

  Base

  Pupils aged 11–15

  1,445

  1,409

  2,854

  Adults aged 16–19

  335

  345

  680

  Notes:

  1. Pupil cigarette smokers are those respondents who usually smoke one or more cigarettes a week

  2. Adult cigarette smokers are those respondents who said that they smoke cigarettes at all nowadays

  3. The data are rounded to the nearest whole figure

  Sources:

  1. ONS survey of smoking among secondary schoolchildren, 1996

  2. ONS General Household Survey 1996

  Prevalence of cigarette smoking among secondary school pupils aged 11 to 15, by region, 1996

  Percentage

  Region

  Prevalence

  Base

  North

  15

  885

  Midlands

  13

  732

  South

  10

  890

  Greater London

  13

  347

  Total

  13

  2,854

  Notes:

  1. Pupil cigarette smokers are those respondents who usually smoke one or more cigarettes a week

  2. Data are rounded to the nearest whole figure

  3. The sample is too small to provide valid data by regions for adults aged 16 to 19

  Source:

  ONS survey of smoking among secondary schoolchildren, 1996

  Prevalence of cigarette smoking among 16–19 year olds in Great Britain, by region, 1996

  Standard region

  Percentage smoking cigarettes

  Base

  North

  12

  56

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  26

  50

  North West

  31

  123

  East Midlands

  27

  52

  West Midlands

  19

  72

  East Anglia

  29

  38

  Greater London

  24

  78

  Outer Metropolitan Area

  38

  81

  Outer South East

  42

  60

  South West

  31

  70

  England

  29

  680

  Wales

  31

  52

  Scotland

  31

  77

  Great Britain

  29

  809

  Note

  The sample in each region for this age group is quite small

  Source:

  General Household Survey 1996

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the impact of smoking on the ageing of the skin. [89571]
  620
  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 7 July 1999]: Although the Department has not sponsored specific research on this topic, recent published papers have concluded that smoking causes skin wrinkling that could make smokers appear prematurely old.

  Mental Health
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to amend the definition of nearest relative, in section 26 of the Mental Health Act 1983; [90187]

  (2) if he will bring forward amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983 to provide, for those people treated under section 131, (a) the right to a second opinion, (b) access to hospital managers' hearings and (c) access to mental health review tribunals; and if he will make a statement. [90185]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a 'root and branch' review of the Mental Health Act 1983 in July 1998. An expert committee was appointed to advise on the changes necessary, and they will shortly be making their recommendations to Ministers. The committee undertook a full consultation on a wide range of issues. Once the Government have received the expert committee's report, we will draw up final proposals for a new legislative framework and these will be subject to full formal consultation. New mental health legislation will be introduced as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are currently being treated in psychiatric hospitals under section 131 of the Mental Health Act 1983. [90186]

  Mr. Hutton
  Section 131 of the Mental Health Act 1983 concerns informal admissions of patients. It is not a formal detention section. Information on informal admission of psychiatric patients is not available centrally.

SCOTLAND

  Refugees
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the Scottish administration and Scottish local authorities about the implications of the Immigration and Asylum Bill for refugees in Scotland. [88592]

  Dr. Reid
  There have been regular consultations between my office, the Scottish Executive and local authorities about the implications of the Bill.

  Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings of the JCC he has attended. [89272]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 362.

  Holyrood House
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many days in each year since 1992 the Palace of Holyrood House was occupied by(a) the Sovereign and (b) other members of the Royal Family. [89551]

  Dr. Reid
  Since 1992, the Palace of Holyrood House was occupied by(a) the Sovereign and (b) other members of the Royal family as follows:

  Year

  Sovereign

  Other members of the Royal Family

  1992

  6

  17

  1993

  6

  26

  1994

  11

  17

  1995

  7

  22

  1996

  6

  20

  1997

  10

  24

  1998

  5

  17

  1999

  13

  17

  1 Interim figure to July 1999

  In addition, the Lord High Commissioner, acting as the Sovereign's representative at the General Assembly, occupies the Palace generally for a week in May each year.

  From 1 July 1999, provision of the official residence of the Sovereign in Scotland became a matter for Scottish Ministers.

  Departmental Running Costs
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the running costs of the Secretary of State's Office for 1999–2000. [89857]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) on 11 June 1999,Official Report, columns 412–13, about amending running costs provision for 1999–2000. The current provision was based on estimates made in January 1999. I have since been reviewing the role and functions of my Department after 1 July and I will make a further statement in due course.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Records Advisory Council
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will open meetings of the Advisory Council on Public Records to the public; and how many representations the Lord Chancellor has received on this matter since May 1997. [90058]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government's policy document "Quangos: opening the doors" stated that NDPBs, of which the Advisory Council on Public Records is one, should hold open meetings where practicable and appropriate. The Council is keen to conduct its business in as public a manner as possible. However, one of its main responsibilities is in respect of the 30-year rule. This involves the discussion of information which is invariably confidential and frequently has significant security and foreign relations implications. Notwithstanding this, the 622
  Council is prepared to consider any request for public access to its deliberations which would not interfere with the proper discharge of its functions.

  In accordance with this approach, the Council made arrangements for a particular part of its business to be televised last year. It would be prepared to make arrangements of a similar nature in future. The Council is anxious that the activities which it undertakes on behalf of the public are as widely publicised as possible.

  The Lord Chancellor has previously received no representations on this matter.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the response of the Chairman of the Advisory Council on Public Records to June 1997 petition from the census historians seeking the right to inspect 50-year-old decennial censuses of population for England and Wales; and if he will list the hon. Members who have made representations to the Lord Chancellor on this matter. [90059]

  Mr. Vaz
  A copy of the petition was sent to the chairman of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Council on Public Records by a Mr. Denis McCready on 14 June 1997. Mr. McCready had been in lengthy correspondence with the Lord Chancellor, his Department, the Council and the Public Record Office, and the Lord Chancellor had instructed his private secretary to write to him to say that further letters would receive no reply. The secretary of the Council replied to Mr. McCready's letter on 17 June to say that the chairman had decided not to put the matter to the Council since the closure of the census had already received very full consideration over the years and that the Lord Chancellor's instructions about further correspondence applied to the Council. The Lord Chancellor has received no representations from hon. Members on this matter.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Lindane
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the use of lindane for seed treatment; and if he will make a statement. [90837]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have now banned the use of lindane to treat seeds in England, Scotland and Wales. We have considered carefully the representations received as a result of our announcement of 18 June 1999,Official Report, columns 233–34, that we planned to implement in full the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. We understand that the decision will cause real difficulties to some companies and farmers but we have not received any further evidence to suggest that the risk to operators from treating seed with lindane was significantly less than that assessed by the Committee. I have therefore acted, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, Scottish Ministers and the Welsh Assembly to revoke the approvals for the use of lindane to treat seed as of July. Similar steps are being taken in Northern Ireland.
  623
  The Committee has advised that the risk to farmers from using lindane-treated seed is acceptably low. Farmers may also adopt other strategies to combat pests including other cereal seed treatments or crop sprays.

  Consumers may be reassured that other approved uses of lindane, which continue for the present, do not constitute an unacceptable risk to consumers.

  Cattle Disease
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has provided to farmers on ways they can reduce the risk of diseases spreading to their cattle. [90838]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have published two leaflets on this issue today. The first, "Farm Biosecurity: Protecting Herd Health" covers general disease prevention and the second "TB in Cattle: Reducing the Risk" is aimed more specifically at reducing the threat of tuberculosis.

  This is an important area; through these leaflets we are aiming to raise farmers' awareness of the importance of good practice in reducing disease risk and the benefits it offers. These leaflets offer good advice that farmers throughout the country should follow.

  The leaflets will be given to cattle farmers by State Veterinary Service staff and Local Veterinary Inspectors during farm visits and are being made widely available through markets, the Farmers' Unions and local Agricultural Department offices.

  I have arranged for copies of both leaflets to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Cattle Passports
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for consultation on the proposed level of fees for cattle passports. [90839]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Cattle Tracing System (CTS) was launched by the Government in September 1998. The system is run by a new organisation, the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS). The new system enables a full record to be kept of cattle and where they have been throughout their lives, helping the livestock industry to provide assurance to its customers.

  Since its launch and until 5 July 1999, 2,330,113 passports for cattle have been issued by BCMS, at an average rate of 11,650 per day. It is expected that between 2 and 3 million cattle passports will be issued annually. At the current time, 90 per cent. of passports are issued within 3 working days of an application being received. In addition, since last September, 1,446,993 movements of cattle have been recorded on the new system: and 221,506 calls from farmers have been handled by the BCMS call centre since it opened in July 1998.

  The Government announced in February 1998 that they would pay for setting up the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) and for running it during its first full year of operation. This represented a benefit of some £36 million to the livestock industry. The Government believe that as the main beneficiaries, the livestock industry should now take over the costs of running the CTS from 27 September
  624
  1999. In a consultation document issued today, interested organisations are being consulted on the level of charges, what they cover and the methods of payment.

  We propose that the fee should be £7 per cattle passport. This is in the lower half of the £5 to £10 range indicated in November 1997.

  This proposed fee does not include the cost of time spent checking the eartags and passports of animals handled by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS). Instead it is proposed that the MHS should recover these costs directly from abattoirs. The cost to the abattoir sector is likely to be around £2 million per annum.

  The Government propose not to charge for temporary passports, known also as calf passports. Calves are less valuable than older animals. The passport fee will be payable however if a temporary passport is submitted for conversion to a full cattle passport.

  A copy of the consultation package, including a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment, are being placed in the Library of the House. Comments are sought by 9 August. There will be separate consultations by the administrations in Scotland and Wales, but it is expected that the fee will be at the same rate in all three countries of Great Britain.

  Biotechnology
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the consumer/environmental/ pressure groups with which his Department's Ministers or officials have held meetings since June 1998, indicating in how many of these meetings genetically modified organisms or biotechnology were discussed. [90922]

  Mr. Rooker
  MAFF Ministers and/or officials have had more than 360 meetings with the consumer/environmental/ pressure groups listed since June 1998. Genetically Modified Organisms/biotechnology were discussed during approximately 40 of these meetings.

  Game Conservancy Trust

  Scottish National Heritage

  World Wildlife Fund

  Organic Farms & Growers

  Organic Food Federation

  Marine Conservation Society

  Parnham Trust

  National Food Alliance

  Wildlife & Wetlands Trust

  Humane Slaughter Association

  Horror Out Of Farming

  Joint National Conservation Council

  Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

  Soil Association

  Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds

  National Trust

  British Deer Society

  Wildlife Trust

  Woodland Trust

  Butterfly Conservation Trust

  Linking Environment And Farming

  625

  SAFE Alliance

  British Trust For Ornithology

  Council for the Protection of Rural England

  Climate Action Network

  Plant Life

  National Conservation Council

  English Nature

  Consumers Association

  National Federation of Conservation Groups

  Croydon Conservation Group

  Consumers in Europe Group

  Womens' Institute

  Consultative Farm of Whaling

  Salmon & Trout Association

  Campaign for Protection of Shechita

  National Housewives Association

  Friends of the Earth

  Anaphylaxis Campaign

  Latex Allergy Support Group

  Welsh Consumers Council

  British Trust for Ornithology

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

  UK Arctic Conservation Forum

  London Conservation Working Group

  Free Radicals

  Consumers International

  Pesticides Trust

  Townswomen Guild

  Cornish Guild of Smallholders

  Small Farms Association

  North Cornwall Smallholders

  Family Farmers Association

  Council for the Protection of Rural England

  Ramblers Association

  Devon Wildlife Trust

  Compassion in World Farming

  Gaia Foundation

  Wildlife & Countryside Link

  Scottish Consumers Council

  National Federation of Badgers Group

  Sherwood Forest Trust

  English Heritage

  Wildlife Trust

  Cotswold & Gloucestershire Farm Attraction Group

  Wiltshire Rural Forum

  Wiltshire Woodland Forum

  Great Western Community Forest

  Dorset Rural Forum

  The Rare Breeds Survival Trust

  Greenpeace

  Green Alliance

  Gene Watch

  Women's Environmental Network & Genetics Forum

  World Society for the Protection of Animals

  International Federation for Animal Welfare.

  Wild Boar
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of boar living in the wild in the United Kingdom. [89954]

  Mr. Meale
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are estimated to be around 100 wild boar living free on the borders of Kent and East Sussex, with between 12–20 in Dorset.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of 17 June 1999, Official Report, columns 216–18, what is his Department's current appraisal of tonnage of discarding for gadoids, by type. [88607]

  Mr. Morley
  ICES estimated for 1997 that in the North Sea (ICES reporting areas Ha and IV) some 52,000 tonnes of haddock and 17,000 tonnes of whiting were discarded. Estimates made by CEFAS on a similar basis for cod indicate discards of between 31–35,000 tonnes. The majority of these would be undersized.

PRIME MINISTER

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Deputy Prime Minister's oral answer of 30 June 1999, Official Report, column 339, what British police contribution has been provided for policing activities in Kosovo. [89931]

  The Prime Minister
  Prior to the commencement of hostilities, two officers from the Metropolitan police were working in Kosovo as observers. When the situation became unstable, they were immediately withdrawn to Macedonia.

  When NATO's military action ended, the Chief Prosecutor with the International War Crimes Tribunal made a request for assistance with the recovery of forensic evidence relating to alleged war crimes in Kosovo. The Metropolitan police were approached and agreed to send a team of officers who have specialist skills and knowledge. The team complement in Kosovo is 16, comprising forensic scientists, police officers and pathologists.

  In addition, the United Nations have requested 60 UK police officers for Kosovo. We have offered to provide these officers to recruit, to train and to monitor a civil police force for Kosovo. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are currently discussing with the United Nations and the OSCE what specific roles these officers might undertake.

  Ministerial Code
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to amend the Ministerial Code as recommended by the Committee on Standards and Privileges in its Eighth report of Session 1998–99 (HC 807). [89869]
  627
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: The Government welcome the report of the Committee on Standards and Privileges on the premature disclosure of reports of the Foreign Affairs Committee. It offers guidance where none previously existed. I will review the wording of the Ministerial Code in the light of the Report. The Government will, of course, respond to the Committee's recommendations shortly.

  Cabinet Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will include the Secretaries of State for International Development and for Education and Employment on the Cabinet committee relating to defence and overseas policy. [90240]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers who are not members of the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP) are invited to attend its meetings as necessary, as is the case for any Cabinet Committee.

  Junior Doctors
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his Oral answer to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) of 7 July 1999, Official Report, column 1026, how many junior doctors were working beyond the 56 hour limit as at 31 March; what proportion of junior doctors this represents; and what percentage change this represents from the number so working in September 1998. [90801]

  The Prime Minister
  We are committed to improving hours and working conditions of junior doctors, and are doing so. The number of junior doctors working more than 56 hours was 4,793, or fewer than one in six in September 1998, having fallen every six months since March 1997 when it stood at 6,485.

  The numbers are likely to have fallen further since then, given the continuing action to improve working hours. The regional task force chairmen—who are responsible for providing support and advice to the NHS on reducing junior doctors hours—have confirmed that, keeping to a consistent definition of hours worked, they would have expected the numbers of junior doctors working more than 56 hours to have fallen further since September 1998, continuing the trend after March 1997.

  However, in December 1998, with the support and agreement of the Junior Doctors Committee, we introduced new and tougher compliance criteria in order to safeguard the quality of rest periods for junior doctors. Although they would not in fact represent a change in actual hours worked, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear on 19 May 1999, Official Report, column 1139, that any figures on this new basis could well be higher. As expected, around 8,500 posts were found not to be complying with this different and tougher measure, which for the first time included, for example, the number of rest hours while on call and at weekends, as well as actual hours worked. We are committed to reducing this number further.
  628
  There is therefore no statistical basis for making the comparison requested between September 1998 and March 1999. Our best estimate is that the numbers working over 56 hours are likely to have continued to fall over that period.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Voluntary Work
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans to encourage and support voluntary work in the community. [88980]

  Ms Hodge
  The Department encourages a wide range of voluntary activity in education and training. We have also established Millennium Volunteers to enable young people aged 16–24 to give their time for the benefit of others and support of the Prime Minister's vision of an Active Community.

  Disability Discrimination Act 1995
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to inform employers and small businesses of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [88981]

  Ms Hodge
  On 9 June my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched our "See the Person" campaign which, among other things, aims to improve business awareness of obligations to disabled people under the DDA. The DDA Helpline continues to provide help. A range of leaflets and advice has been produced, targeted at suppliers of goods and services and employers. On 29 June we published a new Code of Practice on the DDA responsibilities of service providers. This will be backed by national newspaper advertisements in July, and further newspaper and radio advertisements in the Autumn, as well as articles, speeches and seminars targeted at business.

  School Repairs
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the progress made in eliminating the backlog of essential repairs and improvements to school buildings in England. [88982]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We certainly inherited a large backlog of repairs and improvements when we took office. We have already allocated £680 million under the New Deal for Schools and will be supporting capital works amounting to a further £5 billion over the rest of this Parliament. This represents a doubling of investment compared to the previous Government and will substantially reduce the backlog. LEAs are responsible for their own maintenance programmes. By developing Asset Management Plans, which we are supporting and encouraging they will be able to make a more accurate assessment of capital spending needs and priorities, in consultation with their schools and their local partners.

  Young People (Assistance)
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support is given by his Department to initiatives for helping young people who are not in education, training or employment. [88983]

  Mr. Mudie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in announcing the Government's White Paper, "Learning to Succeed", outlined a new strategy called 'Connexions' for making sure that far more young people continue in education and training until they are at least 19.

  Alongside the forthcoming Social Exclusion Unit Report on 16–18 year olds not in education, training or work, and building on the White Paper, we expect to announce more about the strategy and the new support service for young people shortly.

  Age Discrimination
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department is taking to tackle age discrimination in the workplace. [88984]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We are making good progress. Within the last month we have launched the Code of Practice for Age Diversity in Employment; announced the Pathfinder Areas for the New Deal 50plus. and initiated consultation on the basic design guidelines for New Deal 50plus. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Severe Learning Disability
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of those with severe learning disability. [88985]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Our policies for children with special educational needs, including those with severe learning difficulties, are set out in "Meeting Special Educational Needs: a programme of action", published on 5 November 1998.

  School Funding (LEAs)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the funds passed on to schools by local education authorities in 1999–2000. [88986]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I would refer my hon. Friend to the tables which we recently published which show that in 1999–2000 14 authorities passed on less than 90 per cent. of the increase in the education Standard Spending Assessment and a further 20 are passing on less than the full 100 per cent. of the increase. The remaining authorities passed at least 100 per cent. of the increase and in some cases more.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the tables of English local education authorities schools' budgets. [88996]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The feedback that we have received so far from local education authorities on the tables of comparative data has on the whole been positive.
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  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those local authorities not spending the full amount of their central Government funding allocated for schools. [89000]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We published tables of local education authority expenditure for the first time on 24 June. They indicated that 34 authorities had increased their education budgets this year by less than 100 per cent. of the increase of their Standard Spending Assessment: full details are in the tables, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries. The figures were constructed from a comparison between the Local Schools' Budget in 1999–2000 and the General Schools budget in 1998–99, with adjustments and making allowance for authorities' expenditure on non-school items.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about the funding of schools in Northumberland; and if he will make a statement. [89001]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Since the start of the financial year the Department has received five letters about school funding in Northumberland.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in reducing class sizes for five, six and seven-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [88987]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are on course to meet our pledge to limit infant class sizes for five, six and seven-year-olds to 30 or below by September 2001. There were almost 130,000 fewer infants in classes over 30 in January this year than in January 1998. We expect the number of infant pupils in classes over 30 to fall below 200,000 by September, a reduction of almost 60 per cent. on the January 1998 figure of 485,000.

  Literacy (Primary Schools)
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provisions there are in the National Curriculum to ensure the teaching of literacy in primary schools. [88988]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Our proposals for the revised National Curriculum are fully aligned with the objectives in the National Literacy Strategy "Framework for Teaching", which primary schools have been teaching in the daily Literacy Hour since September 1998.

  New Deal 50plus
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which areas have been chosen for new deal 50plus pathfinder projects. [88989]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There will be nine pathfinder areas, one in each of the seven Employment Service regions in England, and one each in Scotland and Wales. Those areas are: Black Country; City Pride Manchester; Dorset; Durham; Edinburgh East and Midlothian; Hull; North Derbyshire; North East Wales; and Oxfordshire.

  Early Learning
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what responses there have been to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's consultation on establishing a foundation stage for three to five-year-olds. [88990]

  Ms Hodge
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's recently published summary of responses to the review of the Desirable Learning Outcomes shows overwhelming support for the establishment of a foundation stage for three to five-year-olds.

  Percentage

  Questions asked by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

  Sample response

  Are the aims of the foundation stage broadly right?

  98

  Do the Early Learning Goals reflect the aims?

  Average 95

  Are the Early Learning goals appropriate for the majority of children at the end of the foundation stage?

  Average 91

  Should a foundation stage be established?

  89

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to raise the quality of early years pre-school education. [88993]

  Ms Hodge
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is reviewing the Desirable Learning Outcomes and has proposed the introduction of a Foundation Stage until the end of Reception Year. The QCA is also establishing a Qualifications and Training Framework for the early years education, child care and playwork sector. The Government are currently considering their response to the consultation on regulation and inspection of early years education and care and hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the review of pre-school education will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [88998]

  Ms Hodge
  I have asked the panel reviewing the future role of pre-schools and playgroups to report to me by the middle of August. The review is considering how pre-schools and playgroups can play a full part in the expansion of early education and child care services.

  Excluded Pupils
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were excluded from school last year; and if he will make a statement. [88991]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In 1997–98 12,300 pupils were permanently excluded from maintained schools. This is good news because permanent exclusions have fallen by 3 per cent. (from 12,700 in 1996–97), the first decrease since the Department began collecting information in 1994–95.

  Pupil Funding
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to increase the equality of funding between pupils in different parts of England. [88992]
  632
  Ms Estelle Morris
  Over the next three years we will be reviewing the methodology for calculating Education Standard Spending Assessments to improve the fairness of the current formula and to try to find long-term solutions to the problems we inherited.

  Lecturers' Pay
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what additional resources will be made available to increase pay levels for lecturers in further and higher education institutions. [88994]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have made available an extra £776 million for higher education this financial year and next and an extra £725 million for further education over the same period. It is for the employers in their respective sectors to determine how much of these increases to devote to pay.

  Nursery Places (Sheffield)
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the provision of nursery places in Sheffield. [88995]

  Ms Hodge
  Sheffield's Early Years Development and Childcare Plan for 1999–2000 sets out how a free early education place is being made available for every four-year-old child whose parents want it. My Department gave full approval to Sheffield's Plan in March. Sheffield was one of 57 authorities allocated funding for creating new nursery places for three-year-olds in 1999/2000. We are still considering each Local Education Authority's plan for increasing early education places for three-year-olds.

  New Deal Gateway
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve the functioning of the New Deal Gateway. [88997]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  As part of the continuous improvement of New Deal we are currently in the final stages of planning for trailblazer products which will develop and test a number of different approaches in making achievement more intensive for young people in the Gateway. These are due to be launched later this summer. Additional measures are also being introduced across the country this month to make the fourth month of Gateway more effective in managing the transition of individuals between the Gateway and jobs or New Deal options.

  The New Deal carries with it obligations for young people to make use of the support offered. That is why we recently announced our intention to strengthen the sanctions against young people who fail to co-operate in moving from Gateway to suitable options.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the environmental task force option within the new deal for young people. [88999]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of April 1999 show that 14,200 young people had started on the New Deal Environment
  633
  Task Force. This Option offers young people a range of practical skills, work experience and an opportunity to study towards a recognised qualification normally up to S/NVQ level 2 or equivalent. I am increasingly impressed by the progress of this option and the range of projects it has available.

  New Deal (Employers)
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many employers have signed up to the New Deal to date. [89002]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Almost 52,000 employers have signed New Deal agreements so far.

  School Transport
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to announce the results of the review of school transport. [89003]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The School Travel Advisory Group, formed to look at all aspects of school travel and transport, will be making recommendations to Ministers in the autumn.

  A-level Results
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the average A-level results for each subject, for each local education authority area, broken down by (i) schools and (ii) sixth form colleges in 1998. [88584]

  Mr. Mudie
  A table giving details of the average GCE A-level results for the twelve most popular subjects, for each local education authority area, broken down by (i) schools and (ii) sixth form colleges in 1998 will be placed in the Library.

  Research Grants
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the criteria used to determine what sums are awarded to each individual higher education establishment in the form of research grants. [88831]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has set out its criteria for allocating research funds in a guide "Funding higher education in England: How the HEFCE allocates its funds", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  The Research Councils award competitive grants to researchers in higher education using peer review to assess proposals. The current criteria employed by each of the Research Councils have been placed in the Library.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [89980]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 6 July 1999]: Special Advisers are appointed under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1,
  634
  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 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 Governments.

  School Performance Tables
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that school performance tables reflect the achievements of children of all abilities. [89342]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The achievements of all pupils in GCSEs, GNVQs, other vocational qualifications and National Curriculum assessments are included in school performance tables, regardless of their abilities. We continue to look for ways of reporting the achievements of pupils who are unable to meet the minimum standards of the GCSE and equivalent qualifications by the end of their compulsory schooling, in consultation with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. We introduced a point score in the secondary tables in 1998 to reflect achievements across the full ability range more closely.

  Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many meetings of the JCC he has attended. [89276]

  Mr. Mudie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 362.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the cost of providing each further education student with an individual learning account credited with an amount equivalent to the cost of undergraduate tuition fees. [89359]

  Mr. Mudie
  The national framework for individual learning accounts is being developed. Currently we are targeting people aged 18 years and over who are in employment or about to return to work. At this stage, we are not planning to offer individual learning accounts to full-time further education students. We are planning to pilot different approaches to some aspects of further education funding through individual learning accounts during 1999 and 2000.

  Safe Play Surfaces
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the guidance issued since 1992 to local education authorities regarding the provision of, and funds for, safe play surfaces for(a) nursery schools and units, (b) infant and junior schools and (c) secondary schools. [89964]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department's guidance for schools on play surfaces is contained within its 1997 Building Bulletin 85, "School Grounds: A Guide to Good Practice". Before then, the Department referred inquirers
  635
  to the National Playing Field Association's publication, "Play Safety Guidelines", and continues to do so. The Department has not issued guidance to local education authorities on funding for safe play surfaces.

  Commonwealth (National Curriculum)
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will include study of the Commonwealth in the planned citizenship module of the national curriculum. [90111]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The proposed framework for citizenship sets out programmes of study to help pupils become informed, active and responsible citizens, which at Key Stages 3 and 4 covers knowledge and understanding of the challenges of global interdependence and responsibility. This offers an opportunity for study of the Commonwealth.

  Primary School Inspections
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations he has received about lay inspectors heading inspections of primary schools; [90289]

  (2) what training is received by lay inspectors heading inspections of primary schools; [90290]

  (3) what proportion of inspections of primary schools is headed by lay inspectors. [90291]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The registration and training of inspectors who conduct school inspections contracted-out by Ofsted is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools. He announced in 1996 that an opportunity would be provided for experienced lay inspectors with appropriate skills to become Registered Inspectors and therefore be eligible to lead school inspection teams. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Transmitter Masts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance he has given to those schools which have transmitting masts on their premises concerning the impact of these masts upon the health of pupils, professional staff, ancillary staff and the general public; and if he will make a statement; [90365]

  (2) how many schools, primary and secondary, have approached him concerning the health and safety consequences of transmitting masts on schools premises regarding pupils, staff and the general public; and if he will make a statement; [90366]

  (3) what research he has commissioned into the potential health hazards of transmitting masts on school premises; and if he will make a statement. [90367]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The National Radiological Protection Board—which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health sponsors—is responsible for advising the Government on radiological protection 636
  matters. The Department has not separately issued advice to schools or commissioned research on the impact of these masts.

  Since July 1997, the Department has received two letters from schools, 25 letters from members of the public and six letters from hon. Members about the possible health effects of radio transmitters on school premises. Of these 33 letters, 31 were received during the past two weeks. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations at his constituency office in Sheffield.

  We take very seriously the recent public concern about the siting of these masts on school premises and the possible health risks to children. Discussions are taking place urgently with the other Departments involved to see what further research and guidance or other action may be necessary.

  Schools (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support has been given to schools to enable them to become accessible to those with disabilities. [88972]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Each year we have increased substantially the resources available for the Schools Access Initiative, to invest in making mainstream schools more accessible to those with disabilities and sensory impairments. For the three years from April 1999 we will be allocating a total of £100 million of new money. The £20 million we have allocated this year will improve access for pupils in over 1,600 schools.

  Disability Rights Commission
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects the Disability Rights Commission to be fully operational. [89711]

  Ms Hodge
  Subject to Parliament enacting the Disability Rights Commission Bill, which had its Report and Third Reading in this House on 30 June 1999,Official Report, columns 365–400, we expect the Commission to begin operations in April 2000. Initial planning for the establishment of the Commission has begun. However, much of the work cannot commence until after Royal Assent of the Bill and when the Chairman, Chief Executive and Commissioners have been appointed. It will be for them to decide the range of services available from its operational date.

  Teachers (Age Profiles)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many state school teachers there are aged between (a) 21 and 25, (b) 25 and 30, (c) 30 and 35, (d) 35 and 40, (e) 40 and 45, (f) 45 and 50, (g) 50 and 55, (h) 55 and 60 and (i) 60 and 65 years. [90088]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is contained in Table 26 of the publication "Statistics of Education: Teachers: England and Wales: 1998 Edition". A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

  Centenarians and the Millennium
  Centenarians and the Millennium
  Data Protection and Government Departments
  Data Protection and Government Departments
  Mr. Marwan Al Banna
  Mr. Marwan Al Banna
  Mr. Shlomo Argov: Newspaper Allegations
  Mr. Shlomo Argov: Newspaper Allegations
  Offenders Serving More Than Two and a Half Years
  Offenders Serving More Than Two and a Half Years
  Demonstration, London, 29 June
  Demonstration, London, 29 June
  Privy Council Judicial Committee: Costs and Fees
  Privy Council Judicial Committee: Costs and Fees
  Turkey: Ilisu Dam Project
  Turkey: Ilisu Dam Project
  Higher Education Pay and Conditions
  Higher Education Pay and Conditions
  Multi-modal Transport Studies
  Multi-modal Transport Studies
  Vacant Council Housing
  Vacant Council Housing
  Humber Bridge Traffic Flows
  Humber Bridge Traffic Flows
  Humber Bridge: Tolls
  Humber Bridge: Tolls
  Single Currency: Economic Tests
  Single Currency: Economic Tests
  Finance Bill and Human Rights Convention
  Finance Bill and Human Rights Convention
  Hyde Park Concerts
  Hyde Park Concerts
  Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park
  Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park