Written Answers of 23 July 1999

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the President of the Council what recent assessment she has made of the state of readiness of Government Departments and the wider public sector for millennium compliance. [93205]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Good progress continues to be made with work on the Government's business critical systems and in most Departments the bulk of the work is already complete.

  However, I remain concerned that a number of programmes continue to show slippage in their planned completion dates. Four departments are indicating for the first time that they will not now complete their programmes until September or later. They are the Intervention Board, the Serious Fraud Office, the Inland Revenue and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. In all these cases I have written to Cabinet colleagues asking them personally to monitor progress very carefully, and to ensure that any necessary remedial action is taken.

  The Government will continue to manage the process closely. This includes ensuring that full Business Continuity Plans are in place, and tested, by October—indicating how seriously the Government are taking this problem, and how hard we are working to resolve it. However we should remember that slippage at this stage is an inevitable part of the process. Across the private and public sectors, those working on this problem find that the more they do, the more they find there is to do.

  Although there has been good progress in the wider public sector since I last reported, organisations in many sectors have still to complete their programmes. However, all infrastructure providers reported an improved position at the National Infrastructure Forum on 13 July. This included the NHS, and police and fire services, which no longer have any organisations assessed as having "red" status (severe risk of material disruption which there may not be enough time to rectify)—and all of whom included some organisations with "blue" status (the assessment has not identified any risk of material disruption). In local government, the assessment process was started later, and this sector still shows a small percentage of red authorities—2 per cent. in England and 12 per cent. in Scotland. Government Offices in England and the Scottish Executive will continue to work with these authorities, and with the others, to meet the target of blue status by the next Forum meeting in October. The great majority of infrastructure providers are currently rated "amber", that is, there is still some risk of material disruption but plans are in place to deal with this, and the target is again "blue" by October.
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  In order that hon. Members can see at a glance the position in central Government and the wider public sector, I am publishing a set of tables showing progress in Government Departments up to the end of June, and a table of the Action 2000 colour codes for the wider public sector, as announced to the National Infrastructure Forum on 13 July. In addition, a full set of the returns completed by Government Departments, agencies and key bodies in the wider public sector will be placed in the Libraries of the House and published on the internet. This is in line with the Government's commitment to openness that has characterised our handling of the millennium bug issue since day one.

  I said last month that I would report to the House on a monthly basis from now on. As the next returns from Government Departments and agencies will be received during the parliamentary recess, we propose to write to all Members in late August.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council on what date she last used a train in the course of her official duties. [92650]

  Mrs. Beckett
  On 20 July 1999.

CABINET OFFICE

  Government Annual Report
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Government's Annual report for 1998–99 will be published. [93258]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Report will be published on 26 July. Copies will be laid before the House (Cm 4401) and placed in the Libraries of the House. Members of this House, Ministers in the House of Lords and Opposition spokesman in the Lords will each be sent a copy of the Report. In addition, I shall be placing in the Libraries of the House a summary of the comments zreceived on last year's report. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House intends to find time for the report to be debated when the House returns after the summer recess.

  Civil Service Fast Stream Report
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects to publish the fourth annual Civil Service Fast Stream report. [93259]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I have today placed in the Libraries of the House the Fourth Annual Civil Service Fast Stream Recruitment Report. It covers the year from 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999, and reports the results of Fast Stream competitions completed during that period and action undertaken for future competitions.

  The report shows that in most areas the Civil Service did not fill all its Fast Stream vacancies in 1998, in line with the experience of other major employers. Recruits continued to be drawn from a variety of backgrounds and the standard of entry to the Fast Stream Development Programme has remained consistently high. Despite the fall in numbers, the quality of the applicant field has continued to increase.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate the average cost of providing(a) office accommodation and (b) secretarial support for (i) a departmental special adviser and (ii) one official at Grade 5 and above in the last year for which figures are available. [87964]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  There are no set rules on the level of provision of office accommodation and secretarial support for civil servants, including special advisers. Information on actual costs is not held centrally. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested. However, in respect of the Cabinet Office, members of the Senior Civil Service with a JESP score of between 7 and 12 (equivalent to an old style Grade 5) normally have their own office and a dedicated secretary. The two special advisers appointed by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, share an office and a secretary.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92652]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Trips in and around London (Edinburgh/Cardiff/Belfast), which account for the majority of my working week, will normally be made by Government car. The last time I used a train in the course of my official duties was yesterday when visiting Lancaster in my capacity as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the expenditure on the Government Car Service in the last year for which figures are available, separately identifying the cost of ministerial cars. [92674]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 23 July 1999:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me in my capacity as the Chief Executive responsible for the Government Car Service to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the cost of the Government Car Service.
  The total cost of providing all Government Car Service services in 1997/98 (the last year for which figures are available) was £7.79 million. The estimated cost of vehicles and drivers allocated to Minsters and their private offices was £4.3 million, although they are also used for several other purposes such as the movement of documents and for use by officials as directed by the ministerial private office.
  The Government Car and Despatch Agency charges customer departments for the services provided on a basis that recovers all costs.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Marsden) of 24 June 1999,Official Report, column 456, on consultation papers, if the statement in the Cabinet Office guide on conducting written consultation exercises, concerning using the Internet to publish and receive replies, indicates that the Government's policy is that responses to consultations should be published. [92772]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Cabinet Office guide on conducting written consultation exercises states that, where circumstances permit, a summary of views and information collected from the consultation exercise should be produced and made available. But where respondents request confidentiality for their comments, their wishes should be respected, in accordance with the existing Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Following the best practice principles contained in the guide is the responsibility of individual Departments, agencies and other relevant bodies.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what date she last used a train in the course of her official duties. [92651]

  Mr. Foulkes
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last used a train in the course of her official duties on Thursday 22 July 1999.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will make available to the House the Annual Report and Financial Statements 1998–99 of the New Millennium Experience Company. [93263]

  Janet Anderson
  Copies of the New Millennium Experience Company's Annual Report and Financial Statements 1998–99 have today been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Dome (Refrigerants)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that commercial operators in the Millennium Dome use non-HFC refrigerants; and if he will make a statement. [89934]

  Janet Anderson
  New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has recognised the unique opportunity afforded by the project to demonstrate that an undertaking of this scale can be developed within the framework of a positive environmental policy. In the context of a single year of operation and the attendant time and budgetary constraints, the Company's aim is to improve on prevailing standards wherever possible, and to mitigate any adverse impact where such impact might occur. As a result a number of innovative environmental initiatives are integral to the project—for example a comprehensive
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  Environmental Plan underpinning all aspects of policy and new river bank ecology; and the transformation of a derelict jetty into a wildlife haven.

  As regards commercial operators in the Dome—who will primarily be caterers—NMEC is procuring the majority of the refrigeration equipment that they will use and is aiming to adopt "greenfreeze" technology wherever practical. In those instances where equipment is procured by others, NMEC is strongly encouraging them to adopt the same approach.

  Millennium Dome (Performers)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what period of rest performers of the main show in the Dome will have between performances on(a) normal days and (b) peak days for visitors; [91264]

  (2) how many different companies will be used to perform the main show in the Dome on (a) normal days and (b) peak days for visitors. [91265]

  Janet Anderson
  New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is establishing and training an ensemble company of 160 performers, forming two casts of 80 each. Each cast will comprise 60 on stage and 20 understudies. On "one session" days, one cast will be used. On "two session" days, the two casts will be used. The terms and conditions of the cast members (including rest periods) will be in accordance with an Equity approved contract and in accordance with the Working Time Directive.

  Millennium Dome (Visitor Information)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information systems will be in place to inform visitors to the Dome of the estimated queueing times for individual zones and other attractions. [91270]

  Janet Anderson
  New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) operational strategy which covers all aspects of visitor management, safety and comfort has been developed with the aim of ensuring an exemplary visitor experience. Information about the capacity of each exhibit zone and any related queueing time (which NMEC aims to keep to a minimum) will be notified throughout the Dome via an information display system and staffed information points.

  Millennium Dome (Policing)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many police will be on duty at the Dome; how they will be paid for; and what estimate he has made of the cost of their service. [91268]

  Janet Anderson
  Police will not be on duty within the Dome site although, as with other visitor attractions and public events, they will attend as necessary in response to any situation requiring their presence. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is in close and continuous liaison with the Metropolitan Police Service who are responsible, as normal, for the costs of their services where situations require their attendance.
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  Additional officers are being seconded into Greenwich Division to ensure that sufficient resources are available both on New Year's Eve and throughout the Millennium year.

  Millennium Dome (Photography)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if photography(a) with and (b) without a flash will be permitted inside the Dome. [91257]

  Janet Anderson
  Photography with and without flash will be permitted inside the Dome.

  Millennium Dome (Safety)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the designers of the zones were instructed to build a maximum evacuation time into their designs. [91263]

  Janet Anderson
  Emergency exit requirements are a fundamental aspect of the design of the Millennium Experience at Greenwich and have been the subject of expert advice prior to submission of plans for approval by the relevant licensing authority.

  Millennium Dome (Merchandising)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what royalties the New Millennium Experience Company has negotiated in respect of the entertainments and merchandise developed for the Millennium Experience; and who will receive such income after 2000. [91269]

  Janet Anderson
  Details of contractual arrangements between the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) and suppliers are commercially confidential. Arrangements for the disposal or assignment of all the company's assets after the Millennium Experience are subject to the approval of the Millennium Commission and the Government. Final decisions on the future use of the Dome will not be taken until 2000, when the Millennium Experience is up and running for all to see.

  Millennium Dome (Catering)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if visitors will be permitted to bring food and drink into the Dome. [91266]

  Janet Anderson
  Visitors to the Millennium Experience at Greenwich will be allowed to bring food and drink into the Dome.

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been(a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [91676]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  As part of the Government's commitment to ensuring that their policies are relevant to the lives that people live today, my Department is working closely with the Women's Unit to develop good practices for carrying out gender impact appraisal.
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  The Women's Unit guidance: "Policy appraisal for equal treatment" has been circulated to policy Divisions in the Department.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many individuals his Department has recruited under the New Deal for Young People. [91891]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) on 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 116.

  Since that time my Department has employed a further New Dealer making a total of two since 1 April 1999.

  Holocaust Remembrance Day
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his Department's involvement in the proposed Government committee on Holocaust Remembrance Day. [92158]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 19 July 1999, Official Report, column 400.

  United Christian Broadcasters
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport where the petition handed in to the Government by United Christian Broadcasters in 1990 is now kept. [92265]

  Janet Anderson
  I understand that the petition was presented to the previous Administration by UCB during the passage of the Broadcasting Act 1990. It has not been possible to locate this petition among the papers that were transferred to this Department when it was created.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92659]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Trips in and around London, which account for the majority of my working week, will normally be made by Government car. The last time I used a train in the course of my official duties was earlier this month when visiting Leeds.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Attorney-General on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92658]
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  The Attorney-General
  I travelled to the Crown Prosecution Service in Colwyn Bay by rail on 8 March this year.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when the contract to develop the Benefits Agency Customer Accounting and Payment Strategy IT system was awarded; and to which company or consortium; [92833]

  (2) what the deadline is for completion of the Benefits Agency Customer Accounting and Payment Strategy IT system; 192835]

  (3) what the estimated cost is of developing the Benefits Agency Customer Accounting and Payment Strategy system. [92834]

  Angela Eagle
  The Customer Accounting and Payments Strategy (CAPS) is a continuing programme involving new systems and processes to create a single customer account in order to improve the way in which the Benefits Agency manages customer details and benefit payment information and, until the cancellation of the Payment Card element of the Horizon project, to support the payment of benefit by Card at post offices.

  The systems to do this were built by the Department's Information Technology Services Agency including the integration of an accounting package purchased from IBM during the Spring of 1996.

  Following the cancellation of the Payment Card and the announcement of the intention to pay benefits by Automated Credit Transfer, it will be necessary to reassess what further work should be undertaken on CAPS in addition to those elements that have already been implemented. Consequently no estimate of final completion dates or future development costs is presently available.

  However, the work to create a single, consistent, source of customer details for use by all benefits is already well advanced. All the Benefits Agency major benefit systems are now linked to the CAPS systems and there are presently 17 million customer records held on the new system that is in daily and constant use by staff in the Benefits Agency. The work to complete the transfer of records is due to be completed in 2002.

  Departmental Expenditure (Wales)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the level of spending on social security in Wales in each of the last five years(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the United Kingdom total broken down to show spending on (i) benefit payments, (ii) Wales's pro-rata share of United Kingdom administration costs and (iii) actual spending on central and local administration and the branch network for facilities in Wales. [92644]

  Mr. Timms
  DSS accounts for its administrative costs operationally (by Agency and Business Unit). It does not maintain accounting records by geographical territory and
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  it is therefore not possible to provide reliable expenditure information covering all Departmental operations in the format requested. An estimate of Social Security Benefit Expenditure in Wales in the past five years can be found in the table.

  Estimated Social Security benefit expenditure in Wales (and as a percentage of Great Britain expenditure)

  Expenditure (£million)

  Percentage

  1994–95

  4,910

  6.1

  1995–96

  5,160

  6.1

  1996–97

  5,540

  6.3

  1997–98

  5,490

  6.2

  1998–99

  5,660

  6.2

  Note:

  1. Expenditure excludes payments of certain benefits to people living overseas

  1998–99 Expenditure

  AD7 Wales

  Salaries

  Goods/services

  Estate costs

  Total spend

  Operational Directorate East

  18,588,724

  1,436,343

  —

  20,025,067

  Operational Directorate North

  10,928,534

  988,656

  —

  11,917,190

  Operational Directorate West

  16,136,083

  1,311,969

  —

  17,448,052

  Other

  10,485,323

  17,585,267

  9,846,196

  28,070,590

  Total

  56,138,664

  21,322,235

  9,846,196

  77,460,899

  Note:

  1. Other—This covers all expenditure on Human Resources Directorate, Fraud Investigation Services, Area Directors Support Team, Facilities Management Team, Voluntary Early Retirement and Finance and Business Development Directorate.

  2. Estate Costs are charged at Area level only and are therefore included in other.

  Benefit Forecasts
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each state benefit, if he will forecast the number of claimants and total cost by benefit for Wales for the next three years together with forecasts for(a) Wales's pro-rata share of the United Kingdom administration costs and (b) budgeted costs for the central and local administration and the branch network for facilities in Wales. [92641]

  Mr. Timms
  Forecasts of future expenditure and number of claimants for each Social Security benefit by country are not readily available. A breakdown by country of the future costs of administering the Department and its agencies is also not readily available.

  Pensioners (Wales)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the numbers in Wales of(a) single pensioners and (b) married couple pensioners (i) in 1980 and (ii) at the latest available date. [92642]

  Mr. Timms
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  State retirement pensions are paid to individuals. Category A pension is payable on a person's own contribution record and Category B pension is paid to a married woman (or a widow) on her husband's insurance record. It is not possible to identify someone's marital status from the category of pension.
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  2. Expenditure figures have been rounded to nearest £10 million

  Source:

  The above figures are consistent with those published in the Departmental Report 1999

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the amounts his Department and its agencies spends on(a) running costs, (b) wage costs and (c) other administrative costs for those facilities and staff based in Wales, indicating the headquarters administration costs and the total costs for the branch network. [92640]

  Mr. Timms
  DSS accounts for its administrative costs operationally (by Agency and Business Unit). It does not maintain accounting records by geographical territory and it is therefore not possible to provide reliable expenditure information covering all Departmental operations in the format requested. Information for the Benefits Agency's operations in Wales is provided in the table.

  Number of people in receipt of retirement pensions in Wales November 1980 and March 1999

  November 1980

  March 1999

  Men and women

  455,000

  561,000

  Men

  160,000

  206,000

  Women

  295,000

  355,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Figures for November 1980 exclude Graduate Pension only cases.

  Source:

  November 1980—Pensions Computer System, 10 per cent. sample of 'live' cases.

  March 1999—Pensions Strategy Computer System (PSCS), 5 per cent. sample of 'live' cases.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department will publish a regulatory impact assessment of the burden on employers of administering stakeholder pensions. [92850]

  Mr. Timms
  A regulatory impact assessment for the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill, including the estimated effects of stakeholder pension proposals, was published when that Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 10 February 1999. A revised assessment was issued when the Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 21 May 1999. Copies are available in the Library.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners households were entitled to winter fuel payments in 1998–99, broken down between those in receipt of income support and others. [92854]

  Mr. Timms
  An estimated 7.6 million pensioner households were entitled to a payment in 1998–99, of which 1.4 million were receiving Income Support. The remaining eligible households were receiving one or more of the other qualifying benefits.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92664]

  Mr. Darling
  On 7 July 1999, when I travelled to Leicester to visit the Braunstone Estate, a New Deal for Communities partnership.

  Chief Adjudication Officer
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the 15th annual report of the Chief Adjudication Officer; and if he will make a statement. [93204]

  Mr. Darling
  The report is being published today. The Chief Adjudication Officer's findings record that, in a difficult year for the Agencies, standards have in general been maintained. He is, in particular, encouraged by the fact that the Agencies continue to look for ways to effect improvements, with numerous initiatives at both the local and national level. Quite rightly the Chief Adjudication Officer has taken the opportunity to praise his own staff for their work.

  The Chief Adjudication Officer welcomes the changes to decision-making and appeals that are being introduced this year. These changes will create a simpler, clearer, more accessible system.

  Chief Executives will take on the Chief Adjudication Officer's responsibilities for guidance to decision-makers and monitoring and reporting on standards. They will be accountable for the quality of decision making in their agencies. The changes will help to get decisions right. If a mistake is made, it can be put right more easily. Notifications will be clearer and easier to understand.

  Improvements will be made to the handling of appeals. The ending of the rigid requirement for three person tribunals means that expert resources can be better focused on the issues raised in each appeal. Appeal waiting times will be cut. A new agency will be set up to handle the administration of appeals and I will set demanding targets for clearing appeals. Some improvements have already been made. People who appeal now receive the papers at an earlier stage in the process. Record numbers of appeals were cleared last year. The backlog of oldest cases is being systematically cleared.

  These changes will deliver real improvements in service to clients. Also we are preserving the essential elements of the current system. Decisions will continue to be made impartially by applying the law to the facts of each case. Clients will still have the right of appeal to an independent tribunal.
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  The post of Chief Adjudication Officer will disappear in November. There will be a final report for the period April 1999 to November 1999. This will be published early next year. From July to November, as the new Decision Making and Appeals system is implemented, the responsibility for monitoring and reporting on the standards of decision making within the Agencies will pass to Agency Chief Executives.

  Domestic Violence (Immigration Rules)
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will provide public funds for those eligible under the concession to immigration rules in respect of domestic violence and the one year rule; [92466]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the feasibility of reclaiming public funds from liable relatives in instances where such support may be given to those subject to the concession in the immigration rules in respect of domestic violence and the one year rule. [92469]

  Angela Eagle
  People who are awarded indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom under the concession to the immigration rules announced by the Home Secretary can claim Social Security benefits. Those people who are pursuing an application for indefinite leave under the concession will continue not to have access to the benefit system until a favourable decision has been made on their application.

  Married couples are liable to maintain one another under section 78 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The Benefits Agency aims to pursue liable relatives for spousal maintenance wherever a separated person claims an income related benefit.

  Departmental Estate (Scotland)
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 1999,Official Report, columns 305–07, (1) if he will list the running costs including (a) staff costs and (b) payments to Trillium and Newcastle Estate Partnerships in relation to his Department's estate in Scotland; [91307]

  (2) if he will list the services offered at each of the properties detailed; which are involved in the processing and assessment of entitlement to benefits; what stages of the assessment are carried out at each centre; and if he will make a statement. [91308]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: During the financial year 1998–99, the salaries of staff employed in Scotland amounted to £130 million. During the same period, the costs of running the estates, including payments to Trillium, amounted to £28 million. In addition the Information Technology Services Agency has two properties in Scotland, which are sub-let to Electronic Data Services Ltd. on a full cost recovery basis which includes rent paid to Trillium. It is not possible to apportion accurately the costs of centrally administered benefits and services which relate to Scotland. The Newcastle Estate Partnership is not involved in the running of DSS buildings in Scotland.

  Through its network of local offices, the Benefits Agency provides a comprehensive and accessible service throughout Scotland for over 20 different social security

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  benefits. These offices also accept claims applications and notices of change of circumstances for centrally administered benefits.

  Applicants for Child Support in Scotland are administered from the Agency Centre in Falkirk.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Bills
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of bills were paid on time by Government Departments and their agencies during the financial year 1998–99. [93427]

  Mr. Byers
  There has been a further improvement in the payment performance of Central Government as a whole. The majority of Departments met the previous target of paying 95 per cent. of their suppliers' bills on time.

  There is no room for complacency and it is disappointing to see that a number of Departments and Agencies, including DTI, failed to meet this year's target of 97.5 per cent. I have taken steps to remind all Departments and Agencies, including DTI, of the importance of paying suppliers' bills on time and meeting the target.

  The target for the 1999–2000 financial year has been increased: to pay 100 per cent. of undisputed suppliers' bills on time. It is particularly important that the public sector sets an example to business and is seen to pay its bills on time.

  We are committed to improving the UK's payment culture. Late payment is a serious problem, particularly for small businesses. Not knowing when customers' bills will be paid means uncertain cashflow, increased borrowings, higher costs and reduced profits.

  Government Departments and their Agencies are required to monitor their payment performance and to publish the results in their Departmental or annual reports. The following table lists, by Department, the proportion of bills paid within 30 days, or other agreed credit period, of receipt of a valid invoice for financial year 1998–1999.

  Government Departments payment performance 1998–99

  Percentage

  Main departments

  Paid on time

  Privy Council Office

  100

  National Investment and Loans Office

  100

  Scotland Crown Office

  99.9

  Ministry of Defence

  99.8

  Government Actuary's Department

  99.4

  Radiocommunications Agency1

  99.3

  Office of the National Lottery

  99.3

  Ordnance survey

  99.1

  Office of Water Services (OFWAT)

  99

  Insolvency Service1

  99

  HM Land Registry

  98.6

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  98.4

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  98.4

  Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce

  98.3

  Office of Fair Trading

  98

  OFSTED

  97.9

  Department of Culture, Media and Sport

  97.9

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  97.7

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  Government Departments payment performance 1998–99

  Percentage

  Main departments

  Paid on time

  Building Societies Commission

  97.5

  HM Customs and Excise

  97.5

  Office of Telecommunications

  97.3

  Welsh Office

  97.3

  Department for Education and Employment

  97.2

  Inland Revenue

  97.2

  Public Records Office

  97.1

  Scottish Office

  96.8

  Forestry Commission

  96.7

  Lord Chancellor's Department (including Public Trust Office)

  96.7

  Department for National Savings

  96.7

  Home Office

  96.6

  Department of Trade and Industry

  96.3

  Office of the Rail regulator

  96.3

  Department for International Development

  96.3

  Cabinet Office

  96.3

  Treasury Solicitors Department

  96.2

  Northern Ireland Office

  96.1

  Crown Prosecution Service

  96

  Office for National Statistics

  95.6

  Serious Fraud Office

  95.4

  Royal Mint

  95

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  95

  Office of Gas Supply

  94.9

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  94.4

  Charity Commission

  94.1

  Health and Safety Executive2

  94.1

  Department of Health

  94

  Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

  93.3

  Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions

  93.1

  HM Treasury

  93

  Department of Social Security

  91.7

  Total

  96.8

  1 Insolvency Service and Radiocommunications Agency are Executive Agencies of the Department of Trade and Industry.

  2 Health and Safety Executive is an Executive Agency of the Department of Environment Transport and the Regions.

  Weights and Measures
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about weights and measures. [93428]

  Dr. Howells
  I have today placed in the Library of the House a report by my Department on the adoption of the International System of Units—the modern version of the metric system. Copies of the report are available from the Vote Office.

  Since 1965, successive Administrations have promoted the use of metric weights and measures in order to assist industry to compete in an increasingly metric global market. The debate since 1965 has been about the pace and timing of the change from imperial to metric units for specific purposes.

  Metrication is now under way in the United States. Other Commonwealth countries have gone metric. The metric system has been taught in our schools since 1974. Metric units are now used by the public sector for most purposes.

  The retail sector has adopted metric weights and measures gradually, for an ever-increasing range of goods. Today, more than 90 per cent. of consumer goods sold by weight or measure are sold in metric units. Under

  681
  legislation made in 1994, goods sold loose by weight—mainly fresh food—must be priced and weighed in grams and kilograms after 31 December 1999.

  I am pleased to be able to announce that in response to representations from the Government and others, the European Commission has proposed that non-metric units may be used alongside metric units until 31 December 2009, pending completion of the US metrication programme. This will enable UK manufacturers and retailers, who wish to do so, to dual mark quantity and price in metric and imperial units over the next ten years. Retailers can continue to display the price per imperial unit alongside the price per metric unit. Consumers can continue to express in ounces and pounds the quantity they wish to buy. Retailers will weigh out the equivalent quantity in grams and kilograms.

  The supermarket chains, which account for 80 per cent. of sales of loose goods, have started selling loose goods in metric weights. To assist small retailers and their customers with the change, DTI is publishing an information package. Further information and advice is also available from DTI's metric helpline and website.

  Company Auditors
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received the 1998 annual reports of the recognised supervisory bodies for company auditors under Part II of the Companies Act 1989; and if he will make a statement. [93426]

  Mr. Byers
  I have received the 1998 annual reports of all the recognised supervisory bodies for company auditors, and have placed copies in the Library of the House. My Department will be discussing the contents of the reports with the bodies as necessary.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92657]

  Mr. Byers
  On 6 July 1999.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the ECGD payments rescheduled with Indonesia since 1 May 1997; what was the size of such rescheduling; and whether any payments rescheduled related to exports of defence and security equipment and services. [92231]

  Mr. Wilson
  Indonesia's official creditors agreed in September 1998 to reschedule certain sovereign debt payments falling due between 6 August 1998 and 31 March 2000. The debt to be rescheduled relates to principal payments in respect of contracts entered into prior to 1 July 1997. Indonesia continues to maintain interest payments on this debt. ECGD expects to reschedule over 200 separate payments totalling around £260 million over the period, 75 per cent. of which is in respect of defence business.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received 682
  calling for the inclusion of Peterston Super Ely, Dinas Powys and Wemvoe Wards with the Vale of Glamorgan in the Tier 2 (Article 87(3)c) areas in the Government's proposals for new assisted areas. [92793]

  Mr. Wills
  Representations from the Vale of Glamorgan Council did not call for the inclusion of these wards.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what potential development land exists in the Peterston Super Ely, Dinas Powys and Wemvoe Cyr Wards in the Vale of Glamorgan which might benefit from regional selective assistance. [92795]

  Mr. Wills
  This is a matter for the Vale of Glamorgan Council to consider in the context of its Development Plan.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he received from the Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff and Newport county councils on the Government's proposals for new assisted areas. [92794]

  Mr. Wills
  My Department received two representations; one from Newport County Borough Council, the other jointly from the City and County of Cardiff Council, Newport County Borough Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria he used to designate the Peterston Super Ely, Dinas Powys and Wemvoe Wards in the Vale of Glamorgan as Tier 2 (Article 87(3)c) areas in the Government's proposals for new assisted areas. [92792]

  Mr. Wills
  The criteria are set out in the document, "The Government's proposals for new Assisted Areas". Some wards were included to provide compact contiguous connections to other proposed areas.

  "Driving Productivity and Growth in the UK Economy"
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the report, "Driving Productivity and Growth in the UK Economy", has been brought to his attention. [92034]

  Mr. Byers
  The report, "Driving Productivity and Growth in the UK Economy", by the McKinsey Global Institute, was discussed at a set of joint DTI/HM Treasury productivity seminars in the summer and autumn of 1998. Its findings were taken into account in the framing of both the Competitiveness White Paper, "Our Competitive Future: Building the Knowledge Driven Economy", and the 1998 Pre-Budget Report.

  Appointments (Quangos)
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many appointments to quangos he made between(a) 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 and (b) 1 June 1998 and 31 May 1999; and in each case of those how many were members of Britain's (i) Asian and (ii) ethnic minority communities. [92141]
  683
  Mr. Byers
  Data on public appointments are not recorded centrally in the form requested. From the information we do hold centrally the details I can give in response to the request are as follows:1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
  The total number of appointments made was 121 of which 4 (3.3 per cent.) were members of ethnic minority communities.
  1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999
  The total number of appointments made was 214 of which 10 (4.67 per cent.) were members of ethnic minority communities.

  Full details of all the appointments made, including the identity of those appointed and the positions which they hold, are published in the Government's expenditure plans for DTI for both 1997 and 1998. Given the data that are publicly available about appointments it is not possible to disclose information that further breaks down the categories of ethnic minority appointees as to do so risks identifying individuals without their consent. Data on ethnic origin are gathered for monitoring purposes, not for disclosure leading to possible individual identification.

  I also refer the hon. Member to the Department's equal opportunities goals as published, following an announcement by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 25 May 1999, Official Report, columns 116–17, in "Quangos: Opening up Public Appointments 1999–2002". This sets out the DTI goals of achieving a year on year increase in the number of people of ethnic minority origin appointed to public bodies rising to 6 per cent. by 2002 (currently 4.4 per cent.) and an increase for the number of women appointees rising to 33 per cent. by 2002 (currently 27 per cent.).

  Date

  Ministers

  Venue

  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  25 February 1998

  Mary Harney Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Employment

  London

  Minister for Trade

  11 January 1999

  Tom Kitt Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise and Trade

  Dublin

  Minister for Industry and Energy

  21 May 1999

  Joe Jacobs Minister of State for Public Enterprise

  Dublin

  Irish officials attended as required by their Ministers.

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many kilometres have been travelled on his Department's business in each of the last three years broken down by(a) foot, (b) bike, (c) bus, (d) train, (e) tram, (f) light-rail, (g) plane, (h) motorbike, (i) car, (j) taxi, (k) river-taxi and (l) other modes of transport; what plans and targets his Department has to reduce the kilometres travelled by private transport by his Department's employees; and if he will make a statement. [91026]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The information on business travel is not collected in the form requested and therefore cannot be provided.

  Electronic Commerce
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to promote electronic commerce. [93429]

  National Assembly for Wales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish, before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft of the concordats between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales. [92325]

  Mr. Byers
  Work on the concordats is proceeding well. We hope to be in a position to put the concordats to the Assembly Cabinet shortly. It is not our intention to publish the concordats in advance of that.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many individuals his Department has recruited under the New Deal for Young People. [91884]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) on 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 116.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times Ministers in his Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 January 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved and the names of the Irish Ministers and officials at each meeting. [90408]

  Mr. Byers
  Since 1 January 1998 DTI Ministers have held meetings with Irish Ministers on the following occasions:

  Mr. Wills
  The Government have set the ambitious goal of making the UK the best place in the world for electronic trading by 2002. The Government have been translating this vision into a reality, through a range of measures, culminating in today's publication of the draft Electronic Communications Bill. On 6 May 1999,Official Report, columns 446–47, I announced the terms for introducing third generation mobile phones, allowing high speed mobile access to the Internet, among other things. On 5 July I launched a consultation on licensing new radio spectrum to allow broadband wireless services to be offered across the country. On 6 July Oftel announced the opening up of BT's local network to enable broadband services to be available across the country. These measures will give us world-beating broadband access.

  On 22 July 1999, Official Report, columns 1342–55, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced the White Paper "Modern Markets, Confident Consumers". It offers a new deal for

  685
  consumers, including core principles for e-commerce codes of conduct to promote consumer confidence in on-line shopping.

  I am launching a consultation on the draft Electronic Communications Bill today. The draft Bill and the Government's response to the Trade and Industry Committee's recent report are published in a Command Paper—"Promoting Electronic Commerce". I have also published a summary of responses to our previous consultation. Copies of these documents have been placed in the Vote Office and are available on the DTI website at http://www/dti.gov.uk/cii/elec/ecbill.html. I am asking for comments on the draft Bill by 8 October and the Government will then introduce a Bill to Parliament in the next session.

  The Bill will put in place a light-touch legal framework to allow electronic commerce to flourish. The Bill establishes conclusively that all electronic signatures, however produced and of whatever form, are admissible in Court. The Bill also provides for the modernising of the statute book, to remove legal barriers to using electronic means, as an alternative to pen and paper. The power will help modernise dealings with Government and allow the electronic option for other transactions constrained by statute. The Bill will do this by giving the relevant Minister the power to amend existing legislation by Statutory Instrument.

  I am pleased to announce that the DTI intends to use this power to amend the Companies Act 1985 to enable companies to use electronic means to deliver company communications, including sending annual reports to shareholders, to receive shareholder proxy and voting instructions and to incorporate. Savings on the printing and distribution of Annual Reports and accounts alone could amount up to £10 for every shareholder who participates.

  The Bill will promote confidence in electronic signature and other cryptography services. Such services allow people to ensure that their credit card details and other personal information cannot be read by others when they shop on-line. They allow businesses to protect their intellectual property and stop sensitive information being read by competitors. They will also, by allowing the verification of who is at the other end of an electronic communications, give confidence to those conducting business with companies they have not dealt with before. An approval scheme, for those delivering these services, would build trust, both in the technology and the bodies offering it, by ensuring that minimum standards of quality and service are met.

  The Government have been working closely with the Alliance for Electronic Business who are leading the development of a non-statutory, self-regulatory scheme. Such a scheme bringing together providers and users, including consumers, should offer a more flexible and effective way of meeting the Government's objectives than a statutory scheme. The Alliance's scheme is still in its infancy, so the draft Bill proposes to take powers to set up a statutory voluntary scheme by secondary legislation. The Government will only use these powers should the industry fail to work out a suitable model for self-regulation consistent with our e-commerce and law enforcement interests.
  686
  In seeking to promote electronic commerce, it is also vital that the Government ensure that the ability of the agencies tasked with combating crime and threats to national security is not critically undermined by criminal use of the very technologies, such as encryption, which are needed to make the electronic commerce revolution happen, and which the Bill seeks to promote. By way of addressing this threat, the proposed Bill establishes new powers to enable the agencies to require the surrender of decryption keys or specified data in an intelligible form in response to the service of a properly authorised written notice. The powers will operate on a case by case basis and will only apply to material which itself has been, or is being, lawfully obtained. The procedures contain strong safeguards. The Bill also establishes oversight and complaints mechanisms covering use of the new powers.

  The Bill will also introduce a more flexible process for amending existing Telecommunication Act 1984 licences, a deregulatory measure which will reduce the need for costly references to the Competition Commission.

  The Bill will be a light-touch framework for facilitating electronic commerce, building on the UK's traditional strengths including our history as a trading nation, our dynamic IT industries, the City, the English language, our framework of commercial law, our inventiveness and our competitive telecommunications environment.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date(a) he and (b) the Lord Chancellor last used a train in the course of their official duties. [92662]

  Mr. Vaz
  In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Trips in and around London, which account for the majority of my working week, will normally be made by Government Car. Since being appointed Parliamentary Secretary on 17 May I have not had reason to travel by train in the course of my official duties. The Lord Chancellor last used a train on Friday 16 July when he travelled to Cambridge to speak at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies Annual Conference.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Government intend to publish the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of the Magistrates Courts Service; and if he will make a statement on the modernisation of magistrates courts. [93262]

  Mr. Vaz
  Copies of the Chief Inspector's Annual Report have today been placed in the Library of both Houses. The Annual Report records the significant achievements of the local Magistrates Courts Committees in rising to the challenges of this Government's modernisation agenda.

  The programme of amalgamating local Courts Committees to align their boundaries with others in the criminal justice system is on tract, leading to better

  687
  planning and communication between agencies; and local Courts Committees are becoming more accountable and more business like in their approach to performance management and improving the efficiency of their administration of the courts.

  The Chief Inspector highlights areas for improvements in the future. The Lord Chancellor's Department is providing the national framework to support Committees in their administration of local justice into the next millennium. Local Committees have, for the first time, been set performance targets in a Public Service Agreement for 1999–2000. The Lord Chancellor has increased their accountability to their local community by requiring Committees to produce an Annual Report covering key areas of performance.

  The Access to Justice Bill provides new powers for the Lord Chancellor to introduce a Code of Conduct for Committee members, maintaining the highest standards in public life. The Lord Chancellor has also taken powers to ensure that specific recommendations made by the Inspectorate are implemented, intervening where the service provided in an area is falling short.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Maths Examinations (Special Needs)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what special arrangements will be made for those required to sit a maths paper for which the use of calculators is forbidden at GCSE who suffer from dyslexia or other specific difficulties. [92728]

  Mr. Mudie
  Special arrangements are operated by the examining boards with special needs. The special arrangements provide for additional examination time to be made available to candidates with dyslexia and other learning difficulties giving them more time to read the paper and to plan and correct their answers.

  University Engineering Courses
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students are currently taking engineering courses at universities in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [92289]

  Mr. Mudie
  Figures for 1998–99 show there are approximately 120,000 people studying engineering and technology subjects in UN universities.

  The Government recognise the importance of engineering and technology to the UK economy, place high value on education in these disciplines and are seeking to encourage more people to study in these areas.

  Bolton Schools (Damage)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools in the Bolton area were damaged by(a) vandalism and (b) arson during each of the last five years; what was the cost to the education authority of this damage; and if he will make a statement. [92287]
  688
  Ms Estelle Morris
  Most schools in Bolton have been subject to some form of vandalism such as broken windows and guttering over the last three years. Some 50 arson attacks have been reported over the last five years with some schools being subjected to more than one incident.

  Bolton LEA have provided the available information on the cost to the Authority of vandalism and arson attacks:

  £

  Year

  Vandalism

  Arson

  1998–99

  32,518

  275,000

  1997–98

  46,748

  239,000

  1996–97

  45,820

  829,000

  1995–96

  1—

  74,000

  1994–95

  1—

  53,000

  1 not available

  Since 1997–98 the Government has made funding available to support measures to improve security in schools, including measures to reduce the incidence of crime against schools. In the last three years Bolton LEA has had over £370,000 of support from Government grant and the LEA's own contributions for expenditure on school security measures. This is in addition to the continuing revenue and capital spending by the LEA and school on school security. The decisions about detailed arrangements for the distribution of the grant and for assessing needs in individual schools will be for the LEA, on the basis of risk assessments undertaken in individual schools. This should reflect priorities in school and LEA security strategies.

  Teachers (State Schools)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged 40 years and over have trained since 1994 to become teachers and are now employed in state schools; and if he will make a statement. [92290]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table shows teachers who qualified in 1994, 1995 and 1996, when aged 40 or above, and those in service in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sector in England and Wales at 31 March 1997.

  Year qualified

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Total qualifiers1,2

  1,850

  2,190

  1,970

  In service in the maintained schools sector2

  Full-time

  920

  1,000

  850

  Part-time

  130

  190

  160

  Full-time and part-time

  1,050

  1,190

  1,010

  1 Includes those for whom service details are not recorded; entrants to the 'old' university sector; entrants to the independent sector; entrants to part-time service outside the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector who are not in the TPS.

  2 Data are provisional. The numbers shown as in service will increase as a result of late receipt of annual service returns.

  Concordat (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish, before the
  689
  summer adjournment, the most recent draft concordat between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales. [92332]

  Mr. Mudie
  Work on the concordat is proceeding well. We hope to be in a position to put a draft concordat to the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales shortly. We do not intend to publish the concordat in advance of that.

  Nursery/primary

  Secondary

  Nursery, primary and secondary

  Financial year

  Premature

  Ill-health

  Premature

  Ill-health

  Premature

  Ill-health

  1992–93

  3,370

  2,110

  4,120

  1,760

  7,480

  3,870

  1993–94

  3,490

  2,350

  4,800

  2,270

  8,290

  4,610

  1994–95

  3,450

  2,670

  3,870

  2,290

  7,320

  4,960

  1995–96

  3,800

  2,600

  4,910

  2,270

  8,710

  4,870

  1996–97

  4,900

  2,810

  5,360

  2,350

  10,260

  5,160

  1997–98

  5,730

  1.830

  6,370

  1,560

  12,100

  3,390

  1998–991

  1,040

  1,160

  1,370

  1,010

  2,410

  2,170

  1 1998–99 data are provisional

  Pupil Exclusions
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils have been (i) temporarily and (ii) permanently excluded from school; and what proportion of each were from ethnic minorities in each London borough over the last five years. [91784]

  Number of permanent exclusions, maintained primary and secondary schools in the London Boroughs 1995/96–1997/98

  1995–96

  Primary

  Secondary

  Borough

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  6

  83

  41

  46

  Greenwich

  17

  35

  71

  45

  Hackney

  11

  91

  25

  84

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  9

  56

  55

  64

  Islington

  13

  46

  58

  52

  Kensington and Chelsea

  8

  88

  19

  53

  Lambeth

  11

  91

  45

  69

  Lewisham

  16

  63

  59

  64

  Southwark

  13

  54

  71

  73

  Tower Hamlets

  8

  38

  44

  61

  Wandsworth

  9

  89

  85

  71

  Westminster

  5

  60

  66

  73

  Barking

  17

  24

  50

  16

  Barnet

  10

  40

  67

  43

  Bexley

  8

  0

  52

  8

  Brent

  5

  80

  103

  84

  Bromley

  8

  0

  101

  26

  Croydon

  12

  17

  101

  51

  Ealing

  14

  57

  80

  69

  Enfield

  3

  67

  89

  39

  Haringey

  7

  86

  41

  95

  Harrow

  5

  0

  59

  47

  Havering

  3

  0

  69

  3

  Hillingdon

  9

  22

  58

  14

  Hounslow

  11

  27

  74

  45

  Kingston upon Thames

  4

  0

  34

  9

  Merton

  8

  63

  39

  31

  Newham

  4

  50

  38

  45

  Redbridge

  3

  67

  29

  41

  Richmond upon Thames

  3

  0

  47

  19

  Sutton

  7

  0

  23

  9

  Waltham Forest

  11

  55

  101

  55

  Teachers (Retirement)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers took early retirement in each year since 1993. [91931]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows early retirement from the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector, England and Wales, in financial years 1992–93 to 1998–99.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on fixed period exclusions is not held centrally. However, in the autumn, my Department will begin collecting this information for the current school year, 1998–99. Information available on permanent exclusions is shown in the table.
  691

  1996–97

  Primary

  Secondary

  Borough

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  9

  44

  55

  44

  Greenwich

  17

  41

  61

  51

  Hackney

  14

  71

  26

  85

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  17

  71

  50

  64

  Islington

  12

  58

  33

  70

  Kensington and Chelsea

  6

  50

  18

  61

  Lambeth

  7

  57

  54

  83

  Lewisham

  10

  60

  43

  65

  Southwark

  18

  72

  71

  69

  Tower Hamlets

  8

  38

  52

  75

  Wandsworth

  11

  73

  66

  64

  Westminster

  6

  50

  49

  65

  Barking

  18

  22

  71

  14

  Barnet

  9

  22

  81

  41

  Bexley

  11

  9

  48

  10

  Brent

  8

  88

  89

  87

  Bromley

  6

  67

  91

  15

  Croydon

  21

  38

  110

  55

  Ealing

  6

  50

  83

  58

  Enfield

  6

  67

  94

  39

  Haringey

  5

  80

  41

  66

  Harrow

  5

  0

  54

  48

  Havering

  6

  0

  50

  10

  Hillingdon

  3

  0

  57

  7

  Hounslow

  13

  38

  84

  42

  Kingston upon Thames

  3

  67

  29

  14

  Merton

  5

  20

  16

  44

  Newham

  7

  43

  32

  44

  Redbridge

  3

  33

  29

  55

  Richmond upon Thames

  5

  0

  53

  19

  Sutton

  3

  67

  32

  13

  Waltham Forest

  8

  38

  92

  61

  1997–98

  Primary

  Secondary

  Borough

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  City of London

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Camden

  11

  36

  34

  56

  Greenwich

  8

  38

  48

  38

  Hackney

  22

  77

  21

  76

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  12

  83

  39

  59

  Islington

  8

  38

  38

  55

  Kensington and Chelsea

  5

  80

  33

  48

  Lambeth

  15

  73

  40

  85

  Lewisham

  22

  86

  50

  66

  Southwark

  15

  67

  76

  78

  Tower Hamlets

  5

  40

  39

  67

  Wandsworth

  10

  60

  59

  64

  Westminster

  3

  33

  60

  68

  Barking

  9

  22

  38

  16

  Barnet

  8

  38

  65

  48

  Bexley

  11

  9

  59

  10

  Brent

  7

  100

  90

  82

  Bromley

  10

  30

  83

  17

  Croydon

  17

  41

  85

  42

  Ealing

  11

  73

  71

  61

  Enfield

  10

  40

  74

  47

  Haringey

  5

  0

  38

  84

  Harrow

  5

  20

  50

  64

  Havering

  4

  25

  66

  8

  Hillingdon

  3

  0

  52

  25

  Hounslow

  8

  13

  61

  31

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  0

  27

  15

  Merton

  4

  0

  32

  47

  Newham

  12

  50

  42

  52

  Redbridge

  5

  40

  29

  62

  692 693

  1997–98

  Primary

  Secondary

  Borough

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  Total exclusions

  Percentage Ethnic minorities1

  Richmond upon Thames

  1

  0

  53

  21

  Sutton

  6

  17

  37

  14

  Waltham Forest

  10

  50

  76

  54

  1 Ethnic minorities include black Caribbean, black African, black other, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese and any other ethnic group.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many individuals his Department has recruited under the New Deal for Young People. [91890]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  As at 1 July 1999 the Department for Education and Employment had recruited 13, and the Employment Service 362, young people through the New Deal for Young People.

  I would also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) on 25 May 1999, Official Report, column 116.

  Education Initiatives
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 1999,Official Report, columns 56–58, on

  Amounts spent on external consultants and advisers

  £

  DfEE Specific Grant

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Total

  School Effectiveness/Improvement

  —

  —

  0

  Induction for Newly-Qualified Teachers

  —

  —

  0

  Baseline Assessment

  —

  Part of School Improvement Grant

  0

  National Curriculum Assessment

  —

  Part of School Improvement Grant

  0

  Effective use of National Curriculum Results

  —

  Part of School Improvement Grant

  0

  School Leadership

  1,953,363

  2,913,770

  4,867,133

  Advanced Skills Teachers

  —

  —

  0

  Local Recruitment Measures

  —

  —

  0

  Early Years Training and Development 4 year olds

  —

  —

  0

  Early Years Training & Development 3 year olds

  —

  —

  0

  Early Excellence Centres

  —

  5,000

  5,000

  National Literacy Strategy—Primary

  —

  —

  0

  National Numeracy Strategy—Primary

  —

  —

  0

  National Numeracy Strategy—Key Stage 3

  —

  —

  0

  Summer Numeracy Schools

  —

  —

  0

  Total literacy and numeracy strategies

  841,000

  1,321,000

  2,162,000

  Summer Literacy Schools and Key Stage 3 Literacy

  10,000

  —

  10,000

  Playing for Success

  —

  —

  0

  Family Literacy

  —

  —

  0

  Family Numeracy

  —

  —

  0

  Local Authority Lifelong Learning Development Plans

  —

  —

  0

  Qualifications

  —

  —

  0

  Work Related Learning

  —

  —

  0

  Special Educational Needs

  64,528

  127,204

  191,732

  Social Inclusion: Pupil Support

  —

  100,000

  100,000

  Drug Prevention

  —

  —

  0

  Youth Service

  —

  —

  0

  National Grid for Learning

  55,000

  154,000

  209,000

  School Security

  —

  —

  0

  Beacon Schools

  —

  80,000

  80,000

  Specialist Schools

  —

  —

  0

  Education of Traveller & Displaced Persons

  —

  —

  0

  Expanding Central Music Services

  —

  —

  0

  694
  education initiatives, if he will list for each initiative, the amount spent by his Department on external consultants and advisers. [91820]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 21 July 1999]: The amounts spent by the Department of Education and Employment on external consultants and advisers for the initiatives listed in columns 56–58, are given in the following table. The amounts spent on School Leadership include the cost of consultants previously contracted by the Teacher Training Agency to design the model for the delivery of the Leadership Programme for Serving Headteachers (LPSH), provide trainers to run the pilot programme, and to train over 170 trainers for the full LPSH programme. The figures for the literacy and numeracy strategies include the services of two National Directors, to provide advice on the strategic policy development of the two strategies, and the cost of Regional Directors to aid in the support, monitoring and implementation of the strategies by local education authorities, including the professional development of local education authority staff and teachers.
  695

  Amounts spent on external consultants and advisers

  £

  DfEE Specific Grant

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Total

  Protecting Central Music Services

  —

  —

  0

  Ethnic Minority Pupil Achievement

  —

  —

  0

  Access Fund for pupils aged 16–19 in schools

  —

  —

  0

  Year 6 Booster Classes

  —

  —

  0

  Asset Management Plans

  —

  —

  0

  Health Education Partnerships: Pilot projects

  6,382

  54,476

  60,858

  Numeracy Consultants & Leading Maths Teachers

  —

  —

  0

  Portable CD Rom Systems for SEN Coordinators

  —

  —

  0

  Books for Schools

  —

  —

  0

  Childrens Parliament

  —

  —

  0

  Reduction of Infant Class Sizes (Revenue)

  —

  —

  0

  Removal of Outside Toilets

  —

  —

  0

  Energy Management

  —

  —

  0

  New Deal for Schools

  —

  —

  0

  Reduction of Infant Class Sizes (Capital)

  —

  —

  0

  Education Action Zones

  —

  219,000

  219,000

  Nursery Education Grant

  —

  —

  0

  Total

  2,930,273

  4,974,450

  7,904,723

  Notes:

  1. Spending on the literacy and numeracy strategies cannot be separated

  2. Figures for School Leadership include significant amounts for training and coaching rather than general advisory work

  School Playing Fields
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 1999,Official Report, column 167, on school playing fields, what was the research carried out by the Central Council of Physical Recreation which was used by his Department. [92128]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The research referred to in my Answer of 13 July consisted of two national surveys carried out by the Central Council of Physical Recreation and reported in their September 1984 publication, "Sports Fields at Risk." This research found that 3,630 acres of recreational land were subject to disposal. This is equivalent to approximately 5,000 playing fields.

  The research also noted that the actual number of school playing fields which have been lost to sport and recreation over the years is likely to be higher than this figure.

DEFENCE

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which TA recruitment centre has the lowest level of recruitment in Wales; [82269]

  (2) which TA centres in Wales have the highest levels of (a) recruitment and (b) retention. [82270]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 27 June 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to 696
  his Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day. [87321]

  Mr. Spellar
  According to our records 129 written Parliamentary Questions were tabled to my Department for answer on a named day between 15 April and 15 June. Of these, 50 per cent. received a substantive response on that day.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 January 1998 indicating the dates and locations, the Ministers involved and the names of the Irish Ministers and officials in each case. [87429]

  Mr. George Robertson
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State received a farewell call from Lt Gen Gerald McMahon, Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Force, on 10 August 1998.

  Disabled People (Employment)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on the employment of disabled people in the armed forces; [88368]

  (2) how many registered disabled people work in (a) civilian and (b) uniformed posts in the Ministry of Defence; and if he will make a statement. [88367]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]: My Department and its agencies employ some 3,780 civilian staff who have declared a disability or a long-term health condition in response to disability monitoring surveys. This represents some 3.7 per cent. of the total civilian workforce.

  Data about registered disabled people are no longer requested in surveys because the register of disabled persons ceased to have effect with the introduction of the

  697
  Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We fully recognise the valuable contribution disabled people can make towards the achievement of defence objectives and, as part of our efforts to increase their representation in our civilian workforce, we have a three-year programme of action in place aimed at improving our performance as an employer of people with disabilities.

  Members of the Armed Forces are exempt from the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act. Disability or a history of disability is not compatible with the need for a combat effective fighting force, able to undertake a full range of military operations anywhere in the world. Service personnel disabled during the course of duty are, depending on circumstances, allowed to continue to serve as long as such service will not undermine overall combat effectiveness. This approach reflects the Services' duty of care to the individual and allows them to benefit from the individual's experience and ensure a return on their training investment.

  Army (Medical Refusals)
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the medical grounds on the basis of which admission to the Army may be refused; and if he will give the reasons in each case. [90420]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Army, in common with the Naval Service and the Royal Air Force, applies medical standards that entrants must meet. I am placing a copy of the medical standards in the Library of the House.

  Medical selection criteria are imposed to ensure, as far as possible, the ability of recruits to undertake military training and to operate in all Service environments, many of which may be hostile. Furthermore, the armed forces have a duty of care to avoid causing deleterious effects on any pre-existing condition which would be detrimental to the long term health and welfare of the individual. The bar on certain medical conditions also exists to minimise any liabilities which could arise from allowing individuals with known medical conditions into environments which have a high risk of adverse outcome for them.

  Service Personnel (Council Tax)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the regulations for payment of council tax by service personnel; and if he will make a statement. [91569]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Service personnel living in private accommodation pay council tax under the same arrangements as civilians.

  When occupying service accommodation service personnel pay my Department a Contribution in Lieu of Council Tax (CILOCT) as part of their accommodation charge. My Department then pays the relevant local authority an annual sum equivalent to the council tax for properties of the type occupied.

  These arrangements have been put in place to minimise administration for local authorities and individuals, that would otherwise be necessary in view of the fact that service personnel and their families are often necessarily obliged to move house to meet service obligations.

  Leave Entitlement
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new regulations he has introduced about leave entitlement following postings outside the UK; and if he will make a statement. [91567]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 19 July we announced the rationalisation of our forces in Kosovo, and are also introducing a number of welfare enhancements for personnel serving on operations in the Balkans and elsewhere. Among these is a guaranteed period of leave when personnel return from operational detachment. In the case of the Army, for instance, personnel who have completed a six month detachment will receive 20 working days post operational tour leave over and above their normal leave allowance.

  Personnel in the other services will also be given extra time off, the period being governed by the time spent on detachment and the conditions under which they have worked. This will ensure that personnel returning from operations can spend time with their families and be fully rested before undertaking further duties.

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been(a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [91686]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Women, on 14 July 1999,Official Report, House of Lords, column 636.

  As part of the Government's commitment to ensuring that its policies are relevant to the lives that people live today, my Department is working closely with the Women's Unit to develop good practices for carrying out gender impact appraisal.

  We have no historical records of gender impact assessments undertaken to date.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors he will take into account in his decision on the procurement of a future large aircraft capability; and if he will make a statement. [92083]

  Mr. George Robertson
  As with all defence procurement projects, we will be taking a range of factors into account when making a decision on our future strategic airlift capability. These include performance, long-term cost effectiveness and industrial implications.

  Nuclear Materials (Transport)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements the Government have made to monitor the transport of nuclear materials(a) in the European Union and (b) internationally. [91694]
  699
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: My Department monitors all movements of defence nuclear materials, for which it is responsible. All movements of such materials are carried out by fully trained and equipped personnel in accordance with the highest standards of safety and security.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Ministry of Defence sites that were surveyed by English Nature in the 1994 national Sites of

  SSSI name

  Site name

  Condition assessment

  West Lizard, Cornwall

  Predannack

  Favourable

  Ham Common, Dorset

  Hamworthy (Poole)

  Unfavourable: no change

  Hum Common, Dorset

  Hum (St. Leonards)

  Unfavourable: declining

  Eelmoor Marsh, Hampshire

  Farnborough

  Unfavourable: no change1

  Sutton and Hollesley Heaths, Suffolk

  Woodbridge

  Unfavourable: no change

  Grimes Graves, Norfolk

  Stanford

  Unfavourable: declining

  Kelling Heath, Norfolk—2 locations

  Stanford

  i. Unfavourable: recovering

  ii. Unfavourable: recovering

  1 In 1998, the Defence Evaluation Research Agency Farnborough Conservation Group received an English Nature SSSI award for commitment to the positive management of the Eelmoor Marsh SSSI.

  RAF Scampton
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the future of RAF Scampton. [92468]

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

  Name

  Length (metres)

  Weight/Displacement (tons)

  Type

  Portsmouth Naval Base/Dockyard1

  USS Iowa

  270

  57,000

  Battleship

  Devonport Naval Base2

  RFA Brambleleaf

  170

  40,870

  RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary)

  Devonport Dockyard

  HMS Invincible

  209.1

  20,600

  Aircraft Carrier

  HMS Illustrious

  209.1

  20,600

  Aircraft Carrier

  RFA Bayleaf

  170.7

  37,747

  RFA

  RFA Orangeleaf

  170.7

  37,747

  RFA

  Rosyth Dockyard

  HMS Ark Royal

  209.1

  20,600

  Aircraft Carrier

  RFA Brambleleaf

  170

  40,870

  RFA

  1 Portsmouth Dockyard ceased to be a fully fledged dockyard in 1984. The Fleet Maintenance Repair Organisation (FMRO) became its successor organisation. FMRO Portsmouth transferred to commercial management on 28 February 1998.

  2 Information for Devonport Naval Base has been included for completeness.

  Royal Tournament
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 426, on the Royal Tournament, when the first Military Festival to be performed in Colchester is planned to take place; and how many performances there will be. [92630]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The first military festival will be based on the Royal Navy's Festival of the Sea to be held in 2001 at Portsmouth. No decision has yet been taken as to where it will be held thereafter.
  700
  Special Scientific Interest sample survey of lowland heathland, indicating in each case the condition and area of the site. [92212]

  Mr. Spellar
  The national Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) sample survey of lowland heathland was one of several pilot surveys undertaken by English Nature to develop a methodology for determining the condition of habitats on SSSIs, based on a sample of sites. The sample survey undertaken in 1994 and 1995 covered 93 lowland heathland SSSIs out of a possible 385 sites.

  A number of sites owned or used by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) were included in this survey.

  Naval Dockyards
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the (i) name, (ii) length, (iii) weight, (iv) type, and (v) displacement of the largest ship to have docked at the(a) Portsmouth Naval Base and Dockyards, (b) Rosyth Dockyard and (c) Devonport Dockyard; and if he will make statement. [92372]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information requested is in the table. Accurate records are available only for the last 15 years.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 426, on the Royal Tournament, what will be the principal differences between the Military Tattoo to be staged at Horse Guards Parade and the Military Festival to be held outside London. [92628]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The new military tattoo will be an evening event on Horse Guards Parade in London. It will build on the traditions of the Royal Tournaments, involving ceremonial, massed bands and pageantry. The new military festival will be an all-day experience, enabling spectators to see a wide range of military
  701
  activities, view the latest military equipment, meet personnel and participate in interactive displays. It will be held at varying locations outside London, starting in 2001 at Portsmouth.

TREASURY

  Landfill Tax
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue his Department has received from the landfill tax in each of the last five years. [92025]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested can be found in the Office for National Statistics publication "Financial Statistics". Table 2.1D "Customs and Excise taxes" shows figures for receipts from landfill tax.

  Landfill tax was introduced on 1 October 1996.

  Social Security Contributions
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the forecast levels of social security contributions for(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wales, for each of the next three years. [92643]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Budget forecast for social security contributions in 1999–2000 in the United Kingdom is £55.7 billion. The figure is shown in Table B10 of the Budget 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report. Forecasts of social security contributions as a percentage of GDP for subsequent years up to 2003–04 are shown in Table B9 of the same publication. The corresponding forecasts of money GDP are shown in Table B4. Separate figures for Scotland and Wales are not available.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount which has been paid by his Department since April 1998 in compensation for delays to payment of age-related rebates of national insurance contributions arising from problems with the NIRS2 computer system. [92482]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Responsibility for the NIRS computer system transferred from the Department of Social Security to the Inland Revenue on 1 April 1999.

  The estimate for the amount of additional payments, since April 1998, for delays to payment of age-related rebates of national insurance contributions arising from problems with the NIRS2 computer system is £32.7 million.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the final total cost to the Exchequer of the problems associated with the N1RS2 computer system. [92483]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Responsibility for the NIRS2 computer system transferred from the Department of Social Security to the Inland Revenue on 1 April 1999.
  702
  The estimated cost of additional payments to 1 July 1999 is £34.686 million. This includes additional payments to Pension Providers for the delay in the payment of age related rebates (£32.7 million).

  Other additional payments (£76,000) have been made to individuals and corporate customers in relation to minor difficulties they have encountered with NIRS2.

  Compensation paid to benefit recipients by the Department of Social Security amounted to £1.85 million at 1 July 1999.

  Costs associated with contingency processing plans, contingency arrangements and the provision of information have been met from the existing administration budgets of both the DSS and IR.

  The present programme of work, to deal with backlogs, is intended to avoid the need for such payments or keep them to a minimum.

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff at the Contributions Agency aged 60 years or over have been required to retire since April. [92200]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Between 1 April and 31 July 1999, 126 former Contributions Agency staff are due to retire, 18 at 60 and 108 after service beyond 60.

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made to the terms and conditions affecting Contributions Agency staff aged 60 years or over since April. [92201]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The normal retirement age for Contributions Agency (CA) staff was 60, and staff of the Inland Revenue also have a normal retirement age of 60. During negotiations on the terms and conditions of service on which agency staff would join the Revenue, the Revenue promised to honour the transitional arrangements the CA had agreed when it changed its retirement policy. Accordingly, the Revenue agreed to honour all extensions of service to 31 July 1999. This was part of the whole terms and conditions package published to CA staff in February 1999 and accepted by a majority vote in the subsequent ballot.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) weekly and (b) monthly paid people in the United Kingdom, are estimated to earn in excess of (a) £20,000 (b) £25,000 and (c) £50,000 per annum. [92286]

  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. David Crausby, dated 23 July 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on earnings in the United Kingdom.
  The New Earnings Survey (NES) is based on a one per cent sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax

  703
  threshold and in particular those who work part-time. However, this limitation is unlikely to affect those earning above £20,000 per annum.
  The attached table gives estimates of the percentage of weekly and monthly paid employees in the UK with earnings above the specified thresholds.

  Employees on adult rates, who have been in the same job for at least twelve months

  Gross annual pay (£)

  Percentage earning over

  £20,000

  £25,000

  £50,000

  Full-time

  Weekly paid

  16.6

  5.9

  0.1

  Monthly paid

  43.4

  25.4

  3.6

  Part-time

  Weekly paid

  1.5

  0.8

  0.0

  Monthly paid

  4.3

  2.3

  0.3

  All

  Weekly paid

  12.6

  4.5

  0.1

  Monthly paid

  35.3

  20.6

  2.9

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey, April 1998 (UK)

  Limb Deficiency
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics his Department collects on the number of children born with limb deficiency; and if he will list the figures for the last three years. [92306]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Mark Oaten, dated 23 July 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on limb deficiency.
  The ONS collects information through the National Congenital Anomaly System. This system, which is voluntary at all stages, has been monitoring congenital anomalies in England and Wales since 1964. The primary purpose of this system is to detect changes in the frequency of reporting of any particular anomaly rather than trying to estimate the prevalence at birth.
  The following table shows babies notified with limb reduction defects*, numbers and rates per 10,000 live and stillbirths. England and Wales 1995–1997.

  Number

  Rate

  1995

  191

  2.9

  1996

  195

  3.0

  1997

  135

  2.1

  * International Classification of Diseases 10th revision Q71-Q73.

  Note:

  Data as at 20 July 1999

  Source:

  National Congenital Anomaly System

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population in each parliamentary constituency live in settlements of less than 10,000 people. [92725]
  704
  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. Tim Yeo, dated 23 July 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your question asking what percentage of the population in each parliamentary constituency live in settlements of less than 10,000 people.
  Mid-year population estimates are not compiled for areas such as parliamentary constituencies or smaller settlements. The lowest level at which these are available is the local authority level.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  M6 (Markings)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the purpose of the new markings set out in the manner of a Vernier scale on the M6 motorway. [92502]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Bernard Jenkin, dated 23 July 1999:
  The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Lawrie Haynes, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about markings on the M6 motorway. I am replying on Lawrie's behalf in his absence.
  The markings are put down on the carriageway when speed cameras are used on major maintenance schemes to help enforce a temporary 50mph speed limit. They enable the police to calculate traffic speeds that can then be used to back up recorded radar measurements.
  Although the markings in themselves do not represent a hazard and the police do not object to their remaining on the carriageway, we do try to remove them once the work has been completed. However, where the new type of low noise thin surfacing is used, it is difficult to remove the markings without damaging the surface. For future projects we are trying a new type of removable paint which when applied to the marking allows them to be washed away.
  If you need any further information, please contact the Agency's Route Manager, Howard Woolley at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BE—Tel: 0161 930 5680.

  House Builders
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the NHBC has taken court action against(a) Redrow and (b) other house builders over the past five years. [92496]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The NHBC is an independent private sector company and, with the exception of certain housing statistical returns provided by its subsidiary, NHBC Building Control Services Ltd., it does not report to my right hon. Friend on its day-to-day operations.

  Conservation Areas
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to ensure the favourable conservation status of special areas of conservation. [92797]
  705
  Mr. Meale
  The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 transpose the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive in England, Scotland and Wales. The Directive requires that member states should nominate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) which are the best areas to represent the range and variety of the habitats and species identified by the Directive.

  The Government have recently announced that a virtually complete list of 340 wildlife sites nominated for special protection as candidate SACs under the Habitats Directive has been submitted to the European Commission.

  It is a matter of Government policy that the Regulations should be applied to candidate sites as if the sites were already designated, and they are given the full protection of the Regulations to ensure their favourable condition. These sites are given the highest priority for conservation action by the nature conservation agencies.

  Limestone Pavement
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the extent of trade within the UK of limestone pavement; what amount is traded with other European Union countries; and if the Government will ban trade in limestone pavements. [92798]

  Mr. Meale
  The Limestone Pavement Biodiversity Action Plan Working Group, chaired by the Countryside Agency, has commissioned research into the extent and nature of trade in waterworn limestone. In the light of the report the Group will be advising Ministers whether a ban on trade is feasible.

  In the meantime the Department fully supports the activities of the Limestone Pavement Action Group in seeking to discourage the sale and purchase of waterworn limestone.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made towards completing the Limestone Pavement Order process under section 34 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for England, Scotland and Wales; and when the process is expected to be completed. [92796]

  Mr. Meale
  The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority recently made seven further Limestone Pavement Orders (LPO), bringing the total in England to 92, and proposes to make a further seven in 1999. It is, therefore expected that all pavements in England will be protected under section 34 by the end of this year.

  Scottish Natural Heritage will be considering making use of this provision. Information about important localities in Wales is being passed to local authorities. Several local authorities are considering making LPOs under section 34.

  The making of LPOs in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the authorities there.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the GM crops being tested in pre-commercial farm-scale 706
  trials, which contain antibiotic resistant marker genes, giving details of the marker genes concerned in each case. [92723]

  Mr. Meale
  None of the genetically modified (GM) crops being grown under the joint Government/SCIMAC farm-scale evaluations contain functional antibiotic resistant marker genes.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's policy to seek an amendment of EC Directive 90/220/EEC so that companies with marketing consents for genetically modified crops must inform the relevant local authority of their intention to plant genetically modified crops in their area. [82261]

  Mr. Meale
  The Government strongly support the revision of Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on which political agreement was reached at the recent EU Environment Council. The political agreement did not include provision that companies with marketing consents for genetically modified (GM) crops must inform the relevant local authority of their intention to plant GM crops in their area. However, the agreement does provide for mandatory consultation of the public on all releases. Provisions require the Commission to make all summary notifications for applications to place GMOs on the market and assessment reports available to the public, which has the right to comment within 30 days. Assessment reports and the opinions of the Scientific Committees for all consents issued and rejected must also be made available to the public.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned or evaluated on the effects of herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant genetically-modified crops on the environment; and if he will make a statement. [92712]

  Mr. Meale
  DETR carries out extensive research on the environmental impact of genetically modified (GM) crops. Two important recent reports are, "The Commercial use of Genetically Modified Crops in the United Kingdom: the Potential Wider Impact on Farmland Wildlife", that includes consideration of the environmental effects of both herbicide tolerant and insect resistant GM crops and "Environmental Risks of Herbicide Tolerant Oilseed Rape". Copies of both reports are in the Library.

  The farm-scale evaluations—announced in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 15 April 1999, Official Report, columns 301–02— are investigating whether there are any differences in the diversity and abundance of wildlife associated with the management of genetically modified (GM) herbicide tolerant oil seed rape and maize compared with the management of equivalent conventional crops.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received about the effect of genetically-modified pollen on butterfly survival rates. [92632]
  707
  Mr. Meale
  My Department is aware of the potential risks of genetically modified (GM) insect resistant crops to non-target and beneficial organisms, and we are funding research to investigate these. This research will underpin future regulatory decision making.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Environment reported in his reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 24 May 1999, Official Report, column 8, that the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) had been asked to give consideration to the report in Nature about the possible adverse effects of pollen from genetically modified insect resistant maize on the Monarch Butterfly in America. ACRE concluded that the laboratory studies presented in the article are preliminary and that more work needs to be done, particularly to study the effects under field conditions. Despite the questions remaining about the study, the results do suggest that Bt pollen from the genetically modified maize is harmful to Monarch butterfly larvae under the laboratory conditions tested, although this may not necessarily reflect what actually happens in the natural environment.

  This study alone does not justify any immediate action in the UK. There are currently no Bt crops being grown here and none will be for the next three years. The issues raised in the Nature article will be kept under review by ACRE and no GM crops will be given approval if there is reason to believe the pollen would harm the environment.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned or evaluated on the impact of gene escape from genetically modified crops on wild plants; and if he will make a statement. [92708]

  Mr. Meale
  DETR carries out extensive research on the environmental impact of genetically modified (GM) crops. Two important recent reports dealing with gene transfer from GM crops to wild relatives are "The Commercial use of Genetically Modified Crops in the United Kingdom: the Potential Wider Impact on Farmland Wildlife", and "Environmental Risks of Herbicide Tolerant Oilseed Rape". Copies of both reports are in the Library. Ongoing research commissioned by MAFF on pollen transfer will be published when the work is complete.

  Local Transport Plans
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to give statutory force to local transport plans. [91529]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We believe that there would be advantages in making local transport plans statutory and propose to legislate in due course.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what policy the UK Government are adopting with respect to the revision of EC Directive 90/220/EEC on the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment; and if he will make a statement. [88723]
  708
  Mr. Meacher
  The Government strongly support the revision of Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on which political agreement was reached at the recent EU Environment Council. Details of the political agreement are given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Clydesdale (Mr. Hood) on 6 July 1999,Official Report, columns 438–40.

  GM Farms (Health and Safety Inspections)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many HSE visits to GM farm scale trial sites were unannounced as a proportion of the total number of visits for each year since the trials started; and if he will make a statement. [87863]

  Mr. Meale
  No unannounced HSE visits have been undertaken. The first GM farm scale trials were planted in the spring of 1999 and are not yet at the stage when appropriate inspection could be undertaken.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what checks HSE inspectors undertake when they visit GM farm scale trial sites; and if he will make a statement. [87861]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1997 (as amended) HSE inspectors review each release site visited in the light of the specific requirements imposed in the relevant consent.

  Some of the important areas against which compliances are assessed include:
  Location of the site against the notified grid references;
  Isolation of the crop from other specified species and protected habitats;
  Size and format of the trial;
  Accuracy and currency of location specific information supplied at approval stage in support of the environmental risk assessment.

  All specific consent details are available on the Public Register, held by Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions at Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date(a) he and (b) the Minister for Transport last used a train in the course of their official duties. [92660]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Ministers travel by public transport on a regular basis on official visits and journeys to their offices.

  Ministers are required under the Ministerial Code to always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when is the next EC Council of Transport Ministers' meeting; and what will be on the agenda. [92506]
  709
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The next EC Transport Council will take place on 6 October in Luxembourg. The agenda will not be confirmed until shortly before the Council, but it is expected that the agenda will include the following topics:Strategy for integration of environmental considerations into transport policy (Report to Helsinki European Council)
  Galileo satellite navigation project
  Roadside inspection of roadworthiness of commercial vehicles
  Package of proposals on railways
  Harmonised rules for driving restrictions on heavy goods vehicles
  Registration and use of certain recertificated jet aircraft.

  M4 Bus Lane
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the M4 bus lane will move from pilot to full operational phase. [91483]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 15 July 1999]: The bus lane is fully operational. It is making journeys for all vehicles quicker. Buses and taxis are making savings of over three minutes (30 per cent.) during the morning and evening peak periods. In a period of severe congestion caused by an accident elsewhere buses using the bus lane were sixteen minutes quicker than other vehicles. On average cars are achieving savings of one minute (10 per cent.) during the morning peak period and two and a half minutes (25 per cent.) during the evening peak.

  Overall the bus lane and its associated speed limits have increased the maximum capacity of the M4 in this location by up to 10 per cent. at peak times. This benefits all vehicles.

  Wembley
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the shadow Wembley Task Force will be formally constituted; [91702]

  (2) what consultation the Wembley Task Force has had with (a) local community stakeholders, (b) Brent Council and (c) local community and business organisations. [91700]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No Task Force has been constituted for Wembley. As I said in response to my hon. Friend on 24 June 1999,Official Report, columns 443–45, the Wembley Park Regeneration Partnership has secured Single Regeneration Budget funding of £15,255,000 towards a seven year programme for the Business Park there. Other work aimed at ensuring maximum impact and benefits flow from the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium is currently underway although, being essentially a sporting-related venture, the Department of Culture Media and Sport is taking lead responsibility. Proposals covering the wider regeneration interests involving a range of bodies and interests, including Government Office London, English Partnerships as facilitator, Brent Council and local community and business interests are under development. The Government hope to be able to announce further details soon.

  Void Council Properties
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of council-owned properties in(a) Salisbury district, (b) North Dorset district, (c) New Forest district, (d) Kennet district and (e) Test Valley district were declared void in 1998. [91795]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As reported by them on their respective Housing Investment Programme (HIP) Operational Information returns, 2.7 per cent. of council-owned properties were vacant within Salisbury District Council area on 1 April 1998, 0.6 per cent. in New Forest and 0.5 per cent. in Test Valley. There is likely to be some variation in the proportion of dwellings that are vacant in a local authority from one date to another during the year.

  North Dorset and Kennet District Councils no longer own residential properties, having transferred their housing stock to the private sector in 1994 and 1995 respectively.

  Rents
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for the latest year available the (i) average market rent for a(a) one, (b) two and (c) three bed property in the private rented sector, (ii) local reference rent and (iii) single room rent in each London borough. [91779]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Statistics of average market rents for all private rented stock are not available for individual London boroughs.

  Average weekly local reference rents and single room rents in 1998 for housing benefit referrals of private rented stock in each London borough are as set out in the tables.

  Average weekly local reference rent (LRR), London boroughs 1998

  £/Week

  Rent Office Area

  1 bed

  2 bed

  3 bed

  Barking and Dagenham

  76.87

  109.37

  132.70

  Bamet

  102.48

  159.66

  218.76

  Bexley

  80.44

  104.83

  124.45

  Brent

  103.50

  150.95

  194.16

  Bromley

  109.84

  138.95

  179.53

  City

  87.69

  n/a

  n/a

  Camden

  153.39

  218.88

  325.00

  Croydon

  84.56

  110.60

  141.41

  Ealing

  96.70

  161.93

  188.62

  Enfield

  87.95

  123.92

  152.64

  Greenwich

  84.51

  112.68

  132.24

  Hackney

  93.17

  137.53

  197.53

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  132.68

  206.63

  291.86

  Haringey

  88.53

  144.10

  189.85

  Harrow

  86.87

  134.08

  166.02

  Havering

  77.54

  109.30

  130.10

  Hillingdon

  80.25

  125.57

  150.74

  Hounslow

  85.64

  134.23

  152.81

  Islington

  116.84

  217.04

  326.36

  Kensington and Chelsea

  171.01

  249.58

  297.22

  Lambeth

  101.65

  161.59

  225.79

  Lewisham

  84.21

  115.32

  155.79

  Merton

  90.82

  156.57

  190.27

  Newham

  80.94

  117.00

  143.23

  Redbridge

  87.55

  120.05

  142.11

  Richmond upon Thames1

  116.26

  166.49

  202.93

  Southwark

  91.76

  142.99

  197.64

  Sutton

  94.51

  126.34

  159.25

  711

  Average weekly local reference rent (LRR), London boroughs 1998

  £/week

  Rent Office Area

  1 bed

  2 bed

  3 bed

  Tower Hamlets

  95.93

  155.06

  222.45

  Waltham Forest

  83.12

  112.56

  139.53

  Wandsworth

  105.18

  180.24

  236.62

  Westminster

  185.10

  258.69

  327.94

  Average weekly single room rent (SRR), London boroughs 1998

  £/week

  Rent Office Area

  1 bed

  2 bed

  3 bed

  Barking and Dagenham

  47.27

  47.50

  2—

  Barnet

  50.00

  49.82

  50.00

  Bexley

  46.65

  45.00

  2—

  Brent

  50.35

  48.34

  45.25

  Bromley

  56.33

  56.37

  2—

  City

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Camden

  69.21

  65.86

  85.00

  Croydon

  49.32

  49.56

  49.72

  Ealing

  53.63

  55.17

  53.02

  Enfield

  45.47

  45.60

  45.45

  Greenwich

  49.72

  50.05

  49.85

  Hackney

  52.58

  52.04

  51.32

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  64.82

  66.14

  64.74

  Haringey

  51.18

  52.97

  52.12

  Harrow

  47.24

  47.50

  47.50

  Havering

  47.50

  47.58

  2—

  Hillingdon

  47.84

  48.30

  2—

  Hounslow

  46.04

  47.83

  46.67

  Islington

  63.68

  62.53

  62.50

  Kensington and Chelsea

  77.23

  75.08

  2—

  Lambeth

  64.58

  64.40

  63.46

  Lewisham

  51.58

  51.76

  51.15

  Merton

  54.86

  56.18

  56.68

  Newham

  45.11

  45.11

  45.19

  Redbridge

  45.00

  45.00

  45.00

  Richmond upon Thames1

  61.91

  62.49

  2—

  Southwark

  55.86

  57.66

  55.00

  Sutton

  50.65

  54.61

  2—

  Tower Hamlets

  54.36

  54.47

  55.38

  Waltham Forest

  46.07

  46.22

  46.33

  Wandsworth

  61.42

  61.25

  60.24

  Westminster

  84.65

  84.14

  2—

  1 Includes Kingston upon Thames

  2 Insufficient data

  Notes:

  1. 1 bed is assumed to be equivalent to 2 habitable rooms; 2 beds, 3 or 4 habitable rooms; 3 beds, 5 habitable rooms

  2. Figures exclude cases where Rent Officers set a rent for over-large accommodation.

  Source:

  Rent Officer housing benefit determinations

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tenants exercised the right-to-buy their property in(a) Enfield, (b) Greater London and (c) Great Britain in each of the last five years; and in each case what was the cost to public funds of the discounts. [92018]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The table presents the latest information on the number of sales of council dwellings reported by local authorities in England. Not all authorities have provided full returns so the figures for Greater London and England are estimates to take account of missing returns.
  712

  Sales of council dwellings

  Enfield

  Greater London

  England

  1994–95

  176

  6,363

  43,336

  1995–96

  110

  4,641

  31,512

  1996–97

  118

  5,220

  33,206

  1997–98

  172

  7,123

  41,329

  1998–99

  163

  n/a

  n/a

  A typical right-to-buy sale results in a net loss of around £10,000 in "net present value" terms. This includes the loss of rent and the need to eventually replace rented housing sold under the scheme. The net loss is largely due to the discount to which a tenant is entitled. Our consultation paper "Secure tenants' right to buy" published on 28 July 1998 (in particular paragraphs 8–10) set this out in detail, together with our proposals to reduce the cost by changing the discount rules. These proposals were implemented on 11 February. A copy of the paper is in the Library of the House.

  Public Transport
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amount of Government capital investment in public transport in(a) the West Midlands and (b) London in each year since 1992; and what forecast he has made of investment levels for each year of the planning period. [92133]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Departmental Investment Strategy, published in April 1999, set out the major elements of public sector investment anticipated as a result of the resources allocated to the Department following the comprehensive spending review. The following table illustrates expected capital investment generated through and related to DETR programmes and policies for railways and local transport in all areas, and London Transport. Investment prior to 1998–99 is given as an average figure.

  £ million cash

  Railways1

  Local transport2

  Local transport3

  Average 1993–94 to 1997–98

  n/a

  894

  1,041

  1998–99

  1,900

  623

  794

  1999–2000

  2,894

  641

  844

  2000–01

  2,612

  724

  775

  2001–02

  2,555

  1,016

  243

  1 Includes PPP/PFI generated investment.

  2 Total figures for England: not allocated to particular regions.

  3 Includes PFI investment. Does not include investment by the private sector in London Underground as part of the PPP.

  Transport Plan Appraisals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if major schemes in local transport plans will require appraisal of alternatives using the New Approach to Appraisal. [92213]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our guidance on provisional local transport plans requires the appraisal of the whole provisional plan using a simplified Appraisal Summary Table (AST). The simplified AST is derived from the
  713
  New Approach to Appraisal. Where the provisional local transport plan includes a major road or public transport scheme simplified ASTs are also required for an alternative strategy without the major scheme. This process identifies the contribution of the major scheme to the overall plan.

  Simplified ASTs will also be required to show the impact on the plan of any additional alternative strategies that are tested.

  In addition to the appraisal of the impact on the provisional plan, the major transport scheme itself will also be subject to scrutiny. For provisional plans, major road schemes will be assessed using the existing New Approach to Appraisal. Major public transport schemes will be appraised using current Section 56 requirements. We intend to have a multi-modal version of the New Approach to Appraisal in place in time for the assessment of full local transport plans next year.

  A1
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the capacity of the Al Newcastle Western bypass from the Gateshead Metrocentre Interchange to the Ponteland Road Interchange. [92226]

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

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 23 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Lawrie Haynes, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. You asked "What plans he has to increase the capacity of the A1 Newcastle Western Bypass from the Gateshead Metrocentre Interchange to the Ponteland Road Interchange." I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office.
  In advance of any recommendations from the Tyneside Area Study announced in 'A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England', the Highways Agency is looking at a variety of measures aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion on Gateshead and Newcastle Western Bypasses. These could include, variable message signs to warn drivers of problems ahead, closed circuit television cameras to monitor conditions, variable speed limits to improve the flow of traffic at busy times and rapid response breakdown vehicles to prevent, as far as possible, congestion from building up following an incident. We are pursuing the banning of certain slow moving vehicles at peak times.
  We will be developing a rolling programme of worthwhile measures to be carried out in the next few years.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to dispose of land held for the widening of the A1 between Scotch Corner and the junction with the A1/M1 Link; when such land disposal was approved; and if he will state the total area of land involved. [92227]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highways Agency currently owns 10 pieces of land or property bought in connection with the proposed widening of the A1 between Scotch Corner and the junction with the A1/M1 Link.

  It is currently seeking to sell five of these plots, bought for the A1(M) Dishforth to Leeming and the A1(M) Bramham to Wetherby schemes. These schemes were
  714
  withdrawn from the trunk road programme in 1996; and the decision to sell was taken shortly after that, when route protection was withdrawn.

  The Highways Agency is also selling one plot that was bought in connection with the A1(M) Walshford to Dishforth improvement but was not required for the scheme. The decision to sell was taken in 1997 following completion of the road works in that area.

  The other four plots, bought in connection with the A1(M) Leeming to Scotch Corner scheme, are being retained because they are directly affected by the extant Orders for that scheme.

  The total area of land involved is about 52 acres, of which around 49 acres are being sold.

  Northern Development Area
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Highways Agency has agreed to support the plans for the Northern Development Area at the Inquiry called by the Secretary of State; and if he will estimate the Agency's costs of taking part in the Inquiry. [92229]

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

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 23 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Lawrie Haynes, to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question. You asked "For what reasons the Highway Agency has agreed to support the plans for the Northern Development Area at the Inquiry called by the Secretary of State; and if he will estimate the Agency's costs of taking part in the Inquiry." I am replying in Lawrie's absence from the office.
  I must make it clear that the Highways Agency will not be appearing at the Public Inquiry in order to advance a case in support of the grant of permission for the Northern Development Area. We have been called to appear before the Public Inquiry to address just one issue—the implications of the traffic generation from the proposed development, with particular reference to the effects of the A1 trunk road and the local highway network.
  The Highways Agency's position is that the Northern Development Area will have a significant impact on the operation of the trunk road. However, prior to the Public Inquiry being arranged, the Highways Agency discussed with the developer what improvements to the trunk road would be needed to mitigate the effects of the development. Provided those agreed works are carried out, the Highways Agency has no reason to argue for the withholding of planning permission for the development.
  On the subject of costs, the Agency has so far spent £26,750 on legal and consultants' fees. We anticipate spending a further £25,000 on such fees by the time the Inquiry is complete.
  I hope this information is sufficient for your purposes.

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will respond to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee Sixth report of Session 1998–99 on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (HC. 31). [92205]

  Mr. Prescott
  We will respond once consultation within Government has finished.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list English Partnerships property portfolio in Cumbria; [91461]

  (2) if the ownership of the freehold of the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships will be vested in the North West Regional Development Agency. [91456]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 21 July 1999]: Details of the properties transferred from English Partnerships to the North West Regional Development Agency are contained in a transfer scheme made under section 36 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. A copy of the relevant pars of the scheme has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (1) pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1999,Official Report, column 449, what estimate has been made of the additional costs of relocating English Partnerships offices from Cockermouth to Penrith in (a) this and (b) the next financial year; [91466]

  (2) if he will publish (a) the information concerning the transfer of staff from the Cockermouth offices of English Partnerships offices to Penrith which was taken into account when the value for money aspects of the move were considered by the North West Regional Development Agency and (b) the report into the value for money aspects of the move which was considered by the Agency prior to the decision being taken; [91467]

  (3) if the report into the value for money aspects of the move from Cockermouth to Penrith by English Partnerships was made available to the two members of the Regional Development Agency from Cumbria prior to the decision being (a) taken and (b) announced. [91468]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 21 July 1999]: Decisions concerning location are a matter for the North West Regional Development Agency. I understand that it was the objective of the Board of the Agency to find a location for its Cumbria office which was accessible both within Cumbria and from the rest of the North West region. The Board took the view that Penrith meets these criteria, whereas Cockermouth does not, and other locations do so less well.

  I understand that the Board took into account the implications for staff travel costs set out in my answer to my hon. Friend on 6 July 1999, Official Report, column 449.

  I understand that the Board Members from Cumbria were present during the discussion of the location of the Cumbria office and concurred both with the criteria to be applied and the choice of Penrith.

  I understand that the additional cost of relocating from English Partnerships offices in Cockermouth to Penrith cannot be determined until negotiations are complete, but that in the Board's view the additional cost will be offset by increased public accessibility and operational efficiency.

  Trains and Monorail Systems (London)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the use of(a) trains and (b) monorail systems in London. [92475]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We receive extensive correspondence on the use of trains in London, as elsewhere, but we receive representations on monorail systems only occasionally.

  Emission Tests (London Boroughs)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many London borough councils run emission tests of motor vehicles travelling within their borough. [92242]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Seven councils around Great Britain are currently helping us to determine how local authorities might be able to help in the enforcement of vehicle exhaust emissions standards at the roadside. Westminster City Council is the only authority in London formally involved in this work, although some others are checking vehicle emissions for motorists on a voluntary basis in car parks and similar locations.

  Secure Stations Scheme
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of his Safer Stations Policy in London. [92402]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department's Secure Stations Scheme was launched in April 1998. The Scheme encourages rail operators to improve security for both passengers and staff at all overground and underground stations policed by the British Transport Police.

  There are currently eight stations in London which have been accredited under the Scheme. We are continuing to work with station operators to make further progress with the Scheme.

  Railway Agencies
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new railway agencies were introduced in London during(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [92401]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Numerous new companies arose from railway privatisation, but with the possible exception of the Docklands Light Railway resulting from changes in company status, no new railway agencies were introduced in London over the period in question. The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) and the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF) were established following enactment of the Railways Act 1993. On 1 April 1999, we launched the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA), which is essentially the British Railways Board (BRB) and OPRAF working together. OPRAF and the BRB continue to exist as separate statutory entities with their own functions and responsibilities. The remits of ORR and the SSRA include London. The legislation required to establish the Strategic Rail Authority proper was introduced into the House of
  717
  Commons earlier this month and received its Second Reading on 19 July 1999, Official Report, columns 789–894.

  The Docklands Light Railway Ltd. was created in 1986 as a company limited by guarantee to manage light rail services in east London. On 6 April 1997, operation and maintenance of the whole of DLR services was franchised for seven years to Docklands Railway Management Ltd., and the DLR assumed a new role as a holding company, ownership of which was transferred from London Docklands Development Corporation to the Secretary of State on 31 March 1998.

  Bus Travel (London)
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of people who travelled by bus in London in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [92427]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The estimated numbers of annual passenger journeys on London Transport bus services from 1995–96 onwards are as follows:

  Year

  Million

  1995–96

  1,198

  1996–97

  1,234

  1997–98

  1,277

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of passenger miles undertaken by London Transport bus services in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [92426]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The estimated numbers of annual passenger miles on London Transport bus services from 1995–96 onwards are as follows:

  Year

  Million

  1995–96

  2,497

  1996–97

  2,584

  1997–98

  2,703

  1998–99

  2,681

  Millennium Pier
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Millennium Pier at the Dome site will be ready for river boat services. [92403]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  River services are planned to commence operation to and from the Millennium Pier when the Dome opens on 1 January 2000.

  Councillors (London)
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many councillors were elected in 1998 for each London borough, broken down by gender and ethnicity. [92397]
  718
  Mr. Meale
  The Local Government Management Board's 1997 census of councillors indicated that 230 out of 2,018 London Borough councillors who responded to this question were non-white. We do not have a breakdown for each London Borough for these figures.

  The following table gives a breakdown of the gender ratios for the London Boroughs obtained by the Women's Unit last year:

  Name of London borough

  Number of women councillors

  Percentage

  Barking and Dagenham

  17

  33

  Barnet

  25

  42

  Bexleyheath

  20

  32

  Brent

  15

  23

  Bromley

  16

  27

  Camden

  22

  37

  City of London

  20

  15

  Croydon

  19

  27

  Ealing

  19

  27

  Enfield

  13

  20

  Greenwich

  14

  23

  Hackney

  18

  30

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  14

  28

  Haringey

  23

  39

  Harrow

  20

  32

  Havering

  17

  27

  Hillingdon

  17

  25

  Hounslow

  15

  25

  Islington

  26

  50

  Kensington and Chelsea

  13

  24

  Kingston

  13

  31

  Lambeth

  18

  28

  Lewisham

  21

  31

  Merton

  17

  30

  Newham

  13

  22

  Redbridge

  12

  19

  Richmond

  20

  38

  Southwark

  20

  31

  Sutton

  21

  38

  Tower Hamlets

  12

  24

  Waltham Forest

  13

  22

  Wandsworth

  16

  26

  Westminster

  19

  32

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency will not accept digitally produced photographs; and whether the unacceptability of such photographs will be made clear on DVLA application forms for photographic driving licences. [92406]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Digitally produced photographs are acceptable, provided they conform to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's requirements for photographs as prescribed on the appropriate application form.

  Home Insulation
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many solid-walled properties have received publicly-funded assistance towards external wall insulation in each of the last five years. [92535]
  719
  Mr. Meale
  Local authorities' programmes for maintaining and improving their social housing stock include external wall insulation. Local authorities also have powers to grant aid thermal insulation works under the house renovation grant system. Detailed figures are not available.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many cavity-walled houses have received(a) Government and (b) local government assistance to have their walls insulated with cavity-wall insulation in each of the last five years. [92534]

  Mr. Meale
  The number of cavity-walled houses which have received Government assistance to have their walls insulated with cavity wall insulation since schemes began in 1996 are as follows:

  Number of installations

  1996–1997

  41,940

  1997–1998

  87,712

  1998–991

  120,595

  1 The figure for 1998–1999 is not yet finalised.

  Work by local authorities using Energy Saving Trust funds is included in the figures. Local authorities programmes for maintaining and improving their social housing stock include cavity wall insulation. Local authorities also have powers to grant aid thermal insulation works under the house renovation grant system. Detailed figures are not available.

  Cycling (Leicestershire)
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress in the construction of cycle routes in(a) North West Leicestershire, (b) Leicestershire and (c) the United Kingdom; and what measures he is taking to encourage cycling. [91821]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The responsibility for providing cycling facilities rests with individual local highway authorities. Statistics on cycle routes are not available centrally.

  We expect all local authorities to develop local cycling strategies as part of their local transport plans. Good progress is being made in implementing the National Cycling Strategy, although it will take time for better provision for cyclists to feed through fully.

  In addition, the first 3,500 miles of the National Cycle Network, being co-ordinated by the cycle charity, Sustrans, will be completed by mid-summer 2000.

  Homelessness (Leicestershire)
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of homeless people in(a) North West Leicestershire, (b) Leicestershire with Leicester and (c) the East Midlands; and if he will make a statement on his strategy to combat homelessness. [92187]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Local authorities in England report in their quarterly P1(E) returns the number of households accepted as
  720
  unintentionally homeless and in priority need under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1986 Housing Acts.

  The latest available estimates are for the quarter ending March 1999, as follows1

  Number

  Number per thousand households

  North West Leicestershire1

  59

  1.7

  Other Leicestershire districts, including Leicester and Rutland unitary authorities2

  331

  1.0

  East Midlands region2

  2,030

  1.2

  1 Figure as reported

  2 Figures include estimates for non-responding authorities

  My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Local Government and Housing, in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Ms Moran) on 19 May 1999, Official Report, columns 355–61, stated that at June 1998 there were 1,850 people sleeping rough in England on any single night. The answer included details from all local authority districts which had counted the number of rough sleepers in their district or estimated more than 10 people sleeping rough on any one night.

  The central aim of our housing policy is to offer everyone the opportunity of a decent home and so promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence. The Government are committed to reducing all aspects of homelessness. Then making an additional £5 billion of resources available for investment in housing in England over the lifetime of this Parliament. The Government have a manifesto pledge to increase the protection for unintentionally homeless people in priority need. We are considering what further steps should be taken to achieve this.

  The Government have also set a tough new target to reduce the numbers of rough sleepers by two thirds by 2002. The Rough Sleepers Unit headed by Louise Casey has an integrated budget of £145 million to tackle and prevent rough sleeping and a £34 million Homelessness Action Programme has also been established to tackle rough sleeping outside London.

  National estimates for acceptances in each quarter, which include estimates for non-responding local authorities, appear in a quarterly Information Bulletin which is available in the Library. The latest figures, for the first quarter of 1999, were released on 16 June 1999. An associated Supplementary Table, showing the figures as reported by individual local authorities, is released with the Information Bulletin.

  1 Source of data—information on English local authorities' activities under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1996 is collected on Part E of the quarterly P1(E) returns from local authorities. The information is collected on homeless households rather than homeless people and relates to households which were eligible, unintentionally homeless, and in priority need.

  Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have received jail sentences under the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974. [92698]
  721
  Mr. Meale
  Four people have been sent to jail for health and safety at work offences, all since January 1996. The jail sentences related to unlicensed asbestos removal or failure to comply with prohibition notices. I welcome the message the courts have sent in these cases to anyone else who is tempted to flout health and safety law and put employees and members of the public at risk.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Correspondence
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average time for a substantive reply to be sent to hon. Members' correspondence; what proportion takes more than(a) four weeks, (b) six weeks and (c) eight weeks; and what is his estimate of the number of letters received in a year from hon. Members. [92446]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Gillian Merron) on 11 June 1999, Official Report, columns 403–06, which sets out performance against departmental targets for answering correspondence from right hon. and hon. Members, in the 1998 calender year. More detailed information about the percentage of correspondence replied to within the time scales specified could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Intervention Board will publish the 1998–99 Annual report and Accounts. [93494]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I am pleased to announce that the Intervention Board's 1998–99 Annual Report and Accounts were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  I should like to congratulate all staff on their achievements during the year.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 19 and 20 July; and if he will make a statement. [93044]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the European Union Agriculture Council in Brussels on 19 July.

  The Council received a report from Commissioner Fischler on the Commission's plans to reform Community feedingstuffs legislation following the dioxin contamination in Belgium. I welcomed this report and indicated my preparedness to support measures that were effective, proportionate and enforceable in dealing with potential health problems.

  A Decision to update the rules on the processing of animal waste to protect against transmissible spongiform encephalopathies was agreed by qualified majority. An extension of certain deadlines under the Zoonoses Directive was agreed by qualified majority.
  722
  The Council held a preliminary discussion on a proposal to promote and provide information on EU agricultural products in third countries. The Council agreed to decide on the proposal once further technical work had been completed.

WALES

  National Assembly for Wales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish, before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft concordat between his Department and the National Assembly for Wales. [92328]

  Mr. Michael
  Work on the concordat is proceeding well. I hope to be in a position to put a draft concordat to the Assembly Cabinet shortly. I do not intend to publish the concordat in advance of that. The Assembly will have full opportunity to consider the concordat in due course.

  Police (Gas Sprays)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his responsibilities are in relation to Government policy on the use by police of(a) MIBK and (b) CS gas spray. [92639]

  Mr. Michael
  None. These are matters for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92665]

  Mr. Michael
  In undertaking my official duties, it has been my practice to use both road and rail travel, whichever is the most expedient and efficient. I last travelled by train on 16 March 1999 from Port Talbot to London.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many kilometres have been travelled on his Department's business in each of the last three years broken down by(a) foot, (b) bike, (c) bus, (d) train, (e) tram, (f) light-rail, (g) plane, (h) motorbike, (i) car, (j) taxi, (k) river-taxi and (l) other modes of transport; what plans and targets his Department has to reduce the kilometres travelled by private transport by his Department's employees; and if he will make a statement. [91021]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The information on business travel is not collected in the form requested and therefore cannot be provided. As published in the Integrated Transport White Paper in July 1998, the Government have set a target that all Government Department headquarters buildings and main buildings occupied by Executive Agencies and Government Offices for the Regions should have green transport plans by March 1999 and all other key buildings by March 2000.
  723
  It has been agreed with the Government Office for London that an office of our size is not required to produce a specific plan.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the number, grade and previous experience of his staff in(a) London and (b) Edinburgh; [91321]

  (2) how many staff he plans to employ during the next 12 months in (a) his London Office and (b) Scotland; and what will be the grade of those staff. [91400]

  Dr. Reid
  The staffing of my office is currently the subject of review following the establishment of the Scottish Executive and I will make a statement on any proposed changes when necessary.

  At present the number and grades of staff in post in (a) London and (b) Scotland are as follows:

  (a) London

  (b) Scotland

  Senior Civil Service

  3

  —

  Special Advisers

  1

  1

  C2

  1

  —

  C1

  1

  1

  B3

  2

  —

  B2

  1(1)

  (1)

  B1

  2(1)

  —

  A3

  12(1)

  1(2)

  A1

  4

  —

  Total

  27(3)

  3(3)

  The figures are actual staff in post to which need to be added the figures in brackets which are vacancies.

  The staff concerned have previously worked in either The Scottish Office or the Lord Advocate's Department and have been assigned to my office on loan from the Scottish Executive.

  Ministerial Residence
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has an official residence in Scotland. [91649]

  Dr. Reid
  No.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92663]

  Dr. Reid
  On Monday 21 July.

HEALTH

  Ashworth Hospital
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his response to the Committee of Inquiry into the Personality Disorder Unit, Ashworth Special Hospital. [92647]
  724
  Mr. Dobson
  I am today publishing my response to the Inquiry Report. Copies have been placed in the Library. We have accepted the broad substance of the Inquiry Report and are taking appropriate action to ensure that their concerns are properly addressed.

  Single Currency
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much expenditure his Department(a) has incurred to date and (b) has forecast that it will incur in the future, on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement. [91554]

  Mr. Hutton
  Following the publication of the Government's Outline National Changeover Plan, the Department is considering what preparations may be necessary.

  Category D Drugs
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what category D drugs are currently not readily available in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the consequent impact on the percentage of generic drugs in the total prescribing mix. [92135]

  Mr. Denham
  For every drug which has been placed in category D of part VIII of the Drug Tariff it has been established that, at a particular point in time, community pharmacies in England and Wales may not be able to buy stock at the Drug Tariff price. However, we have no evidence at present of supplies being unavailable from any source, or of patients being unable to obtain the medicines that they need.

  The pattern of drugs dispensed should not affect the proportion of prescriptions written generically.

  Cancer Care
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total spent by each NHS Regional Executive on funding cancer care advisers in the two most recent years; and if he will make a statement. [91981]

  Mr. Hutton
  Each of the National Health Service Executive regional offices has an appointed cancer coordinator to provide a focus for maintaining cancer policy implementation. In addition, regional offices have their own arrangements for supporting this work, drawing on relevant experience both within the regional office and from the NHS more widely, including buying in expertise as and when necessary. This means that the total expenditure on cancer co-ordination and its support cannot readily be identified separately on a consistent basis across regional offices.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when NHS Direct will be made available to people living in Hendon. [92363]

  Mr. Denham
  NHS Direct is currently available to 2.7 million people in London and will be extended to cover a further 1.9 million people in London by
  725
  December of this year. NHS Direct will cover the whole of the capital, including residents in Hendon, by the end of the year 2000.

  "Waiting to Hear"
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has made to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People's paper "Waiting to Hear". [92334]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The National Health Service Executive established a working group to take a closer look at hearing aid services and the part they play in a modern NHS. Innovative ways of developing services in this area are currently being considered.

  National Health Service Act 1977
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many public inquiries have been established under section 84 of the National Health Service Act 1977 in each of the last 10 years. [92110]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Since 1989, two public inquiries have been established under Section 84 of the National Health Service Act 1977.

  They are the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry, established October 1998, and the Inquiry into The Personality Disorder Unit, Ashworth Special Hospital, established February 1997.

  Disability Equipment
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current budget is for research and development work on equipment for disabled people, under section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. [92304]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Department has no specific budget for this work, which is currently funded under the National Health Service research and development strategy and programmes including MedLINK and the Teaching Company Scheme. Details of these funding sources are listed in the annual report laid under section 22 of the Act.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals his Department has to promote research and development into disability equipment. [92303]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Department promotes research and development work on equipment for disabled people through the annual report laid under section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Copies are sent to research groups, charities, funding bodies, journal publishers, trade associations and other organisations. A range of programmes and schemes fund work in this field. Calls for proposals are announced on the Department's website and in relevant newsletters and journals.

  Wheelchair Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the York Economic Consortium Review of the wheelchair voucher scheme will be published. [92307]
  726
  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The York Health Economics Consortium has concluded its evaluation of the powered wheelchair and voucher scheme initiatives. The Consortium's report has now been received by the Department. It will be made available after it has been considered by Ministers.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the use of genetically engineered pigs as sources of organs for transplant into humans. [92666]

  Mr. Hutton
  The use of genetically modified animals, as with all aspects of xenotransplantation, needs to be monitored closely. The United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) acts as the focal point for consideration of all xenotransplantation issues as well as advising the Government on the acceptability of specific applications to undertake xenotransplantation procedures.

  The transplantation of animal tissue into humans, offers a potential solution to the current shortage of human organs and tissue for transplantation. It also offers the possibility of new treatments for conditions such as Parkinson's disease. Clearly, there are many difficulties yet to be overcome with this new technology, not least the problem of rejection of tissue transplanted between different species. The genetic modification of animals, most notably pigs, may provide a solution to this problem.

  The view of the UKXIRA and of the Government is that, while recognising that the problems in this field are not to be underestimated, the potential of xenotransplantation should continue to be explored.

  Community Hospitals (Oxfordshire)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to make an announcement on(a) the future arrangements for community hospitals in Oxfordshire and (b) the future of Bicester Community hospital. [92646]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State fully recognises the concerns of the local community on this issue.

  He has instructed officials at the National Health Service Executive South East Regional Office to explore further the feasibility of variations put forward by Oxfordshire Health Authority and Oxfordshire Community Health NHS Trust.

  The matter has now been referred to my right hon. Friend who will be carefully considering all options before reaching a final decision on the future arrangements for community hospitals in Oxfordshire and the future of Bicester Community Hospital.

  Health Checks
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it his policy to encourage general practitioners to offer regular medical checks of their patients who are over the age of 75 years; and if he will make a statement. [92908]

  Mr. Hutton
  Under their terms of service, general practitioners are required to invite all patients who have reached the age of 75 for an annual health check in the
  727
  patient's home, or in the surgery if the patient prefers. General practitioners make arrangements with health authorities to provide services and regional offices of the National Health Service Executive hold health authorities to account for the services provided in their area.

  Dialysis
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reciprocal arrangements are in place for dialysis between the NHS and the island of Jersey. [92670]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no reciprocal arrangements for dialysis as part of regular, planned treatment though emergency care is available for conditions arising unexpectedly during a temporary visit.

  Donor Cards
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budgeted expenditure has been for the promotion of the donor card scheme over the last three years. [92673]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is:

  £

  1996–97

  1,225,231

  1997–98

  457,960

  1998–99

  1,527,692

  Referral
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the specific circumstances are where a general practitioner must obtain prior approval for an out-of-area treatment referral; [92671]

  (2) what the specific circumstances are where a general practitioner must obtain prior approval for referral (a) to a specialised service, (b) to a specialist mental health service for deaf people and (c) for a cochlear implant. [92672]

  Mr. Denham
  The out of area treatment arrangements are used where pre-arranged service agreements are impractical, primarily for emergency situations. As made clear in Health Service Circular 1999–117 "The New NHS: Guidance on Out of Area Treatment", there is no formal prior approval mechanism for referrals under the out of area treatment arrangements.

  In some cases, there may be local accountability arrangements in place setting out clinical protocols for making referrals for highly specialised services.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Falkland Islands
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Lan Chile flights to the Falklands to re-commence. [92504]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I understand that Lan Chile are in touch with the Falkland Islands Development Corporation with a view to resuming flights to the Falklands during August if not sooner.
  728
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation he has made of the effect on the economy of the Falkland Islands of the Chilean legislation passed on 9 July banning all flights to the Falklands before January 2000. [92503]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government of Chile have informed our Embassy at Santiago of their decision, in response to the joint statement issued by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Foreign Minister of the Argentine Republic on 14 July, to reverse their decree banning flights to the Falklands. We have made no formal assessment of the economic impact of the 9 July extension of the decree banning flights. The resumption of flights will bring social and economic benefits to the Falkland Islands and to southern Chile.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the documentation provided by the Chilean Government concerning the restoration of flights to the Falkland Islands contingent upon allowing Argentinian citizens to visit the islands. [92505]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Chilean Government have not provided us with any documentation concerning the restoration of flights to the Falkland Islands.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) Kosovar Serbs and (b) members of other ethnic groups have left Kosovo since the KFOR Occupation. [92721]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  UNHCR estimate that about 170,000 Kosovar Serbs have left Kosovo. An unspecified number of Roma gypsies have also left Kosovo. There is no further breakdown of figures available. KFOR are committed to the protection of everyone in Kosovo whatever their ethnicity.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's Operation Horseshoe in Kosovo. [91762]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In summer 1998, Belgrade's security forces drove at least 250,000 Kosovar Albanians from their homes and destroyed villages and crops. During the winter of 1998–99, we had information that the Serbs planned to destroy all those who they regarded as the KLA. The Racak massacre of 15 January (over 40 killed) was a reminder of Serb brutality.

  Before NATO started bombing on 24 March, the Serbs had already destroyed villages and expelled the inhabitants. There were strong grounds for expecting that Milosevic was embarking on a renewed campaign of civilian casualties, with the destruction of villages and displacement of inhabitants on a scale at least as great as in 1998.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the criteria used by his Department for issuing public interest immunity certificates; and what plans he has to amend these criteria. [92731]
  729
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Government policy on the use of public interest immunity certificates was set out in a statement by my right hon. and Learned Friend the Attorney-General on 11 July 1997,Official Report, columns 616–17. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 28 June 1999, Official Report, columns 18–19. All certificates signed by FCO Ministers since 1 May 1997 have been issued in full accordance with the policy set out in those statements. I have no plans to seek amendment to it.

  Entry Refusals
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to place in the Library the report for 1998 by Dame Elizabeth Anson, relating to refusal of entry clearance where there is no right of appeal. [93260]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have arranged for copies of Dame Elizabeth's 1998 Report to be placed in the Library. I welcome the Report and note Dame Elizabeth's recommendations, which will receive careful consideration.

  Irian Jaya
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set up an inquiry into events at Irian Jaya in May 1996 during the rescue of four British citizens; what British forces were involved in the rescue; and what transport bearing what markings was used. [92301]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: We have no plans to hold an inquiry. British hostages were successfully freed but sadly during the rescue two Indonesian hostages and some Indonesian troops were killed. We do not comment on the operational aspects of kidnap cases.

  Gough Island
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the correspondence between Her Majesty's Government and UNESCO World Heritage Centre about the adequacy of the monitoring of fishing grounds around the Gough Island Wildlife Reserve. [87490]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 29 June 1999]: In order to ensure that all relevant papers on this subject were located it was necessary to consult The Administrator of Tristan Da Cunha, the British Embassy and UK Delegation to UNESCO in Paris, the Department for International Development and various FCO Departments. I am now confident that we have located all relevant correspondence and will be placing copies in the Libraries of the House.

  Data Series
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since June 1997. [90830]
  730
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by the FCO since June 1997, although a number of existing data series are routinely analysed in this way.

  Recruitment, resignation and appraisal figures are routinely analysed by race, gender and disability. The number of staff in each grade is also broken down annually by gender, race and disability. A number of other data series separated by gender, race, disability and age continue to be analysed on an ad hoc basis.

  EU Council Meetings
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to publicise in advance the agendas of all meetings of the European Council and Councils of Ministers and their working groups; and what plans the current Presidency of the Union has on this issue. [90972]

  Ms Quin
  There are no formal agendas for European Councils. But it is normal for the Foreign Secretary to give oral evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on the topics most likely to be discussed. Regular European Councils are also preceded by a debate on the floor of the House.

  As regards Council of Ministers meetings, we regularly inform Parliament about details of EU business. The European Scrutiny Committee is also informed of relevant agenda items before each Council of Ministers meeting, and a copy of the information routinely placed in the Library of the House.

  We understand that the Finnish Presidency intends to post the agendas of both Council of Ministers and Coreper meetings on the Internet and that Council working group agendas will be available on request from the Finnish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.

  Appointments (Quangos)
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many appointments to quangos he made between(a) 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 and (b) 1 June 1998 and 31 May 1999; and in each case of those how many were members of Britain's (i) Asian and (ii) ethnic minority communities. [92127]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and his Ministers made(a) 21 appointments between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 and (b) 40 between 1 June 1998 and 31 May 1999.

  In (a) one appointee was a member of Britain's Asian community.

  In (b) six appointees were members of ethnic minority groups, not all were Asian.
  731
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to increasing the percentage of women, and members of minority ethnic groups appointed to FCO sponsored NDPBs. The FCO departmental action plan for NDPB's sets objectives and targets for improving representation in these groups. Full details can be found in "Opening up Public Appointments" pages 18 and 19. This was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 25 May 1999.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Stephen Lawrence Inquiry
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the costs of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, including the costs arising from the publication by the Inquiry of the names of the witnesses in Appendix 11 of the Inquiry's report; and if he will make a statement. [93265]

  Mr. Straw
  The final costs of the Inquiry have yet to be determined as there are outstanding bills for settlement in terms of legal fees. However, the costs incurred to date are:

  £

  Pay and allowances, inquiry team, advisors and civil servants

  667,000

  Accommodation and associated costs

  710,000

  Legal representation and treasury solicitors costs

  2,045,000

  Miscellaneous running costs

  777,000

  Total

  4,199,000

  This provides a total cost to date of £4.199 million. I have accepted the recommendation of Sir William Macpherson, chairman of the Inquiry, that the Metropolitan Police Service should, in accordance with section 49(5) of the Police Act 1996, meet the full costs of setting up and establishing the Inquiry, together with all costs which directly accrued from Part 1 of the Inquiry relating to the police investigation of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. These costs amount to £3.170 million to date of the total costs and these have been met by the Metropolitan Police.

  I have also accepted Sir William's recommendation that the costs of Part 2 of the Inquiry, on the future handling of racially motivated crime, should be met by the Home Office as the findings were of more general application.

  I have always made clear that we would take steps to remedy the serious problems caused to a number of people by the Inquiry's error in publishing Appendix 11 of the Inquiry's report in full. Arrangements have, therefore, been made to reimburse the costs arising from the need of 18 families and individuals to be moved by Greenwich Council or to sell their houses. The final amount spent for this purpose, including staff costs incurred by the Council, is not yet known but is likely to be about £650,000.

  Mr. Louis Farrakhan
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a decision on whether the exclusion from the United Kingdom of Mr. Louis Farrakhan is to be maintained. [93266]

  Mr. Straw
  Last year, I informed Mr. Farrakhan that I was minded to maintain his exclusion from the United Kingdom on the grounds that his presence here would not be conducive to the public good for reasons of race relations and the maintenance of public order. Mr. Farrakhan was offered the opportunity to make further representations before I made my final decision.

  I have carefully reviewed the case for his continued exclusion in the light of Mr. Farrakhan's representations and other relevant material. I have concluded that it remains the case that the exclusion of Mr. Farrakhan from the United Kingdom is conducive to the public good. Mr. Farrakhan's representatives have been informed of my decision today.

  Passport Agency
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the United Kingdom Passport Agency Business Plan 1998–99 and annual report will be published. [93264]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Proof copies of the Passport Agency's Annual Report were today placed in the Library. The report will be printed and issued by September.

  The Agency's Business Plan has, exceptionally, been deferred to later in the year in order that it will more accurately reflect the Agency's position in light of the difficulties experienced earlier this year.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's most recent quarterly analysis of the UK Passport Agency's customer service. [92555]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Regular postal surveys of customer opinion take place on a two-monthly basis. In addition, surveys of personal callers are carried out by individual passport offices on a quarterly basis. Copies of the analyses of the most recent surveys have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the difference to the Passport Agency's running costs from relocating the London Passport Office and the UK Passport Agency headquarters to Eccleston Square. [92499]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This was assessed when the relocation business case was prepared in December 1997, and will be looked at again as part of the Agency's re-assessment of the business case which is now taking place.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the backlog of unprocessed passport applications(a) at each office of the United

  733
  Kingdom Passport Agency and (b) in total for the last week for which the information is available. [92776]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of unprocessed applications at week ending 18 July 1999 was:

  Number

  London

  8,144

  Liverpool

  153,065

  Peterborough

  57,090

  Newport

  94,310

  Glasgow

  98,772

  Belfast

  6,981

  Total

  418,362

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the cost to public funds of refurbishing 89 Eccleston Square and of relocating the UK Passport Agency headquarters and the London Passport Office to that address. [92498]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A full business case and cost-benefit analysis covering a number of options for the relocation of the United Kingdom Passport Agency headquarters and the London Passport Office was carried out in December 1997. A further assessment took place when Bridge Place, 89 Eccleston Square—an existing Government leasehold property was identified. This found that Bridge Place offered best value for money of all the options considered by the Passport Agency. The business case is now being re-examined in the light of the Agency's operational difficulties this year, and other relevant factors.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the nature and duration of the disruption to services to members of the public which would be caused by the re-location of the London Passport Office and the Passport Agency headquarters to Eccleston Square. [92501]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 402, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, has yet to approve the Passport Agency's proposals for relocation from Clive House. Clearly an important element in the project planning will be measures to ensure that services to members of the public are not disrupted.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average processing time, for the last week for which the information is available, for correctly completed, straightforward applications submitted(a) in person and (b) by post at each office of the United Kingdom Passport Agency. [92779]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Agency does not collect the information in the form requested. It does collect weekly information on the maximum processing time for each office for correctly completed non-urgent applications.
  734
  The last week for which information is available is 18 July and figures are:

  Number

  Belfast

  7

  London

  5

  Newport

  35

  Liverpool

  43

  Peterborough

  28

  Glasgow

  51

  These figures need to be treated with caution because the Agency prioritises travel dates. Those who are travelling in July and August will get priority. New applications with urgent travel dates are not placed at the back of the queue, but are dealt with promptly. Currently, all July travel dates are cleared except for any new applications coming in on each day. Offices are now processing August dates of travel. Some work from Glasgow is being transferred to Belfast and London to expedite processing.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many expired passports have been renewed for 10 years since the beginning of 1999. [92775]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This information is not available as the United Kingdom Passport Agency does not keep records on Passport renewals that differentiate between the previous passport being expired or still valid.

  European Court of Human Rights
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what approach he is making to the European Court of Human Rights over the cases of Euan Sutherland and Christopher Morris. [93261]

  Mr. Straw
  We have today, with the agreement of the applicants, sought a further extension from the European Court of Human Rights in the stayed cases of Sutherland and Morris versus the United Kingdom.

  We have informed the Court, in the context of this request, that the Government intend to re-introduce the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill next Session and if necessary, the Parliament Acts will be used to secure its passage.

  Prison Service (Performance Indicators)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results achieved by the Prison Service on each of its key performance indicators in each prison during 1998–99. [91900]

  Mr. Straw
  The final key performance indicator (KPI) results achieved by the Prison Service and by each prison are given in the tables. The overcrowding KPI is formulated in terms of overall Prison Service capacity and population levels and is not applicable to individual prisons. Cost per place data are provisional pending final audit of the appropriation account for the Prison Service annual voted expenditure.

  I am pleased to report that today I have placed before Parliament, the Prison Service Agency's Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
  735

  Performance against key performance indicators by prison, 1998–99

  Prison name

  Category A escapes

  Escapes

  Assault rate

  Positive random drug testing rate %

  Purposeful hours per prisoner

  Are standard/enhanced regime prisoners unlocked >=10 hours on weekdays

  Offending behaviour programmes completions

  Sex offender treatment programmes completions

  Cost per place2 £

  Training

  Acklington

  0

  0

  2.9

  27.2

  23.8

  Yes

  54

  14

  14,657

  12.6

  Albany

  0

  0

  1.9

  1.3

  23.8

  Yes

  110

  47

  19,818

  7.6

  Aldington

  0

  1

  0.7

  22.3

  28.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  16,084

  7.3

  Altcourse

  0

  1

  18.4

  19.0

  20.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  1—

  4—

  Ashwell

  0

  0

  1.6

  38.1

  33.3

  Yes

  0

  0

  15,040

  10.3

  Askham Grange

  0

  0

  0.0

  10.6

  42.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,070

  6.1

  Aylesbury

  0

  0

  42.3

  13.9

  20.9

  No

  55

  0

  23,021

  10.2

  Bedford

  0

  0

  6.7

  24.4

  22.7

  No

  39

  0

  20,368

  9.3

  Belmarsh

  0

  0

  11.3

  12.0

  13.2

  No

  0

  0

  31,220

  9.3

  Birmingham

  0

  1

  6.6

  30.2

  13.3

  No

  0

  0

  20,334

  6.2

  Blakenhurst

  0

  0

  18.8

  38.6

  21.8

  Yes

  20

  0

  22,001

  4—

  Blantyre House

  0

  0

  0.0

  0.7

  39.6

  Yes

  30

  0

  17,807

  6.1

  Blundeston

  0

  0

  6.1

  14.1

  25.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  20,225

  7.3

  Brinsford

  0

  0

  35.2

  20.9

  16.3

  No

  0

  0

  18,847

  7.5

  Bristol

  0

  0

  9.2

  23.0

  21.3

  Yes

  38

  0

  13,843

  7.2

  Brixton

  0

  0

  11.8

  11.3

  15.7

  Yes

  62

  17

  22,767

  7.8

  Brockhill

  0

  0

  21.5

  14.8

  21.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  29,868

  5.1

  Buckley Hall

  0

  0

  2.9

  37.4

  26.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  19,972

  4—

  Bullingdon

  0

  0

  6.9

  26.5

  21.2

  Yes

  51

  0

  16,485

  12.7

  Bullwood Hall

  0

  0

  19.2

  13.0

  19.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  29,281

  8.1

  Camp Hill

  0

  0

  5.3

  27.2

  19.3

  No

  0

  0

  18,575

  3.7

  Canterbury

  0

  0

  2.5

  13.4

  18.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  33,983

  6.7

  Cardiff

  0

  0

  6.1

  25.4

  21.3

  Yes

  25

  0

  21,783

  6.8

  Castington

  0

  2

  29.1

  17.8

  20.7

  No

  14

  14

  19,288

  13.5

  Channings Wood

  0

  0

  1.9

  16.1

  30.5

  Yes

  72

  38

  16,543

  7.8

  Chelmsford

  0

  0

  12.3

  23.1

  15.8

  No

  0

  0

  19,728

  6.6

  Coldingley

  0

  0

  0.3

  14.2

  40.7

  Yes

  82

  0

  22,015

  10.3

  Cookham Wood

  0

  1

  7.7

  5.9

  22.3

  Yes

  14

  0

  26,511

  7.6

  Dartmoor

  0

  0

  5.9

  5.7

  18.9

  No

  115

  19

  19,423

  7.2

  Deerbolt

  0

  2

  19.1

  8.8

  19.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,941

  8.2

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  19.7

  12.8

  17.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  22,531

  4—

  Dorchester

  0

  0

  5.9

  33.7

  14.4

  No

  0

  0

  30,116

  7.4

  Dover

  0

  1

  21.9

  12.4

  21.2

  No

  0

  0

  18,332

  8.0

  Downview

  0

  0

  0.3

  3.8

  30.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  19,152

  7.6

  Drake Hall

  0

  0

  0.4

  17.7

  34.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,289

  6.3

  Durham

  0

  0

  8.1

  15.8

  20.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  29,450

  6.9

  East Sutton Park

  0

  0

  0.0

  4.2

  40.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,625

  7.1

  Eastwood Park

  0

  1

  15.5

  15.3

  21.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  22,648

  11.8

  Elmley

  0

  0

  5.8

  11.9

  20.2

  No

  0

  0

  18,459

  10.1

  Erlestoke

  0

  0

  0.7

  25.7

  27.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,711

  8.6

  Everthorpe

  0

  1

  3.5

  29.8

  27.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,882

  5.7

  Exeter

  0

  0

  12.5

  27.6

  13.6

  No

  0

  0

  29,405

  6.4

  Featherstone

  0

  4

  2.0

  41.9

  24.7

  Yes

  91

  0

  18,449

  4.2

  Feltham

  0

  1

  25.7

  21.5

  15.5

  No

  21

  13

  18,820

  8.4

  Ford

  0

  0

  0.0

  10.8

  35.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  11,253

  6.3

  Foston Hall

  0

  0

  11.8

  7.8

  23.4

  Yes

  15

  0

  27,047

  12.0

  Frankland

  0

  0

  5.1

  17.7

  18.4

  Yes

  43

  7

  36,467

  11.5

  Full Sutton

  0

  0

  4.3

  6.9

  17.6

  No

  85

  21

  35,605

  8.9

  Garth

  0

  0

  1.9

  11.7

  21.3

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,611

  8.1

  Gartree

  0

  0

  3.0

  25.7

  27.0

  Yes

  39

  0

  22,734

  7.3

  Glen Parva

  0

  2

  35.9

  14.9

  16.7

  No

  39

  0

  16,646

  7.8

  Gloucester

  0

  0

  26.6

  29.8

  26.4

  No

  0

  0

  26,197

  5.6

  Grendon

  0

  0

  1.3

  12.0

  34.2

  No

  44

  0

  19,320

  7.3

  Guys Marsh

  0

  2

  5.9

  33.9

  22.8

  Yes

  19

  0

  15,286

  5.9

  Haslar

  0

  0

  2.0

  2.4

  18.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  15,726

  7.3

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  7.9

  15.7

  32.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,473

  5.8

  Haverigg

  0

  1

  1.8

  18.0

  33.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,207

  7.1

  Hewell Grange

  0

  0

  0.5

  10.3

  42.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  12,617

  3.3

  Highdown

  0

  0

  13.6

  20.6

  13.9

  No

  67

  14

  24,928

  9.5

  Highpoint

  0

  0

  4.2

  20.1

  23.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,469

  9.2

  Hindley

  0

  0

  31.3

  24.3

  23.8

  No

  0

  0

  20,376

  7.4

  Hollesley Bay

  0

  0

  14.2

  25.6

  28.1

  No

  0

  0

  20,618

  4.8

  Holloway

  0

  2

  26.7

  10.2

  17.6

  Yes

  22

  0

  34,689

  6.5

  Holme House

  0

  0

  4.6

  11.2

  15.8

  No

  24

  0

  15,179

  6.4

  Hull

  0

  0

  11.5

  15.4

  20.0

  No

  0

  0

  21,063

  8.5

  Huntercombe

  0

  0

  16.1

  17.6

  23.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  19,712

  9.2

  Kingston

  0

  0

  0.6

  19.1

  23.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  21,326

  6.8

  Kirkham

  0

  0

  0.5

  23.6

  43.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  13,870

  5.7

  Kirklevington

  0

  0

  0.0

  7.3

  50.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,057

  6.7

  Lancaster

  0

  0

  1.4

  36.5

  20.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  21,794

  8.7

  Lancaster Farms

  0

  0

  15.0

  5.9

  20.5

  No

  46

  0

  19,749

  5.1

  Latchmere House

  0

  0

  0.0

  14.6

  70.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  11,985

  9.8

  Leeds

  0

  0

  8.6

  19.0

  14.8

  No

  27

  0

  18,914

  7.5

  Leicester

  0

  0

  6.6

  27.4

  20.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  35,718

  6.0

  736 737

  Performance against key performance indicators by prison, 1998–99

  Prison name

  Category A escapes

  Escapes

  Assault rate

  Positive random drug testing rate %

  Purposeful hours per prisoner

  Are standard/enhanced regime prisoners unlocked >=10 hours on weekdays

  Offending behaviour programmes completions

  Sex offender treatment programmes completions

  Cost per place2 £

  Training

  Lewes

  0

  0

  8.5

  33.3

  18.5

  No

  0

  0

  18,929

  5.4

  Leyhill

  0

  0

  0.0

  13.4

  39.0

  Yes

  26

  26

  18,348

  7.6

  Lincoln

  0

  1

  3.0

  26.3

  22.9

  Yes

  27

  0

  24,720

  4.9

  Lindholme

  0

  1

  1.0

  29.9

  24.2

  Yes

  31

  0

  19,897

  6.6

  Littlehey

  0

  1

  3.3

  14.3

  26.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,204

  10.1

  Liverpool

  0

  0

  4.8

  17.6

  19.0

  No

  0

  0

  19,617

  5.7

  Long Lartin

  0

  0

  6.0

  14.2

  17.0

  Yes

  42

  0

  36,943

  15.4

  Low Newton

  0

  0

  40.5

  38.9

  20.2

  No

  0

  0

  28,283

  15.2

  Lowdham Grange

  0

  0

  4.8

  30.7

  3—

  Yes

  0

  0

  1—

  4—

  Maidstone

  0

  0

  2.5

  13.0

  21.3

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,932

  9.2

  Manchester

  0

  0

  7.1

  15.5

  26.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  27,050

  6.6

  Moorland

  0

  0

  13.1

  5.6

  24.0

  Yes

  92

  0

  17,743

  6.5

  Morton Hall

  0

  0

  0.5

  8.2

  37.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  12,288

  5.7

  Mount

  0

  0

  3.7

  20.3

  18.0

  No

  0

  0

  14,635

  10.5

  New Hall

  0

  0

  13.6

  4.8

  23.7

  Yes

  10

  0

  22,501

  5.5

  North Sea Camp

  0

  0

  0.0

  23.8

  45.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,581

  4.7

  Northallerton

  0

  0

  15.8

  14.9

  14.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  30,967

  7.1

  Norwich

  0

  0

  9.1

  23.0

  18.0

  No

  0

  0

  21,149

  6.0

  Nottingham

  0

  0

  6.9

  25.6

  15.3

  No

  19

  0

  19,634

  7.6

  Onley

  0

  0

  35.7

  3.9

  18.4

  Yes

  71

  0

  16,105

  9.3

  Pare

  0

  0

  7.4

  44.6

  30.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  1—

  4—

  Parkhurst

  0

  0

  6.4

  3.2

  19.5

  No

  74

  0

  22,467

  8.1

  Pentonville

  0

  1

  11.0

  31.6

  20.3

  No

  77

  0

  21,329

  7.8

  Portland

  0

  0

  13.9

  9.3

  23.1

  No

  0

  0

  17,735

  6.7

  Preston

  0

  0

  9.6

  23.0

  17.1

  No

  0

  0

  28,086

  5.4

  Ranby

  0

  0

  3.2

  8.6

  26.4

  Yes

  33

  0

  16,155

  7.8

  Reading

  0

  0

  18.6

  29.3

  23.8

  No

  0

  0

  26,791

  6.7

  Risley

  0

  0

  10.4

  21.7

  21.9

  No

  28

  28

  18,360

  4.6

  Rochester

  0

  0

  14.9

  4.2

  19.1

  Yes

  34

  15

  18,555

  6.1

  Send

  0

  0

  1.2

  19.6

  40.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  32,894

  23.2

  Shepton Mallet

  0

  0

  3.8

  31.9

  22.7

  Yes

  17

  0

  25,249

  7.2

  Shrewsbury

  0

  0

  5.1

  17.0

  22.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  32,140

  6.2

  Stafford

  0

  0

  6.6

  17.2

  22.4

  No

  0

  0

  16,493

  5.0

  Standford Hill

  0

  0

  0.0

  11.3

  44.1

  Yes

  13

  0

  16,078

  6.6

  Stocken

  0

  0

  2.8

  30.9

  23.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  16,177

  9.4

  Stoke Heath

  0

  0

  37.3

  9.9

  21.6

  Yes

  7

  0

  15,098

  7.5

  Styal

  0

  1

  5.7

  13.3

  28.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  24,097

  13.5

  Sudbury

  0

  0

  0.4

  11.2

  44.5

  Yes

  27

  0

  13,410

  7.9

  Swaleside

  0

  0

  7.0

  17.9

  22.3

  Yes

  63

  0

  17,384

  9.1

  Swansea

  0

  0

  11.0

  37.0

  20.0

  No

  0

  0

  26,295

  4.9

  Swifen Hall

  0

  0

  15.0

  5.8

  28.9

  Yes

  104

  15

  20,870

  8.7

  Thorn Cross

  0

  0

  11.5

  23.1

  50.3

  Yes

  78

  0

  19,827

  7.5

  Usk

  0

  0

  0.0

  5.6

  34.9

  Yes

  104

  44

  21,520

  8.2

  Verne

  0

  0

  1.2

  17.9

  27.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  15,079

  6.0

  Wakefield

  0

  0

  4.3

  1.2

  18.2

  No

  144

  57

  24,547

  9.0

  Wandsworth

  0

  1

  7.2

  7.6

  18.9

  No

  88

  21

  17,817

  11.7

  Wayland

  0

  0

  2.2

  36.4

  24.0

  Yes

  96

  50

  14,416

  9.8

  Wealstun

  0

  0

  1.8

  24.7

  30.6

  Yes

  16

  0

  15,127

  6.6

  Weare

  0

  0

  0.9

  28.1

  20.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,463

  5.1

  Wellingborough

  0

  0

  2.1

  23.0

  24.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,772

  10.5

  Werrington

  0

  5

  45.9

  4.7

  24.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  26,113

  8.8

  Wetherby

  0

  0

  30.0

  5.2

  28.3

  Yes

  8

  0

  18,745

  4.4

  Whatton

  0

  0

  1.2

  4.3

  28.8

  Yes

  124

  80

  15,851

  6.8

  Whitemoor

  0

  0

  12.1

  7.7

  19.6

  Yes

  33

  6

  38,355

  7.2

  Winchester

  0

  0

  6.5

  31.2

  15.7

  No

  0

  0

  23,518

  6.4

  Wolds

  0

  0

  11.0

  17.6

  29.1

  Yes

  26

  0

  25,008

  4—

  Woodhill

  0

  0

  14.1

  16.6

  19.8

  No

  56

  22

  27,806

  8.4

  Wormwood Scrubs

  0

  1

  5.0

  22.9

  14.2

  No

  48

  0

  17,379

  6.8

  Wymott

  0

  0

  2.1

  16.3

  28.7

  Yes

  134

  22

  16,374

  6.3

  1 Cost per place performance figures for HMP Parc, HMP Altcourse and HMP Lowdham Grange cannot be provided on a comparable basis because available data include an element for capital repayment.

  2 Cost per place data are provisional pending finalisation of accounts.

  3 Purposeful activity performance figures for HMP Lowdham Grange are not available for the financial year 1998–99.

  4 Private prison contractors are not required to supply training figures.

  Jill Dando
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the police investigation of the murder of Jill Dando. [92030]
  738
  Kate Hoey
  This investigation is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. He tells me that the investigation is being pursued as expeditiously as possible.

  Bargoed Fire Station
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will review the decision to close the Bargoed Fire Station; [92243]

  (2) what evidence he received about the possible time it would take for a fire appliance to reach New Tredegar from the Cefn Forest Fire Station, during his consideration of the proposed closure of the Bargoed Fire Station. [92245]

  Mr. George Howarth
  On 23 June 1998, my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, approved the application by the South Wales Fire Authority, under section 19 (4) of the Fire Services Act 1947, to remove a pumping appliance and associated firefighting posts from Bargoed fire station. My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary's decision was taken in the light of advice from Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate that the national standards of fire cover would continue to be maintained if the application was approved. That advice included confirmation that a timed run undertaken by the fire brigade suggested a pumping appliance from Cefn Forest should in normal circumstances be able to reach New Tredegar within the recommended attendance time for the substantive fire risk category for that area.

  Following my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary's decision, implementation of the proposals is now a matter for the Fire Authority. Closure of Bargoed fire station was not at issue and a further section 19 application would be required if the Authority was to make such a proposal.

  Immigration Rules
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the concession to immigration rules in respect of the one year rule and domestic violence. [92467]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I plan to review the concession after it has been in operation for at least one year.

  Merseyside Police
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the crime reduction and community involvement programme, Operation Arrow, in the South Sefton district of the Merseyside Police Authority; and if he will make a statement. [92261]

  Kate Hoey
  If we are to make a lasting impact upon crime levels, we must engage the support of local communities. Operation Arrow seeks to achieve this by engaging all sectors of the community in South Sefton, understanding their concerns and needs, and then providing a swift and effective response. Early results are encouraging; Merseyside Police and their partners in the initiative are to be congratulated on this innovative approach to improving community safety.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the Merseyside Police Authority revenue budget was spent on civilian support staff in the last year for which figures are available. [92260]

  Kate Hoey
  The Merseyside Police Authority's financial estimates for 1999–2000, as recorded by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA), show 740
  that the force will commit around 12 per cent. of its net revenue expenditure of £249.5 million to salary costs for civilian support staff.

  Ministerial Meetings (US)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings he held with(a) officials in the United States Department of Justice and (b) the Baltimore police department during his visit to the United States of America between 4 and 6 February 1998; and if he will list the date of each meeting, the location of each meeting and the names of the United States officials who took part in each meeting. [92282]

  Mr. Straw
  When I visited the United States of America in February last year I attended four meetings with officials in the United States Department of Justice and one meeting with the Baltimore police department.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Magistrates' Association about implementation of the proposed Draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations 1999. [R] [92247]

  Mr. Straw
  To date, I have had no meetings to discuss the proposed Draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising) Regulations 1999, although I have met with the Magistrates Association previously on other matters.

  Mrs. Christine Soyal
  Mr. Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mrs. Christine Soyal, a constituent of the hon. Member for Aldridge-Brownhills, may expect the return of her passport and driving licence, submitted in support of her husband's application to remain in the country on 19 July 1998. [92300]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Mrs. Soyal' s passport and driving licence were returned to her on Tuesday 20 July 1999.

  Schengen Acquis
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those items of the Schengen Acquis listed in the Official Journal of 10 July, which (a) had not been deposited in the Library and (b) had not been seen by his officials (i) prior to the decision being made for the UK to join elements of Schengen and (ii) to date; and if he will make a statement. [92832]

  Kate Hoey
  At the time of the decision to make a formal application for the United Kingdom to participate in certain elements of the Schengen acquis, which was submitted by letter on 20 May 1999, all the Decisions and Declarations of the Schengen acquis listed in the Official Journal of the European Communities of 10 July 1999 had been seen by officials of the Home Office and had been sent to the Scrutiny Committees of both Houses.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to lay before the House subordinate legislation under the Data Protection Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [92702]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 12 July,Official Report, column 73.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that the code of practice on the welfare of xenotransplantation source animals strictly limits the early removal of piglets from their mothers. [92668]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is likely that, in some circumstances, the early removal of piglets from their mothers will be essential in order to establish colonies of animals with the health status (i.e. the absence of particular pathogens) that will be necessary to minimise the risk of infection to the recipient. This will, however, require suitable project licence authority and will be allowed only where there is a demonstrable need to eliminate particular micro-organisms. All practicable safeguards will be put in place to protect the welfare of piglets.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 333, what progress has been made with the investigation into Harlan UK Ltd; if he has received the advice on whether there is a need to suspend the establishment's certificate of designation for which he asked; and if he will make a statement. [92718]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Mr. Shaw) on 14 July 1999,Official Report, columns 206–07, and to the reply 1 gave my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor) on 21 July 1999, Official Report, columns 527–28.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will require Imutron's programme of breeding genetically engineered pigs to be suspended pending the finalisation of the code of practice on the welfare of xenotransplantation source animals. [92667]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Licences and certificates can be suspended under the terms of section 13 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 only if it appears that this is urgently necessary for the welfare of any protected animal. There are no such grounds for suspending the relevant licences.

  The existing "Codes of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures" apply to these animals, as do the terms and conditions of the licences under which they are held.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the advantages of(a) legally binding regulations and (b) a non-binding code of practice to protect genetically engineered pigs. [92669]
  742
  Mr. George Howarth
  The codes of practice issued under section 21(2) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are legally enforceable. Section 21(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 allows any failure to comply with such a code of practice to be taken into account in any criminal or civil proceedings.

  In addition, we have recently amended the standard conditions that apply to all designated establishments to require that approved areas be maintained to the standards set out in the codes of practice, unless otherwise authorised. Under section 10(7) of the Act, failure to comply with such a condition is a ground for the variation or revocation of the certificate. If pigs are not maintained to the standards set out in the new code of practice, authority to maintain these animals can be withdrawn.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present cost of a weighted unit of output for asylum, after-entry, enforcement and nationality casework. [92785]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  For the purposes of monitoring the performance of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate under the terms of the Casework Programme contract with Siemens Business Services, the unit cost of a basic casework decision is determined each month. The costs of more complex decisions may be estimated by combining the cost of the basic decision with the weighting attached to a unit output. The unit cost of a basic decision in May was £34.73. The costs of more complex decisions may, therefore, be expressed as is given in the table:

  £

  Type of output

  Cost

  After Entry Casework

  44.10

  Asylum Casework

  314.65

  Nationality Casework

  52.85

  Deportation Casework

  1,241.45

  Illegal Entry Casework

  572.60

  These costs exclude any productivity-related payments that may subsequently be due to Siemens.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards the proposed conveyance of(a) residence conditions and (b) financial support payments for asylum seekers and refugees in member states of the European Union. [92782]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government provide information on British immigration and asylum matters to member states of the European Union through the normal channels associated with the European Union at both ministerial and official level.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers were removed from the United Kingdom between(a) 1 January and 30 June 1997, (b) 1 January and 30 June 1998 and (c) 1 January and 30 June 1999. [92789]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Data on removals and voluntary departures of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, are given in the table.
  743

  Removals and voluntary departures1 of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, First Half 1997, First Half 1998, First Half 19992

  Dates

  Number of persons

  1 January to 30 June 1997

  3,370

  1 January to 30 June 1998

  3,105

  1 January to 30 June 19992

  3,650

  1 For port applicants, the data include any voluntary departure up to and including notification of the decision on the asylum application but excludes any subsequent departure. For in-country applicants the data include 'voluntary' departures following enforcement action but exclude voluntary departures where enforcement action had not been initiated. Some persons may leave voluntarily without the knowledge of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate

  2 1999 data are provisional

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the backlog in dealing with failed asylum seekers liable for removal at the latest date for which information is available. [92781]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at November 1998, the latest date for which a figure is available, the estimated backlog of failed asylum seekers liable for removal was 24,000. That figure represents a snapshot, taken from Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) port and enforcement databases, of failed asylum seekers, excluding dependants, who have exhausted their rights of appeal (including any who did not submit an appeal against the refusal of asylum) and who are liable for removal. The figure does not include any failed in-country asylum applicants against whom enforcement action has not commenced. Some persons included in the backlog figure may have actually departed from the United Kingdom without IND' s knowledge.

  The backlog includes a large number of cases where there are one or more barriers to removal such as absconding, judicial review, representations from hon. Members, or lack of necessary documentation.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers departed voluntarily in each month since January 1997. [92780]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is given in the table. The data do not include voluntary departures of in-country asylum applicants against whom enforcement action had not been initiated; the number of such departures cannot be quantified directly from Immigration and Nationality Directorate databases. Some persons may leave voluntarily without the knowledge of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and, by definition, we have no record of the number of such departures.

  Voluntary departures1 of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, 1 January 1997 to 31 December 19982

  Number of persons

  1997

  1998

  January

  170

  150

  February

  150

  140

  March

  180

  140

  April

  160

  140

  May

  150

  120

  June

  150

  120

  July

  140

  2120

  August

  130

  2150

  744

  Voluntary departures1 of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, 1 January 1997 to 31 December 19982

  Number of persons

  1997

  1998

  September

  130

  2130

  October

  180

  2190

  November

  150

  2200

  December

  120

  2200

  1 For port applicants the data cover voluntary departures up to and including notification of the decision on the asylum application but exclude any subsequent departure. For in-country applicants the data cover 'voluntary' departures following enforcement action but exclude voluntary departures where enforcement action has not been initiated. Some persons may leave voluntarily without the knowledge of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.

  2 Data for July to December 1998 are provisional estimates.

  Prison Industries
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pairs of slippers were commissioned from prison industries for use in Her Majesty's prisons in the financial years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 estimated. [92551]

  Mr. George Howarth
  All slippers manufactured by the Prison Service were for use in Her Majesty's Prisons. The numbers of pairs made were:

  1997–98: 100,000 pairs

  1998–99: 101,000 pairs

  1999–2000: 54,000–60,000 (estimated).

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pairs of socks were commissioned from prison industries for use in Her Majesty's prisons in the financial years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000 estimated. [92552]

  Mr. George Howarth
  All socks manufactured by the Prison Service were for use in Her Majesty's Prisons. The numbers of pairs made were:

  Year

  Number

  1997–98

  400,000

  1998–99

  400,000

  1999–2000

  1600,000

  1 Estimated

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many files the Case Allocation Unit in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate(a) received and (b) despatched in each week from the week ended 16 April. [92844]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The figures are:

  Date

  Files received

  Files despatched

  17 April

  4,115

  2,931

  24 April

  1,766

  2,202

  8 May1

  10,936

  6,202

  15 May

  6,565

  1,592

  22 May

  4,396

  2,078

  29 May

  5,129

  2,556

  5 June

  1,980

  2,221

  12 June

  2,939

  1,735

  19 June

  3,737

  1,778

  745

  Date

  Files received

  Files despatched

  26 June

  3,076

  1,812

  3 July

  4,220

  1,908

  10 July

  3,570

  1,828

  17 July

  3,224

  1,937

  1 Includes figures for week ended 1 May.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average number of staff manning the Telephone Caller Unit in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [92840]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The current daily average number of staff logged in to the telephone system available to take calls in the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau (INEB) is 27.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the forecast outturn is for the budget of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate for 1999–2000. [92852]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The latest forecast outturn for 1999–2000 for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is estimated as £679 million. This includes the estimated costs of providing support to asylum seekers. These costs are sensitive to a range of factors including the number of asylum applications, speed of processing and take-up rates. It is, therefore, difficult to predict with certainty the eventual cost for 1999–2000.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of cases awaiting action in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate which contain passports. [92838]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Of the applications awaiting decision in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, approximately 34,000 contain passports. These are general cases, for example, cases where spouse, student or other issues are being considered.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of maladministration concerning the Immigration and Nationality Directorate have been notified to his Department by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration since the beginning of 1999. [92849]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration has made nine formal and two informal inquiries about complaints about the Immigration and Nationality Directorate between 1 January and 21 July 1999.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money he has paid in the current year to members of the public as compensation or as ex-gratia payments following loss or inconvenience which was due to delays in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [92837]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Approximately £13,600 has been paid in ex-gratia payments of compensation so far this year by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. Compensation is generally paid for financial loss arising from lost or misplaced passports.
  746
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of unopened letters at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [92848]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are currently no unopened letters in the Mail Handling Section. All generally addressed post is opened by this section on the day received, and all specifically addressed post is forwarded on the day of receipt to its appropriate destination. An earlier backlog of 18,000 unopened post in the Mail Handling Section was cleared in March. For special reasons, there is a separate procedure for dealing with applications and accompanying fees in the Travel Documents Case Management Unit. The letters are normally unopened until they are processed and a cashier registers the fees and issues a receipt. As at 22 July, there were 1,200 of these items.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his current estimate of trends in processing casework at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [92839]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The output of the Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD) is recovering. Radical measures are being explored to speed up the decision making process with a view to exceeding previous output.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many files from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Case Allocation Unit are currently stored in Acton. [92845]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No files from the Case Allocation Unit are stored in Acton.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average unit cost of caseworking in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each month since January 1998. [92842]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 17 May 1999,Official Report, column 261.

  The direct cost of caseworking is routinely monitored under the terms of the Casework Programme contract between the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and Siemens Business Services. The latest estimates of those costs, which exclude some overheads, are given in the table:

  £

  Month

  Unit Cost

  January 1998

  39.62

  February 1998

  39.12

  March 1998

  37.93

  April 1998

  38.90

  May 1998

  47.59

  June 1998

  37.34

  July 1998

  35.45

  August 1998

  43.45

  September 1998

  37.14

  October 1998

  33.54

  November 1998

  40.36

  December 1998

  78.64

  January 1999

  71.84

  February 1999

  58.90

  March 1999

  48.18

  April 1999

  43.27

  May 1999

  34.73

  747
  It should be noted that unit costs are subject to revisions and final agreement with Siemens Business Services.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average daily number of callers who attended(a) the Public Caller Unit and (b) the Asylum Screening Unit at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each month since the beginning of 1999. [92847]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The figures represent the number of callers coming into the Public Caller Unit who were issued with tickets ie the main applicants or persons with an inquiry. The figures do not include family and friends. With regard to the Asylum Screening Unit, the figures do not include family, friends, representatives and their interpreters. The average daily number of callers coming into the Public Caller Unit and the Asylum Screening Unit since the beginning of 1999 were:

  Month

  Public caller unit

  Asylum screening unit

  June

  862

  239

  May

  663

  202

  April

  661

  226

  March

  723

  175

  February

  627

  297

  January

  723

  325

  Non-asylum Arrivals
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present unit cost of examining non-asylum passengers arriving at ports. [92786]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Public Service Agreement contains a commitment to establish a baseline and target for this measure in 1999.

  The management information systems in place do not currently enable us to separately identify the costs of dealing with non-asylum passengers, and we are currently considering how best to develop a comprehensive efficiency measure for the port operation.

  The Home Office Business Plan includes a target of reducing the unit cost of Immigration port checks to £5.43. This covers both asylum and non-asylum passengers. The Immigration Service expects to meet this target for this financial year.

  Leave to Remain
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average time taken by him to determine an application excluding asylum-related cases by a person with limited leave under the Immigration Act 1971 to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for further leave. [92846]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The time taken to determine an application for variation of leave to remain will depend on the complexity of individual cases. It is not possible, therefore, to give an average time to deal with such cases. Applications which can be dealt with as fast track cases 748
  (currently about 40 per cent.) are at present being determined within about four weeks of the date of application. More complex applications may require lengthy examination including further inquiries and it is not possible to estimate how long it would take to determine such applications.

  Electoral Registers
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Working Party on Electoral Procedures has proposed in its interim report that political parties should not have access to the full electoral register for membership and fund-raising purposes. [92727]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Working Party has recommended that the full register should continue to be available to electoral users as at present. The final report of the Working Party, which will be put forward later this summer, will describe in more detail the electoral purposes for which it will be made available.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place on the internet a complete list of the business and charitable organisations which responded to his consultation on the commercial sale of the electoral register. [92726]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In the absence of permission from all the organisations concerned, we do not intend to do so.

  Airline Liaison Officers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many airline liaison officers were stationed abroad on(a) 31 May 1997, (b) 31 May 1998 and (c) 31 May 1999. [92788]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of Airline Liaison Officers in post on both 31 May 1997 and 31 May 1998 was five and the number on 31 May 1999 was 11.

  Visa (Jamaican Nationals)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to require visas from Jamaican nationals travelling to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [92500]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have no immediate plans to introduce a visa regime for nationals of Jamaica, but the Government keep the need for visa regimes throughout the world under constant review.

  After-entry Applications
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many after-entry applications were decided in each month from January 1997 to the most recent month for which information is available. [92836]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Data for January 1997 to May 1999 are given in the table.
  749

  Decisions1 on application for an extension of leave to remain in the United Kingdom and settlement, excluding European Economic Area nationals

  Year of decision

  Month of decision

  1997

  1998

  19922

  January

  14,000

  12,900

  7,200

  February

  13,000

  13,800

  8,100

  March

  12,100

  13,500

  11,800

  April

  12,200

  11,200

  11,900

  May

  11,500

  10,500

  13,600

  June

  14,700

  14,100

  —

  July

  16,100

  14,900

  —

  August

  13,500

  14,300

  —

  September

  16,500

  15,300

  —

  October

  17,400

  17,000

  —

  November

  14,200

  13,400

  —

  December

  11,400

  9,200

  —

  1 Excluding dependants of principal applicants, asylum-related decisions (except settlement), the outcome of appeals and withdrawn applications

  2 All 1999 data are provisional

  Victims (Criminal Proceedings)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress made with his Department's pilot project to assess how victims' views might be taken into account in criminal proceedings. [92549]

  Kate Hoey
  The pilot project was completed earlier this year. An evaluation of the project has been carried out by researchers from Bristol University and a final report will be published in early September. Later that month, a special conference will be held at which criminal justice practitioners can discuss the findings and other matters relating to the role of the victim in criminal proceedings, and make recommendations.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the evaluation by Bristol University of his pilot project to assess how victims' views might be taken into account in criminal proceedings. [92550]

  Kate Hoey
  The evaluation report will be published in early September. A copy will be placed in the Library at the earliest opportunity.

  As at 31 March 1997

  As at 31 March 1998

  As at 31 March 1999

  Police force

  Civilian strength

  Constable strength

  Total police officer strength

  Civilian strength

  Constable strength

  Total police officer strength

  Civilian strength

  Constable strength

  Total police officer strength

  Avon and Somerset

  1,438

  2,315

  2,989

  1,393

  2,308

  2,976

  1,424

  2,329

  2,999

  Bedfordshire

  484

  846

  1,094

  523

  843

  1,079

  483

  817

  1,041

  Cambridgeshire

  607

  1,001

  1,302

  574

  1,014

  1,291

  586

  994

  1,274

  Cheshire

  735

  1,590

  2,046

  781

  1,601

  2,042

  785

  1,607

  2,071

  City of London

  347

  656

  859

  334

  634

  825

  314

  603

  778

  Cleveland

  609

  1,121

  1,459

  586

  1,146

  1,483

  552

  1,116

  1,416

  Cumbria

  451

  882

  1,144

  451

  911

  1,164

  442

  873

  1,126

  Derbyshire

  723

  1,376

  1,791

  787

  1,363

  1,772

  818

  1,336

  1,759

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,159

  2,234

  2,865

  1,186

  2,323

  2,962

  1,215

  2,248

  2,887

  Dorset

  615

  969

  1,284

  651

  1,003

  1,310

  702

  973

  1,279

  Durham

  583

  1,130

  1,461

  557

  1,184

  1,515

  559

  1,233

  1,568

  Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizenship applications were determined in each month from January 1997 to the latest month for which information is available. [92787]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The number of citizenship applications concluded each month from January 1997 to June 1999 are shown in the table:

  Month

  Amount

  January 1997

  4,898

  February 1997

  4,562

  March 1997

  3,796

  April 1997

  3,935

  May 1997

  3,665

  June 1997

  3,894

  July 1997

  3,906

  August 1997

  2,777

  September 1997

  2,911

  October 1997

  2,747

  November 1997

  2,749

  December 1997

  1,860

  January 1998

  2,787

  February 1998

  4,801

  March 1998

  7,371

  April 1998

  5,539

  May 1998

  4,398

  June 1998

  4,551

  July 1998

  5,739

  August 1998

  5,051

  September 1998

  5,384

  October 1998

  4,839

  November 1998

  4,854

  December 1998

  3,231

  January 1999

  3,772

  February 1999

  5,042

  March 1999

  6,219

  April 1999

  4,860

  May 1999

  5,084

  June 1999

  5,427

  Police
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each police force in England and Wales the figures for(a) constable strength, (b) total police strength and (c) police civilian strength, full-time equivalent on 31 March (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [92548]

  Kate Hoey
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  751

  As at 31 March 1997

  As at 31 March 1998

  As at 31 March 1999

  Police force

  Civilian strength

  Constable strength

  Total police officer strength

  Civilian strength

  Constable strength

  Total police officer strength

  Civilian strength

  Constable strength

  Total police officer strength

  Dyfed Powys

  322

  756

  1,005

  341

  749

  1,002

  341

  769

  1,026

  Essex

  1,199

  2,269

  2,961

  1,252

  2,264

  2,928

  1,273

  2,215

  2,891

  Gloucestershire

  435

  872

  1,133

  423

  861

  1,104

  504

  859

  1,104

  Greater Manchester

  2,612

  5,342

  6,922

  2,661

  5,415

  6,949

  2,623

  5,307

  6,810

  Gwent

  452

  964

  1,243

  477

  951

  1,233

  487

  964

  1,247

  Hampshire

  1,316

  2,698

  3,452

  1,331

  2,737

  3,490

  1,381

  2,702

  3,473

  Hertfordshire

  818

  1,365

  1,759

  831

  1,328

  1,740

  835

  1,322

  1,724

  Humberside

  718

  1,582

  2,045

  789

  1,565

  2,021

  840

  1,520

  1,974

  Kent

  1,384

  2,554

  3,260

  1,470

  2,548

  3,251

  1,582

  2,505

  3,201

  Lancashire

  1,126

  2,492

  3,247

  1,143

  2,504

  3,257

  1,198

  2,468

  3,245

  Leicestershire

  755

  1,556

  1,949

  774

  1,587

  1,983

  802

  1,589

  1,993

  Lincolnshire

  521

  921

  1,196

  541

  905

  1,191

  517

  850

  1,140

  Merseyside

  1,343

  3,272

  4,230

  1,502

  3,293

  4,216

  1,356

  3,294

  4,211

  Metropolitan Police

  13,493

  20,671

  26,677

  12,432

  20,156

  26,094

  11,257

  20,093

  26,073

  Norfolk

  603

  1,133

  1,432

  646

  1,115

  1,430

  648

  1,060

  1,381

  Northamptonshire

  554

  931

  1,177

  577

  925

  1,169

  587

  895

  1,137

  Northumbria

  1,365

  2,885

  3,677

  1,362

  2,961

  3,769

  1,443

  3,019

  3,840

  North Wales

  476

  1,024

  1,369

  479

  1,055

  1,396

  508

  1,048

  1,391

  North Yorkshire

  519

  1,018

  1,338

  543

  1,053

  1,367

  541

  1,031

  1,337

  Nottinghamshire

  1,003

  1,822

  2,323

  987

  1,831

  2,323

  1,039

  1,733

  2,225

  South Wales

  1,206

  2,260

  2,976

  1,132

  2,309

  2,986

  1,223

  2,321

  2,981

  South Yorkshire

  1,291

  2,436

  3,159

  1,243

  2,459

  3,182

  1,273

  2,431

  3,168

  Staffordshire

  763

  1,684

  2,211

  866

  1,782

  2,292

  1,004

  1,723

  2,238

  Suffolk

  522

  922

  1,180

  583

  927

  1,186

  594

  935

  1,190

  Surrey

  727

  1,240

  1,620

  743

  1,237

  1,608

  733

  1,283

  1,662

  Sussex

  1,149

  2,374

  3,085

  1,185

  2,321

  2,996

  1,393

  2,183

  2,847

  Thames Valley

  1,825

  2,858

  3,695

  1,827

  2,937

  3,776

  1,799

  2,904

  3,748

  Warwickshire

  376

  708

  926

  398

  724

  924

  406

  714

  908

  West Mercia

  942

  1,563

  2,040

  975

  1,553

  2,010

  975

  1,562

  2,025

  West Midlands

  2,739

  5,636

  7,113

  2,817

  5,731

  7,156

  2,652

  5,908

  7,321

  West Yorkshire

  2,234

  4,106

  5,209

  2,304

  4,069

  5,155

  2,216

  3,931

  4,982

  Wiltshire

  475

  881

  1,154

  519

  888

  1,156

  555

  880

  1,151

  Total all forces

  53,011

  96,914

  125,051

  52,975

  97,072

  124,756

  52,465

  96,150

  123,841

  Note:

  Full-time equivalents
  752

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