Written Answers of 27 July 1999

CABINET OFFICE

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the(a) purpose and (b) activities over the past 12 months of the (i) Horizontal Questions Working Group, (ii) General Affairs Working Group and (iii) Quality of Legislation Working Group, meeting at European Communities level. [91877]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Horizontal Questions Working Group reports to the Internal Market Council, and deals with cross-cutting issues concerning the internal market. Cabinet Office interest in the Working Group is confined to discussions on better regulation and simplification of legislation at the European level.

  The General Affairs Working Group reports primarily to the General Affairs Council (i.e. Foreign Ministers) and deals with a very wide range of general EU internal (co-ordination, institutions, etc.) and external (foreign relations) matters. Cabinet Office interest is via the Civil Service Corporate Management (CSCM) in discussing terms and conditions of employment of European civil servants (i.e. those employed in the Commission, Council Secretariat, European Parliament Secretariat, etc.) and in terms and conditions for MEPs.

  The Quality of Legislation Working Group, a time-limited group is working on the negotiation of an Inter-Institutional Agreement (i.e. between the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council) on the quality of drafting of Community legislation. Cabinet

  April 1997 to March 1998

  April 1998 to March 1999

  Members

  Chair

  Members

  Chair

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments

  3

  1

  4

  0

  Advisory Committee on Advertising

  0

  1

  6

  0

  18 Male

  10 Male

  Advisory Committee on JPs

  19 Female

  0

  7 Female

  0

  Better Regulation Task Force

  15

  1

  2

  0

  Civil Service Appeal Board

  9

  1

  11

  0

  Committee on Standards in Public Life

  8

  1

  1

  0

  Security Commission

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Security Vetting Appeals Panel

  5

  1

  0

  0

  Political Honours Scrutiny Committee

  1

  0

  0

  0

  British Government Panel on Sustainable Development

  0

  0

  5

  1

  Senior Salaries Review Body

  0

  0

  4

  1

  People's Panel Advisory Group

  5

  1

  0

  0

  The Government have made some progress in increasing representation of women, members of ethnic minority groups and of people with disabilities. Full departmental plans on equal opportunities were published by the
  156
  Office interest is via the Cabinet Office Legal Advisors (COLA), the Regulatory Impact Unit (RIU) and its legal advisers.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office will not be making a statement at this stage.

  Public Appointments
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many appointments to public bodies were made by his Department in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99, broken down by (i) gender and (ii) ethnicity; and if he will list the chairmen appointed to those bodies in those years, similarly broken down. [92518]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  For the purposes of this answer it includes appointments made by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and those made by the Prime Minister to public bodies for which the Cabinet Office is responsible.

  The public bodies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible as Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster are: the Advisory Committee on Advertising; the Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside; the Better Regulation Task Force; the Civil Service Appeal Board and the People's Panel Advisory Group.

  The Prime Minister appoints members to: the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; the Committee on Standards in Public Life; the Security Commission and Security Vetting Appeals Panel; the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee; the British Government Panel on Sustainable Development and the Senior Salaries Review Body. There are no ministerial appointments to positions in the Women's National Commission.

  The details of appointments made are given in the table. However, while appointments have been made to women and members of ethnic minority groups I am unable, with the exception of gender information for the Advisory Committee on JPs, to disclose the numbers as to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent.

  Government on 25 May 1999 and deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. The plans set objectives and targets for improving representation of women, people from ethnic minority groups and from people with disabilities.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what funding programmes local drug rehabilitation and prevention organisations can apply for under the Government's anti-drugs strategy. [93202]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  Local drug service providers can bid to provide services under the prison service drugs strategy programme and the health and social services programmes and for contracts to provide services for the probation service.

  It is the role of Drug Action Teams and local commissioning agencies to ensure that individual services work coherently within a local strategic framework. Local service providers may seek guidance from the Drug Action Team on making bids for funding. Bids should be made to the relevant statutory agencies.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93464]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  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 with the Women's Unit, Home Office, and DfEE to develop good practices for ensuring that our policies meet the changing needs of all members of society.

  "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment", published by the Cabinet Office, Home Office, DfEE and the Women's Unit in November 1998, has been circulated to staff within my Department to ensure that the effects of any policy changes on all sections of the population are considered at the earliest stage of policy development.

  As part of the Modernising Government White Paper, we have made a commitment to increasing the number of female senior civil servants from 18 per cent. to 35 per cent. and those from ethnic minorities from 1.6 per cent. to 3.2 per cent. by 2004–05. We will be setting targets for people with disabilities later in the year.

  Modernising Government White Paper
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he will publish the milestones for meeting the commitments set out in the Modernising Government White Paper. [93279]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Modernising Government White Paper was published on 30 March 1999 (CM3981). It set out key policies and principles underpinning the Government's long-term programme of reform to modernise public service. The programme involves everyone working in public services and everyone who uses them.

  I have today published a document setting out the milestones that need to be reached in order to meet the commitments we made in the White Paper. As we make clear in the document, our approach to ensuring that these commitments are taken forward means identifying key strategic drivers for change as well as the achievement of
  158
  specific targets. We will be doing more work to develop measurable outcomes and will include them within the work on the next round of public service agreements.

  The document describes progress to date in Modernising Government and work that will lead to further changes over coming months. The table of milestones names officials able to provide more detail on specific aspects. It is also being published electronically on the Cabinet Office website which we intend updating regularly to show progress. Copies of the document will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her oral answer of 26 July 1999,Official Report, column 15, to the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir P. Cormack) when the July monthly Statement on millennium compliance in the public sector will be made. [93807]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Statement was made by way of written question on 23 July 1999,Official Report, column 665.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the President of the Council how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to her Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day. [87316]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Of the 13 written questions tabled to my Department for a named day since 15 April, 85 per cent. (11) received an answer on that day.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the President of the Council how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day between May 1997 and 14 April 1999; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that named day. [91062]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 April 1999,Official Report, column 302.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Organic Waste
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the House of Commons composts organic waste produced on the Parliamentary Estate. [93328]

  Mrs. Roe
  The Palace of Westminster contract for waste disposal does not specify that organic waste should be composted.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Sure Start
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money from the Sure Start
  159
  Programme has been granted to projects in the parliamentary constituencies of (a) Birkenhead, (b) Wallasey, (c) Wirral, West and (d) Wirral, South. [91248]

  Ms Jowell
  No money from the Sure Start programme has been granted to projects in the parliamentary constituencies of Birkenhead, Wallasey, Wirral, West and Wirral, South. These parliamentary constituencies were not included within the 60 areas of the country invited to develop a local Sure Start programme in the first round. The 60 areas were chosen as trailblazers because they were areas which scored highly on an index of local deprivation and were areas where there was existing local capacity, so that they could set up quickly and therefore play a mentoring role to future programmes.

  We aim to set up 250 programmes in England by 2001–02 and are planning to invite a second round of applications in the autumn.

  Laboratory Teaching
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment with what scientific professional and academic organisations he has had discussions on(a) the improvement of the school scientific laboratory infrastructure and (b) the laboratory teaching of (i) physics, (ii) chemistry, (iii) biology, (iv) environmental sciences and (v) other sciences. [91279]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I, my ministerial colleagues and officials have regular meetings with a number of academic and professional organisations, notably the Association for Science Education, to discuss various aspects of science teaching. We have had no meetings specifically to discuss school scientific laboratory infrastructure and teaching, but we are considering how

  Home Domiciled Entrants to Higher Education Courses1 England and Wales

  19932

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Undergraduate

  Under 21

  194,656

  199,151

  200,754

  204,118

  216,936

  217,365

  21 and over

  203,210

  210,317

  228,552

  226,085

  220,906

  218,494

  Postgraduate

  99,083

  122,974

  126,254

  118,876

  123,841

  129,373

  Total entrants

  496,949

  532,442

  555,560

  549,079

  561,683

  565,232

  Note:

  1. Full-time and part-time courses. Excluding HE students in FE colleges.

  2. Figures for 1993 were collected on a different basis to those in later years. Includes a small number of HE students in FE colleges in Wales.

  The available information on non-completion consists of UK level full-time and sandwich first degree non-completion rates published in the Departmental Annual Report. The table shows these non-completion rates for the same period:

  UK1 Full-time and sandwich first degree non-completion rates

  Percentage

  Year

  Non-completion2

  1993–94

  317–18

  1994–95

  317–18

  1995–96

  318–19

  1996–97

  4n/a

  1997–98

  4n/a

  1998–99

  4n/a

  160
  best to work together with relevant organisations on this and other areas. We are committed to developing partnerships with such organisations to improve standards in all subjects, including science, and I will be working to improve and expand such partnerships in the coming months.

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [91685]

  Ms Hodge
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 22 July 1999,Official Report, column 636.

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

  Higher Education
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students enrolled in full-time higher education courses in England and Wales in each of the years from 1993 to 1998; and how many such students failed to complete their courses in each of those years. [91930]

  Mr. Mudie
  The number of entrants to higher education courses, in each of these years, is given in the table.

  1 The institutional coverage of the non-completion rates is restricted to the former UFC-funded universities in the UK and former polytechnics in England.

  2 "Non-completion" covers all those leaving degree courses because of exam failure, ill health, personal and other reasons. It includes those switching to a lower level course but it excludes students transferring between degree courses or subjects.

  3 Ranges are given, because the introduction of a new data source in 1994–95 made it difficult to measure non-completion, under existing definitions, accurately.

  4 n/a = not available.

  "Non-completion" covers those who leave full-time and sandwich first degree courses for various reasons including exam failure, but students who failed their final examinations are not separately identified. The non-completion rates relate to a narrower range of courses and have a different institutional coverage than the entrant

  161
  figures shown. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to use the non-completion rates shown to estimate the number of entrants each year who did not complete.

  The Department is currently working with the higher education funding bodies in the UK to develop a method of calculating non-completion rates which can be applied to all UK higher education institutions and which takes into account the non-traditional routes that some students follow. These routes may include changing courses or institutions, repeating years or leaving higher education for a year or more before continuing their studies.

  It is intended to publish the results of this work in the next Departmental Annual Report.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for(a) his Department and (b) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (1) fuel types and (2) engine cubic capacities; how many of the vehicles due for replacement by (A) his Department and (B) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register will be replaced in (x) 1999–2000, (y) 2000–1 and (z) 2001–2 by vehicles using (al) petrol, (b2) diesel, (c3) natural gas, (d4) electric batteries and (e5) other; and how much his Department plans to spend in each year on vehicle replacements. [90689]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: The information provided in the following table is in respect of vehicles owned and leased by the DfEE, its non

  Financial year

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (a) Entrants to full-time teaching in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector

  New entrants

  15,900

  16,900

  18,100

  19,300

  19,500

  Those who in previous March were:

  In full-time service in another sector

  1,200

  1,200

  1,000

  1,000

  900

  In part-time service in any sector

  5,500

  5,100

  5,000

  5,300

  4,800

  In other service (mainly occasional)

  1,000

  900

  900

  900

  800

  Out of service

  8,200

  7,800

  6,300

  6,600

  6,100

  Previously retired

  100

  100

  200

  200

  100

  Total

  16,000

  15,100

  13,300

  13,900

  12,800

  Total entrants

  32,000

  32,000

  31,300

  33,200

  32,300

  (b) Movement from full-time teaching in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector

  Those who moved to:

  Full-time service in another sector

  2,500

  1,800

  1,700

  2,000

  2,000

  Part-time service in any sector

  5,200

  4,900

  5,700

  5,500

  5,900

  Other Service (mainly occasional)

  1,000

  1,000

  900

  700

  800

  Out of service

  12,900

  11,700

  10,800

  11,400

  9,800

  Retirement

  11,200

  11,600

  12,900

  12,400

  13,100

  Other 1

  100

  200

  400

  400

  300

  Total

  32,900

  31,200

  32,300

  32,300

  32,000

  1 The 'other' category includes those whose position is not known.

  Notes:

  1. The period 1995–96 is the latest for which full records of teacher movements are available.

  2. The latest teacher retirement data shows that early retirements from the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector, England and Wales fell from 15,500 in financial year 1997–98 to 4,600 in 1998–99.

  3. The full-time equivalent teachers in service in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector in England rose by 4,100 (1 per cent.) between January 1998 and 1999.
  162
  departmental public bodies (NDPBs), the Employment Service Agency (ES) and the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).

  Currently 977 vehicles owned and 536 leased; 1,005 of which are petrol, 506 diesel and 2 LPG.

  Engine cc

  Petrol

  Diesel

  Petrol/Gas

  Owned

  Leased

  Up to 1600

  344

  42

  ——

  359

  27

  1600–1799

  192

  222

  ——

  328

  86

  1800–2000

  418

  151

  2

  197

  374

  2001–2200

  39

  22

  ——

  14

  47

  Over 2200

  12

  69

  ——

  79

  2

  Total

  1,005

  506

  2

  977

  536

  DfEE does not use a replacement cycle as the basis for replacing vehicles. Vehicles are replaced only when a new business case from a user is approved. The DfEE and the Employment Service continue to be "on target" to reduce their fleet size.

  In ES, there are now 284 vehicles less than in 1998 with the number continuing to fall. In DfEE, only 1 (one) replacement vehicle has been applied for under the Private User Scheme following the tightening of these rules.

  Teachers (State Schools)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers joined the profession in state schools in each of the last five years; how many left; and if he will make a statement. [92288]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of teachers entering and leaving full-time service in the maintained nursery primary and secondary sector in England and Wales, 1991–92 to 1995–96 were as follows:

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people have found work as a result of(a) the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds, (b) the New Deal for lone parents and (c) the New Deal for over 50 year olds in each claimant area to date. [92266]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Latest statistics to the end of April 1999 show the following job outcomes for people with disabilities under the New Deal for Young People:

  Unit of delivery

  Total job outcomes

  Tayside

  128

  Ayrshire

  122

  Borders

  36

  Dumfries and Galloway

  41

  Dunbarton

  51

  Edinburgh, East and Mid Lothian

  137

  Fife

  114

  Forth Valley

  57

  Glasgow

  143

  Grampian

  53

  Moray, Strathspay and Badenoch

  19

  Lanarkshire

  147

  Renfrewshire

  112

  West Lothian

  51

  Argyll and The Islands

  19

  Caithness and Sutherland

  10

  Inverness and Nairn

  13

  Lochaber

  5

  Western Isles

  18

  Orkney

  3

  Ross and Cromarty

  15

  Shetland

  5

  Skye and Lochalsh

  3

  Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside

  245

  Northumberland

  53

  Tyneside North

  51

  Durham North and Durham South

  209

  City of Sunderland formerly Wearside

  86

  Tees North and Tees South

  158

  Cumbria

  167

  Wirral

  137

  Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre

  60

  Bolton

  52

  Bury

  28

  Central Lancashire

  94

  Cheshire

  108

  City Pride Manchester

  299

  East Lancashire

  124

  Halton and Warrington

  75

  Knowsley

  44

  Liverpool

  166

  North Lancashire

  38

  Oldham

  35

  Rochdale

  64

  Sefton

  84

  St. Helens

  58

  Stockport

  45

  West Lancashire

  31

  Wigan

  86

  Sheffield

  164

  Rotherham

  122

  South Humber

  165

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  175

  Barnsley and The Dearne

  92

  Bradford

  144

  Hull and East Coast formerly Hull

  230

  Leeds

  178

  North Yorkshire

  121

  Wakefield and Doncaster

  207

  164

  Unit of delivery

  Total job outcomes

  West Wales

  150

  Swansea

  201

  North West Wales

  103

  Powys

  20

  Ceredigion

  32

  North East Wales formerly Flintshire and Wrexham

  64

  North Wales Coast

  35

  Cardiff and Vale

  113

  Bridgend and Glamorgan Valleys

  96

  Heads of the Valley and Caerphilly

  153

  Newport, Torfaen and Monmouth

  129

  Black Country

  426

  Birmingham

  230

  Solihull

  18

  Staffordshire

  229

  Hereford and Worcester

  112

  Coventry

  72

  Warwickshire

  56

  Shropshire

  91

  Southern Derbyshire

  172

  Cambridge TTWA

  64

  North Derbyshire

  113

  Leicestershire

  124

  Lincolnshire

  113

  Norfolk

  121

  West Norfolk

  44

  Northamptonshire

  67

  Greater Nottingham

  130

  North Nottinghamshire

  118

  Peterborough

  68

  Suffolk

  79

  Waveney

  51

  Cornwall

  365

  Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset

  83

  Bristol and South Gloucestershire formerly Central Bristol

  110

  Dorset

  170

  Exeter and East Devon

  61

  Torbay and South Devon formerly South Devon

  82

  North Devon

  46

  Gloucestershire

  83

  Plymouth

  137

  Somerset

  126

  Wiltshire and Swindon formerly Wiltshire

  120

  Eastbourne and Hastings formerly Eastbourne

  113

  Lambeth

  41

  Harlow

  19

  Hackney and City

  39

  Hertfordshire

  164

  Brighton

  74

  Canterbury

  91

  Channel

  70

  Chatham

  143

  Crawley

  20

  Croydon and Bromley

  133

  Guildford

  51

  Lewisham

  62

  Maidstone, Dartford and West Kent

  98

  Southwark

  65

  Greenwich

  70

  Bexley

  33

  Sutton, Merton Esher, Kingston, Epsom

  109

  Wandsworth

  43

  West Sussex Coastal Plain

  49

  South Essex

  192

  North Essex formerly North and Mid Essex

  146

  Edgware and Leaside

  85

  North East London

  58

  Havering, Barking and Dagenham

  73

  Newham

  63

  Tower Hamlets

  15

  Camden and North Islington

  42

  Ealing and Hillingdon formerly Ealing

  48

  165

  Unit of delivery

  Total job outcomes

  Bedfordshire and Luton

  76

  Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire

  43

  Mid Hants

  21

  Oxfordshire

  56

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  89

  Isle of Wight

  39

  Reading

  42

  Slough

  72

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  58

  Wembley

  53

  Westminster

  14

  Hounslow and Richmond

  44

  Hammersmith, Fulham, Kensington, Chelsea

  39

  Total

  13,329

  Latest statistics to the end of April 1999 show the following job outcomes for people with disabilities under the NDLP:

  Employment service regional office

  Total job outcomes

  Scotland

  38

  London and the South East

  70

  South West

  23

  East Midlands and Eastern

  32

  West Midlands

  48

  Wales

  28

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  29

  North West

  63

  Northern

  28

  Great Britain total

  359

  Notes:

  1. These figures relate to lone parents receiving in-work support while on NDLP and those who have left NDLP for employment.

  2. Statistics are not broken down below regional level.

  The initial pilots for New Deal for those over the age of 50 are not due to start until October 1999 followed by the main rollout in April 2000.

  Parliamentary Studies
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department is taking to promote knowledge of, and interest in, parliamentary government through schools; and if he will make a statement. [92635]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment announced his proposals for the review of the National Curriculum in England in May 1999. This includes for the first time a proposed framework for citizenship in schools as a distinct statutory entitlement at Key Stages 3 and 4. Pupils will learn about key aspects of parliamentary government, elections and voting, and local and central government.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1999,Official Report, column 526, on nursery education, what is the number of three-year-olds in each of the relevant local education authorities that (a) currently have free full-time early education places and (b) will have
  166
  free full-time early education places when the promised additional places are provided, defining full-time as five or more sessions of early education per week. [92218]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Government are committed to almost doubling the proportion of three-year-olds with free nursery education. As the first stage in that process, we are creating 48,000 places in 1999–2000. The available information is shown in the following table.

  Numbers of free early years places provided for three-year-olds in the relevant local education authority areas in England

  Number of free, three-year-old places provided by LEAs in maintained nursery and primary schools1

  Estimated additional places to be created in 1999–2000

  Barking and Dagenham

  1,329

  262

  Barnsley

  1,406

  885

  Birmingham

  7,420

  6,059

  Blackburn with Darwen

  1,024

  600

  Blackpool

  316

  1,058

  Bolton

  2,104

  748

  Bradford

  4,694

  1,220

  Brent

  1,708

  1,017

  Camden

  928

  831

  County Durham

  3,786

  301

  Coventry

  1,968

  1,229

  Doncaster

  2,249

  593

  Ealing

  2,686

  410

  Gateshead

  1,313

  625

  Greenwich

  1,889

  821

  Hackney

  1,624

  1,444

  Halton

  663

  544

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,061

  595

  Haringey

  1,949

  704

  Hartlepool

  1,193

  34

  Hounslow

  1,505

  250

  Islington

  1,283

  1,043

  Kingston upon Hull

  2,252

  460

  Knowsley

  2,032

  65

  Lambeth

  1,911

  1,646

  Leeds

  6,231

  1,247

  Leicester

  2,343

  1,412

  Lewisham

  1,877

  1,566

  Liverpool

  3,920

  1,167

  Manchester

  4,229

  563

  Middlesbrough

  1,840

  57

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,789

  762

  Newham

  3,189

  1,618

  North East Lincolnshire

  1,010

  629

  North Tyneside

  1,816

  68

  Nottingham

  2,573

  1,016

  Oldham

  1,594

  1,086

  Redcar and Cleveland

  1,784

  54

  Rochdale

  1,374

  900

  Rotherham

  1,443

  1,186

  Salford

  2,113

  154

  Sandwell

  3,106

  466

  Sheffield

  2,837

  2,565

  South Tyneside

  1,476

  73

  Southwark

  2,278

  958

  St. Helens

  1,113

  282

  Stockton-on-Tees

  2,001

  66

  Stoke-on-Trent

  1,950

  439

  Sunderland

  2,342

  469

  Tameside

  1,620

  593

  Tower Hamlets

  2,405

  275

  Wakefield

  2,625

  581

  Walsall

  2,951

  102

  Waltham Forest

  1,281

  1,562

  167

  Numbers of free early years places provided for three-year-olds in the relevant local education authority areas in England

  Number of free, three-year-old places provided by LEAs in maintained nursery and primary schools1

  Estimated additional places to be created in 1999–2000

  Wandsworth

  1,584

  1,601

  Wirral

  1,714

  1,437

  Wolverhampton

  2,654

  100

  Total

  123,355

  48,498

  1 Position as at January 1999

  New Deal Jobs (Bolton)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobs have been created in Bolton as a result of the introduction of the Government's New Deal. [92700]

  Number of pupils aged under five in maintained nursery and primary schools by Local Education Authority area in England, January 1999 (provisional)

  City of Leicester and Leicestershire

  Rutland

  England

  Pupils in nursery schools and nursery classes in primary schools

  4,750

  101

  366,914

  Percentage of under 5 population at 31 December 1998

  21

  12

  30

  Pupils in infant classes in primary schools

  5,368

  208

  355,090

  Percentage of under 5 population at 31 December 1998

  24

  26

  29

  All pupils under 5 in nursery and primary schools

  10,118

  309

  722,004

  Percentage of under 5 population at 31 December 1998

  44

  38

  58

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92648]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: 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

  Numbers and proportion of permanent exclusions in schools in the Greater London local education authority areas January 1999 (provisional)

  Primary1

  Secondary1

  Special2

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Per 1000 of the school population3

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Per 1000 of the school population3

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Per 1000 of the school population3

  City of London

  0

  0.0

  4—

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Camden

  11

  1.0

  34

  3.1

  5

  16.2

  Hackney

  22

  1.2

  21

  2.9

  3

  6.9

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  12

  1.3

  39

  6.3

  1

  3.3

  Haringey

  5

  0.2

  38

  3.7

  3

  7.8

  Islington

  8

  0.5

  38

  5.0

  1

  3.7

  Kensington & Chelsea

  5

  0.7

  33

  9.7

  0

  0.0

  Lambeth

  15

  0.8

  40

  5.9

  7

  10.9

  Lewisham

  22

  1.0

  50

  4.5

  5

  9.3

  Newham

  12

  0.4

  42

  2.6

  0

  0.0

  Southwark

  15

  0.6

  76

  8.1

  5

  10.9

  Tower Hamlets

  5

  0.2

  39

  2.9

  5

  10.0

  Wandsworth

  10

  0.6

  59

  6.3

  7

  9.1

  Westminster

  3

  0.3

  60

  7.8

  0

  0.0

  168
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  New Deal is not a job creation scheme. However, in the Bolton Unit of Delivery for the period ending April 1999, 298 people have found sustained work through the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds and New Deal for those aged 25-plus.

  Nursery Places (Leicestershire)
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many nursery places are available in(a) North West Leicestershire and (b) Leicestershire with Leicester; what proportion this represents of the numbers of children in the appropriate age groups; and what proportions of children of nursery age nationally have access to nursery places. [92076]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The information is not available in the form requested. The available information is shown.

  last time I used a train in the course of my official duties was earlier this month when visiting Birmingham.

  Pupil Exclusions
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children were permanently excluded from school(a) per 1,000 of the school age population and (b) as a percentage of children from each ethnic group, in each local authority area in London. [93068]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the tables.
  169

  Numbers and proportion of permanent exclusions in schools in the Greater London local education authority areas January 1999 (provisional)

  Primary1

  Secondary1

  Special2

  Number of permanent exclusions

  Per 1000 of the school population3

  Number of permanent exclusion

  Per 1000 of the school population3

  Number permanent exclusions

  Per 1000 of the school population3

  Barking

  9

  0.5

  38

  3.7

  0

  0.0

  Barnet

  8

  0.3

  65

  3.2

  4

  10.3

  Bexley

  11

  0.5

  59

  3.8

  2

  5.5

  Brent

  7

  0.3

  90

  6.5

  0

  0.0

  Bromley

  10

  0.4

  83

  4.4

  0

  0.0

  Croydon

  17

  0.5

  85

  5.4

  6

  10.9

  Ealing

  11

  0.4

  71

  5.0

  0

  0.0

  Enfield

  10

  0.4

  74

  3.9

  3

  5.9

  Greenwich

  8

  0.4

  48

  3.5

  5

  6.9

  Harrow

  5

  0.2

  50

  6.1

  5

  24.6

  Havering

  4

  0.2

  66

  4.5

  0

  0.0

  Hillingdon

  3

  0.1

  52

  3.4

  3

  4.8

  Hounslow

  8

  0.4

  61

  4.0

  2

  5.4

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  0.0

  27

  3.3

  2

  8.9

  Merton

  4

  0.2

  32

  4.1

  0

  0.0

  Redbridge

  5

  0.2

  29

  1.7

  1

  2.4

  Richmond upon Thames

  1

  0.1

  53

  7.0

  0

  0.0

  Sutton

  6

  0.4

  37

  2.9

  2

  7.1

  Waltham Forest

  10

  0.5

  76

  6.3

  3

  4.1

  1 Includes middle schools

  2 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools

  3 Numbers of permanent exclusions expressed as a proportion (per 1000) of the of the number of full-time and part-time pupils of all ages in primary, secondary and special schools, excluding dually registered pupils in special schools in January 1998

  4 Not applicable (no schools of this type)

  Percentages1 of permanent exclusions of pupils of compulsory school age by ethnic group in the Greater London education authority areas January 1999 (provisional)

  White

  Black Caribbean

  Black African

  Black other

  Indian

  Pakistani

  Bangladeshi

  Chinese

  Any other

  City of London

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  Camden

  0.2

  1.9

  0.1

  0.4

  0.0

  0.6

  0.0

  0.0

  0.3

  Greenwich

  0.2

  0.5

  0.3

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.3

  0.2

  Hackney

  0.2

  0.5

  0.2

  0.4

  0.1

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.2

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  0.3

  0.8

  0.5

  0.9

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.5

  Islington

  0.4

  0.6

  0.3

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.1

  Kensington & Chelsea

  0.7

  0.7

  1.0

  0.8

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.3

  Lambeth

  0.2

  0.7

  0.1

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  1.0

  Lewisham

  0.1

  0.6

  0.3

  0.3

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.4

  Southwark

  0.2

  1.0

  0.2

  1.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.2

  0.1

  Tower Hamlets

  0.2

  0.4

  0.1

  0.6

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.7

  Wandsworth

  0.3

  0.8

  0.3

  0.6

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.4

  0.2

  Westminster

  0.3

  1.1

  0.2

  0.7

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.3

  Barking

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  1.8

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.5

  Barnet

  0.1

  1.2

  0.2

  0.5

  0.1

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Bexley

  0.2

  0.6

  0.5

  1.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Brent

  0.2

  1.1

  0.4

  0.5

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Bromley

  0.2

  0.7

  0.9

  1.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.4

  0.1

  Croydon

  0.2

  0.8

  0.3

  0.3

  0.0

  0.2

  0.0

  0.5

  0.1

  Ealing

  0.2

  0.6

  0.7

  0.1

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.2

  Enfield

  0.2

  0.8

  0.5

  0.2

  0.0

  0.4

  0.2

  0.0

  0.2

  Haringey

  0.1

  0.4

  0.2

  0.5

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Harrow

  0.2

  1.5

  0.5

  0.9

  0.1

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.2

  Havering

  0.2

  0.5

  2.1

  1.5

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Hillingdon

  0.2

  0.5

  0.4

  1.5

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Hounslow

  0.3

  0.5

  0.2

  0.2

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Kingston upon Thames

  0.2

  2.6

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.5

  0.0

  Merton

  0.2

  0.7

  0.4

  0.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Newham

  0.2

  0.4

  0.2

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  Redbridge

  0.1

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.2

  Richmond upon Thames

  0.3

  3.8

  0.0

  0.9

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Sutton

  0.2

  0.8

  0.4

  0.6

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.2

  Waltham Forest

  0.3

  1.1

  0.4

  0.3

  0.0

  0.1

  0.2

  0.0

  0.2

  1 The number of permanent exclusions of compulsory school age expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils of compulsory school age in each ethnic group, in primary, secondary and special schools (excluding dually registered pupils in special schools) in January 1998

  2 Not applicable (no schools of this type)

  170

  National Homework Guidelines
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations he has received regarding arrangements for children's homework. [93113]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Since my response to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean), 4 March 1999,Official Report, column 837, we have received a further 36 letters from schools and members of the public. These have raised no new issues.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the acceptance by job centres of advertisements for jobs paying less than the national minimum wage. [93124]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Allan Rogers, dated 27 July 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the acceptance by Jobcentres of advertisements for jobs paying less than the national minimum wage. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  In answer to your specific question, I am aware of one representation - to which I have replied - regarding whether Jobcentres would accept advertisements for jobs paying less than the national minimum wage.
  It may be helpful if I explain our arrangements for dealing with this matter. All Jobcentres have detailed instructions explaining that they must only take job vacancies that meet the requirements of the National Minimum Wage Act. When taking details of a job vacancy, if no wage rate is stated, the Jobcentre will ask the employer for an assurance that they are meeting the requirements of the Act. If

  £

  LEA name

  1998–99 allocation

  1999–2000 allocation

  Total allocation

  Barking and Dagenham

  622,000

  484,638

  1,106,638

  Barnet

  483,989

  562,500

  1,046,489

  Barnsley

  660,000

  429,757

  1,089,757

  Bath and NE Somerset

  350,000

  227,901

  577,901

  Bedfordshire

  920,000

  830,250

  1,750,250

  Bexley

  406,430

  488,360

  894,790

  Birmingham

  4,000,000

  4,000,000

  8,000,000

  Blackburn

  293,573

  449,871

  743,444

  Blackpool

  233,891

  376,443

  610,334

  Bolton

  750,000

  607,500

  1,357,500

  Bournemouth

  183,098

  187,500

  370,598

  Bracknell Forest

  196,886

  260,459

  457,345

  Bradford

  1,002,000

  1,600,000

  2,602,000

  Brent

  305,886

  358,131

  664,017

  Brighton and Hove

  769,000

  502,500

  1,271,500

  Bromley

  196,000

  536,027

  732,027

  Buckinghamshire

  1,250,000

  1,125,000

  2,375,000

  Bury

  393,713

  359,433

  753,146

  Calderdale

  179,278

  509,857

  689,135

  172
  employers remain unsure of their responsibilities under the Act the Jobcentre will advise them to contact the National Minimum Wage Advice Line for more detailed help.
  I hope this is helpful.

  National Grid for Learning
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools(a) have produced and (b) are preparing development plans in connection with the National Grid for Learning. [93163]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  All schools seeking grant in relation to the National Grid for Learning are expected to agree with their local education authority a development plan for the use of Information and Communications Technology. Information about the number of schools which have already done so is not held by the Department.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what part BT is playing in the establishment of the National Grid for Learning; and how it is otherwise providing information technology for schools. [93164]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  BT, in common with other companies operating in the telecommunications and ICT industries, has a role to play in making a range of services available to schools and other organisations in order to enable those institutions to make optimum use of the Information Age.

  The products and services that BT makes available to schools are a commercial decision and a matter for the company.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the sums allocated by each local authority in respect of the National Grid for Learning; and how much the sums amount to in each authority on(a) a per-pupil and (b) a per-school basis. [92746]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the NGfL funding devolved to each school is not held centrally by the Department. However, the total amount of grant allocated to each authority from the National Grid for Learning Standards Fund programme in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is set out in the tables. LEAs are required to devolve 95 per cent. of their allocation to schools.
  173

  £

  LEA name

  1998–99 allocation

  1999–2000 allocation

  Total allocation

  Cambridgeshire

  968,886

  911,606

  1,880,492

  Camden

  500,000

  383,667

  883,667

  Cheshire

  1,272,149

  982,500

  2,254,649

  City of Bristol

  763,657

  1,229,091

  1,992,748

  City of Kingston-upon-Hull

  540,171

  750,000

  1,290,171

  City of London

  0

  10,000

  10,000

  Cornwall

  978,576

  651,147

  1,629,723

  Coventry

  629,591

  1,013,313

  1,642,904

  Croydon

  480,000

  343,968

  823,968

  Cumbria

  1,500,000

  1,500,000

  3,000,000

  Darlington

  226,541

  185,947

  412,488

  Derby City

  417,900

  468,667

  886,567

  Derbyshire

  800,000

  637,500

  1,437,500

  Devon

  978,576

  1,212,754

  2,191,330

  Doncaster

  489,288

  338,596

  827,884

  Dorset

  800,000

  675,000

  1,475,000

  Dudley

  2,000,000

  2,000,000

  4,000,000

  Durham

  1,300,000

  2,032,695

  3,332,695

  Ealing

  300,000

  371,250

  671,250

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  800,000

  637,500

  1,437,500

  East Sussex

  782,861

  675,000

  1,457,861

  Enfield

  220,000

  273,482

  493,482

  Essex

  1,713,684

  1,723,500

  3,437,184

  Gateshead

  431,215

  337,500

  768,715

  Gloucestershire

  750,000

  586,032

  1,336,032

  Greenwich

  500,000

  520,000

  1,020,000

  Hackney

  346,955

  444,000

  790,955

  Halton

  311,121

  358,131

  669,252

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  300,000

  300,000

  600,000

  Hampshire

  2,201,797

  1,562,752

  3,764,549

  Haringey

  429,615

  358,131

  787,746

  Harrow

  348,208

  448,152

  796,360

  Hartlepool

  123,301

  195,344

  318,645

  Havering

  424,980

  285,202

  710,182

  Herefordshire

  234,858

  195,000

  429,858

  Hertfordshire

  1,957,153

  1,717,500

  3,674,653

  Hillingdon

  284,766

  325,573

  610,339

  Hounslow

  375,000

  364,642

  739,642

  Isle of Wight

  219,104

  399,921

  619,025

  Isles of Scilly

  10,412

  17,400

  27,812

  Islington

  500,000

  381,000

  881,000

  Kensington and Chelsea

  351,802

  221,883

  573,685

  Kent

  2,240,000

  4,200,000

  6,440,000

  Kingston upon Thames

  262,376

  206,250

  468,626

  Kirklees

  1,000,000

  787,500

  1,787,500

  Knowsley

  1,450,000

  612,789

  2,062,789

  Lambeth

  650,000

  520,766

  1,170,766

  Lancashire

  2,500,000

  1,627,867

  4,127,867

  Leeds

  1,700,000

  1,350,000

  3,050,000

  Leicester City

  600,000

  455,803

  1,055,803

  Leicestershire

  997,900

  900,000

  1,897,900

  Lewisham

  435,377

  450,000

  885,377

  Lincolnshire

  978,576

  1,887,402

  2,865,978

  Liverpool

  978,576

  1,050,000

  2,028,576

  Luton

  374,087

  325,573

  699,660

  Manchester

  983,605

  1,410,000

  2,393,605

  Medway Towns

  456,300

  750,000

  1,206,300

  Merton

  294,293

  325,573

  619,866

  Middlesbrough

  300,000

  325,573

  625,573

  Milton Keynes

  396,465

  325,573

  722,038

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,016,000

  885,204

  1,901,204

  Newham

  501,347

  806,909

  1,308,256

  Norfolk

  1,615,739

  1,500,000

  3,115,739

  North East Lincolnshire

  520,000

  390,000

  910,000

  North Lincolnshire

  200,000

  150,000

  350,000

  North Somerset

  293,573

  213,305

  506,878

  North Tyneside

  563,533

  669,000

  1,232,533

  North Yorkshire

  969,671

  681,230

  1,650,901

  Northamptonshire

  1,500,000

  1,125,000

  2,625,000

  Northumberland

  489,288

  525,000

  1,014,288

  Nottingham City

  564,834

  403,208

  968,042

  Nottinghamshire

  1,406,000

  1,302,294

  2,708,294

  174 175

  £

  LEA name

  1998–99 allocation

  1999–2000 allocation

  Total allocation

  Oldham

  570,322

  651,147

  1,221,469

  Oxfordshire

  1,200,000

  1,050,000

  2,250,000

  Peterborough

  305,240

  264,691

  569,931

  Plymouth

  489,288

  830,450

  1,319,738

  Poole

  186,987

  179,065

  366,052

  Portsmouth

  346,000

  357,480

  703,480

  Reading

  210,368

  338,585

  548,953

  Redbridge

  493,733

  582,470

  1,076,203

  Redcar and Cleveland

  507,395

  545,733

  1,053,128

  Richmond upon Thames

  160,792

  259,800

  420,592

  Rochdale

  442,813

  354,000

  796,813

  Rotherham

  587,146

  390,688

  977,834

  Rutland

  56,412

  74,095

  130,507

  Salford

  547,274

  520,917

  1,068,191

  Sandwell

  405,882

  366,270

  772,152

  Sefton

  587,146

  813,934

  1,401,080

  Sheffield

  1,200,000

  900,000

  2,100,000

  Shropshire

  672,000

  622,035

  1,294,035

  Slough

  176,454

  284,000

  460,454

  Solihull

  460,000

  299,528

  759,528

  Somerset

  978,576

  2,200,000

  3,178,576

  South Gloucestershire

  533,455

  453,849

  987,304

  South Tyneside

  364,477

  488,360

  852,837

  Southampton

  500,000

  292,500

  792,500

  Southend-on-Sea

  0

  300,161

  300,161

  Southwark

  600,020

  624,981

  1,225,001

  St. Helens

  700,000

  546,536

  1,246,536

  Staffordshire

  2,500,000

  3,300,000

  5,500,000

  Stockport

  1,000,000

  851,651

  1,851,651

  Stockton-on-Tees

  500,000

  1,000,000

  1,500,000

  Stoke-on-Trent

  500,000

  1,000,000

  1,500,000

  Suffolk

  1,454,693

  975,000

  2,429,693

  Sunderland

  587,146

  390,688

  977,834

  Surrey

  2,000,000

  2,250,000'

  4,250,000

  Sutton

  241,484

  337,437

  578,921

  Tameside

  400,000

  300,000

  700,000

  Telford and Wrekin

  341,942

  1,950,000

  2,291,942

  Thamesdown (Swindon)

  322,792

  227,901

  550,693

  Thurrock

  224,640

  205,111

  429,751

  Torbay

  214,987

  262,500

  477,487

  Tower Hamlets

  400,000

  450,000

  850,000

  Trafford

  500,000

  525,000

  1,025,000

  Wakefield

  1,000,000

  750,000

  1,750,000

  Walsall

  559,690

  511,801

  1,071,491

  Waltham Forest

  391,431

  450,000

  841,431

  Wandsworth

  291,558

  454,553

  746,111

  Warrington

  401,364

  465,000

  866,364

  Warwickshire

  1,016,252

  1,122,141

  2,138,393

  West Berkshire

  307,488

  260,459

  567,947

  West Sussex

  1,000,000

  750,000

  1,750,000

  Westminster

  241,604

  258,750

  500,354

  Wigan

  685,947

  675,000

  1,360,947

  Wiltshire

  489,288

  716,262

  1,205,550

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  268,168

  300,000

  568,168

  Wirral

  671,532

  468,826

  1,140,358

  Wokingham

  316,656

  212,925

  529,581

  Wolverhampton

  556,915

  432,245

  980,160

  Worcestershire

  1,125,048

  900,000

  2,025,048

  York

  300,000

  260,459

  560,549

  Total

  102,009,845

  105,000,002

  207,009,847

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have submitted comments to the Standards Site of the National Grid for Learning. [92742]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Feedback forms on the Standards Site have been available since March 1999. To date,176
  237 forms have been returned. The site also has a discussion forum, within which teachers can, from day to day, debate issues raised by the standards agenda.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many visits have been paid to(a) the Standards Site, (b) the Virtual Teacher Centre, (c) the Governor Centre, (d) the Parent Centre,

  177
  (e) the Special Educational Needs Centre, (f) the National Year of Reading, (g) the Northern Ireland Network for Education, (h) the Scottish Virtual Teachers Centre and (i) the VTC Cymru of the schools section of the National Grid for Learning; [92743]

  (2) how many visits have been paid to (a) the further education section, (b) the higher education section, (c) the lifelong learning section, (d) the career development section, (e) the libraries section, (f) the museums and galleries section, (g) the community grids section, (h) the international networks section, (i) the Government and Agencies section and (j) the learning resource index of the National Grid for Learning. [92744]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Not all of this information is held centrally by the Department. Many of the sites are hosted remotely, by a wide range of public sector bodies and commercial companies, both in this country and internationally. Total hits between November 1998 and July 1999 on the NGfL server are 43,067,816. Around 13,000 pages are hosted locally, with about 240,000 pages being indexed as part of the NGfL across all of the sites.

  Figures which are available are as follows:

  Site

  Number of hits

  Standards site

  13,379,688

  Virtual Teacher Centre

  16,060,495

  Governor Centre

  89,366

  Parents Centre

  236,844

  Special Educational Needs Centre

  145,747

  The National Year of Reading

  533,000

  Scottish VTC

  12,700

  VTC Cymru

  564,330

  Further Education hub

  679,331

  Career Development

  652,216

  Learning Resource Index

  3,083,163

  1 Page views per day

  Notes:

  Unless otherwise indicated, figures are for hits, between November 1998 and July 1999

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many comments have been received from teachers via e-mail to the Web Keeper of the Virtual Teacher Centre. [92741]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Around 25 messages a week are received by the Virtual Teacher Centre (VTC) Web Keeper.

  In addition to this, conferencing activity on the VTC sees around 80,000 hits per month, with an average of 1,000 contributions made.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools, (c) universities, (d) colleges and (e) libraries are connected to the National Grid for Learning; and how many he estimates will be connected by the end of 1999. [92739]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Latest estimates indicate that 51 per cent. of primary schools and 90 per cent. of secondary schools and 100 per cent. of universities are connected to the Internet. An April 1999 survey suggested that 100 per cent. of colleges of further education had internet access.
  178
  Statistics collected late in 1997 found that 5 per cent. of public library service points offered public Internet access. The Library and Information Commission is currently compiling updated statistics, as part of the development of the Public Library ICT Network which will link all public libraries, where practicable, to the NGfl by 2002.

  While targets for connection by the end of 1999 have not been set, our aim is that all schools, colleges, universities, libraries and as many community centres as possible should be online and able to benefit from access the National Grid for Learning by 2002. To achieve this target we are supporting over £700 million of ICT-related expenditure in UK schools over this period.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact made by the National Grid for Learning on equipment purchasing by(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. [93181]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not yet available from this year's survey of ICT in schools. The Government anticipate that the impact of its £657 million Standards Fund programme for the NGfL up to 2002 will be substantial, as will arrangements which they have announced this month for the availability of higher quality managed ICT services to schools at competitive prices.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the views of teachers on the National Grid for Learning. [92740]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The overall implementation of the National Grid for Learning, including school's purchasing strategies, is subject to a rigorous programme of independent evaluation. This also focuses on the Grid's impact on classroom practice and on students' achievements. Interim findings form these studies should be available early in 2000.

  The British Educational Communications and Technology agency, on behalf of the DfEE, is also carrying out evaluation of the classroom application of the Grid via the Multimedia Portables for Teachers project. Teachers are currently participating in curriculum groups, which provide feedback on the Grid's curriculum materials and identify any gaps in that provision.

  These activities are in addition to Ofsted's evaluation of the impact of ICT on teaching and learning.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of the National Grid for Learning; and what projections he has made of future costs. [92745]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  A total figure encompassing investment by the Government, Local Authorities, commercial companies, education institutions, libraries, community and other NGfL-related projects is not held centrally by the Department. However, over £700 million will be allocated for schools' purchase of ICT networking and infrastructure by the year 2002. Additional funding for teacher and librarian training, content development and the equipping of libraries and related projects takes investment in this initiative to £1.6 billion. This funding
  179
  will enable all schools to be connected to the Grid by 2002, and will provide them with online access to a wide range of educational and managerial resources.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the timetable for the development of the National Grid for Learning. [92738]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The timetable for the development of the National Grid for Learning is as follows:

  Autumn 1998—opening of NGfL content framework, call for content and NGfL Challenge.

  January 1999—deadline for initial expressions of interest in managed services.

  Early 1999—major NGfL content upgrade for education and lifelong learning professionals.

  April 1999—deadline for proposals for Managed Services.

  Spring 1999—New Opportunities Fund support for teacher and librarian training begins.

  Summer 1999—approval of managed services for schools, libraries and other bodies.

  1999–2000—launch of interactive learning facilities for school age learners.

  end 2002—achievement of targets as set out in the National Grid for Learning Challenge.

  All targets to date have been fully met and on time.

  Mathematics and Science Teachers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many graduates in(a) maths, (b) physics and (c) chemistry are expected to commence teacher training in the current year; and how many commenced teacher training in each of the preceding five years. [92750]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The numbers of entrants to PGCE initial teacher training in maths and science in England and Wales for the five years 1994–95 to 1998–99 are given in the following table.

  Intake to PGCE initial teacher training (ITT) in England and Wales to train in maths and science, 1994–95 to 1998–99

  Year

  Maths

  Science

  1994–95

  1,651

  2,714

  1995–96

  1,575

  2,686

  1996–97

  1,443

  2,705

  1997–98

  1,233

  2,590

  1998–991

  981

  2,195

  1 Provisional mid-year data

  Sources:

  England: Higher Education Students Early Statistics Survey 1994–95; TTA Survey of ITT Providers 1995–96 to 1998–99

  Wales: Welsh Office 1994–95; Higher Education Students Early Statistics Survey 1995–96 to 1998–99

  It is too early to predict recruitment to PGCE courses in 1999–2000. However, following the introduction of £5,000 incentives in maths and science, applications have gone up substantially, by 37 per cent. for maths to 1,306 and 24 per cent. for science to 2,784. Within the figure for science there have been increases of 33 per cent. for physics and 27 per cent. for chemistry. We are therefore confident that the decline in recruitment since 1995 will be reversed this year. The following table taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency's Student Record Survey shows the percentage of those commencing PGCE
  180
  teacher training who were graduates in maths, physics and chemistry in the years 1995–96 and 1997–98. These are the subjects of first degree and not necessarily the subjects or phase in which the student is undertaking teacher training. Information for the current year and 1998–99 is not yet available. There are a significant proportion of students for whom the first degree subject is unknown. The subjects of first degree do not include combined courses, or closely related courses such as engineering.

  Percentage of those commencing PGCE initial teacher training (ITT) in England and Wales with first degrees in maths, physics or chemistry, 1995–96 to 1997–98

  Year

  Maths

  Physics

  Chemistry

  1995–96

  4

  1

  2

  1996–97

  3

  1

  2

  1997–98

  3

  1

  2

  Note:

  Statistics has been included with maths

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency's Student Record Survey

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many trainees have been placed in schools or are to be placed in schools under his scheme to train 600 new maths and science teachers on the job; and how many of the trainees are graduates in(a) maths and (b) science. [92749]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Teacher Training Agency (TTA) awarded a contract for the administration of the Maths and Science Placement Scheme in April. Over the next year, the programme will recruit 600 mature graduates in maths and science and match them to suitable vacancies in schools on the Graduate Teacher Programme. Approximately 300 will train as maths teachers and 300 as science teachers. We are still at an early stage of the scheme, but the TTA have already received 436 applications.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of(a) maths and (b) science teachers returning to teaching following his initiative to encourage returners to teaching. [92751]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We do not at present have figures in the form requested. Information on those returning to teaching after the package of measures announced in October 1998 will be produced in due course, but the latest data available now relate to 1996–97.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the planned timetable for the issuing of an information technology needs assessment CD ROM to teachers by the Teacher Training Agency. [93179]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  All schools have now been invited to apply for the ICT needs identification assessment CD-ROM. It is available free of charge to UK schools. The latest estimates indicate that over 30,000 packs have been distributed by the Teacher Training Agency. This is an overwhelming response, which fully endorses the decision to produce the CD-ROM.
  181
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve the teaching of information technology in schools following the annual report of the Chief Inspector of Schools; and if he will make a statement. [92748]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We are taking significant and unprecedented steps to improve the teaching of information technology in schools. We were appalled at the completely inadequate state of such preparation that had been made both in ITT and for serving teachers before May 1997.

  We have made available through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) £230 million to provide serving teachers and school library staff in the UK with training in the effective use of ICT in schools. There will be strong pedagogical content in the training to ensure that ICT is used effectively to enhance the learning experience. This will bring serving teachers up to the same standard as teachers emerging into the profession whose training will have followed, in part, the Initial Teacher Training Curriculum for ICT in Subject Teaching which was introduced in September 1998.

  To underpin the training we are making available over £300 million to increase the number of computers in schools, so teachers can have access to them. The availability of computers must go hand in hand with the training. In addition we recently made £23 million available for the purchase of 9,500 multimedia portables for teachers so that they can learn about IT in their own time.

  Finally, teachers will be able to access the virtual teachers centre (www.vtc.ngfl.gov.uk) being developed by the Government and schools will have the benefit of being able to get better value for the purchase of computers and equipment following our managed services programme launched on 21 July.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools have appointed National Lottery-approved training providers for IT training in each local authority area expressed as a proportion of schools in that area. [93182]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Training has already begun in 20 LEAs. The New Opportunities Fund is agreeing budget schedules with other LEAs and we expect training to begin nationally in September. This is the first time many serving teachers will have access to such training, which is being supported by £230 million.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of teachers in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools who have received information technology training through National Lottery-approved training providers; and how many he expects to receive such training in the academic year 1999–2000. [93180]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  During the Summer Term 1999, training within the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) ICT teacher training programme has begun in approximately 20 education authorities. NOF is actively engaged in collecting data on this training from Approved Providers,182
  and it is too early to give firm information on the number of teachers trained. These data will be available from NOF in September.

  Training was initiated during this term to meet the needs of those schools which are particularly advanced in the provision of ICT hardware. However, the majority of the approved training providers are not proposing to start training teachers before the next school year (1999–2000). The NOF programme will last three years, and is integrated with Government initiatives to roll out the necessary hardware in schools, for example via the Standards Fund. NOF thus expects demand to build steadily during the next school year. The programme is designed to reach all serving teachers over its lifetime.

  Bullying
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children are currently being educated at home as a result of bullying at school; and if he will make a statement. [93325]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not collected centrally. The Department has recently issued guidance which will ensure that local authorities arrange education for children out of school for any reason, including post-traumatic stress as a result of bullying. It also sets out a legal duty on headteachers, from September of this year, to take measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.

  Student Funding
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many student loan accounts exist on which payments are suspended; what are the amounts involved; and what is the amount owing on each account. [93596]

  Mr. Mudie
  At 30 June 1999, 516,592 student loan accounts were in deferment with a value of £26.1 million. Listing amounts involved on each account would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many student loan accounts have been written off; what are the amounts involved on each account; and if he will make a statement. [93597]

  Mr. Mudie
  At 30 June 1999, 110,816 student loan accounts had been written off with a total value of £4.6 million. Listing the amounts written off on each of these accounts would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the competition to sell a third portfolio of student loan debt. [93824]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have successfully completed two sales of student loan debt in the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  A decision on the future timing of the third sale will be taken following the implementation of the new student support arrangements later this year, the 2000 Review and the outcome of the Review of Administration of Student Support, which is also due to report in 2000.
  183
  The postponement of the third sale will have no impact on borrowers. Sold loans will remain in the hands of the private sector owners and the remainder will stay in public ownership. The Student Loans Company continues to administer all loans as before.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received over the past 12 months from(a) vice-chancellors and (b) others concerning top-up fees. [93379]

  Mr. Mudie
  We have received a number of representations about tuition fees in higher education institutions. Prohibiting the charging of additional fees enables all students to have equal access to the courses on offer.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what evidence he has of delays among local authorities in the assessment process of means for student loans and tuition fees. [93380]

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many LEAs he estimates will meet his Department's timetable for having the student grant assessments completed; [92821]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the reasons for delays in processing applications for student grants; [92866]

  (3) for what reasons a greater amount of information is required by the Student Loans Company in respect of grant applications than was formerly required by LEAs; [92867]

  (4) what the average period of time taken to assess grant applications and make payment (a) was under LEAs and (b) is currently under the Student Loans Company; and what reasons underlie any differences; [92868]

  (5) how many LEAs have carried out grant assessments and passed information to the Student Loans Company; and how many of these were using their own computer systems; [92869]

  Mr. Mudie
  Under the new arrangements LEAs, and not the Student Loans Company (SLC), are responsible for assessing eligibility for, and financial entitlement to, student support. The SLC is responsible for making payments to students based on these assessments. The information applicants are required to provide to LEAs is set out in the Education (Student Support) Regulations 1999.

  The Department is monitoring closely and regularly the progress being made by LEAs. This monitoring shows that they are currently at different stages in assessing applications. We expect virtually all applicants to be notified of their eligibility for support within the next fortnight. Also, a number of LEAs, including some with their own in-house software provision, are passing notifications of applicants' financial entitlement to support to the Student Loans Company. The position is changing daily and a significant number of other LEAs are expected to begin issuing financial notifications within the next couple of weeks. We expect that all LEAs will complete processing applications from students who
  184
  submitted their forms by the required timetable, and that cheques will be issued to those students at the start of their courses.

  School Computers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the expenditure on computers for schools by each local education authority on a per school basis in the last year. [92747]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on expenditure on ICT on a per school basis in each LEA is not held centrally by the Department. Figures on expenditure on ICT on a per school basis in England will be published later this year.

  Teachers (Early Leavers)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers of(a) mathematics, (b) science and (c) other subjects with (i) up to two years' experience, (ii) between two and 10 years' experience and (iii) more than 10 years' experience have left the teaching profession before reaching the age of 50 years in each of the last 20 years. [93183]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information is not available.

  Football Study Support Centres
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1999,Official Report, columns 523-25, regarding football study support centres, when he expects to be able to make an estimate of the number of pupils attending centres at (a) Birmingham City, (b) Bristol City, (c) Liverpool, (d) Manchester United, (e) Stockport County, (f) Southampton and (g) West Bromwich Albion clubs in the current year. [92752]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  These seven clubs will open their "Playing for Success" study support centres during the 1999–2000 football season. The number of pupils to attend each centre will be agreed between the centre's manager, the local schools, and the Local Education Authority. Bristol City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Stockport County and Southampton have appointed centre managers to take up post in September of this year; their estimates of pupil numbers will be available in October 1999. Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion expect to have centre managers in post in January 2000; estimates of their pupil numbers will be available in February 2000.

  Class Sizes (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made since 1 May 1997 in reducing the size of infant classes in Gloucestershire. [93138]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are no figures available for May 1997.
  185
  The number of five, six and seven-year olds in infant classes of more than 30 pupils in Gloucestershire fell from 5,001 in January 1998 to 4,418 in 1999; a reduction from 26.7 per cent. to 23.2 per cent. The average class size at Key Stage 1 also fell from 26.8 to 26.6 during the same period.

  A further substantial fall is expected in September 1999 following the allocation of £804,000 revenue funding and £629,000 capital investment in 1999–2000.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those Gloucestershire schools where infant classes contain more than 30 pupils. [93151]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on class sizes for individual schools is not published centrally.

  Information for Gloucestershire local education authority as a whole is shown in the table.

  Key stage 1 classes with 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools

  January 1998

  January 19991

  Number of classes

  154

  136

  Number of pupils

  5,001

  4,418

  1 Provisional

  Departmental Expenditure (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the programmes funded directly by his Department, relating to social exclusion, regeneration, community development, employment or education, currently operating in(a) the City of Leeds and (b) the Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency, listing for each programme the amount of such funding for each of the last three years and the amount planned to be spent in each of the next three financial years. [92909]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information requested is not held by the Department centrally. The Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber (GOYH) have provided details which have been placed in the Library; separate figures for the Leeds, Central Parliamentary constituency are not available.

  New Deal (Injuries)
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many injuries have been reported of New Deal clients, since 1 April 1998. [93439]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There have been 12 cases of fractures or an injury requiring a visit to a hospital. There have been 68 minor injuries not requiring any hospital treatment. This is in the context of 395,000 starts for young people and 25-plus in this period and is a much lower level of injury than the normal average level of industrial injuries in the work force.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many classes taught by one teacher in maintained secondary schools contained 186
  (a) 31 or more pupils and (b) 36 or more pupils in (i) May 1997 and (ii) of the most recent date for which figures are available broken down by (A) local education authority and (B) parliamentary constituency; [93239]

  (2) how many classes taught by one teacher at Key Stage 2 contained (a) 31 or more pupils and (b) 36 or more pupils in (i) May 1997 and (ii) at the most recent date for which figures are available in each (A) local education authority and (B) parliamentary constituency; [93236]

  (3) what was the average class size for classes taught by one teacher in (a) May 1997 and (b) at the most recent date for which figures are available for (i) pupils in Key Stage 1, (ii) pupils in Key Stage 2, (iii) primary schools and (iv) secondary schools in (A) England and Wales and (B) each parliamentary constituency. [93237]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average class size in maintained secondary schools in England in(a) January 1998 and (b) January 1999. [93238]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is as follows:

  Average size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained secondary schools in England

  Position as at January each year

  Average size of classes

  1999 (provisional)

  21.8

  1998

  21.7

  The overall average class size in schools has fallen from 24.9 to 24.8 in the same period and the average primary class size has fallen from 27.7 to 27.5.

  School Sixth Forms
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the process and timetable under which a decision on any application to set up a new sixth form in a school will be taken pending the outcome of the review of the funding of sixth forms in schools, indicating the differences in approach dependent on the arrangements for funding any capital works required. [93374]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Under both current arrangements and those to be brought into force on 1 September, those proposing to set up a new sixth form at a school must consult in the area and then publish statutory proposals for the change. Under current arrangements, the proposals would fall to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to decide if there were any statutory objections. From September, proposals might fall to the local School Organisation Committee to decide or, if the Committee could not agree, to an Adjudicator. The current target for a decision is five months from the date of publication. No decisions have been made on changes in the system for
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  funding capital work necessary in order to implement proposals, and it is not expected that any changes would affect the statutory proposal system.

  Further Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will define the responsibilities for inspection in general further education colleges between the (i) Further Education Inspectorate and (ii) OFSTED, respectively, in connection with educational provision for persons aged 16 to 19 years in such colleges. [93377]

  Mr. Mudie
  Under current inspection arrangements, the Further Education and Funding Council are responsible for inspecting provision in further education colleges.

  Under the proposals in our "Learning to Succeed" White Paper (Cm 4392), OFSTED will take responsibility for the inspection of 16-19 provision in schools and colleges. For post-19 provision in colleges, and for work-based provision for all age groups, there will be a new independent inspectorate.

  Educational Bodies
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current number of(a) local education authorities, (b) TECs and (c) local lifelong learning partnerships; and how many local learning and skills councils are planned. [93378]

  Mr. Mudie
  There are currently 150 local education authorities, 72 Training and Enterprise Councils and 103 local learning partnerships in England. We have asked the Regional Development Agencies and the London Development Partnership for advice on the boundaries in their region for up to 50 local Learning and Skills Councils across England.

  "Learning to Succeed"
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the forecast administrative cost savings to be achieved under his proposals in "Learning to Succeed" (Cm 4392). [93381]

  Mr. Mudie
  We expect to secure at least £50 million in savings per annum in steady state as a result of the changes set out in the White Paper "Learning to Succeed". These will flow from cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy, simpler funding and administrative systems, and streamlining contracting arrangements. Detailed estimates of administrative cost savings to be achieved will be determined once we have considered, and taken decisions on, responses to the consultation, particularly on the precise functions to be carried out by the Learning and Skills Council at local and national levels.

  Numeracy Strategy
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate of the number of primary school teachers was used to determine the print run of the numeracy strategy documents. [93373]
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  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of primary school teachers in England is estimated at 190,000. An initial print run of 300,000 copies of the Framework for teaching mathematics was commissioned for publication in March.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the criteria used in allocating the tender to print the numeracy strategy file for teachers to a company in Italy. [93376]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We commissioned Cambridge University Press (CUP) to prepare the Framework for publication. CUP were selected because of its record in mathematical publications, its understanding of the pilot National Numeracy Project and the English National Curriculum. The selection of the printer was a matter entirely for CUP.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many copies of the numeracy strategy document for teachers were ordered from the printers; how many have been printed; how many schools have not received their full allocation to date; and when further copies will be made available. [93375]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  300,000 copies of the National Numeracy Strategy Framework for teaching mathematics were ordered and printed. Arrangements were made for all schools to receive three copies of the strategy's Framework on 16 March with over 200,000 copies available on request. A reprint of 200,000 copies was commissioned and all schools requesting additional copies received them before the end of summer term.

  Truancy and School Exclusions
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress there has been on tackling truancy and school exclusion since the Social Exclusion Unit's report on Truancy and School Exclusion was published in May 1998. [93825]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Ministerial Task Force on Truancy and School Exclusion, which I chair, has today sent its first annual report on truancy and school exclusion to the Prime Minister. The report sets out the action we have taken to implement the recommendations in the Social Exclusion Unit's report, including examples of good practice, and sets out our priorities for 1999–2000.

  We are pleased to report that permanent exclusions have fallen by 3 per cent. (from 12,700 in the 1996–97 school year to 12,300 in 1997–98). This is particularly good news because it is the first time that permanent exclusions have fallen since my Department began collecting information on exclusions in 1994–95.

  Since the "Truancy and School Exclusion" report was published, we have:
  made available through the "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support" grant some £500 million over the next three years to tackle truancy and exclusion from school. As part of the Government's commitment to ensuring that all pupils who are excluded for more than three weeks have access to a full-time and appropriate

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  timetable by 2002, this includes £22 million made available to local education authorities in 1999–2000 to extend out of school provision;
  required local education authorities to set targets for reducing unauthorised absence and permanent exclusions within their Education Development Plans—in order to meet the national target of a one third reduction in levels of unauthorised absence and school exclusion by 2002;
  given the police, under the "Crime and Disorder Act 1998", a new power to pick up truants and return them to designated premises.
  issued new guidance on "Social inclusion: Pupil Support", which brings together advice on attendance, discipline, the use of exclusion, education outside school and re-integration, with a focus on early intervention. The document emphasises the importance of multi-agency support.

  Our priorities for 1999–2000 include:
  new local education authority targets for reducing the level of fixed period exclusions;
  continued work to secure more joined up working at local level to support pupils who are at risk of truancy or disaffection;
  following recommendations in the Macpherson report, a consultation on how to increase the amount of exclusions information which is published down to school level, including information about the ethnicity of excluded pupils;
  generating more innovative ideas for tackling truancy and exclusion from school (from 2000–01);
  as part of the "Excellence in Cities" initiative, the introduction of learning mentors and learning support units to tackle disaffection and barriers to learning.

  Career Development Loans
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to(a) review and (b) evaluate the impact of the Career Development Loan Scheme on educational training. [93628]

  Mr. Mudie
  The effectiveness of the Career Development Loan (CDL) Scheme is subject to an annual review against targets and objectives, the Department has also started a fundamental review of the application processes and associated literature in partnership with the participating High Street banks.

  In addition, there is a rolling programme of evaluation undertaken by external specialists. The most recent evaluations have been:
  In 1997, research into the impact the loans had on individuals and their ability to undertake vocational training or continue in education had the loan not been available;
  In 1998, research into the views of training providers, both those who actively promote CDLs and those who have not had any trainees use the scheme;
  In 1999, research into the reasons why people do not take up a loan after showing initial interest and asking for the application pack.

  The first two reports are available from the DfEE Publications Unit and copies have been placed in the Library. The third will also be available in due course.

  Standards and Effectiveness Unit
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the increase in the(a) staff and (b) expenditure of the Standards and Effectiveness Unit since its inception; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this increase on (i) the bureaucratic burdens on schools and (ii) the number of circulars issued by his Department. [93312]
  190
  Ms Estelle Morris
  At its inception in May 1997 the number of staff in the Unit was 44, this rose to 107 in May 1998 and at the end of June 1999 stood at 152. The budget for the Unit in 1997–98 was £2.4 million; for 1998–99, £4.8 million; and for 1999–2000 it is £5.9 million. The numbers of staff in the Unit must be viewed against the numbers of staff and budget for the Department as a whole, both of which have remained stable over the last two years. The increase of staff in the Unit, therefore, reflects a refocusing of resources towards our top priority of raising standards in schools.

  The increased resources devoted to the Standards and Effectiveness Unit have led to a clearer focus on raising standards in schools, not to increased bureaucracy. The work of the Unit has not led to any significant increase in the number of circulars issued by the Department over the last three years. We draw a clear distinction between unnecessary bureaucratic activity, which hinders teachers' efforts to raise standards, and those activities that are integral to achieving higher standards. We have provided training and support materials as part of the strategies to improve standards in key areas such as literacy and numeracy and this has been welcomed by teachers.

  Following a systematic review of bureaucracy, the Department has initiated firm action to reduce the burden on schools.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Employment Service's Annual Report and Accounts for 1998–99 will be laid before Parliament. [93823]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I have today laid before the House the Employment Service's Annual Report and Accounts for 1998–99 which gives full details of the Agency's performance and expenditure for that year.

  The Annual Report notes the very significant achievements of the Employment Service in 1998–99. In particular, the Employment Service successfully launched the New Deals for 18-24-year-olds, for those aged 25 and over and for Lone Parents through ground-breaking local partnerships of private, voluntary and public sector organisations.

  At the same time, the Report notes that during 1998–99 the Employment Service:
  handled 2.5 million job vacancies;
  placed directly into work over 1.2 million unemployed people including some 180,000 people who had been unemployed for more than six months and almost 100,000 people with disabilities;
  helped nearly a quarter of a million young people through the New Deal for 18-24-year-olds and directly placed 70,000 of them into jobs.

  Although the Employment Service did not succeed in meeting its main targets for the number of unemployed people placed into jobs, its performance needs to be seen against the background of further falls in unemployment over the year with numbers of long-term unemployed people at their lowest level for 20 years, a continuing emphasis on ensuring that all job placings were properly and accurately recorded and validated and the successful delivery of a very substantial agenda of other major developments, including New Deal implementation, by and within the Agency.
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  I am particularly pleased that the Employment Service is changing rapidly. People are noticing the difference. I am particularly pleased that standards of customer service in Jobcentres exceeded the target set and reached their highest recorded level ever.

  The Agency has also continued to play a key role in implementing our Modernising Government agenda including the introduction, on a pilot basis, of its new telephone job finding service, Employment Service Direct; the opening of its Peterlee Call Centre to improve services to employers throughout the Northern Region; and the introduction of Webvacs, its first internet jobs database.

  As the Chief Executive points out in his Report, none of this would have been possible without the quite remarkable effort and commitment of people throughout the Employment Service. I, too, am very grateful to them and wish them every success in 1999–2000.

  New Deal Leavers
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people who responded to the Survey of New Deal Leavers with Unknown Destinations stated that they had left for(a) unsubsidised work, (b) incapacity benefit, (c) income support and (d) another destination; and if he will list the other destinations. [93466]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  A recently published survey of the destination of New Deal leavers with unknown destinations established that 43 per cent had left for paid employment. The other destinations are listed here:

  gone abroad

  claimed other benefit

  claimant deceased

  Full-Time education (other than as a New Deal Option)

  approved training

  starting non-New Deal Government Supported Training

  in prison/custody

  attending court

  on the witness protection programme

  partner working

  partner claiming

  signed off voluntarily due to a fraud investigation

  client signed off when a JSA disallowance applied

  the client is over the maximum savings limit

  on JSA but not on New Deal.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93457]

  Ms Hodge
  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 and the Home Office to develop good practices for ensuring that our policies meet the changing needs of all members of society.
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  "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment guidelines", published by the Home Office, Women's Unit, and DfEE in November, has been circulated to all Departments to ensure that the effects of any policy changes on all sections of the population are considered at the earliest stage of policy development. My Department has underpinned the guidelines with more specific advice to all policy makers on how to consider the needs and requirements of different groups.

  International Labour Organisation Conventions
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those International Labour Organisation conventions which the United Kingdom has stated it does not plan to ratify. [92826]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We have made no such statement. When I attended the ILO Conference on 8 June I delivered the instrument of ratification for ILO Convention 111 on discrimination in employment to the ILO's Director General. We are currently considering ratification of both Convention 138 on the minimum age for employment and the new ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. I will make an announcement on these Conventions shortly.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will commission a study of the Norwegian experience in respect of the non-employment of smokers in asbestos-related work; and if he will make a statement. [93027]

  Mr. Meale
  I have been asked to reply.

  As far as I am aware, there is no policy in Norway on the non-employment of smokers in asbestos-related work. Because smoking increases the absolute lung cancer risk from asbestos, UK Government policy is to discourage those who work with asbestos from smoking. The Government have no further plans to commission research in this area.

DEFENCE

  Royal Hospital, Haslar
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has made of the costs of(a) building new military hospital facilities to replace Royal Hospital, Haslar and (b) implementing improved security arrangements in the new establishment. [70872]

  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.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reviews, task forces and advisory groups have been established by his Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71521]
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  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the right hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 1999,Official Report, column 732, if he will list the expenditure not included in his answer incurred by (a) his agencies and non-departmental public bodies and (b) the Central Office of Information for relevant work carried out for his Department. [71016]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary ?of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 1999,Official Report, column 732, if he will list the expenditure not included in his answer incurred (a) by task forces and review bodies, (b) by focus groups, (c) on market research and (d) for publications and publicity; and if he will list the bodies which incurred the expenditure. [71017]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 February 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Task Forces
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish a list of (1) task forces and (2) policy reviews established by his Department since May 1997 which(a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took; [74457]

  (2) if he will list for all task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 (a) their dates of establishment, (b) those which have issued final reports and their dates of publication, (c) those which have been terminated and their dates of termination and (d) for those bodies still in existence, expected reporting and termination dates; [79282]

  (3) if he will list all those task forces and policy reviews with external members established by his Department since May 1997 which have set up (a) sub-groups, (b) working parties and (c) other subsidiary committees. [79259]

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

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will fund studies using radiological techniques proposed by Dundee and St. Andrew's Universities on the state of the health of UK nuclear veterans and their families. [74728]

  Mr. Spellar
  We are aware of the techniques that researchers at Dundee plan to use should their research proposals be adopted but we have serious doubts about their general applicability to nuclear test veterans. One of the techniques, the detection of chromosome aberrations, has already been the subject of a pilot study by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB)194
  involving test veterans and was found to lack resolution since the level of such aberrations is naturally elevated in people of this age group.

  Of the other techniques, the magnitude of the dose required to produce long-term effects in the organs to be studied is very high. It is extremely unlikely that veterans could have received radiation doses sufficient to produce such effects 40 years after the alleged exposure. This is borne out by the fact that two robust epidemiological studies have shown no increase in leukaemia rates and no overall increase in mortality, either in cancer or non-cancer diagnoses. It would therefore be inappropriate to allocate public funds to this work.

  Chiefs of Staff
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of items discussed at each of the meetings of the Chiefs of Staff since 21 December 1998. [84351]

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

  Building and Property Group
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the rules relating to the employment of sub-contractors at his Department's establishments under contracts with Building and Property Group Ltd. [80094]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 April 1999]: The Contractor shall not sub-let any or part of the Contract without the prior consent of the Project Manager. The Contractor is required to include in the sub-contractor's contract statutory obligations imposed on him by the Authority, relating, for example, to Corruption, Secrecy and any other provisions as may be necessary to enable the Contractor to fulfil his obligations under the Contract.

  Within the MOD Works Services Manager (WSM) and Establishment Works Consultant (EWC) contracts, there is a requirement on the contractor to provide a list of Companies/Consultants whom they intend to invite to tender, for any works in excess of £5,000. If he intends to invite a subsidiary or associated firm then this must be in addition to three other companies. Acceptance and award of contract should be to the lowest compliant tender.

  Nimrod
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1), pursuant to his answer of 17 March 1999,Official Report, column 685, on the Nimrod MRA4 programme, what was the nature of the technical difficulties experienced by BAe; and what extra costs will be placed on his Department because of the slippage in the in-service date from April 2003 to early 2005; [82528]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the procurement process for the maritime patrol aircraft requirement; and what were the in-service dates proposed by each of the bidders. [82529]
  195
  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Armed Forces (Manning Levels)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the additional annual full capitation costs to his Department if the services were manned up to establishment levels as at 31 March; and what is the breakdown of this figure between the(a) Royal Navy (excluding the Royal Marines), (b) Army, (c) Royal Air Force and (d) Royal Marines. [85911]

  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.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will respond to the request by Iraq's Foreign Minister on 21 November 1991 for a survey of the levels of depleted uranium contamination used in Operation Granby and Desert Storm. [86948]

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

  Reserve Forces
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) peers, (b) hon. Members and (c) hon. Members' staff, broken down by political party, are eligible for call up as (a) reservists and (b) members of the Territorial Army. [87339]

  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.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many regular and reserve forces are(a) in theatre, (b) in support at home and (c) in training. [91592]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  UK Manufacturers
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department takes to consider first(a) United Kingdom companies and (b) companies operating in the United Kingdom when placing orders; and what further plans he has to support United Kingdom manufacturers. [88403]

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

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Chichester of 22 April Ref (82417) on special advisers; [89064]
  196
  (2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) of 31 March 1999, Official Report, column 674, on special advisers, if he will give the average cost per head for each official and adviser for the trips listed. [82417]

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

  Saville Inquiry
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who provided to the Saville Inquiry the series of documents released in October 1998 to lawyers acting for those killed or wounded in Londonderry on 30 January 1972, with particular reference to the document which identified the names, rank, number and appointment of individual soldiers; and by the authority of which Government Department they were handed to the Saville Inquiry. [88812]

  Mr. Ingram
  I have been asked to reply.

  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each location where the United Kingdom has tested(a) chemical weapons, (b) biological weapons and (c) bacteriological weapons; and what steps have been taken to monitor and clean the locations after the tests. [89734]

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

  British Forces (Germany)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British forces personnel are currently stationed in Germany; and at what annual cost. [90173]

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

  Service Families (Support)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the provision of briefing, communications and military welfare services for the families of Territorial Army personnel and reservists from all three services on tours of duty abroad. [90261]

  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.

  Sea Wolf
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the early release of the contract to purchase the second tranche (block 2) of the Sea Wolf missile fusing system. [90167]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The contract for the Sea Wolf missile fuse was placed in 1997 and there is no requirement for further purchases at this time. Turning to the Sea Wolf missile itself, we are

  197
  currently engaged in pre-contractual negotiations with the Prime Contractor, Matra BAe Dynamics (MBD), on the final tranche of the missile requirement, which is known as Block 2. Subject to the outcome of these discussions, we plan to place the Block 2 contract later this year.

  Kapton Insulation
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the use of Kapton insulation in military aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [91574]

  Mr. Spellar
  Kapton is a trademarked material. It is one of a range of polyamide coverings used to insulate aircraft wires. The MOD has been aware of potential problems associated with polyamide insulated wires since they were first identified in 1985. Accordingly the use of polyamide insulated wires in MOD aircraft is reviewed regularly. Work has included a detailed assessment of each aircraft installation; a review of defence standards on aircraft wiring; and work with the British Standards Institute to develop standards that are suitable for all airborne electrical wires and cables. We have also developed clear procurement guidelines and improved inspection and husbandry techniques. Decisions about wiring installations on MOD aircraft are made by experienced engineers who are responsible for assessing the risks and benefits, and for making safety and value judgments accordingly.

  Apache Helicopter
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Apache helicopters his Department is planning to acquire; at what cost; what reassessment has been made of their strategic role following the Kosovo conflict; and if he will make a statement. [91874]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We are acquiring 67 WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters at an estimated cost of some £3.1bn, including munitions and a 30-year training contract. We are currently studying the US Army's report into the deployment of Apache to the Balkans. It is too early to draw any firm conclusions, but we will take full account of any lessons for the aircraft's role.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what analysis has been undertaken of the effectiveness of the Apache helicopter since the Kosovo campaign. [92477]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We are currently studying the US Army's report into the deployment of US Army Apaches to the Balkans. It is too early to draw any firm conclusions, but we will take a full account of any lessons for the aircraft's role with the British Army.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Apache helicopters are(a) in service and (b) on order for the RAF. [92494]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are currently no Apache helicopters in service with the British Army. Sixty-seven WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters are on order. They will be operated by the Army.

  Army Personnel
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the total trained requirement and (b) the
  198
  total trained strength of the (i) Royal Artillery, (ii) Royal Engineers, (iii) Royal Signals, (iv) Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, (v) Royal Logistic Corps and (vi) Royal Army Medical Service. [91593]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Electronic Tags
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the development of personal tags capable of the electronic storage of personal information including medical records. [92166]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Personnel (Bosnia)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom service personnel have been disabled in the course of their duties in Bosnia during the last three years; and what percentage of these have been found alternative work within the armed forces. [92215]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 21 July 1999]: Information on injuries occurring to military personnel serving in Bosnia is not collected in a format which would enable identification of personnel who have become disabled, as defined in the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act.

  Anglo-US Defence Co-operation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which organisation within the United States Department of Defence his Department is holding discussions to obtain replacements of stocks of Tomahawk missiles used in the Kosovo theatre; on what date these discussions began; and when his Department expects to conclude these discussions. [92254]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about our negotiations with the United States Department of Defense for the replacement of stocks of TOMAHAWK missiles used in Kosovo. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Discussions, which began on an informal basis in April, are being held with the Programme Executive Office Cruise Missiles and Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (PEO(CU)) in the US Department of Defense. These are expected to conclude at the end of August with the placement of a contract.

  Army Medical Centre, Millbank
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current use and the planned future use of the Army Medical Centre buildings at Millbank. [92458]
  199
  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92649]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. I last travelled by train in the course of my departmental duties on 18 November 1998. In addition, I frequently travel to and from my constituency by train, most recently on 18 July 1999.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans he has made to give emergency assistance to the Fire Service in case of a national firefighters' strike. [92900]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence has longstanding arrangements with the Home Office to provide emergency fire cover at their request in the event of industrial action in the Fire Service. Our ability to respond to such a request would depend on the nature and extent of the request and on our operational commitments at the time.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many export orders have been placed for the Eurofighter; and if he will make a statement. [93280]

  Mr. George Robertson
  There have been no export orders for Eurofighter as yet, although the prime contractor, Eurofighter Gmbh, has identified a number of potential early customers.

  Tomahawk Missiles
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans the Government have to procure Tactical Tomahawk missiles currently under development in the United States; and if he will make a statement; [91331]

  (2) what plans the Government have to give individual Swiftsure and Trafalgar class SSNs on-board capability for the tactical targeting of Tomahawk missiles; and if he will make a statement. [91332]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I will write to the right hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government expect to conclude negotiations with the United States Department of Defense for the replenishment of Tomahawk missile stocks; and if he will make a statement. [91327]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
  200
  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about when the Ministry of Defence expects to conclude negotiations for the replenishment of TOMAHAWK missile stocks. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Negotiations with the United States Department of Defense for the replenishment of RN TOMAHAWK missiles used in the Balkans are progressing and we expect a contract to be placed by the end of August.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions have been made in his Department's budget for the planned refurbishment of the Royal Navy's Block III Tomahawk missiles for(a) this financial year and (b) the next financial year. [91329]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the budgetary provision for refurbishment of the Royal Navy's Block III TOMAHAWK missiles for this and next financial year. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  No provision has been made in this and the next financial year as no RN TOMAHAWK missile refurbishment are planned during this period. Refurbishments are planned to commence from 2003.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the first planned refurbishment of the Royal Navy's Block III Tomahawk missiles will take place; and if he will make a statement. [91330]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the first planned refurbishment of the Royal Navy's Block III TOMAHAWK missiles. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  I can confirm that the first refurbishment of Royal Navy TOMAHAWK missiles is planned for 2003.

  Future Aircraft Carrier
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the final selection for the future aircraft carrier is planned to take place; and if he will make a statement. [91334]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
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  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Ministry of Defence's plans for the future aircraft carriers. This matter falls to me for answer within my responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Bids have been received from two industrial teams for the next phase of the programme (the Assessment Phase) which will develop overall design proposals. Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of this process, we plan contract placement for the Assessment Phase this Autumn. Bids for the Demonstration and Manufacture Phase are scheduled for 2003 with contract placement scheduled for 2004.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of animals in defence research. [93788]

  Mr. Spellar
  The independent Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. Jeremy Lucke, has recently published its third annual Report. The Committee was set up in 1996 specifically to keep under review the care and welfare arrangements of animals used in defence research. I am placing a copy of the Report in the Library of the House.

  The use of animals in defence research is concerned with providing the Armed Forces with safe and effective protection against hazards encountered while conducting their duties, and is kept to the absolute minimum.

  The Committee's Report highlights the work being done by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to find alternatives to the use of animals. In particular, the increasing use of in-vitro studies will lead to a reduction in the number of animals used. For example, use of such technology means that experiments to test the effectiveness of decontaminant and barrier creams against a chemical warfare agent, which would otherwise have needed up to 90 animals, was achieved without using any animals at all.

  There is still much to be done in developing technologies which allow the use of animals in experiments to be further reduced. We welcome continuing scrutiny by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and aim to minimise the use of animals as far as possible, against the continuing requirement to research effective measures to counter the hazards faced by the armed forces in the conduct of their duties.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for the financial year 1999–2000. [93790]

  Mr. Spellar
  The key targets set for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for the financial year 1999–2000 are as follows:

  1. Return on capital employed

  Consistent with Treasury requirements, to achieve at least 6 per cent. return on capital employed.

  2. Manpower charging rates

  To set manpower chargeout rates for 2000–01 which reflect a reduction in DERA overheads compared with 1999–2000 budgeted levels.
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  3. New business

  To increase new business income (from customers other than the MOD) to £140M in 1999–2000.

  4. Professional standing

  To increase the number of staff elected as Fellows of professional bodies by 10 per cent.

  5. Progress on work

  To achieve on time 90 per cent. of the agreed milestones on work for MOD customers.

  6. Customer satisfaction

  To increase the level of customer satisfaction, as measured by customer surveys.

  7. Defence diversification

  To establish at least six Defence Diversification Offices across the UK.

  Three year rolling targets carried over from 1998–99:

  Over a period of three years, to achieve a 20 per cent. increase in peer reviewed publications per professional.

  Over a period of three years, to increase by 50 per cent. the number of scientific teams assessed as 'world class' in the technical assessment exercise.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reason for the purchase of protective shields for mobile phones by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency together with an explanation of the perceived use of such devices. [93285]

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

  Exports (Indonesia)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was(a) the number of staff employed by the Defence Export Services Organisation in Indonesia in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98 and (b) the budget of DESO's branch office in Indonesia in (1) 1996–97 and (2) 1997–98. [93291]

  Mr. Spellar
  The details are as follows:

  Number of staff employed by DESO in Indonesia

  The Budget of DESO's branch office in Indonesia (£)

  1996–97

  1 UK based civilian

  88,000

  1 locally engaged driver

  1 locally engaged PA/clerk for two months

  1997–98

  1 UK based civilian

  179,000

  1 locally engaged driver

  1 locally engaged PA/clerk for eight and a half months

  The increase in 1997–98 is due to rent payments of £86,000 which were paid in advance for three years. Naturally, under these arrangements, no payment was due in 1996–97.

  Child Support Agency
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 417, on the Child Support Agency, if deductions from pay to meet child maintenance assessments are made when this would take total deductions over the 25 per cent. limit. [93371]
  203
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Exports
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will implement the recommendation made by the Defence Committee in its Second report (The Appointment of the New Head of Defence Export Services HC 512) to commission a detailed assessment of the full costs and benefits of defence exports for the UK; and if he will make a statement. [93558]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government welcome the Defence Select Committee's invitation to provide a more systematic and detailed assessment of the full costs and benefits of defence exports for the UK. Work has been set in hand and we will inform the Committee of the conclusions when this is complete.

  Ballistic Missile Programme
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of reference of the Technical Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme established to address the technical requirements of a United Kingdom ballistic missile defence programme; and if he will make a statement on their work since establishment. [92963]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme is a three year programme which was initiated following the Strategic Defence Review. It forms part of the Corporate Research Programme. Its purposes are (i) to monitor developments in the potential threat and the technologies available to counter it and (ii) to establish a position from which a national requirement for fielding an active ballistic missile defence system could be developed, should one become necessary. The programme focuses on the characteristics of ballistic missiles, the performance of radar and other sensors, the guidance of interceptors, and their potential to defeat ballistic missile warheads including those containing biological or chemical agents.

  Biological and Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South Swindon (Ms Drown) of 21 July 1999,Official Report, columns 534-35, about the defence response to the threat posed by biological and chemical weapons, what expenditure he plans in this area additional to the level of spending previously earmarked for (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [93337]

  Mr. George Robertson
  In our report, "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons", we outlined plans resulting from the Strategic Defence Review and subsequent work to enhance our biological and chemical defence capability. The additional expenditure over the next three years is expected to be some £12 million in 1999–2000, £22 million in 2000–01 and £31 million in 2001–02.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the operating costs in the last financial year of the units involved in biological and chemical defence tasks. [93314]
  204
  Mr. George Robertson
  In 1998–99, the units dedicated to biological and chemical defence tasks were the Royal Yeomanry and the Defence NBC Centre. The operating cost of those units was some £5 million.

  Land Command, Wilton
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if HQ Land Command at Wilton has stand-by generators adequate to ensure security of electricity supply to meet all normal requirements. [92964]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Headquarters Land Command has four generators that would provide immediate backup if the main supply of electricity were to fail. This is sufficient to maintain the essential requirements of the headquarters.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the incidence and expected future trends in the use of Spade Adam training base for tactical low-flying training involving heavy jets; [93322]

  (2) if he will list the number of low-flying training flights across the Scottish borders by heavy jets at (a) 100 and (b) 250 feet for the last five years for which figures are available; [93320]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the incidence and expected future trends in tactical low-flying training over the Border Region in heavy jets. [93321]

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

  Royal Regiment of Wales
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Welsh Colonels have served in the Royal Regiment of Wales during the past 10 years. [93324]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In the period between 1989 and 1999, there have been eight Commanding Officers in the Royal Regiment of Wales. It is not mandatory for serving personnel to provide details of their ethnic origin and when they do those details are given on a confidential basis. It would not therefore be appropriate to provide details on an individual basis, but I understand that four of the Commanding Officers in the period have classified themselves as Welsh.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Welsh Commanding Officers are serving in the Royal Regiment of Wales. [93323]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Since 1 July 1999, there has been only one Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Wales, and consequently only one Commanding Officer. It is not mandatory for serving personnel to provide details of their ethnic origin and when they do those details are given on a confidential basis.

  Smart Procurement Initiative
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has made of the reduction in cost
  205
  overruns for major projects in each of the next five years arising from the introduction of the Smart Procurement initiative; and if he will make a statement. [93548]

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

  Sierra Leone
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department is providing to the Government of Sierra Leone following the Lomé Peace Agreement. [93789]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I am pleased to announce today that the Government are prepared to offer up to 20 UK military observers to an expanded United Nations Observation Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL). This is a substantial increase from the five who are currently deployed with UNOMSIL.

  This clearly demonstrates our support for UN peacekeeping operations. The UN Mission has a vital role in upholding peace and democracy in Sierra Leone and we should play our part in that process.

  Over and above our support for the UN, we already have in place an eight-man training team to advise on basic training for recruits to the new Sierra Leone army. This team will help to establish more professional and better-trained armed forces.

  We also currently have a military officer and civilian adviser in Freetown. Their role is to assist the Government of Sierra Leone in undertaking a review of Sierra Leone's Defence Policy, the roles of the Ministry of Defence and Defence Headquarters, and the size and shape of a new Sierra Leone Armed Forces. The aim of this project is to ensure appropriate civilian control and accountability of the armed forces.

  Volvo
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the prospects for continued production in the UK by Volvo; [69322]

  (2) if he will assess the (a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of withdrawing the MOD contract with Volvo Trucks; [69319]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the closure of the Irvine Truck plant; and if he will list the contracts in place with Volvo; [69320]

  (4) what representations he has received from Volvo on the closure of the Irvine plant. [69321]

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

  Radiation (Chatham Dockyard)
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former Chatham Dockyard workers who were subjected to radiation have received compensation to date. [64561]

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

  New Deal
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many New Deal candidates have taken up appointments in his Department; what percentage they are of his Department's civilian workforce; and what their appointments are. [65626]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 1 July 1999, the MOD has employed 15 people on short-term and three people on permanent appointments from the New Deal initiative, representing less than 1 per cent. of the civilian workforce. There are currently 17 New Deal candidates in post, a further four awaiting pre-employment checks and the Employment Services are attempting to fill another 37 posts identified as suitable for New Deal candidates.

  Departmental Pay
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his estimate of the proportion of the defence budget taken by(a) civilian and (b) armed forces salaries on (i) 31 March 2000, (ii) 31 March 1999, (iii) 31 March 1998 and (iv)31 March 1997 and assuming future pay awards match the Government's inflation assumptions on (1) 31 March 2002 and (2) 31 March 2003; [71672]

  (2) what estimate he has made of (a) the civilian and (b) the armed forces salary bills in the financial year 1999–2000. [71673]

  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.

  Multiple Myeloma
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission a review study of the cancers reported in the early National Radiological Protection Board studies in cases involving multiple myeloma. [74730]

  Mr. Spellar
  Earlier studies by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) embraced all cancer related illnesses including multiple myeloma. The overall conclusion of these studies was that the total incidence of cancer among nuclear test veterans was less than among the general population and no higher than among the control group. I announced on 25 February 1999 that my Department would fund a further study to address the incidence of multiple myeloma among nuclear test veterans. This is because there was some uncertainty about the incidence of this particular illness following the first NRPB study; and we wish to assess whether or not there is any significance in the recently reported increased rates.

  Landing Platform Docks Contract
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Landing Platform Docks contract is(a) on schedule and (b) proceeding to budget; and if he will make a statement; [75127]

  (2) what (a) detailed and (b) major changes his Department has sought to make to the design of the ships under the Landing Platform Docks contract; what was the

  207
  cost to his Department of such changes; what measures have been taken to ensure that costs do not increase on the contract; and if he will make a statement; [75126]

  (3) what stage the work on the Landing Platform Docks contract has reached for (a) the first and (b) second ship; and if he will make a statement. [75128]

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

  Procurement Instructions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Chief of Defence procurement instructions have been issued since 1 June 1998; and how many were unclassified. [82246]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about Chief of Defence Procurement Instructions. This matter falls to me for answer within my responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Twenty-three Chief of Defence Procurement Instructions have been issued since 1' June 1998. All of them were unclassified, but a number contain information about the Defence Procurement Agency's procedures which could prejudice the effective conduct of the Agency and would, therefore, be withheld under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
  No new Chief of Defence Procurement instructions have been issued since April. Although they remain extant they are being replaced by the Acquisition Management System which fulfils a similar function in respect of Smart Procurement procedures.

  Young Soldiers
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers aged under 18 years are stationed in(a) Yugoslavia and (b) Kosovo. [89126]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 26 July 1999,Official Report, column 52, to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon).

  Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which United Kingdom shipbuilders have facilities to build an aircraft carrier with a displacement in excess of 45,000 tons. [92400]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Ottaway) on 16 July 1999,Official Report, column 352. The size of the new aircraft carriers is currently estimated to be up to 40,000 tonnes.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what options have been considered for aircraft 208
  types to operate from the two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. [92420]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the aircraft options for the new aircraft carriers. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The combat aircraft to equip the two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy is known as the Future Carrier-Borne Aircraft (FCBA). A strong contender for FCBA is a variant of the US Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), and the UK is participating in the Concept Demonstration Phase of its development. We are also assessing a navalised version of the Eurofighter, the US F-18 Super Hornet, the French Rafale-M and an advanced version of the Harrier. No decision has yet been made on the choice of aircraft to meet the FCBA.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the proposed(a) displaced weight and (b) overall length of the two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. [92421]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the proposed displaced weight and overall length of the two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. This matter falls to me to answer within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The current estimate is that the new aircraft carriers will displace up to 40,000 tonnes and have an overall length of approximately 300 metres. The final decision on their design, including their size, however, will be influenced by the selection of the Future Carrier-Borne Aircraft late next year.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are used for the processing of plutonium removed from warheads for refurbishment. [92814]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence which asked what facilities are used for the processing of plutonium removed from warheads for refurbishment. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  I can confirm that all such work is carried out in specialised facilities at AWE Aldermaston.

  Trident Warhead
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reasons the British Trident Warhead requires refurbishing early in the next decade; [93273]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States to prepare for the refurbishment of the Trident Warhead. [93272]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 27 July 1999:
  I am replying to your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking for the reasons why British Trident Warhead requires refurbishing early in the next decade, and what discussions have taken place with the United States Government to prepare for the refurbishment of the warheads. This matter falls to me for answer within my responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Chapter four, "Deterrence and Disarmament", of the Strategic Defence Review stated that the Government needed to ensure that Trident would remain an effective deterrent for up to 30 years. Whilst Trident remains in service the warheads will be refurbished as necessary to ensure that that undertaking is fulfilled and that they remain safe and serviceable at all times.
  There are regular discussions and exchanges of information with the United States in regard to the Trident programme, made under the auspices of the 1958 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the United States of America for Co-operation on the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes (Cmnd. 537 as amended). These discussions include refurbishment of the warhead.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93465]

  Mr. Spellar
  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 with the Women's Unit, Home Office, and DfEE to develop good practices for ensuring that our policies meet the changing needs of all members of society.

  "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment", published by the Cabinet Office, Home Office, DfEE and the Women's Unit in November 1998, has been circulated to staff within my Department to ensure that the effects of any policy changes, on all sections of the population, are considered at the earliest stage of policy development.

  My Department currently has no baseline for policy appraisal, but we will shortly be introducing new procedures for monitoring.

  Training Group Defence Agency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Training Group Defence Agency for financial year 1999–2000. [86705]
  210
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Pursuant to my answer of 9 June 1999,Official Report, columns 331-32, I regret that the information given under Key Target 4 was incorrect. The target should have read:
  "To provide an Information System to produce full output costings and associated unit cost and efficiency measures by April 2000".

  Armed Forces (Youth Recruitment)
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people under the age of 18 years currently serve in the armed forces; in which services; and with what duties. [66225]

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

  Depleted Uranium Weapons (Kosovo)
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what health monitoring of pregnant women and children is being undertaken in Kosovo in areas affected by the use of depleted uranium weapons. [93455]

  Mr. George Robertson
  There are currently no health monitoring programmes in place in Kosovo under the auspices of UK forces; however a joint task force has been set up by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Commission on Settlements to assess the environmental and health aspects of the conflict.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a document outlining the responsibilities of his Department and the staffing structure. [91605]

  Dr. Reid
  The memorandum I recently presented to the Scottish Affairs Committee has, with the permission of the Committee, been placed in the Library in the House of Commons. The staffing structure will be published in due course.

  Duty Free
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the sectors of the Scottish economy which will be affected by the abolition of duty free within the European Union. [91606]

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on the Scottish economy of the abolition of duty free within the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [91615]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The previous Government agreed to the abolition of duty free within the EU in 1991. We took steps to simplify the new regulations whenever possible to mitigate the impact on industry in Scotland, and elsewhere in the UK.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on revisions to the Assisted Areas Map in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [91607]

  Dr. Reid
  Revision of the Assisted Areas Map across Britain is a reserved matter for the UK Government. I have been in close touch with The First Minister throughout the final stages of the Review. The proposals for new assisted areas announced on 15 July represent overall a fair outcome for Scotland.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to ministerial colleagues regarding the proposed boundaries of Assisted Areas in Scotland. [91614]

  Dr. Reid
  Scottish Office Ministers and officials were fully involved in discussions within Government on the Review of Assisted Areas.

  Post Office
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact in Scotland of the Post Office White Paper. [91608]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The benefits that will arise from the measures in the White Paper are expected to apply throughout the United Kingdom. These include setting criteria to ensure that a truly national service is provided, including especially Post Office Counters' services and a universal service of postal delivery.

  The Economy
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the state of the Scottish economy. [91609]

  Dr. Reid
  I will discuss the state of the Scottish economy with the Chancellor as necessary, to ensure that his outstanding management of the UK economy continues to benefit Scotland as it has done over the last two years.

  Job Prospects
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing job prospects in areas of high unemployment. [91610]

  Dr. Reid
  I have been involved recently in a number of discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other colleagues about the review of the Assisted Areas Map and the Objective 2 Map.

  In redrawing the AA Map, the Government have been concerned to strike the right balance between areas of greatest need and areas offering the greatest potential for development. Given that coverage for the United Kingdom on both Maps had to be reduced, this has involved some difficult decisions. However I am satisfied that the outcome is a fair result for Scotland.

  Departmental Internet Site
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reasons for the discontinuation of his Department's internet site. [91611]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The work of the Department changed radically on 1 July. The new website will be fully operational soon.

  Oil Industry
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Chancellor of Exchequer on the concerns of those using single-person companies about the consequences of the proposals contained in Treasury press release IR35 for the future of the oil industry in Scotland. [91613]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I have recently received a letter from the hon. Gentleman setting out the views of a number of organisations on the proposals contained in Treasury Press Release IR35. I will ensure that these representations are conveyed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Food Safety
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals the Government have to encourage the co-ordination of policy on food safety matters between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government. [91616]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Co-ordination of food safety will be for the Food Standards Agency. Until it is established, policy will continue to be co-ordinated by means of close working relations between the Government and the Scottish Executive.

  Referendum (Independence)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had concerning his reserved powers to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. [91617]

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on utilising his powers to call a referendum on Scottish independence. [91619]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government have no intention of holding any referendum on Scottish independence. Scottish voters demonstrated their clear support for devolution on 11 September 1997, and again on 6 May this year.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next meet the Scottish TUC to discuss UK Government assistance for the Scottish shipbuilding industry; and if he will make a statement. [91618]

  Dr. Reid
  The STUC have not so far requested a meeting with me to discuss the shipbuilding industry in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is in regular discussion with the STUC on issues affecting the shipbuilding industry. The Department of Trade and Industry, which retains overall responsibility for the shipbuilding industry
  213
  in the UK, also has continuing discussions in its Shipbuilding Forum with all parties that have an interest in the competitiveness of the industry.

  Fishing Industry
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to discuss reserved matters relating to the catching sector of the fishing industry. [91620]

  Dr. Reid
  I met representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on 24 June to discuss the designation of the Scottish Fisheries Zone.

  Research Council Grants
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made to ensure that Scottish universities apply for and use grants from research councils in a co-ordinated manner. [91621]

  Mr. Macdonald
  It is a matter for individual Scottish universities, departments and researchers to apply for Research Council grants that they consider relevant to their research objectives and expertise.

  Coastguard Service
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans next to meet the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to discuss the future of the coastguard service in Scotland. [91622]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions on a range of issues, reflecting his continuing role of representing Scottish interests on matters reserved to the UK Parliament.

  Official Engagements
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many official engagements he has attended since 1 July. [91623]

  Dr. Reid
  Twenty three. This does not include attendance at Cabinet and Cabinet Committee meetings, bilaterals with Cabinet colleagues and regular meetings with the Advocate General and Scotland Office Ministers.

  Tuition Fees
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the costs of abolishing tuition fees in Scotland will be met by the UK Government; and if he will make a statement. [91625]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Scottish Executive has set up an independent Committee of Inquiry to examine Scottish student finance. Until the Committee has reported the question does not arise. It is worth noting, however, that over 50 per cent. of Scottish students assessed this year paid no tuition fees.

  One Parent Families Scotland
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet One Parent Families Scotland to discuss the funding of the work of that organisation in relation to reserved areas. [91626]
  214
  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to so do in the immediate future. But if the hon. Member would like to write with any specific points, we would be happy to consider them.

  Concordat (EU Matters)
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress with the concordat with the Scottish Parliament on EU matters. [91627]

  Dr. Reid
  Concordats will guide working relations between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive on a range of matters, including those relating to the EU. They will be published once they have been agreed with the Scottish Executive.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator to discuss the implementation of Her Majesty's Government's anti-drugs strategy in Scotland. [91612]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend has not met formally with the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator. Responsibility for implementing drugs strategy in Scotland rests with the Scottish Executive.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what practical arrangements he has put in place to provide help to disabled people to seek and retain jobs through(a) financial support, (b) transport and (c) individual physical help. [91235]

  Ms Hodge
  I have been asked to reply.

  In Scotland, as elsewhere, most disabled people are helped into work through the mainstream services offered by the Employment Service with additional support for those who require more help. The Disability Service Teams offer specialist employment measures tailored to the needs of individual disabled people. The six Disability Service Teams in Scotland plan to spend around £10 million 1999–2000 on specialist programmes for people with disabilities in Scotland, including Access to Work, the Job Introduction Scheme, Work Preparation and Supported Employment Opportunities.

  The Access to Work programme provides both financial and technical support to remove barriers to work created by disability. Support can take many forms, including help with getting to work; the cost of aids and adaptations to equipment, computers or the work place; and of communicators for people with a hearing or visual impairment.

  In addition, the New Deal for Disabled People is piloting a range of initiatives, to help disabled people and those with long-term illness on incapacity benefits into work and training at a cost of £195 million over the lifetime of this Parliament. The Personal Adviser service is being piloted in Lanarkshire, and there are three Innovative Schemes operating in Scotland.
  215
  The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations came into force on 1 November 1998 and apply to all new rail vehicles entering service from 1 January 1999. These regulations, which are the first regulations to be made under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, will considerably improve access for disabled passengers, including wheelchair users, to new rail vehicles. Similar regulations for buses, coaches and taxis are also proposed and consultation on the draft regulations covering these vehicles is expected this year.

  River Tweed
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Board of Scottish Natural Heritage has considered the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the European Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora; and what was their decision. [88787]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]: The Board of Scottish Natural Heritage considered the case for recommending the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and concluded that it should be recommended as one.

  It is, however, for the Government to decide what sites should be proposed to the European Commission as candidate Special Areas of Conservation. The Government decided, in the light of their own appraisal of the scientific case for this site, that the River Tweed should not be proposed as a candidate SAC.

  The implementation of the Habitats Directive in Scotland is now a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the scientific advice received from Scottish Natural Heritage concerning the notification of the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the European Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora. [88788]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 22 July 1999, Official Report, column 5860.

  The implementation of the Habitats Directive in Scotland is now a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from Scottish Natural Heritage concerning the notification of the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation under the European Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora. [88786]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 28 June 1999]: Scottish Natural Heritage advised The Scottish Office that they considered there was a strong case for proposing the River Tweed as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

  However, further scientific advice from Scottish Office specialist advisers and from the Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory indicated that there were reasons why, when applying the criteria for site selection specified in the Habitats Directive, the Tweed was not an outstanding
  216
  candidate for SAC status for Atlantic salmon. Those reasons included the relatively poor state of the spawning salmon stock, the very substantial modification by man of the watercourse and discharges into the river environment. The Government have proposed five other rivers to the European Commission as candidate SACs for Atlantic salmon which we believe better meet the selection criteria of the Habitats Directive.

  The implementation of the Habitats Directive in Scotland is now a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Research
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that research in Scottish institutions funded by research councils is properly integrated with research funded by the Scottish Executive to ensure the best use of resources. [90778]

  Dr. Reid
  Appropriate integration of the two streams of the research funding has been recognised for some time as an important matter. The Science and Engineering Base Co-ordinating Committee—which draws its members from the senior officials of the Research Councils, the Funding Councils (including SHEFC), the UK and devolved departments with responsibility for Higher Education and the Office of Science and Technology—aims to co-ordinate science and engineering base research activity across the UK and to ensure that it is consistent with, and targeted on, Government objectives.

  Research in Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is funded both by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) and the UK Research Councils Policy relating to the former is devolved and therefore a matter for the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament similarly, the UK Research Council are the responsibility of my noble Friend, Lord Sainsbury.

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been(a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [91998]

  Dr. Reid
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for copies of my reply to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Quangos
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [92145]

  Dr. Reid
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for copies of my reply to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Official Documents
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of all those official documents of the last Administration which have been
  217
  seen by (a) him, (b) other Ministers in his Department, (c) special advisers in his Department and (d) non-career civil servants appointed since May 1997 in his Department. [92172]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: A large number of official documents were generated during the period of the previous Administration, many of which were published or put in the public domain. Since May 1997, the Scottish Office was guided by the convention governing access to papers of a previous Administration, as set out in the then Prime Minister's reply to a written question on 24 January 1980, Official Report, columns 305-07.

  Adjacent Waters Boundary Order
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Executive about the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundary Order; and if he will make a statement. [93269]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Following the debate in the Scottish Parliament about the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundary Order on 3 June, the Scottish Executive Minister for Rural Affairs, Mr. Ross Finnie, wrote to the Secretary of State. His letter conveyed fishermen's concerns about the Order. The Secretary of State met with representatives of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on 24 June.

  Concordats
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to publish the concordats covering administrative arrangements relating to co-operation between Whitehall departments and departments of the Scottish Executive. [93278]

  Dr. Reid
  The UK Government will shortly make proposals on concordats which will guide working relations between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive on a range of matters. They will be published once they have been agreed with the Scottish Executive.

  Shellfish
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his continuing responsibilities relating to research on matters pertaining to shellfish farming. [92278]

  Dr. Reid
  Ministerial responsibility for research on matters pertaining to shellfish farming, and fish generally, lies with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and, in Scotland, with the Scottish Executive.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his responsibilities are in relation to the use by police of(a) MIBK and (b) CS gas spray. [92320]

  Dr. Reid
  None. From 1 July this became a matter for the Scottish Executive.

  Biological and Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland by how much he has agreed to increase the Scottish block grant in each of the next three years to meet the new burdens on Scottish(a) health authorities, (b) ambulance
  218
  authorities, (c) police authorities, (d) fire authorities and (e) local authorities laid out in paragraph 7 of Chapter 5 of the Ministry of Defence paper entitled, "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons". [93094]

  Dr. Reid
  No additional provision has been made. Any additional costs for the authorities mentioned are likely to be very small in relation to the overall provision.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in respect of transferring oral questions to other departments; and in what ways it has changed since 1 July. [93243]

  Dr. Reid
  The policy on transferring oral questions has not changed since 1 July.

  Fur Farms
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mink and fox factory farms there are, by county, in Scotland. [93617]

  Dr. Reid
  This is now a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received regarding the closure of magistrates courts in shire counties. [91634]

  Mr. Vaz
  So far this year my Department has received 139 representations regarding the closure of magistrates courts in shire counties.

  Under section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997, the Lord Chancellor has a role in magistrates courthouse closures only where an appeal has been lodged. All representations received are carefully considered before any final decisions are made.

  Police Authority-Magistrates Court Committee Chairmen
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1999,Official Report, column 556, on police authority and magistrates court committee chairmen, if he will take steps to avoid the appointment of the same individual to both chairmanships where the areas of operation are approximately the same; and if he will make a statement. [91635]

  Mr. Vaz
  The chairman of a police authority and a magistrates court committee are both appointed by the members of their respective bodies. Neither the Home Secretary nor the Lord Chancellor, has any involvement in these appointments. The Lord Chancellor has however taken powers in the Access to Justice Bill for the preparation of a code of conduct to be observed by magistrates courts committee members and the panels that select them.

  Judges (Discourteous Remarks)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what advice and guidance he is issuing to judges concerning comments made by them from the bench which may be perceived as being sexist, racist or otherwise disparaging and discourteous. [91636]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Judicial Studies Board, which is an independent body controlled by a Board whose members are appointed by the Lord Chancellor, is responsible for providing high-quality training to full and part-time judges. All JSB courses and seminars include modules on equal treatment issues. The JSB's Equal Treatment Advisory Committee is chaired by Mr. Justice Keene and will be publishing the second edition of its guidance to full and part-time judges on ethnic minority issues in the autumn. Further material relating to disability, gender and sexual orientation, litigants in person and children will be issued in the following months.

  Community Legal Service
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how he intends that experience of the pilot and associate pilot schemes will inform the process of establishing a national community legal service. [91638]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Pioneers and Associates were chosen for two reasons. First, they are all committed to developing high quality, responsive services to meet the needs of local communities. And second, they represent a range of areas with different characteristics. Some are urban, some rural and some semi-rural. This means that, in one way or another, the various models of best practice which emerge will be capable of transfer onto a national basis.

  There will be a careful rolling out, so that the lessons from the Pioneers and Associates can be tailored in a detailed way to meet specific local needs in the rest of the country.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Pioneer Partnerships for the community legal service have sought to improve access to legal advice and representation by socially excluded groups; and if he will make a statement. [91637]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Pioneer Partnerships are working to establish best practice in joined up planning of the advice provision. This will ensure we have the right services of the right quality at the right price to allow the disadvantaged to resolve disputes, enforce their rights or seek the protection of the courts.

  Judiciary (Communication)
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the Lord Chancellor's role as an intermediary between Government and the judiciary. [91640]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. St. Aubyn),Official Report, column 116, and also to the Lord Chancellor's speech to the Third Worldwide Common
  220
  Law Judiciary Conference on 5 July 1999, in which he restated the role of his office. I have placed a copy of his speech in the Library.

  Magistrates and County Courts (Lichfield)
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement concerning the future of the magistrates and county courts in Lichfield. [91641]

  Mr. Vaz
  Under section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997, decisions concerning the future of a magistrates' court are for the relevant magistrates' courts committee to determine, after consultation with the paying authority or authorities. The local authorities that contribute financially to the running of the service may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. Staffordshire Magistrates' Courts Committee expect to make their final determination concerning the future of Lichfield Magistrates' Court at their meeting on 28 July.

  With regard to Lichfield County Court, last September the Lord Chancellor gave permission to begin a public consultation exercise on the proposal to close the court. This has now concluded. I have yet to make a decision on the closure of the county court. As the hon. Member knows, I visited Lichfield Magistrates' Court and County Court at his invitation on 23 July.

  Judiciary (Independence)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the Lord Chancellor's role as guarantor of the political independence of the judiciary. [91642]

  Mr. Vaz
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave today to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Sir S. Chapman),Official Report, columns 117-18.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current backlog of adjudication appeals in immigration cases. [92895]

  Mr. Vaz
  When a case is received from the Home Office, a first hearing usually takes place within six weeks of receipt, and notice of this is sent out to the parties within five working days. If the appeal cannot be dealt with at the first hearing, it is adjourned and directions given for its progress to a second hearing, which usually takes place within a further six weeks. 1,303 appeals are currently at various stages of progress but there is no backlog, as the Immigration Appellate Authority is currently meeting all its targets.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will reconsider the level of property value taken into account in the awarding of legal aid, with particular reference to London. [92962]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have no plans to do so. It is important to note that the actual market value of the home does not determine eligibility for legal aid. The means test instead takes account of the equity value of the home—that is, the difference between its current market value and the
  221
  amount required to redeem any mortgage secured on it. This amount depends on the personal circumstances of the applicant and not on where they live. The present amount of equity disregarded for the purposes of determining legal aid eligibility is £100,000. This level was set in the Civil Legal Aid (Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) Regulations 1996. The Lord Chancellor consulted widely on those regulations, which were introduced to deal with the problem of apparently wealthy applicants receiving legal aid, and there was broad agreement that exempting a universal amount of equity was the correct way to proceed. The amount is the same as the maximum value up to which mortgage interest is paid for people receiving Income Support. Since eligibility for legal aid is related to movements in benefit levels, it would not be appropriate to make any changes independent of the benefit system.

  Immigration Appellate Authority
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what targets he has set for the maximum reasonable period for the Immigration Appellate Authority to wait, after an appeal has been lodged for a child refused entry clearance under paragraph 297(e) of the Immigration Rules, before it receives the explanatory statement for the case. [93332]

  Mr. Vaz
  The main component of this type of appeal is the explanatory statement itself, which is currently issued by the IAA within five days of receipt from the Home Office.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the Lord Chancellor intends to do to satisfy himself that appointments to the professional judiciary and as Queen's Counsel are made fairly and on merit and that there are safeguards in the appointments procedures against discrimination on the grounds of race or gender. [93793]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Lord Chancellor has appointed Sir Leonard Peach, until recently Commissioner for Public Appointments and currently Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland and a Civil Service Commissioner, to provide a report to him on the operation of the appointments procedures in relation to all Judicial and Queen's Counsel appointments and in particular to advise on:

  The appropriateness and effectiveness of a) the criteria and b) the procedures for selecting the best candidates;

  The extent to which candidates are assessed objectively against the criteria for appointment; and

  The existence of safeguards in the procedures against discrimination on the grounds of race or gender.

  Sir Leonard Peach will also make recommendations, as appropriate, to the Lord Chancellor for further developments in the selection procedures for Judicial and Queen's Counsel appointments.

  In preparing his report, Sir Leonard Peach will have full access to all aspects of the appointments process and members of the legal profession and judges will be among those he will consult.

  Corporate Bodies
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to make an announcement on Law Commission report No. 253, "The Execution of Deeds and Documents By or on Behalf of Bodies Corporate". [93791]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government accept the Law Commission's recommendations in Report No. 253: "The Execution of Deeds and Documents By or on Behalf of Bodies Corporate" and will legislate when Parliamentary time allows.

  Solicitors (Complaints)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action has been taken to address the problems faced by the Law Society and the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors about the handling of complaints. [93792]

  Mr. Vaz
  The performance in the handling of complaints by the Law Society has been deteriorating to an unacceptable level. The Government have therefore amended the Access to Justice Bill to allow for a Legal Services Complaints Commissioner to be appointed. The Commissioner would oversee the handling of complaints by the legal professional bodies. The Lord Chancellor hopes not to have to appoint a Commissioner, but will do so if the situation does not improve significantly.

  The Lord Chancellor has written to Robert Sayer, the President of the Law Society, to set down the improvements in performance by the Law Society and the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors that could persuade the Government that it was unnecessary to introduce a Commissioner. Copies of this letter have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Children
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the merger of the children's work of the Official Solicitor, the Guardian ad Litem and Reporting Officer Service and Family Court Welfare Service will be finalised and the decision communicated to the relevant parties. [93786]

  Mr. Vaz
  I am pleased to announce that the Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Health and the First Secretary for Wales have agreed to set up a new service, when legislative time permits, which will combine the present Family Court Welfare function provided by the Probation Service, the Children's Branch of the Official Solicitor's Department and the Guardian ad Litem and Reporting Officer Service which local authorities currently provide. The Lord Chancellor will take responsibility for the new service, which will be set up as a non-departmental public body. The service will cover England and Wales and will serve the High Court of the Family Division, County Courts, including Care Centres, and Family Proceedings Courts.

  An inter-departmental project team to set up the new service has been established, which the Lord Chancellor's Department will lead. The project management framework to be adopted will ensure close liaison with the relevant services in creating the new organisation.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by her Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been(a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [92002]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There is no current requirement to consult on or publish gender impact assessments in Northern Ireland. The Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment (PAFT) administrative guidelines recommend assessments of the equality and discrimination implications when new policies and services are proposed or existing ones are reviewed. Such assessments cover a broad range of issues where there is potential for discriminatory impact—region and political opinion; gender; race; disability; age; marital status; dependants,

  Trust

  31 December 1997

  31 December 1998

  31 March 1999

  Down Lisburn

  470

  775

  885

  Newry and Mourne

  481

  657

  328

  Craigavon and Banbridge

  253

  457

  492

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times Ministers in her Department held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government between 1 January 1998 and

  Date

  Location

  Minister

  Irish Minister

  13 January 1998

  Department of Education, Bangor

  Mr. Worthington

  Mr. E. O'Cuiv TD and 4 officials

  14 January 1998

  Castle Buildings

  Mr. Ingram

  Mr. M. Smith TD

  26 January 1998

  Parliament Buildings

  Mr. Worthington

  Mr. D. Ahern TD and 6 officials

  25 February 1998

  Hotel Conrad, Dublin

  Mr. Worthington

  Mr. B. Cowen TD and 7 officials

  2 March 1998

  Waterfront Hall, Belfast

  Mr. Ingram

  Mr. T. Kitt TD

  20 March 1998

  Belfast City Hall

  Lord Dubs

  Dr. M. Woods TD

  27 March 1998

  Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. N. Treacy TD and 1 official

  6 April 1998

  Department of Education, Bangor

  Mr. Worthington

  Mr. M. Martin TD and 5 officials

  17–18 April 1998

  Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Killarney

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. J. Walsh TD and 2 officials

  19 April 1998

  Leopardstown Race Course, Dublin

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. J. Walsh TD

  15 May 1998

  Balyshannon, Co. Donegal

  Lord Dubs

  Dr. M. Woods TD

  15 May 1998

  The Old Courthouse, Lifford

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. J. Walsh TD

  16 June 1998

  Department of Justice, Dublin

  Mr. Ingram

  Mr. J. O'Donohue TD

  5 September 1998

  Aghalane Bridge, Co. Cavan

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. N. Dempsey TD

  15 October 1998

  Dublin

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. B. Molloy TD

  16 October 1998

  Hillsborough Castle

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. J. Walsh TD and 1 official

  5 November 1998

  Royal Hospital, Dublin

  Mr. Ingram

  Mr. N. Treacy TD and 2 officials

  6 November 1998

  Belfast

  Lord Dubs

  Taoiseach

  4 December 1998

  White Horse Hotel, Cootehill, Co. Cavan

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. J. Walsh TD

  15 December 1998

  Castle Buildings

  Mr. Ingram

  Mr. J. O'Donoghue TD

  17–18 December 1998

  Brussels

  Lord Dubs

  Dr. M. Woods TD

  22 December 1998

  Dublin

  Lord Dubs

  Mr. N. Dempsey TD

  Education
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to increase the levels of educational attainment, with particular reference to the standards required for the jobs being created through the Industrial Development Board. [93033]
  224
  sexual orientation. Under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the PAFT administrative guidelines will be superseded by a statutory duty on public authority in relation to equality of opportunity. This will require equality schemes to be drawn up by public authorities, including arrangements for impact assessments with consultation and publication.

  Occupational Therapists
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were awaiting assessments by occupational therapists for disabled facilities in the (i) Down Lisburn Trust, (ii) Newry and Mourne Trust and (iii) Banbridge and Craigavon Trust(a) in 1997, (b) in 1998 and (c) at the latest available date. [92011]

  Mr. McFall
  Information is not available in the form requested, as occupational therapy activity is not analysed by reason for referral. The table shows the total numbers of people awaiting commencement of assessment at the end of the relevant quarter.

  31 December 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved and the names of the Irish Ministers and officials at each meeting. [92268]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have met Irish Ministers very frequently throughout the Talks Process. Further meetings held by other Ministerial colleagues in 1998 include:

  Mr. McFall
  The Government have taken a number of steps to seek to ensure that the education system in Northern Ireland develops the range of skills which are likely to be required by employers now and in the future. A major schools improvement programme which will be supported by new investment in the school system for the
  225
  period up to 2002 is underway. That, together with a new educational technology strategy and a review of the curriculum, will seek to ensure higher and more relevant educational attainment and prepare young people for future vocational development. In addition, I have published a set of proposals on lifelong learning, "A new Learning Culture for All", in which I set out Government policy for improving general skill levels and for meeting the skill needs of Northern Ireland for the future. Included in the proposals are initiatives to widen and increase access to education and training provision, put in place a skills identification and monitoring system and significantly increase the number of higher and further education places available. I have established a Northern Ireland Skills task Force to advise the Department of Education and the Training and Employment Agency on issues related to skills identification and responses to labour market and skill needs. The Industrial Development Board will play a significant role in that task Force ensuring that its focus includes the target sectors for inward investment and company expansion.

  The information and advice from the Skills Task Force and from our labour market research will enable us to focus the education and training provision in Northern Ireland, at all levels, on the future needs of the local economy. This is an issue addressed in the recently published Economic Development Strategy, "Strategy 2010".

  Residents Groups (Funding)
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funding has been provided to the(a) Lower Ormeau Concerned Community, (b) Bogside Residents Group and (c) Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition in each year since 1995. [92959]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

  (a) £3,000 in 1997

  (b) £3,000 in 1997

  (c) Reimbursement of travel expenses for meetings with the Prime Minister in London in 1999.

  Drumcree Protest
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many weapons were seized in the

  Proposed recurrent allocations to Trusts in 1999–2000 by WHSSB

  £000

  Programme of Care

  Community care

  Child care

  Acute

  Cancer

  Renal

  Mental health

  Learning disability

  Total

  Alinagalvin

  —

  —

  349

  409

  —

  —

  —

  758

  Sperrin Lakeland

  2,471

  686

  415

  83

  178

  324

  240

  4,397

  Foyle

  2,375

  653

  —

  —

  —

  196

  315

  3,539

  Royal Group

  —

  —

  150

  —

  —

  —

  —

  150

  Belfast City

  —

  —

  50

  439

  48

  —

  —

  537

  Causeway

  —

  —

  59

  —

  —

  —

  —

  59

  Craigavon

  —

  —

  22

  —

  —

  —

  —

  22

  Ulster and Community

  —

  —

  16

  —

  —

  —

  —

  16

  NI Ambulance Service

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  40

  Total

  4,846

  1,339

  1,061

  931

  266

  520

  555

  9,518

  226
  vicinity of the Drumcree protest in July 1998; how many of these were returned to their owners; how many were legally registered weapons; how many have subsequently been destroyed; who verified this process; and where the remaining weapons are stored. [92737]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: One home-made firearm was seized in the vicinity of the Drumcree protest in July 1998 and is currently held in Portadown RUC station pending a disposal order.

  Note:

  In light of the reference to legally registered weapons this phrase has been interpreted as referring to firearms and the question has been answered using that interpretation. A number of other items were seized during the period.

  Western Health and Social Services Board
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much is to be spent on cancer services in the Western Health and Social Services Board in the financial year 1999–2000; and how much was spent in financial year 1998–99. [93049]

  Mr. McFall
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The total planned expenditure on cancer services in the Western Health and Social Services Board in the financial year 1999–2000 is £3.95 million and the total spent on cancer services by the Board in the financial year 1998–99 was £2.94 million.

  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will provide a breakdown of the use of the increase in the money received for the 1999–2000 financial year over the previous year by the Western Health and Social Services Board on the basis of expenditure to each programme of care for each trust; and how much of this funding allocated within each programme and trust is on a (i) recurring and (ii) non-recurring basis. [93050]

  Mr. McFall
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The proposed breakdown of the use of the increase in the money received for the 1999–2000 financial year over the previous year by the Western Health and Social Services Board, on the basis of expenditure to each programme of care for each trust and the amount of this funding the Board proposes to allocate on a recurring basis, is shown in the table. Community care recurring funding extends over 1999–2000 to 2001–02 and £2.1 million is available for use non-recurrently in 1999–2000.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Child Support Agency's 1998–99 annual report and accounts will be published. [93787]

  Mr. McFall
  The Northern Ireland Child Support Agency published its 1998–99 Annual Report and Accounts on Friday 23 July. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.

  The Agency has met five of the six Ministerial targets and all Milestone targets. An outturn of £14.7 million was achieved for the Maintenance Collected target of £15.8 million and, although this target was not achieved, the maintenance collected is an increase of 16 per cent. on 1997–98 and a 51 per cent. increase on 1996–97.

  The Agency has placed a strong emphasis on improving the quality of service to customers and it is gratifying to see that an outturn of 71 per cent. has been achieved for the processing of maintenance assessments against a 65 per cent. target Improvements in quality are also evident with an outturn of 85 per cent. for the accuracy of assessment target of 75 per cent. The Report included details of the contribution which the Northern Ireland Agency makes to the overall performance of the Great Britain Agency through its partnership contract to deliver services to the people of Eastern England.

  The Agency recognises that customers have a right to good service provided by skilled staff and the foundations for continuing improvements are in place. Major changes in service delivery, including additional hours of contact with customers and more use of the telephone, will improve customer contact and the service provided. However, the Agency has a long way to go in improving the quality of its work, particularly in the accuracy of maintenance assessments which it makes.

  In the longer term, the Government's recently published proposals for a thorough reform of the child support system represent the best opportunity to radically improve services to customers especially, and most importantly, by putting children first.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) for an employing firm situated in the council districts of (i) Londonderry, (ii) Strabane, (iii) Limavady, (iv) Coleraine and (v) Magherafelt, what geographical area the Fair Employment Commission takes into account in order to determine the percentage of

  Camowen/Drumragh

  Culdaff

  Dennett

  Derg

  Deele

  Faughan

  Finn & Reelan

  Foyle

  Glenelly/Owenkillen

  Mourne/Strule

  Roe

  Misc.

  Totals

  Returns of salmon and grilse rod catches 1983–97

  1983

  4

  —

  3

  11

  —

  273

  339

  15

  10

  89

  80

  7

  831

  1984

  4

  —

  3

  13

  —

  52

  75

  80

  5

  79

  53

  15

  379

  1985

  37

  2

  6

  103

  2

  564

  309

  7

  64

  496

  224

  —

  1,814

  1986

  14

  1

  2

  10

  —

  371

  324

  25

  22

  270

  119

  14

  1,172

  1987

  3

  —

  1

  3

  —

  89

  77

  14

  12

  82

  96

  13

  390

  1988

  13

  —

  —

  9

  3

  165

  208

  39

  20

  410

  77

  16

  960

  1989

  3

  1

  4

  5

  —

  370

  170

  20

  22

  297

  81

  2

  975

  1990

  2

  1

  15

  40

  —

  332

  188

  4

  25

  156

  119

  45

  927

  1991

  11

  —

  —

  38

  —

  220

  82

  7

  10

  84

  30

  —

  482

  1992

  1

  —

  —

  26

  2

  209

  121

  7

  5

  87

  60

  5

  523

  1993

  55

  —

  5

  86

  —

  298

  243

  10

  43

  398

  69

  7

  1,214

  1994

  5

  —

  —

  83

  —

  198

  972

  9

  23

  447

  16

  6

  1,759

  228
  (a) Roman Catholic, (b) Protestant and (c) other which should be employed so as to reflect the percentage balance of the area; [93633]

  (2) what percentage of the economically active population aged 16 to 64 years in the council districts of (i) Londonderry, (ii) Strabane, (iii) Limavady, (iv) Coleraine and (v) Magherafelt are deemed by the Fair Employment Commission to be (a) Roman Catholic, (b) Protestant and (c) other; and what percentage in each council district are (1) male, (2) female and (3) self-employed; [93631]

  (3) by whom the progress of the Fair Employment Commission towards a pattern of fair employment is monitored and reviewed; what is the timescale for the achievement of fair employment by the Commission; and what was the timescale determined to achieve fair percentages of Roman Catholics and Protestants in 1994; [93634]

  (4) what percentage of the economically active population aged 16 to 64 years resident in (a) that part of Londonderry council area which lies on the West side of the River Foyle and (b) the remainder of that council area are deemed by the Fair Employment Commission to be (i) Roman Catholic, (ii) Protestant and (iii) other; [93632]

  (5) what geographical area the Fair Employment Commission takes into account when determining the percentage of (a) Roman Catholic and (b) Protestant staff it employs; and what is the percentage of (i) Roman Catholic, (ii) Protestant and (iii) others, economically active in that geographical area. [93636]

  Mr. Ingram
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Foyle Fisheries
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of (i) salmon and grilse, (ii) sea trout and (iii) brown trout taken by anglers in each river in the Foyle Fisheries Commission area in each of the last 15 years. [93635]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The number of salmon and grilse and sea trout taken by anglers in each of the rivers in the Foyle Fisheries Commission area is shown in the table. These figures are compiled from returns made by anglers. The figures are incomplete as a varying percentage of anglers make returns each year. No figures are available for brown trout catches.
  229

  Camowen/Drumragh

  Culdaff

  Dennett

  Derg

  Deele

  Faughan

  Finn & Reelan

  Foyle

  Glenelly/Owenkillen

  Mourne/Strule

  Roe

  Misc.

  Totals

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  21

  —

  141

  237

  25

  9

  174

  79

  22

  708

  1996

  5

  —

  5

  40

  —

  251

  524

  21

  7

  534

  41

  16

  1,444

  1997

  13

  —

  5

  273

  —

  187

  207

  9

  39

  247

  31

  9

  1,020

  Returns of sea trout catches 1983–97

  1983

  2

  15

  165

  5

  —

  5,723

  103

  39

  368

  85

  195

  57

  6,757

  1984

  4

  27

  152

  6

  —

  1,425

  209

  188

  254

  84

  773

  466

  3,588

  1985

  40

  29

  68

  121

  36

  2,808

  137

  46

  633

  148

  772

  —

  4,838

  1986

  30

  22

  39

  13

  11

  1,864

  245

  42

  271

  79

  135

  178

  2,929

  1987

  —

  5

  14

  11

  5

  1,210

  253

  263

  97

  73

  207

  218

  2,356

  1988

  —

  —

  17

  23

  16

  1,003

  135

  175

  364

  25

  216

  107

  2,081

  1989

  —

  —

  95

  5

  —

  648

  55

  122

  170

  23

  166

  128

  1,412

  1990

  6

  4

  220

  10

  8

  660

  138

  9

  63

  38

  193

  50

  1,399

  1991

  —

  —

  14

  4

  —

  1,043

  25

  7

  10

  9

  110

  —

  1,222

  1992

  4

  —

  27

  30

  1

  1,035

  19

  45

  19

  1

  62

  172

  1,415

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  3

  10

  617

  56

  —

  11

  12

  22

  7

  738

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  19

  3

  390

  98

  —

  52

  12

  11

  7

  592

  1995

  —

  —

  17

  25

  —

  139

  88

  129

  223

  13

  102

  23

  759

  1996

  —

  —

  38

  4

  3

  397

  99

  34

  4

  154

  23

  15

  771

  1997

  —

  —

  26

  18

  —

  426

  109

  12

  13

  79

  78

  41

  802

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for each of the last 15 years the density of (i) brown trout, (ii) sea trout and (iii) salmon parr and salmon smalts per 100 square metres, or such area as is used by the Foyle Fisheries Commission, determined by electric fishing surveys in each of the rivers in the Foyle Fisheries Commission area. [93639]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested is not available.

  Traffic Offences
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) on which roads, and on how many occasions on each such road, radar traps were operated by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the council areas of (i) Londonderry, (ii) Limavady, (iii) Strabane and (iv) Coleraine during the last three months for which such information is available; [93629]

  (2) how many vehicles which did not have a vehicle excise duty disc displayed were detected on (a) the East Bank and (b) the West Bank of Londonderry during the last six months for which such figures are available. [93630]

  Mr. Ingram
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

PRIME MINISTER

  Policy Unit (US Visits)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 25 June 1999,Official Report, column 480, on United States visits by his Policy Unit, how many meetings each member held with members and officials of the United States Government on each visit, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Policy Unit members involved and the names of the United States Ministers and officials at each meeting. [92302]
  230
  The Prime Minister
  Details of the three occasions on which members of the Policy Unit have travelled to the United States of America on official business since 1 January 1998 when not accompanying me or other Ministers are as follows:

  Dates

  Unit member

  6–9 December 1998

  Robert Hill

  29–31 January 1999

  David Miliband

  21–28 March 1999

  Sharon White

  All visits were to attend a series of meetings with US public officials. All visits were undertaken in line with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code.

  Special Envoys
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the oral answer by the right hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham of 20 July 1999,Official Report, column 962, if he will list the occasions on which special envoys have been used by his Government, and the names of the envoys concerned. [93178]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given today to the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Maples), Official Report, column 373, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

  UK Delegations
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Prime Minister if there are any changes in the composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union. [93655]

  The Prime Minister
  Baroness Knight of Collingtree DBE replaces the right hon. Sir Alastair Goodlad KCMG as a full representative of the Delegation. Following the resignation of Lord Grenfell from the Delegation, the right hon. Lord Clinton-Davis has been appointed as a substitute representative from the Government benches.

  Parliamentary Questions (Good English)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will inform all members of his administration that, when giving written or oral replies to parliamentary questions, they should not use the locutions relocate, meet with and consult with, and that they should use good English. [93214]

  The Prime Minister
  What matters most is that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, as required by the Ministerial Code. The use of clear and concise English can be the best way of achieving this. However, I do not think it necessary to proscribe the use of any particular phrase.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to visit(a) the Czech Republic, (b) Hungary, (c) Slovenia and (d) Estonia. [92691]

  The Prime Minister
  I recognise the importance of these countries but have no plans to visit at present.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he intends to visit Poland; [92692]

  (2) on how many occasions dates have been identified with the UK Embassy in Poland for the Prime Minister to visit Poland and have subsequently been abandoned. [92802]

  The Prime Minister
  I regret that I have had to postpone my visit to Poland on two occasions due to pressure of other duties, mainly talks on Northern Ireland. I hope to reinstate a visit as soon as the opportunity arises.

  Petitions
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of the public petitions submitted to the Government in each of the last two years. [93469]

  The Prime Minister
  There is no operational requirement to maintain these details and no central list is therefore collated. However, in respect of my office, 101 petitions have been received this year, of which 14 contained more than 10,000 signatures. In line with the practice adopted by previous Governments, petitions delivered to my Office are acknowledged wherever possible and the relevant Government Department informed. Where appropriate, the views expressed are reflected in advice to Ministers about what the public response is to an issue.

  Cancer Services
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet the National Cancer Forum to assess progress on implementing the Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services; and if he will make a statement. [93625]

  The Prime Minister
  The aim of the Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services is to improve the quality and consistency of cancer services across the country. The National Cancer Forum has been established to advise on the on-going implementation of the Policy Framework.
  232
  I met members of the National Cancer Forum in May when I hosted a meeting in Downing Street to review progress and to identify where further action is needed to improve cancer prevention and care.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Population Control Agencies
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of her Department's health budget is paid to(a) IPPF, (b) UNFPA and (c) other population control agencies which provide abortion services as well as contraceptives. [93431]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID) works with national governments, multilateral agencies and civil society groups in over 150 countries to enable more poor people to benefit from good quality reproductive health care, including voluntary family counselling and services; HIV/AIDS/STD prevention, treatment and care; essential obstetric care, including treatment for the consequences of unsafe abortion and, where legal, elective termination of pregnancy. Around 7.5 per cent. and 2.5 per cent. of DFID's 1998–99 health expenditure of £200 million was invested via UNFPA and IPPF respectively in order to enable poor people to exercise their basic right to reproductive choice and reproductive health.

  Abortion and Sterilisation Programmes
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the British Government funds compulsory abortion and sterilisation programmes. [93432]

  Clare Short
  All UK Government assistance for sexual and reproductive health is contingent on respect for the human rights principles and standards of privacy and free and informed choice upheld at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. Coercion and control have no place in UN supported family planning.

  Health Services (Young People)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the British Government's policy in respect of health services for young people. [93495]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development's policies in respect of health services for young people seek to implement the Key Actions recently adopted by the UN General Assembly further to implement the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development and are consistent with the UK Government's recent White Paper "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation".

  People Living in Extreme Poverty
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what targets have been set by her Department to increase the income of those people who are living on less than one US dollar a day. [92855]
  233
  Clare Short
  Our aim is to mobilise the international system to achieve the internationally agreed target of reducing by half the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015. In the Comprehensive Spending Review published in July 1998, we set out key targets to be achieved by the end of this Parliament, including annual growth of 1.5 per cent. in Gross Domestic Product per capita, and quantified measures for progress in health and education, strategies for sustainable development, improvements in the effectiveness of the international system and increased effectiveness of the United Kingdom's bilateral aid programme. Progress against these targets, which closely reflect the International Development Goals, will be rigorously monitored in the Department's annual Output and Performance Analysis which will be made publicly available.

  Public Attitudes (Monitoring)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has for monitoring public attitudes on international development issues. [93699]

  Clare Short
  The Government are committed to working to increase public awareness and understanding of international development issues and to monitoring the effectiveness of this work. We are therefore conducting a baseline survey this month through the Office for National Statistics' Omnibus Survey, and will make the results publicly available. Further surveys will be undertaken periodically, in order to measure progress against our objectives.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding her Department is providing for intensive shrimp production in Bangladesh. [93703]

  Clare Short
  We have recently agreed to provide £9.76 million to support the Government of Bangladesh's Fourth Fisheries Project. The project will engage government, non-governmental and community based organisations in improving aquatic resource management of inland waters and coastal polders. Fourteen per cent. of the funding will support a component for improving the shrimp production system. Our contribution is 25 per cent. of the total project requirements, which will be parallel financed with the World bank and the Bangladesh Government over five years.

  As a major supporter of sustainable fisheries development in Bangladesh for many years, we share local concerns about the environmental and social impact of past development of the shrimp industry. We have been able to influence development partners in this sector, using our expertise to provide strong environmental and social analyses in the design of the new project. This helped to put poverty elimination and environmental sustainability objectives at the centre of project design. For the shrimp component, we also helped to modify the focus of the project to the creation of more diverse and stable livelihoods in areas where shrimp are produced.

  The project plans to promote the production of shrimp by smallholders, but this is conditional on the outcome of a feasibility study in the first year which will fully
  234
  consider social and environmental dimensions in consultation with the communities concerned and NGOs. The project will also support a regional initiative to develop a Code of Conduct for responsible shrimp culture.

  Montserrat
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Montserratians have been admitted to the United Kingdom as evacuees; how many still remain in the United Kingdom; and how many have returned to Montserrat. [93627]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

HEALTH

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of extent of the multiplied risk which occurs when smokers are exposed to asbestos in relation to contraction of(a) lung cancer and (b) asbestosis; and if he will make a statement. [93024]

  Mr. Meale
  I have been asked to reply.

  Workers exposed to asbestos have been found to have up to ten times the risk of lung cancer compared with other workers. A typical smoker, not exposed to asbestos, has about fifteen times the risk of contracting lung cancer compared with non-smokers. When both exposures are present the risks can be—approximately—multiplied together. The total risk of lung cancer faced by smokers exposed to asbestos will depend on the type of fibre to which they are exposed, on the amount to which they are exposed and for how long, but it will be much higher than for non-smokers. The development of asbestosis is unaffected by smoking.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which existing private finance initiative contracts in the National Health Service provide for the automatic transfer of assets back to his Department after the expiry of the contract or for his Department to have first right of refusal to buy back the units after the expiry of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [89873]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: For all the first wave of prioritised major private finance initiative schemes any leasehold interest held by the private sector partner will either "fall away" at the end of the contract period or the National Health Service trust can exercise an option to take back the leasehold interest, in both cases returning full ownership of the asset to the NHS trust. This principle is set out in NHS Executive guidance on the PFI and will be followed by all subsequent schemes.

  Acute NHS Trusts
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sums have been appropriated from the Primary Care Modernisation Fund to support acute NHS trusts in London. [91724]
  235
  Mr. Denham
  In 1999–2000, London health authorities received modernisation funds of £13.1 million for improving primary care as part of their unified allocations. It is for health authorities, in partnership with National Health Service trusts, primary care groups, local authorities and local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and modernisation services. In doing so they must however deliver at least the guaranteed floor level of expenditure on general practitioner practice infrastructure costs.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pensioners living in the Tooting parliamentary constituency are able to obtain free eye tests; and if he will make a statement. [92238]

  Mr. Denham
  From 1 April, everyone aged 60 or over became eligible for free National Health Service sight tests. We made access to eye care easier for older people because they are most at risk of sight threatening disease.

  Barnet Health Authority
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) since May 1997, how much money has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority to tackle(a) waiting lists and (b) winter pressures; [92369]

  (2) since May 1997, how much funding in addition to original expenditure plans has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority for additional cancer treatments; and on what the money has been (a) spent and (b) allocated; [92415]

  (3) how much funding in addition to original expenditure plans has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority since May 1997 for its core work; [92417]

  (4) how much funding in addition to original expenditure plans has been allocated to mental health services in the Barnet Health Authority area since May 1997; and on what the money has been (a) spent and (b) allocated; [92418]

  (5) how much has been allocated to Barnet Health Authority from the modernisation fund; and on what the money has been spent; [92366]

  (6) how much funding, in addition to original expenditure plans, has been given to (a) Barnet Health Authority and (b) Barnet Council to improve continuing and community care since May 1997; and for what purposes the money has been allocated. [92419]

  Mr. Denham
  The information available is provided in the following tables. Table 1 shows the additional resources allocated to Barnet Health Authority since May 1997. Table 2 shows Barnet Health Authority's Modernisation Fund allocations announced to date. Table 3 shows the additional grants provided this year to Barnet Council specifically for community care.
  236

  Table 1: Barnet Health Authority cash increases since May 1997

  £000

  Purpose

  Amount

  Breast cancer services

  66

  Winter pressures

  1,057

  GMS cash limited—salaried doctors scheme

  26

  Special assistance for health authorities undergoing strategic change

  4,200

  Emergency pressure

  50

  1997–98 Total

  5,399

  Cash uplift for 1998–99 revenue allocations

  6,176

  Total cash increase in 1998–99 special allocations

  940

  Special assistance for health authorities undergoing strategic change

  1,500

  Waiting list addition

  1,955

  Waiting list performance fund

  217

  Whole systems support for waiting lists

  441

  Winter pressures

  1,080

  Winter pressure contingency

  110

  Colorectal cancer

  63

  1998–99 Total

  12,482

  Cash uplift for 1999–2000 revenue allocations (including Modernisation Fund)

  12,899

  Increase in drugs misuse special allocation

  93

  Recruitment and Retention Allowance

  671

  1999–2000 Total

  13,663

  Total extra cash since May 1997

  31,544

  Table 2: Barnet Health Authority Modernisation Fund allocations (1999–2000)

  Modernisation Fund included in main allocations

  £000

  Waiting lists

  1,706

  PCG Management Costs

  886

  Improving Primary Care

  501

  Mental Health

  440

  Recruitment and Retention

  671

  Primary Care Groups IT

  80

  Nurse Prescribing

  41

  Connections to GP Net

  323

  Calman Lung Cancer

  68

  Primary Care

  108

  Table 3: Additional grants provided this year to the London Borough of Barnet specifically for community care

  Grants

  £000

  Partnership Grant

  1,775

  Prevention Grant

  140

  Carers Grant

  138

  Increase in Mental Health Grant

  251

  Nurse Training
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of male and female nurses in training. [92435]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data from the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting are that at 31 March 1999 there were 6,319 male and 44,740 female nurses and midwives in training in England.

  Arachnoiditis
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were given myelography with Myodil between 1971 and 1987; and of those how many subsequently developed arachnoiditis. [92472]
  237
  Mr. Hutton
  Available information does not separately identify patients undergoing myelography with Myodil or the occurrence of arachnoiditis associated with myelography.

  Acute Care
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute care hospitals in the NHS have(a) dual sex wards and (b) shared toilet facilities. [92370]

  Mr. Denham
  The data collected by the National Health Service Executive on mixed sex hospital accommodation are at health authority level and do not at present contain detailed information about the position in NHS trusts. We are, however, looking to collect trust level information from health authorities in collections from September 1999 onwards.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health implications of the siting of mobile phone transmitter masts. [92361]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government obtain advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on the risks to health from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), including those emitted by mobile phone masts. At locations accessible to the public the exposure to EMFs emitted by mobile phone transmitters are well below the maximum exposure levels recommended by NRPB in their guidelines. (Restrictions on human exposure to static and time varying electromagnetic fields and radiation. Documents of the NRPB, 4, No 5,7-63 (1993)). These guidelines are intended to prevent acute adverse responses to increased heat load and elevated body temperature. Copies of the guidelines have been placed in the Library.

  Concerns have been expressed that there may be other, non-established, health effects of exposure to EMFs, particularly cancer. The question of possible long-term health effects, and specifically cancer-related issues, associated with exposures to electromagnetic fields and radiation has been addressed by the NRPB Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (chaired by Professor Sir Richard Doll). The Group has concluded that there is no firm evidence for the existence of a carcinogenic hazard from exposure to electromagnetic fields but there is a need for further good quality research to be carried out. This view is supported by international bodies, including the World Health Organisation.

  Research into the possible long term health effects of electromagnetic fields in general is being undertaken on a worldwide basis. The Department is currently contributing to the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project which includes health effects of electromagnetic fields and is funding studies investigating possible biological effects from EMF generally. A three year study in the UK of occupational exposure to radiofrequency fields, including those from TV and radio transmitters, was launched in November 1998. The Department is supporting this study.

  We recently announced a working group, chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS FRSE, to assess the current state of research into the health implications of mobile telephones usage. Further details of the group will be announced shortly.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92661]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: 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 right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's working week, will normally be made by Government car. The last time he used a train in the course of his official duties was on 23 July 1999 when visiting the National Health Service Executive Headquarters in Leeds.

  Psychiatric Hospitals
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women were detained in psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales on 1 July. [92921]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information available is contained in the Department of Health's Statistical Bulletin "In-patients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation, England: 1987–88 and 1992–93 to 1997–98". My hon. Friend may wish to refer to this Bulletin, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Sexual and Reproductive Health
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a national strategy on sexual and reproductive health; and if he will make a statement. [93441]

  Ms Jowell
  I announced on 23 March that the Department will, over the coming year, be developing an integrated strategy on sexual health. Professor Michael Adler will, be joining the Department in September to lead work on the strategy and ensure that it is co-ordinated with work on the HIV/AIDS strategy and teenage pregnancy. We will be in a position to announce the membership of the External Reference Group to assist him in this work shortly.

  Medical Devices Agency
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will report the findings of the Quinquennial Review of the Medical Devices Agency, which the Minister for Public Health announced on 2 May; and if he will make a statement about the future status of the Medical Devices Agency and the Medicines Control Agency. [93798]

  Mr. Denham
  We are publishing today the report of the Medical Devices Agency quinquennial review. Copies have been placed in the Library. The review concludes that the Agency is well respected in the medical device field both in the United Kingdom and Europe and has performed consistently well against its key targets. It finds that Executive Agency status has been beneficial and recommends that the MDA should remain as an Agency.

  In light of the recommendation of the report we announced on 9 December 1998 and the more recent conclusions of the quinquennial reviews respectively of the MDA and the Medicines Control Agency, we have

  239
  decided that the two Agencies should not be merged and that both should retain their status as separate Agencies for the time being.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the 12 Annual report of the Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship. [93820]

  Mr. Dobson
  I have today published the 12 Annual Report of the Committee for Monitoring Agreements on Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  NHS Estates Agency
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of the NHS Estates Agency. [93888]

  Mr. Denham
  A quinquennial review of the Agency falls to be completed by the end of this year. This will address the performance of the Agency and will re-examine all the options ("Prior Options") which were considered before the Agency was launched.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93459]

  Mr. Denham
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Dementia Research
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much in each of the last three years his Department has spent on dementia research; and how much is allocated in the Comprehensive Spending Review for the next two years. [93309]

  Mr. Hutton
  With regard to the Department's spending on dementia research in the last three years I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Mid Sussex (Mr. Soames) on 21 June 1999,Official Report, column 289.

  Comprehensive Spending Review settlements are given to Government Departments and do not include allocations to particular research programmes. Ministers are currently reviewing planned expenditure for 2000–01.

  IVF Treatment
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities in the United Kingdom provide IVF treatment to women whose spouses have children by a previous marriage; and what was the cost of such provision to each authority in the last two financial years. [92581]

  Ms Jowell
  Information is not currently available in the form requested. However, a College of Health survey of health authorities (commissioned by the 240
  National Infertility Awareness Campaign in 1998) lists 70 health authorities which had formal eligibility criteria for assisted conception. Details can be found in the survey report, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information on the cost of providing National Health Service infertility treatment to individuals with existing children is not collected.

  The Department is currently conducting a survey of health authority provision of infertility services in England. This should provide information on eligibility criteria used by all health authorities. The results of the survey are likely to be available later in the year.

  Pharmacy Strategy
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the planned date for publication of the Government's pharmacy strategy review document; and when he expects it to be published. [92966]

  Mr. Denham
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Continence Services
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish updated guidance on continence services following the Review of Continence Services published on 2 September 1988. [93557]

  Mr. Hutton
  We hope to issue shortly updated guidance which has been developed in the light of the current review of continence policy.

  Immunisation
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities have reported shortages of(a) DTP, (b) haemophilus, (c) polio, (d) MMR and (e) BCG vaccines over the last 12 months. [93222]

  Ms Jowell
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many children over one year of age have received(a) polio vaccine, (b) haemophilus B vaccine and (c) DTP immunisation; [93217]

  (2) how many children over the age of two years have not received MMR immunisation; [93221]

  (3) how many children at school entry age have not received (a) full DTP immunisation, (b) polio vaccine and (c) MUR immunisation. [93218]

  Ms Jowell
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children over the age of 14 years have not received BCG immunisation. [93220]

  Ms Jowell
  Information is not held centrally in the form requested. The latest figures on number of BCG immunisations given are published in the Statistical Bulletin National Health Service Immunisation Statistical, England: 1997–98, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Councillors
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 December 1998,Official Report, column 257, on councillors, if he will list the percentage of (a) men and (b) women councillors in each local authority at the latest available date. [93520]

  Ms Jowell
  The Women's Unit collated and analysed information on the gender breakdown of councillors during 1998. This information was made public on 10 December 1998 (copies placed in the Library). The tables break down the results by region and by local authority. This information is not routinely collected by any department.

  Medicines (Advertising Regulations)
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the legal advice pertaining to the Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 267) referred to by the Minister for Public Health on 28 April 1999,Official Report, Ninth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation, column 23. [93447]

  Ms Jowell
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Meningitis C Vaccine
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will deposit in the Library all data used in the assessment of cost-effectiveness of the new meningitis C vaccine. [93341]

  Ms Jowell
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  IT Procurement
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the review of procurement processes mentioned in the Information for Health document has been carried out. [92582]

  Mr. Denham
  The purpose of the review into National Health Service information management and technology procurement in England is to improve the procurement and implementation of "fit for purpose" clinical systems. The review is in two phases, with the first phase reporting to Ministers at the end of March 1999. The second Phase is due for completion shortly. Relevant information from the review will be published on the IM and T investment website at www.open.gov.uk/doh/itinvest.htm.

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are for the NHS Information Authority to implement a standard PFI contract for IT services. [92583]

  Mr. Denham
  The desirability and feasibility of a standard Private Finance Initiative contract for Information Technology services is being considered as part of the National Health Service IT Procurement Review. In addition, Her Majesty's Treasury's Task Force are developing standard contract clauses for IT services. The NHS Executive will take this work into account before considering whether to implement standard contracts for IT services, whether funded through the Private Finance Initiative or public capital.

  Genetic Modification
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department will take to introduce guidance to health authorities concerning compulsory labelling of ingredients produced as a result of genetic modification in meals served to hospital patients. [93363]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government have recently produced guidance on labelling of food containing genetically modified ingredients which includes meals served to hospital patients.

  Biological and Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what additional funding he will provide to enhance ambulance and accident and emergency services' ability to protect staff and to improve decontamination facilities, as announced in the Government paper on 21 July, "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons"; and if he will make a statement; [93096]

  (2) what additional resources he will make available to (a) health authorities and (b) ambulance trusts in England and Wales for the preparation, provision and annual funding needed to meet the new tasks announced in the Government paper on 21 July, "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons"; and if he will make a statement; [93098]

  (3) in what ways, and at what cost, his Department will co-ordinate the emergency provision of healthcare services in response to a release of biological or chemical material, as announced on 21 July in the Government paper, "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons"; and if he will make a statement. [93097]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department and the National Health Service have already begun to enhance the capacity of the health service to deal with a possible threat from chemical or biological weapons. Measures being taken as part of this enhancement programme include the further strengthening of protection for ambulance service and hospital staff, and the improvement of decontamination facilities.

  Improvements to facilities for decontamination are included in the Government's £115 million accident and emergency modernisation programme, which was announced earlier this year. We are making resources available to ensure the success of the enhancement programme to strengthen further the response capacity of the health service.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the link between the level of prescription charges payable by a patient and a capital disregard was introduced; and if he will make a statement. [93382]

  Mr. Denham
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment was made in preparing his White
  243
  Paper, "Saving Lives-Our Healthier Nation", of the effect on diabetics of changes in the prescribing of insulin and insulin pen needles. [93288]

  Ms Jowell
  The White Paper,"Saving Lives—Our Healthier Nation", was published on 6 July. We are still considering representations from organisations on separate proposals to allow insulin pen needles to be prescribed by NHS general practitioners.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations were considered from the British Diabetics Association and diabetes sufferers before producing his White Paper, "Saving Lives—Our Healthier Nation". [93289]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health received and considered 34 responses about diabetes from organisations, including the British Diabetic Association, and a further 63 from individuals.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the spending of public funds by community health councils is audited and scrutinised. [93211]

  Mr. Denham
  Community health councils are subject to internal audit by the National Health Service Executive. They also produce an annual financial report.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the accountability of community health councils; and to whom they are accountable. [93209]

  Mr. Denham
  Community health councils (CHCs) are subject to the regulations under which they were established. They are accountable to the public, the establishing body, Parliament and the courts. National Health Service Executive Regional Offices maintain strategic links with CHCs.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the occasions in the past five years when the actions of community health councils have been subject to judicial review. [93212]

  Mr. Denham
  As far as we are aware, there have been no occasions in the past five years when the actions of community health councils have been subject to judicial review

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the funding of community health councils is determined. [93210]

  Mr. Denham
  Community health councils are funded centrally at a level judged appropriate to cover the expenditure they reasonably incur in the course of performing their functions.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Tourism
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the value of tourism to the economies of(a) the east midlands and (b) Leicestershire in (i) 1997 and (ii) 1998. [83169]
  244
  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on the United Kingdom tourist industry of electronic commerce. [93142]

  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the materials used in the construction of the Millennium Dome originated from East Midlands companies. [90500]

  Janet Anderson
  New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) does not keep detailed records of the regional origin of materials used for the construction of the Dome. Contracts totalling over £4 million have been let to companies in the Midlands—Keller Ground Engineering; Euro Air; and Terrapin.

  Ministerial Meetings (USA)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings the previous Under-Secretary, the right hon. Member for Coatbridge and Chryston (Mr. Clarke), held with officials of the United States Government during his visit in January 1998 to Los Angeles; and if he will list the date of, location of, and names of departments of the US officials who took part in each meeting. [92267]

  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Shooting Events
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the ban on handguns will prevent shooting events being staged during any international games held in the United Kingdom. [92760]

  Mr. Banks
  Prohibited weapons may not be possessed without the express authority of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. During the passage of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 through Parliament, it was agreed that provision could be made for competitors in pistol events in major competitions such as the Olympics or Commonwealth Games to be granted temporary authority to allow them to bring their pistols into the country for the duration of the event. Indeed, the European Police Pistol Championships were held in this country shortly after the prohibition on handguns took effect, and I understand the arrangements worked smoothly and no problems were experienced by any of the competitors.

  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provisions have been made to allow sportsmen and women who have previously represented
  245
  the United Kingdom in events using handguns of a calibre now banned to continue to compete in future Olympic and Commonwealth Games. [92759]

  Mr. Banks
  The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 prohibited handguns of the type used in competition shooting, but it applies only in Great Britain. There is no bar to British pistol shooters practising and competing abroad in whatever disciplines or events they wish. I understand that some competition shooters have chosen to practice and compete in this way.

  World Cup
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the authorities in Botswana over the hosting of the Football World Cup in 2006. [93143]

  Mr. Banks
  During my visit to Botswana from 26-30 April with the Football Association I met the hon. Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe MP, Botswanan Minister for Foreign Affairs, the hon. B. K. Temane MP, Minister for Labour and Home Affairs, the Chairman and representatives of the Botswanan Football Association. I discussed a number of sports issues including UEFA's Meridian Project which links the English FA with Botswana, the significance of sport in national development and the forthcoming Botswanan White Paper on Sports Policy. I also took the opportunity to outline the merits of the FA's bid for the 2006 World Cup. The meetings were extremely useful and productive, and built upon the excellent bi-lateral relations which already exist between our two countries.

  Trafalgar Square
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which organisations applied to hold meetings in Trafalgar Square, London on 18 July; in what order the applications were received; which organisation held a meeting on 18 July at Trafalgar Square; and if he will make a statement. [92939]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The Turkish Cypriot Network (TCN) and the National Federation of Greek Cypriots (NFGC) made requests by telephone some time ago to use Trafalgar Square on 18 July and the NFGC by letter on 4 January. Both organisations were advised that the normal practice is to consider applications no more than 3 months in advance and that they should re-apply at that time.

  The TCN applied to hold a party and were invited on 20 April to submit details of their intentions: these were submitted on 30 April and permission was refused on 7 May since the proposed celebrations were inappropriate to and out of scale with Trafalgar Square. On 3 May the NFGC sent by facsimile a copy of a letter dated 18 April seeking approval to hold a rally in Trafalgar Square with speeches; similar rallies have been held in Trafalgar Square by this group for a number of years.

  The TCN submitted a revised proposal on 12 May. Two other requests to use Trafalgar Square on 18 July were made during this period, but no details were given and no reply received to the Department's request for further information.
  246
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's judgment was that the proposal from the NFGC of 7 May was the first which constituted an application for an event suitable for Trafalgar Square and he noted that such an event had taken place in previous years: this application therefore received consent. The TCN were invited to consider alternative venues for their event. A march from Marble Arch to Belgrave Square, which we understand TCN attended, was held by the British Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations on 18 July.

  Millennium Experience (North-West)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about employment opportunities in the north west resulting from the celebrations connected with the Millennium Experience. [72123]

  Janet Anderson
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the summer recess. I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93463]

  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 with the Women's Unit, Home Office and DfEE to develop good practices for ensuring that our policies meet the changing needs of all members of society.

  "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment", published by the Cabinet Office, Home Office, DfEE and the Women's Unit in November 1998, has been circulated to staff within my Department to ensure that the effects of any policy changes on all sections of the population are considered at the earliest stage of policy development.

  My Department has set targets for measuring progress on equal treatment in its own employment policies and in appointments to its sponsored bodies. It requires those sponsored bodies to set targets for equal treatment in their areas of interest.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Baton Rounds
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes are to be made to the guidelines on the police use of baton rounds. [93894]

  Mr. Straw
  I have approved new operational guidelines on the use of baton rounds, which will be issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers, replacing current Home Office guidance. These will come into force on 1 August 1999. With the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the guidelines will apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  247
  The new guidelines will clarify that baton rounds may be used where other methods of policing to restore order have been tried and failed or are likely to fail; and there is a risk of loss of life or serious injury arising from serious public disorder; or a risk of serious and substantial damage to property which gives rise to a risk of loss of life or serious injury. The new guidelines clarify that, in assessing the risk of loss of life or serious injury occurring, account should be taken of the risk to police officers and members of the emergency services as well as to members of the public and others. The revised guidelines place the use of baton rounds within the current command and control structure for dealing with serious public disorder and other critical incidents.

  A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Government Information
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the 1988 report on the operation of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [93895]

  Mr. Straw
  I have published this report today and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Abuse of Trust on the details of their scheme to protect children following their report on 25 January; and if he will make a statement. [93896]

  Mr. Straw
  Following its report on 25 January, we asked the Interdepartmental Working Group to work up the details of the scheme. It has now completed this work. I will be placing a short summary in the Library on 29 July.

  Immigration
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the Immigration (Places of Detention) Direction 1996; and if he will make a statement. [93897]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration (Places of Detention) Direction 1996 has been amended and copies have been placed in the Library.

  It was necessary to amend the Direction in order to:
  enable detention, where facilities have been specially provided, at immigration offices which are not at ports of entry. This will allow our proposals for a new reporting centre at Becket House to be implemented in October of this year when it is expected to be ready for operation;
  delete the 'out of date' reference to Meadvale detention centre, which is no longer in operation; and
  amend reference to a 'place of safety' in a Northern Ireland context to take account of the observations of the Legislative Counsel in Northern Ireland.

  Ethnic Minority Staff
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his race equality employment targets for ethnic minority staff in the Home Office and its service areas. [93898]

  Mr. Straw
  I will tomorrow place a copy of "Race Equality—The Home Secretary's Employment Targets" in the Library. The paper sets out recruitment, retention and career progression targets for ethnic minority staff in the Home Office, the prison, the police, the fire and the probation services.

  Travel Documents
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on charging for Home Office travel documents. [93899]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office has issued travel documents to refugees, stateless persons and some other third country nationals for many years. This service has always been subject to the payment of a fee. These travel documents are issued under the Royal Prerogative, but there is no specific legal power for the taking of fees in connection with such documents. The Home Office first received legal advice raising questions about the legal basis for charges and advising that specific powers should be taken to charge for these documents on 9 February 1999. I have, therefore, decided that it would be right for applications outstanding on that date to be processed free of charge, as will applications received between that date and the date on which new fees regulations are made. These applicants need take no action. Refunds, where appropriate, will be offered automatically by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, although it is likely to be some months before all applicants receive their refunds.

  Until 31 December 1993, refunds were made to all applicants whose applications for a travel document were refused. Since then, the practice has been to charge for processing applications, whether or not a document is issued. It is not proposed to offer refunds to applicants whose cases were completed before 9 February 1999, who were charged in good faith and who received the document for which they applied. But there are an estimated 1,500 applicants who received neither a travel document, because their application was refused, nor a refund, because their application was determined after 31 December 1993. It is proposed to offer refunds to such applicants provided they apply before 30 November 1999. It is, however, not possible to identify such applications from Home Office records and we are inviting those immigration advisers who are members of the Immigration and Nationality User Panel to help to trace those who may be eligible for a refund.

  An information line has been established which gives more detail about eligibility for refunds, how to apply if necessary, and how refunds will be made. The number of the information line is 020 8681 5615. Information is also being placed on the Immigration and Nationality internet web site—www.homeoffice.gov.uk./ind/hpg.htm.

  In the light of the legal advice which has been received, I have decided that it would be right to put beyond doubt the power to levy fees in connection with Home Office travel documents. A new clause to this effect will

  249
  accordingly be brought forward to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is currently before the House of Lords. The clause will be retrospective—it will have the effect of making charges imposed by the Home Office in the past, in connection with travel documents, lawful.

  In the meantime, there is an enabling power in the Finance Act 1973 to charge for services provided by the Government pursuant to any international treaty to which the United Kingdom is a party. This would cover documents issued to refugees and stateless persons in accordance with the relevant United Nations Conventions, although not other types of travel document. I have decided to exercise these powers pending the enactment of wider powers in the Immigration and Asylum Bill. When the Bill has received Royal Assent, regulations will be made covering fees for the full range of travel documents.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the fourth report on the impact of the National Lottery on the horserace betting levy. [93900]

  Mr. George Howarth
  An update on the impact of the National Lottery on the horserace betting levy has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library. This fulfils an undertaking made during the passage of the National Lottery Bill.

  The paper, which has been prepared by the Economics and Resource Analysis Unit of the Home Office, examines continuing trends in off-course betting expenditure, on which the levy is closely dependent.

  The statistical analysis suggests that, in 1998, approximately £1.1 billion was diverted from off-course betting expenditure as a direct result of the National Lottery. This equates to off-course betting expenditure being about 13.2 per cent. below the level it would have reached in the absence of the Lottery. Horserace betting accounts for about 69 per cent. of off-course betting expenditure and, therefore, the levy yield is likely to have been similarly affected. This can be only an approximate figure, and the effect of the Lottery may vary over time.

  Motorcycle Gatherings
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions over the past three years when the police have recommended to organisers of motorcycle gatherings that the event be cancelled; for what reason the recommendation in each case was made; what was the response of the organisers; on the occasions when the event subsequently went ahead, if there were any arrests; and if he will make a statement. [92755]

  Mr. Boateng
  This information is not collated centrally. The decision to recommend cancellation of an event on public order or public safety grounds is an operational matter for the local chief officer of police.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirement is placed upon the police to take account of losses likely to be incurred when they recommend to organisers of motorcycle gatherings that the event be cancelled; and if he will make a statement. [92756]
  250
  Mr. Boateng
  None. This is a matter for event organisers and the local police.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what actions he has taken to improve the management of Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution and Remand Centre, Feltham following the report by the steering group set up by the Director General of the Prison Service in response to the recommendations made by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. [92629]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The steering group set up by the Director General of the Prison Service for Feltham Young Offenders Institution, following the Chief Inspector of Prisons' report, endorsed the recommendations contained in the four reports submitted to it by the task force which went into Feltham to address the immediate problems. The recommendations will form part of an action plan detailing improvements to be taken forward and will build on the six month improvement plan charted at the time of the inspection. This action plan is expected to be finalised shortly.

  Many improvements have already been taken forward at Feltham. The task force identified 39 issues for immediate action, 33 of these have now been implemented and work on the remaining six is well in hand. The significant achievements include:
  making significant in-roads into the 'transit-camp' problem by ending the use of Kestrel unit as a daily discharge unit and the use of Osprey unit for allocation purposes;
  reducing the capacity of Feltham by 72 thereby reducing the overcrowding and allowing the refurbishment of two units to begin;
  increasing the quality of health care by moving into a fully refurbished health care unit and through the provision of eight officers on detached duty from other establishments to offset the staff shortages; discussions have begun with the local health authority about future service delivery;
  increasing the amount of physical education from two to five classes in both the morning and afternoon sessions;
  increasing the numbers attending education by 30;
  securing additional £2 million funding to develop a separate regime for under 18 year olds which will include 12 hours out of cell each day and 30 hours purposeful activity each week, for which a further £3.4 million capital investment is being made to provide separate reception and education facilities for the under 18s.
  an assessment centre has been held to recruit more officers. Consultation on proposals for revised staff attendance and shift patterns commenced this month;
  nearly 600 mattresses have been replaced and general cleanliness and hygiene have been improved with new cleaning schedules and inspection arrangements; and
  funds have been made available to undertake a backlog of small repairs.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if a court can order a secure remand for a young defendant when no place is available; and if he will make a statement; [92917]

  (2) what was the total availability of local authority secure accommodation for juvenile and young offenders on the last date for which figures are available and in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [92916]
  251
  (3) what has been the demand for secure accommodation for juvenile and young offenders in each of the last 12 months; on how many occasions a place was not found when requested; and if he will make a statement; [92915]

  (4) what representations he has received about the operation of the national clearing system for secure accommodation for juvenile and young offenders; and if he will make a statement; [92918]

  Mr. Straw
  The local authority secure estate is used both to accommodate any child who is being looked after by the local authority under the Children Act 1989, and to hold those who are sentenced under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, those sentenced to a secure training order under section 1 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and those who are held on secure remand. Since 1994, the number of approved secure places, those children accommodated and the occupancy rate of secure units available1 in England and Wales2 (as at 31 March) is given in the table:

  Year

  Approved places

  Children accommodated

  Occupancy rate (per cent.)

  1994

  289

  244

  84

  1995

  266

  233

  88

  1996

  274

  246

  90

  1997

  348

  290

  83

  1998

  456

  334

  73

  1 Children Accommodated in Secure Units, year ending 31 March 1998

  2 Welsh information has only been available since 1997 (previously Wales had two small units providing two places each)

  A Government funded building programme was put in place to expand the local authority secure estate by 170 places specifically to allow for the implementation of the provisions in relation to court-ordered secure remands. These places are now available and the total number of approved places in local authority secure accommodation is 460.

  Section 97 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which came into force on 1 June 1999, allows courts, where certain criteria are met, to remand direct to local authority secure accommodation 12 to 14 year old boys and girls and 15 and 16 year old girls. Where a court remands a child or young person to local authority secure accommodation, it must designate a relevant local authority. Under section 23(4) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969, there is a requirement on the court to consult the designated local authority before it imposes a security requirement. The purpose of such consultation is to allow the local authority to provide the court with information so that the court is best placed to make an appropriate decision depending on the circumstances of the case. Such information should include the nature and availability of local provision to support a remand in the community, and the nature and availability of secure and non-secure local authority accommodation. Where the court then remands a child or young person to local authority secure accommodation, the designated local authority is under a duty under section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 to comply with the security requirement.

  Section 98 of the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act, which also came into force on 1 June 1999, allows courts, where certain criteria are met, to remand direct to local authority
  252
  secure accommodation 15 and 16 year old boys whom, by reason of their physical or emotional immaturity or a propensity to harm themselves, the courts consider it would be undesirable to remand to Prison Service accommodation. Before reaching such an opinion the court must consult a probation officer, a local authority social worker or a member of a youth offending team and before ordering a remand to local authority secure accommodation in such a case, the court must be notified that such accommodation is available.

  In providing advice to the courts about the availability of local authority secure accommodation and in complying with security requirements imposed by the courts, local authorities may use information held by the national bedbank service, set up and funded by the Department of Health and operated by Leeds Social Services Department. This is not a clearing house facility and is designed only to provide information to local authorities on the availability of secure places. We have received one written representation on the operation of the national bedbank service.

  Information is not recorded centrally on the demand for local authority secure accommodation or the number of occasions a place has not been found when requested.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, announced in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (Mr. Taylor) on 22 July 1999, Official Report, columns 622-23, that the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales will, from April 2000, become the commissioning and purchasing body for all forms of secure accommodation for children and young people on remand or under sentence. A copy of the Board's advice on how this should operate has been placed in the Library. One element is the establishment of a clearing house facility to manage the placement of children and young people in secure accommodation, including the local authority secure estate. The Board is now consulting local authorities and other bodies on its proposals.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the size of young offender institutions in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [92883]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The size of Young Offender Institutions in England and Wales was considered as part of the design for the Prison Service's new distinct juvenile estate, and I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 27 April 1999,Official Report, column 109, about the composition of the estate.

  Since then, Aylesbury has been withdrawn from the estate as the need for the role originally envisaged for the establishment has changed. Aylesbury will continue to take a small number of difficult/longer-term juveniles where that offers the most appropriate way of meeting their individual needs.

  There are no proposals to vary the size of Young Offender Institutions for 18-20 year old offenders.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review staff training in young offender institutions in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [92884]
  253
  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service is in the process of developing its 'Nature of Adolescence' training for staff who work with young people in custody. This work is being carried out in collaboration with the Trust for the Study of Adolescence. Separately, the Youth Justice Board has begun tendering for the provision of training for all staff who work in the youth justice system, which will make with special provision for those who work in secure facilities. This is to support the implementation of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and the delivery of the principal aim of the youth justice system which is to prevent offending by children and young people.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it is currently taking the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to respond to correspondence; what progress has been made in reducing the time taken; and if he will make a statement. [92714]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The latest position is that 60 per cent. of correspondence is responded to within 20 working days, excluding correspondence related to applications and casework. Additional staff are being recruited and overtime exercises are being brought into operation in order to achieve significant improvements in response times.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made in respect of each month in the current year of the average daily number of(a) callers trying to make a call to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, (b) calls made to that Directorate and (c) calls answered by the Telephone Caller Unit. [92843]

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  Public Caller Unit, Croydon

  723

  627

  723

  661

  663

  862

  Asylum Screening Unit, Croydon

  325

  297

  175

  226

  202

  239

  Liverpool Public Enquiry Office

  44

  40

  32

  26

  40

  34

  Midlands Public Enquiry Office

  92

  97

  86

  81

  81

  117

  Glasgow Public Enquiry Office

  40

  33

  43

  32

  32

  54

  Belfast Public Enquiry Office

  17

  14

  10

  11

  14

  23

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average waiting time in each month in 1999 and for the most recent date for which information is available for consideration of applications to each of the divisions of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [92893]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The average waiting times in each month of 1999 for nationality cases are set out in the table:

  Average waiting times (Months)

  Month

  Naturalisation

  Registration

  Overall

  January

  20.5

  9

  19.4

  February

  20.3

  7.7

  18.9

  March

  20.6

  6.8

  19.1

  April

  20.8

  6.4

  18.7

  May

  20.7

  7.2

  18.9

  June

  20.5

  6.6

  18.2

  254
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: The figures relating to telephone calls to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate are provided each month by British Telecom and are actuals rather than estimates. Daily averages, by month, are set out in the table:

  Number of callers

  Number of calls

  Calls answered

  January

  n/a

  60,043

  2,109

  February

  5,281

  50,217

  1,669

  March

  5,432

  46,334

  1,781

  April

  4,112

  42,601

  1,495

  May

  4,610

  48,301

  1,535

  June

  5,617

  56,223

  1,707

  Staff in the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau (INEB) are being hampered in their ability to deal with calls quickly because of delays in other parts of the Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD), arising from the transition to Team Based Caseworking. Measures are in place to improve the situation, including recruitment of around 300 staff to fill vacancies in ICD. INEB staff are being given more in-depth training in call handling and new staff are being recruited and trained. Much of the increase in calls in June has been connected with passport inquiries.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average daily number of personal callers to each public inquiry office of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in each month since the beginning of 1999. [92894]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The average daily number of callers to each public inquiry office during 1999 is set out in the table:

  Average waiting times for immigration and asylum cases are not recorded as Integrated Casework Directorate caseworking procedures give priority to types of application rather than dealing with cases in chronological order. All applications are sifted in the Initial Consideration Unit. Straightforward cases (about 40 per cent.) are dealt with under a fast track procedure within about four weeks of receipt. More complex cases are allocated to Case Management Units for detailed consideration. The length of time between receipt and decision will depend on the complexity of the case. Delays in dealing with cases may be due to a variety of factors, including legal interventions by applicants and court cases.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the backlog of cases for each of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's divisions at the end of each month in 1999 and at the latest date for which information is available. [92896]
  255
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Integrated Casework Directorate, which was set up at the beginning of 1999, handles all nationality, immigration and asylum casework previously dealt with in five separate Immigration and Nationality Directorate divisions. The backlog of immigration and asylum cases, and separately nationality cases, at the end of each month is set out in the table:

  Month

  Number of cases

  Immigration and Asylum

  January

  63,622

  February

  69,388

  March

  84,404

  April

  93,943

  May

  122,102

  June

  145,991

  Nationality

  January

  101,600

  February

  101,100

  March

  101,700

  April

  101,700

  May

  101,000

  June

  95,200

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the countries for whose nationals the fast-track service operated by the Public Caller Unit at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate for the quick determination of certain types of immigration applications is not available. [93304]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The availability of the fast-track service operated by the Public Caller Unit (PCU) at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) is normally determined by the category of application rather than the nationality of the applicant, as well as by the individual facts of each case. The only exception to general policy is in respect of North Korean and Libyan nationals. However, in the light of the recent resumption of diplomatic relations with Libya, we are in the process of reviewing our policy towards Libyan nationals. In recent months, because of pressures resulting from the major changes which have taken place in IND, the PCU fast-track service has had to be restricted and occasionally suspended altogether.

  Immigration and Asylum
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration and asylum cases his Department has had outstanding for over one year; if he will provide a breakdown of the years in which the cases commenced and indicate the progress being made in eliminating the backlog; and if he will make a statement. [92713]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are approximately 80,935 immigration and asylum cases that have been outstanding for over one year. The breakdown is:

  Number

  1998

  36,081

  1997

  15,964

  1996

  8,134

  1995

  9,438

  1994

  4,820

  256

  Number

  1993

  1,327

  1992

  343

  1991

  245

  1990

  109

  Pre 1990

  133

  Undated

  4,341

  A number of measures have already been identified to tackle the general backlog which has built up because of the difficulties encountered in setting up the Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD). These include the setting up of an After Entry Clearance Team and a Correspondence Backlog Team. Steps already taken include special exercises to target priority cases such as work permit applications, changes in procedures that will result in increased productivity and increased staffing.

  Additionally, immediate and long term plans are in hand to tackle the more substantive backlogs in the areas of asylum, enforcement and nationality.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards(a) the proposed mutual recognition of member states of the European Union and each other's decisions on asylum applications and (b) the proposed harmonisation within the European Union of criteria for the recognition of refugees. [92783]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: It is a requirement of The Treaty of Amsterdam for measures that determine minimum standards applicable to the handling of asylum applications be introduced. The United Kingdom has the choice to opt in to such measures. There has been no proposal as yet regarding minimum standards for the criteria in recognising refugees. There has been no proposal to effect the mutual recognition of other member states' asylum decisions and such a proposal is not a requirement of the Treaty of Amsterdam.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for asylum have been made in each month since the beginning of 1999(a) by persons arriving at ports of entry and (b) by persons already in the United Kingdom; [92777]

  (2) how many asylum seekers entered the United Kingdom in each month since March 1999; and of these how many were (a) granted asylum, (b) granted leave to remain and (c) refused the right to remain; [92778]

  (3) what was the backlog of asylum casework in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate at the last date for which information is available; [92841]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: The information requested was made available on the Home Office Internet site at http//www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index/htm, as part of the monthly reporting of asylum figures, on 26 July 1999.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum decisions were made in each month from January 1997 to the latest month for which information is available. [92790]
  257
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: The requested information is given in the table:

  Decisions1 made on Applications received for asylum in the United Kingdoms, excluding dependants, January 1997 to June 1999, by month

  Year/month

  Decisions

  1997

  January

  3,260

  February

  3,090

  March

  2,845

  April

  3,390

  May

  2,880

  June

  2,930

  July

  3,480

  August

  2,980

  September

  2,800

  October

  3,035

  November

  2,990

  December

  2,355

  Total

  36,045

  1998

  January

  3,065

  February

  3,035

  March

  3,070

  April

  2,520

  May

  2,360

  June

  2,675

  July

  2,710

  August

  2,480

  September

  2,825

  October

  3,255

  November

  2,780

  December

  800

  Total

  31,570

  1999 2

  January

  995

  February

  1,275

  March

  1,855

  April

  3,045

  May

  4,185

  June

  4,680

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  2 Provisional

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were received from Sri Lanka nationals in each of the last 10 years; how many of the applications have been(a) granted, (b) refused but subject to appeal, (c) refused and exhausted appeal, (d) awaiting initial decision, (e) deported and (f) left the country; and if he will make a statement. [93549]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategies he is planning to ensure that the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is able to cope with the forecast increase in applications for naturalisation expected 12 months after the granting of indefinite leave to remain to refugees and those affected by the backlog clearance programme, without lengthening current waiting periods. [93336]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No increase in applications for naturalisation resulting from output elsewhere in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is expected imminently. By the time these applications start to reach 258
  the Integrated Casework Directorate's Liverpool office (which has superseded the Nationality Directorate), various initiatives to speed up output will have taken effect.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Ministerial Group on the Family will consider the effect of the immigration rules and the nationality legislation on families with members abroad. [93454]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In "Supporting Families: summary of responses to the consultation document", published on 8 June 1999, we said that the Ministerial Group on the Family is working on five new initiatives; support for boys, young men and fathers; supporting stepfamilies; adoption policy and practice; the support available to families at different crisis points; and ensuring that Government funding for families fits together well. Given the existing priorities of the group, it has no plans to look into the effect of immigration rules and nationality legislation on families with members abroad at present.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the funding of immigration advice under section 23 of the Immigration Act 1971. [93452]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Subject to the approval of Parliament, funding for advice, assistance and representation will be available through legal aid from January 2000. In due course, when we have had the opportunity to assess the true level of need for immigration advice, we will consider whether funding under section 23 should be transferred from the Home Office to the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to curtail the use of prison accommodation for those detained solely under Immigration Act powers; and by what date he expects to cease to use prison accommodation. [93516]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government are committed, as resources become available, to the pursuit of a strategy of detaining those detained soley under Immigration Act 1971 powers in dedicated detention centres and holding centres, not prisons. Key to this strategy is the replacement of the Harmondsworth centre and the use of Her Majesty's Prison Rochester by two larger, purpose designed centres at Heathrow and Aldington. These facilities are expected to be available by the spring of 2002 and will offer an increase of some 250 beds. There are more immediate plans to provide a dedicated centre in the North of England for about 150 detainees within the next six to nine months. This will reduce the ad hoc use of prisons. In order that this can be delivered quickly, it is likely to be provided and managed by the Prison Service. It will however be a self contained, discrete unit solely for the use of Immigration Act detainees.

  This strategy will ensure a net gain of about 300-350 detention places by 2002 and will greatly reduce the use of prison accommodation. However the Government accept that there will always be a need to use prisons for a minority of detainees, due to their special requirements, and this practice will continue. The number of such detainees detained in prison accommodation by 2002 is expected to be minimal.
  259
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds Immigration Service staff refuse to accept those who are themselves asylum seekers, with permission to work, as interpreters or representatives of other asylum seekers at interviews. [93514]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 178.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warnings have been given to employers concerning liability to prosecution under section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 for the hiring of persons who do not have authority to work in the United Kingdom in the last year. [93450]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am afraid there is no central record of the number of section 8 warning letters that have been issued to employers.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) breaches of airport security have been occasioned by and (b) immigration offences have been committed by the solicitors or other representatives of persons attending interviews with the Immigration Service at airports. [93335]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Aviation security is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). I am, however, advised that the Transport Security (Aviation) section of the DETR maintains a voluntary reporting system of aviation security incidents at airports, but the information does not categorise incidents of this kind. Similarly, the Immigration Service does not hold information about immigration offences in the form requested.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been paid out in repatriation expenses under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 in each of the past five years. [93453]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The International Social Services of the United Kingdom is funded to administer the Voluntary Return Scheme on behalf of the Government.

  The financial returns indicate the following expenditure for the last five years:

  £

  Year

  Assistance

  Administration

  Total

  1998–99

  48,610

  63,500

  112,110

  1997–98

  59,113

  54,713

  113,826

  1996–97

  50,464

  57,221

  107,685

  1995–96

  38,819

  88,128

  126,947

  1994–95

  73,182

  89,406

  162,588

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions to deport, pursuant to section 3(5)(a) Immigration Act 1971 have been taken, in the past 12 months for (i) failure to report to a medical officer, (ii) failure to support and accommodate without recourse to public funds, (iii) obtaining leave to enter by deception, (iv) obtaining 260
  leave to remain by deception, (v) assisting the entry of another person an illegal entrant and (vi) assisting the entry of another person as an asylum claimant. [93334]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  3,930 decisions to deport were taken under section 3(5)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971 in 1998. 210 of these were for breach of conditions but the records do not show the nature of the conditions which had not been compiled with. It is, therefore, not possible to identify whether any of this latter group of decisions were taken for either of the first two reasons listed in the question other than by examining the individual case files.

  Someone who obtains leave to enter by deception is an illegal entrant and would not be subject to deportation action under section 3(5)(a). Someone who obtains leave to remain by deception is currently liable to deportation under section 3(5)(aa) of the Act. No more than five decisions to deport were taken under that section in 1998.

  It is extremely unlikely that someone who had assisted the entry of an illegal entrant or an asylum claimant contrary to section 25(1) of the Act would be subject to deportation under section 3(5)(a). In those circumstances, deportation action under either section 3(5)(b) or, where applicable, section 3(6) of the 1971 Act would be more appropriate, 120 decisions to deport were taken under section 3(5)(b) in 1998 and 340 people were recommended for deportation by a court in that year, but again records are not sufficiently detailed to show whether or not the decision was taken for one or other of the last two reasons listed in the question and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examining each individual case file.

  Apart from the number of decisions to deport under section 3(5)(aa), the figures in this reply have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  Departmental Expenditure (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the programmes funded directly by his Department, relating to social exclusion, regeneration, community development, employment or education, currently operating in(a) the City of Leeds and (b) the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency, listing for each programme the amount of such funding for each of the last three years and the amount planned to be spent in each of the next three financial years. [92913]

  Mr. Boateng
  The projects shown in the table have been separately funded by the Home Office in the last three years or are to be funded within the next three years. Future funding decisions remain to be announced.

  In addition, the new Home Office Family Support Grants programme was set up to fund family and parenting support across the country. Grants awarded this year will not go to any projects operating in Leeds alone, but £2,611,813 has been allocated this year to national charities for projects supporting parents and families across the country. This includes, for example, Parentline, a national helpline for parents, and funding for Fathers

  261
  Direct, a new national charity, which will map the support available for fathers in every town or region. Some of this funding for national organisations will, therefore, directly benefit Leeds.

  Area

  Project

  Award £

  Year

  Projects funded by the Home Office

  Crime Reduction Unit

  Leeds City—Burley/Hyde Park/Kirkstall

  Crime Reduction Programme—Reducing Burglary Initiative

  60,000 (1999)

  1999–2000

  Target hardening approach aimed at multi-occupancy/shared housing and crime prevention publicity campaign

  Leeds City—Belle Isle/Biddleton

  Crime Reduction Programme—Reducing Burglary Initiative Environmental changes aimed at reducing offending opportunities, including fencing of back gardens, improved street lighting etc.

  60,000

  1999–2000

  Chapeltown and Harehills

  CCTV Challenge Competition Round 2

  192,000

  1996–97

  Leeds Waterfront

  CCTV Challenge Competition Round 3

  99,000

  1997–98

  Projects funded by Home Office Race Equality Unit

  Leeds West Indian Carnival

  European Year Against Racism

  6,845

  1997–98

  One off grant payment for Projects to tackle racist attitudes and racial harassment

  Leeds Racial Harassment Project

  European Year Against Racism

  6,000

  1997–98

  One off grant payment for Projects to tackle racist attitudes and racial harassment

  Projects funded by the Home Office Central Drugs Prevention Unit

  Project

  1996–97 £

  1997–98

  Community Development Chapeltown Phase One—Community Profiling

  To tackle drugs prevention through a community development approach (Initial community profile)

  4,600

  1996–97

  Chapeltown project support scheme

  To tackle drugs prevention through a community development approach (Continuation of WYO (3)(2) above)

  9,996

  1997–98

  Working with Racial and Cultural Diversity: Network Promotion Event

  To extend drug awareness and drugs prevention in racially and culturally diverse communities across West Yorkshire (including Leeds based groups)

  18,000

  1996–97 (£1,500) 1997–98 (£16,500)

  Family of Schools

  To support the development of drugs education and drugs policy in two 'families of schools' in Leeds

  6,000

  1996–97 (£3,000) 1997–98 (£3,000)

  Positive Steps

  To develop drama education workshop in Leeds schools

  1,830

  1996–97

  Community Drugs Awareness

  To raise drug awareness within the Jewish Community in Leeds

  5,000

  1996–97

  Drugs Information for young people

  To provide drugs education for 12–16 year olds in East Leeds

  1,900

  1996–97

  Working with drugs users in housing need

  To provide a training package for those working with drugs users in housing need

  2,000

  1996–97

  The Big Deal

  To provide drugs education to young people in schools in West Yorkshire (including Leeds)

  3,050

  1997–98

  Drugs Awareness in black-led Churches

  To provide drugs awareness to members of black-led churches in West Yorkshire (including Leeds)

  1,400

  1996–97

  Drug Seizures
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug seizures occurred in each of the last three years per region; and what was the estimated value of the drugs. [92888]

  Mr. Boateng
  Regional data relating to drug seizure numbers and value are not available because relevant information from the Regional Crime Squads, Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and British Transport Police cannot be disaggregated into regions. These three authorities contributed nearly three-quarters of total seizures by weight, and therefore value in the United Kingdom in 1997.

  Neighbourhood Wardens
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood patrol or warden schemes are currently in operation in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [92886]
  262
  Since April 1994, four Home Office spending programmes have been included in the Single Regenerations Budget (SRB), some funding of which has gone and is going to projects in Leeds.

  Mr. Boateng
  No central record is kept of the number of neighbourhood warden-type schemes that are operating in England and Wales.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports were made by action teams led by his Department on the issue of neighbourhood wardens before April. [93048]

  Mr. Boateng
  The draft report of the Policy Action Team on Neighbourhood Wardens, which was chaired by a senior civil servant from the Home Office, was submitted to the Social Exclusion Unit in April. The report is to be consulted upon and then will be published in due course.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of the Policy Action Team relating to neighbourhood wardens; and if he will make a statement. [93383]
  263
  Mr. Boateng
  The draft report of the Policy Action team on Neighbourhood Wardens, which was chaired by a senior civil servant from the Home Office, was submitted to the Social Exclusion Unit in April. The report is to be consulted upon and then will be published in due course.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to the use of the private security industry for policing functions including police patrol; [93046]

  (2) what discussions Ministers in his Department have had with (a) chief police officers and their representatives, (b) Police Federation Representatives and (c) representatives of private security companies, since May 1997 concerning the future of police patrolling; and if he will make a statement; [92887]

  (3) which (a) ministerial committees and (b) working groups are assessing policy in relation to the private security industry and policing functions including police patrol; and if he will make a statement. [93047]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have no plans for police patrol or any other police functions to be carried out by the private security industry, except that we have proposed that the escorting of certain abnormal loads should, in future, be carried out by the private sector. Representatives of the police and other bodies have raised many matters in discussions, but neither I nor my Ministerial colleagues have proposed any changes to responsibility for police patrolling. No Ministerial committees or Working Groups are currently examining any such proposals.

  Criminals (Age Profile)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for the last year for which figures are 264
  available, what was the average age of people who committed a (a) violent offence, (b) property offence and (c) sex offence; and if he will make a statement. [92890]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information as to the age of offenders is available only for those cautioned or convicted. The average age cannot be calculated exactly from data on the Home Office Cautions and Court Proceedings databases, but the median age in 1997 for violent offence was 23 years, for property offences it was 22 years; and for sex offences it was 33 years. The table shows the number of persons cautioned or convicted from which the median age has been derived.

  Number of persons either cautioned or convicted for an indictable violent 1, property 2 or sex offence in England and Wales by age, 1997

  Age

  Violent offence 1

  Property offence 2

  Sex offence

  10

  135

  1,355

  16

  11

  350

  2,962

  19

  12

  841

  5,611

  66

  13

  1,654

  9,158

  142

  14

  3,067

  13,258

  248

  15

  4,243

  15,747

  241

  16

  4,653

  16,772

  243

  17

  4,636

  18,022

  206

  18

  4,071

  17,171

  182

  19

  3,390

  13,998

  142

  20

  2,842

  12,407

  104

  21

  2,591

  11,479

  101

  22

  2,472

  10,736

  120

  23

  2,208

  10,027

  113

  24

  2,274

  9,548

  137

  25 and under 303

  10,058

  40,294

  670

  30 and under 35

  7,892

  27,538

  764

  35 and under 40

  5,144

  16,231

  636

  40 and under 50

  5,148

  16,538

  1,009

  50 and under 60

  2,124

  7,414

  703

  60 and over

  1,099

  3,513

  579

  All ages

  70,892

  279,779

  6,441

  1 Violence against the person, sex and robbery offences

  2 Burglary, theft, handling stolen goods, fraud, forgery and criminal damage offences

  3 Includes persons, cautioned or convicted of an indictable offence, given the default age of 25 where the exact age was not known

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Private Finance Initiatives
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will present to Parliament a report on the operation of all private finance initiative contracts made by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [93025]

  Mr. Straw
  I have no present plans to present a report to Parliament on the operation of all private finance initiative contracts made by my Department, but the current status of my Department's private finance initiative (PFI) contracts is summarised as follows:Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) Casework Programme
  Development of the Information Technology system was delayed, but is now with IND for testing. The IND's reorganised caseworking operation was introduced prior to delivery of the Information Technology system. After an initial deterioration in service to the public, Siemens Business Services (SBS) and IND have co-operated to restore output broadly to previous levels.
  Secure Training Centres (STC)
  Medway STC opened in April 1998. There were problems in the early months, which were outlined in the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) Report published in January. A further inspection by SSI in April 1999 found that considerable improvements had been made to provide a more positive regime.
  Rainsbrook STC opened on 1 July 1999 and there have been no problems to date. Hassockfield STC is due to open in September 1999.
  United Kingdom Passport Agency (UKPA)
  There are two PFI contracts in operation in the UKPA. SBS are responsible for data capture, and Security Printing and Systems (SP & S) are responsible for the manufacture of passports.
  Roll out of services for all six Passport Agency offices was planned for early 1999. Because of difficulties encountered at the first two offices (Liverpool and Newport) to change over to the new system, further roll out has been postponed. Productivity on the new system has been less than that needed to meet demand; backlogs have built up; customer inquiries have increased; and the Agency's performance against a backdrop of high seasonal demand for passports has seriously declined.
  Service credits have been levied on both companies. The UKPA is working closely with SBS to improve productivity, which continues to rise as further system improvements are made. Both SBS and the UKPA have recruited additional staff to deal with backlogs.

  Prisons in England and Wales operating contracted out shops

  £

  Prisons with contracted out shops

  Formal tender

  Supplier

  Expected approximate savings

  Acklington

  Yes

  Aramark

  45,000

  Ashwell

  No

  Aramark

  25,000

  Belmarsh

  No

  Sutcliffe

  Not available

  Castington

  Yes

  Aramark

  15,000

  Coldingly

  Yes

  Aramark

  21,000

  Deerbolt

  Yes

  Aramark

  30,000

  Drake Hall

  Yes

  Eurest

  15,000

  Durham

  Yes

  Aramark

  53,000

  Foston

  Yes

  Eurest

  1None

  Frankland

  Yes

  Aramark

  72,000

  Full Sutton

  Yes

  Sutcliffe

  40,000

  Garth

  Yes

  Aramark

  17,500

  Guys Marsh

  Yes

  Aramark

  30,000

  Hatfield

  No

  Aramark

  Not available

  Holme House

  Yes

  Sutcliffe

  104,000

  266
  Gatwick Detention Facilities (Tinsley House)
  Under this project, accommodation is provided by the British Airports Authority and the operation is run by Wackenhut (UK) Ltd. No reductions in payment have been made on either contract and there have been no operational difficulties.
  Prisons
  There are currently three Design, Construct, Manage and Finance (DCMF) prisons operating: Her Majesty's Prison Altcourse, Her Majesty's Prison Parc, and Her Majesty's Prison Lowdham Grange.
  Despite some early teething troubles, in particular at Her Majesty's Prison Parc where an action plan to improve performance was implemented, all three prisons are now operating satisfactorily and provide much needed accommodation for the Prison Service. A Prison Service appointed controller provides permanent on site contract monitoring at each prison with contract management and performance audits being administered by Prison Service Headquarters centrally. Where performance does not meet the standards specified in the contracts, contractors incur financial penalties. Following performance improvements, the level of penalties imposed on contractors has decreased substantially.
  Contracts for three further DCMF prisons, Forest Bank, Ashfield and Onley have been signed, but they have not yet opened (Onley was signed on 22 July 1999).
  The contract for Coldingley prison industries workshop was terminated on 31 January 1999.
  Prison PABX System
  Delays were experienced during the installation phase of the contract, and this resulted in a reduction in payment. Since completion of the installations in October 1997, the systems have performed well and are providing a good service. The Prison Service holds regular meetings with the supplier to ensure that the quality of service is maintained.

  Prison Shops
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison service establishments have contracted out their shops(a) following competitive tendering, (b) without competitive tendering and (c) in total; if he will list the companies which operate each of the shops; what is the expected saving to the Prison Service from contracting out prison shops; and if he will make a statement. [92904]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is given in the table. I will write to the right hon. Member in respect of the four prisons for which information on the savings made is not immediately to hand.
  267

  Prisons in England and Wales operating contracted out shops

  £

  Prisons with contracted out shops

  Formal tender

  Supplier

  Expected approximate savings

  Kirklevington

  Yes

  Aramark

  Not available

  Leeds

  Yes

  Aramark

  200,000

  Lindholme

  Yes

  Aramark

  38,000

  Littlehey

  Yes

  Sutcliffe (temp. contract)

  12,000

  Long Lartin

  Yes

  Eurest

  Not available

  Northallerton

  Yes

  Eurest

  9,000

  Shepton Mallet

  No

  Aramark

  20,000

  Stocken

  Yes

  Aramark

  20,000

  Swinfen

  Yes

  Eurest

  25,000

  Wealstun

  Yes

  Primary Management

  49,100

  Wetherby

  Yes

  Primary Management

  8,000

  Whatton

  Yes

  Aramark

  23,200

  Winchester

  Yes

  Eurest

  29,600

  Woodhill

  Yes

  Aramark

  40,000

  Wormwood Scrubs

  Yes

  Aramark

  50,000

  Wymott

  Yes

  Aramark

  33,000

  Known total

  1,024,400

  1 Contract awarded to coincide with reopening of prison in 1997

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the accuracy of police stop and search statistics; and if he will make a statement. [92889]

  Mr. Boateng
  Police forces submit statistics on the number of recorded stops and searches under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) annually to the Home Office. These are published in 'Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System', a copy of which is available in the Library.

  The Government accept that there is likely to be a disparity between the number of stops and searches made by the police under the PACE and the number of stops and searches recorded by police officers. Home Office research 'Ethnic Monitoring in police forces: A beginning' (FitzGerald and Sibbitt 1997) noted variations in the recorded use of stop and search under PACE in different police areas, with the possibility that under-recording is higher in the provincial forces than in the Metropolitan Police Service.

  There is also likely to be a higher public perception of stops given that most people do not distinguish between voluntary non-recorded stops, and stops carried out under PACE which should be recorded.

  Edmonton Police Division stop and search, 1994–98

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Total Searches (including unattended vehicles)

  4,419

  3,039

  2,088

  4,721

  5,237

  Percentage of people searched who were black

  18.4

  17.8

  25.0

  21.8

  22.7

  Percentage of people searched subsequently arrested

  12.9

  10.4

  12.5

  9.9

  12.8

  Enfield Police Division stop and search, 1994–98

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Total Searches (including unattended vehicles)

  6,128

  7,546

  5,142

  3,835

  4,474

  Percentage of people searched who were black

  6.3

  7.5

  8.4

  10.1

  9.9

  Percentage of people searched subsequently arrested

  17.0

  16.3

  16.3

  13.7

  12.0

  268
  The Stephen Lawrence report recommended that a record be made of all stops and stops and searches, including "voluntary" stops. The Home Office is considering further this recommendation and has commissioned research to gather information on current practices within forces with a view to testing the practical implications of the Inquiry's recommendations. The Metropolitan Police Service has been running its own pilot projects to help develop a plan to manage the tactic fairly and effectively. The Home Office will work with the Metropolitan Police Service in testing the Stephen Lawrence Report's recommendations.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of stop and search have been recorded in(a) the constituency of Edmonton and (b) the borough of Enfield in each of the past five years; what proportion of those stopped and searched were (i) black and (ii) subsequently arrested. [93606]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has provided the following summary of information on stop and search for the years 1994–1998 for Edmonton and Enfield Police Divisions. The Divisions make up an area which equates to the London Borough of Enfield plus Cheshunt (Hertfordshire) to the North.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many United Kingdom police officers he is intending to send to Kosovo. [93034]

  Mr. Boateng
  We currently have a British Forensic Team of 16 persons already in Kosovo assisting in the investigation of war crimes. Seven British officers have transferred from the International Police Task Force in Bosnia to Kosovo. We are currently training a party of 12 officers to go and assist with the recruitment and training of a Kosovan police force and a further 27 officers are on standby to act as trainers.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans he has to assist police forces whose police officers are being deployed in Kosovo. [93035]

  Mr. Boateng
  Officers going to Kosovo have been selected from various forces around the country with the agreement of the relevant chief constables to ensure that no one force has the burden of supplying a large contingent of officers. The full costs of seconding officers are currently being met by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  EU Fire Safety Provisions
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the letter issued in 1998 by Commissioner Flynn under Article 169 of the Treaty of Rome concerning the United Kingdom's implementation of the general fire safety provisions of the European Framework Directive together with his response to that letter. [92891]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Correspondence between the European Commission and member states, including the United Kingdom, on Article 226 (formerly 169) cases is regarded by both parties as confidential between them. The broad content of Commissioner Flynn's letter was set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) on 8 April 1998,Official Report, column 255. The Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 reflect the Government's response to the letter in that they amend the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 to the

  1999

  Belfast

  London

  Newport

  Liverpool

  Peterborough

  Glasgow

  January

  8

  2

  12

  16

  5

  11

  February

  14

  4

  20

  20

  11

  10

  March

  16

  6

  28

  25

  12

  16

  April

  21

  6

  36

  33

  15

  18

  May

  31

  5

  33

  46

  27

  26

  June

  36

  6

  39

  38

  35

  36

  July1

  19

  6

  39

  43

  35

  47

  1 Up to week ending 18 July 1999

  These figures need to be treated with caution because processing is often done in declared travel date order rather than the date received. The processing times reflect the Agency's priority to meet passport applicants' declared travel dates. July travel dates, apart from applications being made now, have been
  270
  necessary extent to address the Commission's concerns about our implementation of the general fire safety provisions of the directive.

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many telephone calls were made to the Passport Agency by members of the public; and how many of those calls received a courtesy message at(a) each office of the United Kingdom Passport Agency and (b) in total, in the weeks ended (i) 4 July and (ii) 11 July. [92774]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: The information requested is given in the form of calls received on the United Kingdom Passport Agency's (UKPA) published telephone number (0870 5210410); and calls received by the new emergency call centre (0845 6004646), for customers who have already submitted an application and are travelling within one week.

  A breakdown of the telephone calls received on the 0870 5210410 number is as follows:

  week ending Friday, 2 July 1999—total of 225,297 calls received of which 135,877 received an explanatory message;and

  week ending Friday, 9 July 1999—total of 106,949 calls received of which 54,474 received an explanatory message.

  The UKPAs management information is recorded weekly from Saturday to the following Friday. These figures are collated centrally and cannot be broken down to an estimate for each office in any accurate way.

  The total number of telephone calls received on the 0845 6004646 emergency number, which became operational on Friday, 2 July 1999, was:

  week ending Sunday, 4 July 1999–66,189; and

  week ending Sunday, 11 July 999–69,709.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average time for processing straightforward applications by the UK Passport Agency(a) per office and (b) in total, (i) on the last available date and (ii) in each of the last six months; and if he will make a statement. [92965]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested in the form of the average maximum processing time in working days for non-urgent applications is shown in the table:

  cleared, and the Agency is making considerable progress with August travellers. Applications in process represent less than three weeks work at current output levels, and with intake declining, processing times for non-urgent work should begin to fall over the next few weeks.

  Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum Committee
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the dates when the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum is due to meet during 1999; and if he will make a statement on the programme of work of that committee. [92784]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: Meetings of the Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum (SCIFA) were held on 15 June, under the German Presidency, and on 26 July, under the Finnish Presidency. The Presidency has not notified dates of future meetings although none is scheduled for September, the latest month for which a calendar is available. The Presidency has, however, indicated its intention to make such dates available on its Presidency website.

  The programme of work of the SCIFA is to prepare dossiers, after initial consideration by the working groups, for discussion by the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council. Copies of the Finnish Presidency Work Programme in the area of JHA will be placed in the Library.

  I very much welcome the Finnish Presidency's pragmatic approach to its work programme and their aim to continue discussions on issues raised under previous Presidencies. I am also pleased to note the high priority being given to combating illegal immigration and to improving the effective operation of the Dublin Convention, both issues which are of considerable concern to the Government.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people are currently detained under Immigration Act powers in(a) detention centres, (b) Prison Service establishments and (c) other accommodation; [92892]

  (2) how many people are currently detained solely under Immigration Act powers who have been detained continuously for longer than three months. [92897]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The latest available information, relating to the snapshot of all persons detained solely under Immigration Act 1971 powers, by location, as at 31 May, is given in the table. The figures exclude persons detained under dual Immigration Act 1971 and other powers, for whom comprehensive data are not recorded centrally.

  Data relating to length of detention are not recorded centrally for all persons detained solely under Immigration Act 1971 powers. The information requested on the number of persons who had been detained continuously for longer than three months is, therefore, only available at disproportionate cost.

  Persons recorded as being in detention 1 in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 1999, by place of detention

  Location

  Total detainees

  Immigration detention centres 2

  Campsfield

  182

  Dover Harbour

  14

  272

  Persons recorded as being in detention 1 in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 May 1999, by place of detention

  Location

  Total detainees

  Harmondsworth

  91

  Heathrow's Queen's Building

  12

  Manchester Airport

  14

  Tinsley House

  142

  Other immigration detention centres

  1

  Prison establishments

  Aberdeen

  2

  Bedford

  2

  Belmarsh

  10

  Blackenhurst

  4

  Bristol

  2

  Brixton

  10

  Canterbury

  6

  Chelmsford

  2

  Cornton Vale

  2

  Dorchester

  2

  Elmley

  5

  Feltham

  2

  Haslar

  151

  High Down

  22

  Highpoint

  3

  Holloway

  16

  Holme House

  7

  Lancaster Farms

  2

  Leeds

  4

  Liverpool

  2

  Longriggend

  22

  Manchester

  9

  Norwich

  2

  Pentonville

  9

  Preston

  2

  Rochester

  181

  Winchester

  2

  Woodhill

  2

  Wormwood Scrubs

  10

  Other prison establishments

  11

  Total

  962

  1 Figures exclude persons detained in police cells (other than at Dover Harbour)

  2 Figures include the use of police cells at Dover Harbour

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the past 12 months for which records are available the recommended period, in respect of persons held under Immigration Act powers, of five days in policy custody was exceeded by(a) extending, (b) renewing and (c) transferring a detainee from one station to another. [93517]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration (Places of Detention) Direction 1996 specifies that an individual may be detained in a police station for a maximum of five nights with an additional two nights only where Removal Directions have been set. However, current policy is to detain an individual in a police station for no more than two nights with the provision of an extension with the authority of an Immigration Inspector. Data on those detained in police cells for more than five nights, ie where
  273
  Removal Directions are in place, cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs. However, the number is believed to be very small.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of immigration detention in the past 12 months; how much of this is represented by(a) designated prisons, (b) other prisons, (c) police stations, (d) Immigration Service detention facilities and (e) airport holding facilities; and what proportion of the cost is represented by ex-convicts awaiting deportation, beyond the date on which they would otherwise have been released, under section 3(5) or (6). [93515]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The total cost of immigration detention in the last financial year is estimated to be £40,228,000, including overheads, of which £15,135,000 is for designated prisons,(a) costs for Immigration Act 1971 detainees in other prisons, (b) can only be provided at disproportionate cost; £1,360,000 is for detention in police stations, (c) £18,151,000 for Immigration Service detention facilities at Harmondsworth, Tinsley House and Campsfield House, (d) £5,582,000 for other detention facilities at ports and airports, and (e) the costs of detaining ex-convicts awaiting deportation, beyond the date on which they would normally be released cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner regarding the circumstances in which a picture of armed police officers making an arrest appeared on the front page of the Daily Mail on 22 July; and what charges have arisen from the incident. [93267]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that he understands that a member of the public took the photograph and passed it to the Daily Mail. No charges have yet arisen from the incident which was photographed.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the draft Freedom of Information Bill proposing the(a) repeal and (b) amendment of Clause 28(7) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. [93281]

  Mr. Straw
  I have received one representation referring to section 28(7) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 in the course of the consultation on the draft Freedom of Information Bill. This response, from the Health and Safety Commission, recorded their desire for the removal of the restriction in section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, subject to certain minimum safeguards against prejudice to their enforcement and regulatory functions.

  It is intended that the Freedom of Information Bill will be used to repeal or amend many existing statutory prohibitions on disclosure, where appropriate.
  274
  All statutory prohibitions are currently being reviewed to see if they would be suitable candidates for repeal or amendment. Section 28 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 has been considered as part of this review and the statutory prohibition on disclosure contained in it is a strong candidate for repeal or amendment under the draft Freedom of Information Bill.

  Extradition
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on how many occasions his Department has issued consent certificates to remove the rule of specialty in respect of extradition proceedings where consent was granted to(a) the Irish Republic and (b) other countries which have extradition treaties with the United Kingdom; [92949]

  (2) if he will list the legal causes upon which consent certificates were granted in extradition proceedings on account of (a) the extradited person making known an outstanding offence not known to the requesting authority, (b) the requesting authority discovering an offence which was not known to them at the time of the initial extradition request and (c) any other reason. [92950]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: It is very rare to depart from the rule of specialty in respect of extradition proceedings. Formal certification to waive the rule is only required in relation to our extradition arrangements with Ireland, where in recent years just two such certificates have been issued.

  In one of these cases, the offence for which specialty was waived related to a suspected murder. In this case, the Irish authorities knew of the offence at the time of the request, but had insufficient information to include it with other lesser offences listed in the request for the individual's return. In the other case, the waiver certificate is currently subject to court proceedings, and so I cannot comment as the matter is sub judice.

  Figures relating to other countries are not recorded. Officials estimate that there have been three or four specialty waivers in the past three years, but exact numbers, and the reasons for them, could only be obtained with disproportionate cost.

  Cab Licences (St. George's Flag)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to advise cab-drivers and owners in the metropolitan area when re-applying for their licence of the possibility of refusal of licence in cases where the cab displays the St George's Flag. [93271]

  Kate Hoey
  The issuing of licences for London taxis is a matter for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. He informs me that the Public Carriage Office advise cab-drivers and owners, when they first apply for a licence, that their vehicle must comply with the Metropolitan Conditions of Fitness. The Conditions of Fitness prohibit the display of national emblems. Licences must be renewed annually and the application form carries a reminder that Conditions of Fitness must be met.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the safety of(a) CS gas spray and (b) MIBK from the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire. [92318]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire has decided not to issue CS spray to officers in his force. He has corresponded with my officials about this decision and submitted a report to the relevant sub-committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers in 1998 setting out his concerns.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the length of time for which research on CS gas spray and MIBK should have continued before they were judged safe; and what timescales were suggested. [92319]

  Mr. Boateng
  A wide range of research has been conducted into the safety of CS which has not raised concerns in respect of its effects on human health. MIBK is an industrial solvent and has also been extensively researched for adverse health effects. I am not aware of any specific representations concerning the length of time for which particular research programmes should be conducted.

  Citizenship
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the British Nationality Act 1981 to restore the principle of ius soli for the acquisition of citizenship. [93654]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No. It is our policy to restrict the acquisition of citizenship by birth in this country to children whose parents have real and substantial connections with the United Kingdom. Children born here with non-British citizen or non-settled parents can become British either through residence or when a parent becomes a British citizen or settled here.

  Public Footpaths (Crimes)
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics or other information have been evaluated by(a) the Home Office and (b) police forces regarding (i) assaults or other crimes committed on public footpaths and (ii) cases where public footpaths have been used as a means of access to property where a burglary or other crime has been committed. [93809]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is not collected centrally by the Home Office. The British Crime Survey collects information on offences against individuals by location, but does not hold the information specifically for public footpaths. Information collected by the police is a matter for the respective Chief Officers, although those forces with geographical information systems are more likely to have information at this level of detail.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93458]
  276
  Mr. Straw
  Yes. Targets are being set for the recruitment, promotion, and retention of ethnic minority staff directly employed by my Department, and in respect of services for which my Department has oversight, including the police, prison service, fire service, and probation service.

  'Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment', published by the Cabinet Office, the Home Office, the Department for Education and Employment and the Women's Unit in November 1998, has been circulated to all senior managers at Grade seven level and above within my Department to ensure that the effects of any policy changes on all sections of the population are considered at the earliest stage of policy development.

  Community Police Officers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that the number of community police officers in the Sutton and Cheam constituency is maintained and that those officers continue to be dedicated to their main duties. [93308]

  Kate Hoey
  This is an operational matter for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. He advises me that the number of community officers in Sutton and Cheam will be maintained and that redeployment of them under mutual aid arrangements is being kept to a minimum.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Metropolitan Police to supply new Kat neighbourhood watch reflective street signs and window stickers showing the meerkat logo to neighbourhood watch members in the constituency of Sutton and Cheam. [93310]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that the new Meerkat neighbourhood watch window stickers have been distributed to all divisions.

  Since the launch of the sponsorship agreement between the Metropolitan Police and Yellow Pages in June 1999, 1,700 street signs have been erected in London, and a further 3,500 signs will be erected between now and the end of the year. It seems that Sutton's request for street signs was not received by the contractors. But arrangements to supply signs there are now in hand.

  Refugee Allocation Project
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allocations have been made under the Refugee Allocation Project to(a) Camrex House, Sunderland and (b) the Balmoral Hotel Newcastle; what was the total cost of such allocations; and what was the average weekly cost of such allocations in each location. [93610]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Over the last 12 months, the Refugee Arrivals Project (RAP) has assisted 114 adults and eight families to secure accommodation in Camrex House, Sunderland, all of whom are in receipt of social security benefits, RAP do not assist placements in the Balmoral Hotel, Newcastle. Information on the cost of such allocations is not separately available.

  Road Traffic Offences
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of prosecutions for road traffic offences have involved people with non-United Kingdom driving licences in each of the last five years. [93339]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not available.

  The statistics collected on motoring offences by the Home Office do not enable people with non-United Kingdom driving licences to be identified. Records kept by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority relate only to non-United Kingdom licence holders who are disqualified.

  Police Dogs
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give instructions to the police that, when called on to deal with demonstrations by supporters of hunting accompanied by dogs, they should be accompanied by police dogs. [93215]

  Mr. Boateng
  No. The use of police dogs is an operational matter for chief officers of police.

  Biological and Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources he will make available to(a) police authorities, (b) fire authorities and (c) local authority emergency planning offices in England and Wales for the preparation, provision and annual funding needed to meet the new tasks announced in the Government paper of 21 July, Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons; and if he will make a statement. [93095]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No new tasks for the police, fire or local authorities were announced in the Government paper "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons".

  EC-Russian Partnership and Co-operation Agreement
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to implement in domestic law and practice the right of Russian companies to send key personnel to the United Kingdom as provided for in Articles 28 to 30 of the EC/Russian Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. [93302]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It has not been necessary to introduce specific measures and Russian companies wishing to take advantage of these provisions are expected to apply under the existing well-established work permit procedures.

  The European Community/Russian Partnership and Co-operation Agreement specifically allows the parties to continue to apply immigration and work permit controls. Under the provisions of the Agreement, key personnel are still required to obtain work permits and Russian nationals still require visas to enter the United Kingdom. The Agreement specifically provides by means of a joint declaration by the parties that the requirement of a visa does not nullify or impair its benefits.

  Chinese Nationals
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the regime of checks for Chinese nationals who wish(a) to extend their leave in the United Kingdom and (b) to obtain indefinite leave to remain. [93303]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The process by which the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) considers applications for further leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain varies by category rather than by nationality. The criteria to be applied by IND caseworkers are set out in the Immigration Rules.

  Police Force (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to recruit more black and minority ethnic people into the police force; and if he will make a statement. [93608]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), on 23 March 1999,Official Report, column 174 and to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby), on 26 April 1999, Official Report, columns 17-18.

  Metropolitan Police (Complaints)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been made against the Metropolitan Police in each of the last five years; what proportion of those complaints either wholly or in part concerned accusations of police racism; and if he will make a statement. [93607]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has provided the following summary of information on the total number of complaints made against the Metropolitan Police and the proportion of those complaints that were of racially discriminatory behaviour, within the last five years:

  Total complaints1

  Percentage police racism complaints

  1994–95

  9,658

  2.97

  1995–96

  10,128

  2.98

  1996–97

  9,919

  3.11

  1997–98

  8,881

  2.88

  1998–99

  7,087

  3.47

  1 Total complaints include all allegations, not only the main allegation

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public interest immunity certificates or equivalent documents have been provided by Ministers or officials in his Department since 3 May 1997; and at what level each such document has been signed. [93534]
  279
  Mr. Straw
  Since 3 May 1997, I have signed 13 public interest immunity certificates. In addition, one certificate has been signed by a Minister of State at the Home Office.

  These figures do not include certificates which may, exceptionally, have been issued and considered by the Court without notice of their existence being given to the other parties in the case.

  Hunting
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the costs to the Metropolitan Police, in each of the last five years, of policing demonstrations about hunting. [93471]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner has provided the following information on costs to the Metropolitan Police for policing demonstrations about hunting:

  £

  Year

  Cost

  1994

  46,408

  1995

  Nil

  1996

  8,808

  1997

  97,786

  1998

  267,810

  Total

  420,812

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) pro-hunting and (b) anti-hunting demonstrations have been held in London since May 1997. [93472]

  Number of defendants proceeded against in magistrates courts for a variety of offences under the Immigration Act 1971 in England and Wales, 1998 1

  Offence description

  Number of defendants

  Non citizen failing to comply with requirements to report to a medical officer or to submit to a test or examination required by such an officer2

  —

  If by means which includes deception by him, he obtains or seeks to obtain leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom3

  2

  Knowingly concerned in making or carrying out arrangements for securing or facilitating the entry into the UK of anyone whom he knows or has reasonable cause for believing to be:

  an illegal entrant4

  177

  an asylum claimant5

  4

  1 All data are provisional

  2 Sec 24(1)(d)

  3 Sec 24(1)(aa) as added by Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 sec 4

  4 Sec 25(1)(a)

  5 Sec 25(1)(b) as added by Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 sec 5

  Immigration Rules
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will repeal paragraph 297(e) and (f) of the Immigration rules. [93519]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are no plans to do so.

  Carer Policy BDI 2/95
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has reviewed the carer policy BDI 2/95. [93451]
  280
  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that between 1 May 1997 and 25 July 1999 there were ten major hunt demonstrations—seven were anti-hunting and three were pro-hunting.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the fund raising activity of local hunts and their contribution to local charities. [93478]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information about fund raising activities of hunts is not held centrally.

  Immigration Act Breaches (Prosecutions)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought, in the last 12 months for which records are available, for each of the following breaches of the Immigration Acts (i) failure to report to a medical officer (section 24(1)(d) Immigration Act 1971), (ii) failure to support and accommodate without recourse to pubic funds (section 78 Social Security Act 1986, with section 106 Social Security Administration Act 1992), (iii) obtaining leave to enter by deception (section 24(1)(aa) Immigration Act 1971), (iv) obtaining leave to remain by deception (section 24(1)(aa) Immigration Act 1971), (v) assisting the entry of another person as an illegal entrant (section 25(1)(a) Immigration Act 1971) and (vi) assisting the entry of another person as an asylum claimant (section 25(1)(b) Immigration Act 1971). [93333]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings database for 1998, is given in the table. Information on the number of defendants who fail to support and accommodate without recourse to public funds cannot be identified separately from other similar offences.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Yes. Details of the revised policy are set out in the Immigration Directorates' Instructions, a copy of which is in the Library, and is also available on the internet.

  Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998,Official Report, column 427, on what criteria decisions to waive fines under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 are made. [93449]
  281
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The criteria for waiving charges are contained in Appendix A of the publication entitled "Charging Procedures. A Guide for Carriers", commonly known as the "Green Guide", a copy of which is in the Library. In addition, charges are normally waived in respect of passengers arriving without documents from stations with Approved Gate Check (AGC) Status. The criteria for AGC status are contained in section 7 of the "Green Guide". Charges are also waived in respect of inadequately documented passengers who are granted full refugee status in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees, as described in section 5 of the "Green Guide". Charges are also not imposed where a false document is produced unless the falsity of the document is reasonably apparent nor where a carrier is able to show that the required documents were produced to them when the passenger embarked for the United Kingdom.

  Elections (Ballot Papers)
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many tendered ballot papers were issued in(a) the 1997 General Election, (b) the 1999 European Election and (c) the 1999 and 1998 local elections. [93216]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In Great Britain, lists of tendered votes issued at general elections are retained by the Clerk of the Crown and, unless ordered by the House of Commons or the High Court, are destroyed after 12 months. Lists compiled at the European Parliamentary elections are retained by the local returning officer for 12 months and lists compiled at local elections are retained by the proper officer of the authority for six months and then, unless directed by order, respectively, of the High Court, or a county court or election court, are destroyed. The lists of tendered votes for the 1997 and 1998 elections are thus no longer available but those for the 1999 elections are available locally for inspection.

  In Northern Ireland, where figures are kept centrally, 77 tendered votes were issued at the 1997 general election and 40 at the 1999 European Parliamentary election. No ordinary local elections were held there in 1998 or 1999.

  Hunting Ban
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussion he(a) has had (b) intends to have with animal welfare groups about the disposal of hounds used for hunting, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; [93488]

  (2) what discussions he (a) has had and (b) intends to have with associations representing those whose livelihoods depend on hunting; [93473]

  (3) if he will publish a list of the petitions submitted to his Department in each of the last two years; [93468]

  (4) what representations he has received since May 1997 about hunting. [93470]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Representations have been received from hon. Members, members of the public and various organisations which support or oppose hunting. These include two Parliamentary petitions between May and December 1997, two in 1998 and 30 in 1999.
  282
  No meetings have taken place between Home Office Ministers and either representative associations or animal welfare groups concerning the disposal of hounds. There are currently no plans for such meetings to be staged, nor have there been any such approaches for meetings.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his estimate of the number of hounds used for hunting; [93525]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of horses used for hunting in this country; and what is his assessment of the impact on these animals of a ban on hunting; [93485]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the extent to which a ban on hunting will comply with the right of peaceful assembly provided for by the European Convention on Human Rights; [93474]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the effects on equine businesses of a ban on hunting; [93490]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the impact of a ban on hunting on the British horse racing industry; [93476]

  (6) what assessment he has made of the effects on the rural economy of a ban on hunting; [93491]

  (7) if legislation to criminalise hunting will include provision to allow the use of hounds or terriers to follow up wild mammals injured by firearms; [93479]

  (8) if he plans to establish a close season for fox control, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; [93482]

  (9) what measures he intends to take to deal with the problem of mange in foxes, following the introduction of a ban on hunting; [93477]

  (10) what measures he intends to take to encourage landowners to maintain the conservation activities currently undertaken by local hunts; [93467]

  (11) what measures he will take to ensure that there is sufficient support available to farmers for the control of pest populations following the introduction of a ban on hunting. [93486]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We are actively considering ways of taking forward the issue of hunting and assessing the effects of any ban. The right of peaceful assembly will be taken into account, along with any exceptions and wider implications.

  Various estimates of the number of horses and hounds used for hunting have been provided by organisations which support or oppose hunting.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Claimants (Hammersmith and Fulham)
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims from residents living in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham for(a) incapacity benefit, (b) income support and (c) disability living allowance were received in each calendar month of this year; how many were (i) agreed and (ii) refused; and if he will make a statement. [92105]
  283
  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Iain Coleman, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent question asking how many claims from residents living in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham for (a) Incapacity Benefit (IB), (b) Income Support (IS) and (c) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) were received in each calendar month of this year; how many were (i) agreed and (ii) refused; and if he will make a statement.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefits Agency (BA) collects IS and IB claim statistics by BA district areas and DLA statistics by Disability Benefit Centre areas. These areas do not reflect constituency boundaries or Local Authority areas.
  The information that is available is provided in the attached annex.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Incapacity Benefit (IB) claims received/processed

  IB claims received

  IB claims awarded

  IB claims refused

  Ealing District

  January 1999

  470

  114

  316

  February 1999

  581

  161

  356

  March 1999

  593

  132

  377

  April 1999

  418

  —

  —

  May 1999

  426

  118

  290

  June 1999

  502

  126

  391

  Palace District

  January 1999

  440

  76

  271

  February 1999

  526

  61

  292

  March 1999

  552

  98

  297

  April 1999

  455

  —

  —

  May 1999

  423

  91

  266

  June 1999

  453

  151

  352

  Income Support (IS) claims received/processed

  IS claims received

  IS claims awarded

  IS claims refused

  Ealing District

  January 1999

  931

  736

  268

  February 1999

  1,138

  840

  342

  March 1999

  1,136

  780

  347

  April 1999

  1,118

  865

  300

  May 1999

  1,028

  775

  292

  June 1999

  1,091

  804

  268

  Palace District

  January 1999

  1,203

  776

  348

  February 1999

  1,252

  802

  384

  March 1999

  1,395

  972

  427

  April 1999

  1,188

  849

  310

  May 1999

  1,085

  772

  277

  June 1999

  1,154

  804

  272

  Notes:

  1. The Palace District comprises of the offices of Crystal Palace, Dulwich, Fulham, Kensington and Peckham.

  2. The Ealing District comprises of the offices of Ealing, Acton, Notting Hill and Southall.

  3. Figures for IB awards and refusals in April 1999 are not available because a system report was not received by DSS Analytical Services Division and it has not been possible to obtain a reprint.

  284

  Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claims received/processed

  DLA claims received

  DLA claims awarded

  DLA claims refused

  Sutton DBC

  January 1999

  3,227

  1,748

  1,849

  February 1999

  3,753

  1,707

  1,883

  March 1999

  4,751

  1,933

  2,164

  April 1999

  3,914

  1,930

  2,124

  May 1999

  3,613

  1,627

  1,823

  June 1999

  3,916

  1,828

  1,787

  Notes:

  1. Sutton DBC covers a large part of South East England, including the whole of Hammersmith and Fulham.

  2. Data relative to specific geographical areas is not routinely kept.

  3. As at 31 May 1998 there were 4,338 people resident in Hammersmith and Fulham in receipt of DLA. Figures for May 1999 are not yet available.

  4. The number of claims on which a decision is issued in a monthly period may not equate to the number of claims received. This is because a number of uncleared claims may have been carried forward form a previous statistical period. The information is provisional and may be subject to change.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if staff at the Benefits Agency aged 60 years or over are allowed to continue in employment on a year-to-year basis until the age of 65. [92203]

  Angela Eagle
  Employment within the Benefits Agency is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Mohammed Sarwar, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent question asking if staff in the Benefits Agency aged 60 or over are allowed to continue in employment on a year to year basis until the age of 65.
  Retirement age in the Department of Social Security was restored to age 60 for all staff with effect from 31 July 1998. However, the policy provides for retention of staff for business reasons for periods of 12 months at a time until the age of 65 for administrative grades and until 62 for junior managers. Middle managers and above are required to retire at age 60.
  The availability of the facility for retention beyond age 60 is reviewed annually and is dependent upon the projected staffing requirements; staff are currently able to be retained until 31 July 2000.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 442, on pensioners and income support, if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made to date in increasing take-up of income support by pensioners, and on the timetable for implementation of further measures. [92537]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, columns 442-43. We will bring forward our plans as soon as possible.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) single pensioners, (b) pensioner couples and (c) all pensioner

  285
  households were dependent on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income in the latest year for which figures are available. [93499]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Pensioner units with at least 75 per cent. of income from State benefits, 1996–97

  Thousand

  Pensioner unit

  Percentage

  Number

  Single pensioners

  56

  2,450

  Pensioner couples

  36

  980

  All pensioner units

  49

  3,430

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000 pensioners, although they are not necessarily accurate to that degree.

  2. A pensioner couple is defined as a couple where the man is over State pension age. A Pensioner Unit is defined as a single person over State pension age or a pensioner couple.

  Source:

  Family Expenditure Survey 1996–97.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the mean and (b) the median income for (i) single men aged over 65 to 74 years, (ii) single men aged 75 years and over, (iii) single women aged 65 to 74 years, (iv) single women aged 75 years and over, (v) pensioner couples aged 65 to 74 years and (vi) pensioner couples aged 75 years and over for (1) 1979 in the prices for the latest year for which figures are available and (2) the latest year for which prices are available. [93500]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Pensioners average income by age

  Mean incomes

  Median incomes

  1979

  1996–97

  1979

  1996–97

  Single men

  Aged 65–74

  98

  148

  81

  116

  Aged 75 or over

  84

  134

  74

  114

  Single women

  Aged 65–74

  77

  121

  70

  106

  Aged 75 or over

  75

  126

  70

  108

  Couples

  Aged 65–74

  162

  259

  134

  208

  Aged 75 or over

  132

  226

  113

  179

  Notes:

  1. All incomes are expressed in £ per week at July 1996 prices.

  2. Couples are allocated to each age group according to the age of the head of the household.

  3. Income is defined as net income before housing costs.

  4. Some estimates, particularly those for single men, are based on small sample sizes, so should be treated with caution.

  Source:

  Family Expenditure Survey

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) single pension and (b) pensioner couples have a total income of at least £150 per week; and what percentage and number of pensioner couples have a total income of at least (i) £250 per week and (ii) £300 per week in the latest year for which figures are available. [93497]
  286
  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the tables.

  Pensioners with total income of at least £150 per week

  Single Pensioners

  Pensioner Couples

  Percentage

  24

  74

  Number (thousand)

  1,060

  2,000

  Pensioner couples with total income above selected thresholds

  Total weekly income of at least £250

  Total weekly income of at least £300

  Percentage

  34

  22

  Number (thousand)

  910

  599

  Notes:

  1. All incomes are expressed in £ per week at July 1996 prices.

  2. Income is defined as net income before housing costs.

  3. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10,000, although they are not necessarily accurate to that degree.

  4. Estimates for singles and couples are not directly comparable since incomes have not been adjusted to take account of the number of people in the pensioner unit.

  Source:

  Family Expenditure Survey, 1996–97

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what date he expects the first individuals to receive the annual pensions statement proposed in the Green Paper on Pensions. [93065]

  Mr. Timms
  We will implement the Green Paper commitment to introduce combined pension forecasts in 2002. We intend to conduct pilot exercises before that date.

  On 22 July 1999, Official Report, column 573, I announced the membership of a Pension Forecasting Advisory Group to consider how our proposals for introducing combined forecasts might best be implemented. The group will also advise on what supporting information and facilities need to be provided to ensure that individuals make best use of the new information.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to prevent members of defined benefit occupational pension schemes from transferring into stakeholder pension schemes. [93066]

  Mr. Timms
  We would expect information provided to members or potential members of stakeholder pension schemes to indicate clearly that they should seek financial advice before making such a transfer.

  Housing Benefit
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the costs of(a) extending entitlement to Housing Benefit to cover the first (i) 12 weeks and (ii) 24 weeks of work and (b) placing Housing Benefit entitlement on the same time basis as Working Families Tax Credit. [93069]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not possible to estimate the cost of extending entitlement to Housing Benefit for everyone starting work to cover the first 12-24 weeks of work, owing to insufficient information.
  287
  However, if it is assumed that the eligibility conditions for a Housing Benefit extended payment are applied, (eg receipt of Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks before starting work) the cost of increasing the extended payment to cover the first (i) 12 weeks in work is £50 million and (ii) 24 weeks in work is £125 million, at 1999–2000 prices. Estimates assume that there are no behavioural changes.

  It is not possible to estimate the cost of placing Housing Benefit entitlement on the same time basis as Working Families Tax Credit due to insufficient information.

  Departmental Funding (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Senn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the programmes funded directly by his Department, relating to social exclusion, regeneration, community development, employment or education, currently operating in(a) the City of Leeds and (b) the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency, listing for each programme the amount of such funding for each of the last three years and the amount planned to be spent in each of the next three financial years. [92911]

  Angela Eagle
  Information is not collected locally or centrally on the proportion of funding related to social exclusion. The vast majority of the Department's programme spending is dedicated to tackling poverty and social exclusion.

  Benefits Agency (Scotland)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the procedural steps for assessing eligibility, reviewing, appealing and making payment of(a) severe disablement allowance, (b) maternity allowance, (c) industrial injuries disablement allowance, (d) reduced earnings allowance/retirement allowance, (e) attendance allowance and (f) disability working allowance; indicating which of the offices of his Department and his agencies in Scotland would handle each of these steps. [92356]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question asking if he will list the procedural steps for assessing eligibility, reviewing, appealing and making payment of (a) Severe Disablement Allowance, (b) Maternity Allowance, (c) Industrial Injuries Disablement Allowance, (d) Reduced Earnings Allowance/Retirement Allowance, (e) Attendance Allowance and (f) Disability Working Allowance; indicating which of the offices of his Department and his agencies in Scotland would handle each of these steps.
  Applications advice and information for all of the above benefits can be obtained from each local office of the Benefits Agency in Scotland.
  The procedural steps on a claim including those for assessment, reviews, appeals and payments are set out in the following booklets, NI252 "Severe Disablement Allowance", NI17A "A Guide to Maternity Benefits", NI6 "Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit", HB5 "A guide to Non-Contributory Benefits for Disabled People" and HB4 "A Guide to Disability Working Allowance".
  288
  Copies of all of these documents are in the House library.
  All aspects of appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal Service.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which Benefits Agency office would handle(a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal relating to the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) (A) Perth and (B) Glasgow and claiming incapacity benefit and (ii) (x) Perth and (y) Edinburgh and claiming family credit; [92392]

  (2) which Benefits Agency office would handle (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal relating to the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) (A) Perth and (B) Inverness and claiming jobseeker's allowance, (both income and contribution based) and (ii) (x) Perth and (y) Greenock and claiming disability living allowance. [92393]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of Benefit Agency offices is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Roseanna Cunningham, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent questions asking which Benefits Agency (BA) office would handle (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal relating to the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) (A) Perth and (B) Glasgow and claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB) and (ii) (A) Perth and (B) Edinburgh and claiming Family Credit (FC); and also, (a)—(f) above for a person living in (i) (A) Perth and (B) Inverness and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), (both income and contribution based) and (ii) (A) Perth and (B) Greenock and claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  For IB, four BA districts cover Glasgow, these are Glasgow North, Glasgow South, Glasgow East and Argyle and West. One district, Tayside, covers Perth.
  All offices in these districts provide benefit advice and information, and handle assessments, reviews, payment of benefits, recovery of overpayments. They also accept appeals which are sent to the Area Centralised Contributory Benefits Appeals Units in Motherwell and Glasgow, where appeals are prepared.
  For FC, East Edinburgh and Borders and Lothian West districts cover Edinburgh and Tayside district covers Perth.
  Advice, information and claim packs can be obtained from offices in these districts, which also accept appeals for onward transmission to the Family Credit Unit (FCU) in Preston. The FCU deals with all aspects of FC claims for the whole of Great Britain.
  For JSA, in Inverness advice and information can be obtained from Inverness Employment Services Jobcentre (ESJ) or Inverness BA office. Assessment of benefit, reviews and payment of JSA is carried out in the ESJ. Appeals are prepared in Elgin office and recovery of overpaid benefit is processed in Stornoway.
  In Perth, the principal point of contact for advice and information on JSA is Perth ESJ. Advice and information is also available in Perth BA Office where claims are assessed. Reviews and payments are processed in both the BA office and Perth ESJ. Appeals are prepared in Dundee office and recovery of overpaid benefit is processed in Perth.
  Information and advice on DLA can be obtained from the BA offices in Perth (Tayside district) and Greenock (Clyde Coast and Renfrew district). Claims are assessed in the Disability Benefit

  289
  Centres (DBCs) in Glasgow and Edinburgh which also issue payments, carry out reviews and process appeals, although these functions may be carried out at the Disability Benefit Unit (DBU) in Blackpool. Any overpaid benefit is recovered by the DBU.
  All aspects of benefit appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal Service.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which Benefits Agency office would handle the(a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Peterhead, (ii) Stranraer and (iii) Glasgow and claiming incapacity benefit; [92380]

  (2) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Peterhead, (ii) Stranraer and (iii) Inverness and claiming jobseeker's allowance, both income based and contribution based; [92382]

  (3) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Banff and (ii) Paisley and claiming incapacity benefit; [92384]

  (4) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Elgin, (ii) Banff and (iii) Paisley and claiming jobseeker's allowance, both income based and contribution based; [92386]

  (5) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Elgin, (ii) Banff and (iii) Paisley and claiming disability living allowance; [92387]

  (6) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Peterhead, (ii) Stranraer and (iii) Edinburgh and claiming family credit; [92381]

  (7) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Peterhead, (ii) Stranraer and (iii) Greenock and claiming disability living allowance; [92383]

  (8) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery
  290
  of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Elgin, (ii) Banff and (iii) Paisley and claiming family credit. [92385]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent questions relating to procedural steps for Social Security benefits and indicating which officers and agencies would handle each of these steps. A copy of the questions is attached.
  The local offices and the services they provide for people claiming incapacity benefit are as follows;
  For Peterhead, Peterhead Benefits office provide (a) advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of overpaid benefit.
  For Stranraer, Stranraer Benefits office provide (a), Kilmarnock Benefits office provide (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f).
  There are four districts covering Glasgow. These are Glasgow North, Glasgow South, Glasgow East, Argyle and West. All offices in these districts provide (a)-(f).
  For Banff, Elgin Benefits office provide (a)-(f).
  For Paisley, Paisley Benefits office provide (a)-(f), with the exception of (d) which is provided by Johnstone Benefits office.
  For Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), advice and information can be obtained from Employment Services Jobcentres (ESJ) and local BA offices. Assessments of benefit, review and payment of JSA, lodgement of appeals and recovery of overpaid benefit is processed within the Employment Services and BA district office network as follows:
  Peterhead - Peterhead Benefit Office provide (a)-(f), with the exception of (d) provided by Aberdeen District Office.
  Stranraer - Stranraer Benefits office provide (a), (c), (d), (f), Stranraer ESJ (a), (b), (e).
  Inverness - Inverness District Office provide (a), Inverness ESJ (a), (b), (c), (e), Elgin Benefit Office (d), Stornoway Benefits office (f).
  Elgin - Elgin Benefit Office (a), (d), Elgin ESJ (a), (b), (c), (e), Stornoway Benefit Office (f).
  Banff - Banff ESJ (a), (b), (c), (e), Aberdeen District Office (d), Peterhead Benefit Office (f).
  Paisley - Paisley Benefit Office (a), (d), (f), Paisley ESJ (a), (b), (c), (e).
  Information and advice on Disability Living Allowance can be obtained from the BA offices in Elgin, Paisley, Peterhead, Stranraer and Greenock. Claims are assessed in the Disability Benefit Centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh which also issue payments, carry out reviews and process appeals, although these functions may be carried out at the Disability Benefit Unit (DBU) in Blackpool. Any overpaid benefit is recovered by the DBU.
  For Family Credit, advice information and claim packs can be obtained from BA offices in these areas. They will also accept appeals for onward transmission to the Family Credit Unit in Preston, which deals with all aspects of Family Credit claims for the whole of Great Britain.
  The Area Centralised Contributory Benefits Appeals Units in Motherwell and Glasgow prepare appeal submissions for Scotland. All aspects of appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal Service.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which Benefits Agency office would handle the(a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of

  291
  over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Blairgowrie, (ii) Duns and (iii) Inverness and claiming jobseeker's allowance, both income based and contribution based; [92354]

  (2) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Blairgowrie, (ii) Duns and (iii) Glasgow and claiming incapacity benefit; [92352]

  (3) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Blairgowrie, (ii) Duns and (iii) Edinburgh and claiming family credit; [92353]

  (4) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Blairgowrie, (ii) Duns and (iii) Greenock and claiming disability living allowance. [92355]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Swinney, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent questions asking which Benefit Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefits.
  For Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), advice and information can be obtained from Employment Services Jobcentres (ESJ) and local Benefits Agency (BA) offices. Assessment of benefit, review and payment of JSA, lodgement of appeals and recovery of overpaid benefit is processed within the Employment Services and BA district network is set out in the annex.
  For Incapacity Benefit, the local offices and the services they provide for people are as follows;
  Blairgowrie-Blairgowrie Benefit Office provides (a), Perth Benefit Office provides (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f).
  Dunns-Galashiels Benefit Office provide (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f).
  Four districts cover Glasgow, these are Glasgow North, Glasgow South, Glasgow East and Argyle and West. All offices in these districts provide (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f).
  For Family Credit (FC), Tayside, East Edinburgh and Borders and Lothian West districts cover Blairgowrie, Dunns and Edinburgh. Advice, information and claim packs can be obtained from all BA offices in these districts, which also accept appeals for onward transmission to the Family Credit Unit in Preston, which deals with all aspects of FC claims for the whole of Great Britain.
  For Disability Living Allowance, information and advice can be obtained from BA offices in Tayside, East Edinburgh and Borders, Lothian West and Clyde Coast and Renfrew districts. Claims are assessed in the Disability Benefit Centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh which also issue payments, carry out reviews and process appeals although these functions may be carried out at the Disability Benefit Unit (DBU) in Blackpool. Any overpaid benefit is recovered by the DBU.
  The Area Contributory Benefits Appeals Units in Motherwell and Glasgow prepare appeal submissions for Scotland. All aspects of appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal Service.
  I hope this is helpful.

  292

  Annex

  a

  b

  c

  d

  e

  f

  Blairgowrie Benefit Office

  Yes

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Blairgowrie ESJ

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  —

  Yes

  —

  Dundee Benefit Office

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  —

  —

  Perth Benefit Office

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  Eyemouth ESJ

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  —

  —

  —

  Galashiels Benefit Office

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Inverness Benefit Office

  Yes

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Inverness ESJ

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  —

  Yes

  —

  Elgin Benefit Office

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  —

  —

  Stornaway Benefit Office

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which Benefits Agency office would handle the(a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Dundee, (ii) Arbroath and (iii) Glasgow and claiming Incapacity Benefit; [92348]

  (2) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to the claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Dundee, (ii) Arbroath and (iii) Edinburgh and claiming Family Credit; [92349]

  (3) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Dundee, (ii) Arbroath and (iii) Inverness and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, both income based and contribution based; [92350]

  (4) which Benefits Agency office would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefit for a person living in (i) Dundee, (ii) Arbroath and (iii) Greenock and claiming Disability Living Allowance. [92351]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Welsh, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent questions asking which Benefit Agency (BA) offices would handle the (a) provision of advice and information, (b) assessment of eligibility to claim, (c) review of the claim, (d) appeal of the claim, (e) payment of the benefit and (f) recovery of over-paid benefits.
  For Incapacity Benefit, four BA districts cover Glasgow, these are Glasgow North, Glasgow South, Glasgow East and Argyle and West. One district covers Tayside. All offices in these districts provide benefits advice and information, and handle assessments, review, payment of benefit and recovery of overpayments. They also accept appeals, which are sent to the Area Centralised Contributory Benefits Appeals Units in Motherwell and Glasgow, where all appeals for Scotland are prepared.
  For Family Credit (FC), East Edinburgh and Borders and Lothian West districts cover Edinburgh and Tayside district covers Dundee and Arbroath. Advice information and claim packs can be obtained from all offices in these districts, which also accept appeals for

  293
  onward transmission to the Family Credit Unit (FCU) in Preston. The FCU deals with all aspects of FC claims for the whole of Great Britain.
  For Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), advice and information can be obtained from Employment Service Jobcentres (ESJ) and local BA offices. Assessment of benefit, review and payment of JSA, appeals and recovery of overpaid benefits are processed within the Employment Services and BA district network (see appendix).
  For Disability Living Allowance (DLA), information and advice can be obtained from the BA offices in Tayside (Dundee & Arbroath) and Clyde Coast and Renfrew districts (Greenock).
  Claims are assessed in the Disability Benefit Centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh, which also issue payments, carry out reviews and process appeals, although these functions may be carried out at the Disability Benefit Unit (DBU) in Blackpool. Any overpaid benefit is recovered by the DBU.
  After the initial preparation by the BA, all aspects of benefit appeals are handled by the Independent Tribunal Service.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Appendix

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  (e)

  (f)

  Dundee Benefit Office

  Yes

  —

  —

  Yes

  —

  —

  Dundee ESJs

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  —

  Yes

  —

  Perth Benefit Office

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  Arbroath Benefit Office

  Yes

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Arbroath ESJ

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  —

  Yes

  —

  Inverness Benefit Office

  Yes

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Elgin Benefit Office

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  —

  —

  Stornaway Benefit Office

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Yes

  Inverness ESJ

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  —

  Yes

  —

  Industrial Deafness
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the procedure for determining industrial deafness; and if he will make a statement. [93206]

  Mr. Bayley
  We are advised on matters relating to the Industrial Injuries Benefit Scheme, which includes provision for occupational deafness, by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. The Council's sub-group, the Occupational Deafness Working Group is currently examining all the criteria for awarding benefit and when their work is concluded the Council will report to us. The timing of the Council's report is a matter for them.

  Weather station

  Postcode districts

  BA districts affected

  Period of trigger (s)

  Aviemore

  AB31, AB33, AB34, AB36–37, PH18–26

  Grampian & Shetland

  13/11/98–19/11/98

  Highlands & Islands

  06/01/99–12/01/99

  Tayside

  07/02/99–13/02/99

  Braemar

  AB35

  Grampian & Shetland

  13/11/98–19/11/98

  12/01/99–18/01/99

  07/02/99–13/02/99

  Lerwick

  ZE1–3

  Grampian & Shetland

  05/02/99–11/02/99

  Loch Glascarnoch

  IV3–4, IV6, IV23–24

  Highlands & Islands

  06/01/99–12/01/99

  07/02/99–13/02/99

  Tulloch Bridge

  PA33, PA35–36, PA38–40, PH8–11, PH15–17, PH30–35, PH37

  Argyll & West

  06/01/99–12/01/99

  Highlands & Islands Tayside

  04/02/99–10/02/99

  Income Support (Scotland)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of people aged over 60 years who receive Income Support live in Scotland. [93501]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Income Support claimants in Scotland aged over 60-years-old, February 1999

  Claimants

  Number of cases

  As percentage of over 60-years-old Income Support population in Great Britain

  Claimants aged over 60-years-old

  158,000

  10

  Claimants and/or partner aged over 60-years-old

  160,000

  10

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Estimates are based on a 5 per cent. sample of all Income Support claimants and may be subject to a degree of sampling error.

  3. Cases are allocated to the Scotland Government Office Region by matching postcodes against the 1999 version 1 of the Postcode Directory.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, February 1999.

  Cold Weather Payments Directory.(Scotland)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of cold weather payments paid in Scotland in 1998–99. [93502]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of cold weather payments is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Eddie O'Hara, dated 27 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question asking if he will provide a breakdown of cold weather payments paid in Scotland in 1998–99.
  During the 1998–99 winter in Scotland there were 11 occasions when cold weather payments were triggered. This resulted in the issue of 11,293 payments, totalling £95,990.50. Details are provided in the attached table.
  I hope this is helpful.

  State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate has been made of the cost of not implementing the proposed change to SERPS from April 2000 in each of the next three years. [93286]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  The estimated gross SERPS costs

  £ million

  Year

  Estimated gross costs

  2000–01

  60

  2001–02

  170

  2002–03

  280

  Notes:

  1. Costs are supplied by the Government Actuary's Department.

  2. No allowance has been made for income related benefit offsets.

  3. Costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million and are at 1998–99 rates.

  4. Costs include SERPS pension paid to widows and widowers above State pension age and to widows below State pension age.

  5. The estimates are based on current legislation.

  6. Real earnings growth of 1.5 per cent. has been assumed.

  Comparison between the values of capital limits if uprated by different indices 1

  £

  Income Support April 1988

  Housing Benefit April 1988

  Council Tax Benefit April 1990 2

  Benefit and date of introduction

  Lower

  Higher

  Lower

  Higher

  Lower

  Higher

  Rate of capital limits at date of introduction

  3,000

  6,000

  3,000

  6,000

  3,000

  16,000

  Rate if uprated by prices since introduction3

  4,627

  9,255

  4,627

  9,255

  4,201

  22,406

  Rate if uprated by higher of prices and earnings since introduction

  5,611

  11,221

  5,611

  11,221

  4,701

  25,071

  Rate of capital limits at April 1990

  3,000

  8,000

  3,000

  16,000

  3,000

  16,000

  Rate if uprated by prices since April 1990

  4,201

  11,203

  4,201

  22,406

  4,201

  22,406

  Rate if uprated by higher of prices and earnings since April 1990

  4,701

  12,536

  4,701

  25,071

  4,701

  25,071

  1 The ROSSI index is used to uprate Income Related Benefits. Figures have been rounded to the nearest pound.

  2 In April 1990, Community Charge Benefit was introduced in England and Wales. In April 1993, this was replaced by Council Tax Benefit.

  3 For Income Related Benefits (IRBs), the percentage used to uprate benefits in April 1994 was 3.9 per cent. not 3.5 per cent. as shown in the Annual Abstract of Statistics, to take account of VAT on fuel.

  War Pensions
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current position in relation to the war pensions case of Mr. Kenneth Winter of Langford, Ref YX953640C; and if he will make a statement. [93545]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of the War Pensions Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Mr. Gordon Hextall. I have asked him to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from Gordon Hextall to Sir Nicholas Lyell, dated 26 July 1999.
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the current position in relation to the war pension case of Mr. Kenneth Winter of 98 Church Street, Langford.
  Mr. Winter has an outstanding appeal against our 50 per cent assessment of his service related disablement for the period 22 December 1994 to 5 August 1996. All relevant papers are now with the independent Pensions Appeal Tribunal (PAT) office. The PAT is completely separate from the WPA and is administered by the Lord Chancellor's Department. The PAT office has been unable to give us a specific date for the hearing but anticipates that the appeal will be heard during September 1999. They will send full details to Mr. Winter within the next two weeks.

  296
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate has been made of the number of people likely to be affected by the proposed change to SERPS from April 2000 in each of the next three years. [93287]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Written answer the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Hitchen (Mr. Denham) gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 8 December 1998,Official Report, columns 174-75.

  Benefits (Capital Limits)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the upper and lower capital limit would be for(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit if they had been uprated by (i) prices since introduction, (ii) prices since 1990, (iii) the higher of prices or earnings since introduction and (iv) the higher of prices and earnings since 1990. [93498]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  If Mr. Winter has any further queries about the appeal hearing date, he may wish to contact the PAT office direct. Their telephone number is 0171 936 7033.
  I hope this is helpful and if you need any further information, I will be happy to assist.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the average time taken to process appeals in respect of claims for war disablement pension; [92967]

  (2) what action he has taken in response to the findings and recommendations of the Final report of the Review of the Decision Making and Appeals Process in the War Pensions Agency; [92960]

  (3) what is the average time taken to process a claim for war disablement pension. [92961]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of the War Pensions Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Mr. Gordon Hextall. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Gordon Hextall to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 26 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions relating to war pensions. You asked about the average time taken to process War Disablement

  297
  Pension (WDP) claims and appeals and what action was being taken in response to the findings and recommendations of the Final Report of the Review of the Decision Making and Appeals Process in the War Pensions Agency (WPA).
  The latest annual figures available (April 1998 to March 1999) show that the average time taken to process a claim to WDP was 111 days, whilst the average time taken to process an appeal was 278 days.
  The WPA is committee to reducing the processing times and this was why I commissioned the review of the Decision Making and Appeals Process. Once the report as received, I appointed a Programme Manager and established a programme team, working under PRINCE project management discipline in line with the recommendations about implementation. The team is testing the feasibility, implications, timing and costs of implementing the recommendations. They are specifying and proposing in greater detail what is required to take forward the changes necessary to improve the service we provide. As the Senior Accountable Official, I am chairing a Steering Group which includes the DSS Policy Manager and the Chief Medical Adviser. A meeting has also been arranged with the Presidents of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal (PAT) in August at which the recommendations, particularly those which involve the Lord Chancellors Department, will be discussed.
  Although it is necessary to test their feasibility, it is clear that some of the recommendations are relatively straightforward and there are some "quick wins" which can be achieved. For example, improvements to the process involving more telephone contact can be made quickly and easily. These improvements are to be piloted in Autumn this year. Some changes, which are IT related, will need more careful consideration, including the funding and business case aspects. Others, in particular those involving matters of policy, will need much wider consultation with stakeholders and interested parties to assess the impact and to canvass opinion.
  I hope this is helpful and if you need any further information, I will be happy to assist.

  Benefits (New Year)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to ensure that vulnerable people will receive their benefits over the New Year, with particular reference to people with disabilities and those receiving direct and manual payments; and if he will make a statement. [93483]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 27 July 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question asking what action he is taking to ensure that vulnerable people will receive their benefits over the New Year with particular reference to people with disabilities and those receiving direct and manual payments.

  Beneficiaries of income support as at February 1999

  Number of Beneficiaries

  Area

  Adults (aged 16 and over)

  Children (aged 15 and under)

  Adults as a percentage of 16 years and over population

  Children as percentage of 15 years and under population

  Edmonton Constituency

  10.5

  7.1

  1—

  1—

  Enfield LA

  24.6

  14.8

  12

  26

  Greater London

  667.6

  393.6

  12

  27

  Great Britain

  4,424.9

  2,196.3

  10

  19

  298

  Each year the Benefit Agency (BA) brings forward the production of order books, Girocheques and Automated Credit Transfers (payment directly to bank accounts) so that people receiving direct and manual payments of benefits can have their money in advance for holiday periods when Banks and Post Offices are closed. These arrangements will again be made for people in receipt of all BA benefits, including disability benefits, for the forthcoming Christmas and New Year period.
  Throughout the year, the BA has continuity planning arrangements in place which could involve manual payments being implemented where problems such as postal disruption are anticipated. In the most vulnerable cases, such payments could be issued to the customer in the office the same day. The BA will also consider sending a visiting officer to those who are unable to attend the office.
  Over the Christmas and New Year period BA local offices will be open on 24, 29 and 30 December, and 4 January (except in Scotland, where offices return to normal working hours on 5 January). Working hours will be advertised in the local office.
  The BA also provides an out of hours service (OOHS) to help customers who find themselves in particular need outside normal office hours. On weekdays this service operates until at least 20.00 hours. At weekends and on statutory holidays, it will operate for at least six hours daily, normally between 9.00 and 20.00 hours. Contact with the OOHS is normally made through the social services or police who liaise with a central emergency officer through a telephone message service. The officer then considers the individual person's needs in consultation with outside agencies.
  In addition, the BA has been aware for some time of the issues which my arise as a result of the Year 2000 date change. A full programme of work was established in 1996. Most of the major mainframe systems (the benefit payment computer systems) hold their dates in a way which is largely unaffected by the Year 2000 problem. Nevertheless, a full regime of checking has taken place and all benefit payment systems are now full year 2000 compliant.
  Interfaces with external computer systems, including the systems which pay benefits directly to bank accounts (BACS), have been rigorously tested, or plans are in place to do so. An intensive testing process is also under way on our major benefit paying systems to provide additional assurances. For example, BA has recently concluded a business confidence review of Job Seekers Allowance and Income Support that did not identify any risks of material disruption to payment of benefits.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Income Support
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of(a) adults and (b) children in families were in receipt of income support and jobseeker's allowance in (i) Edmonton, (ii) Enfield, (iii) Greater London and (iv) the UK, in the last year for which figures are available. [93589]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
  299

  Beneficiaries of Jobseeker's Allowance as at February 1999

  Number of Beneficiaries

  Area

  Adults (aged 16 and over)

  Children (aged 15 and under)

  Adults as a percentage of 16 year and over population

  Children as percentage of 15 years and under population

  Edmonton Constituency

  4.5

  1.5

  1—

  1—

  Enfield LA

  10.4

  2.7

  5

  5

  Greater London

  266.8

  53.8

  5

  4

  Great Britain

  1,699.4

  326.1

  4

  3

  1 Not available

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and displayed as thousands. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  2. Estimates are based on a 5 per cent, sample of all Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance claimants and will therefore be subject to a degree of sampling error eg the true population value for an estimate of 2,000 could lie within the range of approximately 1,500 to 2,500.

  3. Children are defined as dependants aged 15 years old and less.

  4. Adults refer to all adult beneficiaries of Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance i.e. Claimants, partners and dependants aged 16 years old and over.

  5. Cases are allocated to the Local Authority Districts by matching postcodes against the 1999 version 1 of the Postcode Directory.

  6. Cases were allocated to Edmonton Constituency by matching postcodes against the 1999 version 1 of the Postcode Directory and as such represent Constituency boundaries as at May 1997.

  7. Estimates for Jobseeker's Allowance include income-based, contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance and cases where nil benefit is in payment.

  8. Population estimates used in the percentage calculation were taken from the Office for National Statistics mid year estimates for 1997.

  9. It has not been possible to provide an estimate of the percentage of the population in the Edmonton constituency area who are beneficiaries of either Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance. Instead, data has been provided for Enfield Local Authority.

  10. Estimates for the United Kingdom can not be provided as requested, as social security in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, but Great Britain totals have been supplied.

  Source:

  1 Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, February 1999

  2 Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, February 1999

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to introduce the benefit run-on for lone parents starting work; what effect this will have on the housing benefit and council tax benefit extended payments scheme; and if he will make a statement. [93901]

  Angela Eagle
  The lone parent's benefit run-on will give extra help, and financial security, to lone parents during the transition from welfare to work. It will allow lone parents who have been getting Income Support (IS) or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for at least six months to be paid IS for their first two weeks in work, provided that work is expected to last at least five weeks. We expect more than 100,000 lone parents to benefit from the run-on in a full year (about 5,000 at a point in time), at a cost of between £15 million and £25 million.

  We also intend to make consequential changes to the Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) extended payment schemes. At present, these schemes give four extra weeks HB and/or CTB to a number of groups—including lone parents—moving from income-related benefits to work, provided they claim it. Lone parents getting the IS benefit run-on will automatically retain entitlement to maximum HB/CTB during the run-on period, and will then receive extended payments for the next two weeks without the need for a separate claim. This should ensure that they continue to receive maximum HB/CTB for the first four weeks of work.

  The benefit run-on complements other aspects of welfare-to-work policies, in particular the New Deal for lone parents. It is a positive response to concerns that the abrupt withdrawal of what has been a regular income,
  300
  the gap between starting work and receiving wages and the wait for in-work benefits can combine to form a barrier to making the move into work. These concerns can be particularly acute for lone parents, who often have to meet child care costs in advance.

  We are also taking this opportunity to broaden the scope of the HB/CTB extended payments scheme to include sick and disabled people moving from income-related benefits into work. This will benefit an estimated 22,000 people a year at an annual cost of £3 million.

  Draft regulations have been referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee and consultation with representatives of Local Authority Associations is under way. Following this, we plan to lay the regulations during September to bring the scheme into place in October to coincide with the introduction of Working Families Tax Credit.

  Benefit Fraud Inspectorate
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report on Tower Hamlets. [93448]

  Mr. Timms
  I published the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate's inspection of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on Thursday 22 July 1999.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the local authorities for which Benefit Fraud Inspectorate inspections have been completed and reports remain to be published. [93315]

  Mr. Timms
  The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate is currently undertaking 27 inspections. These inspections are all at different stages. Of these, 15 have been completed to at least draft report stage.
  301
  These inspections are in the following local authorities:

  Oxford

  Bournemouth

  Lichfield

  Sandwell

  Swansea

  West Wiltshire

  Powys

  Wigan

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Norwich

  York

  Carlisle

  Calderdale

  Rotherham

  Ellesmere Port.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints and representations have been received by(a) his office and (b) the Benefits Agency arising from the new NIRS2 computer system; and if he will make a statement. [93196]

  Mr. Timms
  To date there have been 110 parliamentary questions arising from the implementation of the new National Insurance Recording System (NIRS2). Between 1 June 1998 and 31 March 1999 the Secretary of State for Social Security received 87 parliamentary questions. Since 1 April 1999 a further 23 have been received of which 11 were transferred to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  There have been 240 letters specifically relating to NIRS2 of which 85 were received by Ministers, 73 by the Benefits Agency and 82 by the former Contributions Agency.

  Between 1 April 1998 and 31 March 1999 752 letters were received with queries about the rates of Retirement Pension, 366 were addressed to Ministers and 386 to the Benefits Agency. Some of these will relate to the implementation of NIRS2.

  Information about the numbers of complaints, received at local benefit offices, arising from the NIRS2 computer system, is not available. However, the Benefits Agency has completed over 13,600 clerical calculations of Retirement Pension and Widows Benefits.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have not received their full pension at retirement date due to failure of the new NIRS2 computer system; and if he will make a statement. [93197]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 22 July 1999,Official Report, columns 575-76.

  It is estimated that there were up to 285,000 pensioners affected by the NIRS2 problems who therefore potentially may have been underpaid at retirement date.

  Contingency arrangements were put in place to minimise the effect on customers claiming Incapacity Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Retirement Pension and Widows Benefit. These arrangements included
  302
  making emergency payments to people claiming Retirement Pension and Widows Benefits where information was not available, interim payments of Jobseeker's Allowance and payment of some Incapacity Benefit claims based on information provided by the customer. Parliament was kept informed of the arrangements.

  In order to provide adequate protection for the public purse, those who receive payments under emergency procedures are required to sign an undertaking to repay benefit where subsequent inquiries show that the amount due was less than the amount paid. This procedure has been followed in the case of the payments made as a result of the NIRS2 problems and recovery of any overpayments will be pursued in accordance with laid down procedures. Early figures from the Benefits Agency's work on reviewing affected cases indicates that overpayments have occurred in only a very small proportion of those examined. In addition, I have instructed the Benefits Agency to ensure that cases are dealt with as sensitively as possible and with full regard to the individual's circumstances.

  HIV/AIDS
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in receipt of any disability benefit are(a) HIV positive and (b) AIDS patients in the current year; and what were the equivalent figures for the each of the past three years. [93542]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  The number of people of working age in receipt of one or more of Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Benefit or Disability Living Allowance, with either HIV or AIDS recorded as the main disabling condition

  Date

  Number

  August 1995

  5,300

  August 1996

  6,000

  August 1997

  6,500

  August 1998

  6,700

  Notes:

  1. Figures exclude a small number of cases not recorded on the computer system.

  2. The statistics do not include cases where a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS is not recorded as the main disabling condition.

  3. Information on people either below working age or over retirement age is not included.

  Source:

  Cross Benefit Analysis of Analytical Services Division 5 per cent. statistical samples.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements are made to take account of ME sufferers in estimating capacity to work in the All Work Test for invalidity benefit; what changes will be made on the introduction of the new test; and if he will make a statement. [93550]

  Mr. Bayley
  The All Work Test is an objective test of the effects of illness or disability on functional capacity, which assesses whether a person reaches the level of incapacity at which they are not required to work, or seek work, as a condition for receiving social security benefits.
  303
  Full account is taken of factors such as pain, fatigue and the ability to repeat an activity reliably and safely. Doctors and decision makers are required to look at what a person is able to do over a period of time, not just at the time of a medical examination.

  ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or post viral fatigue disease, is a complex and widely variable condition and each case needs to be assessed on individual findings. The Department's Chief Medical Adviser issues guidance to examining doctors and ensures that guidance and training is reviewed in the light of the latest developments in the understanding of ME.

  The Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill replaces the All Work Test with the Personal Capability Assessment. The criteria for entitlement to benefit, and the way in which entitlement decisions are reached, will not change but the new assessment will also provide information on what individuals are able to do despite their illness or disability and medical advice on practical measures which might help them return to work. For conditions such as ME, this will include information about, for example, the ability to sustain activities and the effects of stress and of fluctuation in the condition.

  European Commission
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the nature of the cases of alleged misconduct which led to investigation by the European Commission, listed in his letter to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 29 April, indicating the nature of the delays in those cases pending action. [91839]

  Ms Quin
  I have been asked to reply.

  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Advantage West Midlands
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the Chairman of Advantage West Midlands; and what matters were discussed. [92542]

  Mr. Wills
  RDA Chairs including Alex Stephenson, Chairman of Advantage West Midlands, met with my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson), in his former capacity as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in November 1998 when they discussed the Competitiveness White Paper, "Inward Investment, Innovation and Business Support".

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what population figure is being used for the purpose of assessing post-1999 European funding for the West Midlands; and how the basis for this figure differs from that submitted by the Development Agency. [92545]

  Mr. Wills
  The UK's overall population coverage under Objective 2 is defined by the safety net at 13.7 million. This figure is for the whole UK, there are no pre-determined 304
  population figures for the regions. No decisions have been made yet on which areas will be eligible for Objective 2 funding for 2000 to 2006.

  The basis for assessing the West Midlands will be the relevant population figures required to conform with Article 4 of the European Structural Funds Regulations.

  All areas will be considered for inclusion on the basis of need against the criteria under Article 4 of the Structural Funds Regulations published on 26 June 1999.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what formula is used to calculate the relevant population figures for post-1999 European structural funding; [92544]

  (2) what basis is used for establishing population figures relevant to post-1999 European structural funding. [92546]

  Mr. Wills
  The populations ceilings for Objective 1 and 2 are governed by Article 3 and 4 in the European Structural Funds Regulations. It is the responsibility of the European Commission to calculate the population ceilings at member state level.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the actual population and (b) the notional population figures used for the purpose of allocating European structural funds for each region in England. [92543]

  Mr. Wills
  The UK's overall population coverage under Objective 2 is defined by the safety net which limits the reduction in coverage to one third of existing Objective 2 and 5b population. This amounts to 13.7 million total population based on figures provided by the European Commission.

  This population total is for the whole UK. There is no pre-set population figure for regions.

  Type Approval Certificates
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Type Approval certificates for(a) MPT 1305 and (b) MPT 1383 are still valid. [93187]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Type approval certificates issued under MPT 1305 are valid. However, there have been no Type Approval certificates issued under MPT 1383.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Non-technical Variant Approval certificates have been issued citing necessary compliance with MPT 1383. [93190]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: There have been no Type Approval certificates issued citing compliance with MPT 1383 and hence no Non-technical Variant Approval certificates have been issued to this Standard by the Radiocommunications Agency.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Radiocommunications Agency has issued Type Approval certificates with a specification of MPT 1383; and if this is a recognised standard in(a) the European Union and (b) elsewhere. [93188]
  305
  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The Radiocommunications Agency has not issued any Type Approval certificates under specification MPT 1383. MPT 1383 was written with the intention that it was to become a UK specific Type Approval specification for Short Range Business Radio equipment. However, when it became clear that efforts were being made to harmonise a similar European service (subsequently launched as Private Mobile Radio 446) work ceased on the necessary notification procedure for MPT 1383 to be adopted as a recognised national standard. It was, therefore, never adopted as a Type Approval standard and remains uncompleted. MPT 1383 would only be used for national approvals if it was to be adopted.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Radiocommunications Agency library issues copies of Type Approval certificate MPT 1318 for inspection. [93189]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The Radiocommunications Agency only issues Type Approval certificates to the applicant and a copy is sent to the respective test house that carried out the technical analysis.

  However, the Agency can inform third parties whether a particular product has been type approved. It is at the discretion of the applicant to provide copies of the type approval certificate to interested parties.

  Safeguards Office
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff are employed in the UK Safeguards Office; what are the qualifications of each staff member; and what staff have been seconded to the Safeguards Office from(a) other Government Departments and (b) outside bodies. [93282]

  Dr. Howells
  There are five technical posts and three administrative/support posts within the UK Safeguards Office. One technical post is currently vacant. Of the 4 technical staff members currently in post, two have first class honours degrees in Chemistry, one has a 2:1 class honours degree in Chemistry and a D. Phil. and one a 2:1 class honours degree in Applied Chemistry and a PhD. No staff have been seconded to the Safeguards Office from other Government Departments or outside bodies.

  ECGD
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for a review of ECGD's status. [93796]

  Mr. Byers
  ECGD will shortly be commencing a Review of its Status in accordance with "Next Steps" principles. This will allow us to take a fundamental look at ECGD's functions in order to establish a clear Mission Statement to define ECGD's role over the next few years.

  The Terms of Reference for the Mission and Status Review are:
  "To review the aims and objectives, role and status of ECGD and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry."

  306
  The Review should take account of the relationship of ECGD's activities to HMG's wider objectives and of the need to balance the benefits of ECGD's support for UK exporters and investors against the risks to the taxpayer. The Review should consider international practice in the provision of export credit and investment insurance both in the public and private sectors.

  It should also take into account the results of other concurrent reviews which may have a bearing on ECGD's future activities, namely the Export Finance Review, announced on 11 February 1998, Official Report, columns 218-19, the Reinsurance Scheme Review, announced 27 April 1999, Official Report, column 84 and the Risk Management Review, announced 26 May 1999, Official Report, columns 198-99.

  The Review should also include a period of public consultation to seek the views of exporters, investors, lenders, private sector credit insurers and their representative bodies and other interested parties.

  The Status element of the Review should be conducted in accordance with established principles for "Next Steps" reviews, taking account of any proposed change to ECGD's Mission Statement, to consider how its services can best be delivered and whether any change in the Status of ECGD would be required.

  ECGD will be writing to all customers seeking their views and I very much look forward to receiving ideas and suggestions from all sections of the exporting community and, indeed, from others who have an interest in developing the role of ECGD and strengthening the partnership between Government and industry.

  Utility Regulation
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement setting out the significant changes in the Government's proposals for the reform of utility regulation made since publication of the White Paper in July 1998. [93797]

  Mr. Battle
  Since July 1998, the Government have been working on the detail of its proposals for the reform of utility regulation. This further work has resulted in the modification of some of the proposals.

  First, the Government originally concluded that, for the energy and telecommunications sectors, individual regulators should be replaced with full-time executive boards composed of a chairman and two others. In the light of further analysis, the Government have decided that Ministers should be able to appoint any number of board members, who may be full or part-time, and executive or non-executive, so that the size and composition of each regulatory board meets the requirements of each office, and can change, over time, in response to developments. For the water sector, where the demands and pressures on the regulator are somewhat different from the other sectors, the Government now intend to retain the existing provision for an individual regulator. However, the Government intend to introduce a provision requiring the individual regulator to be supported by an advisory panel appointed by Ministers.

  Second, the Government originally concluded that they would introduce legislation to extend to all regulators powers of the type held by the gas regulator to impose

  307
  monetary penalties for breach of overall and individual service standards. Those powers related only to current and likely future breaches of licence conditions and other relevant requirements. They would not, as currently drafted, allow the imposition of penalties in relation to breaches, however serious, which were discontinued by the company when an enforcement notice was issued, or which ceased before enforcement action could be taken. This significantly weakens the effectiveness of monetary penalties as an enforcement mechanism. The Government now intend, therefore, to give regulators powers to impose penalties for past as well as for continuing breaches of licence conditions and other statutory requirements (but not including breaches committed before the legislation to introduce the powers is enacted). These powers will not extend to likely future breaches. Similar powers have recently been proposed for the Strategic Rail Authority.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Scottish Power plc's application to build a new combined heat and power gas-fired power station at the Sappi paper mill. [93795]

  Mr. Battle
  I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Scottish Power plc for construction of a 60 MW gas-fired Combined Heat and Power station at the Sappi paper mill at Feniscowles, near Blackburn, Lancashire. The station has also today been given clearance as a gas-fired station under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 and planning permission has been deemed to be granted, subject to 52 planning conditions agreed with the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Lancashire County Council. The decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).

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

  Limited Liability Partnerships
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made on the introduction of Limited Liability Partnerships legislation. [93794]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are fully committed to introduction of the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill as soon as possible. I am aware that the professional business community are keen to see progress on this, and I can assure them that the Bill will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable permits. To assist business, and to enable them to see the Bill as we expect it to come before the House, we will publish it in draft for a second time shortly, alongside revised draft regulations, which are being published to show changes made as a result of consultation last September.

  Riot Control Equipment
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his reply on 19 April 1999,Official Report, column 456, what measures have been instigated
  308
  by his Department to ensure that they provide accurate information about the export of tear gas and other not control equipment. [93522]

  Dr. Howells
  As noted in my earlier answer, the export of tear gas is controlled under a variety of entries in the legislation, depending whether it is bulk tear gas or tear gas incorporated in any of a range of possible devices. The term not control equipment could describe a wide range of items and, as noted in the answer of 23 March 1998,Official Report, column 76, to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett), several of the entries in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order (the so-called Military List) might be capable of playing some role in not control.

  In her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Hint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870-71, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) explained that, because of the problems that had been identified with the Export Control Organisation's databases, all information relying on data derived from those databases and given in response to Parliamentary Questions or in correspondence should be read in conjunction with a caveat set out in her answer.

  However, the information on export licensing decisions between 2 May and 31 December 1997 set out in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls, which includes a summary description of all military equipment licensed for export during this period as well as the ratings of the goods concerned, is not subject to the caveat set out in my hon. Friend's answer of 30 October 1997, notwithstanding that it relied on data obtained from the Export Control Organisation's databases. On the contrary, as stated in the Annual Report, the information
  "may be treated as definitive subject to the constraint that there is always a risk of human error in the compilation of such a large body of data".

  Furthermore, as noted in my hon. Friend's answer of 30 October 1997, among the steps taken to improve the situation she described was the decision to develop a new database for recording information about standard individual export licences. This database became operational on 1 March 1999 and will be used to supply information for future Reports. Because the database allows for information to be accepted and transferred electronically, it will be easier for exporters to submit their licence applications and it will greatly enhance the integrity of the data, although human error can never be eliminated altogether.

  Finally, I should note that the information on physical exports of military equipment from the UK included in the Annual Report was in part supplied by HM Customs and Excise and in part based on information provided for the UK's contribution to the UN Arms Register; the Export Control Organisation does not compile records of licensed exports.

  Handcuffs
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if export licences are required for handcuffs. [93523]
  309
  Dr. Howells
  The export to any destination of leg-irons, gangchains and shackles, specially designed for restraining human beings, excluding handcuffs the maximum overall dimension of which when locked does not exceed 240mm, are controlled under entry PL5001 in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended.

  In accordance with their policy requirements, as determined by them, applications for a licence to export handcuffs controlled under this entry are circulated to the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for advice in light of the Foreign Secretary's announcement on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 65-66.

  Overseas Arms Production Agreements
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has with UK arms companies prior to the establishment of licensed production agreements between UK companies and arms manufacturers overseas. [93521]

  Dr. Howells
  Production equipment and technology, components and sub-assemblies whose export from the UK is subject to control are set out under a range of headings in the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, and the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996, as amended, and Council Decision 94/942/CFSP, as amended (which has effect through Council Regulation (EC) 3381/94). While a valid export licence is needed for the export of controlled goods or technology, exporters are not required to obtain one before they conclude an agreement for production overseas.

  I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) by the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 12 January 1999, Official Report, column 150.

  North-West (Assistance)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is regarding regional selective assistance in the areas of highest unemployment in the North-West. [92861]

  Mr. Wills
  Regional selective assistance is available for eligible projects in both the development and intermediate areas of the North-West region. Support for projects will in future reflect the priorities in RDA regional economic strategies.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the North West Industrial Development Advisory Committee in January 1992 and the dates of their appointment. [92860]

  Mr. Wills
  The members of the North West Development Board in January 1992 and the dates of their appointment are as follows:

  Members

  Date of appointment

  Mr. J. Dwek

  1 January 1983

  Mr. J. B. Ashworth

  23 January 1988

  Mr. A. Manning

  15 September 1987

  Mr. D. Weir

  1 January 1988

  Mr. I. W. Wooley

  1 January 1988

  310

  Members

  Date of appointment

  Mr. E. Baxendale

  16 March 1988

  Mr. B. Lawson

  1 January 1989

  Mr. E. J. Billington

  1 January 1990

  Mr. D. L. Davies

  1 January 1990

  Mr. G. N. Elliott

  1 January 1990

  Mr. E. P. Foden

  1 January 1992

  Mr. I. C. Sellars

  1 January 1992

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the North West Regional Industrial Development Board. [92859]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave previously on 14 July 1999,Official Report, columns 211-12.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the workings of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in relation to the management by civil servants and the treatment by regional development advisory committees of applications for regional selective assistance. [92807]

  Mr. Wills
  I have no plans to review the workings of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in this respect.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 14 July 1999,Official Report, columns 212-13, what the circumstances were on the occasion when a decision taken by the North West Industrial Development Board was amended by the Secretary of State under the Industrial Development Act 1982. [92862]

  Mr. Wills
  In the case in question, the Board gave their support to a recommendation from officials regarding the amount of grant that should be offered. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State subsequently decided a higher offer was necessary to secure the project.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 14 July 1999,Official Report, column 212-13, if he will make it his Department's practice to continue contacts and routinely record data and subsequent developments in the case of companies where rejection of applications for regional selective assistance have led to the cancellation of proposed investment projects. [92806]

  Mr. Wills
  I have no such plans. This is not always practicable and would increase the costs of administering the scheme.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if members of industrial development advisory committees are permitted to speak to hon. Members prior to the consideration of applications for regional selective assistance. [92858]

  Mr. Wills
  There are no restrictions on members of the Industrial Development Advisory Board and the Regional Industrial Development Boards which would prohibit them from speaking to hon. Members. As an application for regional selective assistance is a commercially confidential matter, it would be inappropriate for board members to comment on particular company applications.

  Road Fuel Taxes
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his oral statement of 22 July 1999,Official Report, columns 1342-44, if he will give details of the arrangements which the European Commission has for publishing international comparisons of pump prices for diesel and petrol and the means by which UK consumers can access such information. [93475]

  Mr. Battle
  Prices of motor spirits and diesel are published by the European Commission in their weekly Oil Bulletin. "The Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics", to be published by the Department of Trade and Industry on 29 July 1999, will also provide this information for the first time. A copy will be available in the Library of the House.

  International Price Comparisons
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the 100 products which will be the subject of international price comparison, and the date upon which such comparisons will commence. [93370]

  Dr. Howells
  The list of products which the DTI's research into international price differences will examine will be finalised with the successful contractor. A draft list of the types of product that will be included is as follows.

  The commissioning process for the research will have to comply with EC procurement regulations, and we are therefore unable to contract the research until the middle of October 1999 at the earliest. Results will be made available at the end of January 2000.

  Draft list of items for collection in a comparison of international prices.

  Based on data from the Family Expenditure Survey July 1997-June 1998

  FES category/suggested item for collection

  Food

  Fresh milk:

  Fresh milk

  UHT milk

  Fresh fruit:

  Fresh loose apples

  Fresh loose oranges

  Fresh vegetables and salad:

  Fresh loose tomatoes

  Fresh loose carrots

  Poultry (uncooked):

  Whole frozen chicken

  Boneless fresh chicken breasts

  Bread:

  White loaf

  Bread rolls

  Sweets and chocolates:

  Chocolate bar

  Chewing gum

  Cakes, buns, currant bread, fruit pies, pastries and scones etc.:

  Fruit pie/tart

  Croissants

  Cold meats, ready to eat meats:

  Garlic sausage

  Cheese:

  Edam

  312

  Beef and veal (uncooked):

  Steak

  Pickles, sauces, flavourings, colourings etc.:

  Mayonnaise

  Biscuits, shortbread, wafers, chocolate biscuits etc.:

  Choc chip cookies

  Fruit juices, squashes:

  Orange juice

  Fizzy drinks:

  Lemonade

  Yoghurt and milk based desserts:

  Fruit yoghurt

  Potato crisps and savoury snacks:

  Potato crisps

  Breakfast cereals:

  Cornflakes

  Bacon and ham (uncooked):

  Ham joint

  Fish (uncooked) and shellfish:

  Trout

  Meat—ready meals:

  Frozen lasagne

  Pizzas, quiches, vegetarian pies:

  Frozen pizza

  Potatoes:

  Fresh loose potatoes

  Pork (uncooked):

  Pork chops

  Coffee:

  Espresso ground coffee

  Clothing

  Women's outerwear:

  T-shirt

  Blouse

  Skirt:

  Trousers

  Men's outerwear:

  Jeans

  T-shirt

  Shirt

  Women's footwear:

  Court shoes

  Women's underwear and hosiery:

  Tights

  Men's footwear:

  Boots

  Girls' outerwear:

  Dress

  Children's footwear:

  Trainers

  Boys' outerwear:

  Track suit

  Babies outerwear:

  Babygro

  Household

  Furniture:

  Single bed

  Kitchen chair

  Table lamp

  Soft floor coverings, carpets, mats:

  Doormat

  Wool carpet (per sq metre)

  313

  Major electrical appliances e.g. cookers, fridges, vacuum cleaners, showers etc.:

  Cooker

  Fridge

  Fancy decorative goods, mirrors:

  Mirror

  Curtains, cushions, towels etc.:

  Towel (per sq metre)

  Paint, wallpaper, plaster, wood:

  Paint

  Doors, electrical and other fittings:

  Light bulb

  Detergents, washing-up liquid, washing powder:

  Washing powder

  Disinfectants, polishes, other cleaning materials:

  Bleach

  Kitchen equipment, tableware and utensils:

  Kitchen scales

  China, glassware (not mirrors), pottery, cutlery, silverware, thermometers, clocks:

  Dinner plates

  Small electrical equipment, e.g. hair dryers, calculators, shavers, irons:

  Clock radio

  Washing machines, spin dryers:

  Washing machine

  Other household hardware and appliances:

  Electric drill

  Bedspreads, blankets, duvets, pillows, sheets (excluding beds and mattresses):

  Fitted cotton sheets

  Leisure

  Newspapers:

  Sunday broadsheet

  Daily tabloid

  Horticultural goods, plants and flowers:

  Trowel

  Packet flower seeds

  Toys and hobbies:

  Pre-recorded video

  Hammer

  Greetings cards, stationery and paper goods:

  Birthday card

  Packet envelopes

  Pet food:

  Dog food

  Personal computers, printers, calculators:

  Printer

  Books, maps, diaries:

  Road atlas

  Photography and camcordersl

  35mm camera film

  Records, CDs, audio cassettes—hire and purchase:

  CD (specified)

  Magazines and periodicals:

  Women's magazine

  Sports and camping equipment:

  Tennis racquet

  Audio equipment, CD players:

  Personal stereo

  Personal goods

  Cosmetics and related accessories—after shave, sun lotion etc.:

  Sun lotion

  314

  Toiletries—cotton wool, toothpaste, tissues, shaving soap etc.:

  Soap

  Personal effects—jewellery, watches, personal silverware etc.:

  Wristwatch

  Hair products—shampoo, colour rinses:

  Shampoo

  Toilet paper:

  Toilet paper

  Baby toiletries and disposables:

  Disposable nappies

  Services

  Cinema admissions:

  Cinema ticket

  Hire of self-drive cars and vans:

  One week's car hire.

  Helplines
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when and where he expects the pilot telephone helplines for consumers to be established; what is the estimated cost; and what restrictions will be placed upon national access to it. [93342]

  Dr. Howells
  We are discussing these issues with our partners in Trading Standards, Citizen Advice and others, and expect to take decisions on these matters later this year.

  Arms Exports (Indonesia)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the current ECGD exposure on(a) exports to Indonesia and (b) defence-related exports. [93292]

  Mr. Wilson
  ECGD's estimate of its exposure on Indonesia currently stands at £1,642 million of which £691 million is in respect of defence-related business.

  Of ECGD's total future amounts at risk of £16,897 million, defence-related business accounts for £3,857 million.

  Market Research
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the funding which his Department has given to(a) the Defence Manufacturers Association, (b) the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers and (c) other defence, police and security industry bodies to produce market research reports. [93504]

  Mr. Battle
  Since 1997 the Department has paid the Defence Manufacturers Association £49,631 under the Sector Challenge scheme towards the costs of setting up the Export Opportunities (Defence and Security) Service, which includes provision of market reports. It runs this service jointly with its sister trade association, the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers. Since 1997 the Department has also paid around £43,000 towards the Society of British Aerospace Companies for their Business Winning Service, which includes market research work for the civil and defence aerospace industry.

  Solar Energy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what practical research projects he has commissioned into solar energy; what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (i) Japan and (ii) Germany on this subject; and if he will make a statement. [92277]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department has had a solar energy R&D programme for a number of years, as part of the New and Renewable Energy Programme. The budget for the photovoltaics (PV) element has doubled from £0.5 million to £1 million over the past 2 years.

  The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has also run a significant photovoltaics R&D programme, with a budget of £1 million per annum for the past four years. PV is now included in the EPSRC's new £3.5 million per annum programme on Renewable and New Energy Technologies.

  In addition, the Foresight Scolar Programme, which aims to put PV systems onto 100 schools and colleges across the country by 2000, is receiving funding from Government for £1 million of the total £2.5 million costs.

  In my speech at the Manchester DTI/EPSRC PV Conference on 17 February, I announced three major new PV initiatives:

  a) a call for proposals for the development of PV components and systems, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of UK companies;

  b) a field trial for at least 100 homes across the country to test a variety of actual PV installations under UK conditions;

  c) development of a scheme to demonstrate the use of PV in large-scale commercial building applications.

  The total value of these three initiatives is expected to be £15 million, with £5 million coming from the DTI. In the case of the demonstration scheme the final go-ahead will have to await the outcome of the Renewables Review.

  The subject of solar energy has not arisen in recent discussions with my counterparts in Japan and Germany, but our embassies in those and other countries keep my officials regularly updated on their programmes in this area.

  Consumer White Paper
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with Yellow Pages over the proposals in the Consumer White Paper. [93366]

  Dr. Howells
  Officials met with Yellow Pages as part of the consultations that led to the White Paper.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if The Times industrial correspondent was briefed by Government sources on the Consumer White Paper prior to his oral statement on 22 July 1999, Official Report, columns 1342-44; [93326]

  (2) which newspapers were briefed prior to his oral statement on 22 July 1999, Official Report, columns 1342-44, on the publication of the Consumer White Paper. [93235]

  Dr. Howells
  Members of the press were invited to a briefing at 12.00 pm Tuesday 22 July. As is normal practice, they were locked in until my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State spoke in the House.
  316
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the codes of practice which he regards as unsatisfactory and which his Consumer White Paper refer to as little more than sales devices. [93369]

  Dr. Howells
  No. There is currently a wide spectrum of codes ranging from the comprehensive and effective, through those which are well intentioned but do not work as well as they could, to those which exist as adjuncts to seemingly legitimate logos but have no practical effect. The Director General of Fair Trading has no power to disapprove codes at present, merely to encourage the preparation and dissemination of consumer codes. The Consumer White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" (Cm 4410) proposes to give the OFT a power to give a seal of approval to codes that put the core principles into effect so that consumers, including those with poor literacy skills or who do not speak English, can see at a glance which codes are satisfactory; and that OFT will publicise decisions to approve or reject codes.

  Consumer Legislation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the consumer legislation he intends to review. [93368]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government intend to mount a rolling programme to review all consumer protection legislation. This process began with the publication of a consultation document on weights and measures law on 22 July 1999.

  Street Lighting
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what increase or decrease in the amount of energy used per annum in providing street lighting nationally has occurred since(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d)1995. [93347]

  Mr. Battle
  Total electricity supplied for use in public lighting in the United Kingdom and the percentage changes in the quantity used are shown in the following table:

  Year

  Consumption GWh

  Percentage change

  1980

  2,252

  1980 to 1997: +19

  1985

  2,335

  1985 to 1997: +15

  1990

  2,588

  1990 to 1997: +4

  1995

  2,443

  1995 to 1997: +10

  1997

  2,679

  —

  Source:

  Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 1998

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much energy in kilowatts was consumed in the provision of street lighting in the past financial year in(a) built-up areas and (b) outside built-up areas. [93348]

  Mr. Battle
  In 1997 total electricity supplied for use in public lighting in the United Kingdom amounted to 2,679 GW hours. Figures are not available for built up areas separately.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what export licences his Department has issued for HMX explosives since September 1998; and how many applications are pending; [93425]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 26 May 1999, Official Report, column 200, what is the stated end use as indicated on Form A, part 1: Export Licence Application Section D7 of each of the licences, granted or pending, for the export of RDX to (a) China, and (b) the USA. [93317]

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will list the export licences granted for the export of armoured vehicles, spare parts, components and weapons to Singapore since 1988, where the end use destination was(a) Indonesia and (b) another country; [93509]

  (2) if he will list the export licences granted for the export of armoured vehicles, spare parts, components and weapons to Singapore and Malaysia since 1988; [93508]

  (3) if he will list the export licences granted for the export of armoured vehicles, spare parts, components or weapons to Sierra Leone since 1988; [93507]

  (4) if he will list the export licences granted for the export of armoured vehicles, spare parts, components or weapons to Malaysia since 1988, where the end use destination was for Indonesia. [93506]

  Dr. Howells
  I will write to the hon. Members as soon as possible, and place a copy of that Letter in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the countries visited by himself and his predecessors since 1 May 1997. [92803]

  Mr. Byers
  The countries visited are listed as follows:

  Australia

  Belgium

  China

  France

  Hong Kong SAR

  India

  Italy

  Japan

  Pakistan

  Russia

  Singapore

  South Africa

  Spain

  Switzerland

  USA.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to visit(a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Slovenia and (e) Estonia. [92689]

  Mr. Byers
  I recognise the importance of these countries and hope to visit them as soon as possible.

  Milk Marque
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the former MMC's conclusion that the reform of the milk selling system could not produce a competitive market for milk. [93331]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in his statement on 6 July 1999,Official Report, column 455-56 that reform of the milk sales system was essential if the raw milk market was to function as effectively and fairly as possible. Both Milk Marque and the processors have indicated that they are in favour of reform of the selling system. Both sides have a common interest in devising a system which enjoys the confidence of all.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of Milk Marque's application to extend its operations into processing. [93329]

  Dr. Howells
  The MMC concluded that Milk Marque's planned increase in its milk processing capacity may be expected to operate against the public interest, by enhancing its ability to exploit its monopoly power. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State concluded that, while Milk Marque remained a monopoly supplier of raw milk to the processing sector, it should not be allowed to extend its milk processing activities in this way. The Secretary of State therefore asked the Director General of Fair Trading to seek undertakings from Milk Marque that it would not take any further steps towards making or carrying out any agreement to acquire or build a processing plant without the prior agreement of the Director General, as the MMC recommended.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect of the Competition Act 1998 on his proposals for Milk Marque. [93249]

  Dr. Howells
  Milk Marque will be subject to the Competition Act 1998 when it comes fully into force on 1 March 2000. It will continue to be under an obligation to comply with any remedies resulting from the monopoly investigation into milk.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what period, following the rejection of the former MMC's recommendation that Milk Marque be broken up, the Government plans that the interim measures will apply. [93330]

  Dr. Howells
  The interim measures will apply until a satisfactory long term solution has been agreed to the adverse effects of the existing way milk is sold by Milk Marque.

  Oftel Inquiry Lines
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers he has to ensure that members of the public are able to reach Oftel on their inquiry lines. [93057]

  Mr. Wills
  As is the case for any organisation, public or private, it is for Oftel itself to ensure that it can be reached by members of the public. In recent months there has been a large increase in the number of consumers
  319
  telephoning Oftel with complaints and queries. Five additional staff were recruited in June and an action plan has been put in place to improve the service.

  Temporary Employment
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about conditions of employment for workers on temporary employment contracts; what measures he proposes to introduce to improve the legal rights for workers on temporary employment contracts; and if he will make a statement. [93200]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Department receives frequent correspondence from members of the public regarding different aspects of conditions of employment for temporary workers.

  The Employment Relations Bill, currently before Parliament, will abolish provisions which currently allow employees working under specified fixed term contracts to waive their right to claim unfair dismissal at the end of the term. The Government will implement the recently adopted European Directive on Fixed-Term Work, which will ensure decent conditions for most classes of temporary worker. The deadline for implementing this Directive is July 2001.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what improvements in conditions his Department has introduced for workers on temporary employment contracts since May 1997. [93199]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Temporary workers will benefit in the same way as those on indefinite contracts from the range of improved employment conditions we have introduced. The Working Time Regulations 1998 provide protection for workers from long working hours and the right to rest and paid leave; the qualifying period for general unfair dismissal claims has recently been reduced from two years to one; and the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, which took effect on 1 April, sets minimum wage rates for workers aged 18 or over. We are also consulting on updated regulations to protect the interests of those finding work through employment agencies. Proposals in the Employment Relations Bill, now in Parliament, will ensure that employees working under fixed term contracts cannot waive their right to claim unfair dismissal at the end of the term.

  CARAD Programme
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further extension he proposes to the CARAD programme. [93198]

  Mr. Battle
  The DTI Expenditure Plans Report (March 1999) confirmed CARAD funding for 1999–2000 at £20 million. A similar amount was also indicated for the following two years although the Secretary of State will continue to review the balance of funding across the whole range of DTI programmes.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of exports and imports in respect of defence and security equipment and services between the UK and Indonesia in each year since 320
  1995; and if he will classify such exports and imports under the headings of the International Trade statistics classification. [92232]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: Information on exports of military equipment during 1997 was included in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 25 March 1999. A survey of the relevant Tariff Codes was given in Appendix C of the Report. Information for 1998 will be included in the Government's next Annual Report which is currently being prepared.

  Figures for UK imports and exports of services prior to 1997 could only be provided at disproportionate cost, and the international trade classification does not cover services.

  Long-term Illness (Vale of Glamorgan)
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the percentage of the population experiencing limiting long-term illness in the Peterston Super Ely, Dinas Powys and Wemvoe Wards in the Vale of Glamorgan. [92791]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: This is a devolved matter for the Welsh Assembly.

  Power Stations (Blyth)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on National Power's plans to close its power stations at Blyth in Northumberland. [93247]

  Mr. Battle
  This is a matter for the company and the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of National Power's power stations at Blyth, on the continued need for new power lines running south through Yorkshire. [93246]

  Mr. Battle
  Development consents were granted for these lines in 1998 following exhaustive public inquiries and there is no statutory basis for now reviewing those consents. No reassessment of the situation has therefore been made by my Department.

  Power Lines (Vale of York)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many trees will be felled in the Vale of York in order to facilitate construction of the Lackenby to Shipton power lines; [93245]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the requirements placed on the National Grid Company to disclose information on the number of trees to be felled in order to construct pylons in the Vale of York. [93244]

  Mr. Battle
  There are a number of planning conditions which the National Grid Company has to fulfil before it can commence work on the Lackenby to Picton to Shipton overhead line. Implementation of these is a matter for discussion between the company and the local planning
  321
  authorities. In the event of disagreement it falls to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to determine if the company has complied with the particular condition.

  Mergers
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being considered to ensure that, under proposals to transfer decisions on mergers from Ministers to independent competition authorities, those responsible will be accountable to Parliament and the electorate. [93362]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry intends to publish a consultation document shortly to initiate a fundamental debate on the regulation of mergers, inviting views on all sides.

  Multi-fibre Agreement
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy on the Multi-fibre Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [93367]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government's policy is that, in accordance with the commitments that the Community entered into in the GATT Uruguay Round, quota restrictions maintained by members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on imports of textile and clothing products originating in other members of the WTO shall be phased out over a 10-year period ending on 31 December 2004.

  Internet Consumer Gateway
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies or organisations will be providing and updating the proposed Internet Consumer Gateway; and what is the estimated annual running cost. [93365]

  Dr. Howells
  The Consumer Gateway was launched at the same time as the "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" White Paper. It links sources of consumer advice and information, and as such the estimated running costs of maintaining and operating the current site are minimal. My officials will be updating and improving the Gateway, taking note of any feedback we receive from users.

  US Imports (Tariffs)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take into account tariffs on imports from the United States of America when determining the reasons for higher prices in the United Kingdom. [93364]

  Dr. Howells
  There are many reasons why prices differ between the UK and the USA, including tariffs on goods entering the UK. If the results of our research suggest that prices in the UK reflect anti-competitive behaviour, I shall refer the matter to the Director General of Fair Trading.

  EU Car Sales
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many motor cars were purchased from 322
  countries of the European Union other than the United Kingdom by citizens of the UK for their personal use in 1998. [92006]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Rover-BMW
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department first submitted the proposal for Government financing of Rover-BMW to the Competition Commissioner. [89970]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 6 July 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been(a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [91997]

  Mr. Byers
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Belize (Banking Regulations)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what occasions since 1993 his Department has received written or oral approaches from the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) on matters relating to banking regulations in Belize. [92073]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Expenditure (Leeds)
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the programmes funded directly by his Department, relating to social exclusion, regeneration, community development, employment or education, currently operating in(a) the City of Leeds and (b) the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency, listing for each programme the amount of such funding for each of the last three years and the amount planned to be spent in each of the next three financial years. [92910]

  Mr. Wills
  The information requested is not held by my Department centrally. The Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber (GOYH) has provided the following details. Information at a constituency level is not available.

  Funding for core services of the Business Link in Leeds and the Local Competitiveness Challenge amounted to:

  Year

  £

  1997–98

  947,810

  1998–99

  985,627

  1999–2000

  1,200,722

  323
  National budgets for 2000–01 will not be known until late 1999 and therefore negotiation for Business Link budgets will not begin before January-March 2000.

  Pump priming funding of £97,500 has been awarded to Business Link Leeds under the Information Society Initiative (ISI) programme for Business Local Support Centres, designed to encourage and support SMEs in the use of IT. BL Leeds has had a number of successful ERDF bids for projects to increase provision, cohesion and quality of service to the micro and small business and start up client groups, £445,575 has been awarded in the last three years.

  SMART awards totalling £448,337 were given to Leeds based companies between 1997 and the present and it is projected that at least the same amount will be awarded for 1999–02.

  There are 17 "IT for All" Centres in Leeds. IT for All is a DTI funded national programme designed to promote the wider use of IT among the general public.

  There is no direct funding by DTI to individual centres.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the results of the Business Link network's ComplY2K scheme offering computer millennium compliance tests to small businesses; and if he will make a statement. [92907]

  Mr. Wills
  ComplY2K is a risk assessment diagnostic tool offered by the National Computing Centre to enable businesses to address their millennium bug problems. It is one of a number of tools available for this task and some BLs are using it as part of their response to addressing Y2K issues with their client base. My Department has not made any specific assessment of the use of this particular package. However, Business Links continue to work closely with Action 2000 to ensure that they are providing appropriate Y2K support services. Action 2000 continue to monitor the national picture of the state of readiness of UK companies.

  ComplY2K and other tools like it, when applied to an individual company, deliver a report which identifies areas of high risk and offers an action plan for addressing them. Some Business Links have developed their own packages and all have some structured approach or toolkit to engage their client base. These have been offered along with the DfEE's highly successful Bug Buster training programme. Business Links will assist with some action areas identified by these tools, perhaps project manage the process, and signpost to local suppliers who can address other specific items identified in the report.

  Inward Investment (North-East)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate has been made of the value of inward investment projects into the area covered by the Government Office for the North-East in the last year for which figures are available. [93434]
  324
  Mr. Wills
  The figure given is based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of their decision to invest in the UK. It is based on the companies' best estimate, at the time, of the capital expenditure involved.

  There is no requirement to notify the Department of inward investments, so the figure includes only those projects where the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice.

  Estimated value of investment: £646,824,000.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs have been(a) created and (b) safeguarded by new inward investment projects in the area covered by the Government Office for the North East in the last year for which figures are available. [93433]

  Mr. Wills
  The figures given below are based on information provided by companies at the time of the announcement of their decision to invest in the UK. It is based on the companies' best estimate, at the time, of the capital expenditure involved.

  There is no requirement to notify the Department of inward investments, so the figure includes only those projects where the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau and its regional partners were involved or which have come to their notice.

  Year

  Number of projects

  Number of new jobs

  Number of safeguarded new jobs

  April 1998—March 1999

  35

  2,304

  6,953

  Genetically Modified Cotton
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure importers of cotton are able to determine whether cotton has been genetically modified. [93150]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Under the "gmo" Directive (Directive 90/220/EEC) and the "novel foods" Regulation (Regulation (EC) 258-97), genetically modified cotton plants may not be cultivated in the EU, and products derived from such plants that enter the human or animal food chains may not be imported into the EU.

  Raw cotton, cotton textiles and made-up cotton textiles derived from genetically modified cotton plants fall outside the scope of that legislation. In these circumstances it is for importers wishing to establish whether or not such products are derived from genetically modified cotton plants to do so in the course of their commercial dealings with the exporter.

  Civil Servants' Expenses
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a list of the travel and subsistence expenses rates payable to senior civil servants in his Department. [92857]
  325
  Mr. Byers
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Defence Export Credits
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will extend the commitment not to provide defence-related export credits to poor highly indebted countries to cover those(a) at risk of conflict and (b) engaged in post-conflict reconstruction. [93294]

  Mr. Wilson
  In 1997 the Chancellor announced a five-point plan to resolve the debt problems of poor countries and set them on a path to sustainable growth. This included an undertaking that export credits for poor, highly indebted countries would support only productive expenditure. This policy does not extend beyond the, so called, Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs).

  Spanish Spent Reactor Fuel
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the(a) outstanding contracts and (b) contracts under negotiation for the import of irradiated spent research reactor fuel from Spanish reactors. [93613]

  Mr. Battle
  I understand that BNFL have no contracts either outstanding or under negotiation for reprocessing Spanish research reactor fuel. On 5 June 1998,Official Report, column 385, I announced that UKAEA would not accept any new contracts for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel at Dounreay, so there are no contracts under negotiation with Spain or any other country. Nor does UKAEA have any outstanding contracts with Spain.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many public interest immunity certificates or equivalent documents have been provided by Ministers or officials in his Department since 3 May 1997; and at what level each such certificate or other document has been signed. [93532]

  Mr. Byers
  I will write to the right hon. and learned Member shortly and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Domestic Animal Skins
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) domestic dog and (b) domestic cat skins have been (i) imported to and (ii) exported from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years. [93618]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information requested is not available because the system of classification used to record trade does not separately identify domestic dog and cat skins.

  Textphones
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer on 20 July 1999,Official Report, column 470, concerning textphones, what assessment he has made of the signage and accessibility of the public textphone network. [93313]
  326
  Mr. Wills
  The signage and accessibility of BT public textphones is a matter for the company itself and Oftel. Many of the public textphones currently installed are at sites owned by organisations such as Railtrack or the British Airports Authority, who control signage.

  Generally, BT use a recognised, distinct, yellow and black textphone sign on public textphones themselves, which marks them out among a bank of conventional payphones. BT has also produced leaflets, available from the RNID and other interested bodies, giving public textphone locations.

  Multinationals
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the definition of a multinational corporation used by his Department. [92557]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Appointments
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many appointments to public bodies were made by his Department in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 by (i) gender and (ii) ethnicity; and if he will make a statement. [92564]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: I will write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  National Air Traffic Services Ltd.
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to proceed with the proposed public private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd.; and if he will make a statement. [93540]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Government issued a consultation paper in October 1998 outlining our preferred option for a public private partnership (PPP) for NATS as set out in our White Paper on the future of transport. We are grateful to those organisations and individuals who responded to our consultation. Their views have been taken into consideration as part of the policy development process for this PPP.

  NATS' operational strengths, and their safety record, are among the best in the world but they need a wider range of management skills, and access to capital, to meet the challenges of the future, in particular the ever-increasing rise in traffic. The Government want to build on NATS' strengths, bring in new management skills such as project management expertise, improve aviation safety, secure long-term investment of £1 billion over 10 years, including completion of Swanwick and the New Scottish Centre, and retain public accountability in a strategic industry.
  327
  We have a number of principal objectives for the PPP. These are:
  to maintain and build upon the excellent record of aviation safety in the UK, which was reflected in the Select Committee's recent report;
  to ensure that NATS has adequate funding for investment and to provide it with the commercial freedom to develop its business within a robust framework of economic regulation; and
  to maintain effective civil/military joint working of the national air traffic system for the benefit of all users and to accommodate national needs in crisis, war and emergency.

  The Government are also keen to ensure that best value is obtained for the taxpayer, that NATS' employees should have the opportunity to acquire an interest in the undertaking in which they are employed and to which they have contributed so much, and to preserve the pension rights of both existing and retired employees.

  The Government have concluded that NATS should be separated from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which will then become the independent, separate safety regulator of air traffic services. This separation will ensure that safety regulation and service provision are undertaken in separate organisations, as the Select Committee has recommended over many years. This will help to maintain and build on some of the most stringent safety standards in the world.

  We intend to effect this new and innovative PPP through the introduction of a strategic partner who will acquire a controlling interest in NATS. The company will then become a New Partnership Company, structured to create a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors and involve the employees, airlines, and other stakeholders in a new Stakeholder Council. Subject to legislation, the PPP could be put in place by the end of the year 2000. Full details of our conclusions thus far are contained in the Government's report on the response to the public consultation, a copy of which has today been placed in the Library of the House.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the controls on the marketing of genetically modified crops provided for in Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 are applied in the absence of a marketing consent issued thereunder. [85951]

  Mr. Meacher
  The commercial growing of genetically modified (GM) crops requires specific consents to be issued at the Community level under Directive 90/220/EEC. All member states have an input into this decision-making process. Once an approval has been issued, it may be used throughout the Community, provided any specific conditions on use, or on types of environment and geographical areas for release are complied with.

  The controls on the marketing of GM crops in the UK provided for in Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 would apply to a consent issued by another member state in the same way as they would to a consent issued by the UK Competent Authority.
  328
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the RSPB's recommendations on the plantation of genetically modified crops. [87937]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 1 July 1999]: My Department takes very seriously the concerns of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds regarding the commercial planing of genetically modified crops and has actively sought the advice and involvement of RSPB scientists to take forward recent initiatives to address biodiversity issues.

  The RSPB have raised the concern that herbicide tolerant crops will lead to a rise in the use of broad-spectrum herbicides on fields, and that this in turn could decrease biodiversity in the fields and reduce food available to birds. My Department is spending £3.3 million on the 'farm-scale evaluation' research programme to study the effect of the management of GM crops on the abundance and diversity of farmland wildlife. This research programme began earlier this year and will last at least until 2002. The research is being overseen by a scientific steering committee that will ensure the research is scientifically robust. A scientist from the RSPB is present on this committee.

  The RSPB have also raised the concern that the introduction of insect resistant crops could have an unacceptable impact on biodiversity. Again my Department takes these concerns very seriously. In October last year I announced that the industry had agreed not to introduce insect resistant GM crops into commercial agriculture in Britain for three years. Research is in place to ensure that risks posed by these crops to the environment are thoroughly investigated.

  The RSPB note the possibility of GM crops cross-pollinating with wild relatives. Each application for the release of genetically modified crop is supported by a risk assessment, which is evaluated by Government experts and independent scientists on the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). ACRE consider in detail the potential for each GM crop to cross-pollinate with wild relatives and a GM crop will be granted consent only if ACRE are satisfied that the risks presented are negligible.

  The RSPB hold a wider concern that the introduction of genetically modified crops could lead to landscape changes and/or changes in crop rotations. This potential wider impact of the commercial use of GM crops has been discussed in the recently published paper "The Commercial use of GM crops in the UK: the potential wider impact on farmland wildlife", published by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). Following publication of this report the remit of ACRE has been widened with the setting up of a sub-group to discuss and advise on the issues raised. This includes representatives of English Nature and the RSPB. The sub-group will review the risk assessment of GMOs to include a greater consideration of the wider biodiversity impacts which have been made possible via the revision of directive 90/220/EEC on the release to the environment of genetically modified organisms.

  We agree with concerns expressed about the wider impacts on wildlife of the large scale introduction of GM crops. Until GM crops are planted on a larger scale, it is

  329
  difficult to assess accurately all the effects which they may have on biodiversity. This process must be managed carefully. The Government have therefore reached agreement with the industry on a voluntary code of practice which will strictly limit the first farm-scale plantings and ensure that we are able to monitor any effects on the environment and, in particular, on populations of farmland wildlife and only if no damage has been found to the environment. Full-scale commercial planting will not take place until the results have been carefully assessed. If these results show that particular genetically modified crops harm the environment, we have the powers to withdraw their approvals for commercial planting and we will use them.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 367, (1) if he will ensure that no further consents are issued which allow the products of a genetically modified crop trial to enter the food chain; and if he will take steps to establish the fate of the products of genetically modified crop trials where consents were given for them to enter the food chain; [91251]

  (2) which company or companies were given consents to use the products of genetically modified crop trials as animal feed in (a) August 1994 and March 1997 in respect of genetically modified oil seed rape and (b) April 1996 in respect of genetically modified maize; what were the locations of these trials; and what information concerning these trials and the consents given to use their products as animal feed was made available to hon. Members and the public, prior to the crops being grown. [91252]

  Mr. Meacher
  No genetically modified (GM) crops are currently being grown for food, feed or processing in the United Kingdom. Any future applications for material of a GM Crop trial to be used as food or feed would be subject to a scientific assessment of risk carried out on a case-by-case basis.

  The two consents in respect of GM oil seed rape mentioned in my earlier reply had approval for the meal from the trial crop to be used as feed, but the material was not in fact used in this way and did not therefore enter the feed chain. Both consents were issued to Plant Genetic Systems NV and the trials took place at NIAB, Cambridge in 1994–95 and at Inkwell, Bedfordshire in 1997–98.

  The GM maize referred to in my earlier answer has Europe-wide approval under Part C of Council Directive 90/220/EEC for agricultural use leading to animal consumption. The consent for the trial was issued to Sharpes International Seeds Ltd. covering six sites: Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire; NIAB, Cambridgeshire, Dartington, Devon; CWS/Gainseed, Cheshire; NIAB, Winchester, Hampshire; and Great Dunmow, Essex. Of these, only material from the site in Cheshire was ensiled to use as animal feed.

  All information on releases of GM crops, apart from that considered commercially confidential as set out in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 5 May 1999, Official Report, column 390, is available to the public on request.
  330

  Roadworks Management
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to consult on proposals to improve roadworks management standards. [91498]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In last year's Integrated Transport White Paper a commitment was made to consult on options for an incentive system, with penalties, to minimise disruption to road users, and to encourage improved co-ordination of street works. This commitment was re-affirmed by the then Minister for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), during the debate on roads policy on 18 March 1999,Official Report, column 1333, and the Government will be going to consultation soon.

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [91684]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 22 July 1999,Official Report, column 636.

  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.

  In May 1998, my Department relaunched its policy appraisal for equal treatment initiative. We are continuing to make use of consultations, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women.

  In parallel, we are developing a gender audit checklist to help transport operators and planners better understand and meet women's public transport requirements. The checklist is currently being finalised. Similarly, in housing, the Department (in association with the Women's Unit and the Department of Health) have commissioned a comprehensive package of research on 'Accommodation and Support for Households Experiencing Domestic Violence'. This study will examine a range of women's experiences of the accommodation and support provided in response to their needs, including those women who are assisted under the homeless legislation.

  River Thames (Commuters and Freight)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the more effective use of the River Thames for commuters and freight. [92474]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are committed to realising the potential of the River Thames as a transport artery. Our Thames 2000 initiative aims to revitalise passenger transport on the River through a programme of new piers and services and the establishment of London River Services Ltd. as the River arm of London Transport. We are also looking to maintain
  331
  and increase use of the River for transporting freight, including through planning policies and the award of freight facilities grants.

  In connection with these and other initiatives, my Department is in regular contact with a wide range of people and organisations who wish to see fuller use of the Thames for passenger and freight transport.

  Hastings
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the Access to Hastings Study announced by his Department in July 1998; what the terms of reference are for(a) the study and (b) the steering group for the study; if the proposed steering group will have an agreed constitution or rules of operation; if the steering group will have autonomy in controlling the study, and what reserve powers his Department will have; if his Department will have a power of veto over the steering group's decisions; and what timetable is envisaged for completion of the report and his Department's decision upon it. [92294]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Progress is being made on the "Access to Hastings Multi Modal Study". There have now been two Steering Group meetings and there will be a third meeting in August.

  Draft terms of reference for the Study have not yet been formally agreed, the main aims of the terms of reference are to develop a sustainable and integrated strategy for the Hastings area to promote competitiveness and the achievement of regeneration objectives. The Study should recommend a plan and measures to address problems associated with the A21 and the A259 trunk roads. A multi modal approach will inform all stages of the Study to provide a strategy promoting a safe, efficient, accessible and sustainable transport system and to protect both the built and natural environment.

  The Steering Group will operate in a manner that is consistent with the multi modal studies methodology. The Steering Group owns the multi modal Study and will steer and oversee the development, progress and satisfactory completion of the Access to Hastings Study. The Steering group will advise on consultants' recommendations which, subject to views of SERPLAN, will then be submitted to Ministers. We anticipate that the Study will be let to consultants in the Autumn of this year and will take 12-15 months to complete.

  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what legal obstacles there are to visits by himself or his ministerial colleagues to Hastings to examine the adequacy of its roads infrastructure; [92293]

  (2) if he or one of his ministerial colleagues responsible for roads will visit Hastings to examine the adequacy of its road infrastructure. [92292]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Pending the taking of final statutory decisions on the three A259 schemes near Hastings, that were the subject of the 1995–96 public inquiry, Ministers have to maintain a position of impartiality. In the circumstances it would not be appropriate for myself or any ministerial colleagues to visit Hastings.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 June 1999,Official Report, column 440, on what dates special advisers from his Department travelled to the United States of America on official business; and how many meetings each special adviser held with members and officials of the United States Government during each visit to the United States of America, indicating (a) the date and location of each meeting, (b) the names of the special advisers and members and officials of the United States Government at each meeting and (c) the name of the United States departments to which they belong. [92252]

  Mr. Prescott
  Special advisers accompanied Ministers to the USA on official business on four occasions between 2 May 1997 and 31 March 1999. All Ministerial travel was accounted for in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Stalybridge and Hyde (Mr. Pendry) on 17 June 1999,Official Report, columns 196-97.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Heseltine
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total cash value of council house sales has been since the date of the enactment of the Housing Act 1980. [92920]

  Ms Armstrong
  Between April 1980 and December 1998, total capital receipts to local authorities in England arising from the sale of council homes for owner-occupation were estimated at £24.0 billion. The majority of the 1.560 million sales in this period were under the Right-to-Buy provisions of the Housing Act 1980, which came into effect in October 1980.

  In the same period, it is estimated that local authorities had capital receipts of some £3 billion from over 310,000 other dwellings sales and transfers, including Large Scale Voluntary Transfers of housing stock, principally to Registered Social Landlords.

  Croydon Tramlink
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed fare structure for Croydon Tramlink; and what is the proposed fare for a single journey from New Addington to Croydon Town Centre. [93185]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is a matter for London Transport and Tramtrack Croydon Ltd. I understand that the fare structure for Croydon Tramlink has not yet been decided.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the passenger projections for Croydon Tramlink for the years 2000–02. [93184]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is a commercial matter for Tramtrack Croydon Ltd., the private sector consortium which holds the concession to build, operate and maintain Croydon Tramlink.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, in respect of processes regulated under the Integrated Pollution Control Regulations, the number of(a) substantial air pollution incidents, (b) prosecutions resulting from air pollution incidents, (c) prohibition notices and (d) enforcement notices issued to prevent the risk of air pollution incidents in each Environment Agency region in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) 1997–98. [92922]

  Mr. Meale
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter, together with any attachments, in the Library.

  Transport Initiative Bids
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bids were received for each transport initiative launched since 1 May 1997 under which specific grants were allocated; and if he will list for each initiative, by financial year, those applications which were(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful, giving in each case the amount applied for and the amount allocated. [93147]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The information is not available in the form requested. The table gives details, where available, of numbers of applications for specific grants and the grant allocation for successful bids in the year in question.

  Transport grant

  Freight grants1

  Rural transport partnership fund2

  Rural bus subsidy grant

  Rural bus challenge

  1997–98

  Applications received

  19

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Successful:

  Number

  19

  —

  —

  —

  Allocation (£ million)

  15

  —

  —

  —

  Unsuccessful:

  Number

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Allocation (£ million)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998–99

  Applications received

  34

  23

  3—

  214

  Successful:

  Number

  34

  23

  —

  46

  Allocation (£ million)

  21

  3

  33

  11

  Unsuccessful:

  Number

  0

  0

  —

  168

  Allocation (£ million)

  —

  —

  —

  27

  1999–2000

  Applications received

  5

  14

  3—

  4—

  successful:

  Number

  5

  14

  —

  —

  Allocation (£ million)

  5

  2

  33

  —

  Unsuccessful:

  Number

  0

  0

  —

  —

  Allocation (£ million)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Freight grants scheme commenced prior to May 1997, but has since been relaunched. Expenditure figures represent estimated scheme costs relating to grant approvals in the years in question

  2 Administered by the Countryside Agency on DETR's behalf. Allocations shown cover costs over three years

  3 Grant allocation determined on basis of rural population in 73 local authority areas

  4 No data shown for 1999–2000 as closing date for 1999 applications is 1 October 1999. Figure of £27 million for unsuccessful bids represents total sum applied for.

  DVLA
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what circumstances DVLA release information concerning the ownership of vehicles to persons other than those with specific authorisation in law. [93077]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: DVLA records vehicle keeper information, not vehicle ownership. The Secretary of State has powers, which are delegated to DVLA, to disclose vehicle keeper information to the police, local authorities, and to anyone who can demonstrate "reasonable cause". The term is not defined in law and each request is considered on merit.

  Most requests originate from insurance companies to investigate claims or, for example, to trace a driver who has failed to stop following an accident.

  Memorials
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has held with the Confederation of Burial Authorities concerning the future of memorials; and if he will make a statement. [93270]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 26 May 1999,Official Report, column 171.

  Government Office for the North East
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff are currently employed by the Government Office for the North East. [93436]

  Mr. Meale
  Government Office for the North East (GO-NE) has a complement of 257 staff in the current year. As at 1 July 1999, there are 250.7 staff in post employed by GO-NE.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the administrative costs of the Government Office for the North East in 1998–99. [93435]

  Mr. Meale
  The Administrative Costs of the Government Office for the North East in 1998–99 were £8.651 million.

  New Deal (Injuries)
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many injuries to participants on the New Deal programme have been reported to the HSE, broken down by categories, under the reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. [93440]

  Mr. Meale
  The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 do not require employers to differentiate between participants on the New Deal programme and other employees when making a report to the HSE under these regulations. The information is therefore not available.

  Motorway Noise
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to assist residents who suffer from excessive noise from motorways; and if he will make a statement. [93277]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the responsibility for the measuring and monitoring of noise levels at properties where motorways have been built. [93203]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There is no requirement for noise levels to be monitored after a road has been built. But within six months of the final offers of noise insulation under the legislation applying to new or substantially altered roads, residents living within 300 metres of such a road who had not been offered insulation have an opportunity to appeal for the assessment to be reviewed. In such cases, it is not general practice to undertake noise measurements, but to calculate the statistical level of noise required by the Regulations from the flow of traffic and other relevant factors.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has carried out to identify high and unreasonable noise levels in properties where motorways were built before 1988; and if he will make a statement. [93276]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Following our announcement on 22 March 1999,Official Report, columns 50-51, of a ring-fenced budget for the Highways Agency to undertake noise mitigation measures in the most serious and pressing cases on existing roads, a large number of locations where concern has been expressed about noise have been assessed against the stated criteria. Detailed studies are now required to determine the feasibility of providing measures at locations meeting the criteria where there are no plans to provide a quieter road surface as part of routine maintenance operations.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to assist people living near motorways on which there has been a significant increase in the volume of traffic above that forecast when the motorway was built. [93207]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government announced its proposals for dealing with the problem of noise arising from those roads for which the Secretary of State has responsibility, which include the majority of motorways, in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England". We announced the annual budget which was being ring-fenced for the provision of noise mitigation measures on 22 March 1999,Official Report, columns 50-51, together with the criteria which would target the most serious and pressing cases, including locations affected by unexpectedly high levels of traffic growth.

  Genetically Modified Seeds
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what measures are in place to prevent the escape into the environment of GM seeds while in transit; [93148]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the environmental impact resulting from the escape into the environment while in transit of GM seeds. [93177]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Health and Safety Executive, Basingstoke
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons improvement and prohibition notices or other material has been placed in the public viewing room of the HSE offices in Basingstoke since 1993. [93274]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the requirements of the Environment and Safety Information Act 1988 HSE maintains at its field offices, including the one at Basingstoke, public registers of information on improvement and prohibition notices having public safety or environmental implications. These registers have been kept since 1 April 1989 and notices remain on the public register for at least three years. Information on other notices is available on request.

  HSE offices also keep public registers of hazardous sites such as sites licensed under the Explosives Act 1875 or those subject to the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1984, the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987, the Fire Certificate Special Premises Regulations 1976.

  Public access to other information held by HSE is made on request under the requirements of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information" or the Environmental Information Regulations 1992.

  EU Landfill Directive
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made on implementing the EU Landfill Directive; and when he plans to inform the waste industry of the terms of the legislation to implement the Directive. [93619]

  Mr. Meale
  The EC Landfill Directive entered into force on 16 July 1999, and member states have two years to introduce the provisions necessary to comply with the Directive.

  Work on implementation is progressing well; a consultation paper on the formal mechanisms for implementing the biodegradable municipal waste targets in Article 5 of the Directive will be published later in the summer, with the results being reflected in the final version of the Waste Strategy. The Government's proposals for implementing the other requirements of the Directive will be the subject of further consultations early next year.
  337
  Final decisions relating to the legislation required to implement the Directive will be made in light of these consultation exercises.

  Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the fourth consultation paper on the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations will be issued. [93620]

  Mr. Meale
  We expect to issue this consultation paper during the week beginning 9 August with a deadline for comment of 8 October.

  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations will come into force; and what period industry will have to prepare for the new regime. [93621]

  Mr. Meale
  The regulations are needed to transpose Directive 96/61 on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, which must be achieved by 31 October. Industry has been extensively consulted already and existing plant will have up to eight years before it is brought within the new regime.

  Injurious Substances Regulations
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Environment Protection (Destruction of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Injurious Substances) Regulations will be published. [93638]

  Mr. Meale
  We are about to consult the Injurious or Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee, set up under section 140 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. When we have received and considered the advice of that committee, we shall publish the necessary notice in the London Gazette under section 140(6) of that Act, and make the regulations publicly available.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy not to grant approval for any GM plant under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 as amended, where such plants contain antibiotic marker genes. [93208]

  Mr. Meacher
  Any application to release a genetically modified (GM) plant containing an antibiotic marker gene would be subject to a scientific assessment of risk carried out case-by-case on the basis of an environmental risk assessment. No consent would be given if the antibiotic marker gene in question would be harmful to human health or the environment.

  The UK was instrumental in ensuring that the political agreement reached at the June Environment Council provided for the identification and phasing out of antibiotic marker genes which are harmful to human health and the environment.

  National Countryside Access Forum
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list 338
  those who attended the first meeting of the National Countryside Access Forum; and what arrangements are being made for industry and the trade unions to be represented in the forum. [93297]

  Mr. Meacher
  The National Countryside Access Forum has been established, at the Government's request, by the Countryside Agency. Those attending the first meeting on 21 July, as members of the Forum, were:

  Professor Ian Mercer, Secretary General of the Association of National Park Authorities;

  Mr. Hywel Davies, Chief Executive of the British Horse Society;

  Mr. Iain McMorrin, Chair of the Access and Conservation Committee of the British Mountaineering Council;

  Ms Kate Parminter, Director of the Council for the Protection of Rural England;

  Sir Edward Greenwell, Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of the Country Landowners' Association;

  Ms Pam Ashton, Chair of Campaigns and Policy Committee of the Cyclists Touring Club;

  Mr. Peter Davidson, of Hertfordshire County Council representing the Local Government Association;

  Air Commodore Simon Bostock, Moorland Association;

  Mr. Tim Bennett, Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union;

  Mr. Jo Burgon, Coast and Countryside Adviser for the National Trust;

  Mr. Jerry Pearlman, Honorary Solicitor for the Ramblers' Association;

  Mr. Gwyn Williams, Head of Species and Habitat Policy for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds;

  Ms Pamela Warhurst, Deputy Chair of the Countryside Agency, chaired the meeting.

  Business and trade union interests will be represented on the Forum by independent members who will be appointed by the Countryside Agency in August.

  M4 Bus Lane
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency plans exist under which the M4 bus lane restriction may be lifted in the event of an accident causing a blockage to one or both of the other lanes of the eastbound carriageway. [93588]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The design of the M4 bus lane included the formulation of contingency plans for dealing with accidents and incidents on the section of motorway including the bus lane. These were agreed with and are operated by the police. The police opened the bus lane to all vehicles for a short time on the morning of 23 July, following an accident that closed the two other lanes.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the extra expenditure for London Underground in 2000. [93539]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The additional resources announced on 15 July 1999,Official Report, columns 600-11, for London Transport in 2000–01 will mean that investment in the core Underground network should be in excess of £500 million, including investment under the PFI. London Transport announced

  339
  details of this investment programme that the additional resources would help deliver on 22 July. I am arranging for London Transport's detailed breakdown to be placed in the Library of the House. This investment will lead to improvements across the network.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the membership of the task force set up to monitor improvements to London Underground; when it will first meet and how often; how long it has been established; what penalties the task force will be able to impose for performance failures by London Transport; and if he will publish the terms of reference for the task force. [93541]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As already announced the task force will be led by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and its terms of reference are to monitor improvements to London Underground. Its membership will include representation from DETR, the Government Office for London, the Treasury, and London Transport. The first meeting will take place later in the summer, and the task force will meet regularly thereafter.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish details of the planned maintenance programme for London Underground per line over the next 12 months and details of line closures over the next 12 months. [93536]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Details of the planned Underground maintenance programme are a matter for London Underground.

  For details of the temporary line closures London Underground are planning over the next 12 months, I refer to my reply of 2 July 1999, Official Report, column 291, to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood).

  Aviation
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the daughter document on aviation. [93537]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In last year's integrated transport White Paper (Cm 3950) we announced that we would prepare a White Paper on UK airports policy, and that we would commission a series of preparatory studies in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the North of England, the Midlands and South West England. The then Minister of Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), announced on 11 March 1999,Official Report, columns 360-61, a wide-ranging study of airport issues in the South East and East of England. He stated that we expect the studies to take around two years, and that the Government envisages that the results will be incorporated in the airports White Paper. We intend to make a further announcement about this in due course.

  London Air Traffic Control Centre
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish overload statistics for LATCC for each of the last 36 months. [93538]
  340
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The details as recorded by the Civil Aviation Authorities Safety Regulation Group are:

  Date

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  January

  —

  0

  4

  1

  February

  —

  1

  3

  5

  March

  —

  0

  8

  4

  April

  —

  0

  3

  3

  May

  —

  3

  5

  8

  June

  —

  3

  2

  5

  July

  1

  1

  9

  18

  August

  3

  1

  3

  —

  September

  0

  3

  8

  —

  October

  2

  2

  6

  —

  November

  2

  0

  3

  —

  December

  2

  0

  2

  —

  1 To 25 June

  Overload reports record that more aircraft, in the controller's subjective opinion, are entering a sector than expected. There is rarely a loss of separation between aircraft during a reported overload, with only four occasions where a loss of separation was associated with an overload event since 1996.

  Despite a reduction in the number of airproxes recorded in 1998, there was a noticeable increase in the number of overloads reported by controllers at London Air Traffic Control Centre. This was partly due to management encouraging staff to report such incidents so remedial action can be taken. All reports of overload incidents are investigated thoroughly by the Civil Aviation Authority and, wherever possible, action is taken to ensure that the lessons learned are implemented.

  VDU Users (Eye Tests)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's estimate of the total number of employees that are entitled to an eye test provided by their employer under the Health and Safety (Display Screens Equipment) Regulations 1992. [93311]

  Mr. Meale
  A survey was conducted in 1995 on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive to evaluate the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. The researchers estimated that about 5.5 million employees in Great Britain were entitled under the Regulations to an eye and eyesight test, to be provided by their employer at the employee's request.

  Government Offices Transfers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) to what extent changes in costs of mileage allowances arising from the transfer of Government offices are treated as a factor in the taking of decisions on such transfers; [93230]

  (2) what powers he has to ensure full evaluations take place of the cost implications of the movement of offices by the North West Regional Development Agency. [93231]

  Mr. Meale
  Under the terms of their Financial Memorandum the Regional Development Agencies are responsible for decisions about their location.
  341
  They are required to carry out a full evaluation of the costs and benefits of any material changes in their accommodation requirements. That evaluation should take account of any significant effect on mileage allowances paid to staff alongside other factors.

  North West Regional Development Agency
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the experience and qualifications of Dr. Joan Firth are to carry out the role of independent assessor in the appointment of the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency. [93232]

  Mr. Meale
  Dr. Joan Firth, a former Grade 3, Deputy Director of Finance, in the Department of Health, was acting chair of Bradford NHS Trust at the time she acted as independent assessor in the appointment of the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency. She had had recent experience of appointing NHS Board Members in the North East.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if officers of the North West Regional Development Agency have discussed with board member the merit of projects and bids supported by that Agency where a board member has had what subsequently turned out to be a conflict of interest. [93446]

  Mr. Meale
  There is no record of any such discussions taking place.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many premises are owned by the North West Regional Development Agency on the Lakeland Business Park at Cockermouth; what is the total rent received per annum; and what is the total square footage. [93224]

  Mr. Meale
  There are seven premises (blocks) which are sub-divided into units and let to the list of tenants which is given in another answer to my hon. Friend today at columns 342-44.

  Area (sq. ft.)

  Rent (principal) (£)

  Block 1

  5,135

  NWDA

  Block 2

  4,459

  20,025

  Block 3

  5,630

  22,750

  Block 4

  4,816

  19,521

  Block 5

  4,769

  20,111

  Block 6

  4,885

  9,616

  Block 7

  7,946

  51,451

  Total

  37,640

  143,474

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, in the consideration of business by the North West Regional Development Agency, members of the board decided for themselves whether a conflict of interest exists. [93444]

  Mr. Meale
  In accordance with the North West Development Regional Agency Standing Orders, Board Members determine if they have an interest in any particular matter and declare it accordingly.
  342
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the North West Regional Development Agency is supporting commercial developments in the North West of England which are in any way linked to the business interests of members of the North West Development Agency; and what is the value in pounds sterling of the support being provided in each case. [93442]

  Mr. Meale
  The North West Regional Development Agency inherited from English Partnerships a project under which Westmorland Motorway Services Limited are receiving a grant of £947,920 towards the Hills of the North Project.

  Mr. John Dunning is the member with business interest linked to this project.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, in the consideration of the SRB bids, any members of the board of the North West Regional Development Agency were required or offered to stand aside on the basis of conflict of interest. [93443]

  Mr. Meale
  When the North West Regional Development Board was discussing the proposed SRB bids, Members with an interest in any particular bid left the meeting prior to it being discussed. Each Board meeting agenda contains a reminder to this effect.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the register of interests applicable in the case of the North West Regional Development Agency. [93228]

  Mr. Meale
  The Register of Members Interests is available for inspection at the Headquarters in Warrington and will be published in the North West Regional Development Agency's Annual Report.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many visits overseas have been made by officers of the North West Regional Development Agency since the establishment of the Agency; to which countries; and at what cost to the taxpayer. [93227]

  Mr. Meale
  Since 1 April 1999 there have been 10 overseas visits made by officers of the North West Regional Development Agency. The countries visited were: Belgium, Japan, Ireland, Austria, Germany, France, U.S.A. The cost of these visits totals £4,381.50.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will permit access by hon. Members to the data held by the Government Office of the North-West relating to nomination to the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency; [93229]

  (2) if he will list the persons Dr. Joan Firth interviewed for possible appointment to the Board of the North West Regional Development Agency. [93233]

  Mr. Meale
  Details of the appointees to the North West Regional Development Agency were made public in the press notice at the time of their appointment, in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments', in line with the Office for the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidelines. However, under exemption 8b (Public Employments,
  343
  Public Appointments and Honours) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, details of the other candidates cannot be released for reasons of confidentiality. This also applies to the details of those nominated by outside bodies.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many visits overseas have been made by board members of the North West Regional Development Agency since the establishment of the Agency; to which countries; and at what cost to the taxpayer. [93226]

  Mr. Meale
  The Chairman of the Board has made two overseas visits. They were to Japan (cost £3,573) and Brussels (£639).

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what dates since the appointment of officers to the Shadow North West Regional Development Agency and since the formal establishment of the North West Regional Development Agency, officers of the Agency have met members of Cumbria Tourist Board. [93445]

  Mr. Meale
  Since the North West Regional Development Agency was established in December 1998 there have been no formal meetings between officers of the Agency and members of the Cumbria Tourist Board in their capacity as members of the Board.

  English Partnerships, Cockermouth
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what special circumstances arose in the case of the English Partnerships offices in Cockermouth which distinguish them from other offices in the department where valuations have been published in the last 10 years. [93234]

  Mr. Meale
  The North West Regional Development Agency, in keeping with its predecessor English Partnerships, does not publish valuations of individual properties. This information is commercial in confidence.

  Lakeland Business Park
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the tenants of all premises on the Lakeland Business Park at Cockermouth. [93225]

  Mr. Meale
  Tenants of the premises on the Lakeland Business Park at Cockermouth are:

  North West Regional Development Agency

  Cumbria Inward Investment Agency

  NFU Mutual Insurance Society Ltd.

  CH Jeffries (Risk Management) Ltd.

  North East Foster Care Associates Ltd.

  Cumbria Training and Enterprise Council Ltd.

  R. Day and G. Cummins (T/A Day Cummins)

  L. Canfield (T/A One 2 One Beauty Salon)

  GUS Home Shopping Ltd.

  United Friendly Insurance plc

  Countryside Alliance

  Cumbria Tourist Board (T/A WC Tourist Information)

  344

  White Young Green Consulting Ltd.

  Barker Shepley Ltd.

  Servicegain Ltd.

  North Cumbria Health Authority

  Tarmac Construction Ltd. (T/A Crown House)

  Alan Nichol (T/A Alan Nichol Agencies)

  Rannerdale Ltd.

  Kinlock Engineering Ltd.

  Sales Direct Ltd.

  Tagga Ltd.

  G. Beattie (T/A Alpha Design Arch. Services).

  Shipping
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on which occasions since 1993 his Department has received written or oral approaches from the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) on matters relating to shipping since 1993. [93241]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) tabled one written Parliamentary Question on shipping, in September 1993.

  Motorway Services
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking in response to complaints about prices and standards of service at motorway service areas. [93360]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 13 July 1999,Official Report, column 127.

  Belmont Stables, Mill Hill
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Inspector completed his report into Belmont Stables, Mill Hill; and when he expects to announce his decision. [93223]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Secretary of State received the Inspector's report in June and expects to announce his decision shortly.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for Scottish representation on the proposed strategic rail authority. [91624]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A Scottish representative will be appointed as member of the Strategic Rail Authority.

  Thames Water
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to prevent Thames Water from requiring domestic water customers who have received planning permission for home extensions since 1990 to have a water meter; and if he will make a statement. [93544]
  345
  Mr. Meale
  I understand that, in response to pressure, Thames Water have today announced a change of policy on this issue. They will no longer impose meters in these circumstances.

  Street Lighting
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of the budget of the Energy, Environment and Waste Directorate is allocated specifically to the promotion of energy-efficient street lighting on main trunk roads and motorways. [93359]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Energy, Environment and Waste Directorate funds a number of programmes aimed at improving energy efficiency, including the efficiency of lighting. In particular the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme has supported a research and development project aimed at developing new energy control equipment for street lighting.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much has been spent by local authorities on the maintenance of existing street lighting outside built-up areas in the past financial year; [93349]

  (2) how much has been spent by local authorities on the maintenance of existing street lighting in built-up areas in the past financial year; [93350]

  (3) how much has been spent by local authorities in providing new and additional street lighting outside built-up areas in the past financial year; [93353]

  (4) What statistics his Department collects on the (a) installation and (b) maintenance of street lighting carried out by local authorities each year. [93343]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what were the values of the contracts awarded to each manufacturer who has supplied street lighting equipment to his Department and local authorities in the past financial year; [93344]

  (2) if he will list the manufacturers who have supplied street lighting equipment to his Department and local authorities in the past financial year. [93345]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highways Agency, the executive agency responsible for trunk roads in England, does not award contracts directly to manufacturers of lighting equipment.

  On new schemes, street lighting is installed by sub contracts working to a main contractor.

  On existing roads, street lighting is installed and maintained by our managing agents. We do not keep, centrally, records of their expenditure.

  Information on local authorities contracts is not kept centrally.
  346
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much his Department has spent on the new and additional street lighting outside built-up areas in the past financial year; [93354]

  (2) how much his Department has spent on the maintenance of existing street lighting outside built-up areas in the past financial year; [93351]

  (3) how much his Department has spent on the maintenance of existing street lighting in built-up areas in the past financial year; [93352]

  (4) how much his Department has spent on new and additional lighting of motorways outside built-up areas in the past financial year. [93355]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list Government initiatives currently underway to correct existing poorly designed and installed street lighting in rural and urban streets. [93356]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highways Agency are to issue advice on the renovation of street lighting schemes and although written for trunk roads and motorways it will be equally applicable to local authority roads. Some central Government funding is available to local authorities, for new street lighting schemes under the Private Finance Initiative. Where local authorities apply for this funding, proposals should be appraised in line with the Department's "New Approach to Appraisal" to ensure that the benefits and costs (including the environmental and safety benefits) are presented in a consistent way.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to promote the use of energy-efficient street lighting to local authorities. [93346]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department funds a number of programmes aimed at improving energy efficiency, including the efficiency of lighting. In particular the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme has supported a research and development project aimed at developing new energy efficient control equipment for street lighting. Some central Government funding is also available, to local authorities, for new street lighting schemes under the Private Finance Initiative. Where local authorities apply for this funding, proposals should be appraised in line with the Department's "New Approach to Appraisal" to ensure that the benefits and costs (including running costs) are presented in a consistent way.

  Lighting Guidelines
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evidence he has that local planning authorities, lighting professionals and members of the public follow the guidelines published in 1997 by his Department and the Countryside Commission in the report, Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice. [93357]
  347
  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department has not undertaken specific research on this subject. The Department receives correspondence on the general issue of the effects of lighting but is not aware of concerns that the guidance is not being followed.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the report Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice, jointly published by his Department and the Countryside Commission in 1997, is made accessible to local authorities, professionals and members of the general public. [93358]

  Mr. Raynsford
  On publication, copies were sent to a wide range of bodies, including local planning authorities in England, relevant local authority organisations and other professional bodies including RICS and the RTPI. Local authorities may make copies available to people in their area. The report continues to be available for purchase from the Stationery Office.

  Non-UK Driving Licences
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the rules and restrictions governing the use of non-UK driving licences in the United Kingdom. [93338]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Licences issued by members of the European Economic Area (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), other than those restricted to use within the member state issuing them, are subject to indefinite mutual recognition. The holder may use such a licence in the UK subject to the driving licence regulations but otherwise without restriction. There is no requirement to exchange the licence, except where there is a material change in entitlement.

  Licences to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (cars and small vans) issued by the countries or territories which have been designated by order for recognition may be used for up to one year. After that the holder must exchange the licence for a British equivalent in order to continue driving. Countries designated for this purpose are: Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Japan, Jersey, Kenya, Malta, New Zealand, Singapore, Republic of South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe.

  Holders of licences to drive larger vehicles from designated countries may only use such licences to drive vehicles which have been temporarily imported, but they must pass a British driving test for the category of licence if they wish to drive such vehicles permanently in the UK. This restriction on the driving of larger vehicles (whether lorry or passenger carrying) also applies to licences issued by non-designated countries.

  Licences to drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes issued by non-designated countries may be used in the UK for up to one year continuously. The holder of such a licence who has been driving in the UK continuously for one year must obtain a British licence by taking a driving test in order to continue driving beyond that period.

  Urban Task Force
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce his decisions on implementing the recommendations contained in the Urban Task Force report; and if he will make a statement. [93300]

  Mr. Meale
  The Urban Task Force's recommendations, set out in its report "Towards an Urban Renaissance", published on 29 June 1999, are currently being considered by Government. The Urban White Paper will provide the main vehicle for the Government's response.

  It may be appropriate to address some individual recommendations on a different timescale. On 30 June 1999, Liverpool Vision was launched as a pilot for the Task Force's recommendation on the creation of Urban Regeneration Companies. East Manchester have been invited to submit a proposal to be a further pilot for the recommendation.

  Capital Receipts (Property)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of capital receipts have been spent on(a) building new properties and (b) renovating existing properties since the capital receipts initiative was introduced. [93299]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The latest information is for 1997–98 and in that year local authorities spent 7.2 per cent. of their allocation of the Capital Receipts Initiative on building new dwellings and 92.1 per cent. on renovating or repairing existing dwellings. The small balance of expenditure was spent on non-housing items.

  Urban and Rural White Papers
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish White Papers on urban and rural policy; and if he will make a statement. [93306]

  Mr. Meale
  My right hon. Friend will publish the Urban and Rural White Papers when work has been completed. We expect this will be within the next 12 months.

  Housing Policy
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Green Paper on housing policy announced in the last Budget; and if he will make a statement. [93307]

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Green Paper on Housing Policy; and if he will make a statement. [93546]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We intend to publish a Housing Policy Green Paper later this year. The Green Paper will set out our policy options for delivering our objectives in housing to ensure that everyone is offered the opportunity of a decent home and to promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses he has received to the consultation paper, "Licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation-England";
  349
  when he expects to announce his decisions on the proposed new licensing scheme; whether those decisions will be included in the Green Paper on housing policy; when he plans to consult on the standards applicable to the licensing scheme; and if he will make a statement. [93305]

  Mr. Raynsford
  475 consultation responses have been received to date. We are carefully analysing them and will announce our conclusions as soon as we are able to do so. The Government are currently considering the issues which should be included for consultation in the Green Paper. I cannot yet say when we will be in a position to consult on HMO standards.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent from the Single Regeneration Budget on(a) building new social housing, (b) renovating existing social housing and (c) private sector renovation schemes; and how much matching funding from other sources has been put into SRB schemes to be spent on (i) building new social housing, (ii) renovating existing social housing and (iii) private sector renovation schemes in each Regional Development Agency area for each year since the SRB was introduced. [93298]

  Mr. Meale
  The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) currently funds over 500 (Rounds 1-4) regeneration schemes managed by local partnerships. A large number of these are likely to have multiple objectives, and cover a wide range of activities depending on local regeneration needs and priorities. It is not possible to break down expenditure to say how much has benefited one objective, therefore no information is available on the amount spent on building new social housing or on renovating social or private sector housing.

  There is no specific matching funding requirement for SRB bids but partnerships are encouraged to maximise the leverage of private sector investment and funding from other public spending programmes. In the four Rounds to 31 March 1999, it is estimated that the total lifetime SRB allocation of £3.4 billion will lever in around £7.6 million of private sector investment over the same period.

  Sussex Downs
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what meetings he has had with elected representatives, council officials and community groups from within the Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority area on the future management of the Sussex Downs. [93252]

  Mr. Meacher
  Ministers in this Department have met with a number of individuals and groups about the future management of the Sussex Downs. Those we have met include my hon. Friends the Members for Brighton, Kemptown (Dr. Turner) and for Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Lepper); the Leader and Chief Whip of Brighton and Hove Council; and groups which are members of the South Downs Campaign, such as Friends of the Earth, which have a presence in Brighton and Hove.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the delay in announcing proposals for the future of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board. [93256]
  350
  Mr. Meacher
  Ministers are considering as a whole the various issues dealt with in the former Countryside Commission's advice on the future management of our areas of protected countryside. There are a number of considerations, including those relating to the planning system, financial provision, local government responsibilities and the possibility of legislation. We want to ensure the right solutions for the South Downs, for the New Forest and for AONBs generally.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will be in a position to make a firm announcement on the future of the Sussex Downs Conservation Board. [93251]

  Mr. Meacher
  I expect an announcement to be made later this year, as part of the Government's response to the advice on the future management of protected countryside which was produced by the former Countryside Commission. In the meantime, the Sussex Downs Conservation Board has a clear commitment of Government funding until March 2001.

  Government Office of the South East
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions following the inauguration of the South Eastern Development Agency, what the role of the Government Office of the South East will be. [93253]

  Mr. Meale
  In common with the other regional Government Offices, GOSE manages programmes on behalf of DFEE, DTI and DETR, supports and facilitates effective linkages between partners and programmes, and informs the development of Departments' policies from a regional perspective. GOSE will work closely with SEEDA, as it does with other regional partners.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people are currently employed by the Government Office of the South East; and how many were employed in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1997. [93255]

  Mr. Meale
  There are currently 247.1 full-time equivalent funded posts in the Government Office for the South East. In 1998 there were 235.1 full-time equivalent funded posts, and in 1997 there were 227 full-time equivalent funded posts.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the estimated out-turn is of the Government Office of the South East for the current financial year. [93254]

  Mr. Meale
  At this stage of the Financial Year there is no reason to believe that the out-turn will not be the same as the budget of £501,861,000.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the expenditure of English Partnerships in Greater London in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [93590]
  351
  Mr. Meale
  Expenditure by English Partnerships within Greater London over the last five years is set out in the following table. The vast majority of this has been targeted at designated assisted areas.

  Total expenditure

  £000

  1994–95

  13,582

  1995–96

  20,888

  1996–971

  43,331

  1997–981

  65,162

  1998–992

  127,113

  Total

  270,076

  1 Includes expenditure on the Greenwich Peninsula.

  2 Includes expenditure on the Royal Docks inherited from the London Docklands Development Corporation on 1 April 1998.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the expenditure of English Partnerships in(a) the Objective 2 Area in Lee Valley, (b) Park Royal and (c) other assisted areas in Greater London in each year since their inception; and if he will make a statement. [93591]

  Mr. Meale
  I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Child Safety (Cars)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that children are carried safely in cars. [93600]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The surveys of seat belt/child restraint wearing carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory on my Department's behalf, show that wearing rates by all passengers in the front are as high as 94 per cent. Since the Department's rear seat belt wearing advertising campaign in the Summer of 1998, which was repeated at Easter 1999, seat belt wearing rates have been climbing and for children in the rear of vehicles now stands at 91 per cent. as at April 1999. The campaign is continuing with a version of the advert presently running in cinemas and on local radio stations. We also promote the use of child restraints in my Department's leaflet "Seat Belts and Child Restraints", copies of which were placed in the Library of the House.

  Trans-Pennine Rail Communications
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further steps he is taking to improve trans-Pennine rail communications. [93599]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the terms of their franchise agreement Northern Spirit, which operates Trans-Pennine services, are planning to increase services on the route from May 2000 to at least four trains per hour for twelve hours a day Mondays to Saturdays. This commitment is subject to Railtrack approval.

  The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA) has been established to bring strategic focus to the railways and will be placed on a statutory basis if the Railways Bill attains Royal Assent.
  352
  The SSRA will be given the power to penalise train operators financially for poor performance much faster than at present and we have also announced that we are willing to re-negotiate some franchises in return for guarantees of better services for passengers.

  Remand Provisions (Housing Act 1996)
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed timetable for bringing into force the commencement order for the remand provisions associated with section 155(2)(b) of and Schedule 15 to the Housing Act 1996. [91639]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 5 July 1999,Official Report, column 381. My Department is discussing with the Lord Chancellor's Department the best way forward on these provisions, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as we have reached our decision.

  Narrowboats
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the charging of council tax on residential moorings for narrowboats; what estimate he has made of the number of such individual moorings in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [92524]

  Mr. Meale
  A mooring occupied by a boat which is somebody's sole or main residence is deemed to be a "dwelling" for council tax purposes and will therefore attract a council tax liability in the same way as other domestic types of property. The amount of council tax payable in respect of a mooring occupied by a boat will depend primarily on the valuation band to which the dwelling is assigned. We do not hold information on the number of moorings occupied by boats which are somebody's sole or main residence.

  Coastguard Service
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the report from Lord Donaldson on the review of future proposals of the Coastguard Service; and if he will make a statement. [93340]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has now received Lord Donaldson's advice and is considering it.

  Fox Control
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what alternative methods of fox control he recommends to replace that provided by hunting. [93489]

  Mr. Meacher
  The fox is not a protected species and may be killed or taken by owners and occupiers of land using any method, for example, shooting or trapping, which is not prohibited by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Planning Inspectorate's Report
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Planning Inspectorate's Annual Report and Accounts for 1998–99. [93697]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Planning Inspectorate's Annual Report and Accounts for 1998–99 was published yesterday. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Overall, the Inspectorate met seven out of 10 targets set for its work in England. Handling times for hearing and inquiry cases, although much improved, missed the target. For inquiries, this is partly due to an increase in refusals by parties of dates offered by the Inspectorate. It is important that all parties co-operate and observe the deadlines set to enable the Inspectorate to deliver further improvements in performance.

  The unit cost for written representation cases has increased. This is mainly due to a programme of investment in IT—upgrading PCs, and developing systems to improve performance and customer service. The Inspectorate continues to meet its efficiency target.

  The Inspectorate has also maintained the programme of development plan inquiries to a high standard, helping to create greater certainty for all involved in the planning process as more areas are covered by up to date development plans.

  The Inspectorate's quality target was met and exceeded, with reduced numbers of justified complaints against decisions issued. Surveys continued to show that its decisions are widely respected. It has also produced an

  Regional chamber

  Regional Development Agency

  North West Regional Assembly

  North West Development Agency

  North East Regional Assembly

  One North East

  Regional Chamber for Yorkshire and Humberside

  Yorkshire Forward

  West Midlands Regional Chamber

  Advantage West Midlands

  East Midlands Regional Assembly

  East Midlands Development Agency

  East of England Regional Assembly

  East of England Development Agency

  South West Regional Chamber Agency

  South West of England Regional Development

  South East England Regional Assembly

  South East England Development Agency

  Shipping Industry
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish his response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Twelfth report of Session 1998–99 into the Future of the UK Shipping Industry (HC 172); and if he will make a statement. [93700]

  Mr. Prescott
  We welcome the Committee's report which generally supported our policy paper "British Shipping: Charting a new course" which is designed to initiate the action required to reverse the decline in the UK's shipping industry. We are today publishing our formal response which has been laid before the House.

  Greater London Assembly
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 1999,Official Report, column 130, what progress has been made with preparations for the London Mayor and Assembly since that answer. [93702]
  354
  outstanding financial performance during the year. The Inspectorate is very much involved in initiatives to develop the Government's proposals for the modernisation of the planning system. In the climate of a rapidly changing environment it is always ready to take on new areas of work in dispute resolution.

  Regional Chambers
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in designating regional chambers. [93698]

  Mr. Caborn
  I am pleased to announce that we have today issued a direction to Yorkshire Forward—the development agency for the Yorkshire and the Humber region—designating the Regional Chamber for Yorkshire and Humberside as its regional chamber.

  Regional chambers provide a mechanism through which the Regional Development Agencies can take account of regional views and account for their activities. We expect that each RDA will have regard to the chamber's view in preparing its strategy, consult the chamber on its corporate plan and give an account of its performance to the chamber. Working together through the regional chambers local authorities, business and other partners can provide a focused voice for their region.

  There is now a designated regional chamber in each of the English regions outside London. This marks the completion of another stage of the Government's regional agenda. The full list of regional chambers (some of which call themselves regional assemblies) and development agencies is as follows:

  Mr. Raynsford
  Good progress continues to be made. The Head of Transition, Dr. Robert Chilton, is assembling a team of people with backgrounds in local government, the civil service, other parts of the public sector, and the private sector. They are developing plans to ensure that the Mayor and Assembly can get off to a good start, with suitable administrative and financial support in place. The team moved into their temporary accommodation in Romney House, Westminster last week. I hope to issue shortly a consultation document about the initial organisation of the Greater London Authority.

  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for a publicity campaign leading up to the elections for the Mayor and Assembly in London. [93799]

  Mr. Raynsford
  At the proposed elections on 4 May 2000, for the first Mayor and Assembly for London, the people of London will be facing a different and more complicated ballot than normal. For the first time, they will have a first and second choice when voting for the
  355
  Mayor. They will also vote for a constituency Assembly Member and for a party in the pan-London ballot which is the basis for electing the 'top-up' Assembly Members. The Government have decided therefore to run an information campaign to ensure that eligible Londoners know how the voting system will work at these very important elections for the future of their city.

  As the Greater London Authority is a new form of governance, there will also be information available about the duties and responsibilities of the new Mayor and Assembly. This will be an information campaign and will in no way compete with any political campaigns candidates may run.

  No expenditure will be committed on the campaign until the Greater London Authority Bill receives Royal Assent.

  Trans-European Transport Networks
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the United Kingdom's share of the funds available in 1999 for priority projects and other schemes under the European Community's Financing Programme for Trans-European Transport Networks. [93704]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Two priority projects in the United Kingdom will receive some £27.8 million. £19.3 million will go towards the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and £8.5 million towards the West Coast Main Line. The UK will also receive over £4 million for other schemes, including £2.16 million for four projects to improve ground transport access to Birmingham, Manchester, London Luton and London City airports, and £1.6 million for a development study of satellite-based aviation and marine navigation systems.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the agreement between the Secretary of State and London and Continental Railways to build the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, known as the Development Agreement, will be made publicly available. [93800]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Development Agreement between the Secretary of State and London and Continental Railways as signed in 1996 was revised this year by two supplemental agreements known as the 2nd and 3rd Supplemental Agreements to the Development Agreement. Annexed to the 2nd Supplemental Agreement is a print of the entire revised text. I have arranged for both Supplemental Agreements to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Airport Transport Forums
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the final guidance on the setting up of airport transport forums, announced in the New Deal for Transport White Paper, will be published; and if he will make a statement. [93801]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Guidance on the setting up of Airport Transport Forums and the preparation of Airport Surface Access Strategies was published today, and copies have been placed in the House Libraries.
  356
  The Government's White Paper on the Future of Transport "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" (Cm 3950) stated that all airports in England with scheduled services should establish Airport Transport Forums and prepare Airport Surface Access Strategies to feed into Local Transport Plans.

  On 31 March, we published draft guidance on what was required, and invited a wide range of interested parties, including airports, local authorities, planning bodies, transport providers etc. to comment. Responses to the consultation draft of this guidance were overwhelming supportive of the setting up of Airport Transport Forums and the preparation of Airport Surface Access Strategies. The guidance requires those airports which have 1,000 or more scheduled and charter passenger air transport movements per annum to set up Forums. It has been agreed that the requirement to set up Forums, and the guidance, will apply to Wales as well as to England. Separate guidance will be published in respect of Scotland.

  A separate good practice guide, with illustrations of surface access improvements which meet the principles set out in the guidance and have already been implemented successfully at airports, is being prepared jointly with the Airport Operators Association and will be published later this Summer.

  Electoral Review
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will confirm the arrangements he intends to follow to implement the periodic electoral review recommendations of the Local government Commission for England; and if he will make a statement. [93804]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have now considered the responses to the consultation, which I announced on 10 March 1999,Official Report, column 244, on proposals for implementing periodic electoral reviews (PERs).

  Our intention remains to implement the recommendations of the Local Government Commission for England as soon as practicable on a normal election date for councils. Our consultation has shown that there is no consensus on holding additional elections to implement PERs, and we have concluded that it would not be desirable to do so.

  Accordingly, we intend to implement the Commission's recommendations as follows. For district councils that hold whole council elections and where final recommendations are received by July 2002, implementation is to be on the normal election day in May 2003. For district councils that elect by thirds, where final recommendations have already been received, implementation is to be on the normal election day in May 2000; where final recommendations are received between August 1999 and 2001, implementation is to be on the normal election day in May 2002; and where final recommendations are received no later than July 2002 on the normal election day in May 2003.

  The Commission's recommendations for a county council are to be implemented only after recommendations have been made and implemented for all the district councils in a county area. Subject to this, where final recommendations for county councils are received no later than July 2000, they are to be implemented on the

  357
  normal election day in May 2001; Subsequent final recommendations are to be implemented on the normal election day in 2005.

  I am asking the Local Government Commission to consider their programme of PERs having regard to our intended approach to implementation and with a view to ensuring that all councils in England will have updated electoral arrangements in place by 2005.

  Galvanised Steel Wall Ties
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he is now in a position to report on the further research his Department commissioned on galvanised steel wall ties. [93805]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The then Energy Efficiency Minister announced on 19 January 1998,Official Report, column 374, that as part of my Department's ongoing programme of research into rain penetration of cavity walls, she had asked for precautionary checks to be carried out on the condition of galvanised steel wire wall ties in a sample of houses with cavity walls filled with insulation. This followed the preliminary results of research at the BRE which indicated that there was a possibility that the life expectancy of green coloured galvanised steel wire wall ties might be shortened when used in conjunction with urea formaldehyde from cavity fill.

  These checks have now been completed along with further experimental research and an independent review of the findings.

  In the houses examined, there was no premature deterioration of galvanised ties with or without the green identification film in contact with urea formaldehyde foam cavity insulation.

  The further experimental research was carried out on galvanised ties with and without the green identification film. The research comprised accelerated corrosion tests and chemical interactive tests with urea formaldehyde foam. Neither of these experiments indicated any discernible loss of galvanising.

  With these results to hand and with the benefit of an independent review undertaken by consultants WS Atkins, BRE re-examined their earlier experimental findings. They have concluded that the accelerated corrosion observed under the experimental conditions could have been caused by vapour from the urea formaldehyde which under certain conditions of very high humidity can lead to very high rates of corrosion of galvanising. The conditions under which this could happen were present in the preliminary experimental research, but were unlikely to occur in houses.

  The work concludes that there is no evidence that urea formaldehyde foam cavity wall insulation shortens the lifetime of galvanised wall ties.

  Copies of these results have been placed in the House Library.

  Recycling (Packaging)
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further 358
  advice he has had from the Advisory Committee on Packaging on progress towards meeting targets for increased recycling and recovery of packaging. [93821]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am grateful to the Committee for further advice, which among other things, seeks a more rigorous approach to implementation through introduction of quarterly compliance reporting and forward planning for increasing recycling and recovery of packaging waste. I shall be including these proposals in the consultation paper on inter sectoral share out and other matters which I hope to publish very shortly. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Library.

  Green Ministers' Report
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the Green Ministers' Report. [93822]

  Mr. Meacher
  "Greening Government: the first annual report of Green Minsters" will be published tomorrow. The report provides a comprehensive account of what Green Ministers have been doing—and will do in future—to promote sustainable development, to integrate the environment into policies and to green their Departments' operations. The Report introduces targets, action plans and strategies across the wide range of activities of Green Ministers: waste, energy, water, transport, training and awareness raising, integrating the environment into policy and involving associate bodies. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Housing Stock (Debts)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is his policy on resolving problems relating to overhanging debt and early debt repayment premiums relating to the Housing Stock Transfer Programme; [93093]

  (2) when he expects to publish the consultation paper on overhanging debt and early debt repayment premiums affecting the Housing Stock Transfer Programme; [93092]

  (3) what the Chancellor of the Exchequer's policy is on the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's proposal for dealing with the problem of overhanging debt and early debt repayment premiums relating to the transfer of housing stock by Burnley Borough Council. [93091]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We aim to issue shortly a consultation paper setting out options for tackling the problem of overhanging debt which arises where the receipt from a housing transfer is insufficient to cover the authority's attributable housing debt.

  London Transport
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the Government's performance targets for(a) London Underground and (b) London Buses have been met in the last two years. [91528]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This level of performance reflects an investment backlog of around £1.2 billion on the Underground, and increased traffic congestion on the roads. This is one of the reasons we have decided to
  359
  allocate an additional £517 million of resources to London Transport, in addition to the £365 million of extra resources announced last year. This will enable them to deliver real improvements to passengers over the next two years.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93461]

  Mr. Meale
  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 with the Women's Unit, Home Office and DfEE to develop good practices for ensuring that our policies meet the changing needs of all members of society.

  "Policy Appraisal for Equal Treatment", published by the Cabinet Office, Home Office, DfEE and the Women's Unit in November 1998 has been circulated to staff within my Department to ensure that the effects of any policy changes on all sections of the population are considered at the earliest stage of policy development.

  Road Lane Experiments
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many experiments the Highways Agency plans to undertake with(a) high-occupancy vehicle lanes, (b) bus and taxi lanes and (c) no-car lanes. [93372]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Four priority lane pilot schemes have been implemented to date. All are bus lanes. The Highways Agency is investigating where giving priority to certain types of traffic would be beneficial in tackling congestion in the context of the integrated transport policy. All such proposals will be monitored to ensure that the scheme objectives are realised.

  Monitoring of the M4 bus lane and its associated speed limits have shown increased traffic capacity of the elevated section and improved journey times for all road users. Average savings to buses, coaches and taxis in the morning and evening periods are over 3 minutes. Other vehicles benefiting by average savings of 1 minute and 2½ in the morning and evening peaks respectively.

  Rail Operators (Pricing Policy)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will carry out an investigation into the pricing policies of rail operators in respect of(a) the solar eclipse and (b) the millennium holiday. [93701]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Plans for the millennium holiday have not yet been finalised but for the solar eclipse First Great Western (FGW) and other operators are planning to run more services to Cornwall. There are capacity constraints which limit the number of additional services which can be accommodated. Wales and West are planning to strengthen the services they run normally by adding extra vehicles.
  360
  Demand for transport to see the eclipse and over the millennium holiday may be such that there will not be spare capacity. Train operators may therefore feel themselves unable to offer discounted tickets that are normally used to fill otherwise empty seats. Regulated tickets, including Saver tickets, will be available.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1999,Official Report, columns 192-93, on genetically modified foods, if the feeding studies on animals over the period 1994 to 1996 used crops treated with Round-up; and if he will make a statement. [92106]

  Mr. Rooker
  Following an extensive compositional analysis of Monsanto's genetically modified soya beans, the ACNFP concluded that treatment with glyphosate did not alter the composition of the soya beans themselves. The only difference seen when the GM soya beans are treated with glyphosate is a slightly greater level of the metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid. The toxicity of glyphosate and its metabolites have been studied as part of the approval process for glyphosate and shown to be of low toxicity to humans. The ACNFP was thus satisfied that the safety of Monsanto's GM soya beans had been fully characterised and that the sacrifice of further animals in additional feeding studies using glyphosate treated soya beans was therefore unnecessary.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the effects of broad-spectrum herbicides applied to growing genetically modified crops; and how many research projects commissioned in the United Kingdom by his Department are currently under way to investigate the potential risks of genetically modified organisms. [92706]

  Mr. Rooker
  MAFF has received numerous representations from individuals and organisations concerning the use of broad-spectrum herbicides in the cultivation of genetically modified crops. Views have varied from those who support the technology for the potential benefits it can bring to those who express concern over the possible environmental or human health effects of the use of pesticides on such crops.

  At present there are 29 MAFF-Commissioned projects (costing £1.7 million in 1999–2000) investigating food safety issues and possible risks to the environment arising from the introduction of genetically modified organisms.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent reports he has received from the United States Department of Agriculture on(a) the yields of genetically modified crops grown in the United States and (b) the number of cases of spray drift damage to adjoining non-genetically modified crops. [92633]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have received no such reports from the US Department of Agriculture.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans SCIMAC has to review their guidelines for separation distances between GM and non-GM crops; and if he will make a statement. [92395]
  361
  Mr. Rooker
  I understand that SCIMAC expect to review all the documentation describing their stewardship programme for the introduction of GM crops, including separation distances, at least once a year. Changes to the guidelines could also be made at any other time if information becomes available which would significantly affect the advice given.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90673]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 July 1999]: (a) The following non-departmental public bodies have been disbanded since 1 May 1997:

  Body

  Date disbanded

  Nine advisory Regional Panels

  28 May 1997

  Consultative panel on Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis

  17 August 1998

  Sugar Beet Research and Education Committee

  30 March 1999

  (b) None

  (c) Nine of the MAFF non-departmental public bodies have had their functions transferred to:

  (i) another non-departmental public body

  (ii) a democratically elected body

  (d) None of the MAFF non-departmental public bodies have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role.

  (e) Details of all other non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 are listed in "Public Bodies 1997", which is available to Members in the Libraries of the House.

  The Potato Industry Development Council (known as the British Potato Council) was established on 1 July 1997. The Council is funded by a levy on the industry.

  The Advisory Committee on Animal Feeding Stuffs was set up, and the full list of members announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State on 13 July 1999, Official Report, column 176. The first meeting will be held in September.

  My right hon. Friend is currently responsible for 33 non-departmental public bodies, of which three are multiple bodies.

  The Government are committed to keeping the number of non-departmental public bodies to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new non-departmental public bodies established since 1 May 1997 are essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.
  362

  Agricultural Attaché
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy that each British embassy in each EU member country has an agricultural attaché [92433]

  Mr. Rooker
  All British Embassies in EU countries have Officers responsible for Agricultural matters. In four of these, Bonn, Paris, Rome and Madrid, the Officers are seconded from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In the other 10, the Officers are members of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service, covering other EU issues as well as agriculture. The UK Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels also has five MAFF officers covering agriculture.

  Officials in my Department, in liaison with the territorial departments, ensure that Officers are kept up to date on all aspects of UK agricultural policy, through day-to-day contact and regular briefing meetings in London.

  Agricultural Exports
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the EU Commission to allow the export of(a) breeding cattle, (b) bovine semen, (c) bovine embryos and (d) breeding sheep. [92399]

  Mr. Rooker
  The export of bovine semen and breeding sheep from the UK is permitted.

  We have not yet made any formal proposals to the Commission on lifting the export ban on embryos and breeding cattle. Up to now we have been concentrating our efforts on the Date-based Export Scheme which enables the resumption of British beef exports. Further relaxations in the export ban covering live cattle and embryos are steps foreseen in the Florence agreement. We need now to consider carefully, in the light of the views of the Government's scientific advisers, and in consultation with interested parties when to open negotiations on these.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has had with the Treasury regarding an exemption for protected horticulture from the proposed climate change levy. [92299]

  Mr. Rooker
  MAFF officials have discussed the Climate Change Levy with the Treasury. MAFF and Treasury Ministers are aware of the concerns being expressed by the horticultural industry about the impact the Climate Change Levy might have on sectoral competitiveness.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he plans to end the system of quarantine for animals arriving in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement; [91995]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the means by which he will introduce pet passports. [91996]
  363
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answers 21 July 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Minister announced the Government's plans to reform the rabies quarantine rules on 26 March 1999, Official Report, columns 649-60. The new arrangements will be brought into operation by April 2001, with a pilot scheme as soon as possible (and in any event by April 2000). We will give more details in the near future.

  Pigmeat Industry
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to promote the use of United Kingdom produced pigmeat products by Government Departments, local authorities and other related agencies. [92625]

  Mr. Rooker
  To promote the benefits of British pig production practices, my right hon. Friend the Minister has written to his Cabinet colleagues in Departments with public procurement responsibilities. In these letters, the guarantees that British pigmeat can offer were underlined and attention was also drawn to the good story which the industry has to tell in respect of its efforts on quality assured and welfare friendly production practices. The responses received indicate that quality assured and welfare friendly production practices play a full part in the tender specifications laid down by public procurement bodies.

  We believe that the most effective way to achieve change in the practices of reluctant authorities is for contact to be made at the local level, both by the industry and by local MPs. On those occasions where contact has been made, it seems to have had an effect and we hope this will continue. Indeed, to help it along, my right hon. Friend has decided to write to all MPs actively encouraging them to make contact with public authorities in their constituencies and discuss the procurement policies in respect of pork and pork products.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the current state of the British pig industry. [92705]

  Mr. Rooker
  Although market prices in the UK were static for a period in the late spring/early summer, there has been a recent modest price increase and I hope this continues. None the less, the Government are fully aware of the difficulties still facing the pig industry and will continue to do all they can to help while recognising that pigs are traded in a relatively free market with limited opportunity for direct Government involvement. I believe that the new MLC British Pig Executive and the imminent formation of the National Pig Association are important steps in bringing the industry together and will help it build a bright future.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from representatives of the pigmeat industry on the cost to individual producers of offal disposal; and if he will make a statement. [92541]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have received a number of representations from the pig industry on the cost of offal disposal, both from individuals and from representative organisations. Also, this issue has been raised with my right hon. Friend the Minister by the Chairman of the MLC.
  364

  Beef
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if cattle which meet the requirements for export can also be sold on the domestic market. [92343]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Yes.

  Dairy Industry
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dairy firms went out of business in the last year; and what assessment he has made of the causes of those firms ceasing to trade. [92624]

  Mr. Rooker
  Information in the form requested is not available. The information available relates to the number of main holdings in the United Kingdom with dairy cows at the June agriculture census, which were estimated to be 36,300 at June 1997 and 35,300 at June 1998. Results from the June 1999 census are not yet available. Holdings can continue with the same activities even though they change ownership and conversely can change their activities while continuing in the same farming business.

  Farmers
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers there were in business(a) 10 years ago and (b) at the latest available date. [92717]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information available relates to agriculture holdings rather than farm businesses; some businesses operate more than one holding. The 1988 June agriculture census recorded 247,300 agriculture holdings in the United Kingdom. The equivalent figure for 1998, the latest available, was 237,900.

  Fish-eating Birds
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the results of his research studies into the effect of fish-eating birds on fisheries will be published. [92626]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) on 29 June 1999,Official Report, column 92.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92655]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. The last time I used a train in the course of my official duties was on 23 July when visiting Pig Farmers in Yorkshire.

  Pet Travel Scheme
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what vaccines will be used in the new pet travel scheme and what laboratories will be able to
  365
  undertake testing; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the arrangements that are being put in place for the introduction of the pilot schemes next year. [93042]

  Mr. Rooker
  Pet cats and dogs taking part in the forthcoming Pet Travel Scheme must be vaccinated against rabies using an inactivated vaccine approved for the purpose by the authorities of the country in which the animal has been resident. There are two such vaccines currently authorised for use in the UK: Nobivac and Rabisin.

  Details of the laboratories that may carry out blood tests for the Pet Travel Scheme will be announced shortly.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on managing the changeover from the present quarantine regulations to the new pet travel scheme. [93043]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have received representations from a number of individuals and from organisations representing pet owners and the owners of quarantine premises. A Pet Travel Scheme Advisory Group has been set up. This includes representatives from the quarantine industry and others with a direct interest in the Pet Travel Scheme. The Group provides the Government with advice on the Pet Travel Scheme, including managing the changeover from the present arrangements.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to introduce the new arrangements under which(a) he will nominate the certifying local veterinary inspectors to individual consignments of live farm animals destined for export and (b) he will pay the inspectors and recover the costs for this service through charges on the exporter; and if he will make a statement. [93041]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are currently considering the responses to the consultation exercise. We will announce our decision in due course.

  Veterinary Surgeons
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish details of the performance assessments of official veterinary surgeons and their inspection teams. [88281]

  Mr. Rooker
  Performance appraisals are conducted for all Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) staff, whilst contract appraisals are carried out for those Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs) and inspection staff contracted to the MHS.

  Both types of appraisal are considered confidential and may contain commercial information relating to the workings of a particular plant. It would therefore be inappropriate for details of these assessments to be published.

  GM Foods
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the(a) volume and (b) value of (i) GM soya and (ii) GM maize imported into the United Kingdom from the United States for each of the last three years. [93076]
  366
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Total imports of maize and soya beans from the USA for each of the past three years were as follows:

  Maize (unmilled)

  Soya beans

  Value

  Value

  Tonnes

  (£ million)

  Tonnes

  (£ million)

  1996

  12,971

  3.5

  409,762

  77.9

  1997

  7,206

  2.9

  474,226

  86.2

  1998

  7,634

  2.5

  459,804

  71.0

  Trade statistics do not enable us to differentiate between GM and non-GM material.

  Genetically Free Products
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions(a) he has had with European Environment Ministers, and (b) his officials have had with Commission officials on the definition of genetically free products for labelling purposes. [93192]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: No such discussions have taken place with European Environment Ministers on this subject but European Commission officials have recently informed officials here that a Commission proposal on the labelling of GM free claims is planned for the autumn. This proposal will be widely circulated for comment when it is received.

  Regulatory Capture
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the allegations of regulatory capture of US Food and Drugs Administration and the implication thereof for the forthcoming WTO discussions in Seattle. [93071]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: None.

  Mouse-breeding Facilities
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department's mouse-breeding facilities conform to the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [93074]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Yes. The Department's mouse-breeding facilities do comply with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons his Department has mouse-breeding facilities. [93075]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: My Department has mouse-breeding facilities to generate mice for use in research projects approved under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  Milk Marque
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposals for Milk Marque on the access of Milk Marque's members to CAP support measures. [93248]
  367
  Mr. Rooker
  I would not expect there to be a significant impact in the foreseeable future on access to CAP support measures resulting from the recommendations of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Belize
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on which occasions since 1993 his Department has received written or oral approaches from the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) on matters relating to fruit production in Belize since 1993. [93240]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested needs to be researched. I will write to my hon. Friend during the first week of August.

  Bees (Genetically Modified Crops)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will issues guidance to bee-keepers about protection from contact with genetically modified material in cases where they wish to label their produce as organic and non-genetically modified; and if he will make a statement. [93201]

  Mr. Rooker
  Existing UK rules on organic honey production require that hives are not placed within four miles of conventionally farmed land, private gardens, or areas subject to inorganic pollution. Following the recent agreement on Community livestock standards, including rules on honey production, the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) will be reexamining existing UK standards to determine the changes that will need to be made. This is likely to include the issue of controls on possible GM contamination.

  In the meantime, beekeepers are advised to contact the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions for details and location of experimental GM sites so that they may relocate their hives should they so wish.

  Hunting
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision he will make for veterinary supervision and carcase disposal in accordance with European directives, following the introduction of a ban on hunting. [93487]

  Mr. Rooker
  European Community legislation on the disposal of animal carcases is already implemented in Great Britain by the Animal By-Products Order 1999, which is primarily enforced by local authorities. There are no plans to amend the Order in connection with a ban on hunting.

  Rabies
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of a ban on hunting on the risk of an outbreak of rabies in this country; and what arrangements he has made to review quarantine regulations governing the importation of animals. [93484]
  368
  Mr. Rooker
  A ban on hunting would have no impact on the risk of an outbreak of rabies occurring in this country.

  On 26 March 1999, Official Report, columns 649-60, my right hon. Friend the Minister announced that he is going to change the law to allow dogs, cats and some other species coming from European Union and certain other qualifying countries to enter the UK without quarantine, provided that they meet certain conditions. The new arrangements will be brought into operation by April 2001, with a pilot scheme as soon as possible, and in any event by April 2000.

  Beef Imports (Specified Risk Materials)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there have been any recent cases of spinal cord discovered in imported beef. [93826]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Since the beginning of June, a number of imported beef forequarters containing small sections of spinal cord have been discovered by Meat Hygiene Service and State Veterinary Service staff at a cutting plant in Great Britain. These forequarters all originated from slaughterhouses in the Republic of Ireland and have been destroyed.

  In response to the Chief Veterinary Officer's request for urgent action by the authorities in the Republic of Ireland, the veterinary authorities there have undertaken to penalise the veterinary inspectors responsible for certifying the beef. They have also told the Irish Meat Association that any failure by a member company to implement the specified risk material (SRM) controls will result in the withdrawal of the Supplementary certification for export to the UK. Their unannounced inspections will also be stepped up. Meat Hygiene Service staff at licensed cutting plants and local authorities are being asked to pay particular attention to beef carcases imported from the Republic of Ireland.

  Since March 1996, the State Veterinary Service's audit has found no spinal cord specified risk material in beef derived from animals slaughtered in Great Britain. The results of these audits are published in the monthly BSE Enforcement Bulletin.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the countries visited by himself and his predecessor since 1 May 1997; [92804]

  (2) when he intends to visit (a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Slovenia and (e) Estonia. [92690]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 June 1999,Official Report, columns 196-97.

  I plan to visit a number of the candidate countries this autumn.
  369

  Cattle Health Scheme
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Waveney of 9 March 1999,Official Report, column 193, on the Cattle Health Scheme, if he will provide an update on the future of the Cattle Health Scheme. [93926]

  Mr. Rooker
  Under new animal health trade rules agreed during the last UK Presidency of the EU Council, a case requesting designation of Great Britain as officially EBL-Free was submitted to the EU Commission in May. The Standing Veterinary Committee voted in favour of a Commission Decision granting the status to Great Britain on 2 July. It came into effect on 1 July. The Decision also retained EBL-Free status for Northern Ireland. From 1 July 1999 all herds in GB are to be regarded as officially EBL-Free unless the presence of the disease is suspected in a particular herd.

  RSC performance data (%) for Financial Year 1998–99 1

  Scheme

  Total

  Arable Area Payments Scheme

  Main payments

  99

  Oilseeds

  Advanced payments

  99

  Final payments

  99

  Beef Special Premium Scheme

  Advance payments (1998)

  99

  Balance payments (1997)

  99

  CID applications issued (1998)

  99

  Premium paid CIDs issued (1998)

  99

  Stickler Cow Premium Scheme

  Balance payments 1997

  99

  Advance payments 1998

  98

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances

  Claims 1998

  99

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme

  Claims marketing year 1998

  99

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas

  Applications

  84

  Claims

  96

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas Conservation Plan

  Applications

  73

  Claims

  84

  Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

  Applications

  84

  Claims (1998)

  98

  Injurious Weeds

  Complaints

  99

  New Nitrate Sensitive Areas Scheme

  Applications (1998)

  92

  Claims

  99

  Protection of Badgers Act 1992

  Licence applications

  98

  Strychnine Permits

  Applications

  99

  Agricultural Wage Inspections

  Complaints

  95

  Wildlife and Countryside Act

  Licence applications

  98

  Correspondence

  Answered within 10 working days

  97

  Complaints

  Numbers receiving response within 10 working days

  87

  1 Unless otherwise specified

  Notes:

  1. The relatively high failure rate for the FWPS Applications was due to the diversion of staff resources in two of the RSCs to higher priority work.

  2. The relatively poor performance for the ESA Schemes was primarily caused by uneven workloads, staff turnover and the introduction of a new computer system.

  3. The 87 per cent, response rate to complaints to the RSCs is explained by the fact that often cases require referral to HQ or the National Scheme Management Centres and thus take some time to resolve. It must be stressed however that in all cases where the 10 day target was not met a holding letter was issued to the complainant.

  General Notes:

  (i) The total percentage has been calculated by setting the entire number of applications or claims cleared within the target time, against the total number received. Applications and claims not cleared due to reasons beyond our control (incorrect information supplied by applicant, etc.) are not included as failures to meet target.

  (ii) The Farm Conservation Grant Schemes 1989 and 1991 Applications and Claims and Pilot NSA Claims have been omitted from the table since these schemes are now closed.

  (iii) During the year 16 formal complaints were made to MAFF's central Complaints Adjudicator, of which two were referred elsewhere and three are still outstanding. Of the cases dealt with, six were determined in the complainants favour and five were not upheld.

  370
  The Cattle Health Scheme attests herds as being individually free of EBL, so may not be needed now that GB freedom is achieved. Officials are writing to all members of the Scheme and to the cattle industry to consult them on the future of the Scheme. The formal acknowledgement of our EBL-Free status from the EU is good news for farmers and will reduce bureaucracy. We will of course maintain controls on cattle imports in accordance with EU rules.

  "Commitment to Service"
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress his Department has made in meeting the service delivery targets set out in the paper, "Commitment to Service". [93892]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The table sets out the performance achieved by the Regional Service Centres during 1998–99 against the targets published in the Charter document "Commitment to Service", second edition.
  371

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will be consulting the farming industry on his proposals to implement the discretionary aspects of the reformed Common Agricultural Policy. [93602]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The reform of the CAP decided at the Berlin European Council introduced a number of policy areas where member states were given discretion as to whether and/or how they would be applied. In the information notes I circulated to the farming industry and other interested parties following that agreement I undertook to consult widely on the Government's plans would be set in the context of an overall strategy for agriculture which takes into account the need for a competitive, flexible and environmentally friendly industry, which is responsive to consumer wishes and which contributes to the social and economic strengths of rural areas.

  I intend accordingly to write to interested parties including farming industry representatives in the coming weeks setting out my ideas for such a strategy and how the discretionary aspects of the reformed CAP should be applied in this country to help set a new direction for the industry. My Department will also be conducting a series of regional consultants. Members of Parliament will be sent a copy of the consultation documents individually. We will consider responses carefully and announce final decisions during the Autumn.

  Comparable action is being taken in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Veterinary Medicines
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive a report from the Veterinary Products Committee on the safety of veterinary medicines other than sheep dips which have an organophosphorus compound as the active ingredient; and if he will make a statement. [93893]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have now received a report from the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) and I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

  The Government have accepted the VPC's advice that, although there is no evidence that the products concerned are harmful if used in accordance with recommended precautions, marketing authorisation holders should provide additional data to demonstrate the safety of their products. If they are able to provide such date, the Government will take further advice from the VPC on appropriate regulatory action.

  Compliance Costs
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reductions were achieved in the compliance costs of regulation administered by his Department and its public bodies for the last year for which data is available; what mechanisms exist for monitoring the post-implementation cost of such regulation; and if he has established targets for reduction in the compliance costs of regulation administered by his Department and its public bodies. [92315]
  372
  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Details of regulations which imposed compliance costs on, or achieved compliance savings to, business are published in the Department's regulatory impact assessments and laid in both Houses. Summaries are published in the six monthly Command Paper, and are available on a monthly basis on the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit's web site.

  Regulations are regularly reviewed.

  We have not set an arbitrary target for reducing the compliance costs of regulations. However, in line with Cabinet Office guidance, we assess the risks, costs and benefits of any regulatory proposal which has an impact on business before taking it forward. We always try to keep the burden imposed on business to the minimum necessary.

  The Department published details on the quality and quantity of its regulatory activity in the departmental annual Report.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Gold Sales
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations his Department have received on the sale of excess gold reserves by the Bank of England; and from what sources. [92824]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  Representations have been received from a number of Governments, gold producers, gold traders, trade unions, Members of Parliament and members of the public.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of military action by the Government of Sudan in the Nuba Mountains region. [89522]

  Mr. Hoon
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  European Commission Staff
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if secondary employment by senior European Commission staff is required to be registered with the Commission; how many of those in senior grades have secondary employment; and if in all cases such employment is in fields unconnected with the Directorate-General in which they work. [91908]

  Ms Quin
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 June 1999,Official Report, column 276, on European Commission staff, if he will request the Secretary General of the European Commission (a) to supply a breakdown of total numbers of employees (i) of each Directorate General and (ii) other parts of the Commission who have been given permission to take secondary employment,

  373
  (b) to supply a copy of the codes adopted by the Commission to determine whether such permission should be given and (c) to indicate at what administrative level such decisions have been made. [92033]

  Ms Quin
  For reasons of personal confidentiality, the Commission does not publish information about the secondary employment of officials below the level of Commissioner. Decisions on secondary employment are normally made by Director-Generals (or, if a Director-General is seeking permission, by the appropriate Commissioner) on the basis of the staff regulations mentioned in my answer on 21 June 1999,Official Report, column 276. These state that permission to take secondary employment should be refused if the nature of the work would impair the official's independence or be detrimental to the work of the Communities.

  Spanish Socialist Opposition Party
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he or his staff last met the leader of the Spanish Socialist opposition party. [91935]

  Ms Quin
  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit in the Library a list of European Communities working groups, indicating the department responsible for supplying the seconded staff at UKREP. [91845]

  Ms Quin
  I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  European Communities Secretariats (Documents)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request of the relevant European Communities secretariats the number of(a) instruments not published in the Official Journal, (b) routine management instruments valid for a limited time and (c) opinions given by comitology committees, in 1998. [91846]

  Ms Quin
  I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Prime Minister (Personal Representatives)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all overseas missions undertaken by personal representatives of the Prime Minister or himself since May 1997, where the representatives were neither Ministers nor officials. [90288]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 8 July 1999]: As has been the practice for previous Administrations, if it is helpful to the UK Government individuals may be asked to carry messages or undertake particular tasks on behalf of the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary when they travel overseas. We do not maintain a comprehensive record of such occasions.
  374

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times Ministers in his Department held meetings with Ministers and officials of the Irish Government between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 1998, indicating the dates and locations of each meeting, the Ministers involved and the Irish ministers and officials at each meeting. [92273]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Patents
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many patents have been registered by(a) his Department and (b) the Government Communications Headquarters since 1 January 1990. [92253]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  None.

  Bilderberg Meetings
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the members of the European Commission attending Bilderberg meetings have done so in their official capacity; and at what cost to public funds. [92864]

  Ms Quin
  I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Intergovernmental Conferences
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances the presidency is allowed access to tape recordings of intergovernmental conferences; and if he will list those occasions when such access has been provided. [92825]

  Ms Quin
  The Presidency does not have access to tape recordings of intergovernmental conferences. Recordings are made only to assist the Council Secretariat with its note taking.

  Arms Brokers
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation he has had with his European counterparts concerning the implementation of the German presidency proposal to control the activities of arms brokers. [92817]

  Ms Quin
  None. The German proposal is being discussed at working level in the CFSP Working Group on Conventional Arms Exports (COARM), which has not yet reached any conclusions.

  Burma
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the proposed anti-Government demonstrations in Burma on 9 September. [93045]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have not received any representations.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations KFOR is undertaking on the involvement of Hashim Thaci in the murders of Ilir Kanushevci, Ahmet Krasniqi, Agim Ramadani and Sali Ceku; and if he intends to refer this investigation to the International War Crimes Tribunal. [92719]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: I shall reply to my hon. Friend shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Lord Levy
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest between Lord Levy's business interests and his mission as an envoy for his Department. [93055]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Any invitation to Lord Levy to deliver messages from the Prime Minister will have taken account of the need to avoid conflicts of interest. I understand from Lord Levy that he has no business interests in Syria or Jordan.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security clearance of Lord Levy. [93056]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: It is not the normal practice to comment on the security clearance of individuals.

  Sellafield MOX Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 429, what plans his Department has to make a submission to the current MOX consultation. [93283]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have no plans to make a submission.

  Exports (Licensed Goods)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the measures his Department takes to ensure that licensed goods are exported to the correct end-use destinations. [93511]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: In accordance with our national export licensing criteria and those in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, when assessing relevant export licence applications we consider carefully whether there is a risk that the goods might be diverted or re-exported to an undesirable end-user.

  All applications for Standard Individual Export Licences to export goods controlled for strategic reasons must be supported by appropriate End-User Undertakings, or, if the consignee is a Government body, a copy of the relevant part of the official purchase order or contract. We ask our overseas posts to carry out checks in cases where we wish to confirm the accuracy of the information contained in end-user documentation.

  Wilton Park Executive Agency
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Wilton Park Executive Agency performed against the targets agreed for 1998–99; and what are the agreed targets for the current year. [93803]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Wilton Park exceeded all four of the agreed targets set for the 1998–99 financial year, for the number of conference participants, income, cost recovery and cost per head to the FCO overall.

  1998–99 Targets:

  Income

  £2,051K

  Recovery of cost

  81%

  Number of Wilton Park conference participants

  2,000

  Cost to FCO per conference participant

  £240

  The following key targets have been agreed for the financial year 1999–2000:

  1999–2000 Targets:

  To increase overall income to

  £2,182K

  To maintain cost recovery at

  82.5%

  To maintain the target for the overall number of Wilton Park conference participants at

  2,000

  To achieve an average cost to the FCO of each participant of

  £232

  Entry Clearance Interviews
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which post will be used as a trial for the tape recording of entry clearance interviews, as recommended in the Fourth report on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Session 1997–98 (HC 515). [93806]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The entry clearance section at the British Deputy High Commission in Bombay will undertake this trial. The trial will run for a three month period from August until October this year. A further three months will be set aside to allow applicants time to register any observations arising from the trial. An evaluation of the trial should therefore be completed in February 2000.

  Gracko
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the killing of 14 Serbs at Gracko, Kosovo, on 23 July. [93808]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We wholeheartedly condemn this massacre and strongly endorse the statement made yesterday by the President of the UN Security Council expressing shock and concern, calling for a speedy and thorough investigation to bring to justice those responsible, and expressing the Security Council's support for the efforts of KFOR and UNMIK to ensure peace and security for all the inhabitants of Kosovo.

  UK members of KFOR are taking the lead in the investigation and we will do all we can to assist KFOR, UNMIK and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in their investigations.
  377
  With our partners in KFOR and UNMIK, we are committed to a democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo. Our aim is for Kosovo Serbs to stay in Kosovo, and for those who have left to return.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work has been undertaken by the OECD to ensure the millennium-readiness of the critical computer systems of member states and for the global economy; and if he will make a statement. [93531]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93460]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Export Control Reports
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional disaggregated information he plans to include in future strategic export control annual reports. [93524]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are considering the format and contents of future annual reports on strategic export controls in the light of responses to the first.

  Iraq (Sanctions)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the United Kingdom sponsored draft UN resolution on possible criteria for suspension of sanctions against Iraq. [93512]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK draft Security Council resolution provides for the suspension of the restrictions on exports from Iraq, if Iraq co-operates with a new disarmament mechanism for a sustained period and if Iraq completes key remaining disarmament tasks, to be identified by UNSCOM's successor. Suspension would end immediately if Iraq ceased co-operation, or was found to be reconstituting its weapons of mass destruction programmes. Discussions are continuing within the Council on the draft resolution.

  Saddam Hussein
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will propose the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry at the General Assembly of the United Nations to investigate the crimes of Saddam Hussein. [93513]
  378
  Mr. Hoon
  The Government support those who are working to bring Saddam Hussein and members of his regime to justice for the crimes they have committed. We applaud the work of the organisation INDICT in this regard.

  Iraq
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek the extradition of a responsible member of the Iraqi regime from a third country to face charges under the Genocide Act 1969 for persecution of the Kurds of Northern Iraq and the Marsh Arabs of Southern Iraq. [93510]

  Mr. Hoon
  While the Government would wish to see members of the Iraqi regime brought to justice for the appalling crimes they have committed, under the Genocide Act 1969, the Government do not have the right to prosecute individuals for crimes committed beyond the limits of national territory.

  Arms Export Licences
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many arms export licences were issued between(a) 1 May 1997 and 10 May 1998 and (b) 10 May 1998 and 10 May 1999 to areas of high intensity conflict; and how many licence applications relating to such areas were refused in the same period. [93293]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Details of the Government's export licensing decisions, broken down by country and type of equipment, were given in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls for 1997 and will be given in the Report for 1998 which we intend to publish as soon as possible.

  We do not break down our export licensing statistics on the basis of "areas of high intensity conflict" as we do not categorise specific countries or regions in this way.

  Arms Control
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the international agreements on arms control signed by Her Majesty's Government which include(a) the requirement to take into account the human rights record of the recipient states and (b) the potential which the equipment has to be used for internal repression. [93290]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The UK Government are party to two sets of internationally agreed criteria governing the export of arms and defence equipment which include requirements to take into account the human rights record of the recipient states and the risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression. These are the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, adopted by EU member states in June 1998, and the principles governing arms transfers agreed by OSCE participating states in 1993.
  379
  Criteria Two of the EU Code states that member states will:

  (a) not issue an export licence if there is clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression; and

  (b) exercise special caution and vigilance in issuing licences, on a case-by-case basis and taking account of the nature of the equipment, to countries where serious violations of human rights have been established by the component bodies of the UN, the Council of Europe or by the EU.

  The OSCE principles provide that each participating State will, in considering proposed transfers, take into account the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the recipient country, and will avoid transfers which would be likely to be used for the violation or suppression of human rights and fundamental freedoms or for the purpose of repression.

  Conflict Prevention
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will establish a conflict prevention council to include representatives of other departments to report on countries of high conflict potential. [93295]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government's work on conflict prevention is carefully co-ordinated. The Joint Intelligence Committee brings together all the relevant Departments and agencies to assess situations and issues of current concern. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development (and other Departments as appropriate) work closely together on conflict prevention policies both overall and in relation to individual regions and countries at risk.

  Strategic Exports
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the next annual report on strategic export controls will contain details of(a) the amounts of weapons and equipment contained in each category, (b) the end-users for which the export licence was granted and (c) strategic exports supported by (i) the Disposal Sales Agency and (ii) the Crown Agents. [93480]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are considering the format and contents of future annual reports on strategic export controls in the light of responses to the first.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next annual report on strategic exports will be published; and if it will be made available through the Stationery Office. [93481]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We will publish the second Annual Report as soon as possible.

  We have not yet decided whether to make the annual report available through the Stationery Office. Copies of the first Annual Report have been placed in the Library of the House and are also available free of charge from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The first Annual Report has also been published on the FCO website.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many public interest immunity certificates or equivalent document 380
  have been provided by Ministers or officials in his Department since 3 May 1997; and at what level each such certificate or other document has been signed. [93533]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I shall reply to the right hon. and learned Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is held by the United Kingdom Embassy in Tallinn about the dates of visits by Ministers of other EU countries to Estonia since the enlargement process began; and if he will make a statement. [92685]

  Ms Quin
  The United Kingdom Embassy in Tallinn does not hold information about the visits of all EU Ministers. However, a list of Heads of State, Head of Government and Foreign Ministers that have visited Estonia since 30 March 1998 has been compiled.

  Tallinn

  April 1998: Irish Prime Minister

  July 1998: Austrian Foreign Minister

  January 1998: Danish Foreign Minister

  The Finns often visit. The most recent was 14 July 1999, when the Finnish Foreign Minister visited.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is held by the United Kingdom Embassy in Budapest about the dates of visits by Ministers of other EU countries to Hungary since the enlargement process began; and if he will make a statement. [92687]

  Ms Quin
  The United Kingdom Embassy in Budapest does not hold information about the visits of all EU Ministers. However, a list of Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers that have visited Hungary since 30 March 1998 has been compiled.

  Budapest

  22–24 April 1998: Greek President

  15 July 1998: Austrian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

  1 August 1998: German Foreign Minister

  2 September 1998: Danish Crown Prince and Foreign Minister

  4 September 1998: Austrian President Thomas Klestil

  27–28 September 1998: Finnish President Ahtisaari

  17–18 December 1998: French Foreign Minister

  7 January 1999: German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer

  19 January 1999: French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine

  25 January 1999: Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima

  11 March 1999: Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema

  6–8 April 1999: Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar

  11–16 April 1999: Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio

  6 May 1999: Council of Europe Foreign Ministers' meeting (50th Anniversary).

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is held by the United Kingdom Embassy in Ljubljana about the dates of visits by Ministers of other EU countries to Slovenia since the enlargement process began; and if he will make a statement. [92684]
  381
  Ms Quin
  The United Kingdom Embassy in Ljubljana does not hold information about the visits of all EU Ministers. However, a list of Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers that have visited Slovenia since 30 March 1998 has been compiled.

  Ljubljana

  27 May 1998: Greek Foreign Minister Theodorus Pangalos

  22 June 1998: Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene

  3 July 1998: Danish Foreign Minister Niels Helveg Petersen

  6 July 1998: Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel

  7 September 1998: Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Junker

  18 September 1998: Austrian President Thomas Klestil

  10 December 1998: Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema

  10 December 1998: Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari

  31 January 1999: Belgian Foreign Minister Erik Derycke

  10 April 1999: Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio

  15 June 1999: Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is held by the United Kingdom Embassy in Prague about the dates of visits by Ministers of other EU countries to the Czech Republic since the enlargement process began; and if he will make a statement. [92686]

  Ms Quin
  The United Kingdom Embassy in Prague does not hold information about the visits of all EU Ministers. However, a list of Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers that have visited the Czech Republic since 30 March 1998 has been compiled.

  Prague

  7 July 1998: Austrian Foreign Minister Schuessel

  23 September 1998: Austrian President Klestil

  18–19 November 1998: French Prime Minister Jospin

  12–14 December 1998: Spanish Prime Minister Aznar

  6–7 January 1999: German Foreign Minister Fischer.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is held by the United Kingdom Embassy in Warsaw about the dates of visits by Ministers of other EU countries to Poland since the enlargement process began; and if he will make a statement. [92688]

  Ms Quin
  The United Kingdom Embassy in Warsaw does not hold information about the visits of all EU Ministers. However, a list of Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers that have visited Poland since 30 March 1998 has been compiled.

  Warsaw

  May 1998: Finnish President Ahtisaari

  June 1998: German Chancellor Kohl

  June 1998: Irish Foreign Minister Andrews

  September 1998: Austrian President Klestil

  September 1998: Portuguese Prime Minister Sampaio

  September 1998: Swedish Queen Sylvia

  October 1998: German Chancellor Kohl

  October 1998: German Foreign Minister Fischer

  October 1998: Finnish Prime Minister Lipponen

  November 1998: German Chancellor Schroeder

  November 1998: Greek Prime Minister Simitis with Foreign Minister Pangalos

  November 1998: Austrian Chancellor Klima

  January 1999: Finnish Prime Minister Lipponen

  382

  February 1999: Dutch Foreign Secretary van Aartsen

  March 1999: Italian Prime Minister D'Alema

  April 1999: German Foreign Minister Fischer

  April 1999: German Chancellor Schroeder

  May 1999: Belgian King Albert II

  May 1999: Belgian Foreign Minister Derycke

  May 1999: Dutch Prime Minister Kok

  July 1999: French Prime Minister Jospin.

  Entry Clearance (Children)
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many children by nationality, have been refused entry clearance for settlement because their parent in the United Kingdom has not had the sole responsibility for their upbringing, under paragraph 297(e) of the Immigration Rules, in each year since May 1997. [93327]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is not recorded centrally or at overseas posts and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Belarus
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom will continue to recognise Mr. Lukashenko as President of Belarus after the expiry of his constitutional term on 27 July; and if he will make a statement. [92805]

  Ms Quin
  We recognise states rather than Governments. Therefore the question of recognition of President Lukashenko does not arise. In its declaration of 20 July, the EU made clear its view that President Lukashenko's mandate under the 1994 Constitution expired on that day.

  Overseas Documents
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications by the Crown Prosecution Service for assistance in securing documents from overseas, pursuant to an investigation in the UK, he has(a) supported by making representations to foreign Governments and (b) declined to support in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [93556]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly and place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply regarding his letter of 29 June concerning a constituent. (ref. GV100/51886). [93250]

  Mr. Hoon
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Symons, replied to my hon. Friend on 26 July.

  Visa Fees
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list (i) the
  383
  total receipts from fees for (a) visa, (b) settlement and (c) other immigration applications and (ii) the total cost of entry clearance operations, for 1998–99. [92906]

  Mr. Hoon
  Visa fee income is broken down into two categories only: settlement and non-settlement applications. The total receipts for the Financial Year 1998–99 were:

  £ million

  Applications

  Non-settlement applications

  55.7

  Settlement applications

  11.3

  Total fee income

  67.0

  The provisional cost of the entry clearance operation for 1998–99 is £65.2 million. The final 1998–99 costs figure will not be available until the end of August.

  Belize
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions since 1993 his Department received written or oral approaches from the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) on matters relating to banking regulations in Belize. [92069]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No Minister in this Department has received oral or written representations from the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) on this subject since the change of Government in May 1997.

  Ordtech Ltd.
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he, his Ministers, advisers or officials last met or had contact with any director of Ordtech Ltd. [92732]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Neither myself nor other FCO Ministers nor FCO Special Advisers have had any official meetings with Mr. Paul or John Grecian of Ordtech Ltd. In the time available we have not been able to make an

  Staff employed in the Chancellor's Departments and agencies

  Local authority area

  C and E

  IR

  CA

  VO

  NS

  Total

  Scotland

  Aberdeen

  194

  182

  —

  11

  —

  387

  Argyll and Bute

  5

  31

  —

  —

  —

  36

  Borders

  —

  36

  —

  —

  —

  36

  Dumbarton and Clydebank

  28

  23

  —

  —

  —

  51

  Dumfries and Galloway

  7

  56

  —

  6

  —

  69

  Dundee

  139

  133

  —

  —

  —

  272

  East Renfrewshire

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  40

  Edinburgh

  261

  1,643

  —

  33

  —

  1,937

  Falkirk

  52

  30

  —

  —

  —

  82

  Fife

  —

  131

  —

  —

  —

  131

  Glasgow

  393

  619

  —

  24

  7

  1,043

  Highlands

  20

  123

  —

  9

  —

  152

  Inverclyde

  127

  38

  —

  —

  —

  165

  Moray

  16

  15

  —

  —

  —

  31

  North Ayrshire

  —

  38

  —

  —

  —

  38

  North Lanarkshire

  24

  1,078

  —

  —

  —

  1,102

  Perthshire and Kinross

  —

  28

  —

  —

  —

  28

  Renfrewshire

  130

  46

  —

  —

  —

  176

  Shetland

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11

  South Ayrshire

  54

  63

  —

  —

  —

  117

  South Lanarkshire

  —

  1,628

  —

  —

  —

  1,628

  Stirling

  —

  52

  —

  —

  —

  52

  Total staff

  1,461

  6,033

  202

  83

  7

  7,786

  384
  extensive check with regard to officials, but to the best of my knowledge there have not been any meetings with officials.

  I understand that Mr. Grecian had access to the FCO in 1997 as he was employed by a contractor working here. While working in the FCO, he approached one of my advisers in the corridor and in the course of his work may have approached other officials.

TREASURY

  Departmental Staff
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed in Scotland(a) by his Department and (b) by executive agencies responsible to his Department; where these staff are located; and how many staff are employed in (i) England, (ii) London and the South East, (iii) Wales, (iv) Northern Ireland and (v) United Kingdom in total. [90562]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The statistics for the Chancellor's Departments and Agencies comprise:

  HM Customs and Excise (HMC&E)

  Inland Revenue (IR) including Contributions Agency (CA)

  HM Treasury (HMT)

  Debt Management Office (DMO)

  Valuation Office (VO)

  National Savings (NS)

  Office for National Statistics (ONS)

  Royal Mint (RM)

  Government Actuary's Department (GAD).

  The following tables summarise by Department and Agency the latest headcount figures available and include part-time staff and those employed on casual contracts. Changes following the recent merger of the Contributions Agency with Inland Revenue and the outsourcing of National Savings work have been reflected. Local Authority area groupings have been used to summarise the location of staff in Scotland except that figures are not yet available for Contributions Agency staff.
  385

  Staff employed in the Chancellor's Departments and agencies—United Kingdom summary figures

  Department

  England

  London and South East

  Wales

  Northern Ireland

  Scotland

  United Kingdom

  HM C and E

  21,989

  13,501

  587

  616

  1,461

  24,653

  IR (inc. CA)

  50,187

  14,410

  3,906

  1,326

  6,235

  61,654

  HMT

  900

  900

  —

  —

  —

  900

  DMO

  29

  29

  —

  —

  —

  29

  VO

  3,849

  1,639

  218

  —

  83

  4,150

  NS

  115

  107

  —

  —

  7

  122

  ONS

  2,395

  1,621

  895

  —

  —

  3,290

  RM

  16

  16

  1,068

  —

  —

  1,084

  GAD

  97

  97

  —

  —

  —

  97

  Totals

  79,577

  32,320

  6,674

  1,942

  7,786

  95,979

  ISAs
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he is undertaking to gauge the effectiveness of individual savings accounts in encouraging saving among those on low incomes. [93316]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) on 8 July 1999,Official Report, column 609.

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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 (1) 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. [91025]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 13 July 1999]: The information on business travel is not collected in the form requested. 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.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer's departments have already made some significant progress, for example:

  The Inland Revenue have put in place Green Transport Plans at six of their sites and are now working on the roll-out of a further 300 plans by 31 March 2000, in line with the White Paper target. The plans include measures to reduce both business and commuter travel and promote alternative travel arrangements. Environmental considerations are also being addressed by adopting a number of initiatives, including:
  downsizing the cc of the Pool and Private Use Scheme car fleet;
  piloting and promoting the use of bi-fuelled vehicles (LPG/Petrol);
  with DSS, a joint tender programme to supply and install bunkered Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) taken on sites throughout the UK to encourage and support the use of this alternative fuel;
  386
  an appraisal of the use of electric cars;
  providing defensive driver training which has a strong emphasis on better environmental driving techniques for 450 (50 per cent.) of our PUS drivers.

  Customs and Excise have established Local Transport Plans in its headquarters sites. All other key sites will have established plans by the end of March 2000. Each plan forms the basis of a continuing programme of improvement to meet both the Government's commitments and to obtain the maximum benefits from local knowledge and experience, and covers:

  strategic issues;

  commuting;

  business travel;

  commercial/suppliers;

  fleet.

  The plans include measures to promote car sharing, public transport use, cycling and other solutions to reduce business travel (such as video conferencing) and raise awareness of the environmental and business issues associated with travel. Suppliers and contractors are required to support these plans.

  HM Treasury introduced a Green Transport Plan in March 1999 covering its two buildings. The plans include, among other things, measures to:
  set up a Bicycle User Group (BUG);
  review travel and subsistence policy;
  ensure all cars supplied under the Government Car and Despatch Agency contract are converted to run on alternative fuels by February 2000;
  reduce car parking spaces to the standards laid down by Strategic Guidance for London Planning Authorities for Central London.

  The National Savings Agency has completed a Green Transport Plan. The plan includes measures to minimise the environmental impact of travel on official business as well as facilitating employee use of public transport.

  The Royal Mint has completed Green Transport Plans covering all key buildings in line with the targets set out in the White Paper. The plans include measures to reduce single-occupancy car use by employees.

  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has completed Green Transport Plans covering all its main buildings, both in London and nationwide, in line with targets set out in the White Paper. The plans include measures to positively encourage the use of public transport and to reduce single occupancy car use by employees for business.

  Endowment Policies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) the number of endowment policies that are surrendered each year and (b) the lapse rate for new endowment policies; and if he will list those aspects of the surrender of endowment policies to which the Financial Services Act 1986 regulatory regime applies. [92463]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: There are no published figures available for the number of endowment policies discontinued each year.

  In October 1998, the Personal Investment Authority (PIA) estimated that, for regular premium endowment policies sold in 1996, the most recent figures available, the percentage of policies discontinued during the first year is as follows.

  Percentage

  Sales channel

  Discontinued in year one

  Company representative

  6.5

  Independent financial adviser

  4.5

  Direct offer advertisement

  4.5

  Home service

  13.0

  Persistency generally improves during the lifetime of endowment policies. It is inaccurate to extrapolate these figures to subsequent years. Policies discontinued in early years are generally worthless on the traded endowment policy (TEP) market.

  The surrender of endowment policies is not regulated under the Financial Services Act (1986).

  Benefits Payments
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what level of weekly income for a family of two adults with two children aged 10 and four-years-old he has set as the level which must be exceeded for that family to be lifted out of poverty if the main earner is(a) in work and receiving no benefits and (b) out of work and receiving income support, after receipt of housing and council tax benefits; [93318]

  (2) what level of income for a couple with the woman pregnant for the first time he has set as the level which must be exceeded for that family to be lifted out of poverty if the main earner is (a) in work and receiving no benefits and (b) out of work and receiving income support, after receipt of housing and council tax benefits. [93319]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government's welfare reform programme aims to tackle the root causes of poverty, help people to earn a decent income through work, and provide security for those unable to work. We have announced an ambitious programme of support for families including increases in child benefit, a new Children's Tax Credit, increase in the Working Families Tax Credit and Income Support, and a new Sure Start Maternity Grant of £200. By the end of this Parliament, we will be spending an extra £6 billion a year on children. The Working Families Tax Credit will benefit 1.5 million families who will receive an average of £24 a week more than Family Credit. It will provide a guaranteed minimum income of 388
  £200 a week for a family with someone in full-time work on the national minimum wage, and more for families with more than one child.

  Families with children will, on average, be £740 a year better off as a result of measures in the last two Budgets. We estimate that 800,000 children will be lifted out of poverty as a result. The definition of poverty which underpins this statement was explained in the written answer which the Economic Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 14 April 1999, Official Report, column 244.

  Arms Control
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will hypothecate the revenue received from defence export levies in order to fund arms control initiatives. [93296]

  Mr. Milburn
  No.

  Inland Revenue (Bournemouth)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the Inland Revenue offices in Bournemouth are not within the area of responsibility of the Director of the Inland Revenue South West Region Executive Office. [93361]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue offices in Bournemouth have been in the area of responsibility of the Director of the Inland Revenue South East Regional Executive Office since the Department was reorganised on a Regional basis in the mid-1970s.

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Government have made of the amount of tobacco smuggling into the United Kingdom, broken down by country, in the last year for which figures are available. [93219]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The provisional assessment of HM Customs and Excise based on their work in progress to monitor the scale of such smuggling (chiefly of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco) is that the total amount of revenue (excise duty and VAT) evaded through all forms of smuggling of tobacco products in 1998 was around £1.7 billion.

  There are insufficient data on which to base a robust quantitative analysis of the amounts smuggled from individual countries.

  VAT
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to implement the recommendation of the urban Task Force to harmonise VAT rates at(a) zero and (b) 5 per cent. for new building and conversions and refurbishments; and if he will make a statement. [93301]

  Dawn Primarolo
  EC agreements mean that we cannot introduce any new zero rates or a reduced rate for work to existing buildings.
  389
  The Government share the urban Task Force's desire for an urban renaissance and is giving careful consideration to the report's recommendations. We will give our detailed response to the report in the forthcoming Urban White Paper.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the annual average income of wage earners and the proportion of that income taken in direct tax on the basis of the single person's rate each year since 1986. [92683]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The information requested is as set out.

  Annual average earnings1

  Percentage of income taken in tax for a single person with average earnings1

  1986–87

  8,811

  21.3

  1987–88

  9,516

  20.1

  1988–89

  10,405

  18.7

  1989–90

  11,406

  18.9

  1990–91

  12,384

  19.8

  1991–92

  13,299

  18.8

  1992–93

  13,985

  18.1

  1993–94

  14,435

  18.2

  1994–95

  14,877

  18.2

  1995–96

  15,376

  18.2

  1996–97

  16,016

  17.4

  1997–98

  16,679

  16.7

  1998–99

  17,372

  16.7

  1999–2000

  18,129

  16.4

  1 Average earnings are median earnings for all full-time employees where pay was unaffected by absence, from the New Earnings Survey

  2 Based on the 1998 New Earnings Survey uprated in line with the 1999 Budget forecast.

  World Trade
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the United Kingdom share of world trade(a) as a whole and (b) in manufactured goods in each year since 1970; and what was the value of (i) UK and (ii) world trade in each of those years. [92560]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Data for world and UK merchandise trade since 1970, both expressed in US dollars, can be found in the IMF's quarterly Direction of Trade Statistics publication.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the levels of investment in manufacturing industry since 1979. [92681]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The Government have clearly recognised that the UK has a long history of under-performance in investment. That is why they have put in place a comprehensive range of measures designed to tackle this weakness, including macroeconomic reforms to provide a stable environment and a tax framework to encourage investment, such as reducing the rate of corporation tax to its lowest level ever.
  390

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the nominal and real level of interest rates for each year since 1979. [92559]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: Data on short and long-term interest rates, both in the UK and other OECD countries, are available in the publication 'OECD Economic Outlook' in Annexe tables 36 and 37 respectively. An estimate of the real level of interest rates can be calculated using the inflation data contained in table 16 of the same publication.

  Tax Law Rewrite Project
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further developments there have been in the Tax Law Rewrite project. [93812]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I am pleased to be able to tell the House that the Tax Law Rewrite project is continuing to make good progress. The Inland Revenue will shortly publish the project's seventh Exposure Draft, which contains draft clauses on capital allowances for agricultural buildings, scientific research, mineral extraction and plant and machinery. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  This Exposure Draft is the third instalment in a series that will completely rewrite the capital allowances code. The rewritten legislation in this publication will form part of the first rewrite Bill next year.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how fuel used in chemical reactions will be treated under the climate change levy. [93817]

  Ms Hewitt
  As indicated in the consultation document published by Customs and Excise on Budget day, coal and gas used in chemical reactions will not be subject to the levy. Officials at Customs are having useful discussions with industry about how to apply the exemption to fuels used both for chemical reaction and for heating, such as in the steel industry. In the light of the representations received on the treatment of electrolysis, we propose to extend this to electricity. We propose that electricity used for electrolysis, either for the production of chloralkalis or the primary smelting of aluminium, will be exempt from the levy to the extent that it is used in chemical reactions. Again, Customs will discuss precisely how this will work with the industries involved with a view to the revised treatment being included in the draft clauses to be published in the autumn.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in relation to the potential of the proposed climate change levy on certain fuels to increase carbon dioxide emissions. [92152]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has received a number of representations in the course of the consultation on the climate change levy. These will be considered very carefully in determining the final design of the levy.

  Civil Registration
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made regarding the review of civil registration in England and Wales announced on 7 December 1998. [93818]

  Ms Hewitt
  The first stage of the review is complete. A consultation paper will be published in early September which seeks the public's views on the future development of the registration service in England and Wales. A full three months will be allowed for responses.

  Construction Industry (Tax)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) Construction Tax Certificates and (b) Subcontractors Tax Certificates under the new construction industry scheme have been issued; how many are awaiting processing; and how many approved applications will not be issued before 1 August. [92410]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Inland Revenue keep statistics of the numbers of applications received on a monthly basis for both registration cards and tax certificates. The latest figures show that 120,000 applications have been received for certificates and that 14,155 Construction Tax Certificates have been issued and 82,978 Subcontractor Tax Certificates have been issued. In addition, the Inland Revenue has issued 391,630 registration cards to those who do not qualify for a certificate.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been received for(a) Construction Tax Certificates and (b) Subcontractors Tax Certificates under the new construction industry scheme; how many have been approved; how many have been rejected; and how many are still being considered. [92409]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Inland Revenue only keep details of the total number of certificate applications received; they do not keep details of how many of those applications are for either a CIS6 or a CIS5. The latest figures show that 120,000 applications have been received for certificates in total. The Inland Revenue have issued 97,133 certificates in total. Around 15 per cent. of applications fail to meet the criteria so the Inland Revenue currently anticipate issuing no more than 103,000 certificates. The Inland Revenue have also issued 391,630 registration cards to those who do not qualify for a certificate.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons no telephone number is available to enable callers to check with the processing centre in Liverpool about when construction tax certificates will be issued. [92412]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Tax offices are able to advise a subcontractor, from the computer records which are updated daily, whether their application has been authorised and, if so, whether their certificate has been issued or if their application is ready for processing. There is no need for any taxpayer to contact the processing office about their application form as the tax office will be able to give them all the available information. Subcontractors can also obtain some
  392
  information from the subcontractors helpline which has been set up to provide general information about the scheme.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many construction industry application forms for(a) construction tax certificates and (b) subcontractors tax certificates have been rejected by the Inland Revenue on the basis that part of the signature was outside the white box on page 2; and if he will make a statement. [92408]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: The Inland Revenue do not keep details of the reasons why any particular application form may be rejected. All application forms are issued with guidance notes for completion but where a subcontractor has not completed the form correctly Inland Revenue staff will try to identify this when the application form is handed in to them. If the error is not immediately identified but is discovered, the applicant will be called back as soon as possible so that they can complete another form correctly.

  EU Expenditure
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (1) pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1999,Official Report, columns 132–34, what were the amounts involved in each of the budget lines (a) blocked initially, (b) now unblocked and (c) still frozen; and what are the implications for the UK Government's budget and financial planning of the European Court of Justice ruling of 12 May 1998; [92729]

  (2) what legal implications for the UK arise from the European Court of Justice's judgment of 12 May 1998; and, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1999, Official Report, columns 132–34, what were the legal bases found for each of the budget lines unblocked. [92730]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: The budget lines initially suspended by the Commission following the European Court of Justice ruling of 12 May 1998 were listed in my previous answer of 29 June 1999, Official Report, columns 132–34. The amounts contained on each of these lines in the 1998 adopted budget can be found in the Official Journal of the European Communities, L44, Volume 41, published on 16 February 1998, which is available in the Library of the House.

  The guidelines clarifying the funding of measures through the EU budget are set out in the Inter Institutional Agreement on legal bases and implementation of the budget, on which an explanatory memorandum (10893/98) was submitted in October 1998.

  The Government welcomed the European Court of Justice ruling of 12 May 1998, which supports budget discipline. The ruling related specifically to expenditure by the Commission in the EU budget, and has no other legal implications for the UK.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [92656]
  393
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: In accordance with the terms of the Ministerial Code, Ministers are required always to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Journeys in and around London, which account for the majority of the Chancellor's working week, will normally be made by Government car.

  The Chancellor last used a train in the course of his official duties on 5 July 1999, when he travelled to Bournemouth for the TGWU conference.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which the statement of jobseeker's allowance paid on Form 604 enables accurate deduction of income tax for the year in question. [92310]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 July 1999]: Neither the Inland Revenue nor the Benefits Agency issue a Form 604 in connection with the jobseeker's allowance.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contracts of a value greater than £10,000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [90835]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 14 July 1999]: Since 1 April to date, the Treasury had or has contracts of a value of greater than £10,000 in the following areas:

  Area

  Number of contracts

  Value (£)

  London

  111

  10,800,000

  South East England

  162

  7,500,000

  England

  148

  7,900,000

  Scotland

  2

  49,000

  Wales

  2

  311,000

  Northern Ireland

  0

  —

  DEL Scheme
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the entitlements for 1999–2000 resulting from the carry forward of underspends allowed under the DEL end year flexibility scheme. [93819]

  Mr. Milburn
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates, individual departmental DELs, running costs limits and external finance limits will be increased when entitlement is taken up.

  The increase in DEL resulting from the take up of end year flexibility will be charged to the DEL Reserve and £700 million, representing the underspend in 1998–99 on programmes within DEL, is being carried forward into the 1999–2000 DEL Reserve for this purpose. A list of entitlements will be placed in the Library.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times Ministers in his Department have held meetings with Ministers and officials of the 394
  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. [90404]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has met his Irish counterpart, Charlie McCreevy, on a number of occasions in the margins of meetings of European Finance Ministers. In addition they had a meeting on 12 March 1998 in London.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if those categories of income excluded from taxation with effect from 6 April by the Finance Bill 1999 will be similarly excluded in the calculation of income for the purposes of the Working Families Tax Credit with effect from October 1999. [91835]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The rules for the categories of income which are to be excluded from the calculation of the Working Families Tax Credit build on those for Family Credit. They can be found in the Family Credit (General) Regulations 1987, and the draft Tax Credits (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulation 1999 published on 5 July.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date staff in the Inland Revenue inquiry offices will be trained to make better-off calculations for inquirers considering taking up employment; and if the Inland Revenue will advise Family Credit claimants whether they would be better off waiting to claim Working Families Tax Credit rather than renewing or making a claim for Family Credit for the first time. [91833]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Advice on Family Credit and transition to WFTC will continue to be available from the Family Credit Unit Helpline. The training to enable existing IR staff, including those in IR inquiry offices, to tell potential applicants how much WFTC might be due if they made a claim will begin on 31 August.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue will first accept and begin to examine claims for the Working Families Tax Credit and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit. [91831]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit awards will begin from 5 October. The Inland Revenue will accept applications and have procedures in place in advance of this date to ensure that payments are made as soon as possible after 5 October.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that before employers are involved in the administration of the Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit in April 2000, the lessons learned from the practical experience with the new forms and procedures for those credits in Autumn 1999 will be taken into account. [91834]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The joint Inland Revenue/Benefits Agency Project Team will be drawing on the practical experience of the October 1999 changes in finalising the arrangements for April 2000. Inland Revenue officials will continue to consult employer representatives on the details of the scheme.
  395
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date training for staff will be completed in the Inland Revenue inquiry offices on the working families tax credit and the disabled person's tax credit. [91832]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Help and advice will continue as now, to be available in Benefits Agency and Employment Service offices. The initial training of all Inland Revenue staff who may expect to deal with inquiries about working families tax credit and disabled person's tax credit will take place in September and October 1999 so as to ensure that sufficient numbers of trained staff are in position to deal effectively with such inquiries.

  Own Resources
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Commission proposal on own resources at ECOFIN on 12 July. [92830]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Berlin European Council agreed that a new Own Resources Decision should be introduced under which the UK abatement will remain; the ceiling on EU own resources is kept at 1.27 per cent. of EU GNP; and contributions related to VAT and "traditional" own resources are reduced in favour of fairer payments linked to member states' GNPs. At ECOFIN on 12 July the Commission made a short presentation of their draft of that Decision. I shall shortly be submitting an Explanatory Memorandum on it to the Scrutiny Committee.

  European Anti-fraud Office
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the presidency reports on the implementation of the European anti-fraud office approved at ECOFIN on 12 July. [92829]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Presidency made an oral report on progress on the implementation of the European anti-fraud

  Table showing numbers and percentages of taxpayers with total incomes greater than £50,000, £60,000, £70,000, £100,000 and £150,000 by county

  More than £50,000

  More than £60,000

  More than £70,000

  More than £100,000

  More than £150,000

  County/country

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Greater London

  135,400

  4.5

  99,300

  3.3

  77,900

  2.6

  44,300

  1.5

  24,300

  0.8

  Greater Manchester

  16,000

  1.6

  9,900

  1.0

  6,800

  0.7

  3,500

  0.3

  1,740

  0.2

  Merseyside

  7,000

  1.4

  4,900

  1.0

  3,700

  0.7

  1,600

  0.3

  1—

  1—

  South Yorkshire

  5,600

  1.1

  3,600

  0.7

  2,600

  0.5

  1,200

  0.2

  1—

  1—

  Tyne and Wear

  4,000

  1.0

  2,500

  0.6

  1,800

  0.4

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  West Midlands

  12,700

  1.3

  8,300

  0.8

  5,500

  0.6

  2,400

  0.2

  982

  0.1

  West Yorkshire

  14,200

  1.6

  9,300

  1.0

  6,600

  0.7

  3,400

  0.4

  1,560

  0.2

  Former County of Avon

  9,100

  2.0

  5,300

  1.2

  4,000

  0.9

  1,800

  0.4

  1—

  1—

  Bedfordshire

  5,500

  2.2

  3,800

  1.5

  2,600

  1.1

  900

  0.4

  1—

  1—

  Berkshire

  18,500

  5.0

  11,900

  3.2

  8,100

  2.2

  3,700

  1.0

  1,540

  0.4

  Buckinghamshire

  18,900

  6.0

  13,300

  4.2

  9,800

  3.1

  4,700

  1.5

  2,250

  0.7

  Cambridgeshire

  9,000

  3.0

  5,400

  1.8

  3,700

  1.2

  1,500

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  Cheshire

  13,000

  2.9

  8,500

  1.9

  6,100

  1.4

  3,100

  0.7

  1,340

  0.3

  Former County of Cleveland

  1,400

  0.7

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  2,200

  1.1

  1,500

  0.7

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Cumbria

  2,800

  1.3

  2,100

  1.0

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Derbyshire

  7,300

  1.7

  5,100

  1.2

  3,200

  0.7

  1,200

  0.3

  1—

  1—

  Devon

  8,000

  1.8

  4,500

  1.0

  3,300

  0.8

  1,400

  0.3

  1—

  1—

  Dorset

  6,900

  2.1

  4,600

  1.4

  3,900

  1.2

  2,500

  0.8

  1—

  1—

  Durham

  2,400

  1.0

  1,600

  0.7

  1,100

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  East Sussex

  9,600

  2.7

  6,300

  1.8

  4,900

  1.4

  2,200

  0.6

  1,100

  0.3

  Essex

  24,900

  3.7

  16,800

  2.5

  11,700

  1.7

  6,200

  0.9

  2,770

  0.4

  Gloucestershire

  6,400

  2.3

  3,800

  1.3

  2,700

  1.0

  1,300

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  Hampshire

  22,100

  2.9

  14,400

  1.9

  9,900

  1.3

  4,400

  0.6

  1,760

  0.2

  Hereford and Worcester

  7,200

  2.2

  5,300

  1.6

  4,100

  1.2

  1,500

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  Hertfordshire

  24,900

  4.8

  16,400

  3.1

  11,500

  2.2

  5,800

  1.1

  2,750

  0.5

  Former County of Humberside

  6,500

  1.7

  4,500

  1.2

  3,200

  0.8

  1,900

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  Former County of Isle of Wight

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Kent

  18,700

  2.6

  13,300

  1.9

  9,400

  1.3

  4,500

  0.6

  2,160

  0.3

  396
  office and tabled two documents. The first concerned the appointment of the Members of the Supervisory Committee and was deposited for scrutiny on 21 July. The second was a draft Council decision concerning implementation. I will send this to the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee for information when I receive a copy of the final decision which was approved.

  EIB Loans
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the ECOFIN Council of 12 July endorsed increased commitments to EIB loans to third countries. [92871]

  Ms Hewitt
  The ECOFIN Council of 12 July agreed to renew the Community guarantee for EIB lending in third countries for a further seven years from 1 February 2000. The guarantee will cover average annual lending of up to euro 2,630 million during this period. This is an increase on the volume of lending under the existing guarantee which covers an average of approximately euro 2,450 million a year (over a three year period).

  Income Statistics
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each county in England and for the relevant areas in Wales and Scotland the number and percentage of taxpayers with taxable incomes over(a) £50,000, (b) £60,000, (c) £70,000, (d) £100,000 and (e) £150,000. [93120]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The table shows approximate estimates of the number and percentage of taxpayers with taxable incomes above the levels requested in 1996–97, the latest year for which there is information available. These estimates are based on a sample survey and the sample size is not large enough to allow estimates to be made for the majority of unitary authorities in Wales and Scotland.
  397

  Table showing numbers and percentages of taxpayers with total incomes greater than £50,000, £60,000, £70,000, £100,000 and £150,000 by county

  More than £50,000

  More than £60,000

  More than £70,000

  More than £100,000

  More than £150,000

  County/country

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Lancashire

  9,300

  1.5

  5,800

  0.9

  4,200

  0.7

  2,000

  0.3

  1—

  1—

  Leicestershire

  8,800

  2.0

  5,000

  1.2

  3,800

  0.9

  1,500

  0.3

  1—

  1—

  Lincolnshire

  4,300

  1.6

  3,100

  1.2

  2,200

  0.8

  1,100

  0.4

  1—

  1—

  Norfolk

  6,400

  1.7

  4,300

  1.2

  2,900

  0.8

  1,300

  0.4

  1—

  1—

  Northamptonshire

  7,100

  2.6

  5,000

  1.8

  3,300

  1.2

  1,600

  0.6

  1—

  1—

  Northumberland

  3,900

  3.0

  2,300

  1.8

  1,800

  1.4

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Former County of North Yorkshire

  10,000

  2.9

  6,200

  1.8

  4,800

  1.4

  2,200

  0.6

  1,000

  0.3

  Nottinghamshire

  7,300

  1.6

  4,600

  1.0

  3,300

  0.7

  1,400

  0.3

  1—

  1—

  Oxfordshire

  12,000

  4.2

  7,200

  2.5

  5,400

  1.9

  2,700

  0.9

  1,120

  0.4

  Shropshire

  4,800

  2.4

  3,100

  1.5

  2,000

  1.0

  1,000

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  Somerset

  4,000

  1.6

  2,300

  0.9

  1,700

  0.7

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Staffordshire

  7,000

  1.5

  4,500

  1.0

  3,300

  0.7

  1,300

  0.3

  1—

  1—

  Suffolk

  6,300

  2.2

  4,500

  1.6

  3,500

  1.2

  1.500

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  Surrey

  36,400

  6.9

  26,600

  5.1

  20,000

  3.8

  10,700

  2.0

  5,180

  1.0

  Warwickshire

  7,800

  3.3

  5,100

  2.1

  3,800

  1.6

  1,500

  0.6

  1—

  1—

  West Sussex

  13,200

  3.4

  8,900

  2.3

  5,900

  1.5

  2,800

  0.7

  1,150

  0.3

  Wiltshire

  8,600

  2.7

  6,100

  1.9

  3,000

  1.0

  1,500

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  Wales

  13,200

  1.1

  8,900

  0.8

  5,600

  0.5

  2,100

  0.2

  840

  0.1

  Cardiff UA

  2,000

  1.5

  1,600

  1.2

  1,000

  0.7

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Scotland

  42,400

  1.8

  25,300

  1.1

  17,800

  0.8

  7,200

  0.3

  3,150

  0.1

  Aberdeen City UA

  3,600

  3.2

  2,400

  2.1

  1,600

  1.4

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Aberdeenshire UA

  3,400

  3.1

  2,000

  1.8

  1,300

  1.2

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  East Dunbartonshire UA

  1,500

  2.1

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  East Renfrewshire UA

  3,000

  6.7

  1,900

  4.2

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Edinburgh, City of UA

  7,400

  3.4

  4,700

  2.2

  3,500

  1.6

  1,400

  0.7

  1—

  1—

  Fife UA

  2,300

  1.3

  1,400

  0.8

  1,000

  0.6

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Glasgow City UA

  2,200

  1.0

  1,100

  0.5

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Perthshire and Kinross UA

  1,500

  2.3

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  South Lanarkshire UA

  2.400

  1.7

  1,400

  1.0

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1 Sample size too low to allow estimates to be made

  Source:

  1996–97 Survey of Personal Incomes, Inland Revenue

  Pensioners
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the rate of income tax paid by pensioners who undertake part-time employment. [92547]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Treasury Ministers have received a number of representations on income tax matters, including matters relating to pensioners.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 July 1999,Official Report, column 83, if he will estimate the number of pensioners with effective rates of deduction from gross income of (a) between 50 and 60 per cent., (b) between 60 and 70 per cent., (c) between 70 and 80 per cent., (d) between 90 and 100 per cent. and (e) above 100 per cent., taking into account the effects of tax rates and benefit withdrawal rates, and the rules regarding deemed income from capital. [91659]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: I shall write to my right hon. Friend shortly and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Duty Free
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on(a) revenues and (b) jobs caused by the duty differential between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Community. [93140]
  398
  Ms Hewitt
  Duty differentials are not the only factor involved in the legal and illegal cross-border trade in excise goods between the UK and other EU member states. Other factors involved include pre-tax price, manufacturers' and retailers' margins, and transportation costs. It is not possible to isolate the effect of duty differentials alone.

  HM Customs and Excise estimates of revenue lost through cross-border shopping and smuggling are set out in their technical paper deposited in the House of Commons Library on 19 November 1998. HM Customs and Excise does not have any assessment of the impact of such activities on UK employment.

  Statistics
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ask the Office of National Statistics to increase the size of the samples it uses, in order to provide more reliable statistics for Scotland and Wales. [93268]

  Ms Hewitt
  Officials in the Office for National Statistics are holding discussions with their counterparts in Scotland and Wales to consider their requirements for enhanced samples. As a result of these discussions it has been established that samples in many cases are sufficient, while some other samples have already been enhanced, particularly in the area of business statistics. I expect these discussions to continue.

  Gold Sales
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been received from overseas Governments with regard to the sale of part of Britain's gold reserves; and if he will make a statement. [93622]

  Ms Hewitt
  We have received representations from South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (also representing Angola, Botswana, DRCongo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe), Ghana and Peru.

  Inheritance Tax
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much inheritance tax is raised from non-UK domiciled persons(a) in total and (b) who invest in unit trusts and open-ended investment companies. [93587]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that the information is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increased take-up of the working families tax credit resulting from the Government's advertising campaign; and if he will make a statement. [93609]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Working Families Tax Credit is central to the Government's aim of making work pay. It will benefit nearly 1.5 million families, providing a minimum guaranteed income for a family with a full time worker of £200 per week. Together with the national minimum wage, increases to child benefit, and reform of tax and national insurance, it will lift around 800,000 children out of poverty.

  It is vital that the right people get the information they need to apply for the tax credits they are entitled to. The Government are, therefore, launching a major advertising campaign to provide clear, targeted and comprehensive information. The Government's aim for the campaign is to encourage all those who are eligible for WFTC to apply.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households he estimates will be removed from housing benefit(a) totally and (b) in part in each region in England and Wales following the introduction of the working families tax credit; and if he will estimate the average loss of housing benefit per household. [93067]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Russia (Debt)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of(a) Soviet era debt and (b) subsequent debt which the Russian Federation has defaulted upon to date; what is the amount of that country's current debt awaiting service; and if he will make a statement. [91761]
  400
  Ms Hewitt
  There are no publicly available official estimates of Russia's total debts or of its arrears. At the Koln Summit G8 Heads welcomed the outline agreements recently reached by Russia with the IMF and the World Bank and looked forward to their speedy implementation as a further important step in Russia's reform program. They also encouraged the Paris Club to act expeditiously to negotiate a debt rescheduling agreement with Russia once an IMF agreement was in place.

  Savings
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the tax benefits for pensions and retirement savings currently goes to families earning(a) more than £100,000, (b) between £50,000 and £100,000, (c) between £25,000 and £50,000 and (d) less than £25,000 per year. [93430]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The distribution of tax relief for contributions to occupational and personal pension schemes by household earnings is not available.

  Credit Unions
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish the final report of the Task Force on Credit Union Development; and if he will make a statement. [93543]

  Ms Hewitt
  I received it a few days ago and am studying it with interest. I will decide how best to take it forward in due course.

  Betting Duty
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the rate of General Betting Duty. [93656]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government keep the revenue yield from General Betting Duty under constant review.

  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much General Betting Duty(a) was raised in 1998–99 and (b) is forecast to be raised in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–2001. [93657]

  Mrs. Roche
  In 1998–99, revenue raised from General Betting Duty was £479.8 million. The forecast for total betting and gaming receipts (including General Betting Duty, Pools Betting Duty, Gaming Duty, Amusement Machine Licence Duty, Bingo Duty and Lottery Duty) in 1999–2000, published in the March 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report, is £1.5 billion. No forecast has been published for 2000–2001.

  Treasury Building
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the proposal to refurbish the Treasury building under the private finance initiative. [92529]

  Mr. Milburn
  Ministers have now approved plans for the refurbishment of the Treasury building under the terms of an innovative PFI deal with Exchequer Partnership plc (EP), the Treasury's Private Sector Partner. This flagship PH project at the heart of Whitehall confirms the Government's commitment to PFI in the accommodation sector. On completion, the project will
  401
  bring together the whole Department in one modern, efficient office building fit for the 21st century. It is the first to follow the recently published Treasury Task Force PFI Standard Contract Guidance. It is also the first project where the service provider, in partnership with the Treasury, will put debt financing out to competition.

  This will be the first, major refurbishment of a building nearly a century old. While it needs some remedial work, the building's services also require major updating, and more flexible and efficient use needs to be made of the space within it to meet business needs. The project will achieve both, as well as providing very good value for money for the taxpayer. Work on site is expected to commence in the spring of 2000 and take two years to complete. The Department will remain at the eastern (Whitehall) end of the building while its new accommodation at the western (St. James's Park) end is refurbished. The move is scheduled to take place in Spring 2002, and the Treasury will then be occupying just under half of the building. The Treasury will pay as and when its accommodation needs are delivered to specified standards.

  Under the terms of the PFI deal, EP are responsible for securing town planning permission and listed building consent. It is also for EP to let the non-Treasury space to another public sector tenant.

  Debt Management Office
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the UK Debt Management Office's annual administrative accounts. [93816]

  Ms Hewitt
  The DMO's accounts for 1998–99, its first year of operation, are being published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Pooled Pension Investment
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the pooled pension investment will be available; and what investments will be eligible for inclusion. [93814]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government have decided to introduce pooled pension investments (ppis) in April 2001, to coincide with the introduction of stakeholder pensions.

  The joint Treasury and DSS consultation paper "Helping to deliver stakeholder pensions: flexibility in pension investment" suggested that ppis could help the successful launch of stakeholder pensions. Most responses to the paper agreed, and many pressed for a joint introduction. Also, financial services firms are still dealing with year 2000 compliance, and many will be introducing change freezes around the millennium period. It therefore makes good practical sense to introduce the two reforms together.

  The Government will allow ppis to hold units in

  authorised unit trusts,

  open-ended investment companies,

  investment trusts with separate custodians and gearing at or below 50 per cent., and

  single gilts

  402
  These investments offer appropriate security and risk spreading for savers. They also give the flexibility required to match investments with the length of time from retirement. Again this is consistent with the responses from consultation, and strikes the right balance between minimising investment risk and allowing choice and innovation.

  Office for National Statistics
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Office for National Statistics performed against its key targets in 1998–99. [93815]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Office for National Statistics' performance is described in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts which is being laid before the House and published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  ONS's performance against its key targets was good and in the case of the compliance plan and efficiency savings both targets were exceeded. In a few cases the target was missed marginally. Targets for 1999–2000 are set out in the ONS Business Plan 1999–2002, which was published in March. Copies of the Business Plan are in the Library.

  Simon de Danser
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement in connection with the independent inquiry, announced on 11 February, by Sir Gerald Hosker KCB QC, into the actions of HM Customs and Excise officials in relation to the seizure of the Simon de Danser vessel. [93813]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Sir Gerald has completed his independent inquiry and has submitted his report. My commitment was to make available to the House a summary of the report and its recommendations but I have decided to go further and to place a copy of Sir Gerald's full report in the Library of the House.

  The Chairman of Customs has accepted his conclusions and recommendations in full. The Commissioners are taking action as a matter of priority to implement the report's recommendations in order to remedy the failings identified.

  Land Settlement Association
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many former tenants of the Land Settlement Association are still being pursued for tax by the Inland Revenue in respect of their settlement of litigation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1982. [93535]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I shall write to the right hon. and learned Gentleman shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Annual Incomes
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the relationship between the annual incomes of the top decile and those of the bottom decile, and between the top quartile and the bottom quartile in each year since 1986; and if he will
  403
  give the same figures for (a) Germany, (b) France, (c) the United States of America, (d) Australia and (e) New Zealand over the same period. [92558]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: I shall write to my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Belize
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what occasions since 1993 his Department received written or oral approaches from the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Wells) on matters relating to banking regulations in Belize. [92068]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 20 July 1999]: I shall write to the my hon. Friend shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Shipping Taxation
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive Lord Alexander's report on Shipping Taxation; and if he will publish it. [91563]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I shall write to the hon. Gentleman shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  European Communities Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the European Communities working groups which met over the last 12 months with a representative from his Department in attendance; if he will list the number of times each met; if he will indicate the nature of the Government's representation; and if he will make a statement. [88475]

  Ms Hewitt
  Treasury officials regularly attend meetings of Council working groups. The Treasury is occasionally represented by officials from the United Kingdom's Permanent Representation to the European Union. I list the working groups principally involved.

  Working Group

  Meetings over last 12 months

  Financial Counsellors Group

  5

  Working Party on the Staff Regulations

  10

  Tax Policy Group

  2

  Financial Questions Group

  2–3 per month

  Code of Conduct Group

  18

  Working Party on Economic Questions

  29

  Working Party on Consumer Protection and Information

  6

  Advisory Committee on Own Resources

  4

  Budget Committee

  2 per week

  Protection of Financial Interests in the Community

  2

  Ad-hoc anti-fraud group

  6

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on travel on Government business by the Treasury's special advisers. [93925]

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 30 April 1999,Official Report, column 300, for what reasons he withheld the information
  404
  requested by the hon. Member for Chichester on the number and total cost of visits abroad made in an official capacity by special advisers in the Treasury, since 2 May 1997. [89578]

  Ms Hewitt
  All travel by Treasury Ministers and special advisers is conducted in line with the principles set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code. Details have been placed in the Library of the House.

WALES

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [91681]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 July 1999,Official Report, column 636, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health.

  NHS Costs
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the administrative cost of the NHS in Wales as a percentage of its total budget for each year since 1989. [93105]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information is contained in the following table:

  NHS administrative costs since 1989

  Administration clerical and management staff (£ million)

  Net expenditure (£ million)

  Percentage of net expenditure

  1989–90

  73.3

  1,324.4

  5.5

  1990–91

  86.9

  1,490.6

  5.8

  1991–92

  98.5

  1,710.1

  5.8

  1992–93

  116.9

  1,912.9

  6.1

  1993–94

  141.6

  1,986.6

  7.1

  1994–95

  149.3

  2,076.6

  7.2

  1995–96

  160.6

  2,178.3

  7.4

  1996–97

  162.7

  2,293.0

  7.1

  1997–98

  155.9

  2,350.0

  6.6

  Source:

  Annual audited accounts of NHS trusts and Health Authorities

  Education Funding
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received regarding the future funding of further and higher education institutions. [93123]

  Mr. Hain
  One recent representation arrived in my office before 1 July. This is now a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  GDP Statistics
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the GDP per capita of the West
  405
  Wales and the Valleys Objective 1 area status as a percentage of (a) the United Kingdom average and (b) the European Union average. [92924]

  Mr. Hain
  According to figures released by Eurostat, GDP per capita of the West Wales and the Valleys area during the period 1994–1996 was estimated to be:

  (a) 72 per cent. of the UK average

  (b) 71 per cent. of the European Union average.

  Departmental Finance
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the value of grants and financial support(a) disbursed and (b) administered by the Welsh Office for each year since 1990. [93122]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Total expenditure excluding central administration costs within the Secretary of State's responsibility over the period in question has been:

  £ million

  (a) Disturbed (actual outturn expenditure)

  (b) Administered (planned expenditure)

  1989–90

  3,742

  3,737

  1990–91

  4,388

  4,404

  1991–92

  5,247

  4,864

  1992–93

  5,936

  5,748

  1993–94

  6,240

  6,248

  1994–95

  6,474

  6,578

  1995–96

  6,650

  6,712

  1996–97

  6,745

  6,733

  1997–98

  6,723

  6,824

  1998–99

  6,906

  6,879

  The years 1997–98 and 1998–99 do not include expenditure on the Capital Receipts Initiative or Welfare to Work programmes which are UK wide initiatives.

  Appointments (Quangos)
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [92143]

  Mr. Michael
  The number of appointments I made to quangos(a) between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 1998 was 121 and (b) between 1 June 1988 and 31 May 1999 was 131. Information as to how many of those appointees were members of Britain's Asian and ethnic minority communities cannot be divulged since disclosure would risk identifying individuals without their consent, in accordance with standard practice.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to reply to the letters concerning the Owens-Corning factory, Deeside, of 28 May and 9 July from the right hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside. [92724]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: I met my right hon. Friend and a delegation from Owens Coming on 30 June to discuss his concerns and I plan to write to him shortly on the issues arising from that.

  Housing
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the local reference rent for(a) a self-contained one bedroomed flat and (b) a single room in a shared accommodation for each local authority in Wales on 1 April. [93128]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Data are compiled by the DETR on behalf of the eight Rent Registration Areas in Wales which are largely based on the former county council areas. The latest published figures from that source are for quarter ended September 1998.

  The following data have been compiled as at 1 April by direct reference to the eight Rent Offices in Wales and have been provided as a guide only. The information is not collected in the way it has been requested.

  Information for flats is not separately available, therefore the details provided relate to all two room accommodation (ie one bedroom and one living room).

  The Local Reference Rent is specific to an individual property and is meant to reflect the general level of rent for properties of the same size in the locality. In order to arrive at a single figure, an average has been calculated.

  Rent Officers are required to determine rents based on the size and type of accommodation in a locality which may be different to a local authority area and localities could also cross local authority boundaries. The information has, therefore, been estimated to cover local authority boundaries.

  £

  Local authority area

  Two living-roomed accommodation

  Single room in shared accommodation

  Blaenau Gwent

  52.50

  38.00

  Bridgend

  61.20

  40.00

  Caerphilly

  57.50

  40.50

  Cardiff County

  71.50

  39.50

  Carmarthenshire

  58.50

  42.50

  Ceredigion

  70.00

  42.50

  Conwy

  62.50

  37.50

  Denbighshire

  60.00

  38.75

  Flintshire

  62.00

  42.50

  Gwynedd

  57.50

  36.00

  Merthyr

  54.00

  37.00

  Monmouth

  68.00

  42.50

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was his estimate on 1 April of the total number of homes for rent from(a) local authorities, (b) housing associations and (c) other registered social landlords in Wales. [93126]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The latest information relates to March 1999 when the estimates were:

  Homes for rent

  Local Authorities

  197,400

  Housing Associations

  52,500

  Other registered social landlords

  nil

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate his Department made in April of the total
  407
  number of houses in multiple occupation in Wales and the total number of occupants of such accommodation, using the categories used in the licensing of multi-occupied houses. [93130]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Council Homes
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total number of council homes sold(a) under the right to buy legislation and (b) otherwise in each local authority area in Wales in the periods (i) 1979 to 1985, (ii) 1984 to 1987, (iii) 1988 to 1992 and (iv) 1993 to 1996. [93121]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the House.

  Unrestricted GMPs—Number who are full time at 1 October

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  19961

  1997

  1998

  Family Health Service Authority

  Clwyd

  207

  208

  203

  204

  204

  —

  —

  Dyfed

  192

  199

  199

  200

  198

  —

  —

  Gwent

  221

  220

  218

  217

  215

  —

  —

  Gwynedd

  146

  147

  147

  148

  148

  —

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  287

  282

  282

  273

  270

  —

  —

  Powys

  76

  74

  73

  73

  72

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  212

  208

  203

  198

  197

  —

  —

  West Glamorgan

  186

  189

  187

  186

  188

  —

  —

  Wales

  1,527

  1,527

  1,512

  1,499

  1,492

  —

  —

  Health Authority

  Bro Taf

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  343

  342

  Dyfed Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  269

  264

  Gwent

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  278

  274

  Morgannwg

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  259

  257

  North Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  344

  340

  Wales

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,493

  1,477

  1 As at 1 April data for 1 October could not be split by the new Health Authorities.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amounts retained by general practitioner fundholders by health authority at the end of each financial year since the introduction of general practitioner fundholding in Wales. [93111]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information requested is given in the table:

  General practitioner fundholder savings since the introduction of the scheme

  £000

  Family Health Service Authority

  Cumulative savings to 1993–941

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Clwyd

  567

  548

  472

  Dyfed

  191

  501

  760

  Gwent

  912

  1,841

  1,383

  Gwynedd

  0

  469

  375

  Mid Glamorgan

  317

  458

  599

  Powys

  831

  1,005

  546

  South Glamorgan

  207

  1,070

  490

  West Glamorgan

  250

  996

  736

  Total

  3,275

  6,888

  5,361

  GPs
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioner fundholders in Wales went over budget in the last five years broken down by the amount of overspend. [93116]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  For the last five years Health Authorities have been responsible for monitoring GP Fundholder performance and this information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of full-time general practitioners by trust area in Wales, in each year between 1992 and 1998. [93117]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information on general medical practitioners (GMPs) is collected on a health authority (or prior to 1997 Family Health Service Authority) basis. Information on the number of full-time unrestricted principals is given in the following table.

  £000

  Health authorities

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Total of GPFH savings as at 1 April 1999

  Bro Taf

  1,072

  133

  (514)

  2,674

  Dyfed Powys

  887

  (344)

  (332)

  2,655

  Gwent

  1,409

  390

  (734)

  4,040

  Morgannwg

  769

  (10)

  510

  1,752

  North Wales

  471

  (241)

  (625)

  1,614

  Total

  4,608

  (72)

  (1,695)

  12,735

  1 Family Health Service Authority savings are not available on an annual basis until 1994–95

  Source:

  Audited Annual Accounts to 1997–98, unaudited accounts 1998–99

  GPs (Trainees)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many trainee general practitioners there were in each training centre in Wales for each of the last five years; and how many places were available. [93115]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Cottage Hospitals
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of cottage hospitals closed in the last 10 years and planned to be closed in the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the future of cottage hospitals in Wales. [93133]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information on the closure of cottage hospitals is not held centrally.

  The future of cottage hospitals is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had in relation to the impact of the Climate Change Levy on(a) the steel industry, (b) aluminium smelting, (c) intensive energy use farming and (d) the sector of the tourism industry which is dependent on LPG for energy in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [93611]

  Mr. Hain
  The Climate Change Levy is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. However, representations have been received from individual companies in the steel and aluminium smelting industries and their representative bodies. We have made the Chancellor aware of the concerns expressed.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [90412]

  Mr. Michael
  My predecessor and my ministerial colleague the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones), met the Irish Consul General Mr. Conor O'Riordan on 13 October 1998 at the Welsh Office, Cardiff. I met Mr. David Andrews, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Edward Barrington, the Irish Ambassador and Mr. O'Riordan on 27 May at the Welsh Office, Cardiff.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much expenditure his Department(a) has incurred to date and (b) expects to incur in the future, on preparations for possible United Kingdom entry into the European single currency; and if he will make a statement. [91878]

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

  Oral Questions
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's policy in respect of transferring oral questions to other Departments; and in what ways it has changed since 1 July. [93242]
  410
  Mr. Michael
  My policy has always been to be as helpful as possible to right hon. and hon. Members and to supply as full a reply as is possible in the light of the nature of the question and the extent to which it touches wholly or partly on my responsibilities. I am considering this approach for the future in the light of Madam Speaker's ruling in the House on 12 July.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of jobs within the West Wales and the Valleys area covered by Objective 1 status; and what target he plans to set for the number of jobs in(a) 2002, (b) 2006 and (c) 2010. [92919]

  Mr. Hain
  According to the 1997 Annual Employment Survey, there were an estimated 552,000 employee jobs within the West Wales and the Valleys area in September 1997 (this excludes the majority of employee jobs in agriculture). In addition, according to the 1997 Labour Force Survey Annual Database, covering the period March 1997-February 1998, there were an estimated 105,000 self-employed people.

  Future targets are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the total number of people of working age who are economically inactive within the West Wales and the Valleys area covered by Objective 1 status. [92923]

  Mr. Hain
  According to the 1997 Labour Force Survey Annual Database, covering the period March 1997-February 1998, an estimated 295,000 people of working age were economically inactive within the West Wales and the Valleys area.

  Doctors and Nurses (Vacancies)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many doctors and nurses have been employed in NHS hospitals in Wales since 1990; and how many vacancies for doctors and nurses in Wales remain unfilled at present. [93110]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information on the whole-time equivalent numbers of hospital doctors and nurses is given in the following table. Information on hospital nurses is available in a comparable form only for the last three years.

  Current vacancies for doctors and nurses in Wales are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Staff in post at 30 September (whole-time equivalents)

  Hospital doctors

  Hospital nursing staff

  1990

  2,440

  —

  1991

  2,491

  —

  1992

  2,624

  —

  1993

  2,751

  —

  1994

  2,858

  —

  1995

  2,972

  —

  1996

  3,059

  17,751

  1997

  3,168

  17,809

  1998

  3,314

  18,155

  Council Tax Benefit Subsidy
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect on the finances of the National Assembly for Wales, and on council taxes in Wales, of his proposals included in the Statement on Funding Policy for the National Assembly for Wales, that adjustments in respect of council tax benefit subsidy for Wales should be based on relative percentage changes in council tax; and by what means the Barnett Formula will provide the necessary additional funding for Wales for these purposes. [82879]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 30 April 1999]: In future years, local authorities in Wales and the National Assembly will determine the level of local authority self-financed expenditure, including council tax.

  The precise effect of council tax benefit subsidy on the finances of the National Assembly will depend on individual local authorities' budgeting decisions and the Assembly's decisions on how and whether to use its reserve powers to control council tax increases. The detailed rules have yet to be finalised, but it is currently estimated that each percentage point difference between the relative change of council tax in Wales and that in England will require a balancing adjustment to the Assembly's Departmental Expenditure Limit of approximately £1 million. Any adjustment to the Assembly's funding in respect of council tax benefit subsidy will not directly effect council tax.

  Departmental Hospitality
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the hospitality budgets were for his Department for each year since 1989. [93112]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is not available prior to 1991–92. The figures for that and subsequent years is as follows:

  1991–92: £36,000 (including CADW)

  1992–93: £38,000 (including CADW)

  1993–94: £27,000

  1994–95: £29,000

  1995–96: £22,000

  1996–97: £21,000

  1997–98: £15,000

  1998–99: £19,000

  Public Health Laboratory Service
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans existed to privatise the Public Health Laboratory Service in Wales prior to 1 May. [93135]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  There were no plans in place to privatise the Public Health Laboratory Service in Wales prior to 1 May.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many TB notifications there were for each trust area in Wales in each of the last five years. [93104]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information on the number of cases of TB (excluding chemprophlaxis) in each of the last five years is given in the following tables. As NHS 412
  trusts during this time did not have unique geographical areas the data are shown by local authority for 1994 and 1995 and then unitary authority for 1996 to 1998.

  Local authority

  1994

  1995

  Aberconwy

  5

  —

  Alyn and Deeside

  1

  3

  Arfon

  5

  7

  Blaenau Gwent

  8

  3

  Brecknock

  2

  2

  Cardiff

  29

  32

  Carmarthen

  2

  4

  Ceredigion

  3

  1

  Colwyn

  3

  2

  Cynon Valley

  3

  —

  Delyn

  3

  4

  Dinefwr

  5

  3

  Dwyfor

  3

  4

  Glyndwr

  —

  5

  Islwyn

  1

  4

  Llanelli

  9

  10

  Lliw Valley

  8

  2

  Meirionnydd

  1

  1

  Merthyr Tydfil

  3

  2

  Monmouth

  3

  2

  Montgomeryshire

  —

  —

  Neath

  7

  4

  Newport

  5

  9

  Ogwr

  9

  6

  Port Talbot

  3

  4

  Preseli

  1

  6

  Pembrokeshire

  —

  —

  Radnorshire

  —

  —

  Rhondda

  10

  5

  Rhuddlan

  2

  5

  Rhymney Valley

  4

  7

  South Pembrokeshire

  3

  —

  Swansea

  10

  9

  Taff Ely

  9

  9

  Torfaen

  2

  3

  Vale of Glamorgan

  8

  9

  Wrexham Maelor

  8

  8

  Ynys Mon (Isle of Anglesey)

  3

  5

  Wales

  181

  180

  Unitary authority

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Blaenau Gwent

  1

  —

  —

  Bridgend

  12

  7

  7

  Caerphilly

  1

  4

  1

  Cardiff

  32

  33

  38

  Carmarthenshire

  22

  19

  13

  Ceredigion

  4

  5

  6

  Conwy

  4

  5

  9

  Denbighshire

  3

  11

  3

  Flintshire

  4

  5

  4

  Gwynedd

  10

  6

  17

  Isle of Anglesey

  3

  7

  3

  Merthyr Tydfil

  5

  4

  4

  Monmouthshire

  —

  —

  2

  Neath Port Talbot

  8

  11

  24

  Newport

  2

  5

  2

  Pembrokeshire

  8

  12

  8

  Powys

  7

  7

  5

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  12

  29

  15

  Swansea

  7

  3

  2

  Torfaen

  1

  —

  —

  Vale of Glamorgan

  6

  14

  2

  Wrexham

  9

  8

  7

  Wales

  161

  195

  172

  Hospital Waiting Times
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on hospital waiting times in Wales, by hospital and by specialty. [93136]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  This is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Dental Caries
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the incidence of dental caries of five-year-old children in each trust area of Wales, in each year since 1989. [93119]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I shall write to my hon. Friend and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Accident and Emergency Units
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of attenders at accident and emergency units in each of the last five years in Wales. [93106]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The total number of attendances at accident and emergency or casualty units in Wales was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1994–95

  960,572

  1995–96

  995,841

  1996–97

  975,322

  1997–98

  997,944

  1998–99

  1 982,012

  1 Provisional

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many casualty units there were in Wales in each year since 1989. [93107]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The number of accident and emergency/casualty units which were open at some point during the year in question is given in the following table.

  Year

  Number

  1989–90

  70

  1990–91

  71

  1991–92

  67

  1992–93

  68

  1993–94

  66

  1994–95

  68

  1995–96

  66

  1996–97

  65

  1997–98

  64

  1998–99

  63

  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of attenders at casualty/accident and emergency departments in each acute trust for each of the last five years in Wales. [93109]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many beds there were in intensive care units in Wales on 1 April, broken down by hospital. [93127]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The average daily number of available beds in intensive therapy units during the quarter ending 31 March 1999 is given in the following table.

  Hospital

  Beds

  Bronglais General

  2.0

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary

  3.8

  East Glamorgan

  6.0

  Glan Clwyd

  6.0

  Llandough

  5.0

  Morriston

  12.0

  Neath General

  8.0

  Nevill Hall

  7.0

  Prince Charles

  5.0

  Prince Phillip

  6.0

  Princess of Wales

  5.0

  Royal Gwent

  6.4

  Singleton

  16.0

  University Hospital of Wales

  15.9

  West Wales General

  6.0

  Withybush

  3.0

  Wrexham Maelor

  5.0

  Ysbyty Gwynedd

  7.0

  Wales

  125.0

  External Consultants
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much(a) his Department and (b) the NHS trusts in Wales, spent on external consultants in each year since 1989. [93108]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  (a) The figures for the Welsh Office on external consultancies are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1992–93

  1,550,000

  1993–94

  1,550,000

  1994–95

  843,000

  1995–96

  1,212,000

  1996–97

  600,000

  1997–98

  700,000

  1998–99

  1 835,000

  1 Forecast outturn

  Figures for years prior to 1992–93 are available only at disproportionate cost.

  (b) The figures for the NHS Trusts in Wales, including external contract staffing and consultancies service are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1992–93

  230,000

  1993–94

  554,000

  1994–95

  2,017,000

  1995–96

  7,949,000

  1996–97

  1,859,000

  1997–98

  3,292,000

  1998–99

  2,107,000

  415
  There are no figures prior to 1992–93 as NHS Trusts have been operational only since 1 April 1992. The 1998–99 figures are taken from unaudited accounts and are provisional.

  Following the Transfer of Functions on 1 July 1999, these are now matters for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Local Government Pensions
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he issued to local authorities concerning the management of their pension funds prior to April. [93131]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  None. This is a matter for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  District Nurses and Health Visitors
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) district nurses and (b) health visitors there were in each health authority in Wales in each of the last five years. [93114]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the House Library.

  Dental Fillings
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dental fillings per child were made in each trust area in Wales, in each month in(a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998. [93118]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Committee on Standards in Public Life
  Committee on Standards in Public Life
  National Air Traffic Services Ltd.
  National Air Traffic Services Ltd.
  Nicaragua and Honduras: Minister's Visit
  Nicaragua and Honduras: Minister's Visit
  Law Society: Complaints Handling
  Law Society: Complaints Handling
  Bodies Corporate: Execution of Deeds
  Bodies Corporate: Execution of Deeds
  Children's Legal Services: Proposed NDPB
  Children's Legal Services: Proposed NDPB
  Judicial and QC Appointments
  Judicial and QC Appointments
  Lord Hoffmann
  Lord Hoffmann
  Schools: Religious Education
  Schools: Religious Education
  Student Loan Debt Sales
  Student Loan Debt Sales
  New Deal for Young People and DfEE
  New Deal for Young People and DfEE
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Annual Report and Accounts
  Pesticides Safety Directorate: Annual Report and Accounts
  Central Science Laboratory: Annual Report and Accounts
  Central Science Laboratory: Annual Report and Accounts
  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency: Annual Report and Accounts
  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency: Annual Report and Accounts
  Meat Hygiene Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Meat Hygiene Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Annual Report and Accounts
  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science: Annual Report and Accounts
  British Cattle Movement Service: Standards of Service
  British Cattle Movement Service: Standards of Service
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Annual Report and Accounts
  Veterinary Medicines Directorate: Annual Report and Accounts
  Faroese Whale and Dolphin Hunting
  Faroese Whale and Dolphin Hunting
  Organophosphate Pesticides: Institute of Occupational Medicine Report
  Organophosphate Pesticides: Institute of Occupational Medicine Report
  Tobacco Growing Subsidies
  Tobacco Growing Subsidies
  Halal Slaughter
  Halal Slaughter
  School Milk Subsidy
  School Milk Subsidy
  Intervention Board: Annual Report and Accounts
  Intervention Board: Annual Report and Accounts
  Agriculture Council, 19 and 20 July
  Agriculture Council, 19 and 20 July
  Food Safety Law Enforcement: Cost
  Food Safety Law Enforcement: Cost
  General Pinochet
  General Pinochet
  Kosovo: Russian Deployment
  Kosovo: Russian Deployment
  Gibraltar: Financial Services Administration
  Gibraltar: Financial Services Administration
  Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Annual Report
  Westminster Foundation for Democracy: Annual Report
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Small Arms
  Bosnia and Herzegovina: Small Arms
  Bosnia, Herzegovina and Croatia: Export Restrictions
  Bosnia, Herzegovina and Croatia: Export Restrictions
  Sanctions Implemented by UK
  Sanctions Implemented by UK
  Diplomats: Serious Offences
  Diplomats: Serious Offences
  Massacre at Gracko, Kosovo
  Massacre at Gracko, Kosovo
  Wilton Park Executive Agency
  Wilton Park Executive Agency
  Treasury Building: Refurbishment
  Treasury Building: Refurbishment
  EMU: Constitutional Issues
  EMU: Constitutional Issues
  Fraud in the European Commission: Report
  Fraud in the European Commission: Report
  Banking Practice: Corporate Accounts
  Banking Practice: Corporate Accounts
  Single Currency: Economic Tests
  Single Currency: Economic Tests
  EMU: Excess Government Deficits and the UK
  EMU: Excess Government Deficits and the UK
  National Museums and Galleries: Free Admission
  National Museums and Galleries: Free Admission
  Hyde Park: North Carriageway Closure
  Hyde Park: North Carriageway Closure
  Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship
  Tobacco Advertising and Sponsorship
  NHS Estates Agency
  NHS Estates Agency
  Medical Devices and Medicines Control Agencies
  Medical Devices and Medicines Control Agencies
  Human Genetics Commission
  Human Genetics Commission
  Smallpox Virus: Retention
  Smallpox Virus: Retention
  Free School Milk
  Free School Milk
  Department of Health: New Deal Scheme Recruits
  Department of Health: New Deal Scheme Recruits
  Council of Europe and WEU Assemblies: UK Delegation
  Council of Europe and WEU Assemblies: UK Delegation
  Animals: Use in Defence Research
  Animals: Use in Defence Research
  Ballistic Missile Defence Pre-feasibility Study
  Ballistic Missile Defence Pre-feasibility Study
  Kosovo: British Forces Winter Accommodation
  Kosovo: British Forces Winter Accommodation
  Royal Hospital, Haslar: Intensive Care Facilities
  Royal Hospital, Haslar: Intensive Care Facilities
  Former Yugoslavia: "Military-related" Targets
  Former Yugoslavia: "Military-related" Targets
  Former Yugoslavia: Infrastructure Reconstruction
  Former Yugoslavia: Infrastructure Reconstruction
  NATO Bombing Campaign: Assessment of Damage
  NATO Bombing Campaign: Assessment of Damage
  Armed Forces: Pay Structure
  Armed Forces: Pay Structure
  Armed Forces: Re-enlistment Bounty
  Armed Forces: Re-enlistment Bounty
  Access to Government Information: Code of Practice
  Access to Government Information: Code of Practice
  Baton Rounds
  Baton Rounds
  Home Office Travel Documents: Charges
  Home Office Travel Documents: Charges
  Horserace Betting Levy and National Lottery
  Horserace Betting Levy and National Lottery
  Immigration (Places of Detention) Direction 1996
  Immigration (Places of Detention) Direction 1996
  Home Office: Ethnic Minority Staff Targets
  Home Office: Ethnic Minority Staff Targets
  Child Protection: Interdepartmental Working Group Scheme
  Child Protection: Interdepartmental Working Group Scheme
  Prison-made Products: Internet Marketing
  Prison-made Products: Internet Marketing
  Offender Supervision in the Community
  Offender Supervision in the Community
  Wales: Objective One Funding
  Wales: Objective One Funding
  Wales: Primary Legislation
  Wales: Primary Legislation
  Wales: Ministerial Responsibility
  Wales: Ministerial Responsibility
  Pedal Cycle Lighting Offences
  Pedal Cycle Lighting Offences