Written Answers of 23 June 1999

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Tourism
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what was the(a) volume and (b) value of tourism from (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) the Republic of Ireland to the north-west region for each of the last five years for which information is available; [87624]

  (2) what was the (a) volume and (b) value of tourism to Britain from (i) Northern Ireland and (ii) the Republic of Ireland for each of the last five years for which figures are available. [87625]

  Janet Anderson
  Information on tourism by residents of Northern Ireland is provided by the annual United Kingdom Tourism Survey, which is designed to monitor domestic tourism within the UK involving one or more nights away from home. The following table shows estimates for the underlying trend in the volume and value of tourism from Northern Ireland to (a) North West Tourist Board area of England and (b) Great Britain as a whole for the 5 most recent years for which data are available.

  Tourism (1+ nights) by residents of Northern Ireland

  To north-west England

  To Great Britain as a whole

  Year

  Number of visitors

  Expenditure (£ million)

  Number of visitors

  Expenditure (£ million)

  1994

  83,420

  18.9

  658,800

  215.9

  1995

  104,640

  22.2

  762,300

  181.4

  1996

  110,240

  27.8

  635,000

  202.9

  1997

  83,440

  25.2

  587,840

  205.1

  1998

  79,540

  25.9

  561,120

  215.9

  Note:

  Figures are 3-year moving averages: eg the 1998 figure shown is the average of the survey results for 1996 to 1998

  Source:

  UKTS (National Tourist Boards)

  Information on tourism trips from the Republic of Ireland to the UK as a whole is published annually in Travel Trends. Totals for 1993 to 1997 are as follows:

  Tourism by residents of the Republic of Ireland to the UK

  Year

  Number of visits (thousand)

  Expenditure (£ million)

  1993

  2,225

  460

  1994

  2,491

  545

  1995

  2,809

  620

  1996

  3,169

  705

  1997

  3,613

  764

  Source:

  Travel Trends (Office for National Statistics)

  Currently, no information is available from this source on the volume and value of tourism to specific areas within the UK from the Republic of Ireland. However, from April this year the International Passenger Survey
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  has started to collect information on routes to and from the Republic of Ireland which will lead to more detailed information on the areas of the UK visited becoming available in the year 2000.

  BBC
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the applications since 1 May 1997 made by the BBC for his prior approval under(a) Article 3(b), (b) Article 3(c) and (c) Article 3(u), giving in each case the date of the applications; and if the application was approved or rejected. [87592]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 18 June 1999]The following applications have been made under these articles:Article 3(b)
  Carriage of the Parliamentary Channel on analogue cable. Application dated 14 April 1998; approval given by 18 May 1998.
  Launch of the BBC Online service (phase one). Application dated 9 October 1997; approval given 10 November 1997.
  BBC Online (on a permanent footing). Application dated 9 October 1998. Approval given 28 October 1998.

  Article 3(c)
  BBC Worldwide joint venture with Discovery Corporation (approval also granted under article 3(u)). Application dated 3 September 1997; approval given 6 March 1998.
  Launch of BBC News 24 on analogue cable. Application dated 16 September 1997; approval given 9 October 1997.

  Article 3(u)
  BBC Worldwide joint venture with Tele Alliance Ltd. Application dated 22 October 1997; approval given 10 November 1997.
  Establishment of BBC Resources Ltd. Application dated 30 January 1998; approval given 16 June 1998.
  Incorporation of a new subsidiary company (Centre House Productions Ltd.) for the purposes of entering into sale and leaseback transactions. Application dated 11 September 1998; approval given 28 October 1998.
  Establishment of the Pro-MPEG Forum. Application dated 16 September 1998, approval given 30 September 1998.
  Setting up of a subsidiary company to enable BBC Knowledge to be launched on Digital Terrestrial Television Multiplex A. Application dated 7 April 1999; approval given 6 May 1999.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people living in the London Borough of Wandsworth were on income support on 1 June. [87451]

  Angela Eagle
  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. Tom Cox, dated 22 June 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of people living in the London Borough of Wandsworth on Income Support (IS) on 1st June.
  This information is not available in the format requested, the Benefits Agency does not hold collate information by local authority boundary. However, a figure can be obtained by identifying the postcode of customers living in the area.

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  The number of IS claims from within the London Borough of Wandsworth is approximately 18,000. This represents the number of IS claims, not the total number of beneficiaries of those claims. It is rounded to the nearest thousand cases, and is subject to a degree of sampling error. The sample size was 5% of the IS live load, taken from the IS Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, November 1998.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claimed invalid care allowance in each of the last three years. [87612]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. I have therefore asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Goggins, dated 22 June 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many people claimed Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) in each of the last three years.
  The total numbers of claims for ICA received during each of the financial years 1996/97, 97/98 and 98/99 are as follows:

  1996/97: 165,092

  1997/98: 162,130

  1998/99: 152,283.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claims for council tax benefit have been subject to the cap on properties above Band E since the new rules were introduced. [87813]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]Provisional data are expected to be available from late January 2000 on the number of cases affected by this restriction, based on information from the annual 1 per cent. sample of cases which were receiving Council Tax Benefit on 14 May 1999.

  We are committed to monitoring the effects of these changes, in partnership with local authorities. Research is now under way, the findings of which will be published in due course.

  Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the poorest 20 per cent. of pensioners receive(a) a full basic pension and (b) a partial basic pension. [87982]

  Mr. Timms
  Information is not available in the form requested as there is no data source that includes information on both the amount of basic pension received and total income which would enable the poorest 20 per cent. of pensioners to be identified. Such information as is available is in the table.

  The table provides a similar analysis based on total amount of State Retirement Pension received including additions such as additional pension (SERPS), graduated retirement benefit and increments.
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  State Retirement Pension receipt among the poorest 20 per cent. of pensioners in Great Britain in 1996–97

  Gross weekly income from State Retirement Pension

  Percentage

  Poorest 20 per cent. of single pensioners

  None

  4

  Less than £61.15

  23

  £61.15 or over

  74

  All

  100

  Poorest 20 per cent. of pensioner couples

  None

  1

  Less than £97.75

  16

  £97.75 or over

  83

  All

  100

  Notes:

  1. The State Retirement Pension consists of basic pension, graduated retirement benefit and additional pension (SERPS).

  2. In 1996–97, £61.15 was equal to the level of the full basic pension for a single person; £97.75 was equal to the level of the full basic pension for one person plus adult dependant.

  3. Gross weekly income from State Retirement Pension is measured in current (1996–97) prices.

  4. Estimates should be treated with caution since results are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income and therefore may be subject to misreporting.

  5. The distribution of pensioners' incomes, used to identify the poorest 20 per cent. is calculated using unequivalised net income before housing costs. The distribution is calculated separately for single pensioners and pensioner couples.

  6. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 1 per cent. although they are not necessarily accurate to that level. Columns may not sum to 100 per cent. due to rounding.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1996–97

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of those aged 80 years and over are in each quintile of the income distribution for the population as a whole. [87981]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the table.

  Percentage of people aged eighty years and over by quintile of the income distribution of the population as a whole

  Percentage of people aged 80+

  Quintile (total population)

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  1 (Bottom)

  29

  21

  2

  33

  39

  3

  20

  18

  4

  11

  14

  5 (Top)

  6

  8

  All 80+ (percentage)

  100

  100

  All 80+ (millions)

  1.8

  1.8

  Notes:

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

  2. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say 'actual' income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

  3. Results may be sensitive to the choice of equivalence scale.

  4. It is standard HBAI practice to give results for income both before and after housing costs, in order to allow for the effect of variations in housing costs between households.

  5. Component percentages may not sum to one hundred due to rounding.
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  6. It should be noted that the FRS only covers those individuals living in private households. Therefore the figures quoted above do not include those individuals living in institutions (in this case, for example, hospitals and retirement/nursing homes).

  7. It should also be noted that analyses of quality of the survey suggest that response rates are likely to be lower for those aged over 80 and therefore any survey data based on this age group may be more prone to bias than that for the population as a whole.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey 1996–97

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the proportion of pensioners who will be receiving(a) a full basic pension, (b) a partial basic pension and (c) no basic pension in (i) 2010, (ii) 2020, (iii) 2030 and (iv) 2040. [87980]

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

  Table 1: Estimated percentage of GB population over state pension age with and without some basic Retirement Pension in payment

  Percentage

  With basic RP

  Without basic RP

  Year

  Men

  Women

  Total

  Men

  Women

  Total

  2010

  98.7

  96.6

  97.4

  1.3

  3.4

  2.6

  2020

  98.7

  98.5

  98.6

  1.3

  1.5

  1.4

  2030

  98.7

  99.1

  98.9

  1.3

  0.9

  1.1

  2040

  98.8

  99.2

  99.0

  1.2

  0.8

  1.0

  Table 2: Estimate average percentage rate of standard Category A Retirement Pension (RP) for those with RP

  Percentage

  Year

  Men

  Women

  Total

  2010

  97.4

  81.8

  87.6

  2020

  96.8

  85.5

  90.6

  2030

  96.6

  89.4

  92.7

  2040

  96.5

  91.3

  93.7

  Notes:

  1. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.

  2. Estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  3. Figures relate to GB only—overseas cases are excluded.

  4. In table 1, the percentage without RP includes those deferring retirement, who have entitlement to RP but who are not actually in receipt; and married women with no entitlement of their own but who will become entitled when their husband reaches State pension age.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners claiming a category A retirement pension are living with another pensioner claiming a category A retirement pension. [87978]

  Mr. Timms
  The pensions administrative computer system only collects information on individuals, it does not hold information on other household members. None of the household surveys available collect full information of the category of pension.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of raising (i) the level of income support paid to pensioners and (ii) the basic state pension and related benefits by(a) £5 per week, (b) £10 per week and (c) £20 per week. [87983]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is in the tables.
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  The estimated cost in 1999–2000 of raising the level of Income Support (IS) paid to pensioners by £5, £10 and £20 per week

  £ million

  Option

  Income Support

  Housing Benefit

  Council Tax Benefit

  Total cost

  £5 per week

  390

  110

  50

  550

  £10 per week

  820

  210

  100

  1,120

  £20 per week

  1,800

  370

  170

  2,350

  Notes

  1. Costs are derived from the June 1999 PSM model based on the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey uprated to 1999–2000 prices with IS administrative adjustments and ASD4's pensioner forecasts.

  2. All costs exclude RCNH cases.

  3. Costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million and therefore may not sum.

  The estimated cost, net of means-tested benefits, of increasing Basic State Pensions (category A rate) and related benefits by £5, £10 and £20 per week from April 1999 onwards

  £ million

  Amount of increase in category A rate

  Net cost 1999–2000

  £5 per week

  2,110

  £10 per week

  4,240

  £20 per week

  8,570

  Notes

  1. Estimates of costs are rounded to nearest £10 million and in 1999–2000 benefit rates. Costs include related benefits with a statutory link to Retirement Pension (for example, Incapacity Benefit and Widows Pension).

  2. Contributory benefit effects have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  3. Means-tested benefit offsets were estimated using the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey and the May 1997 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry.

  Appeals
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action his Department is taking to improve clearance times for appeals. [88212]

  Angela Eagle
  The new Executive Agency of the DSS responsible for the administration of appeals will be set up from April 2000, for which demanding targets will be set. In preparation for this change, responsibility for the administration of appeals passed to the Secretary of State from the President of the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) on 1 June. The phased implementation of the new appeals procedures introduced in the Social Security Act 1998 will continue during the rest of the year and preparations will be made for Agency launch.

  Appeals have been taking, on average, around 7 months to be heard and this is wholly unacceptable. During the past year, ITS has taken action to improve the situation and in 1998–99 began to make significant in-roads into its backlog of cases, ITS figures showing a record case clearance of 370,008 cases. However, there remains much to do before ITS/The Appeals Service reaches an acceptable level of performance.

  A dual strategy to achieve the necessary improvements during 1999–2000 has been agreed with the new Chief Executive of ITS/The Appeals Service. First, ITS/The Appeals Service is mounting a systematic assault on its backlog of older and oldest appeals (defined for this exercise as any case lodged with ITS before 1 October 1998). Secondly, and in parallel to tackling this finite backlog of cases, ITS/The Appeals Service is seeking to

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  reduce both the numbers of all other cases outstanding and the length of time individual appellants have to wait for their appeals to be dealt with.

  In assessing performance during the coming year we have therefore agreed to monitor two new performance indicators. First, we will be monitoring the number of cases in the backlog and the length of time for which these cases have been outstanding. It is the intention that the vast majority of these cases should be cleared by the end of 1999–2000. Secondly, for cases not in the backlog, we will be monitoring the age profile of outstanding cases, by month; and the age profile of cases which have been cleared, by month. This will give a clear picture of how long appellants still in the ITS/The Appeals Service queue have been waiting, and how long those cases have just been cleared actually had to wait. While efforts are being concentrated on the backlog in the early part of the year, progress here will not be as quick as we would like, but the intention is that both waiting times and clearance times will have been reduced by the end of 1999–2000.

  The use of average clearance times as the key indicator of performance has not provided appellants, commentators, or ITS itself with a true picture of the levels of performance being achieved. First, average clearance times mask a wide range of performance and, in past years, did not expose the full extent of the backlog of cases which was building up. Secondly, average clearance times actually provide a perverse incentive not to clear backlog cases—the more effective ITS/The Appeals Service is in tackling its backlog of older cases, the less successful it appears in terms of average clearance

  Cost of changing the tariff income rule

  £ million

  Option

  Income support

  Jobseeker's allowance (income based)

  Housing benefit

  Council tax benefit

  Total cost

  £1 per week of every £300

  10

  Less than £2.5m

  20

  10

  40

  £1 per week of every £400

  15

  Less than £2.5m

  45

  25

  85

  £1 per week of every £500

  20

  Less than £2.5m

  65

  30

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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iran (Organ Transplants)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran concerning the role of the Iranian state in procuring for cash body parts from living donors for use in transplants. [87648]

  Mr. Hoon
  We have not, so far, made any such representations to the Iranian Government.

  Mozambique (Elections)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is offering Mozambique in connection with the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. [87858]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to take place in Mozambique before mid-December. The EU has committed 21 million euros (£13 million) to the election process, of which around 372
  times as cases which have been outstanding for too long are brought to account. Thirdly, the new performance indicators will provide a better picture of exactly how the caseload is being affected by the changes, which are being phased in over the coming months. And, additionally, the new appeals processes presently being introduced would in any event mean that future clearance times statistics were not directly comparable with those for past years.

  This dual strategy has already paid dividends in terms of performance in the last few months. At the end of February, ITS/The Appeals Service figures showed that the backlog contained 70,348 cases and represented almost 50 per cent. of the caseload. By the end of May, the backlog had been reduced to 34,194 cases. During April and May, a total of 64,647 cases were cleared. Due to the changes which came on stream in April, the intake of appeals in April and May has been much lower than usual—ITS/The Appeals Service has taken full advantage of this opportunity and the cumulative effect of the record clearances and lower intake has been that, by the end of May, the outstanding caseload has fallen below 100,000, to 99,410, for the first time since November 1995.

  Means Tests
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the net public expenditure cost of changing the rate of deemed income from capital for means-tested benefits to £1 per week for(a) each £300 of capital, (b) each £400 of capital and (c) each £500 of capital. [87979]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  15 per cent., or 3.2 million euros (£2 million), will come from the United Kingdom's contribution to the EU budget. Our High Commission in Maputo is actively involved in the international donor group which is working closely with the Mozambican authorities, including the National Elections Commission, to co-ordinate international support for the elections.

  The United Kingdom is ready to consider sending election observers, if invited to do so by the Government of Mozambique.

  The Gambia
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights record of the present Gambian Government. [87947]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We regularly review the Gambian human rights record, on a bilateral basis, and as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group which has a standing remit to monitor the situation in The Gambia. We have consistently made it clear that developments in the bilateral relationship, not least in the
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  UK's development assistance programme, depend on Gambian observance of human rights and commitment to good governance.

  There have been some improvements in recent months: harassment of the independent media has declined and the UDP opposition party has managed to hold regular rallies without interference. Nonetheless, we continue to press for Decrees which proscribe certain politicians and which place heavy burdens on the independent media to be repealed.

  We have also raised the recent abduction of Mr. Nyassi of the opposition UDP party and are pressing for an independent inquiry into the incident.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Gambia with regard to the arrest and disappearance of Mr. Shyngle Nyassi of the United Democratic Party. [87945]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Our High Commissioner in Banjul pursued the matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 27 and 28 May. He called on the Foreign Minister on 31 May and tried repeatedly to obtain a response from the Gambian Government.

  He carried out a UK-inspired demarche on behalf of the EU on 9 June, urging the Government to take urgent action to secure Mr. Nyassi's release and punish those responsible for his detention. He pursued the matter again with the Foreign Minister on 11 June and, with other Diplomatic colleagues in Banjul, met President Jammeh on 18 June.

  I am pleased to report that Mr. Nyassi was subsequently released on 21 June.

WALES

  Physiotherapists
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to encourage recruitment of physiotherapy staff to the NHS in Wales. [87799]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The recruitment of physiotherapists is essentially a matter for the service but we commission training numbers to meet service need. There are two modes of training currently—full-time and mixed mode—to ensure as wide an entry gate as possible is available.

  The links between career development opportunities and positive recruitment of staff were identified in the J. M. Consulting Ltd. report entitled "PAMs Career Development Project". NHS Trusts and Health Authorities have been encouraged to take forward its recommendations. Also my officials are currently working with the NHS Staff College to develop a Clinical Leadership Programme, which should provide further opportunities for physiotherapists and other Professions Allied to Medicine (PAMs) staff groups.

  Following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the National Assembly.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Passport Agency (Compensation)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much compensation the Passport Agency has paid to applicants who made complaints in(a) each of the last 12 months and (b) each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [87435]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Passport Agency's compensation policy is to reimburse the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by customers as a direct consequence of clear operational errors, or failure to provide an acceptable level of service by means of an ex-gratia payment. Each case is considered carefully on its merits. It is not the Agency's normal policy to make compensation payments for distress and inconvenience arising from such errors and failures.

  The information requested on compensation payments made by the Agency is shown in the table.

  Year

  Total number of complaints where compensation paid

  Total compensation paid (£)

  1996–97

  1,517

  42,357

  1997–98

  1,622

  43,876

  1998–99

  2,313

  76,311

  Within the last 12 months the position is as follows:

  Date

  Number of complaints where compensation paid

  Total compensation paid (£)

  June 1998

  160

  5,256

  July 1998

  266

  7,460

  August 1998

  244

  6,079

  September 1998

  188

  7,234

  October 1998

  194

  7,453

  November 1998

  180

  8,127

  December 1998

  179

  7,166

  January 1999

  181

  5,785

  February 1999

  196

  7,955

  March 1999

  245

  5,453

  April 1999

  256

  7,748

  May 1999

  219

  7,551

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parliamentary questions have been tabled to his Department for written answer on a named day since 15 April; and what percentage of them received a substantive response on that day. [87331]

  Mr. Straw
  Between 15 April 1999 and 18 June 1999, a total of 173 "Named Day" parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by my Department. Of these, 96 per cent. (166) received a substantive reply on that date.

  Correspondence
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the location of an Ethiopian asylum seeker whose identity has
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  been provided to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for asylum in a letter dated 15 June. [87423]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have written to my hon. Friend.

  London River Police
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1999,Official Report, columns 332–33, on the London River Police, what operational assessment the Commissioner for the Metropolitan Police has made of the workload increase for the river police over the millennium public holiday; and if he will make a statement. [87403]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that his operational planning assumes there will be a high level of activity on the river over the millennium public holiday. However, organisers of many proposed events have not yet confirmed the extent of these events. There will be a need for maximum operational deployment of river police both to police the areas involved and to support other agencies, such as the Port of London Authority.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1999,Official Report, columns 332–33, on the London River Police, if the river police are currently deployed on a 24 hour shift pattern; and what changes to the current pattern are proposed for the millennium public holiday. [87404]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the river police are currently deployed on a 24-hour shift pattern; and that 24-hour cover will be provided throughout the millennium period, with the number of officers on duty at any time reflecting the operational demand.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been put in place to ensure public safety on London rivers over the millennium public holiday. [87406]

  Kate Hoey
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that there are ongoing discussions on the joint measures that may be necessary between the Port of London Authority, who are responsible for river safety, and the Metropolitan Police Service. It would be premature to make final decisions on the total resources to be deployed, or on operational plans.

  Paedophiles
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the multi-agency strategy to deal with the monitoring and observation of paedophile activity. [87498]

  Mr. Boateng
  On 15 February 1999,Official Report, columns 601–13, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the Government's intention to consider the case for legislation in relation to dangerous people with severe personality disorder. A consultation paper on this will be published shortly. He also said that we would look to the national steering group on dangerous offenders to help the various agencies working with sex offenders to plan together for the safe resettlement of offenders into the community. The
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  Steering Group has met twice and I can report the following progress: an early warning system has been put in place to allow proper time to prepare for a dangerous person's re-entry into the community; and a support group made up of staff from the operational services will begin work in July to support the Steering Group in its work.

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 30, on young offenders, for what reasons he will not seek funding from local education authorities for the education of young offenders who are in custody. [87640]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It would be extremely complex, costly and time consuming to seek funding from local education authorities for the education of young offenders who are in custody.

  Young people are often in prison for a very short time and school budgets are set for the whole year, dependent generally on the number on roll in January.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 32, on education at Feltham Young Offenders' Unit, for what reasons the number of teaching hours purchased for 1999 is less than in 1998. [87643]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Although there has been a small reduction of 105 in the number of teaching hours purchased for 1999, the number of education hours has not decreased. The new education contract which came into effect on 1 January 1999, allows the governor to also purchase testing and assessment of prisoners from the education contractor to ensure that education programmes are focused on their needs. 192 such hours will be purchased in 1999. Previously this assessment was included in the teaching hours.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young juvenile and young offenders convicted of sexual offences are enrolled under a sex offender treatment programme; and what was the percentage in each of the last three years. [87621]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, the expected number of offenders under 21 convicted of sex offences who will complete an accredited sex offender treatment programme (SOTP) in 1999–2000 is 36.

  The number of such offenders under 21 received into the prison system and the number of completions of a sex offender treatment programme by such offenders, are given in the table.
  377

  Receptions of offenders under 21 convicted of sex offences

  Completions of SOTP by offenders under 21 in young offender institutions

  1996–97

  145

  37

  1997–98

  191

  48

  1998–99

  1196

  48

  1 Provisional

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young offenders and juveniles were held on remand in(a) Feltham young offenders' unit and (b) other young offenders' units for eight weeks or more in each of the last three years and in the period from November 1998 to May 1999. [87619]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available information is given in the table.

  Percentage of young offenders in Her Majesty's Offender Institution Remand Centre (HMYOI/RC) Feltham and other young offender institutions by length of time since first reception, 1996–99

  Percentage

  Juveniles1

  Young offenders2

  Length of time since first remand into prison

  HMYOI/RC Feltham

  Others

  HMYOI/RC Feltham

  Others

  30 June 1996

  Up to 8 weeks

  54

  62

  49

  51

  8 weeks or more

  46

  38

  51

  49

  30 June 1997

  Up to 8 weeks

  59

  61

  46

  53

  8 weeks or more

  41

  39

  54

  47

  30 June 1998

  Up to 8 weeks

  53

  60

  53

  53

  8 weeks or more

  47

  40

  47

  47

  30 November 1998

  Up to 8 weeks

  57

  60

  52

  52

  8 weeks or more

  43

  40

  48

  48

  30 April 19993

  Up to 8 weeks

  61

  62

  54

  54

  8 weeks or more

  39

  38

  46

  46

  1 Persons aged 15–17 years

  2 Persons aged 18–20 years

  3 Latest available provisional figures

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 30, on young offenders, when the revision of the selection criteria for staff working with offenders aged under 18 years will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the revised criteria. [87639]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The particular skills required by new entrant prison officers who will work with young offenders aged under 18 include, tolerance, commitment and the ability to deal with and positively influence the behaviour of young people. These requirements have been reflected in additions to the competence questionnaire which forms part of the application form and in additional exercises at the job simulation assessment centres used in the recruitment of prison officers.
  378
  The recruitment process for new prison officers to work in the under 18 estate in preparation for the introduction of the Detention and Training Order in April 2000 began earlier this month, and incorporates these additional selection criteria.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what part education plays in rehabilitation programmes for young offenders and juveniles in young offenders' units. [87618]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The main thrust of the Prison Service education policy is the improvement of basic and key skills through the prison education core curriculum which includes basic skills, information technology, social and life skills and English for speakers of other languages. The curriculum's emphasis on improving the employability of young offenders and juveniles increases their rehabilitation prospects.

  The Prison Service is a co-signatory to the National Framework Document to assist in the development of local agreements to improve the employment prospects of offenders.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the studies he has commissioned into rehabilitation programmes for juveniles and young offenders and the consequent recommendations he has made about such programmes. [87620]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Home Office has a long established policy of developing, implementing and evaluating rehabilitative programmes for young offenders, either directly or by commissioning them from outside bodies and academics.

  A wide range of such programmes have been examined over a long period of time—including programmes addressing offender behaviour (for example sex and violence offenders), particular offender problems (for example drugs and alcohol abuse problems), educational and numerical deficits, social skills deficits, parenting and other offending issues.

  As a result, the Home Office has concluded that the most effective rehabilitative interventions are those carefully matched to the particular needs of offenders, those which employ a cognitive-behavioural approach to their work, and those which are closely managed and delivered by well trained staff. Programme accreditation—ensuring that programmes have to meet (and continue to meet) an established body of criteria in order to be recognised as effective programmes (and which can be supported by the prison or probation services)—is also an established way of helping to ensure effectiveness.

  Wherever possible, these principles inform the development of regimes and programmes for young offenders.

  Drug Smuggling (Prisons)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were(a) arrested and (b) charged for attempting to smuggle drugs into prisons in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [87653]
  379
  Mr. George Howarth
  The number of visitors arrested for possible drug-related offences is given in the table. Figures for the number subsequently charged are not kept centrally.

  Visitors to prison establishments arrested for possible

  Year

  Number

  1996

  1,317

  1997

  1,183

  1998

  1,109

  1999 (to May 31)1

  366

  1 Provisional figure

  Driving (Illegal Drug Use)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been in England and Wales for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of illegal drugs in each of the last three years. [87656]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not separately identifiable from convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol in the statistics collected centrally.

  However, figures obtained from the Forensic Science Service show that 1,266 blood samples were submitted to them for analysis by police forces in England and Wales in 1996–97 and 1,863 in 1997–98, and approximately 90 per cent. of the samples submitted were found to contain one or more drugs.

  The high proportion of positive findings is likely to be as a result of the absence of specific training or other aids to identifying drug impaired drivers, so that police officers arrest only motorists who are obviously and grossly impaired. Moreover, before a sample can be taken a police surgeon has to agree that drugs are an explanation for the motorist's condition.

  Unlawful Proxy Voting
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been(a) prosecuted and (b) convicted since 1969 for unlawfully casting a proxy vote. [87647]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is unavailable centrally as such offences are not identified separately by the Home Office Court Proceedings Database.

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants have been caught while seeking to enter the United Kingdom by hiding in vehicles since 1 January. [87655]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information is not recorded centrally on the precise circumstances in which illegal entrants are detected. It is not, therefore, possible to say how many clandestine entrants are detected while concealed in vehicles and how many come to light at some later point. Regrettably, I am therefore, unable to provide the information requested.
  380
  Provisional data on persons issued with notice of illegal entry, including clandestine entrants, between 1 January and 31 May 1999 is given in the table.

  Persons issued with notice of illegal entry January to May 19991

  Number of persons1

  Month

  All persons issued with notice of illegal entry

  Of whom: clandestines

  January

  1,160

  n/a

  February

  1,000

  n/a

  March

  1,060

  n/a

  April

  1,130

  n/a

  May

  1,700

  n/a

  1 Figures are provisional and rounded to 10

  n/a = not available

  Unlicensed Guns
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics he has collated regarding the use of unlicensed guns in the committing of crimes during the last three years; and if he will publish them. [87850]

  Mr. Boateng
  An exercise to obtain information on homicides involving firearms was carried out in 1996 covering the years 1992 to 1994. Out of a total of 196 homicides involving the use of a firearm, it was known whether the firearm was legally or illegally held in 151 cases, and of these it was illegally held in 128 cases.

  From 1997, the question as to whether firearms used in crime are legally or illegally held has been routinely asked but has been provided by the police in only 6 per cent. of cases. It was decided therefore, that the information was not complete enough to be published.

  Animal Experiments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he plans to implement European Directive 86/609/EEC. [87853]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already implements, and in several ways, exceeds European Directive 86/609/EEC.

  The most important ways in which the Act exceeds the Directive are:
  the Directive requires, at Article 12, that either the experiments themselves or the details of the person conducting such experiments be notified in advance. The 1986 Act requires both that the programme of work be authorised by a project licence and that the individuals carrying out the procedures hold personal licences;
  Article 12 of the Directive also requires that for experiments that might cause severe and prolonged pain, the authority must be satisfied that the experiment is of sufficient importance for meeting the essential needs of man or animal. Section 5(4) of the 1986 Act requires that, for all applications for project licences, the likely adverse effects on the animal concerned be weighed against the benefits likely to occur; and
  the 1986 Act regulates the production and breeding of genetically modified animals, and harmful mutants as well as their use in scientific procedures. The Directive only covers their use in scientific procedures.

  LD50 Test
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish the LD50 test. [87897]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 19, and to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 8 December 1998, Official Report, column 110.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate ways of facilitating the use of smart cards designed for electronic Government transactions as national identity cards. [86801]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The White Paper on Modernising Government proposes the development of a framework for the use of smart cards in support of the delivery of Government services. No decision has so far been taken on the merits of a national identity card, but the potential for using smart card technology for this purpose is something we will keep in mind.

  Open Government
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make advice given to Ministers public. [86781]

  Mr. Straw
  Under the proposals set out in clause 14 of the draft Freedom of Information Bill, published on 20 May, Departments will be required to consider whether to exercise their discretion to disclose advice given to Ministers taking into account all the circumstances of the case including:

  (a) the public interest in allowing public access to the information; and

  (b) whether the disclosure to the applicant of the information in question would be in the public interest.

  The proposed Information Commissioner would be able to regulate the exercise of the discretion by virtue of his powers under clause 43 of the draft Bill. As disclosure of this kind of information is discretionary he will not be able to require the Department to disclose any particular information, but he will be able to:

  (a) require the Department to make a decision in accordance with that section; and

  (b) specify matters to which the Department must have regard in making that decision.

  Advice to Ministers is exempt from the statutory requirement to disclose information under clause 8 of the draft Bill by virtue of the exemption set out in clause 28.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to establish courts dedicated to dealing with cases of domestic violence in the north-east of England. [87680]

  Mr. Vaz
  I have been asked to reply.
  382
  The listing of cases is the responsibility of each of the courts in the area. The magistrates court in Leeds has recently started an experimental project using one courtroom on one afternoon each week exclusively to hear cases of domestic violence. This will ensure that those with the necessary expertise will be available to deal with these cases. HALT, the local voluntary agency supported by National Lottery funding, and the Probation Service will have a representative in court.

HEALTH

  Medicines (Bovine Material)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1999,Official Report, column 280, concerning precautionary measures in respect of medicines in whose manufacture bovine material was used, whether the precautionary measures enacted also required manufacturers to prevent the further use of existing supplies of medicinal products which in their early stage of manufacture had used bovine material (i) prohibited for use in human food at that point and (ii) subsequently prohibited for use in human food. [86773]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 15 June 1999]The precautionary measures introduced in 1989 and subsequent amendments to them did not require manufacturers to prevent the use of existing supplies of medicinal products which had used bovine material in their early stage of manufacture. Neither did the later guidelines issued by the European Commission in 1992.

  Managerial Suspensions
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chief executives and their deputies of (i) health authorities and (ii) NHS trusts are currently suspended on full pay; and what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of persons in these categories, respectively. [86878]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 14 June 1999]One National Health Service trust chief executive is currently suspended on full pay. There are 402 NHS trusts and 100 health authorities. Deputy chief executives are not formally recognised in NHS trusts or health authorities, although arrangements will normally be made for a director post to deputise.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the procedures to be adopted by the Medicines Control Agency under the provisions of the Medicines (Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising) Amendment Regulations 1999 (S.I., 1999, No. 267) accord with principles of natural justice and transparency. [86939]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 14 June 1999]The Regulations clarify and strengthen existing procedures in the control of medicines advertising. We have clear legal advice that the proposals are compatible with both Community law and the European Convention on Human Rights.
  383
  There are specific circumstances under which notices may be issued to advertisers under the procedures in the amending Regulations. These are:
  Under paragraph 1—to request a copy of an advertisement;
  Under paragraph 3—to advise an advertiser that Health Ministers are "minded to" make a decision that an advertisement is in breach of the Advertising Regulations;
  Under paragraph 4—to advise an advertiser that an advertisement would not be in breach; and
  Under paragraph 5—to advise an advertiser that, after consideration of the advice of the Independent Review Panel Health Ministers have decided an advertisement is in breach.

  Notices under paragraphs 1 or 3 may require an advertiser to cease advertising on an interim basis. At any stage, the recipient of a notice can seek judicial review of the decision to issue that notice.

  The issue of notices under the Schedule will not be automatic—the Medicines Control Agency will continue, as now, to discuss problems with advertising with the company concerned so as to secure acceptable changes. The formal procedures will come into play only when informal negotiation fails to reach an appropriate outcome.

  As regards transparency, reports of the Review Panel meetings will be publicly available. The MCA has also established a working group, the Medicines Advertising Liaison Group, to provide a forum for all regulatory and self-regulatory bodies concerned with the advertising of medicines to exchange information and opinions on issues.

  Ministerial Meetings (Ireland)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions ministers in his Department have held meetings with ministers and officials of the Irish Government since 1 January 1998, indicating the dates and locations, the ministers involved and the names of the Irish ministers and officials in each case. [87382]

  Ms Jowell
  Once, I met Dr. Tom Moffatt, the Irish Deputy Minister for Health, at the Council of Europe Ministers meeting in Athens on 22 April 1999. I was accompanied by my Private Secretary.

  Human Embryos (Research)
  Mr. Dayell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Minister of State's letter (DOH/3/5437/71), on cloning tissue, what action he is taking to permit research into mitochondrial diseases and treatment for diseased or damaged tissues or organs; and what research he has commissioned into the use of cells or tissue, derived from human embryos, for the treatment of diseased or damaged tissues. [87181]

  Ms Jowell
  The joint Human Genetics Advisory Commission and Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority report "Cloning Issues in Reproduction, Science and Medicine" recommends, among other things, that regulations should be made under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to extend the purposes for which human embryos may be used in research. This would enable research to be conducted into a number of serious disorders including the so-called mitochondrial diseases and for the treatment of diseased 384
  or damaged tissues. The Government are considering the recommendations in the Report very carefully indeed. A response is expected shortly.

  The Government provide funding for many research projects both directly and indirectly. The Medical Research Council receives most of its funding from the Department of Trade and Industry, with smaller amounts from various other sources including the Department. I understand that the Council currently funds one major research programme, at the University of Edinburgh, which is looking at the development potential of embryonic cells. This is being undertaken under the terms of a licence from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

  Eye Damage (Solar Eclipse)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made from previous solar eclipses of eye damage caused by exposure to the sun's rays; and if such evidence was used as the basis for Government guidelines. [87446]

  Mr. Denham
  Anecdotal evidence suggests that, in 1927, 13 people lost their sight due to retinal burns caused by viewing the sun directly during the last total eclipse visible from the United Kingdom. More recently, the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital carried out a study of patients presenting for treatment following the partial eclipse that occurred on 30 May 1984. They identified 11 patients of whom 7 suffered some enduring deterioration in visual acuity.

  This evidence prompted us to collaborate with the optical professions in preparation of a guidance leaflet which is about to be published. It warns that looking directly at the sun is very dangerous. The radiation could permanently damage the eye. The safest way to view the eclipse is indirectly with, for example, a pinhole projection viewer. If people ignore this advice and decide to use a solar filter or a pair of eclipse spectacles, they do so at their own risk. They would be well advised to buy the device from a reputable outlet and ensure that it had a CE mark to show it had been approved under the Personal Protective Equipment Directive and also ensure that it came with full instructions for use, that it fitted closely to the face and that the lenses were not scratched or damaged.

  Mixed-sexed Wards (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospitals covering the greater London area have mixed-sex wards. [87399]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, the Government are committed to eliminating mixed-sex accommodation. The National Health Service Executive has set three specific targets for the NHS, and is monitoring progress. It will issue a monitoring report, which will contain results of health authorities' progress towards achievements of the objectives, shortly.

  Salt
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to encourage people to reduce their levels of salt consumption; [87411]

  (2) what action he is taking to inform the public of risks associated with a diet with a high salt intake. [87645]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government have issued healthy eating advice which mentions the risks associated with high salt intakes. It includes the recommendation to reduce levels of salt consumption by cutting down on salty foods and using less salt in cooking and at the table. To enable consumers to make an informed choice, the Government are encouraging manufacturers to include the level of both sodium and the salt equivalent on the labels of all pre-packed foods and pressing for this to become a requirement throughout the European Union.

  The Government are also discussing with the food industry the scope for reducing the levels of salt in processed foods. Following initial discussions between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Joint Food Safety and Standards Group and the Food and Drink Federation ((FDF) acting for the food and drink manufacturing industry as a whole) the FDF has announced that it will be conducting a systematic review of the purpose and usage of sodium in manufactured foods. We welcome this review.

  Physiotherapy (Recruitment)
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to encourage recruitment of physiotherapy staff to the NHS. [87800]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are ensuring that effective recruitment and retention policies are in place to make the best use of trained staff and that training levels are sufficient to get a better match between supply and demand.

  The Government are taking a number of steps which will help to address the issue of recruitment and retention of physiotherapists. These include the publication of the framework for the management of human resources for the whole of the National Health Service, "Working Together: securing a quality workforce for the NHS", which sets targets for local employers to improve recruitment and retention year on year. We have issued guidance to the service on improving working lives and we will shortly be issuing guidance on Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development. In addition, physiotherapy staff are to get their biggest real terms pay increase in the last 10 years, and, for the first time in 5 years, the award is being paid nationally, in full and with no staging.

  GP Lists (Removals)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the responsibilities of health authorities regarding the removal of patients from GPs' lists. [87972]

  Mr. Denham
  The responsibilities health authorities have regarding the removal of patients from a general practitioner's list are contained in the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what evaluation he has made of the effect on the (i) capital and (ii) running costs of(a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes of the introduction of rules and regulations affecting the running of these homes in the last three years; [87893]

  (2) what Fiche d'Impact was undertaken by the EC on each of the legislative initiatives affecting (a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes introduced in the last three years; [87895]

  (3) if he will list the European Union (i) legislation and (ii) other rules introduced in the last three years which relate to the running of (a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes. [87894]

  Mr. Hutton
  The responsibility for the organisation and delivery of health care and social care in the European Union, including residential homes, lies with member states. As such, there is no European Community legislation or other rules for which the Department is responsible which relate to the running of residential homes and nursing homes and no fiches d'impact have been undertaken.

  In the last three years, there have only been two regulations introduced by the Department which relate specifically to residential and nursing homes.

  The National Health Service (Health Authorities) (Open Reporting of Nursing Home and Mental Nursing Home Inspections) Directions, made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State under Section 17 of the NHS Act 1977, required health authorities, from 1 April 1998, to make their inspection reports on nursing homes available to the public. This matched the existing requirement for local authorities to publish their residential care home inspection reports. This change involved no increase in costs to nursing homes.

  With effect from 1 May 1998, Health Service Circular 1998/057 and Local Authority Circular (98)12 increased the registration and annual fees which residential care homes and nursing homes are required to pay to the local or health authority with which they are required to register. The purpose of the fees is to cover the cost to local and health authorities of registering and inspecting homes. Prior to last year, there had been no increase in fees since October 1992.

  For a residential care home with 20 beds, the increase in fees would cost an extra £100 a year. For a nursing home, the increase would cost an extra £480 a year.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Women's Organisations (Consultation)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by her Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [86997]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government are committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experience of all those affected
  387
  by them. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 makes statutory provision for two proposals in the White Paper, "Partnership for Equality"—an obligation on the public sector to promote equality of opportunity and a unified Equality Commission. This will replace the existing Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment (PAFT) guidelines.

  Consultation has taken place with the following women's organisations during this Parliamentary session:

  Ardoyne Women's Group

  Ballybeen Women's Centre

  Belfast Women's Training Services

  Falls Women's Centre

  Footprints Women's Centre

  Lisburn Women's Centre

  NI Women's Coalition

  Soroptomist International for Northern Ireland

  Training for Women Network

  Upper Andersonstown Women's Network

  Windsor Women's Centre

  Women in Politics

  Women's Information Group

  Women's News

  Women's Resource and Development Agency

  Women's Support Network.

  None of the responses has been published.

  Imports
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the(a) volume and (b) value of imports to Northern Ireland for each of the last five years for which information is available. [87650]

  Mr. Ingram
  Official statistics on imports relate to the United Kingdom as a whole. It is therefore not possible to provide information on the volume and value of imports by Northern Ireland or any other UK region.

  Planning Appeals Commission
  Mr. Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland Planning Appeals Commission. [87689]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Following the transfer of responsibility for planning from local to central government in 1973, The Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) was established under the Planning (NI) Order 1972, to provide an independent appeals mechanism for decisions made by the then Ministry of Development (later to become the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland).

  The Commission also has a hearing/reporting role where it holds hearings and inquiries as requested by the Department in respect of specific matters. In this role, the Commission hears evidence and reports its findings and recommendations to the Department. The final decision on these matters is taken by the Department following consideration of the Commission's report.

  The PAC conducts its business using the principles of impartiality, openness and fairness.

  Internet
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when and for what reasons, officials responsible for the internet public service website for press releases were authorised to include information provided by the Police Federation for Northern Ireland in an equivalent position to that of the Police Authority and the RUC. [87483]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 21 June 1999]The inclusion of information provided by the Police Authority and RUC was a mistake. This was done by a technical grade at 11.30am on 8 June 1999 in response to an urgent request from the Police Federation and was done in good faith. The situation was rectified at 2.00pm on 16 June 1999.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those non-Governmental organisations which are itemised with links on the public service Internet web site. [87487]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 21 June 1999]The Northern Ireland Public Service website was developed with the intention of providing the public with a mechanism for quickly accessing information relating to the Northern Ireland Office, Departments, Agencies, Non-Departmental Public Bodies, other public bodies and Commissions. In encouraging the public to access the site, the website also provides links to a wide range of non-governmental organisations, as follows:

  Educational establishments

  Queen's University Belfast

  NUS/USI Northern Ireland Student Centre

  University of Ulster

  Stran Web—Stranmillis College www

  St. Mary's College

  Upper Bann Institute of Further and Higher Education

  Education and Library Boards

  North Eastern Education and Library Board

  Media

  Newspapers

  Irish News—daily editions

  Belfast Telegraph—daily editions

  Andersonstown News and North Belfast News

  Television

  BBC 1 and 2—BBC Northern Ireland BBC

  UTV—Ulster Television

  Channel 4—UK-wide broadcasting

  Radio

  BBC Radio

  COOL FM—covers the greater Belfast area

  Downtown Radio—covers the greater Belfast area

  Q102 FM, based in Derry, covers the Deny area

  Political Parties

  Alliance Party

  Conservative Party

  Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)

  Labour

  Natural Law Party

  Progressive Unionist Party (PUP)

  Sinn Fein (SF)

  Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP)

  389

  Ulster Democratic Party

  UK Unionist Party

  Ulster Unionist Party

  Women's Coalition

  Workers Party of Ireland(WP)

  Northern Ireland Green Party

  Tourism

  Ireland's National Tourism Service

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Hotels

  Transport

  Rail

  NIR

  Airports

  Belfast International Airport

  Ports

  Port of Larne

  Ferries

  SeaCat

  P&O

  Stena Line

  Norse Irish Ferries

  Utilities

  Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE)

  British Telecom

  CabelTel

  Mercury Communications

  Community Groups

  CINNI—Community Information Network Northern Ireland

  Economic Development

  Northern Ireland Grown Challenge (NIGC)

  Northern Ireland Economic Council (NIEC)

  Enterprise Ulster

  Other Government Sites

  Northern Ireland Local Councils

  Antrim Borough Council

  Ards Borough Council

  Castlereagh Borough Council

  Derry City Council

  Larne Borough Council

  Moyle District Council

  North Down Borough Council

  Strabane District Council

  Miscellaneous Government Related Topics

  The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department

  HPSS—Health and Personal Social Services

  The Drive for Energy Efficiency

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation

  Committee

  Other Internet Service Providers

  GPL www Server

  Unite Solutions www Server

  NIWEB www

  Northern Ireland Global Gateway

  390

  BIC Systems

  TRIP

  BTNET

  Ireland On-line

  CompuServe

  Unipalm pipex

  Digital Equipment Co. Ltd.

  Nova Internet

  CMI Ltd.

  Rexco's Irish Trade Page

  Aaranet

  The American Ireland Fund

  Direct Net @ccess

  Creative Online Media Ltd.

  Infosite

  The Internet Business

  PM workshop

  The Trinity Group Ltd.

  The Solutions Group

  Belfast ISP—WydeWorld.Com

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who has responsibility to(a) define the political parameters of, (b) set goals and targets for and (c) maintain and update the Government internet website. [87486]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 21 June 1999]Material appearing on the Northern Ireland public service website is the sole responsibility of the originating organisation (Northern Ireland Office, departments, agencies, non-departmental public bodies, other public bodies and commissions) as is the responsibility for setting parameters, goals and targets. The Business Development Service (BDS) provide a technical maintenance service including the design and update of information provided by the originating organisations. BDS is currently reviewing the management and editorial responsibilities associated with the Northern Ireland Public Service website.

  Voting Applications
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many absent vote applications were made for each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland for the election held on 10 June; how many applications were made on each ground for which such an application can be made, in each constituency; for each constituency how many applications were made for proxy votes; and how many in each category were(a) granted and (b) refused; [87598]

  (2) what evidence she has obtained of attempts
  fraudulently to acquire absent votes in parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland for the election to the European Parliament on 10 June; and in which parliamentary constituencies investigations are being undertaken. [87599]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]The only readily available statistics for absent vote applications in respect of the European Parliamentary elections on 10 June 1999 relate to the overall number of absent vote applications, granted and refused, for each parliamentary constituency in the Northern Ireland region. This information is detailed in the table.
  391
  As far as evidence of fraudulently acquired absent votes, the Secretary of State is aware that the Chief Electoral Officer is currently investigating attempts made to abuse the absent voting system but his investigations are as yet incomplete.

  European Parliamentary election—10 June 1999 Northern Ireland electoral region

  Registered electors applying to vote by post

  Registered electors applying to vote by proxy

  Constituency

  Granted

  Refused

  Granted

  Refused

  Belfast East

  214

  8

  39

  1

  Belfast North

  115

  3

  201

  35

  Belfast South

  215

  10

  99

  9

  Belfast West

  115

  35

  222

  35

  East Antrim

  206

  5

  58

  1

  East Londonderry

  488

  5

  140

  11

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  1,659

  39

  815

  53

  Foyle

  579

  16

  701

  34

  Lagan Valley

  358

  5

  56

  6

  Mid Ulster

  823

  24

  1,063

  101

  North Antrim

  345

  7

  102

  3

  North Down

  322

  5

  62

  1

  Newry and Armagh

  630

  30

  534

  33

  South Antrim

  192

  23

  63

  0

  South Down

  302

  8

  225

  13

  Strangford

  354

  5

  51

  2

  Upper Bann

  367

  6

  87

  0

  West Tyrone

  931

  28

  1,079

  86

  Totals

  8,215

  262

  5,597

  424

  Land Registers
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for Land Registers of Northern Ireland in 1999–2000. [88209]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For 1999–2000, the following performance targets have been set for LRNI:

  1. To achieve a customer satisfaction rate, measured against complaints of 98.5 per cent.

  2. To achieve a registration accuracy rate of at least 98.5 per cent.

  3. To process regular Land Registry dealings in an average of 20 days.

  4. To process regular Registry of Deeds dealings in an average of 4 days.

  5. To process regular Statutory Charges Registry dealings in an average of 15 days.

  6. To process pre-completion Land Information Applications in an average of 5 days.

  7. To achieve a weighted unit cost target of £24.80 (exclusive of PFI costs).

  8. To process 115 application units per member of staff per month.

  9. To increase overall productivity by at least 1.5 per cent.

  10. To cover Agency costs out of Free Income.

  EU Support Programme
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the level of take-up by the two main communities in Northern Ireland has been of funds under the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation for each of its sub-programmes and for the main types of funding body. [88206]
  392
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The figures requested are listed in Tables 1 and 2: Technical details of the research on which these figures are based are given in "European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation—Analysis of Community Uptake Report", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Table 1: Approved funding by sub programme and religious community

  Percentage

  Estimated take-up

  Catholic

  Protestant

  Employment

  59

  41

  Urban and Rural Regeneration

  63

  37

  Cross-border Development

  46

  54

  Social inclusion

  58

  42

  Productive investment

  42

  58

  Partnerships

  52

  48

  Programme overall

  54

  46

  Table 2: Approved funding by funding body and religious community

  Percentage

  Estimated take-up

  Catholic

  Protestant

  District Partnerships

  52

  48

  Government Departments

  48

  52

  Intermediate Funding Bodies/Sector

  Partners

  57

  43

  Programme overall

  54

  46

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on 14,748 project applications out of a total of some 15,460 applications for funding within Northern Ireland notified by September 1998.

  2. The religion of beneficiaries of funding is based on the religious composition of the geographical area of origin of the application.

  Agency Targets
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Environment and Heritage Service in 1999–2000. [88207]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For 1999–2000 the following performance targets have been set for the Environment and Heritage Service.Volume of Output
  Bring about a 10 per cent, reduction in the number of 'high' and 'medium' severity water pollution incidents by the year 2000 on 1996 figures.
  Establish regulatory systems for the COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazard) Regulations in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland by 31 December 1999.
  Issue large combustion plant authorisation under the Industrial Pollution Control Order by 31 October 1999.
  Progress the Areas of Special Scientific Interest designation programme by:
  declaring 15 Areas of Special Scientific Interest bringing the total to 174, and preparing statements of conservation objectives for 50 sites.
  Complete public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy and publish the agreed strategy and implementation plan.

  393
  Consult on and publish a policy statement on Protected Landscapes.
  Schedule 70 historic monuments to bring the total to 1,435.
  Complete an assessment of the condition of state care monuments.
  Complete the second survey of historic buildings in 24 wards to bring the total resurveyed to 78.
  Publish an EHS strategy for environmental education.

  Quality of Customer Service
  Respond to 90 per cent. of written inquiries or requests for information within 15 working days.
  Determine 85 per cent. of applications of Water Act consents, wildlife licences, ASSI and scheduled monument consents within the timescales quoted in our Customer Service Guides.
  Provide a round the clock response for water pollution incidents. We will assess and prioritise all reported incidents within 30 minutes of receipt by EHS, and aim to begin investigation of such incidents as soon as practicable—in all cases within 24 hours.

  Efficiency
  Achieve the following unit and activity cost and efficiency targets:
  Water Act Consents—trade consent reduce by I per cent. on 1998–99 costs—domestic consent reduce by I per cent. on 1998–99 costs.
  Food and Environment Protection Act—construction licence reduce by 1 per cent. on 1998–99 costs—disposal licence reduce by 1 per cent. on 1998–99 costs.
  Radioactive Substances Act certificates (section 7/10) reduce by 1 per cent. on 1998–99 costs (section 13/14) reduce by 1 per cent. on 1998–99 costs.
  Not to exceed 1998–99 running cost expenditure levels for ongoing existing activities for operation Country Parks. Reduce total Corporate Affairs activity costs by 1 per cent. on 1998–99 costs.
  Not to exceed 1998–99 running cost expenditure levels for ongoing existing activities for presenting and marketing Historic Monuments.
  Achieve 3.75 per cent. efficiency gains on running costs expenditure.
  Complete implementation of EHS's Y2K action plan by 31 December 1999.

  These targets are subject to endorsement or amendment by local Ministers in the event of the Northern Ireland Assembly being established.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Valuation and Lands Agency in 1999–2000. [88208]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The 1999–2000 the following key performance targets have been set for the Agency:

  1. To complete 85 per cent. of new rating revision casework within three months of receipt, up to a maximum volume of 23,000 casework units.

  2. To reduce the backlog of rating revision casework so that by 31 March 2000 the average age of outstanding casework will be two months or less.

  3. To achieve a turnaround of 16 weeks on average for all rating appeals.

  4. To complete 97 per cent. of all client casework subject to Service Level Agreements within agreed time limits.

  5. To review all client Service Level Agreements, agree service requirements and establish meaningful customer service measurement criteria for the next business year, by 31 December 1999.

  6. To achieve a unit cost of casework no greater than the 1998–99 unit cost in real terms.

  394

  7. To achieve a standard in all rating valuations such that 90 per cent. of those determined on appeal are within plus or minus 10 per cent. of the initial assessment.

  8. To issue 93 per cent. of certificates for Continuous Revision cases subject to retrospective backdating within 12 months of the event giving rise to the revision of the Valuation List.

  9. To demonstrate the ability to achieve full cost recovery in respect of client services.

  10. To have in place by 31 January 2000 an agreed specification by which external providers could bid for new systems design and installation.

  11. To achieve Investors in People accreditation by 31 March 2000.

  Full details are set out in the Agency's Forward Plan, copies of which have placed in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Booster Classes
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children have attended year 6 booster classes in 1998–99. [87676]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We do not yet have this information. LEAs are required to provide a report on the number of Year 6 pupils who attended the booster classes. The information is to be provided at the end of the 1999 Summer term.

  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans there are to continue year 6 booster classes in 1999–2000. [87677]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We will make an announcement shortly about the 1999–2000 Year 6 booster programme.

  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in which(a) local education authorities and (b) districts year 6 booster classes have been introduced. [87675]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  All LEAs were allocated funding for additional literacy and numeracy classes for Year 6 pupils.

  We do not hold nationally data on the distribution of Standards Fund grant at district level.

  Drug Education Forum
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what grants he has made to the Drug Education Forum; who are its members; what arrangements he has made to monitor its use of funds; and if he will make a statement. [87892]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]We have agreed to a grant of up to £50,000 for the Drug Education Forum for each of the three years from 1998–99 to 2000–01. This supports a full-time co-ordinator post, and also covers administrative and information support, including the production of a drug education newsletter for teachers in schools. Grants of £13,000 and £26,000 were provided in 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively.

  The Forum's membership is made up of representatives of each of the six main teacher unions; the Association of Chief Police Officers; the Drug Education Practitioners

  395
  Forum; the Evangelical Coalition on Drugs; the Health Education Authority; Hope UK; Life Education Centres; the Local Government Drugs Forum; the National Association of Youth and Community Education Officers; the National Children's Bureau; the National Health Education Group; the National Standing Committee of Advisors, Inspectors and Consultants of Personal and Social Education; Release; the Roehampton Institute London; the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse, and the Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Education.

  A condition of grant to the Forum is that the books and records relating to the claiming and use of the grant are open to inspection by the National Audit Office and representatives of the Secretary of State as and when they may require. The Forum's work is also monitored by officials from my Department, along with those of Department of Health, Home Office and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit, who attend the Forum's regular meetings as observers.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Adult Protective Legislation
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to reform(a) adult protective legislation and (b) enduring power of attorney. [87632]

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

SCOTLAND

  Genetically Modified Fish
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to license test projects for the farming of genetically modified fish in Scotland. [87259]

  Mr. Macdonald
  None. No applications for consent to release GM fish into the environment have been made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (as amended).

  Policy on this issue will be devolved from 1 July 1999.

DEFENCE

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests were carried out on members of the 21 EOD Squadron who conducted clean-up operations in Kuwait in 1991 in relation to damage from ingesting depleted uranium dust. [86947]
  396
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 June 1999]None, However, as I set out in the detailed paper, "Testing for the Presence of Depleted Uranium in UK Veterans of the Gulf conflict: The Current Position", published on 19 March 1999, all Gulf veterans who are concerned that their health has been adversely affected by service during the Gulf conflict (that is, August 1990 to July 1991), including by possible exposure to depleted uranium (DU), are entitled to seek a referral to the Gulf veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) for a full medical assessment. Copies of the DU Testing paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the timetable for disarming the KLA. [87306]

  Mr. George Robertson
  In the undertaking signed with KFOR on 21 June, the KLA have agreed that, within thirty days, all prohibited weapons with the exception of automatic small arms will be handed in to secure weapons storage sites. Automatic small arms will be handed in in phases over ninety days.

  I am placing a copy of the undertaking in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what day to day contact British officers have with their Russian counterparts in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [87569]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Day-to-day communication between British forces and the Russian contingent in Kosovo has been through a Russian-speaking UK liaison officer. There have also been meetings between KFOR commander Lt Gen Jackson and the commander of the Russian forces in Kosovo, Gen Zavarzin. Gp Capt Morley, the UK officer responsible for the establishment of an air port of disembarkation (APOD) for NATO forces at Pristina airport, has also held discussions with Russian officers. Following the recent agreement on the integration of Russian forces into the peacekeeping effort in Kosovo, more formal lines of communication are now being established.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure NATO remains solely in charge of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [87568]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Operation Joint Guardian remains a NATO led operation. As far as Russian participation in KFOR is concerned, the arrangement recently negotiated between the US and Russian Defence Ministers, and agreed by the North Atlantic Council, ensures that there will be unity of command under the NATO Commander of Operation Joint Guardian, Lieutenant General Sir Mike Jackson. Political direction will continue to be given by the North Atlantic Council, with consultations on Russian participation through the Permanent Joint Council.

  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of British forces committed to Kosovo operations. [88210]
  397
  Mr. George Robertson
  As of 21 June, some 13,000 UK service personnel were deployed on Kosovo related operations, as follows:Royal Navy: 880
  Army: 10,320 (7,300 in Kosovo, 2,900 in Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia and 120 in Albania)
  RAF: 1,800.

  The RAF element of the UK contribution to Kosovo operations will be reduced to around 900 as a result of the decision announced yesterday to re-deploy all 12 RAF Tornados from Solenzara in Corsica to RAF Bruggen, five VC10 tankers from Ancona in Italy to RAF Brize Norton and 10 Harrier GR7s from Gioia del Colle in Italy to RAF Wittering. Six GR7s will remain in at Gioia del Colle, two Tristars at Ancona and up to three E-3Ds at Aviano in Italy. Nimrod R reconnaissance sorties will continue to be flown, albeit at reduced frequency. The aircraft withdrawn to their home bases remain available for Kosovo operations if required.

  Agency Targets
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 1999–2000. [88277]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 1999–2000.Key Target 1:
  To provide 31,871 Standard Berthing Unit days.
  Key Target 2:
  To complete the Fleet Time Maintenance Loading programme to within three per cent. of budget.
  Key Target 3:
  To supply 80 per cent. of available Material within demand timescales while achieving agreed targets for high priority operational defects.
  Key Target 4:
  To supply 95 per cent. of available, maintained Munitions within demand timescales.
  Key Target 5:
  To ensure 99 per cent. availability of the Food product range in meeting customer's requirements.
  Key Target 6:
  To provide 30 per cent. of entitled personnel with Accommodation to JSP 315 Grade 2 standard or better and the remainder with Grades 3 and 4.

  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Ships Support Agency for 1999–2000. [88278]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following key targets have been set for the Ships Support Agency for 1999–2000.Key Target 1:
  To deliver upkeep periods with less than eight per cent. overrun.
  Key Target 2:
  To contain the cost of upkeep periods within three per cent. of the budget.
  Key Target 3:
  To limit to less than six per cent. the fleet time during which vessels are unable, for Material reasons, to perform their programmed tasks.
  398
  Key Target 4:
  To limit to less than four the average number of Operational Defects outstanding per vessel in fleet time.
  Key Target 5:
  To provide 70 per cent. materially available vessel days.
  Key Target 6:
  To provide materially available vessel days for less than £39.4K each.
  Key Target 7:
  To achieve a stock turnover ratio of less than 2.9:1.

  Military Provost Guard
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Military Provost Guard Service. [88076]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Following a two year pilot scheme of the use of the Military Provost Guard Service to carry out armed guarding duties at a number of Army establishments, I have decided, subject to consultation, to extend the scheme. Over five years, the Military Provost Guard Service will initially expand from its existing strength of 118 local engagement regulars to a strength of over 600, providing armed guarding services to a total of 27 Army establishments nation-wide. They will in most cases replace Ministry of Defence Police who currently carry out armed guarding duties but who will in future concentrate on their primary role of carrying out constabulary duties. Where the MPGS replace MDP they will provide a cost-effective method of guarding, achieving savings rising to over £7 million per annum by comparison with existing arrangements once the scheme is fully up and running. This will be done without any changes to security standards. There will be consultation with the Defence Police Federation on these proposals which will involve a reduction in the overall numbers of MOD Police.

  I am writing to hon. Members whose constituencies are to be affected by these changes, and a report by the Commander in Chief Land Command on the pilot scheme will be placed in the Library.

  Ulster Defence Regiment
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment were engaged for(a) one year, (b) two years and (c) three years, in (i) 1985, (ii) 1986 and (iii) 1987. [87849]

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

  Bloody Sunday
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 10 June 1999,Official Report, column 808, concerning the disclosure of soldiers' names, if he has decided to provide protection to those potentially at risk. [87828]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]We have assessed the implications of the disclosure of six names. The former soldiers concerned are being offered appropriate assistance. For obvious reasons I cannot give further details.

PRIME MINISTER

  United Nations Reform
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to promote reform of the United Nations. [86823]

  The Prime Minister
  We have given strong support to the UN Secretary General's plans for reform of the UN and its institutions. We recognise the need for new ways to be found to ensure that the UN and the Security Council work more efficiently and effectively. The Government will be pursuing this with other member states in the coming months. At the same time we will continue to press for enlargement of the Security Council to make it more representative of the world today. We will be working towards securing proper funding for the UN together with effective and transparent accountability arrangements. We will also discuss how the UN might improve co-ordination of its activities.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 23 June. [87660]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I will have further such meetings later today.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the number and percentage of private sector landlords whose rent is derived from housing benefit in each local authority area in England. [87349]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available in the format requested as the Department does not collect data on the total number of private sector landlords. The table gives information on the number of tenants in receipt of rent allowance in each local authority.

  Rent allowance recipients in the private sector in England (excluding housing association) August 1998

  Local authority

  Recipients

  Adur

  810

  Allerdale

  1,420

  Alnwick

  440

  Amber Valley

  1,410

  Arun

  3,120

  Ashfield

  1,360

  Ashford

  890

  Aylesbury Vale

  900

  Babergh

  910

  Barking

  2,240

  Barnet

  6,920

  Barnsley

  3,200

  Barrow in Furness

  2,300

  Basildon

  1,450

  400

  Rent allowance recipients in the private sector in England (excluding housing association) August 1998

  Local authority

  Recipients

  Basingstoke and Deane

  590

  Bassetlaw

  1,510

  Bath and North East Somerset

  2,330

  Bedford

  1,960

  Berwick upon Tweed

  480

  Bexley

  2,700

  Birmingham

  17,240

  Blaby

  470

  Blackburn with Darwen

  2,630

  Blackpool

  8,690

  Blyth Valley

  830

  Bolsover

  1,470

  Bolton

  3,990

  Boston

  540

  Bournemouth

  7,380

  Bracknell Forest

  600

  Bradford

  10,900

  Braintree

  1,200

  Breckland

  1,230

  Brent

  10,060

  Brentwood

  420

  Bridgnorth

  520

  Brighton and Hove

  13,290

  Bristol

  7,590

  Broadland

  1,060

  Bromley

  3,110

  Bromsgrove

  510

  Broxbourne

  710

  Broxtowe

  1,350

  Burnley

  2,390

  Bury

  2,070

  Calderdale

  3,470

  Cambridge

  1,010

  Camden

  5,650

  Cannock Chase

  740

  Canterbury

  2,720

  Caradon

  2,050

  Carlisle

  1,320

  Carrick

  2,290

  Castle Morpeth

  440

  Castle Point

  1,230

  Charnwood

  2,010

  Chelmsford

  1,010

  Cheltenham

  1,760

  Cherwell

  1,330

  Chester

  1,790

  Chester le Street

  490

  Chesterfield

  1,710

  Chichester

  1,190

  Chiltern

  1,220

  Chorley

  910

  Christchurch

  500

  City of London

  120

  Colchester

  2,050

  Congleton

  570

  Copeland

  1,010

  Corby

  430

  Cotswold

  850

  Coventry

  6,740

  Craven

  810

  Crawley

  410

  Crewe and Nantwich

  1,300

  Croydon

  7,600

  Dacorum

  890

  Darlington

  1,760

  Dartford

  1,020

  Daventry

  370

  Derby

  4,020

  Derbyshire Dales

  610

  Derwentside

  1,260

  Doncaster

  5,070

  Dover

  3,070

  401

  Rent allowance recipients in the private sector in England (excluding housing association) August 1998

  Local authority

  Recipients

  Dudley

  2,050

  Durham

  610

  Ealing

  7,370

  Easington

  1,420

  East Cambridgeshire

  570

  East Devon

  2,070

  East Dorset

  740

  East Hampshire

  860

  East Hertfordshire

  750

  East Lindsey

  3,320

  East Northamptonshire

  720

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  5,870

  East Staffordshire

  1,370

  Eastbourne

  3,050

  Eastleigh

  910

  Eden

  600

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  620

  Elmbridge

  1,100

  Enfield

  5,620

  Epping Forest

  1,150

  Epsom and Ewell

  580

  Erewash

  2,140

  Exeter

  2,510

  Fareham

  600

  Fenland

  1,450

  Forest Heath

  500

  Forest of Dean

  820

  Fylde

  1,580

  Gateshead

  3,860

  Gedling

  1,350

  Gloucester

  2,500

  Gosport

  890

  Gravesham

  1,530

  Great Yarmouth

  3,080

  Greenwich

  4,410

  Guildford

  1,180

  Hackney

  8,710

  Halton

  1,520

  Hambleton

  880

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  4,080

  Harborough

  370

  Haringey

  11,870

  Harlow

  540

  Harrogate

  2,110

  Harrow

  4,060

  Hart

  360

  Hartlepool

  2,190

  Hastings

  5,330

  Havant

  1,080

  Havering

  2,500

  Herefordshire

  2,670

  Hertsmere

  650

  High Peak

  1,300

  Hillingdon

  3,140

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  730

  Horsham

  790

  Hounslow

  3,620

  Huntingdonshire

  1,080

  Hyndburn

  2,120

  Ipswich

  2,210

  Isle of Wight

  4,140

  Isles of Scilly

  20

  Islington

  4,700

  Kennet

  750

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3,470

  Kerrier

  2,700

  Kettering

  900

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  1,850

  Kingston upon Hull

  7,810

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,460

  Kirklees

  6,440

  Knowsley

  2,950

  402

  Rent allowance recipients in the private sector in England (excluding housing association) August 1998

  Local authority

  Recipients

  Lambeth

  7,170

  Lancaster

  4,590

  Leeds

  10,640

  Leicester

  3,960

  Lewes

  1,660

  Lewisham

  7,000

  Lichfield

  510

  Lincoln

  2,040

  Liverpool

  20,680

  Luton

  3,870

  Macclesfield

  1,360

  Maidstone

  1,480

  Maldon

  670

  Malvern Hills

  680

  Manchester

  14,160

  Mansfield

  1,610

  Medway

  4,750

  Melton

  430

  Mendip

  1,850

  Merton

  3,000

  Mid Bedfordshire

  620

  Mid Devon

  1,160

  Mid Suffolk

  660

  Mid Sussex

  1,000

  Middlesbrough

  2,980

  Milton Keynes

  1,660

  Mole Valley

  600

  New Forest

  1,840

  Newark and Sherwood

  1,280

  Newcastle under Lyme

  940

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6,290

  Newham

  12,960

  North Cornwall

  2,680

  North Devon

  2,690

  North Dorset

  410

  North East Derby

  690

  North East Lincoln

  4,820

  North Hertfordshire

  900

  North Kesteven

  730

  North Lincolnshire

  2,280

  North Norfolk

  1,920

  North Shropshire

  710

  North Somerset

  4,050

  North Tyneside

  3,470

  North Warwickshire

  750

  North West Leicester

  610

  North Wiltshire

  820

  Northampton

  2,100

  Norwich

  2,490

  Nottingham

  5,980

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  1,460

  Oadby and Wigston

  480

  Oldham

  2,670

  Oswestry

  520

  Oxford

  2,480

  Pendle

  1,900

  Penwith

  2,470

  Peterborough

  3,120

  Plymouth

  7,730

  Poole

  2,280

  Portsmouth

  4,980

  Preston

  1,790

  Purbeck

  730

  Reading

  2,750

  Redbridge

  6,650

  Redcar and Cleveland

  2,100

  Redditch

  460

  Reigate and Banstead

  790

  Restormel

  3,070

  Ribble Valley

  500

  Richmond upon Thames

  2,190

  Richmondshire

  450

  403

  Rent allowance recipients in the private sector in England (excluding housing association) August 1998

  Local authority

  Recipients

  Rochdale

  3,420

  Rochford

  830

  Rossendale

  1,060

  Rother

  2,460

  Rotherham

  3,010

  Rugby

  670

  Runnymede

  670

  Rushcliffe

  950

  Rushmoor

  750

  Rutland

  260

  Ryedale

  690

  Salford

  4,540

  Salisbury

  1,630

  Sandwell

  2,940

  Scarborough

  3,490

  Sedgefield

  850

  Sedgemoor

  1,750

  Sefton

  6,470

  Selby

  510

  Sevenoaks

  860

  Sheffield

  5,660

  Shepway

  3,710

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  1,140

  Slough

  1,520

  Solihull

  1,180

  South Bedfordshire

  820

  South Buckinghamshire

  350

  South Cambridgeshire

  610

  South Derbyshire

  1,020

  South Gloucestershire

  1,630

  South Hams

  1,610

  South Holland

  570

  South Kesteven

  1,320

  South Lakeland

  1,490

  South Norfolk

  1,000

  South Northants

  410

  South Oxfordshire

  910

  South Ribble

  620

  South Shropshire

  650

  South Somerset

  1,940

  South Staffordshire

  590

  South Tyneside

  2,060

  Southampton

  5,460

  Southend on Sea

  7,040

  Southwark

  3,950

  Spelthorne

  720

  St. Albans

  790

  St. Edmunsbury

  820

  St. Helens

  2,100

  Stafford

  880

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  740

  Stevenage

  1,170

  Stockport

  3,620

  Stockton on Tees

  2,620

  Stoke on Trent

  3,810

  Stratford on Avon

  1,060

  Stroud

  1,180

  Suffolk Coastal

  1,810

  Sunderland

  4,670

  Surrey Heath

  330

  Sutton

  1,550

  Swale

  2,310

  Swindon

  1,670

  Tameside

  3,330

  Tamworth

  500

  Tandridge

  460

  Taunton Deane

  1,950

  Teesdale

  390

  Teignbridge

  2,850

  Telford and Wrekin

  1,310

  Tendring

  3,930

  Test Valley

  640

  404

  Rent allowance recipients in the private sector in England (excluding housing association) August 1998

  Local authority

  Recipients

  Tewkesbury

  680

  Thanet

  6,490

  Three Rivers

  480

  Thurrock

  1,830

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  830

  Torbay

  6,560

  Torridge

  1,920

  Tower Hamlets

  2,610

  Trafford

  2,480

  Tunbridge Wells

  1,160

  Tynedale

  600

  Uttlesford

  500

  Vale of White Horse

  690

  Vale Royal

  820

  Wakefield

  3,450

  Walsall

  2,120

  Waltham Forest

  8,830

  Wandsworth

  5,630

  Wansbeck

  1,230

  Warrington

  1,650

  Warwick

  1,230

  Watford

  1,020

  Waveney

  4,100

  Waverley

  830

  Wealden

  1,670

  Wear Valley

  950

  Wellingborough

  660

  Welwyn Hatfield

  470

  West Berkshire

  980

  West Devon

  1,060

  West Dorset

  1,170

  West Lancashire

  1,330

  West Lindsey

  1,210

  West Oxfordshire

  820

  West Somerset

  990

  West Wiltshire

  1,620

  Westminster

  5,660

  Weymouth and Portland

  1,750

  Wigan

  3,270

  Winchester

  750

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  1,080

  Wirral

  11,730

  Woking

  560

  Wokingham

  550

  Wolverhampton

  2,810

  Worcester

  1,350

  Worthing

  2,520

  Wychavon

  710

  Wycombe

  850

  Wyre

  2,060

  Wyre Forest

  1,050

  York

  2,380

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System.

  George Green Tunnel (Wanstead)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the Highways Agency staged the mock accident in the George Green Tunnel, Wanstead; what the results were; and if he will make a statement. [87278]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A limited staged incident was held on 28 May 1999 in the George Green Tunnel. It was arranged to give the London Fire Brigade the opportunity to react to and deal with a mock accident within the tunnel, before it is opened to traffic. In addition a smoke generator was employed to confirm that smoke from an incident would dissipate from the tunnel. Both
  405
  exercises were carried out successfully and the Highways Agency is expecting to receive a copy of the fire brigade's report on the exercise in due course.

  A full staged incident, involving all the emergency services, will be undertaken after the whole of the A12 Hackney to M11 Link Road works are completed in the autumn. Staged incidents are carried out as a normal part of the Highways Agency's safety procedures and in this tunnel, are likely to be repeated every few years.

  World Environment Day
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what events were organised by his Department to mark World Environment Day on 5 June. [87495]

  Mr. Meale
  We ran special adverts, referring to World Environment Day, on TV and Radio as part of the 'Are You Doing Your Bit?' campaign which was launched on 17 June. The theme of the campaign—the impact individuals can make to improve the environment—is closely linked with the World Environment Day theme, 'Our Earth—Our Future—Just Save it!'.

  Environment Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals(a) originating from and (b) relevant to United Kingdom environmental policy are due for discussion at the Environment Council in Luxembourg on 25 June. [87503]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Council will take place in Luxembourg over two days on 24–25 June. The following proposals will be discussed and will be relevant to United Kingdom environmental policy;Proposal for a Council Directive on incineration of Hazardous waste
  Common Position
  Amended Proposal for a Council Regulation on a revised Community eco-label award scheme
  Common Position
  Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms
  Common Position
  Proposal for a Council Regulation allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a community eco-management and audit system
  Common Position
  Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the financial instrument for the environment (LIFE)
  Common Position
  Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to the noise emission by equipment used outdoors
  Common Position
  Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on action to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants by engines intended to power agricultural or forestry tractors and amending Council Directive 74/150/EEC
  Common Position
  406
  Proposal for a Council Directive on end-of-life vehicles
  Common Position
  Amended proposal for a Council Directive on the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment
  Policy Debate
  Situation in the negotiations with automobile manufacturers which are not members of the EAMA (JAMA/KAMA)
  Council Conclusions
  Preparation for the 5th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
  Council Conclusions
  Development of the European Community's policy on chemical products
  Council Conclusions.

  Transport and Works Act 1992
  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average period of time taken by his Department to process applications for orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 following submission of an Inspector's report. [87581]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  For those Transport and Works Act applications that have been decided following a public inquiry, the average time taken from receipt of the Inspector's report to decision has been 11 months.

  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions applications for orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 have been opened up to further consultation with objectors following an interim decision letter from him. [87580]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Three Transport and Works Act applications have been subject to further consultation following an interim letter from the Secretary of State. These cases related to the East London Line extension; the proposed international station at Sratford on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link; and the Welsh Highland Railway.

  Mr. Snape
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the working of the Transport and Works Act 1992. [87579]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The operation of the Transport and Works Act 1992 is constantly kept under review. Although we have no immediate plans to amend the Act itself, we do intend shortly to revise the Rules governing the procedures for dealing with applications for orders under Part I of the Act. The new Rules will implement the revised EC Directive on environmental impact assessments and will make a number of improvements based on experience of operating the existing Rules.

  Landfill Directive
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how oil and grease will be classified under the new landfill directive. [87623]
  407
  Mr. Meale
  The Special Waste Regulations 1996, implementing the Hazardous Waste Directive, classify certain difficult to handle wastes as special. In general all mineral oils, for example hydraulic oils and lubricating oils, are likely to be special wastes. The Landfill Directive is not expected to have any impact on waste classification.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the climate change levy is being imposed on timber-based industries. [87682]

  Mr. Meale
  All sectors will need to play their part in achieving our climate change targets, including the legally binding Kyoto target of a 12.5 per cent. reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the period 2008 to 2012 compared with 1990. By changing relative prices, the climate change levy will help stimulate the implementation of further measures to improve energy efficiency in all sectors of business. These measures are expected to lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 1.5 million tonnes carbon per annum by 2010. The revenue from the levy will be recycled in full to business, principally through a 0.5 per cent. cut in employers' NICs.

  Taxicard
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to transfer responsibility for Taxicard to Transport for London; [87657]

  (2) what powers he has to transfer responsibility for Taxicard from London boroughs to the Greater London Authority. [87658]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 21 June 1999]We will honour the commitment made in the White Paper, "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897) to transfer Taxicard to Transport for London (TfL). However, we have also indicated that the precise timing of the transfer will be for the Mayor to decide, in the context of his or her overall transport strategy. That is the most sensible way forward, given the current complexity of the scheme, which is operated, on a discretionary basis, by only 29 boroughs with differing levels of funding and services.

  Subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill, the Mayor will have the necessary powers to effect the transfer of the Taxicard scheme, or to operate a similar scheme. I made clear on 25 February 1999, Official Report, Standing Committee A, column 865, that the GLA Bill provisions concerning London boroughs' Local Implementation Plans will be able to deal with Taxicard. The Mayor will be required to include in his or her transport strategy proposals for the provision of transport which is accessible to persons with mobility problems. Those proposals will doubtless include measures on how Taxicard and services like it should be operated. The Mayor will be able to require the boroughs to reflect those proposals in their Local Implementation Plans. Each borough will be required to submit these plans to the Mayor for his or her approval.

  Rail Companies (Void Days Rule)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the benefits of abolishing the void days rule that allows rail companies to exclude certain performance data from their published figures. [87862]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No days are excluded from the Opraf financial incentive/penalty schemes on the grounds of failure to provide an effective service. Neither are days taken out of the Opraf contractual threshold for cancellations on these grounds.

  Opraf are aware that the omission of void days from the Passenger's Charter performance statistics does not give a comprehensive picture of the overall performance of the Train Operating Companies and is consulting widely within the rail industry with a view to devising a better method of presenting performance data.

  National Railway Track
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of national railway track was classified as(a) poor, (b) good and (c) very good for each year from 1990 to date. [87603]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]The following figures are available from the Booz-Allen & Hamilton report commissioned by the Office of the Regulator:

  Track quality 1994/95–1997/98

  Condition percentage of network

  Date

  Very good

  Satisfactory

  Poor

  Very poor

  1 January 1994

  63.7

  26.2

  7.1

  2.8

  1 January 1995

  62.6

  26.6

  7.5

  3.2

  1 February 1996

  58.8

  28.3

  8.8

  3.9

  19 February 1997

  59.4

  28.4

  8.5

  3.6

  31 January 1998

  62

  26.8

  7.8

  3.2

  These figures represent passenger comfort issues associated with the quality of ride experienced. It does not follow that track classified as 'poor' or 'very poor' on this measure is therefore unsafe.

  Figures between 1990 and 1993 are not available on the same basis.

  British Railways Board (Land Sales)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the land sales by the British Railways Board since the moratorium on such sales was introduced, giving in each case(a) the date of sale, (b) the location and (c) the price agreed. [87605]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]Land sales by the British Railways Board since 20 July 1998 are as follows. Individual sale prices cannot be given as they are commercially confidential.
  409

  Sales completions since 20 July 1998

  Date sold

  Ayr Harbour

  Land off Saltpans Rod

  19 November 1998

  Boston

  Former Park Sidings

  3 August 1998

  Boston

  Land at Broadfield Street

  14 April 1999

  Brandon

  Downside Yard

  19 February 1999

  Bristol Temple Meads

  Former garage

  4 November 1998

  Cheddar

  Bridge over River Yeo

  31 March 1999

  Chislehurst

  Former yard

  30 March 1999

  Crainlarich

  5 houses

  11 November 1998

  Darlington

  Land off Haughton Road 1

  12 October 1998

  Glasgow Barnhill

  Land at Petershill Road

  7 April 1999

  Glasgow

  St. Rollox

  7 April 1999

  Glenboig

  Section of closed branch line

  18 March 1999

  Guide Bridge

  Former station offices and land

  14 December 1998

  Hull

  Priory Park2

  4 May 1999

  Inverness

  Eastgate

  4 May 1999

  Leeds Stourton

  Former Rothwell Haigh sidings

  15 April 1999

  Liverpool

  Part Speke sidings

  29 April 1999

  +Liverpool

  Part Speke sidings

  4 May 1999

  Melksham

  Former upside yard

  31 March 1999

  Meltham

  Footbridges 20 and 21

  22 December 1998

  Montrose

  Land at Provost Reid's Road

  3 November 1998

  Northampton

  Southbridge Yard (Far Cotton)

  23 December 1998

  Oswestry

  Former cattle pens

  30 July 1998

  Plymouth

  Head of cattle water branch

  17 November 1998

  Skegness

  Land off Richmond Drive

  12 August 1998

  Southport

  Derby Road yard

  6 May 1999

  Strathcarron

  Station House

  12 February 1999

  Swindon

  Shell Oil Depot

  24 September 1998

  Tadworth

  Land near Kingswood Road

  23 April 1999

  Trowbridge

  Innox Footpath

  4 December 1998

  Uckfield

  Sewer3

  5 March 1999

  Wigston

  Former carriage and wagon depot

  14 May 1999

  Woodville

  Land over tunnel

  7 August 1998

  Worcester (Midland)

  Land off Midland Road

  13 January 1999

  York

  Land at Toft Green

  28 September 1998

  York

  Holgate Dock

  16 February 1999

  1Transaction is a lease

  2A phased disposal part sold and part still to be sold

  3Transaction was the grant of a permanent easement

  Bicycle Parking (Stations)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department gives to Railtrack and other station operators on the provision of parking for bicycles. [87703]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]We encourage all operators to adopt the voluntary Code of Practice, "Providing for Cyclists" which sets out a checklist of things that operators can do to improve facilities for cyclists. The objectives, Instructions and Guidance which we issued to the Franchising Director also require him to encourage franchise operators to provide suitable facilities for cyclists at stations. My Department is also contributing to the consultancy Bikerail, which is able to offer guidance to Railtrack and train operators on integrating bicycle use with rail journeys.

  Red route

  Implementation

  A3

  Most fully operational. Remainder to have red line controls before the end of 1999. Implementation of remaining measures1 to be complete by the end of 2001.

  A24

  All red line controls fully operational. Implementation of remaining measures1 to be complete by end of 1999.

  A205

  All red line controls fully operational. Implementation for remaining measures1 to be complete by the end of 1999.

  A214

  Detailed design recently commenced.

  A217

  Detailed design underway. Red line controls to be operational by end of 1999.

  A306

  Fully operational.

  A3205

  All red line controls fully operational. Implementation of remaining measures1 to be complete by the end of 1999.

  A3220

  Detailed design recently commenced.

  1 As well as ret line controls, red routes consist of a package of measures such as bus and cycle lanes, facilities for pedestrians and traffic calming, which will vary depending on local needs. These are aimed at improving the movement of people and goods and providing particular help for buses, Cyclists, pedestrians and people with disabilities.

  Red Routes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of red routes cover the Greater London area; what is the proposed red route mileage outstanding in the London Borough of Wandsworth area; and if he will make a statement. [87974]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The total length of the red route network is 315 miles. The roads in Wandsworth designated as red routes are the A3, A24, A205, A214, A217, A306, A3205, and A3220. Together these total some 21 miles. The current implementation timetable in Wandsworth is given in the table. The aim is to have the whole of the network operational in 2000.

  Tenant Participation Compacts
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the consultation exercise earlier this year on tenant participation compacts. [88073]

  Ms Armstrong
  On 25 January 1999 we published the consultation paper, "Tenant Participation Compacts". This put forward the Government's proposals for increasing tenant involvement through negotiation of local agreements (tenant participation compacts) between local authority landlords and tenants on how tenants are involved in local decisions relating to their homes.

  The consultation paper flowed from the work of the Best Value in Housing Steering Group, whose work also informed the consultation paper Best Value in Housing Framework on which I made a separate announcement on 25 May 1999.

  Consultation on the framework for tenant participation compacts ended on 31 March 1999. We received 386 responses from across a wide range of local authorities, tenant and resident associations, housing associations, housing groups and individual tenants.

  These responses have been considered and have informed the "National Framework for Tenant Participation Compacts" which is being launched today.

  The consultation showed overwhelming agreement with the principle of developing tenant participation through compacts, building on existing good practice. Respondents also identified the links between best value in housing and tenant participation as fundamental to giving tenants a real say in local decision making. However, tenants, officers and elected members would need to work together to make compacts successful.

  In supporting the principles behind compacts, a number of respondents raised resource, staffing and budgetary concerns relating to the implementation of compacts. We accept that there are likely to be some initial set up costs in implementing compacts properly, and I am making available £12 million to local authorities over the next two years, specifically to help them and their tenants to implement compacts.

  The national framework for tenant participation compacts is a toolkit to help local authorities and tenants develop, implement and review their local compacts, including the standards considered necessary to ensure meaningful and sustainable tenant participation.

  It will allow compacts to be tailored to meet the needs of the local area and to reach specific groups of tenants such as the elderly, young people, or ethnic minority tenants. (Compacts can also be developed to involve the wider community or to extend beyond housing services where tenants and local authorities wish). The framework also takes account of respondents' concerns that new tenants' groups should be encouraged and that demands on existing organisations should be reasonable. However, tenants' organisations with a role in decision-making will be expected to be accountable, democratic and open to all tenants.
  412
  The framework does not impose particular structures. It will allow compacts to de developed at a pace at which tenants are comfortable and which they can sustain; and tenants can choose how they will be involved and what they will be involved in.

  We recognise that not all tenants and councils will be able to implement compacts that meet the full needs of tenants by 1 April 2000. Nonetheless, by that date, we will expect all tenants and local authorities to have agreed the final outcomes expected from compacts and have in place a clear, measurable action plan, matched by resources, to bring these about. Tenants and local authorities should be working towards this.

  The published framework is being sent to all local housing authorities, and to tenant and other interested organisations, and copies are available in the Library of the House.

  I am placing a list of the respondents, excluding any who requested confidentiality, in the House Library together with a report providing an analysis of the responses. The list and specific responses are available in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Library, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE, telephone 0171 890 3039.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of trials for the growing of genetically modified crops. [86788]

  Mr. Meacher
  The farm-scale evaluations are investigating whether there are any differences in the diversity and abundance of wildlife associated with the management of genetically modified (GM) herbicide tolerant oil seed rape and maize compared with the management of equivalent conventional crops.

  The research contractors, the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, the Institute of Arable Crop Research and the Scottish Crop Research Institute have begun to assess the biodiversity in each field. This year there are now two paired comparisons of winter oil seed rape and four of maize.

  The ecological studies are being reviewed by an independent scientific steering committee. The committee comprises scientists drawn from English Nature, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Game Conservancy Trust and academia. The first meeting was on June 14 and the progress of the research was reviewed. The committee considered the work to be making satisfactory progress and that the approach being taken to investigate the effects on wildlife was scientifically sound. Details of progress and steering committee meetings will be made publicly available. A web-site is being set up to provide this information in due course.

  Later this year farm-scale evaluations of winter oil seed rape fields will commence. Next year the ecological studies in the farm-scale evaluations will be extended to approximately 20 paired comparisons of each crop.

  Regional Chamber (North-East)
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will designate the regional chamber for the North East Regional Development Agency. [88211]

  Mr. Caborn
  I am pleased to announce that we have today issued a direction to One North East designating the North East Regional Chamber as its regional chamber under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.

  Section 8 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 provides that if the Secretary of State is of the opinion that there is a body which is representative of those in the RDA's area with an interest in its work, and that body is suitable to be given the role of regional chamber for the RDA, he may designate it.

  RDAs must take full account of regional interests. Regional chambers will provide a mechanism through which RDAs can take account of regional views and account for their activities. Ministers 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.

  We are currently considering applications for designation from bodies in other regions.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  EU Fraud (Chernobyl)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimates he has made of the extent of fraud in the EU budget relating to decontamination payments following the Chernobyl accident. [87379]

  Clare Short
  My Department is unaware of any fraud in the EU budget relating to decontamination payments following Chernobyl. There has been no reference to this in reports by the Court of Auditors.

  If my hon. Friend has any such information, I would be grateful for details.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  BSI BS8600
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage the use of the new BSI BS8600 for customer complaints. [85339]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government support the work of the British Standards Institution in creating better and fairer systems for the benefits of consumers and suppliers. This Department is keen to promote the rights and responsibilities of customers in all sectors and notes the new BSI standard for customer complaints as a contribution to this.

  Knowledgeable and well informed consumers play an important role in enhancing the competitiveness of UK businesses. The new standard BS8600 offers useful
  414
  guidance and is one of a number of options that can help businesses in setting up effective systems for responding to customer complaints.

  Dog and Cat Pelts
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the extent of the trade in dog and cat pelts through British ports; and if he will make a statement. [87417]

  Mr. Wilson
  There are no official figures relating to the trade in dog and cat pelts. Imports of dog and cat pelts are not separately classified in the HM Customs and Excise Integrated Tariff.

  Animal Welfare
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take action to provide safeguards for the welfare of animals in the European Union autumn trade round. [87416]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government are committed to promoting high standards of animal welfare.

  Following initiatives taken by the UK during our Presidency last year, the agreement on the Directive concerning the protection of farm animals included a commitment that the Commission should consider the scope for seeking changes to WTO rules in the next round to accommodate animal welfare concerns. We will consider this further in the run-up to the third WTO Ministerial at the end of this year.

  Exports (Northern Ireland)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the(a) volume and (b) value of exports from Britain to Northern Ireland for each of the last five years for which information is available. [87642]

  Mr. Wilson
  Official statistics on exports relate to the United Kingdom, as a whole. It is, therefore, not possible to provide information on the value or volume of exports from Britain to Northern Ireland.

  European Commission Information Exchange
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the extent of interchange of information with Unit A-I of Directorate-General IV; and if he will deposit papers published by the Unit in the Library. [87692]

  Dr. Howells
  DTI officials are from time to time in contact with Unit A-1 of Directorate General IV on a variety of issues relating to competition policy. The Unit does not publish papers in its own right; material published on behalf of the Commission by Directorate General IV can be found on the Commission's internet site.

  Business Links
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures his Department has established to monitor the quality of services by Business Links. [87714]
  415
  Mr. Wills
  The Department has a range of procedures to monitor the quality of services provided by Business Links.

  The main procedure is a system of Accreditation under which each Business Link is required to meet rigorous quality standards in order to be able to use the Business Link brand. These standards are set by an independent Accreditation Advisory Board and include meeting ISO9001 and Investors in People requirements as well as other specific requirements, for example, on customer service. The Accreditation Advisory Board is responsible for advising Ministers on whether or not each Business Link is meeting the standards.

  Business Links are also required to submit information on a quarterly basis on the number of businesses and individuals who have accessed different services and the fee income they have generated. Government Offices use this data, along with local intelligence, to monitor the performance of individual Business Links. Copies of these reports are held in the Library of the House. From April 1998, we have also required Business Links to track the impact of their services on client businesses.

  At national level the performance of the Business Link Network as a whole is assessed through regular customer satisfaction and evaluation studies. The most recent evaluation report on Business Links was published in October 1998. A copy of this is also available in the Library of the House.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1999,Official Report, columns 400–01, on small businesses, what assessment was made of the level of awareness of business support services by small business owners in the research conducted since May 1997. [87772]

  Mr. Wills
  The September 1997 MORI survey showed that spontaneous (able to name Business Link) awareness of Business Link was 19 per cent. and prompted awareness was 66 per cent. among directors of businesses with 10–200 employees. For businesses with between 5 and 9 employees, spontaneous awareness of Business Link was 16 per cent. and prompted awareness was 59 per cent.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  GM Material (Irradiation)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the studies which he has evaluated examining the effects of irradiation processes on GM material; what safety requirements apply to such practices; and if he will make a statement [87512]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 22 June 19991]I am not aware of any studies specifically to examine the effects of irradiation on GM material but a considerable amount of work has been carried out on the effect of this treatment on a wide range of genetic material consumed as food. There is therefore already an extensive body of 416
  information available to show that irradiation of nonliving material, whatever its make-up, does not render it inherently harmful.

  GM Food Additives and Flavourings
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in securing labelling of genetically modified additives and flavourings in food. [87607]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]Progress on this in Brussels has been delayed as a result of the resignation of the Commission. However, we are continuing to press for proposals to be brought forward as quickly as possible.

  Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessments he has made of the implications for animal welfare of the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin on cows. [87610]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]A Working Group of the independent Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) has considered human and animal safety aspects of the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin in dairy cows. The Group has reported to the VPC and the VPC will advise Ministers when it has considered the report. Also, the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), which also provides independent advice to Ministers, reported on the Welfare of Dairy Cattle in 1997. The report covers the subject of rBST and copies were placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the relationship between levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 in milk from cows which have been injected with recombinant bovine somatotropin and the incidence of breast and prostate cancers in humans; and if he will make a statement. [87609]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 22 June 1999]I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) on 14 June 1999,Official Report, column 25.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the research obtained by his Department from the Irish Republic on the subject of bovine TB. [87295]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 21 June 1999]My offices liaise with their counterparts in many other countries, including the Republic of Ireland, regarding research into TB in cattle and badgers. It is for other countries, not MAFF, to publish research for which they are responsible. The project to remove badgers in East Offaly in Ireland was recently reviewed in the Irish Veterinary Journal (Volume 52(4) 1 April 99).

  Contaminated Animal Feeds (Belgium)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government first received reports of the possibility of dioxin-contaminated animal feeds in Belgium. [87156]
  417
  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend the Minister on 8 June 1999,Official Report, columns 480–81.

  Eggs (Battery Cages)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on ending egg production in battery cages. [87638]

  Mr. Morley
  I am delighted to say that the Council of Agriculture Ministers has decided that this practice must end across the EU by 1 January 2012.

  Farms (Taxation)
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with the Inland Revenue the case for reviewing the rules that a farm must make a profit once in seven years if its losses are to be tax-allowable against profits from other sources. [87263]

  Mr. Rooker
  Prior to the last Budget the agriculture industry submitted to the Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer various detailed tax proposals including the recommendation that the rules restricting the set-off of farming losses against other income should be modified. These were considered.

  At present losses cannot be set off against profits from other sources if a farming business has made losses for five years. The "five year tax rule" was introduced to protect the Exchequer from subsidising the cost of continued loss-making farming activities where farming is taken up by people who are not dependent upon it for a livelihood. However tax relief is not lost as losses can be carried forward against future profits from the same source. Thus farming losses can be offset against future fanning profits.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions his Department has had with the Treasury regarding the proposed tax on pesticides; and if he will make a statement. [87292]

  Mr. Rooker
  My officials have taken part in discussions with Treasury and other departments on various issues relating to the current consultation exercise on possible pesticides tax. As with all taxation matters, a final decision on such a tax lies with my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Women's Organisations (Consultation)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [87275]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experiences of all those affected by them.
  418
  Although the nature of the Ministry's responsibilities means that much of its legislative programme does not have a gender specific impact potentially interested women's groups are included in the consultations over proposed legislation. Groups which have been consulted this Session are listed on the following schedule.

  Responses to such consultation exercises are generally available upon request unless those who respond indicate that they wish their response to be confidential.
  Women's groups which have been consulted this Session by MAFF

  Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women's Centre

  An-Nina Society

  British Housewives' League

  Co-operative Women's Guild

  Good Housekeeping Institute

  National Alliance of Women's Organisations

  National Association of Women's Clubs

  National Association of Women of Great Britain

  National Council of Women

  National Federation of Women's Institutes

  National Federation of Women's Institutes, Welsh Office

  National Housewives' Association

  Royal College of Midwives

  Soroptomist International

  Townswomen's Guild

  UK Federation of Business and Professional Women

  Wiltshire Federation of Women's

  Institute Women's Environmental Network

  Women's Farm and Garden Association

  Women's Food and Farming Union

  Women's National Commission

  Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

  Transgenic Plants
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funding his Department provides to scientists at(a) Rothamsted and (b) elsewhere investigating the nectar and pollen production of transgenic plants and the foraging behaviour of bees on transgenic plants. [87180]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Ministry has placed a programme of research at the Institute of Arable Crops Research at Rothamsted, to investigate the interactions between insects and plants. Funding of £950,000 is planned for 1999–2000. This work underpins EU and DETR funded research which looks specifically at interactions between GM crops and beneficial insects. MAFF is also funding a project at the Scottish Crops Research Institute, costing £57,000 in 1999–2000, which includes studies of the role of bees in cross-pollination of genetically modified oilseed rape. Relevant research on the role of bees was reviewed in the recent MAFF report on organic farming and gene transfer from GM crops. This review cost £25,000.

  The Ministry currently funds no work on nectar and pollen production in transgenic plants.

CABINET OFFICE

  Emotional Intelligence (Civil Servants)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to enhance awareness of, and competence in, emotional intelligence issues among civil servants. [86789]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Civil Service College has run courses for over a decade which deal with leadership, management and interpersonal skills and two new courses, specifically on these subjects, for both junior and senior managers, will start in the Autumn.

  GM Organisms
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the co-ordination of policy on genetically modified organisms across Government Departments. [86790]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  Policy on genetically modified organisms is co-ordinated through the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification (MISC 6) which I chair.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations the ministerial group on biotechnology and genetic modification has received on the importation of genetically modified seeds and food products from the USA. [86799]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  None.

  Electronic Red Boxes
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made with electronic red boxes. [86791]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  A variety of secure technologies are available to link Ministers with their private offices.

  Long-term Planning
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to ensure that Government policy takes account of the need for long-term planning. [86792]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Modernising Government White Paper highlighted the need for policies to be better focused on the Government's long-term goals. The Performance and Innovation Unit is working with Departments to identify the key challenges that the Government will face in the medium to long term.

  Next Steps Agencies
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to appraise the effectiveness of the provisions for quinquennial review of the continued status of each next steps agency as a public sector body. [86793]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Modernising Government White Paper set out our commitment to change the approach to quinquennial reviews. In the future, reviews will be directed more closely through our drive for high quality public services. We will publish guidance on the new approach in the Autumn.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent representations he has received about the procedures for making public appointments. [86794]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I have received a small number of recent representations from hon. Members and others about the public appointments scheme.

  Electronic Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress he has made in co-ordinating the development of a system to enable Departments to deal with hon. Members' correspondence by e-mail. [86795]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Through the Government Secure Intranet we are building up an infrastructure to enable services such as these to be developed. Twenty-six departments and agencies are now connected to the GSI.

  Better Government Initiative
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the better government initiative. [86796]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  The Modernising Government White Paper clearly sets out our programme for the reform and renewal of public services. This is a long term programme with a significant package of initiatives designed to provide services to better meet the way people live their lives. We will publish the milestones for meeting the commitments in the White Paper, and the criteria against which to judge their success, this summer.

  Duchy of Lancaster
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how he intends to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Duchy of Lancaster. [86798]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I will welcome Her Majesty The Queen, Duke of Lancaster and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to Lancaster next month on the 600th anniversary of the Duchy's link with the crown.

  Regional Government Offices
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects to publish the findings of the study by the performance and innovation unit on the role of Government offices in the regions. [86800]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Performance and Innovation Unit is studying the "Role of Central Government at the Regional and Local Level". The study is due to be completed in the Autumn. I expect decisions flowing from the study to be announced in due course.

  Archway Tower
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has for the use of Archway tower, Junction road, London, N19; and if he will make a statement. [86802]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Refurbishment of Archway Tower is almost complete. Marketing is currently underway to let the building within Government or the private sector.

  Drugs Tsar
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations he has received following publication of the first annual report and national plan by the UK anti-drugs co-ordinator. [86803]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I have received many favourable representations, some from hon. Members, following the publication of the UK Anti-drugs Co-ordination Report.

  Policy Presentation
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to encourage cross-departmental co-ordination on the presentation of Government policy. [86804]

  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  I hold regular meetings with Ministers and officials to improve the co-ordination and the presentation of Government policy.

  2 Marsham Street
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects to make a decision on the future of the former Government buildings in Marsham street. [86797]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The decision to demolish 2 Marsham street has already been made. However, immediate demolition has been deferred because re-use is one of the 422
  options being considered by the Home Office under its PFI project. A final decision on the timing of demolition cannot be made until the Home Office has completed another round of bidding, the result of which is expected later this year.

  Security Facilities Executive
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on progress on the transfer of services previously provided by the Security Facilities Executive. [87774]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Security Facilities Executive closed as an Agency on 30 June 1998 and became a Division of the Cabinet Office—Security Facilities Division (SFD).

  The security guarding services are gradually being transferred to their home departments and are either being taken in-house or market tested (TUPE will apply). 339 Custody Guards have already transferred and the remaining 251 will transfer from SFD by the end of this calendar year.

  Assessment and development of security equipment and explosive protection advice is planned to transfer to the Home Office (Police Scientific Development Branch) later this year. The remaining services which mainly comprise the manufacture, installation and maintenance of the AC12 alarm system and associated security devices and the consultancy advice to customers are being considered for a public private partnership.

  Public Interest Cases
  Public Interest Cases
  Kosovo: Reconstruction
  Kosovo: Reconstruction
  Europol: UK Police Officers
  Europol: UK Police Officers
  Osman v. United Kingdom
  Osman v. United Kingdom
  Sub-critical Nuclear Tests
  Sub-critical Nuclear Tests
  Kosovo: UK Forces and Landmines
  Kosovo: UK Forces and Landmines
  Yugoslavia: UK Aircraft Sorties
  Yugoslavia: UK Aircraft Sorties
  Retired Officers: Salaries and Conditions of Service
  Retired Officers: Salaries and Conditions of Service
  Yugoslavia: Conditions for Resumption of Bombing
  Yugoslavia: Conditions for Resumption of Bombing
  Yugoslavia: NATO Bombing
  Yugoslavia: NATO Bombing
  Kosovo: Operation Agricola
  Kosovo: Operation Agricola
  Information Warfare
  Information Warfare
  Service Personnel: Secondary Medical Care within the NHS
  Service Personnel: Secondary Medical Care within the NHS
  Royal Parks Agency
  Royal Parks Agency
  "Bloody Sunday" Inquiry
  "Bloody Sunday" Inquiry
  Slaughterhouses: Meat Hygiene Service Complaints Procedure
  Slaughterhouses: Meat Hygiene Service Complaints Procedure
  Slaughterhouses: Activities of OVSs and MHIs
  Slaughterhouses: Activities of OVSs and MHIs
  Slaughterhouses: Specified Risk Material
  Slaughterhouses: Specified Risk Material
  Slaughterhouses: Recording of Conversations with OVSs and MHSs
  Slaughterhouses: Recording of Conversations with OVSs and MHSs
  Slaughterhouses: Inspection Entry to Administration Offices
  Slaughterhouses: Inspection Entry to Administration Offices
  Slaughterhouses: OVS Charges
  Slaughterhouses: OVS Charges
  Meat Hygiene Service Enforcement Powers
  Meat Hygiene Service Enforcement Powers
  Meat Hygiene Service Staff
  Meat Hygiene Service Staff
  Slaughterhouses: Sterilisation of Knives
  Slaughterhouses: Sterilisation of Knives
  Slaughterhouses: Post-mortem Inspection of Carcasses
  Slaughterhouses: Post-mortem Inspection of Carcasses
  Slaughterhouses: Humidity
  Slaughterhouses: Humidity
  E.coli 0157
  E.coli 0157
  Slaughterhouses: Meat Hygiene Service Instructions
  Slaughterhouses: Meat Hygiene Service Instructions
  Meat Hygiene Service Remit
  Meat Hygiene Service Remit
  Slaughter Process: Traceability of Meat
  Slaughter Process: Traceability of Meat
  Official Veterinary Surgeons: Recognition of Species
  Official Veterinary Surgeons: Recognition of Species
  Fresh Meat Regulations: Definition of "Hygiene"
  Fresh Meat Regulations: Definition of "Hygiene"
  Principal Official Veterinary Surgeons
  Principal Official Veterinary Surgeons
  Slaughterhouses: Meat Hygiene Service Manning Levels
  Slaughterhouses: Meat Hygiene Service Manning Levels
  Official Veterinary Surgeons: Transfer Between Plants
  Official Veterinary Surgeons: Transfer Between Plants
  Slaughterhouses: Telephone Costs for OVSs
  Slaughterhouses: Telephone Costs for OVSs
  Honey Production and GM Crops
  Honey Production and GM Crops
  Pilot Animal Quarantine Scheme: Channel Tunnel
  Pilot Animal Quarantine Scheme: Channel Tunnel