Written Answers of 4 November 1999

DEFENCE

  In-service Dates
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected in-service dates are for(a) the Eurofighter, (b) HMS Albion and Bulwark, (c) the Future Aircraft Carrier, (d) the Bowman communication system and (e) the Trigat anti-tank weapon; and if he will make a statement. [94786]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 20 October 1999]: The in-service date of Eurofighter, which is defined as delivery of the first aircraft, is June 2002.

  The in-service dates of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are currently planned as March 2002 and March 2003 respectively. We are, however, aware that programme congestion at the shipyard will entail some slippage to these dates. The true extent of the slippage will not be known until Marconi Naval Systems, the contractor, has agreed a revised programme with the Defence Procurement Agency. Initiatives to minimise the slippage are being pursued.

  The in-service dates of the Future Aircraft Carriers are planned to be 2012 and 2015.

  The in-service date of Bowman is March 2002. The date is, however, under review and I will write to the hon. Member when the review is complete.

  The in-service date of Medium Range Trigat is 2005.

  UN Standby Arrangement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Ro-Ro ferries referred to in the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the UN standby arrangement system are civilian; and what discussions he has held with civilian operators about them. [95253]

  Mr. Hoon
  The two Ro-Ro ferries declared as potentially available for operations in the UK's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UN are run and crewed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, although the vessels themselves are chartered commercially.

  The MOU also reflects plans to increase the number of Ro-Ro ferries to six as a result of enhancements announced in the Strategic Defence Review. My Department is currently evaluating civilian and military options (including a combination of both) for providing this capability.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what units have been notified that they are covered by the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the UN standby arrangement system. [95251]
  252
  Mr. Hoon
  Individual units have not been specifically notified. The Memorandum of Understanding with the UN under the UN Standby Arrangement System lists a range of forces and capabilities drawn from the pool of Joint Rapid Reaction Forces. The Strategic Defence Review stated that these forces would be available for operations of all kinds across the crisis spectrum and under NATO, Western European Union, UN, OSCE coalition or national auspices.

  In the event of a request from the UN for UK military support and ministerial agreement to contribute to a specific peacekeeping operation, the Ministry of Defence will decide how that support can best be provided. The decision on which unit to task from the Joint Rapid Reaction Forces will be based on an assessment of factors such as the nature, duration and location of the operation, and other ongoing commitments.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if troops committed to peacekeeping in East Timor are referred to in the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the UN standby arrangement system. [95252]

  Mr. Hoon
  The commitment of UK troops to the Australian-led International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) reflects our willingness to support the UN but is not covered by the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the US Standby Arrangements System. This is because the Standby Arrangements are only activated in relation to UN-commanded peacekeeping operations and not for a UN-mandated international force as in the case of East Timor or Kosovo.

  Deployment Days (Army)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the average annual deployment days for Army units from 1995 to the last date for which figures are available. [95323]

  Mr. Spellar
  We do not hold figures for annual deployment days by Army units, and such figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Training (Armed Forces)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the assessed minimum training requirement for operational effectiveness for HM Armed Forces, by trade, over one year's service. [95325]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Armed Forces include a wide range of trades and specialisations and the necessary amount of training in a year varies accordingly.

  Operational commanders at all levels ensure that all the personnel under their command, regardless of trade, are properly trained, in a timely and cost-effective manner, to meet the operational responsibilities and demands placed upon them.

  Multi-role Armoured Vehicle
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the contracts for the production of the multi-role armoured vehicle have been signed; what the size of the contract proposed is; and who the partners to the purchase are. [95864]
  253
  Mr. Spellar
  We expect the contract for the development of the multi-role armoured vehicle to be signed soon. To protect third party commercial confidences, I am withholding information relating to the likely value of the contract under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information until the contract is signed. Our partner in this programme is Germany and we hope that the Netherlands will join as soon as practicable after contract signature.

  Landing Platform Helicopter Carrier
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to order another Landing Platform Helicopter Carrier. [96094]

  Mr. Hoon
  We currently have no requirement for a further Landing Platform Helicopter Carrier.

  NATO
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that European partner countries shoulder a proportionate burden of contributions to NATO. [96093]

  Mr. Hoon
  The achievement of NATO's aims depends on the equitable sharing among all Allies of the roles, risks, and responsibilities, as well as the benefits, of common defence. NATO Defence Planning gives practical effect to this burden sharing. Force goals, which set challenging but realistic targets for each Ally, are designed to ensure that our collective defence arrangements continue to provide for the full range of Alliance missions.

  In addition, the development of the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) will enable European Allies to make a more coherent and effective contribution to the missions and activities of the Alliance. This is being taken ahead in step with NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative (DCI), which is designed to ensure that all Allies are able to contribute to NATO's effectiveness. The UK is playing a leading role in both of these initiatives.

  European Joint Procurement Structures
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the efficacy of(a) European joint procurement structures and (b) domestic procurement structures. [96227]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: The UK has procurement programmes managed by both the Organisation Conjointe de Co-operation en matier d'Armement (OCCAR) and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), the latter being a NATO agency. Both provide a valuable service in the management of co-operative programmes and we expect to see OCCAR expand its operations next year following achievement of legal status.

  As for domestic procurement structures, I have every confidence that the Smart Procurement initiative, together with new Defence Procurement Agency and Defence Logistics Organisation, will match the expectations of the Strategic Defence Review.

  BVRAAM Missiles
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safeguards have been offered to ensure that Britain maintains control over the sale of Raytheon supplied BVRAAM missiles as part of the package with Eurofighter Typhoons to third countries. [96471]

  Mr. Hoon
  The US Secretary of Defence has given undertakings that the US Department of Defence would support the export of Raytheon supplied BVRAAM missiles as part of the package with Eurofighter to certain countries, and proposed that other sales should be reviewed by a joint US/UK group. In the event of the UK Government selecting the Raytheon proposal for BVRAAM, the details would need to be agreed and incorporated in a Memorandum of Understanding.

  Aerospace Company Mergers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Aerospatiale Matra merger on British procurement; and if he will make a statement. [96475]

  Mr. Hoon
  The proposed merger will be subject to regulatory approval by the European Commission and, as such, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at present. However, the effects of any restructuring by companies in which the UK has an interest are considered very carefully by the Department. Our views are given to the regulatory authorities in confidence at the appropriate time.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding the Government are providing to Defence Export Services Organisation in the current financial year in relation to Indonesia. [96587]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The provision relating to DESO representation in Indonesia for the current financial year is £80,000. Other DESO costs relating to Indonesia are not separately identified.

  Disposals
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money was received from one-off disposals in financial years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000; and if he will estimate the amount he will raise in financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02. [96656]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The value of disposals achieved in financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99, and the amount forecast for this financial year is set out in the table. It has not been possible to differentiate between the receipts generated through large scale one-off disposals and through rolling disposals programmes for smaller value but larger volume items. Specific estimates for disposals are not available for financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02.

  £ million

  Financial year

  Value of disposals

  1997–98

  224

  1998–99

  209

  1999–2000

  1302

  1 Estimate

  Horse Guards Tattoo
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to continue the tradition of the field gun competition in the proposed Horse Guards Tattoo. [96736]

  Mr. Hoon
  A Military Tattoo will continue to be held in London from 2001 onwards. Using the spectacular backdrop of Horse Guards Parade, the Tattoo will build on the traditional pageantry that has been such a popular element of the Royal Tournament over the years and a special feature of London in summer.

  However we will not continue with the Royal Navy Field Gun competition. In part this is because the event cannot readily be run at Horse Guards Parade due to the surface and the special fixings that are required to meet stringent Health and Safety regulations. But also, the Field Gun competition accounted for more than half of the personnel resources used for the Tournament, some 16,000 personnel-days each year. This could not be justified in the light of operational commitments and the other demands placed on our service personnel.

  The Royal Navy is now keen to look to the future and concentrate on supporting events that more accurately reflect the training and operational activities of the Service in the next millennium.

  Surface Ship Fuel
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Royal Navy's budget for surface ship fuel in(a) the current calendar year and (b) the current financial year; and how much of that budget has been spent to date. [96737]

  Mr. Spellar
  In the current calendar year, the fuel budget for HM warships and RFAs is £27.314 million. Up to 30 September 1999, £20.854 million of this budget had been spent.

  In the financial year beginning 1 April 1999, the fuel budget for HM warships and RFAs is £28.424 million. Up to 30 September 1999, £13.7 million of this budget had been spent.

  Common Security and Defence Identity
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the WEU Situation Centre and Planning Unit, the WEU Satellite Centre in Torrejon, Spain, and the WEU Institute for Security Studies in Paris will be incorporated into the EU. [96970]

  Mr. Hoon
  A decision on the structures the EU will need to assume its responsibilities regarding Common Security and Defence policy is not expected until the end of the year 2000—the timeframe agreed at the European Council meeting in June this year.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to create mechanisms to allow the involvement of WEU member states that are not members of the European Union in EU-led operations. [96972]

  Mr. Hoon
  At the Cologne European Council, Heads of State and Government agreed to develop arrangements to allow all non-EU European Allies to take part to the 256
  fullest possible extent in EU-led crisis management operations, building on existing consultation arrangements within the WEU. We are working to develop suitable mechanisms for this purpose.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates the cost will be to his Department of implementing the conclusions of the Cologne summit on Common Security and Defence Identity. [96969]

  Mr. Hoon
  The conclusions of the Cologne European Council supported the development of more effective European military capabilities. Our Strategic Defence Review has already produced plans to this end through better targeting of resources. The nature and scale of the structures needed within the EU to support military decision-making have not yet been decided. Their costs are likely to be modest.

  Departmental Accounts
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what methods of depreciation his Department will apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets. [97039]

  Mr. Spellar
  The straight-line method of depreciation will be applied to fixed assets in the preparation of 1999–2000 Departmental Resource Accounts. This method is in accordance with the Treasury's Resource Accounting Manual, which follows, as far as appropriate, private sector accounting practice and standards issued by the Accounting Standards Board.

  Smart Procurement Initiative
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the 33 integrated project teams working under the Smart Procurement Initiative; what new teams are currently planned; and if he will make a statement. [95963]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: The programme to implement the Smart Procurement initiative is now well into its transitional year. The roll-out of the Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) in both the Defence Procurement Agency and the Defence Logistics Organisation is continuing and will be complete by April 2000. Thirty-three IPTs are now in full operation; a further 39 formed up in September and 69 are planned to roll-out commencing in January. An updated list of the 141 IPTs has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Army Units (Rhine)
  Ms Dan Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the location of British Army units west of the Rhine. [97603]

  Mr. Hoon
  A study into accommodation for British Army units west of the Rhine has concluded that the best use of the available estate is to consolidate units on the Rheindahlen Military Complex and on RAF Brüggen. This will enable Ayrshire and Hampshire Barracks in Möchengladbach; Bradbury Barracks, Krefeld; and Francisca Barracks, St. Tonis to be vacated by the British Army. No significant redeployment of units will take
  257
  place before December 2001, and it is expected that the relocation of the units affected and the hand back of the estate to the relevant authorities will be complete by May 2002.

  Trident
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to update the Trident warheads; and if he will make a statement. [96630]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK has no plans to upgrade or improve the capabilities of our Trident nuclear warheads.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Equal Opportunities Unit (RUC)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when was the most recent tri-annual report of the RUC Equal Opportunities Unit to the Fair Employment Commission; what were its main points; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [94661]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 19 October 1999]: The most recent tri-annual report covering the period 1995–98 was forwarded to the Fair Employment Commission in May 1999.

  The main points were as follows:

  1. During this review period the actual strength of the RUC Regulars for all categories has remained fairly constant. The trend during the review period is one of a slight increase in CB2 representation from 8.18 per cent. to 8.3 per cent.

  2. The workforce was also analysed in terms of length of service and age. Over 60 per cent. of the RUC Regulars fall within the 10–24 years service bands. This grouping had an overall CB2 representation of 7.08 per cent. in 1996, increasing to 7.3 per cent in 1998. By comparison, the 0–9 years service bands, which accounted for approximately 25 per cent. of the RUC, show an increase in CB2 representation from 9.62 per cent. to 9.91 percent. during the review period. Within that grouping, CB2 representation in the 0–4 years service band increased overall from 10.53 per cent. in 1996 to 12.64 per cent. in 1998.

  3. The RUC acknowledges the composition of its members is not representative of the community that it seeks to serve. The main catchment area for applicants to the RUC is Northern Ireland. The economically active population with 'A' level qualification, or equivalent, in Northern Ireland is 60.6 per cent. Protestant (CBI) and 39.4 per cent. Roman Catholic (CB2).

  The Chief Constable has consistently made it clear that he wishes to see a positive change in the representation of the Force by encouraging members of the minority community to apply for a career in the police service and he has sought the support of respected members of the community in seeking to achieve his aim of
  "a more representative police force for Northern Ireland".

  There is no obligation under the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 to make reviews under section 31 available to any person or organisation. I understand that the review prepared by the Chief Constable in fulfilment of the requirements of the Act, as an internal document, contains information which could prejudice the security of individual officers. It is not appropriate that it be made public.

  Nerve Centre, Londonderry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Nerve Centre, Londonderry, was formed; what has been the public funding of the Nerve Centre in each of the past three years; what public funding has been committed to the CD-Rom concerning(a) the Battle of the Somme and (b) the Bogside Disturbances; and if he will make a statement. [94825]

  Mr. McFall
  I am advised by the Chief Executive of the Arts Council that the Nerve Centre was first opened in 1989 as an alternative educational initiative aimed at encouraging young people to explore their cultural traditions through multi-media technology.

  Public funding of the Nerve Centre through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was £23,000 in 1996–97, £11,000 in 1997–98, and £11,000 in 1998–99. Funding though the Northern Ireland Film Council was £57,000 in 1997–98 and £57,000 in 1998–99.

  I understand that the project 'Symbols' is based on a CD-ROM which includes material on the Battle of the Somme and a number of other historical events including the Bogside disturbances. The project received funding of £150,000 from the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation and £50,000 from the Community Relations Council. As the CD-ROM covered a wide range of issues, it is not possible to disaggregate the costs relating to any individual element. The detailed content of the CD-ROM is a matter for the Nerve Centre.

  Museums
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the 1998 visitor levels at(a) Armagh County Museum, (b) the Ulster and Transport Museum, (c) the Ulster American Folk Park, (d) the Ulster Museum and (e) the Navan Centre; for what reason these figures were not published in the 1998–99 Annual report of the Northern Ireland Museums Council; and if he will make a statement. [94815]

  Mr. McFall
  I am advised by the Northern Ireland Museums Council that the figures provided in the Council's 1998–99 Annual Report refer only to regional, local and independent registered museums within its membership and not to the National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland which is directly financed from Government. The Armagh County Museum, the Ulster American Folk Park, the Ulster Museum and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum all form part of National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland which was established on 1 April 1998. The Navan Centre is not included as it is not a Museum.

  The 1998 visitor figures were:

  Visitor levels at Museums and Galleries in Northern Ireland

  Museum

  Number

  Armagh County Museum

  114,175

  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  169,794

  Ulster American Folk Park

  111,221

  Ulster Museum

  235,694

  Navan Centre

  36,436

  1 The figure for the Armagh County Museum relates to 10 months of 1998 since the Museum was closed for two months in that year.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 26 July 1999,Official Report, column 17, what characteristics of the flag flown adjacent to the Royal Ulster Constabulary checkpoint at Garvaghy Road, Portadown indicate that the flag commemorated the formation of the original Ulster Volunteer Force in 1912 and not a proscribed organisation as covered by section 31 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. [95348]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: The flag in question is purple and orange with the name Ulster Volunteer Force and the year 1912 emblazoned on it.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the numbers in the RUC part-time reserve, broken down by district council area. [95889]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: It is not possible to provide the information in the form requested as records are maintained by RUC Sub-divisional area. The following table shows the breakdown of full-time Reserves by Sub-division.

  Number of full-time reserves

  'A' Division

  Musgrave Street

  80

  Donegall Pass

  53

  Dunmurry

  57

  Mountpottinger

  30

  'B' Division

  Grosvenor Road

  146

  Woodbourne

  86

  Lisburn

  96

  'D' Division

  Antrim Road

  60

  North Queen Street

  57

  Tennent Street

  16

  Newtownabbey

  37

  Carrickfergus

  58

  Antrim

  71

  'E' Division

  Strandtown

  39

  Castlereagh

  71

  Bangor

  96

  Stormont

  134

  'G' Division

  Newtownards

  63

  Newcastle

  43

  Downpatrick

  43

  'H' Division

  Armagh

  89

  Newry

  106

  'J' Division

  Portadown

  40

  Lurgan

  41

  Banbridge

  40

  'K' Division

  Cookstown

  50

  Dungannon

  78

  260

  Number of full-time reserves

  'L' Division

  Enniskillen

  78

  Lisnaskea

  61

  Omagh

  60

  'N' Division

  Strand Road

  65

  Strabane

  63

  Waterside

  51

  'O' Division

  Coleraine

  49

  Limavady

  40

  Magherafelt

  69

  'P' Division

  Ballymena

  32

  Larne

  33

  Ballymoney

  32

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the numbers in the RUC full-time reserve broken down by district council area. [95892]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: It is not possible to provide the information in the form requested as records are maintained by RUC Sub-divisional area. The following table shows the breakdown of part-time Reserves by Sub-division.

  Number of part-time reserves

  'A' Division

  Musgrave Street

  39

  Donegall Pass

  39

  Dunmurry

  40

  Mountpottinger

  58

  'B' Division

  Grosvenor Road

  —

  Woodbourne

  —

  Lisburn

  40

  'D' Division

  Antrim Road

  29

  North Queen Street

  37

  Tennent Street

  48

  Newtownabbey

  68

  Carrickfergus

  40

  Antrim

  26

  'E' Division

  Strandtown

  66

  Castlereagh

  34

  Bangor

  70

  Stormont

  —

  'G' Division

  Newtownards

  101

  Newcastle

  8

  Downpatrick

  28

  'H' Division

  Armagh

  21

  Newry

  3

  'J' Division

  Portadown

  19

  Lurgan

  41

  Banbridge

  45

  261

  Number of part-time reserves

  'K' Division

  Cookstown

  9

  Dungannon

  7

  'L' Division

  Enniskillen

  30

  Lisnaskea

  19

  Omagh

  46

  'N' Division

  Strand Road

  3

  Strabane

  11

  Waterside

  7

  'O' Division

  Coleraine

  37

  Limavady

  8

  Magherafelt

  8

  'P' Division

  Ballymena

  54

  Larne

  32

  Ballymoney

  11

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of tenure in the RUC Special Branch. [95895]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: There is no set tenure. The average period of tenure within Special Branch is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Description

  Target 1998–99

  Target 1999–2000

  Vehicle test average appointment waiting times

  21 days

  21 days

  Driving test average appointment waiting times

  31 days

  30 days

  Customer satisfaction with booking arrangements (+/-2 per cent. within sampling error range)

  At least 85%

  At least 90%

  Customer satisfaction with test procedures (+/-2 per cent. within sampling error range)

  At least 92%

  At least 92%

  Compliance by contractor with theory test service delivery standards

  At least 92%

  At least 92%

  Composite unit cost

  £16.96

  £17.23

  Aggregate cost efficiency index

  4.5%

  2.04%

  Return on capital employed

  6%

  6%

  Probation Board Annual Report
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Probation Board for Northern Ireland's Annual report for 1998–99. [97602]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Probation Board's Annual Report for 1998–99 was published today. A copy of the Report has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Equality Commission
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, when he last met representatives of the Equality Commission, they discussed matters relating to the extension of section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to incorporate(a) further education colleges, (b) universities and (c) university colleges of education; and if he will make a statement. [96886]

  Health and Social Services Pensions
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the report by the Government Actuary on his investigation of the Health and Personal Social Services Superannuation Scheme in Northern Ireland 1989 to 1994. [97600]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have accepted the report and today placed copies in the Library.

  The report concludes that it would be prudent to increase the rate of contribution required from employers to meet the scheme's future liabilities. The current rate is 4 per cent. of pensionable pay. The Government Actuary is content with our proposals that the rate should increase 5 per cent. from 1 April 2001, with a further increase to 7 per cent. from 1 April 2003.

  The cost of index linking National Health Service pensions is currently met by the Exchequer. As the report notes, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Finance and Personnel have agreed in principle that the scheme should assume its pensions increase liabilities from 1 April 1994 under a financial restructuring. Officials are discussing the basis of such changes and I will inform the House when final agreement is reached. In the meantime, the Government Actuary considers that the proposed increases in employer contribution rates are consistent with the nature of the changes likely to be required under the restructuring.

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what targets have been set for the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency for the period 1999–2000. [97601]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The targets set for the Driver and Vehicle Testing agency for 1999–2000, compared with the equivalent targets for 1998–1999, are as follows:

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not yet met representatives of the Equality Commission but hopes to do so shortly. No final decisions have been taken on which additional public authorities in Northern Ireland might be designated under Section 75(3)(d) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Oral Statements
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the reports published by his Department and its associated bodies, (b) the reports received from bodies set up by his Department, (c) the decisions his Department

  263
  has taken and (d) events in the UK and elsewhere, since 27 July, which satisfied the criteria he uses for deciding whether to apply to make oral statements to the House when the House is sitting. [93965]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  When deciding whether to make an oral statement, Ministers are guided by advice in paragraph 27 of the Ministerial Code. Therefore, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council on 19 October 1999,Official Report, column 429.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what briefings(a) he and (b) his officials gave to Sunday newspapers prior to 10 October concerning the future of Railtrack's Safety and Standards Directorate. [95940]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 27 October 1999]: Following a meeting with the Prime Minister on Saturday 9 October 1999, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made a statement to the media in Downing Street on the Government's response to the Paddington disaster and HSC report into Railtrack's safety regulation role; a copy of the statement has been placed in the Library. Officials provided similar information to Sunday newspapers on request.

  A27 (Worthing)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much he has allocated to the improvement and to the maintenance of the A27 in Worthing for the next three financial years. [96327]

  Mr. Hill
  As this is an operational matter and the responsibility of the Highways Agency, I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 4 November 1999:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your question about funding for the maintenance and improvement of the A27 in Worthing over the next three financial years.
  The attached schedule sets out our proposals for maintenance and improvement works for the A27 through the Borough of Worthing for the next three years. Progress with these proposals will depend upon the priorities assigned to each project within the Agency's detailed business planning process.
  Additionally, with the Government Office for the South East, we are carrying out several studies into transport issues in the Worthing area that may identify further improvements to the A27.

  A27 Worthing Programme of Works 1999 to 2003

  Financial year

  Description

  Cost

  Maintenance works

  2000–2001

  A27 Sompting Bypass Major Maintenance

  £3.68m

  Improvements

  2000–2001

  A27 Worthing and Lancing Lighting

  £500k

  2000–2001

  A27 Worthing low cost safety schemes

  £50k

  1999–2000

  A27 Puffin Crossing (Nr. Hayling Rise)

  £35k

  264
  In addition, there will he on going routine maintenance work such as sign cleaning, drainage and lighting repairs together with minor carriageway and footpath repairs (if required).

  Allotments
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list all local authority allotments he has approved for closure since 1997; and how many applications for closure he has refused. [96872]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Secretary of State has given consent for the disposal of 172 statutory allotment sites since 1 January 1997. The information requested has been placed in the House Library. There have been two applications for disposal which have been declined since that date.

  Eurostar
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made with the study into Regional Eurostar Services; and if he will make a statement. [96621]

  Mr. Hill
  The review commissioned by the Government is currently on-going. The results are expected soon, at which time I will make a statement.

  Council Tax (Pensioners)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the average increase in(a) gross council tax bills and (b) net council tax bills of pensioner households between 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [96674]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department does not hold administrative data on council tax bills by pensioner and non-pensioner households from which the average increase in gross and net council tax bills of pensioner households between 1998–99 and 1999–2000 could be estimated. The latest information from the Family Resources Survey on pensioner households relates to 1997–98.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate, based on his Department's administrative data for each of the last 10 financial years, the average level of(a) gross council tax bills and (b) net council tax bills expressed as a percentage of household income, for the whole population, and separately for pensioner and non-pensioner households. [96675]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Department does not hold administrative data on household incomes, nor on council tax bills by pensioner and non-pensioner households.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date in August(a) he and (b) his Department's officials first saw the Signals Passed at Danger statistics for 1998–99. [96680]
  265
  Mr. Hill
  Ministers were informed in a submission from the Chief Inspector of Railways dated 9 August 1999. HSE first sent officials of an early draft of these statistics on 22 June 1999.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times each signal on routes into London mainline stations via Clapham Junction and Norwood Junction involving stops at Cheam or Sutton stations was passed at danger in each of the last five years. [96072]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: The Railways Inspectorate do not hold information in this form. I will ask the chair of the Health and Safety Executive to write to the hon. Member with what information they do hold. A copy will be placed in the House Libraries.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will place the weekly reports he receives on signals passed at danger on the railway in the Library as soon as he receives them; and on what day of the week they will regularly appear; [97084]

  (2) if he will produce a table of railway signals passed at danger for each week since 5 October, showing the split between each category of SPAD. [97086]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister said to the House on 19 October 1999, information on signal passes at danger will be made available to the House on a monthly basis.

  A published first analysis by the Health and Safety Executive's Railways Inspectorate will be available early November in the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries.

  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many incidents of signals passed at danger have occurred on the main line between London Liverpool Street and Ipswich in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [97090]

  (2) how many incidents of signals passed at danger have occurred on the main line between London Liverpool Street and Southminster in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [97089]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: This information is not available in the form requested. The Health and Safety Executive will write to the hon. Member with what information they do hold. A copy of the letter will be placed in the House Libraries.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the performance of train operating companies with regard to their contractual obligations of maintenance and standards of safety when considering requests to extend franchises; and if he will make a statement. [96930]

  Mr. Hill
  I can confirm that the Deputy Prime Minister's instruction to the franchising director require him to maintain effective liaison with other authorities, including the Rail Regulator and the Health and Safety 266
  Executive, in the conduct of his business. The franchising director will be expected to consult other authorities prior to making recommendations to Ministers concerning the extension of franchises.

  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the train operating companies that have requested an extension of their franchise; and if he will make a statement. [96931]

  Mr. Hill
  The bids received by the franchising director are commercially confidential and I am therefore unable to list them.

  Airbags
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has carried out in the last five years regarding the effects of airbags in reducing casualties and fatalities in car accidents; and if he will make a statement. [96933]

  Mr. Hill
  Between 1993 and 1996, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) investigated airbag effectiveness at the Department's request. This included a review of published research on airbag testing and performance in the field. By necessity, this was based mainly on the experience in the US, where airbags have been in use for a number of years. TRL also looked at a sample of accidents in the UK, but the number available for examination was small and there was insufficient evidence to reach a conclusion on the efficacy of airbags in cars in the UK.

  The Department, in collaboration with the motor industry, is actively involved in the Co-operative Crash Injury Study (CCIS), which collects detailed information on many aspects of crash protection from a sample of UK road accidents. CCIS is an ongoing study managed by the TRL and involving teams from Birmingham University, Loughborough University and the Vehicle Inspectorate. A study of available CCIS data by Loughborough University published in 1998 concluded that, of all the injured drivers they looked at, those in airbag equipped vehicles had less head injuries, but more arm injuries, than those in vehicles without airbags.

  The relatively low number of cases involving airbag deployment is still a constraint in assessing the effectiveness of airbags. However, we anticipate that a clearer picture will begin to emerge as the number of CCIS investigations involving airbag equipped vehicles increases.

  Planning Guidance
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from supermarket companies on PPG6. [96967]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Secretary of State has received a number of representations from the retail sector. All have been sympathetic to the Government's objective for PPG6 which is to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of town centres.
  267
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend Planning Policy Guidance Note 6. [96974]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We have no plans to amend PPG6.

  South Downs National Park
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received following the announcement of his intention to turn the South Downs into a national park. [96934]

  Mr. Mullin
  Since my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 29 September that he was asking the Countryside Agency to consider designation of the South Downs as a National Park, Ministers have received a small number of written representations. Those from members of the public have generally been supportive of a National Park. On 12 October I met a delegation of MPs and local authority representatives from East and West Sussex and Hampshire. I took the opportunity to reassure them that the Countryside Agency and the Government would listen to local interests and take into account all the special factors in the South Downs in considering possible models for a National Park.

  Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects to respond to the report of the Joint Committee on the draft Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill; [96963]

  (2) when he expects to publish the latest version of the Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill. [96962]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The draft Local Government (Organisation and Standards) Bill was published earlier this year as part of a consultation exercise to seek the views of local authorities and interested members of the public and to provide the opportunity for pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of Members of both Houses of Parliament. The Joint Committee published its report at the beginning of August.

  We have no intention to publish a further version of the draft Bill; the next stage would be for the Government to introduce primary legislation to Parliament. A response to the Joint Committee report would accompany the introduction of the legislation. My Department hopes to bring forward the legislation at an early opportunity.

  Building Safety
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Birmingham City Council has complied with his circular 62/68 in respect of building safety. [96961]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  For new building work compliance with the Building Regulations 1991 is mandatory, and any new buildings such as those addressed by Circular 62-68 would be sufficiently robust 268
  to resist disproportionate collapse. The guidance in the Circular is not mandatory, although it impressed most strongly on local authorities the need to put any necessary work in hand urgently. However, while strongly endorsing the guidance in this Circular and in Circular 71-68 which followed it, the Department does not monitor the performance of local authorities with regard to advice in Circulars.

  Motorways and Trunk Roads
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each location on the motorway and trunk road network in England where(a) there is currently a weight restriction below the normal permitted maximum and (b) where the Highways Agency is undertaking monitoring because of concerns about the strength of a structure. [97070]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Bernard Jenkin, dated 4 November 1999:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for information concerning weight restrictions and monitoring of structures on the motorway and trunk road network.
  There are no weight restrictions currently in force on the main carriageways of motorways and major trunk roads. However, there are a small number of structures, primarily supporting slip roads and interchanges, which have some form of weight restriction pending repairs or strengthening. The numbers and restrictions can vary as repairs and strengthening takes place but I am preparing an up to date list for you.
  You also ask for a list of where the Highways Agency is undertaking monitoring because of concerns about the strength of a structure. Special monitoring of structures is being undertaken for a number of reasons on a number of bridges. This can vary from week to week and the details are not held centrally. I am assembling the information you request and shall write to you shortly listing those structures subject to weight restriction as well as those where special monitoring is being undertaken because of concerns about strength.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct the inspector at the public inquiry on the future policy of waste disposal in Essex, currently being held at Chelmsford, immediately to make the written submissions to that inquiry available to the press and interested local parties. [97130]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I see no need to. Copies of written submissions made to public inquiries on Waste Local Plans are deposited with those plans as a matter of standard practice so that others may see them, both before and during an inquiry.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards publishing written submissions by interested parties prior to the holding of a public inquiry into local waste disposal projects. [97131]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  It is standard practice for the written submissions of interested parties to be deposited with Waste Local Plans so that others may see them, during reasonable hours, both before and during a public inquiry.

  Endocrine Disruption
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what provision has been made for the co-ordination of Government-funded research in the UK on endocrine disruption. [97535]

  Mr. Meacher
  Government-funded research in the UK on endocrine disruption is co-ordinated by an interdepartmental group comprising representatives from Government Departments, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales, the environment agencies, Research Councils and the Health and Safety Executive. I am pleased to announce the publication of the Group's first report on its activities since its inception in 1995 and I will place copies in the House Library.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sources of funding available to(a) local authorities and (b) voluntary organisations to support the planting of trees. [97033]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme provides grants for planting trees, for creating woods, and for managing woods. These grants are available to local authorities, voluntary organisations, individuals and other bodies. Grants and other funds to support tree planting are also provided by several other organisations such as the Countryside Agency, English Nature, the Environmental Action Fund, the Tree Council, the National Lottery, trusts, charities and private companies. Many local authorities themselves also offer grants for tree planting.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list all performance targets set for her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, other than those listed in Public Service Agreements 1999–2002 [Cm 4181], stating in each case(a) the target to be reached and (b) the date by which it was to be reached. [94988]

  Clare Short
  All of the performance targets set for my Department since May 1997 are listed in the Public Services Agreement.

  These high-level targets are supported at operational level by numerous targets to ensure delivery by individual units. Listing these operational targets would be inappropriate and disproportionate in terms of resources.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Departmental Accounts
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the President of the Council (1) what methods of depreciation her Department will 270
  apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets; [97042]

  (2) if she will list the methods of depreciation her Department will apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets. [96912]

  Mrs. Beckett
  My Department will apply the straight line method. This is in accordance with the Treasury's Resource Accounting Manual. The requirements in the Manual will be underpinned by Financial Reporting Standard 15, "Tangible Fixed Assets", issued by the Accounting Standards Board.

  Office Costs Allowance
  Mr. Love
  To ask the President of the Council how many hon. Members(a) underspent, (b) spent and (c) overspent their office costs allowance in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [93551]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I regret that the information requested is not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Accounting
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what methods of depreciation the Lord Chancellor's Department will apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets. [97045]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department will use the Straight-Line method of depreciation in the preparation of departmental resource accounts for 1999–2000. This is in accordance with the Treasury's Resource Accounting Manual, which is in turn underpinned by Financial Reporting Standard 15 'Tangible Fixed Assets', as issued by the Accounting Standards Board.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Burma
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Myanmar. [97053]

  Mr. Battle
  Human rights violations in Burma are appalling and include arbitrary killings, rape, torture, forced labour, forced relocations and denial of freedoms of expression, movement, assembly and association. We take every opportunity to raise our concern about the violations of human rights, especially those of ethnic minorities. For example, our Embassy in Rangoon regularly raise particular concerns with the regime; visiting British and EU officials also raise such concerns when they visit Burma; we have co-sponsored United Nations resolutions which strongly condemn the human rights violations and call on the regime to take urgent action to improve the situation. We will continue our efforts.

  Food and Drug Administration
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to propose to the Council of Ministers the establishment of an equivalent agency to the United States Food and Drug Administration within the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [96923]

  Mr. Vaz
  The President of the European Commission, Mr. Prodi, has already said that he intends to bring forward options for an EU food agency in a White Paper expected in December. We are interested in pursuing ideas for such an Agency and we look forward to participating fully in discussions of Mr. Prodi's proposals.

  EU Charter Working Group
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the list of already appointed members of the EU' s Charter Working Group and the names of other members on appointment. [97154]

  Mr. Vaz
  Heads of State and Government at the Special European Council in Tampere on 15-16 October agreed that the drafting body would be made up of 15 representatives of Heads of Government, 1 representative of the Commission, 16 Members of the EP and 30 national Parliamentarians. As of 3 November, the only appointments that have been made so far are ex-President Herzog (Germany), Paavu Nikula (Finland) and Stelios Perrakis (Greece).

  Chinese President (State Visit)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) of 28 October 1999,Official Report, column 993, how many meetings between his Department's officials and the Metropolitan Police took place; on what dates; who was present at each meeting; for what reasons no minutes were taken at any of these meetings; if, as a result of these meetings, letters or memos were sent by his Department's officials to the police or vice versa; and who represented the police at these meetings. [97259]

  Mr. Battle
  Meetings involving Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and the Metropolitan Police took place on the following dates this year: 13 July, 27 and 29 July (during the first preparatory visit to the UK of the Chinese officials responsible for the Visit), 6 and 8 September (during the second preparatory visit to the UK of the Chinese officials responsible for the Visit), 23 September, 28 September and 13 October. The number of meetings reflected the programme requirements.

  At each meeting, there were representatives from among the following: China Hong Kong Department, Protocol Division and Conference and Visits Group of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Buckingham Palace; Central Area Headquarters, Special Branch, Royalty Protection and Special Escort Group of the Metropolitan Police Service; the Chinese Embassy and visiting Chinese officials; Cambridge University; Cambridgeshire Constabulary; Guildhall; City of London Police; Royal Parks; Royal Parks Police; British Transport Police; Gatwick Airport; Gatwick Airport Police; Sussex Police; Lothian and Borders Police; Royal Air Force; Household
  272
  Cavalry; Royal Logistic Corps; Ministry of Defence; Railtrack Southern; English, Welsh and Scottish Railway; E. C. Harris company.

  Minutes were not taken because the purpose of these meetings was not to take operational decisions, but to go through successive drafts of the programme and discuss new programme proposals. Any outcome of the discussions was subsequently reflected in revised programmes.

  No letters or memos were sent by Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials to the police as a result of these meetings, or vice versa.

  Hungarian President (State Visit)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings took place between his Department's officials and the Metropolitan Police in preparation for the state visit of the President of Hungary in June; on what dates; who represented the police at these meetings; and if minutes were taken. [97254]

  Mr. Vaz
  Meetings involving Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and the Metropolitan Police took place on the following dates this year: 8 April, 4 and 6 May (during the preparatory visit to the UK of the Hungarian officials responsible for the Visit), and 11 May. The number of meetings reflected the programme requirements.

  At each meeting, there were representatives from among the following: the then Central European Department and the then Protocol Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; the then Government Hospitality Fund; Department of Trade and Industry; Buckingham Palace; Central Area Headquarters, Special Branch, Royalty Protection and Special Escort Group of the Metropolitan Police Service; the Hungarian Embassy and visiting Hungarian officials; Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park; Thames Valley Police; Guildhall; City of London Police; Royal Parks Police; Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead; Heathrow Airport; Gatwick Airport; Department of Culture, Media and Sport; Royal Air Force; Household Cavalry; Royal Logistic Corps; Ministry of Defence; Crown Estate Office; E. C. Harris company.

  Minutes were not taken because the purpose of these meetings was not to take operational decisions, but to go through successive drafts of the programme and discuss new programme proposals. Any outcome of the discussions was subsequently reflected in revised programmes.

  Iran
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government concerning the trial of the students charged with insulting the Imam; when and at what level such representations were made; what assurances were received; and if he will make a statement. [95783]

  Mr. Hain
  The Iranian Government are fully aware of the importance that we and our EU partners attach to freedom of expression. Our concerns about Iran's human
  273
  rights record, including on freedom of expression, will again feature prominently in this month's EU sponsored UN Resolution on Human Rights in Iran.

  Transfrontier Co-operation
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom has not signed the European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities; when the Convention was opened for signature; how many nations have signed this convention; and if he will make a statement. [96474]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have been asked to reply.

  The European Outline Convention on Transfrontier Co-operation between Territorial Communities or Authorities was opened for signature on 21 May 1980 and to date has been signed by 32 member states of the Council of Europe.

  United Kingdom local authorities have entered into a number of transfrontier arrangements with local and regional authorities in other states, which the Government strongly welcomes. None of these arrangements to date have needed to be underpinned by the Convention.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  E-commerce
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that future legislation on electronic commerce is able to cope with evolving technology. [95833]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Electronic Communications Bill, which will be introduced into Parliament in the next Session, is intended to be technology neutral. Firstly, it will start the process of ensuring that electronic transactions are given the same legal status as paper ones. Secondly it will establish a flexible legal framework which is capable of adapting to different ways of doing electronic commerce and different methods of ensuring authentication, integrity and confidentiality of information. Our policies are designed to increase our competitiveness by promoting electronic commerce, not a particular technology.

  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the development of electronic commerce in the UK; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK is the best place in the world for such commerce. [95848]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. McWalter),Official Report, column 463.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the European Commission about the regulation of e-commerce; and if he will make a statement. [95831]

  Ms Hewitt
  On 12 October I had a meeting in Brussels with Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society. We discussed and agreed on the need for a market-led regulatory framework for electronic commerce; the actual and potential contribution of 274
  e-commerce to competitiveness in Europe, particularly that of SMEs; and the importance of ensuring close co-ordination of e-commerce related initiatives.

  Onwa Ltd.
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to provide special assistance to employees of Onwa Ltd. in Jarrow. [95834]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have no such plans as it is not the responsibility of my Department to provide assistance to employees in such cases.

  However, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment that his Department has designated the closure as a large scale redundancy, and that all employees will be eligible for immediate entry to the Department's work-based learning for adults programme. I also understand that his Department is considering a rapid response fund assistance package of up to £153,000, which will provide further help to the Onwa workers in obtaining retraining.

  Low Income Families
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effects of his Department's policies on families with low incomes in the last two years. [95835]

  Mr. Byers
  This Government believe that rewarding work is a key aspect of our agenda of modernisation and reform. The national minimum wage, coupled with the introduction of the working families tax credit, will make work pay for hard-working parents.

  Fireworks (Safety)
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for reducing firework-related injuries. [95838]

  Dr. Howells
  The comprehensive measures introduced under the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 are again being supplemented by a robust, targeted firework safety campaign. This approach has been shown to work. During the 1998 firework season, 831 people were treated in A&E departments compared to 908 in 1997 and 1233 in 1996.

  The theme of this year's campaign, which I launched on 15 October, is that alcohol and fireworks do not mix. As part of the campaign, 1,000 information packs to help mount local safety campaigns have been distributed to trading standards, fire brigades, environmental health officers and for the first time, police forces.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to monitor the efficiency of the use of energy by manufacturing industry. [95839]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Government monitor the energy efficiency performance of manufacturing industry through the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme and
  275
  related work. This Programme has stimulated annual energy savings of around 150 petajoules in industry, equivalent to 3 million tonnes of carbon.

  Consumer Protection
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to increase the protection of consumers against dishonest traders. [95841]

  Dr. Howells
  The White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" published in July set out our proposals to introduce much clearer targeting of dishonest traders and specific unfair trade practices by amending the Fair Trading Act 1973. In particular, we intend to provide a power for the courts to grant injunctions against specified practices carried out by specified traders, a power for the courts to ban from trading for a period traders with a history of disregarding their legal obligations, and a power to make orders by secondary legislation to specify that certain unfair practices should become criminal offences.

  European Economic Area
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will next meet World Trade Organisation officials to discuss free trade within the European Economic Area. [95842]

  Mr. Caborn
  We have no plans to meet WTO officials to discuss free trade within the European Economic Area (EEA). This is not a matter for the WTO, but is primarily one for discussion by EEA members.

  Car Prices
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the prices of new cars in the UK and in the rest of the EU. [95843]

  Dr. Howells
  The European Commission publishes a six-monthly comparison of pre-tax car prices across the European Community. The most recent one covered prices at 1 May this year; the UK was the most expensive market for 62 of the 75 models covered.

  The Competition Commission is looking into new car prices in the UK and has been asked to report by 16 December. The Secretary of State will decide what action to take in the light of any adverse findings the Commission may make. We await the Commission's report with interest.

  Trade Agreement (South Africa)
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress with the trade agreement between the EU and South Africa. [95844]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and South Africa was signed in Pretoria on 11 October. The key trade provisions of the Agreement will be implemented from 1 January 2000. Reciprocal free trade will be phased in over 12 years. Of the two partners, the EU will open its import market at a generally faster pace in order to give a boost to South Africa's further integration into the global economy. The EU is South 276
  Africa's major trading partner and this agreement will strengthen that relationship and create new opportunities for British companies to do business with South Africa.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the proposed climate change levy. [95845]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government have had many representations from business about the proposed climate change levy and accompanying reduction in employers' National Insurance contributions which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his last Budget. We will be taking account of the views of business in designing the details of the levy so that the environmental benefits can be achieved while safeguarding competitiveness.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect of the climate change levy on manufacturing competitiveness. [95847]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government have said it aims to design the levy in a way which maximises its environmental effectiveness while safeguarding competitiveness. We have therefore been developing our understanding of the perspectives of different sectors of Industry to inform our decisions on the levy for the Finance Bill 2000.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take to ensure that consideration is given to environmental protection and sustainable development at the Seattle round of the WTO. [95849]

  Mr. Caborn
  The UK and EU are committed to ensuring that sustainable development is a key objective for the new round and that the relationship between trade and the environment is included as a subject of negotiations.

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the EU position in respect of the WTO negotiations. [95850]

  Mr. Caborn
  The UK's and EU's priority for the WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle later this year is to secure the launch of an ambitious, comprehensive round of negotiations aimed at a substantial package to remove trade barriers and so promote growth and jobs in the world economy. Our particular priorities for these negotiations include agriculture, services, industrial tariffs, regulatory standards, trade facilitation, government procurement, intellectual property rights, investment, competition and the environment. Throughout the round we shall want to ensure that the interests of developing countries are taken fully into account. The EU's position for Seattle was discussed at an informal meeting of EU Trade Ministers on 1 October in Florence and at the General Affairs Council on 11 October. Formal Council Conclusions were agreed on 26 October.

  Balkans
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken to encourage British firms to take part in the regeneration of the Kosovo and other Balkan economies. [95851]

  Mr. Caborn
  On the initiative of the Secretary of State, a joint Government/private sector Taskforce was set up by British Trade International—the recently established joint DTI/FCO trade promotion organisation—to co-ordinate and promote the UK's response to the reconstruction opportunities arising in Kosovo. Its prime objective is to ensure that UK companies are well placed to play a role in the rebuilding of Kosovo. The Taskforce has achieved much. Arising out of its activities, a consortium of UK companies has, with financial support from British Trade International, been awarded the concession to manage the power sector over the next seven months; this will help ensure that there is sufficient power to enable the people of Kosovo to get through the forthcoming harsh winter. It was clear from my recent visit to Kosovo that the good will arising out of this contract should help UK companies compete for other business, not only in the power sector but also in other areas of activity.

  British Trade International have seconded an official to the British Office in Pristina to assist UK companies seeking business in Kosovo. In order to keep the business community abreast of developments in Kosovo, the Department has also established a Kosovo website; its address is: www.brittrade.com/kosovo/. This includes information on the activities of the Taskforce and the international funding agencies working there. The well publicised activities of the Taskforce have played a major role in generating UK company interest in Kosovo; nearly 1,000 companies have registered on British Trade International's Kosovo database. British Trade International has been praised widely by the private sector for all its initiatives on Kosovo. Kosovo has been its first test; one which it has come through with flying colours.

  Kosovo is seen as the springboard to the wider South East Europe region (the Balkans) which presents significantly more business opportunities. In due course, the role of the Taskforce is likely to focus on this wider region. Through promotional events such as a seminars support for trade fairs and missions, British Trade International continues to draw the attention of UK companies to commercial opportunities in the other markets of the region.

  Loose from Bulk Goods
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department has taken to extend the derogation for loose from bulk goods in imperial measures. [95852]

  Dr. Howells
  On 26 July 1999,Official Report, columns 678-79, I announced the result of our reappraisal of the use of metric units of measurement in the UK and placed a copy of the report in the Library of the House. As that report made clear, we have concluded that there would be no benefit in seeking a postponement of the date (31 December 1999), agreed by the previous administration, after which loose from bulk goods should
  278
  be priced and weighed in grams and kilograms. It will still be possible for retailers to indicate imperial units alongside metric and for consumers to express in imperial units the quantity they wish to buy.

  Global Free Trade
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's policy on encouraging global free trade. [95853]

  Mr. Caborn
  The United Kingdom supports the launch of an ambitious, comprehensive round of negotiations aimed at a substantial package to remove trade barriers and so promote growth in the world economy and jobs for our people. This should go a long way to realising global free trade consistent with the principle of sustainable development.

  Science
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to ensure an increase in the Government's total spending on science. [95854]

  Ms Hewitt
  This Government have shown a clear commitment to science in their spending plans agreed following the Comprehensive Spending Review. In this three-year period, Government will invest over £20 billion in science, engineering and technology. This level of investment is higher in real terms than at any time this decade.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on enforcement of the national minimum wage. [95855]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We are confident we have put in place one of the world's most professional and organised systems of minimum wage enforcement. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Ms Russell) below.

  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to prevent employers from ignoring the national minimum wage. [95860]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  National Minimum Wage (NMW) Inspectors have dealt with over 3,000 cases of suspected underpayment of the minimum wage. Every call is followed up, including anonymous calls and third party tip-offs. In addition, Inspectors are now targeting low paying employers based on detailed risk analysis. Changes to the law mean that our Inspectors are now able to use information gathered for income tax, N1 and Working Families Tax Credit purposes.

  The Government recognise that it is vital that employers are aware of their obligations under the law. In January this year the Inland Revenue included information about the NMW in their employer's annual pack, which was sent to all 1.2 million tax-registered employers. In March, once the Regulations had been approved by Parliament, we made detailed guidance available, along with leaflets for employers and employees. So far over

  279
  1 million copies of the guidance and leaflets have been sent out to individuals and organisations, as well as many thousands which have been downloaded from the minimum wage website.

  Around £5 million was spent on advertising the minimum wage in March and April. Independent research shows the campaign met or exceeded the targets set; awareness of the minimum wage following advertising peaked at 95 per cent. among employers.

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the National Minimum Wage. [97578]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government have asked the Low Pay Commission to monitor and evaluate the introduction and impact of the national minimum wage. The Commission have undertaken a wide-ranging consultation and fact-finding exercise and have commissioned a series of research projects.

  We have submitted and published our own evidence to the Low Pay Commission.

  International Postal Services
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when(a) he and (b) officials in his Department last met representatives of the Post Office to discuss international postal services. [95856]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I regularly meet with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Post Office to discuss a range of issues, including international postal matters. Officials also regularly discuss international postal matters with the Post Office.

  Incubator Companies
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what success he has had in developing incubator companies of clusters. [95857]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department supports the UK Business Incubation Centre (UKBI), which promotes and encourages the uptake of business incubation, spreads best practice and improves networking and coordination between incubators. DTI also supports some sectoral incubation activities, for example through the Biotechnology Mentoring and Incubator Challenge and the Software Business Incubator (a virtual incubator). In addition, the "Reach-Out" fund has invited proposals for enhanced interaction between Higher Education Institutions and business, including support for university-based incubator facilities. Business incubators are often but not exclusively, located within industrial clusters.

  UKBI have commissioned a study, part-funded by my Department, which will help identify where and how incubator support policy has assisted specific firms, such as high-technology businesses We await the result of this study with interest.

  Part-time Work Directive
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the draft regulations and code of practice to implement the directive on part-time work. [95858]
  280
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The draft regulations and Code of Practice will be published in early November. This will launch a consultation process on the Government proposals. We intend to implement the Directive in April next year.

  Energy Markets
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to secure the liberalisation of energy markets in the UK. [95859]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are currently undertaking a major programme of liberalisation in the energy markets as outlined in the White Paper on energy sources for power generation (Cm 4071) in October 1998. This has included the opening up to competition of the UK gas supply market (completed in May 1998) and the UK electricity supply market (completed in May 1999). Work is also under way in my Department and in the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets to liberalise the gas and electricity wholesale trading arrangements and transmission capacity allocation.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation of the changes to the regional selective assistance map and associated issues indicated in his July statement; and if the proposed changes have been ratified by the European Commission. [95861]

  Mr. Caborn
  No.

  Intellectual Property
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is introducing to clarify the ownership of intellectual property. [95836]

  Dr. Howells
  In general, intellectual property legislation provides for creators, such as inventors in the case of patents and authors for copyright, to be the first owners of rights.

  Intellectual property may be transferred by assignment or vested by operation of law (as on death or bankruptcy) in the same way as other personal property. It is not for government to become involved in such acquisition, disposal or transfer. However, we shall continue to work to ensure that clarity of ownership of intellectual property in the public sector encourages and simplifies exploitation of research in universities and public sector research establishments.

  BVRAAM UK
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the impact on employment in the UK if the European Meteor team loses their bid in the BVRAAM UK competition. [95456]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) competition is being run by the Ministry of Defence, with the Department of Trade and Industry being involved in the consideration of the industrial implications of the procurement. It would be inappropriate to publish material derived from information provided by companies to both MOD and
  281
  DTI as part of a competitive bidding process. Our assessment considers the impact of the competing bids on the development of significant industrial and technological capabilities in the UK. The impact on employment levels in the UK is only one element of this.

  Advertisements
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is regarding EU Directive 97/55/EC on comparative advertisements; and if he will make a statement. [95922]

  Dr. Howells
  Advertising which compares a company's product with those of a competitor has always been accepted in the UK. A system of regulatory and voluntary controls ensures that any comparison is accurate and fair so that consumers are able to judge the relative merits of products. However, it is important that there is a level playing field across Europe for those who wish to advertise by objectively comparing their products with those of a competitor. At present, this does not exist because of different regulations across the EU. The Government therefore welcome the Comparative Advertising Directive which will permit comparative advertising throughout the European Community on an equal basis.

  The Directive is due to be implemented in member states by 23 April 2000. My Department has recently consulted on proposals to implement the Directive in UK law by amending the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988.

  Pressure Equipment
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if regulations required by EC Council Directive 97/23/EC (O.J. No. L181, 9.7.97, p.1) regarding the harmonisation of laws concerning pressure equipment have been published in each EU country; and if he will list these regulations together with their proposed implementation dates [96453]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999, which implement the Pressure Equipment Directive (97/23/EC), were laid before Parliament on 19 July 1999. The main provisions of the Regulations come into force on 29 November 1999, the date of application of the Directive. This is followed by a transitional period until 29 May 2002, when manufacturers may choose whether to comply with the national legislation in force on 29 November 1999 or with the Pressure Equipment Regulations.

  It is for the European Commission to monitor the transposition of EU Directives across the Community and take appropriate action as necessary. The Commission publishes information on which Directives have been transposed on its CELEX database. This can be accessed on the parliamentary intranet (PDVN) as part of the JUSTIS database which is available in the Libraries of the House.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arms export licences have been issued for shipments to Sri Lanka since May 1997. [96419]
  282
  Dr. Howells
  For the period 2 May 1997 to 25 February 1999, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) on 17 March 1999,Official Report, columns 683-84.

  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 26 February and 19 October 1999, 22 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and 3 Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued for the export to consignees or end-users in Sri Lanka of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings (and OIELs may also cover a range of countries). Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Individual Licences issued between 26 February 1999 and 9 October 1999 for the export to Sri Lanka of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELS issued covering goods with this rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML1

  2

  0

  ML2

  2

  0

  ML3

  4

  0

  ML4

  4

  0

  ML5

  2

  1

  ML6

  1

  0

  ML7

  2

  0

  ML11

  2

  2

  ML13

  0

  1

  ML14

  0

  1

  ML15

  3

  0

  PL5001

  1

  0

  PL5017

  3

  0

  PL5030

  1

  0

  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.

  This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08.

  In addition, Sri Lanka is a permitted destination on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.

  Export Licensing
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licence applications have been referred to a interdepartmental committee for discussion or advice in each of the last six months; how
  283
  many have been (a) granted and (b) refused; and what have been the (i) average, (ii) shortest and (iii) longest times between referral and decision. [96480]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: Extracting all of the information requested would involve disproportionate cost. However, in respect of Iran over the six month period 1 April 1999 to 30 September 1999, 53 export licences have been issued and seven applications refused. All of these have been considered by the relevant interdepartmental committee.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates the interdepartmental committee on export licensing will meet within the next month; what is the normal frequency of meetings; and what arrangements are in place to process urgent applications quickly. [96482]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: The next meeting of the relevant interdepartmental committee on export licence applications for Iran is scheduled for 9 November 1999. This committee meets once a month. All applications are dealt with case by case and within a time scale which allows for proper consideration.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in his Department in examining arms export licence applications. [97062]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: Strategic export controls, including for goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (known as the Military List) are administered by the Export Control Organisation (ECO), part of the DTI's Export Control and Non-Proliferation Directorate (XNP). Most ECO staff may, for various reasons, be required to examine licence applications for goods on the Military List. The ECO staff complement in 1999–2000 is 135.8 staff; the actual number in post at any one time may vary slightly from this figure.

  Financial Investigations
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under what circumstances persons interviewed under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 are instructed not to talk publicly about their evidence, after an investigation has been concluded. [96407]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: Confidentiality requirements placed on witnesses in inspections, above those set out in statute for which there are criminal penalties, are a matter for inspectors. However the Department encourages inspectors to make clear to all witnesses the general and continuing confidentiality of the inspection process.

  Publications (Carriage Charges)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to review the carriage charges for newspapers and magazines. [96871]

  Dr. Howells
  Terms and conditions are usually a matter for commercial negotiation between the parties concerned.
  284
  The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anti-competitive practices. If anybody has evidence of anti-competitive behaviour concerning carriage charges, they should contact the Director-General.

  European Coal Industry
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department has taken to ensure that EU member states do not engage in measures which distort the European coal industry after 2002. [96888]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Aid paid to coal producers in Europe is governed by the 1993 Coal State Aid Code. This expires along with the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty in 2002. The UK Government will be working with the European Commission and other Member States to ensure that the arrangements after 2002 avoid distortion of the European coal market. In the meantime, we must ensure that aid which is currently approved by the Commission under the existing rules does not distort the market against unsubsidised producers in the ECSC including those in the UK.

  In the case of Spain, we have formally complained to the European Commission about discriminatory application of limits on the sulphur content of coals from different ECSC resources, and have received assurances that UK coal will be treated on the same basis as Spanish coal. This should open the Spanish market to a range of UK coals.

  We have also laid a formal complaint against Spanish state aid for coal, questioning whether the required criteria of ultimate viability has been fulfilled for all those producers receiving operating aid under the ECSC Coal State Aid code. The European Commission have also made clear that a subsidy of one peseta per kilowatt/hour (equivalent to around 35p a gigajoule of coal) available to Spanish power-station operators burning Spanish coal should be equally available in respect of UK coal.

  In the case of Germany, following our complaint to the European Commission on behalf of Celtic Energy Ltd setting out how state aid provided to Sophia Jacoba and Ibbenburen mines led to a distortion in the anthracite market in the ECSC and particularly in the UK, the Commission found there had been abuse of state aid and reached a decision on 29 July 1998 requiring repayment of nearly DM 20 million state aid by the German producers. This decision provides UK producers with an assurance that such unfair practices will not recur and should help to open up continental markets for competitive UK exports of anthracite.

  We made representations to the Commission in March 1998 on the proposed merger of the three remaining German hard coal producers, setting out our view that the privatisation of Saarbergwerke for 1 DM represented significant unauthorised aid for German coal production. We are continuing to urge the Commission to reach a view on how this should be handled.

  We have also responded to the Commission's notifications that it was initiating procedures under the ECSC Treaty in respect of unauthorised aid being provided by France to its coal producers. We have fully endorsed the preliminary conclusions which the

  285
  Commission have reached in their formal notice to the French Government and we believe there is growing evidence that the aid to Charbonnages de France (CdF) is distorting competition in the coal and coal-related sectors.

  We have expressed particular concern over the export of Polish coal to UK market at prices which appear to be below production costs. We have raised this issue both with the Polish Government and with the European Commission who are responsible for ensuring that Poland meets the conditions of its accession arrangements to the EU. We have made clear that we expect Polish coal exported to the British isles to be withdrawn unless its selling price can be shown to cover its appropriately allocated production and transportation costs.

  We will continue to press the European Commission to interpret the Code strictly and, in particular, to ensure that operating aid is paid only to those undertakings which can demonstrate that they can be competitive within a reasonable time period. Undertakings which cannot demonstrate this should be given closure aid only. We support many of the arguments that RJM Mining have made in this respect to the court of First Instance and note that the Court's Judgement of 9 September 1999 that authorisation of operating aid must be subject to the condition that the recipient undertakings have achieved a significant reduction in their production costs.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if persons interviewed by his Department's inspectors in relation to an inquiry into insider dealing are offered transcripts of the meeting to enable them to check for accuracy. [96744]

  Dr. Howells
  While the conduct of inspections is a matter for the inspectors, it is their usual practice to provide a transcript of any formal interview of a witness to that witness for comment.

  World Poverty
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what specific progress he is making in linking his Department's work with the objective of the Department for International Development for relieving world poverty. [96663]

  Mr. Caborn
  My Department works closely with the Department for International Development, for example through an Interdepartmental Group on Trade and Development which co-ordinates our efforts to ensure that developing countries benefit more fully from the world trade system. Together, the two Departments have worked successfully to establish an EU approach to a comprehensive new round of negotiations in the WTO which reflects this concern—including a call for duty-free access for essentially all products from the least developed countries by the end of the round.

  In July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced the review of ECGD's Mission and Status, which will take account of the relationship of ECGD's activities with the Government's wider objectives. In this context, I particularly want the review to look at what more ECGD could do to help the Government to achieve their wider sustainable development objectives, as the UK continues to play a
  286
  leading role in assisting the poorest developing countries to emerge from the debt and poverty burdens and return to the international trading community.

  Arthritis Research
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research into children's arthritis the Government fund; and if he will make a statement. [96661]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government fund health and medical research mainly through the Medical Research Council and the Department of Health.

  The Medical Research Council spent about £160k in 1998–99 on projects specifically involved with juvenile arthritis. In addition, the MRC spent £1,128k on arthritis as a whole—much of which will be relevant to the treatment of children with the condition.

  The Department of Health has recently funded projects on juvenile arthritis with a total value of over £500k.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all performance targets set for his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, other than those listed in Public Service Agreements 1999–2002 [Cm 4181], stating in each case(a) the target to be reached and (b) the date by which it was to be reached. [94985]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: My Department has set out the key performance targets on which it will be judged in its Public Service Agreement—published in the Government White Paper of December 1998, called "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability" (Cm 4181)—and in its Expenditure Plans Reports. The Output and Performance Analysis published in March this year showed the measures of success it will use.

  A full list of the targets and target dates for Agencies of this and other Government Departments is published annually in the Next Steps Report and these can also be found in each Agency's Annual Report. Targets for the Executive NDPBs are also published annually in the Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies Report. Copies of these documents are in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Accounts
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the methods of depreciation his Department will apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets. [96913]

  Dr. Howells
  The method of depreciation of fixed assets used by this Department is to use a calculated rate which will write off the valuation of the asset by equal instalments over its estimated useful life after allowing for any residual value. This method is in accordance with the Treasury's Resource Accounting Manual which is underpinned by Financial Reporting Standard 15, "Tangible Fixed Assets", issued by the Accounting Standard Board.

  Members of Parliament (Company Affairs)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries his Department has undertaken in relation to the company affairs of Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords within the last 10 years; and how many of these have been published. [97100]

  Dr. Howells
  Records are not maintained in a form which could provide the information requested.

  Export Guarantees Advisory Council
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the minutes of meetings of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council. [97105]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) primarily provides advice on the Export Credits Guarantee Department's country risk assessments and cover policy proposals.

  The minutes of the EGAC are not published because these assessments contain frank analysis of the political and economic prospects of many of our trading partners, disclosure of which could be market sensitive. Public disclosure of the minutes could also inhibit the frank discussion of the risk assessments and thus reduce the quality of independent advice provided by Members.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out the procedures the Export Credit Guarantee Department uses when it appoints members of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council. [97103]

  Mr. Caborn
  Appointments to the Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) are made in accordance with guidance laid down by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  A panel comprising the ECGD Chief Executive and two Independent Assessors selects a shortlist of candidates to recommend to my hon. Friend the Minster for Trade. Members appointed provide their time on a voluntary basis and would normally expect to serve a term of three years.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when he has asked for advice from the Export Guarantees Advisory Council in respect of matters relating to the operation of the Export Credit Guarantee Department. [97102]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Export Guarantees Advisory Council (EGAC) has met 25 times since 1 May 1997. It meets between 9 and 11 times a year to provide advice to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The EGAC is established pursuant to Section 13 of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the instances since 1 May 1997 when members of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council have absented themselves from a meeting because an area in which they have declared an interest is under discussion, (b) the names of the council members concerned and (c) the items under discussion. [97104]
  288
  Mr. Caborn
  Members of the Export Guarantees Advisory Council are obliged to declare any interest which is then noted in the official record of the meeting. They are not required to absent themselves from the meeting when an interest has been declared.

  The Council's main role is to consider ECGD's country risk assessments and recommendations—which determine whether ECGD should be on or off cover for particular markets.

  Since 1 May 1997, Members have declared an interest on the following occasions:

  Declarations of Interest—Export Guarantees Advisory Council

  Meeting

  Name

  Item under discussion

  1998

  March

  Mr. G. Lynch

  Review of Overseas Investment Insurance (OII)

  May

  Mr. D. Harrison

  Turkey

  1999

  May

  Mr. P. Mason

  Zimbabwe

  July

  Ms L. Airey

  Turkey

  Mr. P. Mason

  September

  Mr. D. Harrison

  OII—Cover for Porfolio Loans

  Fixed-Term Contracts
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce regulation of the use of temporary contracts of employment in the private sector utilities. [97210]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government are committed to implementing the Fixed-term work Directive by July 2001. The Directive will ensure that fixed-term contracts are not abused, while retaining labour market flexibility.

  Recruitment Industry
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer on 28 October 1999,Official Report, column 935, concerning the calculations of costs arising from changes to the regulations governing care agencies, if he will (a) itemise the reasons his Department does not accept the calculations and (b) publish his own calculations. [97386]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The consultation document published on 31 May contains a regulatory impact assessment of possible cost consequences to those hiring staff through employment bureaux. The figures provided by Mrs. Gifford of Able Community Care contain substantial increases in respect of items, such as basic pay and agency commission, which we do not believe result from the proposals contained in the document.

  Supermarkets
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the result of the Competition Commission's investigations into supermarkets in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [97299]
  289
  Dr. Howells
  The Commission is due to report to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by 7 April 2000. If the Commission were to request an extension to the deadline for submitting its report, it would be considered carefully.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Colman) of 29 October 1999,Official Report, column 1016, on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, if he will list the relevant companies and institutions to which he makes reference in respect of safeguards declarations. [97562]

  Dr. Howells
  In preparing the voluntary declarations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Safeguards Office of my Department contacted a total of 165 companies and institutions to determine whether they were performing activities which would need to be reported under the protocol additional to the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement following its entry into force. The declarations eventually submitted to the IAEA were based upon information provided by:

  Urenco Ltd.

  AEA Technology plc.

  BNFL

  British Energy

  British Steel Engineering

  British Shielding Windows Ltd.

  IMI Nuclear Components Ltd.

  Health and Safety Executive.

  Car Pricing
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he plans to take to make it easier for British consumers to buy fairly priced cars. [95846]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) at column 275.

  CHP Station (Ansty)
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Rolls-Royce Power Ventures Ltd's proposal to build a combined heat and power station at Ansty, near Coventry. [97613]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have today granted clearance under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 to Rolls-Royce Power Ventures Ltd.'s notification to build a 49 MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at Rolls-Royce's Ansty works. The decision has been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).
  290
  Decisions on other applications under consideration will be announced in due course.

  Copies of the Press Notice and the clearance letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Correspondence
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to reply to the communication sent to him by the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East on 8 March, and to the reminder sent on 30 June, about unsolicited mail for his constituent Mr. Loveland. [96483]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: My office has received neither of these letters. If the hon. Member would provide me with a copy, I shall ensure he receives an immediate reply.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 29 October; and if he will make a statement. [97106]

  Mr. Straw
  The Minister of State, Home Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) and I represented the United Kingdom at the Council. The main matters dealt with were as follows:

  'A' points
  The Council agreed as an 'A' point, among other things, the annual report for 1997–98 on football hooliganism in European Union member states.

  Open debate on the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
  The Council discussed the outcome of the Tampere European Council. The Commission undertook to present to the December Justice and Home Affairs Council a first draft of the 'scoreboard' (ie progress report) on implementing specific Tampere measures.

  Follow-up to the Tampere European Council
  The Presidency presented a paper they had prepared jointly with the Commission and Council Secretariat on implementation of the results of the Tampere European Council. There was no significant discussion.

  Draft Eurodac Regulation
  The Council noted the Presidency's progress report and encouraged the intensification of efforts to resolve outstanding issues in order to reach agreement at the December Council.

  Draft Mandate for a parallel Dublin Agreement with Iceland and Norway
  At the previous Council meeting on 4 October, the Commission had presented its proposal for a Community agreement to bring Norway and Iceland into the Dublin Convention arrangements. On 29 October, the Council noted that the agreement needed to be concluded quickly and remitted the draft mandate to Coreper to resolve outstanding difficulties.

  Council decision on opening negotiations between Europol and third countries and international organisations
  After discussions, further consideration of the draft instrument was remitted to Coreper.

  Mutual Legal Assistance Convention: Interception Provisions
  The Presidency noted that, while good progress had been made and agreement appeared to be closer, the provisions relating to interception of telecommunications in the draft Convention on

  291
  Mutual Assistance in criminal matters were still subject to some debate. It circulated for consideration a further compromise text. After discussion, the Presidency concluded that the issue should be remitted to Coreper, with a view to ultimate agreement at the December Council.

  Justice and Home Affairs information for National Parliaments
  This item was remitted to the December Council.

  Police Complaints
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the total cost and (b) the cost by force of running police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available in each of the 43 police authorities in England and Wales. [97119]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not available centrally.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state(a) what categories of complaints and (b) how many complaints were received in each category, by the police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available, in each of the 43 police authorities in England and Wales. [97120]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The categories of complaint used by police complaints and discipline departments are as follows:

  Number of complaints recorded during the year, according to category of complaint 1998–99

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  J

  K

  Avon and Somerset

  7

  1

  246

  114

  63

  23

  7

  0

  13

  6

  Bedfordshire

  1

  1

  36

  8

  15

  0

  1

  4

  5

  2

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  0

  95

  29

  23

  4

  16

  0

  14

  5

  Cheshire

  4

  3

  149

  70

  23

  9

  25

  5

  28

  7

  Cleveland

  6

  1

  111

  29

  23

  4

  2

  6

  7

  1

  Cumbria

  2

  1

  56

  63

  13

  4

  12

  1

  10

  1

  Derbyshire

  8

  0

  114

  40

  25

  6

  4

  2

  5

  5

  Devon and Cornwall

  12

  1

  195

  83

  46

  6

  15

  4

  10

  15

  Dorset

  3

  0

  53

  18

  7

  2

  3

  1

  0

  3

  Durham

  4

  0

  79

  9

  6

  1

  5

  0

  1

  1

  Essex

  0

  0

  141

  51

  30

  3

  7

  6

  22

  0

  Gloucestershire

  4

  2

  69

  19

  21

  4

  2

  0

  8

  4

  Greater Manchester

  29

  2

  483

  74

  127

  56

  36

  15

  55

  7

  Hampshire

  1

  2

  209

  60

  36

  7

  7

  1

  13

  4

  Hertfordshire

  4

  0

  89

  39

  16

  10

  6

  1

  6

  3

  Humberside

  7

  0

  125

  34

  17

  9

  6

  4

  11

  8

  Kent

  0

  1

  151

  77

  57

  15

  27

  6

  27

  9

  Lancashire

  15

  3

  223

  98

  72

  7

  27

  1

  26

  9

  Leicestershire

  3

  1

  80

  42

  14

  13

  1

  1

  2

  5

  Lincolnshire

  5

  0

  67

  37

  13

  2

  9

  1

  8

  0

  City of London

  0

  0

  4

  16

  7

  8

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Merseyside

  20

  1

  393

  187

  163

  14

  42

  1

  34

  22

  Metropolitan Police

  49

  19

  1,576

  799

  476

  304

  180

  25

  253

  211

  Norfolk

  0

  2

  78

  37

  19

  4

  8

  3

  12

  11

  Northamptonshire

  2

  0

  78

  37

  6

  6

  4

  2

  7

  0

  Northumbria

  16

  2

  211

  40

  58

  4

  11

  3

  22

  7

  North Yorkshire

  1

  1

  93

  26

  10

  6

  16

  1

  5

  4

  Nottinghamshire

  5

  2

  172

  84

  36

  17

  12

  1

  19

  5

  South Yorkshire

  3

  1

  183

  23

  37

  4

  13

  1

  13

  6

  Staffordshire

  3

  0

  157

  55

  36

  7

  11

  2

  8

  4

  Suffolk

  0

  0

  80

  19

  10

  4

  8

  0

  11

  3

  292
  1. Oppressive Behaviour

  Category A: Serious non-sexual assault

  Category B: Sexual assault

  Category C: Other assault

  Category D: Oppressive conduct/harassment

  Category E: Unlawful arrest etc.

  2. Racial Discrimination

  Category F

  3. Malpractice

  Category G: Perjury/irregularity in evidence

  Category H: Corrupt practice

  Category J: Mishandling of Property

  4. Failures in Duty

  Category K: Breach, Code A

  Category L: Breach, Code B

  Category M: Breach, Code C

  Category N: Breach, Code D

  Category P: Breach, Code E

  Category R: Breach, unspecified or multiple

  Category S: Other neglect of duty

  Category T: Other irregularity in procedure

  5. Incivility

  Category U

  6. Traffic

  Category V

  7. Other

  Category W.

  Information showing the number of complaints received in each category for financial year 1998–99 is given in the table:

  293

  Number of complaints recorded during the year, according to category of complaint 1998–99

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  J

  K

  Surrey

  2

  0

  107

  108

  29

  10

  4

  2

  19

  6

  Sussex

  6

  2

  197

  178

  52

  14

  28

  1

  54

  28

  Thames Valley

  18

  3

  202

  79

  64

  17

  17

  3

  18

  9

  Warwickshire

  0

  1

  60

  31

  8

  5

  5

  0

  5

  1

  West Mercia

  8

  1

  155

  25

  28

  6

  17

  0

  13

  6

  West Midlands

  19

  4

  462

  127

  134

  49

  34

  7

  39

  11

  West Yorkshire

  22

  4

  278

  66

  62

  16

  20

  3

  17

  2

  Wiltshire

  5

  1

  81

  46

  10

  7

  1

  0

  7

  2

  Dyfed-Powys

  1

  1

  23

  39

  15

  5

  9

  0

  2

  4

  Gwent

  13

  2

  179

  111

  28

  2

  10

  0

  9

  2

  North Wales

  2

  4

  102

  45

  18

  2

  7

  4

  8

  4

  South Wales

  16

  1

  224

  74

  19

  13

  16

  5

  29

  1

  England and Wales

  327

  71

  7,866

  3,246

  1,962

  709

  691

  124

  876

  450

  Number of complaints recorded during the year, according to category of complaint 1998–99

  L

  M

  N

  P

  R

  S

  T

  U

  V

  W

  Avon and Somerset

  18

  45

  2

  0

  1

  105

  18

  175

  3

  5

  Bedfordshire

  11

  6

  0

  0

  1

  27

  6

  36

  1

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  15

  28

  0

  0

  9

  59

  18

  76

  5

  13

  Cheshire

  16

  27

  0

  0

  0

  85

  27

  101

  11

  7

  Cleveland

  17

  16

  0

  1

  1

  18

  9

  66

  1

  7

  Cumbria

  13

  11

  1

  0

  0

  24

  6

  56

  11

  4

  Derbyshire

  19

  21

  0

  0

  4

  50

  11

  73

  6

  7

  Devon and Cornwall

  19

  42

  0

  0

  0

  145

  28

  161

  11

  5

  Dorset

  4

  10

  1

  0

  0

  10

  5

  39

  2

  4

  Durham

  3

  2

  0

  0

  1

  21

  3

  35

  1

  9

  Essex

  5

  8

  0

  0

  1

  96

  21

  107

  10

  2

  Gloucestershire

  12

  17

  0

  1

  0

  28

  16

  61

  3

  1

  Greater Manchester

  104

  45

  0

  0

  84

  251

  34

  367

  20

  418

  Hampshire

  13

  39

  2

  0

  5

  75

  21

  128

  19

  12

  Hertfordshire

  23

  28

  0

  0

  3

  68

  21

  57

  7

  35

  Humberside

  13

  23

  1

  0

  0

  46

  19

  91

  2

  9

  Kent

  23

  60

  0

  0

  0

  75

  24

  64

  8

  0

  Lancashire

  36

  51

  1

  2

  1

  88

  8

  142

  17

  23

  Leicestershire

  15

  12

  0

  0

  3

  28

  7

  40

  1

  12

  Lincolnshire

  9

  26

  1

  0

  0

  51

  12

  51

  8

  4

  City of London

  4

  3

  0

  0

  0

  9

  0

  13

  2

  1

  Merseyside

  26

  73

  0

  0

  0

  141

  24

  233

  11

  44

  Metropolitan Police

  166

  272

  2

  16

  1,094

  101

  1,424

  67

  122

  Norfolk

  15

  11

  1

  1

  0

  59

  14

  41

  9

  2

  Northamptonshire

  6

  13

  0

  0

  0

  26

  16

  43

  5

  5

  Northumbria

  27

  53

  0

  0

  0

  32

  15

  95

  2

  31

  North Yorkshire

  7

  23

  0

  0

  2

  45

  26

  74

  6

  17

  Nottinghamshire

  39

  47

  0

  0

  0

  101

  15

  116

  2

  16

  South Yorkshire

  19

  35

  0

  0

  0

  63

  10

  133

  4

  3

  Staffordshire

  8

  11

  0

  0

  0

  114

  11

  89

  3

  2

  Suffolk

  11

  14

  0

  0

  0

  53

  14

  37

  4

  0

  Surrey

  13

  28

  1

  0

  0

  134

  41

  192

  13

  20

  Sussex

  57

  74

  0

  2

  0

  164

  77

  187

  29

  3

  Thames Valley

  24

  48

  0

  0

  1

  66

  24

  127

  12

  36

  Warwickshire

  5

  16

  1

  0

  0

  19

  1

  28

  4

  16

  West Mercia

  12

  31

  0

  0

  0

  51

  5

  90

  6

  0

  West Midlands

  78

  113

  2

  0

  4

  86

  62

  294

  10

  55

  West Yorkshire

  28

  62

  1

  0

  0

  53

  12

  133

  6

  11

  Wiltshire

  7

  13

  1

  0

  0

  9

  5

  51

  6

  7

  Dyfed-Powys

  11

  15

  0

  0

  0

  13

  6

  35

  0

  1

  Gwent

  18

  18

  0

  0

  6

  28

  21

  44

  7

  7

  North Wales

  15

  11

  1

  0

  0

  50

  2

  74

  9

  8

  South Wales

  18

  24

  0

  0

  1

  104

  12

  181

  12

  2

  England and Wales

  1,002

  1,525

  19

  7

  144

  3,864

  846

  5,564

  376

  986

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of days taken in investigating complaints for each of the police 294
  complaints and discipline departments in each authority in England and Wales for the last year in which figures are available. [97121]
  295
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information is in terms of the average completion times for complaints cases, and is given in the table.

  Average completion times for complaints cases 1998–99

  Police force area

  Days

  Avon and Somerset

  70

  Bedfordshire

  94

  Cambridgeshire

  101

  Cheshire

  137

  Cleveland

  74

  Cumbria

  88

  Derbyshire

  72

  Devon and Cornwall

  87

  Dorset

  77

  Durham

  64

  Essex

  82

  Gloucestershire

  56

  Greater Manchester

  72

  Hampshire

  118

  Hertfordshire

  82

  Humberside

  75

  Kent

  141

  Lancashire

  98

  Leicestershire

  102

  Lincolnshire

  69

  City of London

  69

  Merseyside

  87

  Metropolitan Police

  112

  Norfolk

  109

  Northamptonshire

  149

  Northumbria

  108

  North Yorkshire

  84

  Nottinghamshire

  82

  South Yorkshire

  80

  Staffordshire

  97

  Suffolk

  85

  Surrey

  85

  Police functions: Complaints and discipline

  Forces 1995–96

  Total strength (HMICI)

  Total ACPO strength

  Total Chief Supt. strength

  Total Supt. strength

  Total Chief Inspector strength

  Total Inspector strength

  Total Sergeant strength

  Total Constable strength

  Avon and Somerset

  11

  0

  0

  4

  2

  2

  3

  0

  Bedfordshire

  4

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  5

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  9

  0

  0

  1

  4

  4

  0

  0

  City of London

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Cleveland

  9

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  3

  0

  Cumbria

  5

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  2

  0

  Derbyshire

  5

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  15

  0

  0

  1

  5

  2

  7

  0

  Dorset

  7

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  0

  0

  Durham

  7

  0

  0

  2

  1

  4

  0

  0

  Dyfed-Powys

  4

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Essex

  10

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  4

  0

  Gloucestershire

  6

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  2

  0

  Greater Manchester

  46

  0

  0

  7

  7

  25

  7

  0

  Gwent

  7

  0

  0

  1

  3

  0

  3

  0

  Hampshire

  7

  0

  0

  4

  0

  3

  0

  0

  Hertfordshire

  6

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  1

  0

  Humberside

  10

  0

  0

  1

  2

  5

  2

  0

  Kent

  18

  0

  0

  2

  5

  4

  7

  0

  Lancashire

  14

  0

  0

  4

  4

  1

  5

  0

  Leicestershire

  6

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  1

  0

  Lincolnshire

  3

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Merseyside

  22

  0

  0

  6

  0

  7

  9

  0

  Metropolitan Police

  199

  0

  0

  11

  41

  17

  121

  0

  Norfolk

  7

  0

  0

  1

  3

  3

  0

  0

  North Wales

  3

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  7

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  1

  0

  Northamptonshire

  5

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Northumbria

  14

  0

  0

  4

  1

  9

  0

  0

  296

  Average completion times for complaints cases 1998–99

  Police force area

  Days

  Sussex

  114

  Thames Valley

  58

  Warwickshire

  93

  West Mercia

  88

  West Midlands

  83

  West Yorkshire

  92

  Wiltshire

  96

  Dyfed-Powys

  66

  Gwent

  148

  North Wales

  132

  South Wales

  124

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police officers, broken down by rank, were employed in each of the 43 police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available; [97122]

  (2) how many whole-time equivalent police officers, broken down by rank, were seconded to each of the 43 police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available; [97123]

  (3) how many whole-time equivalent non-police support staff were employed to work in each of the 43 police complaints and discipline departments for the last year in which figures are available. [97124]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Figures on police staffing of complaints and discipline departments for 1995–96, the latest year for which information was collected, are given in the table. Information on secondments to complaints and discipline departments and on employment of non-police staff is not available.
  297

  Police functions: Complaints and discipline

  Forces 1995–96

  Total strength (HMIC1)

  Total ACPO strength

  Total Chief Supt. strength

  Total Supt. strength

  Total Chief Inspector strength

  Total Inspector strength

  Total Sergeant strength

  Total Constable strength

  Nottinghamshire

  8

  0

  0

  3

  2

  3

  0

  0

  South Wales

  18

  0

  0

  2

  8

  8

  0

  0

  South Yorkshire

  17

  0

  0

  4

  1

  8

  0

  40

  Staffordshire

  9

  0

  0

  3

  3

  3

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  6

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  3

  0

  Surrey

  7

  0

  0

  2

  0

  5

  0

  0

  Sussex

  15

  0

  0

  2

  4

  6

  3

  0

  Thames Valley

  17

  0

  0

  4

  1

  11

  1

  0

  Warwickshire

  2

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  West Mercia

  13

  0

  0

  2

  4

  6

  1

  0

  West Midlands

  26

  0

  0

  6

  1

  19

  0

  0

  West Yorkshire

  27

  0

  0

  5

  0

  18

  2

  2

  Wiltshire

  4

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  England and Wales total

  643

  0

  0

  101

  132

  205

  190

  15

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of hours spent on investigations, broken down by category, by the police complaints and discipline departments in each of the 43 police complaints authorities in England and Wales for the last year for which figures are available. [97125]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not available centrally.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department(a) how many complaints and (b) in what categories, were supervised by the police complaints authority in each of the 43 police authorities in England and Wales for the last year in which figures are available. [97126]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is readily available only on the number of investigations, by individual force, supervised by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). This is shown for 1998–99 in the table.

  Police complaints authority supervised investigations April 1998—March 1999

  Force

  Total for year

  Avon and Somerset

  10

  Bedfordshire

  17

  Cambridgeshire

  8

  Cheshire

  8

  City of London

  1

  Cleveland

  13

  Cumbria

  7

  Derbyshire

  10

  Devon and Cornwall

  30

  Dorset

  5

  Durham

  8

  Dyfed-Powys

  8

  Essex

  10

  Gloucestershire

  12

  Greater Manchester

  80

  Gwent

  20

  Hampshire

  16

  Hertfordshire

  8

  Humberside

  19

  Kent

  21

  Lancashire

  25

  Leicestershire

  11

  Lincolnshire

  13

  Merseyside

  60

  Met—Area 1

  31

  Met—Area 2

  35

  298

  Police complaints authority supervised investigations April 1998—March 1999

  Force

  Total for year

  Met—Area 3

  31

  Met—Area 4

  52

  Met—Area 5

  29

  Met—Miscellaneous

  17

  Norfolk

  10

  North Wales

  10

  North Yorkshire

  9

  Northamptonshire

  9

  Northumbria

  23

  Nottinghamshire

  16

  South Wales

  48

  South Yorkshire

  9

  Staffordshire

  5

  Suffolk

  6

  Surrey

  11

  Sussex

  23

  Thames Valley

  35

  Warwickshire

  3

  West Mercia

  10

  West Midlands

  49

  West Yorkshire

  47

  Wiltshire

  6

  Non-Home Office forces

  British Transport

  7

  Ministry of Defence

  2

  Port of Liverpool

  0

  Port of Tilbury

  0

  Royal Parks

  0

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

  0

  Total

  953

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the conditions which police forces in England and Wales must fulfil before they can apply to his Crime Fighting Fund for money to recruit additional officers. [97232]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We will be discussing the proposals with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities before formally inviting bids from forces for money from the Crime Fighting Fund. We are currently preparing the bidding guidelines. I will place a copy of the guidelines in the Library when they have been finalised.

  Meat Supplies
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the sourcing of meat and meat products for consumption in his Department's canteen. [96955]

  Mr. Straw
  The sourcing of meat and meat products for consumption in my Department's staff restaurant is a matter for the contractor, Gardner Merchant, to decide.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to require the Prison Service to buy meat exclusively from sources which match British standards of hygiene and animal welfare; and if he will make a statement; [96977]

  (2) what is his policy towards the purchase of French meat and meat products by the Prison Service. [96976]

  Mr. Boateng
  All contracts for the supply of meat to the Prison Service are subject to European Union Supplies Directive 93/36/EEC. The contracts are awarded to the suppliers submitting the most economically advantageous bid. The criteria consider price, quality, delivery and service offered. The European Directive requires that all products are purchased openly and competitively to British and European standards. All Prison Service specifications for meat are written by the British Meat and Livestock commission and any company wishing to supply meat to the Prison Service must adhere to those specifications.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of meat purchased by the Prison Service is reared and produced in the United Kingdom. [96956]

  Mr. Boateng
  The proportion of meat purchased under central contract by the Prison Service by country of origin is given in the table.

  However, this central contract is not mandatory and, as each prison establishment holds its own budget, purchases can be made under local arrangements from other sources. Details of these are not kept centrally. The introduction of mandatory contracts is under consideration.

  Country of origin of meat purchased under central contract by the Prison Service

  Meat type

  Country of origin

  Percentage

  Pork

  English

  100

  Bacon—middle, collars and Gammons—Streaky

  Irish

  90

  Dutch

  10

  Beef—Dices and Minces

  English

  100

  Beef—Joints

  Irish

  87

  Zimbabwean

  13

  Lamb

  New Zealand

  100

  Chicken

  English

  100

  Offal

  English

  100

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if French meat and meat products are used in food sold in his Department' s canteen; and if he will make it his policy to stop further purchases of French meat and meat products. [96978]
  300
  Mr. Straw
  The staff restaurant at the Home Office, Queen Anne's Gate and the Prison Service restaurant at Abell House are both run under contract by Gardner Merchant. I understand from Gardner Merchant that neither French meat nor meat products are used in food sold in these staff restaurants.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the average costs to a voluntary organisation of access to the Criminal Records Bureau; and if he will make a statement. [96449]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  When the Criminal Records Bureau comes into operation, it will be expected to recover its costs through charges for the certificates that it will issue, on application, to individuals. It will be for a voluntary organisation to decide the circumstances in which individuals should apply for a certificate, the type of certificate, and whether to reimburse the cost. Until the Bureau's operating costs have been determined, it will not be possible to fix the charges for certificates, but the cost of certificates has been previously estimated at between £5 and £10, depending upon the type of certificate. We have made clear our intention to keep the cost as low as possible.

  Smuggling
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were prosecuted for smuggling tobacco or alcohol into the United Kingdom in 1997 to 1999. [96868]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information held centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database combines sections 50(2)(3), 68(2) and 170(1)(2) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 "Fraudulent evasion of duty etc other than drugs". However, the type of goods involved (eg tobacco, spirits, beers, wines, oils, guns) are not identified separately.

  Trespassers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted of offences under section 61 and section 77 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 in each year since the implementation of the Act. [96665]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is given in the table.

  Number of offenders convicted at all courts for offences under sections 61 and 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, England and Wales, 1995–981

  Offence description

  1995

  1996

  1997

  19981

  S61

  Power to remove trespassers from land

  3

  —

  6

  —

  S77

  Power of local authority to direct unauthorised campers to leave land

  31

  2

  4

  3

  1 Provisional

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legal duty exists for the police to take into account social factors in exercising their power under Section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994. [96664]
  301
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There is no statutory requirement on the police to take account of social factors in the exercise of their powers to direct trespassers to leave land under section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. However, a recent court ruling indicated that the police should take into account factors of "common humanity" in reaching their decisions (Rv. West London Magistrates Court ex parte Small, Queen's Bench Division CO/3428/98).

  Chinese President (State Visit)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis had operational responsibility for the presence of police officers AB592 Belgravia and CD439 Scotland Yard on Friday 22 October in Cambridge. [96655]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner tells me that, at the request of Cambridgeshire Constabulary, two Metropolitan police officers were deployed in Cambridge on 22 October to provide advice and assistance on the policing of the visit of the Chinese delegation. The Commissioner retained responsibility for these officers on that date.

  Disqualified Drivers
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each year since 1991 what percentage of disqualifications for(a) causing death by dangerous driving and (b) dangerous driving has been accompanied by (i) an ordinary length retest and (ii) an extended retest. [96638]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information relates to the percentage of disqualifications for offences of causing death by dangerous driving (including causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs, causing death by aggravated vehicle taking and causing bodily harm by furious driving) and dangerous driving, which resulted in a requirement to undertake a driving test in England and Wales and is given in the table:

  Percentage of disqualifications for causing death by dangerous driving etc. and dangerous driving that resulted in a driving test requirement, England and Wales

  Percentage

  Year

  Causing death by dangerous driving etc.

  Dangerous driving

  1991

  3

  1

  1992

  4

  4

  1993

  17

  28

  1994

  35

  37

  1995

  23

  40

  1996

  4

  44

  1997

  34

  65

  No information is available centrally on the distinction between re-tests and extended re-tests. Information for 1998 is not yet available.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in the latest year for which data are available how many driving disqualifications have been imposed; and how many people have been convicted of driving while disqualified. [96634]
  302
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  161,267 disqualifications were imposed for motoring offences in England and Wales during 1997, and in addition, 31,120 persons were disqualified under the penalty points system.

  During the same period, there were 42,452 convictions for driving while disqualified.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he had made of the number of people who drive while disqualified. [96635]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is calculated from the figures of disqualifications imposed each year that some 370,000 drivers may be disqualified in England and Wales at any one time. A study conducted in 1991 showed that some 27 per cent. of drivers admitted to driving while disqualified, so on that basis, over 90,000 drivers may be driving while disqualified.

  Cleveland Police
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 April,Official Report 1999, column 77, on the Cleveland Police, when he expects to be able to publish the legal costs of Cleveland Police in respect of the libel case relating to sexual harassment against three Cleveland police officers; and if he will make a statement. [96396]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Negotiations are still ongoing, however, Cleveland Police is insured against legal costs. This insurance has an excess of £100,000. Therefore, the legal costs of Cleveland Police will be anything up to £100,000. Any remaining costs would be a matter for the insurance company.

  Holocaust Memorial Day
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department's consultation on a Holocaust Memorial Day is taking place in Scotland. [96622]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Yes. The Government are consulting a wide range of individuals and organisations throughout the United Kingdom about this proposal.

  Criminal Intelligence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Government's policy on articles 15 to 20 of the Convention for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, pertaining to the interception of telecommunications, with special reference to (i) assessed costs, (ii) burden of costs, (iii) monitoring of interceptions and (iv) requirement for warrant. [96582]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government provided information on the requirement for a warrant and the burden of costs under the draft European Union Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters in the reply given to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 26 May 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49, by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey). We do not anticipate significant extra costs arising out of these provisions. The cost of transmitting the intercept product in response to requests falls to the requesting Member State.
  303
  The interception provisions in the draft Convention remain under Parliamentary scrutiny.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on Article 14 of the Convention for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, with special reference to (i) legal immunity for the foreign investigator, (ii) powers to be granted, (iii) monitoring of such activity by the Home Department and (iv) loan of resources from national agencies. [96583]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Article 14 of the draft Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters allows member states, on request, to agree to assist one another by taking part in covert investigations. Any decisions on immunity or powers for foreign investigators will be the responsibility of the authorities in the United Kingdom when the initial decision is taken to agree to a covert investigation. Any decisions will be made with due regard for the existing law and procedures in the United Kingdom. There are no plans for foreign investigators in the United Kingdom to be granted either immunity or police powers.

  Oversight of covert investigations and the loan of resources from national agencies are operational matters for the police and other investigating agencies themselves.

  Electoral Register
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to prevent the use of the Electoral Register by commercial organisations for sending unwanted direct sales marketing to registered electors. [97149]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Working Party on Electoral Procedures, in its report published on 19 October 1999, recommended that each individual registered elector should have the option of deciding whether the details that they have provided should be included in the commercially available register by using an opt out box on the registration form. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has indicated that he will seek the earliest opportunity for legislation on the Working Party's proposals, but I cannot anticipate whether a Bill containing provisions about this particular matter will be included in the Queen's Speech for the next session.

HEALTH

  Primary Care Professionals
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to enhance the role of pharmacists and other primary care professionals; and, if so, how. [94633]

  Mr. Hutton
  We plan shortly to publish a strategy on community pharmacy which will deal explicitly with the broader role that pharmacists can play in improving health and health care. We intend that, with appropriate training, optometrists should develop their role beyond sight testing to work with general practitioners and ophthalmologists in treating patients with eye diseases.
  304
  The steps we are taking elsewhere in primary care will develop services through walk-in centres, personal medical services pilots and the introduction of primary care groups, which will provide a wider range of opportunities for primary care professionals to expand their roles to improve services for patients. Nurses in particular will benefit from these changes and will be further supported by the roll-out of our programme to enable all nurses with district nursing or health visiting qualification who wish to be able to prescribe drugs and appliances for their patients in their own right.

  Drugs
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to ensure that the NHS is able to purchase drugs at the cheapest possible rate. [95163]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have a number of measures in place to help ensure that the National Health Service purchases medicines on reasonable terms.

  The Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) secures the provision of branded medicines at fair prices to the NHS that also reflect the cost of researching and developing these medicines. We have recently negotiated a new PPRS which came into effect on 1 October. This includes a reduction of 4.5 per cent. in list prices of branded medicines, which will save the NHS over £150 million a year.

  Prices for generic medicines, which are outside the PPRS, are determined by competition in the market. In the past this market has delivered generic medicines at reasonable prices and ensured continuity of supply. Prices, however, have risen sharply this year owning at least in part to supply problems. We are concerned that the scale of the rises may be unjustified and are examining every possible option to see how a more normal market situation can be restored.

  Hospitals buy many medicines by competitive tender, often pooling their purchasing power through the NHS Supplies Authority and may utilise formularies to make choices between medicines of similar properties but differing prices.

  The arrangements for reimbursing community pharmacies and dispensing doctors for the cost of the medicines they supply contain incentives which encourage them to shop around for the lowest prices, while ensuring that much of the discount which they receive is clawed back. In 1998–99 a total of £400 million was saved in this way.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total expenditure by the NHS on items in part IXB of the Drug Tariff in each year from 1988–89 to 1998–99, with such breakdown of the figures for each year to types of item as is available. [96079]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: The information available is shown in the table.

  Total expenditure by the National Health Service on items in part IXB of the Drug Tariff is not available. The table shows the net ingredient cost of items in part IXB of the Drug Tariff that were dispensed in the community in England. Information on similar items dispensed in hospitals is not available.
  305
  The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of an appliance and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  The net ingredient cost of incontinence appliances listed in part IXB of the Drug Tariff and dispensed in the community in England, 1988–98

  Net ingredient cost (£000)

  Incontinence appliances

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Anal plugs

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  37.6

  Catheter valves

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11.0

  96.0

  168.4

  Drainable dribbling appliances

  7.5

  17.6

  8.7

  17.2

  16.8

  10.1

  7.4

  7.3

  7.1

  5.0

  5.0

  Incontinence belts

  3.1

  3.1

  —

  4.6

  6.0

  8.1

  9.8

  9.5

  8.6

  7.9

  1.5

  Incontinence sheaths

  3,476.2

  3,404.7

  3,749.9

  5,683.5

  6,506.6

  7,316.2

  7,803.6

  7,891.7

  8,310.5

  8,692.3

  8,990.2

  Incontinence sheath fixing strips and adhesives

  131.7

  162.2

  157.0

  238.2

  255.4

  275.9

  298.2

  317.3

  329.0

  312.2

  296.0

  Leg bags

  7,209.3

  6,774.9

  7,665.6

  9,746.3

  10,840.4

  11,842.1

  12,647.6

  13,371.4

  13,684.0

  13,850.9

  14,280.6

  Night drainage bags

  2,671.6

  2,936.7

  3,716.6

  4,195.9

  4,661.4

  5,056.4

  5,338.8

  5,575.1

  5,765.9

  5,839.1

  5,962.6

  Suspensory systems

  200.3

  61.4

  175.6

  144.6

  149.4

  136.0

  139.0

  143.6

  141.2

  130.9

  116.8

  Tubing and accessories

  146.4

  105.8

  97.9

  174.1

  203.3

  179.8

  199.7

  238.8

  278.2

  364.5

  490.8

  Urinal systems

  362.7

  236.5

  213.5

  523.1

  511.2

  490.9

  526.0

  501.6

  492.0

  454.1

  421.8

  Total

  14,208.7

  13,703.1

  15,784.9

  20,727.4

  23,150.5

  25,314.7

  26,970.1

  28,056.3

  29,027.6

  29,752.9

  30,771.4

  Notes:

  1. The data up to 1990 are not strictly consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1988–90 are based on fees and on a sample of 1 in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures for 1991 onwards are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

  2. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost of a drug and does not take account of discounts, dispensing costs, fees or prescription charges income.

  Kidney Transplants
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients were waiting for kidney transplants on 1 January, or other relevant count dates, in each of the last 20 years. [95642]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Year

  Transplants

  1980

  1,189

  1981

  1,461

  1982

  1,836

  1983

  2,237

  1984

  2,432

  1985

  2,486

  1986

  2,883

  1987

  3,151

  1988

  3,277

  1989

  3,431

  1990

  3,416

  1991

  3,611

  1992

  3,920

  1993

  4,287

  1994

  4,629

  1995

  4,798

  1996

  5,047

  1997

  5,373

  1998

  5,595

  1999

  5,690

  Residential Care
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the reasons for the delay in making the consultation document, "Fit for the Future: National Required Standards for Residential and Nursing Homes",
  306
  Detailed information by individual item can be found in the publication "Prescription Cost Analysis: England", copies of which are in the Library.

  available to those working in the residential care sector; and if he plans to make an extension to the consultation period. [96447]

  Mr. Hutton
  "Fit for the Future" was issued to a wide range of organisations and individuals, including all the major provider organisations, for consultation nationally on 8 September. Owing to a very high demand for the report, there were initial difficulties in providing printed copies to people who subsequently requested them. However, "Fit for the Future" is immediately accessible on the internet at:http://www.doh.gov.uk/pub/docs/doh/fitfuture.pdf

  We have no plans to extend the formal consultation period. However, the development of National Required Standards will not be completed overnight and comments received on "Fit for the Future" within a reasonable length of time after 3 December will be considered.

  Nut Sensitivity
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent representations he has received from groups concerned about anaphylaxis and the difficulties faced by sufferers in everyday life; [96437]

  (2) what representations he has received from leisure providers concerning the use of their facilities, and participation in activities, by sufferers from anaphylaxis. [96441]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friend the former Minister for Public health met with representatives of the Anaphylaxis Campaign in July 1998 to discuss their concerns about allergy services in the National Health Service and the difficulties faced by sufferers and their families. The Anaphylaxis Campaign has since been involved in further discussions with officials about allergy
  307
  services. We have received no representations from leisure providers concerning the use of their facilities by sufferers of anaphylaxis.

  Podiatric Services
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those NHS trusts which provide dedicated podiatric surgical services; and if he will make a statement on their contribution to the NHS. [96205]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: We do not hold information on which National Health Service trusts provide dedicated podiatric surgical services. Surgical podiatry has developed as a specialty within the professional practice of podiatry. It plays a useful role in the overall provision of orthopaedic care in the community.

  Local Pharmacies
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to support local pharmacies. [96647]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government support all pharmacies in England by ensuring they are paid fair and appropriate remuneration for the services they provide on behalf of the National Health Service.

  Elderly People (Long-term Care)
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what provisions his Department is making to meet the recommendations of the royal commission on long-term care for the elderly; [96750]

  (2) what action he has taken with regard to Sir Stewart Sutherland's report on the loss of funds for the elderly in long-term care. [96747]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 752.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly people are living in long-term care; what proportion are responsible for paying the full or part cost of their care; and what is the average annual cost of looking after a person in long-term care. [96861]

  Mr. Hutton
  At 31 March 1997 there were 209,000 permanent residents in residential homes catering primarily for elderly people and elderly mentally ill people, and 154,166 people aged 65 and over in nursing homes. Permanent and temporary residents cannot be separately identified.

  Information on the numbers of elderly people paying the full or part cost of their residential or nursing home care is not collected centrally. However, a 1996 personal Social Services Research Unit survey found that around 25 per cent. of elderly nursing home residents and around 30 per cent. of elderly residential care home residents are wholly privately funded. Other residential care and nursing home residents contribute towards the cost of their care, with the exception of National Health Service supported nursing home residents; however, any social security benefits they receive may be reduced.
  308
  Gross annual expenditure on residential or nursing care in homes for older people was £13,700 per supported resident in 1997–98.

  Private Nursing Homes
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to encourage local authorities to place elderly patients who are awaiting discharge from hospital in private nursing homes; and if he will make a statement. [96758]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Waveney (Mr. Blizzard) on 29 October 1999,Official Report, column 1027.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to reduce the regulatory framework for private nursing homes for the elderly. [96756]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our plans for reforming the regulatory arrangements for care homes and other social services are set out in our White Paper, "Modernising Social Services", published last year. The new arrangements are about improving regulation and reducing bureaucracy.

  We will replace the current system, where over 100 health authorities register and inspect nursing homes, each applying locally developed standards, with an independent inspection and registration system applying clear, coherent and consistent National Required Standards to nursing homes across the whole country.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government intend to take to support the private sector in the provision of homes for the elderly. [96755]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are undertaking a number of measures to improve the commissioning of social services, including from the independent sector. These include the development of better ways to help local authorities to identify what interventions are most effective in replacing good practice and securing sustainable improvements in the efficiency, quality and range of service commissioning for older people; and the use of Best Value service reviews, Joint Reviews with the Audit Commission and Social Services Inspectorate inspections to ensure that best practice is being implemented.

  The Government's Small Business Service will be looking at how the needs of small businesses can be met at a national, regional and local level.

  Elderly Patients
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has assessed since May 1997 concerning the extra resources required to meet the general practice medical needs of people aged 85 years and over. [96326]

  Mr. Hutton
  Resources relating to patients aged 85 years and over are not examined separately. Resources to General Medical practices are increased, by way of the Standard Capitation fee, for patients aged 75 years and over. Additionally, the 1998 Doctors and Dentists Review Body recommended that an additional £60 million be allocated for the enhancement of general practitioners' net
  309
  remuneration, particularly targeted on mental health and care of the elderly. The profession and the Department agreed that £5 million be distributed through local development schemes to this end.

  Nursing and Care Homes
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Centre for Policy on Ageing in respect of nursing and care homes. [96975]

  Mr. Hutton
  We published the Centre for Policy on Ageing's proposals on National Required Standards for residential and nursing homes for older people in our consultation document, "Fit for the Future" issued on 8 September. The consultation document was sent to a wide range of organisations and individuals. We will carefully consider all the comments we receive before finalising any regulatory standards and the timetable for implementing them.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effects on the number of pensioners receiving income support of an increase of 75p in the basic state pension coupled with an increase of £3 in the income support level, together with similar proportionate increases in the rates for older pensioners and married persons. [96023]

  Mr. Rooker
  We estimate that 30,000 pensioners would become newly entitled to the minimum income guarantee if benefit rates were amended in this way.

  Notes:

  1. "Pensioners" refers to single people aged 60 or over or couples or partners where one is 60 or over.

  2. All estimates are derived from the 1999–2000 PSM model based on the 1996–67 FRS uprated to 1999–2000 prices with IS administrative adjustments.

  3. Figures exclude cases in residential care and nursing homes.

  4. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 5,000 cases.

  The inter-ministerial group for older people

  Member

  Jeff Rooker MP (Chair)

  Minister of State, Department of Social Security

  Right hon. Paul Boateng MP

  Minister of State, Home Office

  David Hanson MP

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, for Wales

  Keith Hill MP

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Margaret Hodge MP

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, for Education and Employment

  Alan Howarth MP

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, for Culture, Media and Sport

  George Howarth MP

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office

  Dr. Kim Howells MP

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, for Trade and Industry

  John Hutton MP

  Minister of State, Department of Health

  Right hon. Baroness Jay of Paddington

  Minister for Women

  Melanie Johnson MP

  Economic Secretary, to the Treasury

  Jane Kennedy MP

  Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department

  Peter Kilfoyle MP

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, for Defence

  Right hon. Ian McCartney MP

  Minister of State, Cabinet Office

  Nick Raynsford MP

  Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Brian Wilson MP

  Minister of State, Scotland Office

  Mortgage Interest
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what undertakings were given by the Building Societies Association with regard to their policy on repossessions in return for the agreement of Her Majesty's Government in 1991 to pay income support for mortgage interest direct to lenders. [96757]

  Mr. Bayley
  A statement was made to the House of Commons on 19 December 1991 by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer. He stated that in response to DSS making payments direct to the lender, lenders have confirmed that they will not take possession in cases where mortgage interest payments are covered by Income Support.

  Income Support
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will review the rates of(a) earnings disregard for Income Support and (b) earnings disregard for Housing Benefit. [96899]

  Mr. Bayley
  We review the rates of earnings disregards in all the income-related benefits (including Income Support and Housing Benefit) as part of the annual uprating process.

  We believe that work is the best form of welfare, but that support should be there for those people who cannot work. The disregards are designed to achieve a balance between providing an encouragement to part-time work without creating disincentives to full-time work and independence. The Welfare to Work objectives are to create the right conditions for everyone of working age, who is able to work, to move into full-time paid work; supported as appropriate by Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, and the new Working Families and Disabled Persons Tax Credits.

  Older People
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the current full membership by(a) ministerial title and (b) minister's name of the inter-ministerial group for older people. [96511]

  Mr. Rooker
  The existing membership of the inter-ministerial group for older people is as follows:
  311
  The Welsh Assembly and the Scottish Executive also have responsibilities for policies that affect older people. The inter-ministerial group is therefore working closely with Jane Hutt and Iain Gray, both of whom have attended meetings.

CABINET OFFICE

  Rural Audit
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will publish the Performance and Innovation Unit's rural audit. [95463]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a project considering objectives for rural economies by the Performance and Innovation Unit on 10 December 1998,Official Report, column 278. The Unit expects to publish the report later this year.

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list those regulatory impact assessments published during the last six months. [97599]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government are committed to ensuring that regulations are necessary, give effective protection, balance cost and risk, are fair and command public confidence. In accordance with this, we require Departments to produce and publish Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) for all regulatory proposals likely to have an impact on business.

  I have presented to Parliament today a Command Paper listing 90 RIAs published between 1 January and 30 June 1999. Copies of those listed have been placed in the Libraries of the House. Please note that this Command Paper entitled "Regulatory Impact Assessments" has replaced the previous series entitled "Compliance Cost Assessments". This is the eleventh such Command Paper.

  Millennium Projects
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps she is taking to ensure the commercial viability of millennium projects. [96659]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will reply to my hon. Friend in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

TREASURY

  Baby Statistics
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the numbers of(a) babies born under (i) 2,500g and (ii) 3,000g by maternal age and (b) babies born by maternal age in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [95534]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
  312
  Letter from Dr. Tim Holt to Mr. Frank Field, dated 4 November 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question (Order paper 147, page 3299):
  What were the number of:

  (a) babies born under

  (i) 2500gms

  (ii) 3000gms

  by maternal age, and

  (b) babies born by maternal age in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Number of babies (live and stillbirths) (a) born (i) under 2,500 grams (ii) under 3,000 grams by maternal age and (b) total births by maternal age, England and Wales 1996, 19971 and 19982

  Year

  Maternal age

  Total births less than 2,500 grams

  Total births less than 3,000 grams

  Total births with a stated birthweight

  1996

  All ages

  49,588

  159,084

  651,428

  less than 20

  4,275

  13,655

  44,883

  20–24

  10,455

  35,197

  126.137

  25–29

  15,011

  49,805

  211,630

  30–34

  13,035

  40,702

  186,848

  35–39

  5,655

  16,503

  69,732

  40+

  1,157

  3,222

  12,198

  1997 (revised)1

  All ages

  50,122

  159,116

  645,341

  less than 20

  4,448

  14,076

  46,603

  20–24

  10,047

  33,577

  119,059

  25–29

  14,861

  48,548

  203,426

  30–34

  13,284

  41,562

  188,044

  35–39

  6,165

  17,906

  75,189

  40+

  1,317

  3,447

  13,020

  1998 (provisional)2

  All ages

  49,873

  157,131

  638,445

  less than 20

  4,643

  14,413

  48,519

  20–24

  9,919

  32,488

  113,996

  25–29

  14,363

  46,606

  193,860

  30–34

  13,257

  41,581

  189,183

  35–39

  6,388

  18,473

  79,232

  40+

  1,393

  3,570

  13,655

  1 Figures for 1997 have been revised from those published in DH3 No.30 1997 Mortality statistics—Childhood, infant and perinatal. See Population Trends No.97 page 3 for further explanation. In 1997 there were 1,193 births without a stated birthweight.

  2 The 1998 figures presented relate to our database as at 9 June 1999. Therefore those figures may differ slight from those published elsewhere. In 1998 there were 894 births without a stated birthweight.

  Source:

  Series DH3 No.29 1996 Mortality statistics—Childhood, infant and perinatal. In 1996 there were 1,600 births without a stated birthweight.

  Charitable Donations
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the total amount given to charitable organisations in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the total amount of tax relief for charitable donations in that year. [96864]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Annual estimates for total donations to charities are not available centrally. The Charities Aid Foundation estimates overall income donated by individuals to be around £5 billion to £6 billion per year. In addition to this, charities also benefit from donations by companies and other organisations.
  313
  The cost of tax relief on donations to charities under the tax-effective methods of giving, namely Deeds of Covenant, Gift Aid, Millennium Gift Aid and Payroll Giving, in 1998–99 was about £725 million.

  National Statistics
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the numbers of people in work as a proportion of those over the state retirement age for each of the last 20 years. [96765]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Frank Field, dated 4 November 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary questions for time series of the numbers of people of working age and numbers of people in employment as a proportion of the population over working age.
  The data requested is shown in the table attached using estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The LFS has been used because it can provide estimates of both overall populations and employment. For the periods shown there does not appear to be any trend in the first series and the second tends to have followed the economic cycle. The Labour Force Survey was conducted biannually in the United Kingdom between spring 1979 and spring 1983 and therefore estimates for 1980 and 1982 are not available.
  The LFS is a household survey and therefore people in communal establishments will generally be excluded. Around one in 20 people over the state retirement age are in such establishments compared with around one in 100 for those of working age. Consequently the ratio of the population of working age to that over retirement age would have been a little less if people in such establishments were included. Similar considerations apply to the other series.

  Population of working age, and people of working age in employment as a proportion of the population over state retirement age

  UK, Spring quarters 1979–99, not seasonally adjusted

  Year

  Population of working age as a proportion of the population over state retirement age

  People of working age in employment as a proportion of the population over state retirement age

  1979

  3.50

  2.56

  1981

  3.44

  2.41

  1983

  3.46

  2.33

  1984

  3.49

  2.38

  1985

  3.47

  2.40

  1986

  3.47

  2.41

  1987

  3.47

  2.43

  1988

  3.47

  2.51

  1989

  3.47

  2.57

  1990

  3.47

  2.59

  1991

  3.47

  2.53

  1992

  3.47

  2.47

  1993

  3.47

  2.44

  1994

  3.48

  2.45

  1995

  3.48

  2.48

  1996

  3.49

  2.50

  1997

  3.49

  2.53

  1998

  3.49

  2.55

  1999

  3.50

  2.57

  Source:

  ONS, Labour Force Survey
  314
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the numbers and percentage of workers in firms employing(a) below 10 workers, (b) from 10 to 50 workers, (c) from 50 to 100 workers and (d) over 100 workers, over the latest period for which he has data. [96235]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 29 October 1999]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Frank Field, dated 2 November 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the numbers and percentage of workers in firms employed in different size bands.
  The information requested is available from the Annual Employment Survey (AES) at September 1997 (latest available date) for the size bands shown.

  Employee jobs' at September 1997, Great Britain

  Size band

  Thousand

  Percentage

  1–10

  4,528

  20

  11–49

  5,787

  26

  50–99

  2,695

  12

  100 and over

  9,523

  42

  1 Figures exclude Agriculture as the way that information is supplied would distort the size band analysis

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all performance targets set for his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, other than those listed in Public Service Agreements 1999–2002 (Cm 4181), stating in each case(a) the target to be reached and (b) the date by which it was to be reached. [94977]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: The Chancellor's Departments have set out the key performance targets on which they will be judged in their Public Service Agreements (Cm 4181), and the measures of success they will use in the Output and Performance Analysis published by the Treasury on 31 March 1999.

  These high level targets are supported at operational level by objectives and targets to ensure delivery by individual units.

  Euro
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answers to the hon. Member for Buckingham of 27 October 1999,Official Report, column 895, if he will list which organisations appear in which working party of the outline National Changeover Plan; and if he will make a statement on the activities and conclusions to date of each working group. [97567]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury published the "Third report on euro preparations" on 1 November. Copies of the report are available in the Library of the House.

  Financial Exclusion
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he has taken to ensure that banks address issues of financial exclusion arising from branch closures. [97128]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Banks are being encouraged to develop appropriate products and delivery channels to suit the needs and circumstances of financially excluded people.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to ensure that banks in England and Wales and Northern Ireland follow the lead of Scottish banks in offering basic bank accounts within minimal legal requirements to any customers who need and seek one. [97127]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  A number of banks already offer these accounts to customers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and others are planning to do so next year. The Treasury will continue to monitor such developments.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will start rating the banks using post code information currently available on the basis of the extent to which they are providing credit and banking services to every part of the country. [97113]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There are no plans to introduce such a scheme.

  Gold Reserves
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the gold reserves of(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany. [97152]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government have placed considerable importance on making the best use of public assets, including financial assets such as the foreign currency and gold reserves. We considered that with almost half of the United Kingdom's $14 billion of net foreign currency and gold reserves held in gold, it was too big an exposure to one asset. Therefore, we announced on 7 May a technical restructuring of the reserves aimed

  Key stage 1 classrooms provided under the class sizes initiative by local education authority and type of school

  KSI classrooms provided by type of school

  Local education authority

  County/Community

  Voluntary controlled

  Voluntary aided

  GM/Foundation

  Total

  Barking and Dagenham

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Barnet

  3

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Barnsley

  4

  —

  2

  —

  6

  Bath and North East Somerset

  3

  2

  —

  —

  5

  Bedfordshire

  21

  2

  1

  —

  24

  Bexley

  6

  —

  1

  —

  7

  Birmingham

  3

  —

  2

  —

  5

  Blackburn

  4

  2

  4

  —

  10

  Blackpool

  8

  —

  2

  —

  10

  Bolton

  5

  1

  6

  1

  13

  Bournemouth

  5

  —

  4

  —

  9

  Bracknell Forest

  3

  2

  2

  —

  7

  Bradford

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Brent

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Brighton and Hove

  7

  —

  —

  —

  7

  Bristol

  5

  —

  1

  —

  6

  Bromley

  12

  —

  —

  —

  12

  Buckinghamshire

  6

  10

  5

  —

  21

  316
  at achieving a better balance in the portfolio by diversifying more widely. This will leave the reserves and the United Kingdom as a whole in a sounder financial position in the future.

  We have made no assessment of the adequacy of the German gold reserves.

  Tax Returns
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations his Department has had with(a) the Treasury and (b) software providers regarding the availability of software packages to accommodate carry-forward and carry-back for the purpose of completing tax returns. [96894]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.

  This Department works closely with the Inland Revenue and the Treasury in taking forward the proposals in Stakeholder Pension Consultation Brief 6, including the proposal to remove the carry forward and carry back facility. The Department has not had separate discussions with software providers on this issue. However, software providers have had the opportunity to respond to the public consultation and we are now considering all the responses.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his letter of 27 October to the hon. Member for Hertsmere on infant class sizes, if he will give a breakdown of the 1,600 new classrooms to which he refers(a) by type of school and (b) by local education authority. [96918]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  To date, over 1,700 extra classrooms have been provided through the class sizes initiative. These are detailed by both local education authority and type of school in the following table. Sufficient funding has been earmarked to allow at least 800 further classrooms to be built by September 2001, when statutory limits on infant class sizes are introduced.
  317

  Key stage 1 classrooms provided under the class sizes initiative by local education authority and type of school

  KSI classrooms provided by type of school

  Local education authority

  County/Community

  Voluntary controlled

  Voluntary aided

  GM/Foundation

  Total

  Bury

  9

  3

  7

  4

  23

  Calderdale

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  14

  4

  3

  —

  21

  Camden

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Cheshire

  20

  —

  5

  1

  26

  City of London

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Cornwall

  9

  —

  4

  —

  13

  Coventry

  4

  —

  3

  —

  7

  Croydon

  3

  —

  —

  1

  4

  Cumbria

  6

  2

  8

  4

  20

  Darlington

  3

  1

  4

  —

  8

  Derby

  14

  —

  2

  —

  16

  Derbyshire

  35

  10

  5

  1

  51

  Devon

  13

  1

  3

  —

  17

  Doncaster

  2

  —

  2

  —

  4

  Dorset

  2

  5

  6

  —

  13

  Dudley

  9

  —

  2

  —

  11

  Durham

  8

  —

  2

  —

  10

  Ealing

  9

  —

  —

  —

  9

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  7

  7

  1

  —

  15

  East Sussex

  9

  3

  —

  —

  12

  Enfield

  6

  —

  5

  —

  11

  Essex

  10

  4

  7

  5

  26

  Gateshead

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Gloucestershire

  4

  2

  3

  3

  12

  Greenwich

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Hackney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Halton

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Hampshire

  14

  2

  4

  1

  21

  Haringey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Harrow

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Hartlepool

  4

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Havering

  3

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Herefordshire

  9

  —

  —

  —

  9

  Hertfordshire

  7

  4

  2

  1

  14

  Hillingdon

  24

  —

  4

  —

  28

  Hounslow

  4

  —

  2

  —

  6

  Isle of Wight

  2

  1

  —

  —

  3

  Isles of Scilly

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Islington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Kent

  12

  2

  9

  —

  22

  Kingston upon Hull

  6

  —

  1

  —

  7

  Kingston upon Thames

  12

  —

  14

  —

  26

  Kirklees

  13

  2

  2

  —

  17

  Knowsley

  6

  —

  1

  —

  7

  Lambeth

  3

  —

  2

  —

  5

  Lancashire

  47

  1

  42

  1

  91

  Leeds

  10

  2

  —

  —

  12

  Leicester City

  10

  1

  4

  —

  15

  Leicestershire

  12

  4

  —

  —

  16

  Lewisham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Lincolnshire

  6

  6

  1

  —

  13

  Liverpool

  1

  —

  3

  —

  4

  Luton

  9

  —

  2

  —

  11

  Manchester

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Medway Towns

  6

  —

  1

  —

  7

  Merton

  18

  —

  9

  —

  27

  Middlesbrough

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Milton Keynes

  4

  —

  2

  —

  6

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6

  —

  3

  —

  9

  Newham

  12

  1

  1

  —

  14

  Norfolk

  18

  1

  1

  —

  20

  North East Lincolnshire

  8

  2

  —

  —

  10

  North Lincolnshire

  5

  1

  1

  —

  7

  North Somerset

  4

  —

  —

  —

  4

  North Tyneside

  9

  —

  1

  —

  10

  North Yorkshire

  18

  5

  3

  —

  26

  Northamptonshire

  13

  1

  1

  1

  16

  Northumberland

  8

  —

  5

  —

  13

  Nottingham City

  7

  —

  2

  —

  9

  318 319

  Key stage 1 classrooms provided under the class sizes initiative by local education authority and type of school

  KSI classrooms provided by type of school

  Local education authority

  County/Community

  Voluntary controlled

  Voluntary aided

  GM/Foundation

  Total

  Nottinghamshire

  37

  4

  5

  —

  46

  Oldham

  13

  2

  14

  —

  29

  Oxfordshire

  12

  8

  9

  —

  29

  Peterborough

  5

  —

  1

  1

  7

  Plymouth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Poole

  7

  —

  2

  —

  9

  Portsmouth

  2

  —

  2

  —

  4

  Reading

  2

  —

  3

  —

  5

  Redbridge

  10

  —

  1

  —

  11

  Redcar and Cleveland

  7

  —

  1

  —

  8

  Richmond upon Thames

  14

  —

  5

  —

  19

  Rochdale

  5

  4

  6

  6

  21

  Rotherham

  7

  —

  7

  —

  14

  Rutland

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Salford

  4

  1

  1

  —

  6

  Sandwell

  14

  3

  2

  —

  19

  Sefton

  8

  2

  3

  —

  13

  Sheffield

  2

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Shropshire

  6

  3

  —

  —

  10

  Slough

  8

  —

  —

  —

  8

  Solihull

  14

  1

  20

  —

  35

  Somerset

  9

  6

  2

  —

  17

  South Gloucestershire

  17

  5

  1

  —

  23

  South Tyneside

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Southampton

  2

  —

  2

  —

  4

  Southend on Sea

  5

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Southwark

  2

  —

  1

  —

  3

  St. Helens

  8

  —

  3

  —

  11

  Staffordshire

  11

  —

  1

  —

  13

  Stockport

  14

  5

  4

  —

  23

  Stockton on Tees

  5

  1

  1

  —

  7

  Stoke on Trent

  15

  —

  6

  —

  21

  Suffolk

  8

  —

  3

  —

  11

  Sunderland

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Surrey

  6

  —

  6

  —

  12

  Sutton

  7

  —

  2

  —

  10

  Swindon

  7

  —

  —

  —

  7

  Tameside

  4

  —

  4

  —

  9

  Telford and Wrekin

  2

  —

  2

  —

  5

  Thurrock

  5

  —

  —

  1

  6

  Torbay

  6

  —

  3

  —

  9

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Trafford

  6

  7

  —

  13

  Wakefield

  12

  —

  4

  —

  17

  Walsall

  7

  3

  2

  1

  13

  Waltham Forest

  3

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Wandsworth

  4

  —

  1

  —

  5

  Warrington

  7

  —

  8

  —

  15

  Warwickshire

  4

  —

  3

  2

  9

  West Berkshire

  3

  2

  4

  1

  10

  West Sussex

  9

  6

  4

  —

  19

  Westminster

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  Wigan

  6

  —

  21

  —

  27

  Wiltshire

  12

  —

  7

  4

  23

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  2

  —

  2

  —

  4

  Wirral

  12

  1

  4

  —

  17

  Wokingham

  8

  2

  3

  —

  13

  Wolverhampton

  15

  —

  3

  —

  18

  Worcestershire

  7

  3

  4

  —

  14

  York, City of

  2

  1

  1

  —

  4

  Total

  1,075

  166

  434

  44

  1,718

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his letter of 27 October to the hon. Member for Hertsmere, what estimate he has made of the number of pupils(a) at Key Stage 2 in primary schools and (b) in secondary schools who will be in classes of over 30 pupils in September 2001. [96919]
  320
  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have made no such estimates. However, the most recent figures show that the proportion of Key Stage 2 children in classes over 30 fell by 1 per cent. between January 1998 and January 1999. This contrasts with an annual rise every year from January 1996 to January 1998. There was also a year-on-year increase in primary class sizes from 1988 to 1998 as a result of the
  321
  budgets of the previous administration. The average number of pupils in Key Stage 2 classes in January 1999 was 28.4. The average number of pupils in secondary classes in January 1999 was 21.9.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his letter of 27 October to the hon. Member for Hertsmere on infant class sizes, how many new classrooms have been provided in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in each year for the last 10 years and how many it is planned to provide in each year that has so far been planned for. [96917]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Funding has so far been allocated in support of the Key Stage 1 Class Size Initiative to enable Local Education Authorities to provide over 1,600 more classrooms. Information more generally is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his letter of 27 October to the hon. Member for Hertsmere on infant class sizes, (1) how many secondary school pupils were in classes of over 30 in(a) January 1998, (b) January 1999 and (c) September 1999; [96772]

  (2) how many pupils aged 8, 9 and 10 years were in classes of over 30 in (a) January 1998, (b) January 1999 and (c) September 1999; [96773]

  (3) how many children in nursery classes were in classes of over 30 in (a) January 1998, (b) January 1999 and (c) September 1999. [96887]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information is shown in the following tables.

  Number of pupils in classes of over 30 pupils taught by one teacher

  January 1999

  September 19991

  January 1998

  Nursery Classes2

  47,227

  4—

  47,579

  Key Stage 1

  356,586

  181,000

  485,311

  Key Stage 23

  835,257

  4—

  832,668

  Total Primary

  1,278,607

  4—

  1,411,366

  1 This figure includes an estimate of the number of pupils entering later in the autumn term under staggered entry arrangements and for pupils from missing schools

  2 Nursery classes normally include at least one extra adult in the classroom

  3 The proportion of pupils in KS2 classes over 30 fell from 40 per cent. to 39 per cent. between January 1998 and January 1999

  4 Not applicable

  January 1999

  January 1998

  Total Primary

  1,278,607

  1,411,366

  Total Secondary

  312,974

  282,633

  Total Primary and Secondary

  1,591,581

  1,693,999

  Higher Education
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many students are currently enrolled on taught postgraduate courses in higher education institutions in(a) Derry, (b) Belfast, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow, (e) Manchester and (f) Birmingham; [97049]
  322
  (2) what proportions of UK students registered for taught postgraduate courses in computing science in the several higher education institutions located in (a) Derry, (b) Belfast, (c) Edinburgh, (d) Glasgow, (e) Manchester and (f) Birmingham, are paying their own fees. [97050]

  Mr. Wicks
  The numbers of students enrolled on taught postgraduate courses in institutions in the cities listed are given in the table:

  Students enrolled on taught postgraduate courses in HE institutions 1998–99

  City

  Number

  Londonderry

  727

  Belfast1

  5,217

  Edinburgh

  7,558

  Glasgow

  10,240

  Manchester

  11,522

  Birmingham

  8,205

  The numbers of UK-domiciled students enrolled on taught postgraduate courses in computing science in institutions in the cities listed, and the proportions of these paying their own fees, are given in the table:

  City

  UK-domiciled students enrolled on taught postgraduate courses in computing science2 in higher education institutions 1998–99

  Percentage of students paying their own fees3

  Londonderry

  195

  71

  Belfast1

  500

  61

  Edinburgh

  367

  15

  Glasgow

  264

  19

  Manchester

  317

  27

  Birmingham

  175

  54

  1 Including the University of Ulster at Jordanstown

  2 Excludes students on PGCE courses, who, irrespective of their specialism, can only be identified as "teacher training" students

  3 Excludes students for whom all or any part of their fees are paid from another public or private source, eg their employers

  Policy on higher education in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Policy on higher education in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the Government's latest estimate of the proportion of young people in England entering higher education at the beginning of the academic year 1999–2000 from(a) semi-skilled and (b) unskilled family backgrounds and (c) from disadvantaged localities; and what were the comparable figures for each of the last three years. [97153]

  Mr. Wicks
  The available data on students accepted for entry through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) to higher education in the United Kingdom are given in the table. Information on participation rates of young people from disadvantaged localities is not held centrally.
  323

  Accepted young1 home domiciled applicants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses United Kingdom

  Percentage

  Year of entry

  Proportion from social class2

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  IIIM—Skilled manual

  16.4

  16.7

  16.9

  16.9

  IV—Partly skilled

  7.5

  7.6

  7.6

  8.7

  V—Unskilled

  1.9

  2.0

  1.9

  2.1

  1 Aged under 21.

  2 The classification system used to assign social class to undergraduates is that used in the National Census—the Standard Occupational Classification published by the Office for National Statistics.

  3 Accepted applicants as at November 1999.

  Departmental Accounts
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what methods of depreciation his Department will apply in the current financial year to fixed assets in the preparation of departmental resource accounting balance sheets. [97043]

  Mr. Wills
  All fixed assets are depreciated on a straight line basis to zero. Exceptions are land, which is not depreciated, and cars, which retain a 20 per cent. residual value. Depreciation methods are in accordance with the Treasury's Resource Accounting Manual. The requirements in the Manual regarding those methods will be underpinned by Financial Reporting Standard 15 'Tangible Fixed Assets' issued by the Accounting Standards Board. Details of the period over which assets are depreciated are as follows:

  Asset type

  Depreciation policy

  Buildings

  Up to 50 years

  Land

  No depreciation

  Furniture

  7-10 years

  Fittings

  10 years

  Office machinery

  3–10 years

  Cars

  5 years with residual value of 20 per cent.

  Vans

  8 years

  Telecoms

  8–10 years

  Computers-mainframe

  7 years

  Computers-non mainframe

  3 years

  Computer-software

  5 years

  Education Maintenance Allowances
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects the processing of initial payments of education maintenance allowances under the pilot scheme to have been completed. [97035]

  Mr. Wicks
  All 15 pilot areas will have made payments of Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) by Friday 5 November 1999.

  Of the 15 pilot EMA areas, 10 had made payments by the end of September. All young people who were paid late, but were due an EMA when term started in September, received arrears of their EMA with their first payment.
  324
  Over 13,000 young people had applied for an EMA by 1 October 1999. EMA payments of over £185,000 had been made by 1 October.

  EMAs are an important and exciting new initiative, and early indications are that they are already making a real difference to young people in the pilot areas.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued to local authorities, training and enterprise councils and colleges of further education concerning the membership and responsibilities of the proposed learning and skills councils. [96710]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: The "Learning to Succeed" White Paper set out that employers will be the single largest group on the Council. On 28 October, the Secretary of State announced that at least 40 per cent. of people on the Boards of the new Learning and Skills Councils, together with the national Chair and majority of local Chairs, will be people with significant business experience. It is expected that Board members will be drawn from a wide range of bodies that have an interest in education and training. We want to attract the best individuals available and we will be looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to represent individual and community interests.

  In December we will be publishing a document setting out the Government's plans for implementing the proposals in the White Paper. The document will outline how the new structures will work and set out the next steps for implementation.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to make the Integrated Youth Service areas coterminous with local education authority, regional development agency or sub-regional local learning and skills/small business service boundaries; and if he will make a statement; [97057]

  (2) what plans he has to make careers and guidance areas coterminous with the sub-regional local learning and skills councils/small business service boundaries; and if he will make a statement. [97058]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: The "Learning to Succeed" White Paper and the Social Exclusion Unit's report "Bridging the Gap" announced the creation of a new youth support service which will provide guidance and support for all young people aged 13-19, building on what is currently provided by the Careers Service, parts of the Youth Service and other organisations.

  We have been consulting on the functions and local delivery arrangements for the new service. A further announcement on the Youth Support Service, including the local boundaries, will be made later in the year.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has issued to local authorities, training and enterprise councils and colleges of further education concerning the division of
  325
  responsibilities between the proposed local learning and skills councils and (a) local lifelong learning partnerships and (b) the National Learning and Skill Council. [96777]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 3 November 1999]: We issue regular updates to all our partners on the implementation of our proposals, in "Learning to Succeed", to establish a Learning and Skills Council with both a national and local presence. The Local Councils will be accountable to the National Council for the implementation of national frameworks and policies in their areas. The Local Councils will be accountable to their local communities for meeting local needs, through mechanisms such as public meetings, dissemination of information on the LSC's activities, and effective feedback and complaints mechanisms.

  In September, a joint letter was sent from the Department for Education and Employment and its main national partners to all TECs, local education authorities, further education colleges and other local partners summarising the responsibilities of Learning Partnerships in the new post-16 arrangements. Learning Partnerships will continue to be voluntary groupings of post-16 learning providers and users with a local focus. They will be responsible for ensuring that provision is responsive to local community needs. The work of the Learning and Skills Council will need to be informed by an understanding of local labour market needs—Lifelong Learning Partnerships are perfectly placed to provide that.

  In December we intend to publish a document outlining how the new structures will work and setting out the next steps for implementation. We also plan to issue more detailed guidance to Learning Partnerships in December on their role, responsibilities and relationship with Local Learning and Skills Councils.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines he has issued to the training and enterprise councils in respect of(a) redundancy payments and (b) incentive payments to staff pending the establishment of learning and skills councils. [96718]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 3 November 1999]: Government Offices are currently discussing with TECs their proposals to retain key staff during the transition period to the new Learning and Skills Council and packages for staff in the event that redundancies should be necessary. Those discussions have been based on initial guidance we have provided to Government Offices. We are in the process of finalising the guidance in the light of those discussions and will be issuing it to TECs shortly. I will provide my hon. Friend with a copy of that final guidance as soon as it is issued and I will also place copies in the Libraries of the House.

  Citizenship Curriculum
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will include in the new citizenship curriculum provision for the study of aspects of global citizenship, in particular sustainable development; [96461]
  326
  (2) what measures he is taking to ensure that guidance notes on the citizenship curriculum give attention to global citizenship. [96462]

  Jacqui Smith
  The framework for education for citizenship will include the study of the world as a global community. We will issue guidance, to include global citizenship and sustainable development, which will be available to schools in the new year.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what representations he has received about the quality of service experienced by clients of the Student Loans Company; [96595]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the performances of the Student Loans Company in relation to the (a) processing of applications and (b) answering of telephone inquiries. [96596]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Student Loans Company (SLC) has played a major part in the successful introduction of the new student support arrangements. To date in academic year 1999–2000, it has made 494,000 student loans. This is around 150,000 more than at the same time in 1998–99. 325,000 telephone inquiries have been answered on the SLC's student support helpline since the start of academic year 1999–2000.

  The Department has received 90 complaints from students about the service provided by the SLC on loans for academic year 1999–2000. These represent a very small proportion—some 0.02 per cent.—of the 494,000 loans made. While there have been a very small number of concerns, students have benefited this year from our commitment to get loans to students at the start of term.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children were in receipt of an assisted place; and what was the total cost in England and Wales in each year since 1992. [96860]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the following table and is in respect of children in England. The cost in 1998–99 was £22 million less than planned expenditure under the previous administration. That saving was used to provide extra teachers to reduce class sizes. Figures for Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Assisted places scheme: England

  Academic year

  Number of assisted pupils

  Total cost in financial year (£ million)

  1992–93

  28,674

  192.9

  1993–94

  29,291

  92.3

  1994–95

  29,743

  101.5

  1995–96

  29,917

  104.8

  1996–97

  33,144

  117.5

  1997–98

  36,458

  134.4

  1998–99

  29,795

  125.6

  1 Includes £4.9 million brought forward from financial year 1993–94

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the current amounts available for expenditure on education by each of the(a) shire counties and (b) unitary authorities as a percentage of total spending; and indicate what each such authority would have to spend to bring it up to the spending level of the highest-spending shire county. [95221]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information given in the table shows, for 1999–2000, for each shire and unitary local authority in England, (i) the percentage of each authority's total spending which was allocated to education, and (ii) the extra sum each would have to allocate in order to spend as much per pupil as Slough.

  Net expenditure—1999–2000

  Education expenditure as percentage of total spending

  Extra spending required for education expenditure to meet £3,325 per pupil (£000)

  Slough

  47.47

  0

  Bristol

  40.88

  1,359

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  37.00

  2,395

  Reading

  39.91

  2,787

  Brighton and Hove

  31.65

  5,816

  Bournemouth

  37.66

  5,501

  Blackburn with Darwen

  48.15

  6,619

  East Sussex

  55.89

  17,302

  Rutland

  52.41

  1,289

  Bath and North East Somerset

  50.81

  7,411

  Cambridgeshire

  61.53

  23,062

  Kent

  61.31

  65,652

  Portsmouth

  40.12

  8,617

  Southampton

  41.91

  10,227

  Leicester City

  45.23

  16,657

  Halton

  46.62

  7,464

  North Lincolnshire

  49.62

  8,945

  Luton

  46.85

  10,896

  Isle of Wight

  39.97

  7,529

  Peterborough

  49.85

  11,750

  Southend-on-Sea

  40.98

  10,637

  Essex

  59.77

  82,116

  Torbay

  38.66

  7,999

  Wokingham

  54.74

  10,052

  Nottingham City

  38.44

  18,082

  Buckinghamshire

  63.73

  32,094

  Derby City

  46.36

  16,189

  North East Lincolnshire

  48.19

  12,293

  Surrey

  57.24

  60,553

  Bracknell Forest

  50.61

  6,998

  Thurrock

  49.71

  9,807

  Plymouth

  46.22

  18,607

  North Somerset

  48.30

  12,423

  Milton Keynes

  50.08

  15,927

  West Sussex

  58.08

  49,453

  Shropshire

  60.02

  18,964

  Lancashire

  59.21

  86.537

  Stoke-on-Trent

  46.99

  19,614

  South Gloucestershire

  54.20

  19,937

  North Yorkshire

  62.57

  45,516

  Leicestershire

  63.14

  48,861

  Durham

  57.20

  42,174

  Oxfordshire

  58.44

  44,184

  Medway Towns

  48.83

  23,829

  Blackpool

  34.92

  10,876

  Hull

  40.79

  23,485

  Nottinghamshire

  60.49

  66,130

  Suffolk

  60.50

  54,548

  Cheshire

  59.33

  58,833

  Staffordshire

  63.66

  73.665

  Somerset

  59.74

  38,703

  Devon

  54.71

  52,882

  328

  Net expenditure—1999–2000

  Education expenditure as percentage of total spending

  Extra spending required for education expenditure to meet £3,325 per pupil (£000)

  Hertfordshire

  61.70

  95,160

  West Berkshire

  46.10

  13,600

  East Riding

  47.93

  28,168

  Warwickshire

  60.09

  43,313

  Dorset

  56.49

  31,090

  Cumbria

  58.37

  45,667

  Redcar and Cleveland

  47.29

  15,689

  Bedfordshire

  59.91

  37,593

  Hampshire

  59.62

  104,840

  Lincolnshire

  59.90

  59,294

  Middlesbrough

  43.49

  15,682

  Cornwall

  57.82

  44,710

  Telford and Wrekin

  43.11

  15,817

  Stockton on Tees

  48.54

  20,464

  Wiltshire

  59.96

  39,457

  Hartlepool

  43.41

  10,830

  Poole

  46.29

  12,595

  Norfolk

  55.96

  71,169

  York

  47.53

  15,893

  Herefordshire

  43.68

  15,455

  Gloucestershire

  59.55

  54,947

  Northamptonshire

  62.08

  67,279

  Northumberland

  56.01

  34,072

  Darlington

  44.80

  10,655

  Warrington

  51.75

  22,296

  Derbyshire

  58.17

  80,694

  Worcestershire

  60.38

  59,631

  Swindon

  50.97

  21,664

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Dairy Industry
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on prospects for the dairy industry. [95837]

  Ms Quin
  The UK dairy industry has faced a particularly difficult two years and this situation will not easily or quickly be reversed. But recent assistance from the Government in the form of a waiver of cattle passport charges, together with an ending to the uncertainty regarding Milk Marque, will go some way to helping the sector stabilise.

  Grassland
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to comply with the EU Directive on EIA agricultural land use changes to prevent further losses of grassland in Devon. [96876]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 2 November 1999,Official Report, column 157.

  Lamb
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he plans to take to improve the export market for lamb. [95758]
  329
  Ms Quin
  Exports of sheepmeat remain close to historic levels. My fellow Ministers and I and overseas posts will ensure that we give British lamb a high profile wherever possible, but the promotion of exports is principally a matter for the industry itself.

  Storm Damage (Sussex Coast)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the costs of the damage caused by the recent storm on the West Sussex coast. [96328]

  Mr. Morley
  Information about such costs is not collected centrally. Local authorities have statutory powers to deal with emergencies and are expected to budget accordingly. They may apply for additional financial assistance where there is a case for doing so under existing rules. Where capital works for flood and coastal defences are justified, government grant will be considered against normal criteria.

  Rural Development Regulation
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to increase funding in respect of Rural Development Regulation. [96928]

  Mr. Morley
  Options for funding the Rural Development Regulation are still being considered. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance he has given the Forestry Commission on maintaining public access after the sale of Forestry Commission land; and if he will make a statement. [96960]

  Mr. Morley
  We stopped large-scale sales of forest land managed by the Forestry Commission when we took up office in 1997. The Commission is, however, still able to sell relatively small and isolated blocks of forest land which do not make a significant contribution to its objectives and are surplus to requirements. Forest land which is important for public access will not be sold unless the Commission has secured a public access agreement with the local authority, which is binding on all subsequent owners of the land.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which areas are eligible for grants for conversion to organic farming. [96703]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: Under the Statutory Instrument which was laid on 3 November 1999, aid under the Organic Farming Scheme will be available to farmers throughout England.

  Pig Farmers
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to alleviate the difficulties facing pig farmers. [96681]

  Ms Quin
  We are fully aware of the crisis facing the pig sector. We have made an additional £6 million in marketing and promotion aid available and it is our intention that this sector will benefit significantly from this money. I hope that this financial support will strengthen the sector's competitive position in the future and lead to better returns for pig producers.

  Furthermore, my right hon. Friend the Minister has recently written to MPs and local authorities to emphasise the importance of sourcing pigmeat products to British standards. He has also made a formal request to the EU Commission to reopen the private storage aid scheme. We are tackling misleading labelling and are consulting on revised guidelines to Trading Standards Authorities. Ministers are committed to better auditing of claims on welfare and other standards of imported products. We will have meetings with retailers to insist that they reaffirm their commitments of last year on sourcing pigmeat to British standards. Similar meetings will take place with leading caterers. We will also be asking the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) to consider whether the current ban on the use of porcine meat and bonemeal (MBM) is still justified.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Pastoral Measure 1983
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, when it is proposed to review the Pastoral Measure 1983;and if he will make a statement. [96633]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  A motion from the Wakefield Diocesan Synod seeking a review of the redundancy provisions of the Pastoral Measure is likely to be debated by the General Synod next year.

  Former Ministers: Pensions and Benefits
  Former Ministers: Pensions and Benefits
  Correspondence and Written Questions on Scottish Matters
  Correspondence and Written Questions on Scottish Matters
  Crown Immunity
  Crown Immunity
  Letter to Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  Letter to Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
  UK Trade with the EU
  UK Trade with the EU
  Employment Relations Act 1999: Explanatory Notes
  Employment Relations Act 1999: Explanatory Notes
  Hereditary Peers' Staff: Redundancy Provisions
  Hereditary Peers' Staff: Redundancy Provisions
  Hereditary Peers' Effects: Removal
  Hereditary Peers' Effects: Removal
  Magistrates' Courts: Enhanced Security
  Magistrates' Courts: Enhanced Security
  Teachers' Pay: Performance Awards
  Teachers' Pay: Performance Awards
  Hill Farmers' Payments: Consultation Paper
  Hill Farmers' Payments: Consultation Paper
  Special Preferential Sugar Agreement
  Special Preferential Sugar Agreement
  BSE in EU Member States
  BSE in EU Member States
  Imported Venison: Velveting
  Imported Venison: Velveting
  Stonehenge: Visitor Centre
  Stonehenge: Visitor Centre
  Bahrain: UK Military Training
  Bahrain: UK Military Training
  UK Bahrain Defence Committee
  UK Bahrain Defence Committee
  Outer Space: Use of Satellites
  Outer Space: Use of Satellites
  Acrophobia
  Acrophobia
  A.303, Stonehenge
  A.303, Stonehenge
  M.4: Car Occupancy
  M.4: Car Occupancy
  Bus Fare Evasion: Prosecutions
  Bus Fare Evasion: Prosecutions