Written Answers of 10 November 1999

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Barking (Ms Hodge), has not answered the letters of 5 July, 23 September and 21 October to her from the hon. Member for Totnes regarding meetings between herself and a constituent of the hon. Member for Totnes; and if she will make a statement. [97705]

  Ms Hodge
  I have replied to the hon. Member's letter of 5 July and his office has been in discussion with my Private Secretary regarding his other correspondence. I will write to him with further details as soon as possible.

  Horse Chestnuts
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from local education authorities about the use of horse chestnuts in schools, in relation to the safety of children who suffer from anaphylaxis. [98007]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department has not received any representations from local education authorities about the use of horse chestnuts in schools and we do not issue specific guidance about horse chestnuts. We have issued, with the Department of Health, joint guidance for schools on "Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs" which contains advice on anaphylaxis. Advice is also available on the joint DfEE and Department of Health "Wired For Health" website.

  Discretionary Awards (Further Education)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the total amount spent by each local authority on discretionary awards to support access to further education in 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [97547]

  Mr. Wicks
  Information for the academic year 1997–98, the latest year for which information is available, is shown in the following table

  Expenditure on further education discretionary awards paid by local education authorities 1 in England and Wales

  Academic year 1997–98

  Total expenditure (£000)

  England

  Corporation of London

  2.8

  Camden

  65.5

  Greenwich

  83.2

  Hackney

  530.0

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  117.4

  Islington

  0.6

  Kensington and Chelsea

  93.8

  534

  Expenditure on further education discretionary awards paid by local education authorities1 in England and Wales

  Academic year 1997–98

  Total expenditure (£000)

  Lambeth

  2—

  Lewisham

  355.0

  Southwark

  260.8

  Tower Hamlets

  708.9

  Wandsworth

  229.7

  City of Westminster

  47.1

  Barking and Dagenham

  673.0

  Barnet

  47.1

  Bexley

  117.2

  Brent

  25.7

  Bromley

  328.2

  Croydon

  520.7

  Ealing

  91.0

  Enfield

  214.0

  Haringey

  2—

  Harrow

  2—

  Havering

  155.6

  Hillingdon

  60.8

  Hounslow

  94.2

  Kingston upon Thames

  13.8

  Merton

  198.3

  Newham

  607.6

  Redbridge

  78.9

  Richmond upon Thames

  121.5

  Sutton

  47.7

  Waltham Forest

  246.4

  Birmingham

  4.3

  Coventry

  54.4

  Dudley

  76.5

  Sandwell

  68.8

  Solihull

  2—

  Walsall

  5.3

  Wolverhampton

  2—

  Knowsley

  455.2

  Liverpool

  774.0

  St. Helens

  182.3

  Sefton

  667.0

  Wirral

  137.8

  Bolton

  1.4

  Bury

  56.2

  Manchester

  987.3

  Oldham

  455.6

  Rochdale

  307.0

  Salford

  27.1

  Stockport

  24.5

  Tameside

  396.4

  Trafford

  32.5

  Wigan

  174.7

  Barnsley

  3.9

  Doncaster

  25.0

  Rotherham

  171.0

  Sheffield

  37.3

  Bradford

  43.1

  Calderdale

  44.1

  Kirklees

  1,052.2

  Leeds

  1,633.1

  Wakefield

  9.0

  Gateshead

  157.9

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  211.3

  North Tyneside

  88.6

  South Tyneside

  216.4

  Sunderland

  54.2

  Isles of Scilly

  36.1

  Bath and North East Somerset

  58.7

  Bristol City

  227.2

  North Somerset

  136.2

  South Gloucestershire

  134.7

  Bedfordshire

  46.5

  Luton

  221.9

  Bracknell Forest

  53.6

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  47.1

  535

  Expenditure on further education discretionary awards paid by local education authorities 1 in England and Wales

  Academic year 1997–98

  Total expenditure (£000)

  West Berkshire

  137.2

  Reading3

  4—

  Slough3

  4—

  Wokingham3

  4—

  Buckinghamshire

  275.8

  Milton Keynes

  175.2

  Cambridgeshire5

  202.1

  Cheshire

  40.3

  Halton

  24.1

  Warrington

  20.4

  Hartlepool

  101.0

  Middlesbrough

  339.1

  Redcar and Cleveland

  153.4

  Stockton on Tees

  135.7

  Cornwall

  2,072.0

  Cumbria

  2,122.3

  Derbyshire

  10.6

  City of Derby

  3.5

  Devon5

  1,018.4

  Dorset

  1,185.6

  Poole

  449.0

  Bournemouth

  854.9

  Durham

  400.3

  Darlington

  1,022.8

  East Sussex

  1,022.8

  Brighton and Hove

  293.5

  Essex

  1,980.2

  Southend

  338.5

  Thurrock

  225.4

  Gloucestershire

  117.2

  Hampshire

  2,019.1

  Portsmouth

  742.8

  Southampton

  530.8

  Herefordshire

  306.5

  Worcestershire

  604.7

  Hertfordshire

  989.1

  Hull City

  851.0

  East Riding

  568.9

  North East Lincolnshire

  223.9

  North Lincolnshire

  595.0

  Isle of Wight

  198.6

  Kent5

  1,344.0

  Lancashire5

  3,614.5

  Leicestershire

  344.4

  Leicester City

  593.2

  Rutland

  9.5

  Lincolnshire3

  4—

  Norfolk

  857.0

  North Yorkshire

  1,014.4

  York City

  624.2

  Northamptonshire

  2.0

  Northumberland

  836.2

  Nottinghamshire

  664.1

  Nottingham City

  614.8

  Oxfordshire

  135.0

  Shropshire5

  398.6

  Somerset

  1,097.3

  Staffordshire

  353.8

  Stoke-on-Trent

  238.7

  Suffolk3

  5—

  Surrey

  1,107.2

  Warwickshire

  0.7

  West Sussex

  929.1

  Wiltshire

  688.4

  Swindon

  266.2

  Wales

  Isle of Anglesey

  349.5

  Gwynedd3

  4—

  Conwy

  256.8

  Denbighshire

  29.8

  536

  Expenditure on further education discretionary awards paid by local education authorities 1 in England and Wales

  Academic year 1997–98

  Total expenditure (£000)

  Flintshire

  150.8

  Wrexham

  119.9

  Powys

  2—

  Ceredigion

  32.5

  Pembrokeshire

  78.5

  Carmarthenshire

  77.7

  City and County of Swansea

  16.1

  Neath Port Talbot

  84.5

  Bridgend

  45.5

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  173.1

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  479.4

  Merthyr Tydfil

  21.9

  Caerphilly

  385.7

  Blaenau Gwent

  266.8

  Torfaen

  151.0

  Monmouthshire

  363.1

  Newport

  358.7

  Cardiff

  663.7

  Total England and Wales6

  59,614.5

  1 Paid by local education authorities to students normally domiciled in their area.

  2 Less than £500

  3 Gwynedd, Lincolnshire, Suffolk, Reading, Slough and Wokingham were unable to provide information.

  4 Not available

  5 Data are not available separately for the new LEAs which have replaced the former authorities of Cambridgeshire, Devon, Kent, Lancashire and Shropshire.

  6 Total includes estimates to compensate for missing or partial returns.

  Source:

  F503G

  Further Education Colleges (Greater London)
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was, for every further education college in the Greater London area, for 1998–99(a) the salary level of the college principal, (b) the staff numbers, (c) the student numbers and (d) the college's total budget. [97271]

  Mr. Wicks
  Data are not yet available for 1998–99. However, the latest available information is shown in the following table.

  Staff numbers in Further Education Sector Institutions 1 Greater London 1996–97

  Institution name

  Total

  Barking College

  863

  Barnet College

  749

  Bexley College

  551

  Bromley College of Further and Higher Education

  563

  Capel Manor Horticultural and Environmental Centre

  138

  Carshalton College

  276

  Christ the King Sixth Form College

  134

  City and Islington College

  1,169

  City Literary Institute

  n/a

  City of Westminster College

  597

  College of North East London

  1,009

  College of North West London

  968

  Cordwainers College

  n/a

  Coulsdon College

  119

  Croydon College

  1,017

  Ealing Tertiary College

  964

  Enfield College

  560

  Greenhill College-Harrow

  n/a

  537

  Staff numbers in Further Education Sector Institutions 1 Greater London 1996–97

  Institution name

  Total

  Hackney Community College

  535

  Hammersmith and West London College

  569

  Havering College of Further and Higher Education

  n/a

  Havering Sixth Form College

  155

  Hendon College

  585

  John Ruskin College

  143

  Kensington and Chelsea College

  n/a

  Kingston College

  676

  Kingsway College

  n/a

  Lambeth College

  668

  Lewisham College

  924

  Leyton Sixth Form College

  127

  Marine Society College of the Sea

  n/a

  Mary Ward Centre

  879

  Merton College

  379

  Morley College

  n/a

  Newham College of Further Education

  1,252

  Newham Sixth Form College

  188

  Orpington College of Further Education

  290

  Phoenix College

  43

  Redbridge College

  334

  Richmond Adult and Community Centre

  540

  Richmond upon Thames College

  978

  Sir George Monoux College

  149

  South Thames College

  1,514

  Southgate College

  556

  Southwark College

  651

  St. Charles Catholic Sixth Form College

  87

  St. Dominic's Sixth Form College

  82

  St. Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

  143

  Stanmore College

  419

  Tower Hamlets College

  357

  Uxbridge College

  269

  Waltham Forest College

  772

  Weald College

  445

  West Thames College

  696

  Westminster College

  n/a

  Woodhouse College

  85

  Woolwich College

  425

  Workers' Educational Association

  n/a

  Working Men's College

  582

  Total number of staff

  25,592

  1 This list includes several different college types, i.e. General FE, Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges, Specialist Colleges (Art & Design or Agricultural/Horticultural and Specialist Designated Institutions (SDIs).

  n/a = not available

  Local Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to establish single local Learning and Skills Councils for Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes; and if he will make a statement. [98035]

  Mr. Wicks
  On 28 October 1999,Official Report, column 1079, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House the boundaries for the proposed Learning and Skills Councils. Across England there will be 47 local Councils, which will operate as arms of the national Council. There will be a single local Council covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the cost was of collecting data on infant class sizes in September. [97844]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The estimated cost of collecting data on infant class sizes in September is £70,000. This includes the cost of data collection and preparation within the Department and the costs incurred by schools and local education authorities in completing the return.

  Photography
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment further to the letter of 30 September from the Minister of State for Education, if he will list the interested parties involved in consultation about the future of A-level photography; and how many consultees were in favour of abolishing A-level photography. [97933]

  Mr. Wicks
  Photography A-level has not been abolished. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority recommended last year that photography should continue to be offered in the context of A-level art and design rather than as a stand-alone title because of concerns about the range, scope and demand of the existing A-level photography specification. This recommendation—which Ministers have now endorsed—followed extensive consultation with the awarding bodies, which are responsible for developing and offering the qualifications.

  I understand that the QCA is currently reviewing the position of photography within the qualifications framework as a whole in consultation with a wide range of interested parties.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people have so far obtained employment through the New Deal for Disabled People. [97751]

  Ms Hodge
  The New Deal for Disabled People is at the pilot stage with 22 innovative schemes and 12 personal adviser pilot areas now operational. The pilots are being brought in over time with the first pilots launched last Autumn. During September, 265 people moved into work through the pilots. Since the first innovative schemes and personal adviser pilot areas started the total number of people placed into work to the end of September 1999 is 1,177.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is(a) expenditure to date and (b) planned expenditure over the next two years on the New Deal for Disabled People. [97775]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: £195 million (£186 million for Great Britain) has been set aside for the New Deal for Disabled People over the lifetime of this Parliament. £5 million has been allocated for innovative schemes; £24 million for 12 personal adviser pilot areas; and £1.6 million to pilot benefit changes. Pilots have started progressively over the last 15 months, and £8 million had been spent by the end of September 1999. We are actively considering what help could be provided nationally taking account of emerging findings from the pilots.

  GNVQs
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) considered in connection with the equivalence between GNVQs Intermediate and Advanced qualifications and their GCE counterparts. [97491]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: No specific studies have been carried out. However, evidence from both school and college inspections carried out by Ofsted and the Further Education Funding Council and from work undertaken by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) confirms that GNVQ standards are broadly comparable with standards at equivalent levels of GCSE and A level. The revised GNVQ assessment regime due to be introduced from September 2000 will reinforce that equivalence by strengthening the rigour of the GNVQ at all levels.

  Educational Exports
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on recent developments in the field of educational and vocational exports. [97485]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: There have been a number of recent developments in the promotion of UK education and training exports, as part of fulfilling the Government's commitment in the Competitiveness White Paper, to the UK as a knowledge-based economy, including a programme of export promotion visits overseas by my noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment and the three following initiatives.

  The Prime Minister announced in June a strategy to attract an extra 75,000 overseas students to the UK by 2005 through stronger marketing and a better response to international students who might consider study in the UK.

  Second, the Government have commissioned a review of British Training International, which was established in November 1997 to promote UK vocational education and training overseas.

  Third, the Education and Training Exports Group, which reports to Ministers and brings together representatives of education and training under private sector leadership, is planning a high level conference next year to demonstrate to the leaders of British industry the ways in which education and training can be used as a marketing tool to enhance international business success.

  Performance-related Pay (Shropshire)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the estimated cost is of performance-related pay for teachers in Shropshire in 2000–01; and how this will be funded. [98166]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Teachers with the maximum nine salary points for qualifications and experience will be entitled to apply for the new performance threshold. The School Teachers' Review Body is currently considering the Government's proposal that all teachers who meet the threshold standards should receive a salary increase of up to £2,000, and have access to a new upper pay spine. There will be no quota of threshold successes at either 540
  national or local level. It is not possible therefore to give a total cost for Shropshire in advance; this will depend upon the number of teachers who pass the threshold. We will establish a Special Grant to target resources for the performance threshold separately from schools' delegated budgets. Schools will be able to draw extra funds from the Special Grant via their Local Education Authority for each teacher promoted through the threshold to the upper pay spine.

  Education SSA (Shropshire)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage increase in education SSA has been set for Shropshire for the forthcoming financial year. [98164]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Details of the proposed education Standard Spending Assessment for the financial year 2000–01 will be announced by the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in late November.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the education SSA is for a pupil of(a) primary and (b) secondary school age in (i) the London borough of Southwark and (ii) Shropshire. [98163]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the primary and secondary Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) per pupil for the London borough of Southwark and Shropshire county council for 1999–2000.

  1999–2000 SSA per pupil

  £ per pupil

  Primary

  Secondary

  Southwark

  3,396

  4,377

  Shropshire

  2,220

  2,837

  Sports Scholarships
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many higher and further educational establishments run sports scholarship schemes in the United Kingdom; and if he will list them; [97990]

  (2) what is his estimate of the total value in cash terms of sports scholarships in further and higher education per annum; [97991]

  (3) how many students participate in sports scholarship schemes in further and higher education. [97994]

  Mr. Wicks
  The information is not held centrally.

  Income Support
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to provide additional assistance to lone parents on income support who wish to progress to higher education. [97409]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The current student support system already provides help to lone parents who decide to enter higher education. Lone

  541
  parents are eligible to apply for a student loan; and may receive a means tested grant towards their contribution to tuition fees, which in many cases will be the full £1,025 owed. In addition they can receive dependents' allowances, a single parent's allowance and Child Benefit, all of which are cash grants. Furthermore, lone parents remain eligible for benefits although income from student support is taken into account in assessing the amounts.

  However, we recognise that we in moving to full time education some lone parents may be concerned about the additional costs of books, equipment, travel, school meals and child care. In these circumstances Access Funds and Hardship Loans, which are administered by the higher education institutions, are available. Mature students including lone parents in receipt of DSS benefits are a priority for help through Access Funds. An extra £12 million is being put into Access Funds in England this year, specifically to assist mature students, including lone parents. These now total £74.6 million, and have more than trebled since 1997–98. My Department is currently carrying out a Review of the Access Funds and Hardship Loans.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97428]

  Mr. Wills
  The Department spent the following sums on external consultants and advisers from its running cost budget.

  1998–99: £5.211 million.

  1997–98: £4.543 million.

  1996–97: £8.216 million.

  1995–96: £5.072 million.

  I shall write to the hon. Member shortly with the figures for consultants and advisers funded from the Department's programme provision and place a copy in the Library.

  After-school Clubs
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places in after-school and holiday clubs there were in successful New Opportunities Fund bids up to and including the October 1999 awards broken down by local authority; and what percentage of children aged five to 14 years in each area this represented. [97560]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  In the period from 26 July 1999, when the first New Opportunities Fund out of school hours child care places were announced, to the end of October 1999, NOF announced grants totalling £7.3 million for the creation of 24,649 new child care places in 333 schemes spread across 183 local authority areas throughout the UK. I have asked the Chief Executive of the New Opportunities Fund to write directly to my right hon. Friend to provide further details of the precise breakdown of these places by local authority. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

  Rural Policy
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to ensure co-ordination of the Government's policies affecting rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [98113]

  The Prime Minister
  I have established a new Cabinet Committee on rural affairs. Its membership and terms of reference are as follows. In addition to the members listed, other Ministers will be invited to attend meetings as and when business requires:

  Ministerial Group on Rural Affairs (MISC 8)

  Composition

  Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  Secretary of State for Health

  Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

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

  Terms of Reference
  "To co-ordinate the Government's policies affecting Rural Areas".

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Prime Minister if he has received the second report of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and if he will make a statement. [98382]

  The Prime Minister
  The Committee has submitted its second report to me and I have today placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses. Since 1975 the Committee has advised the Prime Minister of the day on the propriety of business appointments that Crown servants wish to take up when they leave Crown service. Following a recommendation of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, it now also provides advice directly to former Ministers on their business appointments. The Committee's second report provides an account of their work in 1998–99.

  I am very grateful to all the members for giving their time so generously to this important role. I should like to thank in particular the former Chairman, the right hon. the Lord Carlisle of Bucklow QC, who served with distinction for a number of years, as did the right hon. Lord Thomson of Monifieth, General Sir Charles Huxtable and Sir Robin Ibbs. I also join all members of the Committee in paying tribute to Lord Gillmore who died in March.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has for the appointment of an official to co-ordinate the Government's policies on combating homelessness. [97598]
  543
  The Prime Minister
  In February 1999, Louise Casey, formerly Deputy Director of Shelter, was appointed as the Director of the Rough Sleepers Unit, established within the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to co-ordinate work across Government on tackling rough sleeping in England. I set out details of the work of the Unit in my answer to my hon. Friend of 8 February 1999,Official Report, columns 35-36.

  Louise Casey was selected following an open competition and was appointed on a three year fixed term contract as a member of the Senior Civil Service.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has for the parliamentary scrutiny of the Social Exclusion Unit. [96788]

  The Prime Minister
  The Social Exclusion Unit reports to me, and questions on its remit, resourcing and way of working are addressed to me. Each of the reports produced by the Unit has an action plan and timetable, which identifies a lead Department and Minister responsible for overseeing cross Whitehall implementation. That Minister is accountable to Parliament for the success of the implementation of an individual report.

  Tampere Summit
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 19 October 1999,Official Report, column 261, what agreement he has reached with participants at the Tampere Summit to draw up a list of action to take against secrecy and illegality in matters related to actual and suspected drug transactions. [96884]

  The Prime Minister
  As I said in my answer to my hon. Friend on 25 October 1999,Official Report, columns 717-18, we agreed a range of special concrete actions against money laundering at Tampere. We also agreed that drug trafficking should be one of the forms of criminality in respect of which work should be done to define common offences and penalties, in order to ensure that these crimes can be prosecuted effectively in every member state. A copy of the Presidency Conclusions, in which the actions are listed, has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what budget has been allocated for Scottish Grand Committee meetings in the next session. [97654]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 9 November 1999, Official Report, columns 463-64, which explains that there is no single specific budget allocated for the Scottish Grand Committee. The House's Estimates are drawn up on a financial year, not a sessional, basis. The Estimates for the current financial year (1999–2000) include provision for expenditure of £49,800 for standing committees' travel and subsistence.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Jiang Qisheng
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for a representative from the British Embassy in Beijing to be present at the trial of Jiang Qisheng. [97900]

  Mr. Battle
  Foreign diplomats were unable to attend the trial of Jiang Qisheng on 1 November. The court is now in recess. It is not known when the next session will be held. The Chinese authorities have not allowed diplomats to attend the trials of any dissidents.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking in respect of the decision of the Chinese Government to make Jiang Qisheng stand trial. [97899]

  Mr. Battle
  I personally raised Jiang Qisheng's case in my talks with the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and expressed our concerns about his trial and possible sentencing. I will continue to press his case.

  Palestine
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to monitor the operation of trade agreements between the European Union and both the Palestine Authority and the PLO; what assessment he has made of the levels of co-operation given by Israel to the implementation of these agreements; and what impact such co-operation has had on Palestine's ability to trade with the EU. [97873]

  Mr. Hain
  The monitoring of the EC/PLO interim agreement is primarily the responsibility of the European Commission. We are concerned that the agreement should be fully recognised by the Israeli government and that the Palestinians should be able to export and import from the EU within hindrance. We participate in the EU/Israel dialogue on the Palestinian economy, which discusses how the Palestinian capacity to export and import freely can be improved. Israeli co-operation in the implementation of the EC/PLO interim agreement is a very important factor affecting the Palestinians; ability to trade with the EU.

  The Philippines
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Philippines Ambassador concerning human rights abuses in Canatuan and the question of indigenous land rights in that area. [97809]

  Mr. Battle
  We are concerned that the rights and freedoms of indigenous people should be recognised and protected. This is why we participate in discussions on indigenous people within the UN, including the working group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. We supported resolutions on indigenous people at the Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva between 27 March and 30 April this year.

  Our Embassy in Manila monitors carefully human rights related issues in the Philippines. We have recently appointed a secondee with an NGO background to our

  545
  staff in Manila as part of this work. We will be following closely the Philippine Government's Commission on Human Rights investigation into the Canatuan incident.

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many permits were issued by the Israeli Government to Palestinians for travel from Gaza to(a) Israel and (b) the West Bank (i) for each of the six months preceding the opening of the Southern Safe Passage and (ii) since the opening of the Southern Safe Passage. [97978]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary welcomed the opening of the southern safe passage on 25 October and had the opportunity to travel on the route on 26 October. The safe passage will enable thousands of Gazans to travel to the West Bank.

  On the first day of operation of the safe passage, 800 people travelled from Gaza to the West Bank and 80 from West Bank to Gaza. A number of Gazans were able to leave the Gaza Strip for the first time in their lives. We do not hold the other details requested.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many housing units in Jewish settlements on the West Bank have been demolished; and how many new housing units in Jewish settlements on the West Bank have been started since 14 October. [97976]

  Mr. Hain
  On 14 October, the Israeli government and Yesha Council agreed that 12 settlement outposts should be dismantled. This agreement is now being implemented. These settlement outputs are believed not to include any housing units. The Israeli government recently acknowledged that they have issued the tenders for the construction of 1,798 housing units.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement made on 14 October between the Israeli Government and the Yesha Council. [97975]

  Mr. Hain
  We welcome agreement by the Israeli Government and Yesha Council to dismantle some settlements outposts. The British Government's view remains that settlement activity is illegal under international law and unhelpful in curbing settlements.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on continued house demolitions by the Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem. [97977]

  Mr. Hain
  We are opposed to all attempts to alter the demographics of East Jerusalem, contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention. We therefore strongly regret the continuation of house demolitions, even though their frequency has declined in recent months. A full stop to this policy would contribute to the confidence between the parties which will be essential at this critical stage in the peace process.

  International Criminal Court
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government 546
  have to use Article 124 to opt out of the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court when it ratifies the International Criminal Court Statute. [97882]

  Mr. Hain
  We have no plans to use Article 124 of the International Criminal Court Statute to opt out of the Court's jurisdiction over war crimes. We hope as few countries as possible will take advantage of this provision.

  Bonded Labourers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of bonded labourers working in(a) India, (b) Pakistan and (c) Nepal. [97997]

  Mr. Hain
  We are deeply concerned by all cases of bonded labour. Accurate and comprehensive figures for those employed in bonded labour in India, Pakistan and Nepal are not available.

  Slavery
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department is taking to enforce Article 1 of the United Nations Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 1956. [97999]

  Mr. Hain
  We urge all countries to ratify the international instruments on outlawing slavery, and to wipe out all forms of slavery, including bonded labour.

  Working bilaterally and through organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, the Government provide practical support to those countries working to eliminate the practice of slavery. We also provide help to tackle the poverty which breeds abusive labour practices and to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women and children.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97417]

  Mr. Hain
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has spent the following sums on external consultancy and advice during the last four financial years:

  1995–96: £17.7 million;

  1996–97: £11.8 million;

  1997–98: £15.8 million;

  1998–99: £14.5 million.

  The bulk of FCO consulting expenditure is for technical expertise on capital projects, predominantly on estate related and information technology development at home and overseas.

DEFENCE

  Zinc Cadmium Sulphide Trials
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with respect to the proposed independent review of the zinc cadmium
  547
  sulphide trials carried out in the UK by the former Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment between 1953 and 1964. [98339]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Professor Peter Lachmann, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, has agreed to lead an independent review of British trials which used zinc cadmium sulphide as an air movement tracer to assess the vulnerability of the UK to attack by biological weapons. It will concentrate on the question of whether these trials might have had harmful effects on public health. Professor Lachmann is being supported by a small team of experts to assist him. It is intended that this independent review will be completed within the next few months, and that a report will be published and a copy placed in the Library of the House.

  Aldermaston
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a decision has been reached on building the Dual Access Hydrodynamic Radiographic Test facility at Aldermaston; and if he will make a statement. [96426]

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

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 10 November 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if a decision has been reached on building the DAHRT facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston and for a statement.
  The UK has had a dual axis radiography capability at AWE Aldermaston since 1995. Parts of the facility were purpose built but it also incorporates older equipment and infrastructure. A feasibility study for a new, multi axis, facility is being carried out by AWE at present but no decision has yet been made on whether or not it should be built.
  You used the term "DAHRT". The DARHT or Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facility is an American facility under construction at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are to be implemented at Aldermaston to replace the practice of storing plutonium and uranium sludge in tanks on-site after 1 January 2000. [96424]

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

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 10 November 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what measures are to be implemented at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston to replace the practice of storing plutonium and uranium sludge in tanks on site after 1 January 2000. This matter falls to me for answer within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  In accordance with Nuclear Installation Inspectorate (NII) requirements, AWE will add no further quantities of sludge to the tanks after December 1999.
  They are on course to procure plant which will meet the further NII requirement that wastes currently accumulated should be recovered, treated and stored in immobilised form suitable for long term retention. The NII have set a date of 1 April 2003 for the first tank to be treated, and may well set further targets.
  548
  In the meantime and with the NII's agreement, existing holdings of sludges can either remain safely in the tanks, which are bunded and whose integrity is regularly monitored or, in the case of future arisings, can be held within the processing plant.

  Friend or Foe System
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of upgrading the Identification Friend or Foe Mk Xa systems to the system Mk XII standard; and how many systems will undergo this upgrade. [97137]

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

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 10 November 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on what estimate he has made of the cost of upgrading the Identification Friend or Foe MKXa systems to the system MK XII standard; and how many systems will undergo this upgrade. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The competition to select an equipment supplier for the Successor Identification Friend or Foe programme is currently underway. Consequently, it could prejudice the Department's negotiating position if the estimated cost of upgrading the Identification Friend or Foe MKXa systems to the system MKXII standard were revealed. This information is therefore withheld in accordance with exception 7 to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
  The number of the systems to be upgraded is likely to be in the order of 1000 transponders and 600 interrogators for some forty platform types.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many successor identification Friend or Foe system contracts have been awarded; and what is the total value of these contracts. [97136]

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

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 10 November 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on the number and value of the Successor Identification Friend or Foe system contracts. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency
  Sixty two contracts have been awarded to study the fitting of a Successor Identification Friend or Foe system to a number of platforms. Separately, a contract has been placed for the development, production and installation of a Successor Identification Friend or Foe system on Tornado F3 aircraft fleet. The total value of these contracts amounts to £92M, of which approximately 75% is for Tornado F3 and the remaining 25% for the study work.

  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to purchase the Raytheon Systems Ltd. successor identification Friend or Foe system; and what representations he has received with regard to this technology. [97213]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
  549
  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Syd Rapson, dated 10 November 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on whether he will make it his policy to purchase the Raytheon Systems Ltd Successor Identification Friend or Foe system; and what representation he has received with regard to this technology. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  We have received bids from Raytheon Systems Ltd and Marconi Avionics into the Successor Identification Friend or Foe equipment supplier competition. The bids are currently being assessed and I am therefore unable to comment further at this stage. However, I can assure you that all the relevant factors will be taken into account in selecting a preferred bidder.

  Defence Evaluation Research Agency
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the Defence Evaluation Research Agency public-private partnership. [97237]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 November 1999]: A number of organisations and individuals, including representatives from academia, industry, local government, trade unions, DERA staff, and our international collaborative partners, have responded to the consultation document on the DERA public-private partnership (PPP) published by the Ministry of Defence in May. In addition, there have been a number of formal and informal representations.

  As I announced on 26 October 1999, Official Report, column 768, work is continuing on a PPP solution for DERA and key stakeholders will continue to be consulted as this work is taken forward.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what developments there have been in the joint MOD-industry sub-group investigating the Defence Evaluation Research Agency public-private partnership. [97236]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 November 1999]: The National Defence Industries Council sub-group on the DERA public-private partnership was formed to provide a mechanism to enable the Ministry of Defence and industry to understand each other's positions on key issues. Both sides have agreed that the sub-group achieved its remit in the two meetings that were held in July. Further meetings will be arranged if issues arise in the continuing work which warrant specific senior level discussion or resolution. Consultation with industry and others is continuing as we take forward work on the DERA PPP.

  Trigat Missiles
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of replacing the Milan 1 ATGW systems with the medium range Trigat missiles. [97875]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
  550
  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 10 November 1999:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Medium Range (MR) TRIGAT Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Programme. This matter falls to me for answer within the responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The MR TRIGAT programme is planned to replace the Milan Anti-Tank Guided Weapons System. The cost of this replacement programme was published in the Major Project Report 1998 as £806 Million; this cost is still in line with our current estimates.

  Bright Star 99
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Royal Naval forces were deployed in the Bright Star 99 exercise. [97880]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following Royal Naval and Royal Marine Units were involved in Exercise Bright Star 99:

  HMS Ocean (LPH)

  HMS Fearless (LPD)

  HMS Cumberland (T22)

  HMS Edinburgh (T42)

  HMS Herald (Survey vessel)

  HMS Penzance (MCMV)

  HMS Walney (MCMV)

  HMS Quorn (MCMV)

  HMS Chiddingfold (MCMV)

  RFA Sir Bedivere

  RFA Sir Geraint

  RFA Sir Percivale

  RFA Sir Galahad

  RFA Sea Centurion

  RFA Olna

  RFA Fort Austin

  RFA Fort George

  Headquarters 3 Commando Brigade RM

  Headquarters and Signals Squadron RM

  40 Commando Royal Marines

  Commando Logistics Regiment Royal Marines

  Elements of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery

  Elements of 59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers

  539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines

  The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines from the Commando Training Centre RM Lympstone

  Key:

  LPH—Landing Platform Helicopter

  LPD—Landing Platform Dock

  T22—Type 22 Frigate

  T42—Type 42 Destroyer

  MCMV—Mine Countermeasures Vessel.

  Hawk Aircraft (India)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department is giving to British Aerospace in connection with its bid to sell Hawk aircraft to India. [95055]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: British Aerospace has been offering Hawk aircraft for sale to the Indian Government for a number of years, in response to

  551
  an Indian Air Force requirement for an advanced jet training aircraft. During this period, the Company has received Government advice and support, co-ordinated by the Defence Export Services Organisation in the Ministry of Defence, whose role it is to provide such assistance to UK industry in accordance with the Government's policy on defence exports.

  Young Personnel
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received in the last six months on the deployment of under 18-year-old service personnel in combat. [97133]

  Mr. Spellar
  In the past 6 months there have been 9 parliamentary questions, 70 parliamentary inquiries and an Early Day Motion related to the deployment of personnel who are aged under 18. My Department has also received 85 letters from members of the public on the topic in the same period.

  Naval Nuclear Material
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of storing Royal Navy nuclear material at BNFL Sellafield. [97643]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Spent submarine reactor fuel cores represent the only significant Royal Navy nuclear material stored at BNFL Sellafield. At today's prices, the cost of BNFL's storage service in the years 1992 to 1998 has been £0.7m, £1.2m, £1.7m, £2.8m, £2.4m, £1.5m and £1.7m respectively. The annual cost has varied with the amount of spent fuel deposited and routine examination of the spent fuel in 1995 and 1996 to ensure its integrity.

  Service Posts (Women)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from which posts in(a) the Army, (b) the RAF and (c) the Royal Navy women are excluded; what percentage of overall service posts this represents; and if he will make a statement. [97667]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: The three Services are wholly committed to maximising career opportunities for women in the Armed Forces. 73 per cent. of posts in the Naval Service, 70 per cent. of posts in the Army and 96 per cent. of posts in the RAF are open to women. In the Naval Service women are excluded from the Royal Marine Commandos; in the Army posts in the Infantry and Royal Armoured Corps (including the Household Cavalry) are closed to women; and in the RAF women cannot serve in the RAF Regiment. Additionally in the Royal Navy, women cannot serve in submarines or as mine clearance divers for medical reasons.

  Pensions and Compensation Reviews
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when(a) his Department's pensions review and (b) his Department's compensation review will be (i) completed, (ii) presented to ministers and (iii) published; and if he will make a statement. [97851]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am currently considering proposals from the joint MOD and DSS compensation review. The Armed Forces Pension Review is currently in progress and I expect to receive proposals next year.

  SA80
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the effectiveness of the SA80 weapon; and if he will make a statement. [94783]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 20 October 1999]: It is our practice to keep the effectiveness of weapon systems under continual review. SA80 is an effective weapon system and is planned to remain in service well into the next century. We are, however, currently investigating potential improvements to the SA80 and I expect to receive recommendations in due course.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97418]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  My Department's spending on external consultants over the last four financial years is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1998–89

  175.6

  1997–98

  148.1

  1996–97

  136.7

  1995–96

  150.8

  Details of expenditure are submitted annually to the Cabinet Office Efficiency and Effectiveness Group and placed in the Library of the House.

  We employ a number of individuals in an advisory capacity. Many of these are consultants whose costs will be included in the figures given in the table. We do not hold figures centrally on others employed as advisers and the information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Bonded Labour
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to end the practice of bonded labour. [97998]

  Clare Short
  The Government made clear their commitment to core labour standards in the White Paper "Eliminating World Poverty". Elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour is one of the four core standards established by the International Labour Organisation. We are committed to the promotion of these standards both in the UK and overseas.

  We are currently undertaking a strategic review of our approach to the implementation of core labour standards. It will be published later this year. However my Department is already addressing the issue at several levels. At the international level, we are a strong supporter of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Its Declaration and Fundamental principles on the Rights at Work (1998) and Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999) both outlaw bonded labour and offer key international standards and monitoring mechanisms. The focus of our support to date has been primarily on

  553
  the issue of child labour and the UK is currently the second largest funder of the ILO's International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).

  Trade Agreements
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will review the effects of existing trade agreements on developing countries, with particular focus on smaller communities and their environment, before the WTO Seattle Conference in November. [97889]

  Clare Short
  Work by the WTO and the World Bank suggests that the gains to developing countries from the Uruguay Round will have been as large, or larger, relative to income, as the benefits to developed countries. The gains by small states from trade agreements and the effects on their environment vary greatly according to their differing patterns of production and the extent to which they benefit from trade preference schemes.

  Initial studies on the possible effects of the new Round identify the potential for considerable benefits for developing countries in agriculture and manufacturing. With regard to the environmental effect of the forthcoming Round, the Government strong support the European Union's Sustainability Impact Assessment. The objectives are to develop a methodology for sustainability impact assessment and to use that methodology to make a broad qualitative assessment of the Round's sustainability impact. The Government will continue to liaise with both the European Commission and the consultants in order to contribute to, and learn from, this work.

  At country and regional level, DFID is working with the ILO, national governments, NGOs, trade unions and civil society organisations to promote workers rights. For example in south-east Asia we are supporting the ILO's programme to tackle trafficking in women and children across the region. Women and children are often tied to the commercial sex industry in conditions of bonded labour. We have also provided funds for Christian Aid's programme on bonded Child Labour in India.

  We are also funding Anti-Slavery International to provide support to six countries to ratify the Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. Anti-Slavery International has considerable expert knowledge on the issue of bonded child labour.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to(a) review market access for developing countries and (b) assess the impact of zero tariffs for agricultural and textile exports from developing to developed countries. [97892]

  Clare Short
  We are continuing to work within the EU for the best possible access to EU markets for developing countries, in support of our efforts to integrate them into the multilateral trading system. The UK and EU are already committed to providing duty free access for essentially all exports from Least Developed Countries by the end of the next round of multilateral trade negotiations.

  My Department is in the process of assessing the effects of further trade liberalisation in agriculture and textiles, including improved market access and reductions in tariffs. Within the context of the next round of trade
  554
  negotiations, to be launched at Seattle later this month, we will be pushing for reductions in tariff barriers, especially in areas where there are tariff peaks, as for textiles, footwear and leather, and where tariffs escalate as for processed agricultural products.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97422]

  Clare Short
  In the last four financial years our spending on external consultants and advisers was as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1995–96

  1.2

  1996–97

  0.82

  1997–98

  1.79

  1998–99

  1.83

  Water Consumption (West Bank and Gaza)
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimates she has made of per capita water consumption by(a) Israelis and (b) Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. [97874]

  Clare Short
  Recent and accurate information on water usage in the West Bank and Gaza is not readily available.

  Most water is used for irrigation. A UN report from 1990 indicates that total annual capita consumption for Palestinians in the West Bank was 139 cubic metres, compared to that for settlers of 1,143 cubic metres. Figures for Gaza were 172 cubic metres for Palestinians and 2,326 cubic metres for settlers. Annual per capita consumption in Israel was 411 cubic metres.

  India
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid programmes her Department is supporting in India in the current financial year; at what cost; and what was the comparable figure for 1998–99. [97583]

  Clare Short
  Our programme in India is increasingly focused on working with the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal towards the goal of poverty elimination. The bilateral programme includes activities in rural development, water and sanitation, urban poverty, education, health, governance and empowerment, energy and emergency humanitarian assistance as well as assistance through non-governmental organisations. We also help indirectly through contributions to the European Commission and other multilateral organisations.

  DFID spending for India in the current financial year is expected to be in the region of £100 million. The provisional figure for the 1998–99 out-turn for our India programme is £83.9 million, although this does not capture all DFID spending for India. The final figure for all DFID spending for India during the last financial year will be published in our next Departmental Report.

  Pakistan (Women's Human Rights)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received on women's human rights in Pakistan; and if she will make a statement. [97816]

  Clare Short
  We regularly receive such representations from human rights' groups and from individuals. We take every opportunity to ensure that the Pakistan authorities are aware of our concerns, and in particular about discrimination against women. We take account of gender equality issues as a matter of course in our bilateral development assistance, which has focused upon reducing poverty and increasing basic rights and access to essential services—especially for women and girls.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to ensure that Government procurement, competition policy and investment are addressed at the WTO Seattle Conference. [97896]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been asked to reply.

  Government procurement, competition policy and investment are three of the UK's and EU's priorities for the new comprehensive round of trade negotiations which we hope will be launched at the WTO Seattle Conference. We are pressing hard for these subjects along with our other priorities, including agriculture, services, industrial tariffs and regulatory issues, to be included in the new Round agenda.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on making the WTO subject to greater scrutiny and accountability; and what plans she has to suggest such changes at the WTO Seattle Conference. [97893]

  Mr. Byers
  I have been asked to reply.

  Increasing the transparency of the operations of the WTO, including through High Level Meetings and derestriction of documents, is a high priority for the UK and the WTO. The UK and EU are pushing for decisions to be taken on WTO transparency at the WTO Seattle Conference. At the same time, however, we believe that there is an equal if not greater responsibility on member state Governments to improve communication on trade issues, since it is Governments who make and decide the rules and policies of the WTO in Geneva. This includes dialogue with interest groups and consultation with Parliament. The UK has been working hard at national level to do more in this area and we will continue to do so in the future.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of people incorrectly claiming Incapacity Benefit instead of the long-term unemployed benefit have been identified(a) this year and (b) in each of the last three years. [97268]
  556
  Mr. Bayley
  Entitlement to Incapacity Benefit depends upon a person meeting the requirements of either the Own Occupation Test or the All Work Test. For those in recent employment, the Own Occupation Test applies; this requires a medical certificate confirming that the person is unable to perform their usual job. After six months for these claimants, and from the outset for those not in recent employment, the All Work Test applies; this determines whether the person reaches a set level of physical and/or mental incapacity. People who do not satisfy the relevant test but nevertheless have a degree of mental or physical incapacity can claim Jobseeker's Allowance as unemployed and restrict their availability in any way providing the restrictions are reasonable in the light of their physical or mental condition.

  The number of people disallowed Incapacity Benefit because they did not satisfy the relevant test is set out in the table. It should be noted that people can also fail to satisfy the All Work Test because they do not return the questionnaire issued to claimants or because they fail to attend for medical examination. Data for 1998–99 are not yet available.

  Number of Incapacity Benefit claims terminated because the claimant did not satisfy the Own Occupation Test or All Work Test

  Did not satisfy the Own Occupation Test

  Did not satisfy the All Work Test

  1995–96

  1,300

  52,700

  1996–97

  1,200

  94,700

  1997–98

  1,600

  86,300

  Note:

  Figures are taken from a 1 per cent. sample of Incapacity Benefit recipients

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women have claimed(a) Incapacity Benefit and (b) Severe Disablement Allowance (i) this year and (ii) in each of the last three years. [97266]

  Mr. Bayley
  Information split by gender is not available on the number of claims made for Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance, some of which will not result in an award of benefit.

  The number of spells of benefit commencing in each of the last three years for which information is available is set out in the table; data for 1998–99 are not yet available.

  Spells commencing in the period

  Incapacity Benefit

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  13 April 1995–31 March 1996

  320,700

  19,900

  1 April 1996–31 March 1997

  329,800

  19,500

  1 April 1997–31 March 1998

  325,100

  14,200

  Note:

  Figures are taken from a 1 per cent. sample of claimants

  Child Support
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will seek to amend the Child Support Acts so that the provision of false information to the Agency relating to income and declared and undeclared earnings is treated as fraud and a criminal offence under the Acts. [97713]
  557
  Angela Eagle
  As the White Paper "A new contract for welfare: Children's Rights and Parents' Responsibilities" indicated, when legislation for a reformed child support scheme is introduced, we plan to include new criminal penalties for supplying false information in relation to child support and failing to supply information when required to do so. Any person who is subject to the new offence will be liable to a fine of up to £1,000 on conviction.

  Pensioners (Overseas)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British citizens living overseas who retired before 1979 were in receipt of frozen pensions in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [97745]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is on overseas pensioners who retired prior to 1979 for individual years from 1994. This information is in the table.

  Overseas retirement pension recipients living in frozen rate countries reaching state pension age before 1979

  Total

  1994

  81,600

  1995

  76,800

  1996

  71,500

  1997

  65,300

  1998

  59,100

  1999

  51,100

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Information has been supplied using a 5 per cent. sample from the Pensions Strategy Computer System (PSCS).

  3. The figures supplied are for the number of people reaching state pension age before 1979. They do not indicate whether the people received Retirement Pension in the year of reaching that age.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British citizens living overseas and in receipt of frozen pensions retired(a) before 1979, (b) between 1979 and 1992 and (c) since 1992. [97744]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Overseas retirement pension recipients living in frozen rate countries reaching state pension age

  Total

  Before 1979

  51,100

  1979–92

  260,500

  Since 1992

  140,200

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Information is based on a 5 per cent. sample of the Pensions Strategy Computer System (PSCS).

  3. The table shows the number of people who reached state pension age in a given year. It does not indicate whether the people actually received their retirement pension in the year of reaching state pension age.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are used to determine the countries 558
  in which United Kingdom state pensions are uprated in line with inflation; and what proposals he has to amend those criteria. [97897]

  Mr. Rooker
  UK State Pensions have been payable in certain countries outside the UK since 1929—initially in HM Dominions and then, between 1948–1955, in a small number of European countries. In 1955 Retirement Pensions and widows benefits became payable worldwide. However, upratings were not normally payable.

  Over time, the UK has concluded reciprocal social security agreements with some 30 countries. Although most provide for payment of upratings, that is not the primary purpose of such agreements. They are intended mainly to provide a measure of co-ordination between social security schemes for people moving between the UK and the other country during their working lives.

  A major consideration in deciding whether to enter into an agreement is the extent to which the advantages to be gained outweigh the cost of negotiating and administering the agreement. Most of the UK's reciprocal social security agreements are over 25 years old. The last to come into force which provides for upratings was in 1992 (with Barbados) and fulfilled a commitment given in the 1970s.

  We have no plans to change the current arrangements for uprating UK pensions abroad.

  Jobseeker's Allowance (Fraud)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what number and percentage of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants have been proved to be claiming fraudulently in each of the last five years; and what savings have been made in each of these years as a result of benefit withdrawal in such cases. [97881]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Number of Jobseeker's Allowance fraud cases and savings made following benefit withdrawal

  Total number of fraud cases detected

  Percentage of average case load over the period

  Savings

  October 1996-March 1997

  15,626

  0.8

  33,885,344

  1997–98

  161,512

  10.4

  556,097,856

  1998–99

  191,829

  14.2

  1,054,260,736

  Notes:

  1. JSA was introduced in October 1996.

  2. The savings column figures are the weekly benefit paid to the fraudulent claimants multiplied by 32, the estimated average length of time a claim to benefit would have lasted had the fraud not been detected.

  Benefit Fraud (Bolton)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the level of benefit fraud in the Bolton area; and what targets have been set for the anti-fraud team in Bolton. [97908]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefits Agency (BA) does not keep details of the levels of benefit fraud for specific towns. However, a programme of Area Benefit Reviews (ABRs) are undertaken to measure incidence and customer fraud and error in Income Support (IS) and Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)(IB).
  559
  Figures for Greater Manchester, the Area Directorate in which Bolton is situated, indicate that the extent of fraud and customer error is around 10.1 per cent. of IS and JSA (IB) programme expenditure.

  We outlined our strategy for tackling fraud and error within the system in "Safeguarding Social Security". A copy of this is available in the Library.

  Teams situated in all Area Directorates will be working towards achieving the target and their progress will be measured by a set of Programme Protection Indicators, which will inform whether resources and activities are being targeted efficiently.

  Local Authorities have different monetary targets in the form of weekly savings for Housing and Council Tax Benefits. For 1999–2000, Bolton Borough Council's target is to save £688,019 through securer, more accurate benefit payments and investigating cases of alleged fraud.

  Disability Living Allowance (West Midlands)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the West Midlands are currently on the waiting list for the consideration of appeals against unsuccessful claims for disability living allowance; and if he will make a statement. [97801]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  Numbers of children living in households in the bottom three deciles of the income distribution by characteristics of family type and economic status in Great Britain

  Million

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Bottom decile

  Second decile

  Third decile

  Bottom decile

  Second decile

  Third decile

  Total children by characteristic

  1997–98

  Including self-employed

  Two parents

  1.2

  1.0

  0.9

  1.1

  0.9

  1.0

  9.9

  One parent

  0.5

  0.8

  0.6

  0.5

  1.1

  0.4

  2.9

  Working parents

  0.8

  0.9

  1.0

  0.8

  0.7

  1.1

  10.0

  Non-working parents

  0.9

  1.0

  0.6

  0.9

  1.3

  0.4

  2.9

  Excluding self-employed

  Two parents

  0.9

  0.8

  0.8

  0.9

  0.8

  0.8

  8.3

  One parent

  0.5

  0.8

  0.6

  0.6

  1.0

  0.4

  2.9

  Working parents

  0.5

  0.7

  0.8

  0.5

  0.6

  0.9

  8.3

  Non-working parents

  0.9

  0.9

  0.5

  1.0

  1.2

  0.4

  2.9

  1996–97

  Including self-employed

  Two parents

  1.2

  1.0

  0.9

  1.2

  1.0

  0.9

  10.0

  One parent

  0.5

  0.9

  0.7

  0.5

  1.1

  0.5

  3.0

  Working parents

  0.7

  0.8

  0.9

  0.7

  0.7

  1.0

  9.7

  Non-working parents

  1.0

  1.1

  0.7

  1.0

  1.4

  0.5

  3.3

  Excluding self-employed

  Two parents

  1.0

  0.8

  0.7

  0.9

  0.8

  0.7

  8.4

  One parent

  0.5

  0.8

  0.6

  0.5

  1.1

  0.5

  2.9

  Working parents

  0.5

  0.6

  0.7

  0.4

  0.6

  0.8

  8.1

  Non-working parents

  1.0

  1.0

  0.6

  1.0

  1.3

  0.5

  3.2

  1995–96

  Including self-employed

  Two parents

  l.2

  0.9

  0.9

  1.2

  0.9

  0.9

  9.8

  One parent

  0.3

  0.8

  0.7

  0.4

  1.0

  0.6

  2.8

  Working parents

  0.7

  0.7

  0.9

  0.7

  0.6

  0.9

  9.5

  Non-working parents

  0.9

  1.0

  0.7

  0.9

  1.3

  0.6

  3.2

  560
  The number of Disability Living Allowance appeals awaiting hearing in the area handled by the Birmingham office of the Independent Tribunal Service/The Appeals Service (ITS/TAS) was 1,421 at the end of October 1999, the latest period for which figures are available. In addition the Disability Benefits Centre in the Midlands, which covers the West Midlands Area, has 70 cases being prepared for referral to the ITS/TAS.

  The Appeals Service remains committed to improving the service it offers to the users of its service and has put in place measures systematically to tackle its oldest cases while ensuring that waiting times for newer appeals are reduced. These measures have seen outstanding loads nationally (for all appeals) fall from 138,827 at the beginning of the current financial year to 68,850 at the end of September, the latest period for which national figures are available.

  Child Statistics
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children were living in households in each decile of income up to half average income for each year since the data were collected, broken down by(a) whether the children live in (i) one and (ii) two parent families and (b) by the economic status of the parents. [97912]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The information is in the tables.
  561

  Numbers of children living in households in the bottom three deciles of the income distribution by characteristics of family type and economic status in Great Britain

  Million

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Bottom decile

  Second decile

  Third decile

  Bottom decile

  Second decile

  Third decile

  Total children by characteristic

  Excluding self-employed

  Two parents

  1.0

  0.8

  0.7

  0.9

  0.7

  0.7

  8.1

  One parent

  0.3

  0.7

  0.7

  0.5

  0.9

  0.6

  2.8

  Working parents

  0.4

  0.5

  0.7

  0.4

  0.5

  0.7

  7.7

  Non-working parents

  1.0

  1.0

  0.6

  1.1

  1.2

  0.5

  3.2

  1994–95

  Including self-employed

  Two parents

  1.2

  1.0

  0.9

  1.2

  1.0

  0.9

  10.0

  One parent

  0.3

  0.7

  0.6

  0.4

  0.9

  0.6

  2.6

  Working parents

  0.7

  0.7

  0.9

  0.7

  0.6

  0.9

  9.7

  Non-working parents

  0.9

  1.0

  0.6

  0.8

  1.3

  0.6

  3.1

  Excluding self-employed

  Two parents

  0.9

  0.8

  0.7

  0.9

  0.8

  0.7

  8.3

  One parent

  0.3

  0.7

  0.5

  0.4

  0.9

  0.5

  2.6

  Working parents

  0.3

  0.6

  0.7

  0.4

  0.5

  0.7

  7.8

  Non-working parents

  1.0

  0.9

  0.6

  0.9

  1.2

  0.5

  3.0

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey

  Numbers of children living in households in the bottom three deciles of the income distribution by characteristics of family type and economic status in the United Kingdom in 1979

  Million

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Bottom decile

  Second decile

  Third decile

  Bottom decile

  Second decile

  Third decile

  Total children by characteristic

  Including self-employed

  Two parents

  1.2

  1.1

  1.4

  1.2

  1.1

  1.6

  12.3

  One parent

  0.3

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  0.3

  0.2

  1.4

  Working parents

  0.7

  1.1

  1.6

  0.8

  1.1

  1.7

  12.4

  Non-working parents

  0.7

  0.4

  0.1

  0.7

  0.3

  0.2

  1.5

  Excluding self-employed

  Two parents

  0.9

  1.0

  1.3

  1.0

  1.0

  1.4

  11.1

  One parent

  0.3

  0.3

  0.2

  0.3

  0.3

  0.2

  1.4

  Working parents

  0.5

  1.0

  1.4

  0.5

  1.0

  1.5

  11.1

  Non-working parents

  0.8

  0.4

  0.1

  0.7

  0.3

  0.2

  1.5

  Notes:

  1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sets. The current series is based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS) and is available for years 1994–95 to 1997–98 and covers Great Britain but not Northern Ireland. Information is also provided for 1979 from the previous HBAI series which was based on the Family Expenditure Survey and covered the United Kingdom. The two series are not strictly comparable due to changes in definition.

  2. The figures presented will be subject to sampling error. Figures for children are sensitive to the choice of equivalence scale.

  3. Figures may not sum due to rounding. The results for children according to the number of parents in the family exclude a small number of children who live with pensioners. These children are included in the breakdown by economic type.

  4. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect The composition of the household). It is standard HBAI practice to give results for income both before and after housing costs, in order to allow for the effect of variations in housing costs between households. Results are also provided including and excluding the self-employed, reflecting the inherent uncertainty of income measures for the self-employed.

  5. Three deciles are shown because in 1997–98 the half average point After Housing Costs lies in the third decile. The Before Housing Costs half average in 1997–98 lies in the second decile. Results for the bottom decile should be treated with caution as evidence suggests that income data for these households may be subject to measurement error.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey

  Family Credit (Pensions)
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in receipt of family credit have(a) private and (b) occupational pension arrangements. [98023]
  562
  Angela Eagle
  It is estimated that around 1 in 10 working people in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit have a personal pension. Around 1 in 15 have an occupational pension.

  Earnings Top-up
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) single people and (b) couples with dependent children have received Earnings Top-up in each of the pilot areas. [98027]

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

  Single people in receipt of ETU between October 1996 and October 1999

  Pilot area

  Number of single recipients

  All areas

  44,037

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  7,192

  Barnsley, Castleford, Pontefract, Wakefield and Dewsbury

  4,258

  Southend

  1,587

  Wales

  5,808

  Sunderland

  11,695

  Doncaster

  6,915

  Bournemouth

  3,191

  Scotland

  3,391

  Notes:

  1. Earnings Top-Up was awarded to couples or single people without dependants.

  2. Figure is based on a 100 per cent. sample.

  3. Couples with dependent children were not eligible for Earnings Top-Up, but would have been able to claim Family Credit or, from 5 October 1999, Working Families Tax Credit.

  Source:

  Earnings Top-Up Monthly Statistics, October 1999.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97413]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  The Department of Social Security expenditure on consultants for each of the last four financial years

  £ million

  Year

  Expenditure

  1995–96

  28.3

  1996–97

  23.3

  1997–98

  19.9

  1998–99

  27.2

  Note:

  Figures rounded to the nearest 100,000.

  Pensioners
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress he is making towards co-ordinating departmental policy towards financial support for pensioners. [96800]

  Mr. Rooker
  In June 1998, the Prime Minister set up the Inter-Ministerial Group for Older People to make sure that the needs of older people are better understood and that action to help them is effectively co-ordinated across Government. The Group meets regularly to discuss and synchronize our programme of help for older people. The 564
  Group has already undertaken an audit of cross government initiatives to identify those that effect older people.

  At present, the Group is focusing on three key areas—productive ageing, health and care and consultation and involvement.

  As part of the consultation process, members of the Inter-Ministerial Group are taking part in a series of "listening to older people" events. These are being organised with non-governmental organisations supporting the UN Year of Older Persons.

  The listening events, alongside other research the Group has commissioned, will provide information and feedback that will be invaluable in deciding priorities and helping shape the Government's policies to meet them.

  Minimum Income Guarantee (Pensioners)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the proposed new measures to trace pensioners entitled to the minimum income guarantee will be introduced; and for what reason the measures were not taken in April. [97510]

  Mr. Rooker
  The national programme to encourage pensioners to claim their entitlement is being developed to take account of results from the large scale evaluation of the Pilot take-up initiatives which will be published later this year. We will present our plans for the national programme in due course.

  Benefits Uprating
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the new rates of benefit proposed from April 2000. [98350]

  Mr. Darling
  The information requested is set out in the schedule. The Annual uprating of benefits will take place in the first full week of the tax year. In 2000, this will be the week beginning 10 April. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to introduce similar changes for Northern Ireland.

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Attendance Allowance:

  higher rate

  52.95

  53.55

  lower rate

  35.40

  35.80

  Child Benefit:

  only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (couple)

  14.40

  15.00

  only, elder or eldest for whom child benefit is payable (lone parent)

  17.10

  17.55

  each subsequent child

  9.60

  10.00

  Child's Special Allowance:

  see note on Child Dependency Increase

  11.35

  11.35

  Council Tax Benefit:

  Personal allowances single

  18 to 24

  40.70

  41.35

  25 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  565

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  lone parent—18 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  couple—one or both over 18

  80.65

  81.95

  Dependent Children

  from birth to September following 16th birthday

  25.90

  26.60

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.95

  31.75

  Premiums

  family

  13.90

  14.25

  family (lone parent rate)

  22.05

  22.20

  pensioner

  single

  23.60

  26.25

  couple

  35.95

  40.00

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  25.90

  28.65

  couple

  39.20

  43.40

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  30.85

  33.85

  couple

  44.65

  49.10

  disability

  single

  21.90

  22.25

  couple

  31.25

  31.75

  severe disability

  single

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (one qualifies)

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (both qualify)

  79.50

  80.40

  disabled child

  21.90

  22.25

  carer

  13.95

  14.15

  Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital

  higher rate

  16.70

  16.90

  lower rate

  13.35

  13.50

  Non-dependant deductions aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  gross income: £259 or more

  6.50

  6.95

  gross income: £207 - £258.99

  5.40

  5.80

  gross income: £120 - £206.99

  4.30

  4.60

  gross income less than £120

  2.15

  2.30

  others, aged 18 or over

  2.20

  2.30

  Alternative maximum Council Tax Benefit second adult on IS or JSA (ib)

  25% of Council Tax

  second adult's gross income:

  15% of Council Tax

  under £120

  £120 to £156.99

  7.5% of Council Tax

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  566

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Earnings disregards where disability premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  various specified employments

  15.00

  15.00

  lone parent

  25.00

  25.00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10.00

  10.00

  single claimant

  5.00

  5.00

  where carer premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  childcare charges

  70.00

  70.00

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  105.00

  105.00

  Other income disregards maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus

  50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  30 Hr Adult Allowance in DPTC

  11.05

  11.25

  30 Hr Adult Credit in WFTC

  11.05

  11.25

  Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Dependency Increases:

  Adult Dependency Increases For spouse or person looking after children, with; retirement pension on own insurance, long term incapacity benefit, unemployability supplement

  39.95

  40.40

  severe disablement allowance

  23.95

  24.20

  invalid care allowance

  23.90

  24.15

  short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over pension age

  38.40

  38.80

  maternity allowance/short-term incapacity benefit

  31.15

  31.50

  Child dependency increases, with; retirement pension, widows benefit, short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate & long term incapacity benefit, invalid care allowance severe disablement allowance, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over pension age1

  11.35

  11.35

  Disability Living Allowance:

  Care Component

  Highest

  52.95

  53.55

  Middle

  35.40

  35.80

  Lowest

  14.05

  14.20

  Mobility Component

  Higher

  37.00

  37.40

  Lower

  14.05

  14.20

  Earnings Rules

  Invalid Care Allowance

  50.00

  50.00

  Limit of earnings from councillor's allowance

  49.50

  50.00

  Therapeutic earnings limit

  58.00

  58.50

  567

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Industrial injuries unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)

  3,016.00

  3,042.00

  War pensioners' unemployability supplement permitted earnings level (annual amount)

  3,016.00

  3,042.00

  Adult dependency increases with short-term incap. benefit where claimant is

  (a) under pension age

  31.15

  31.50

  (b) over pension age

  38.40

  38.80

  maternity allowance

  31.15

  31.50

  retirement pension, long-term incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, unemployability supplement where dependant

  (a) is living with claimant

  51.40

  52.50

  (b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule

  45.09

  45.09

  retirement pension, long-term incap benefit and unemployability supplement where dependant not living with claimant

  39.95

  40.40

  severe disablement allowance where dependant not living with claimant

  23.95

  24.20

  invalid care allowance

  23.90

  24.15

  Child dependency increases level at which CDIs are affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner for first child

  145.00

  145.00

  for each subsequent child

  19.00

  19.00

  Guardian's Allowance

  11.35

  11.35

  see note on Child Dependency Increase

  Hospital Downrating

  20% rate

  13.35

  13.50

  40% rate

  26.70

  27.00

  Housing Benefit

  Personal allowances single

  16 to 24

  40.70

  41.35

  25 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  lone parent

  under 18

  40.70

  41.35

  18 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  couple

  both under 18

  61.35

  62.35

  one or both over 18

  80.65

  81.95

  dependent children

  from birth to September following 16th birthday

  25.90

  26.60

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.95

  31.75

  Premiums

  family

  13.90

  14.25

  family (lone parent rate)

  22.05

  22.20

  568

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  pensioner

  single

  23.60

  26.25

  couple

  35.95

  40.00

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  25.90

  28.65

  couple

  39.20

  43.40

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  30.85

  33.85

  couple

  44.65

  49.10

  disability

  single

  21.90

  22.25

  couple

  31.25

  31.75

  severe disability

  single

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (one qualifies)

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (both qualify)

  79.50

  80.40

  disabled child

  21.90

  22.25

  carer

  13.95

  14.15

  Allowance for personal expenses for claimants in hospital

  higher rate

  16.70

  16.90

  lower rate

  13.35

  13.50

  Non-dependant deductions rent rebates and allowances aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or gross income less than £81.00 aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  7.20

  7.40

  gross income: less than £81.00

  7.20

  7.40

  gross income: £81 to £117.99

  16.50

  17.00

  gross income: £118 to £154.99

  22.65

  23.35

  gross income: £155 to £203.99

  37.10

  38.20

  gross income: £204.00 to £254.99

  42.25

  43.50

  gross income: £255.00 and above

  46.35

  47.75

  Service charges for fuel

  heating

  9.25

  9.25

  hot water

  1.15

  1.15

  lighting

  0.80

  0.80

  cooking

  1.15

  1.15

  Amount ineligible for meals three or more meals a day single claimant

  18.35

  18.65

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  18.35

  18.65

  each child under 16

  9.25

  9.40

  less than three meals a day single claimant

  12.20

  12.40

  each person in family aged 16 or over

  12.20

  12.40

  each child under 16

  6.15

  6.25

  breakfast only—claimant and each member of family

  2.20

  2.25

  Capital

  upper limit

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit for perm. res. of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amt disregarded for perm. res. of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  569

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Earnings disregards where disability premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  various specified employments

  15.00

  15.00

  lone parent

  25.00

  25.00

  where the claimant has a partner

  10.00

  10.00

  single claimant

  5.00

  5.00

  where carer premium awarded

  15.00

  15.00

  childcare charges

  70.00

  70.00

  childcare charges (2 or more children)

  105.00

  105.00

  Other income disregards maintenance disregard

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  certain voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus

  50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  30 Hr Adult Allowance in DPTC

  11.05

  11.25

  30 Hr Adult Credit in WFTC

  11.05

  11.25

  Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Incapacity Benefit

  Long-term Incapacity Benefit

  66.75

  67.50

  Short-term Incapacity Benefit (under pension age)

  lower rate

  50.35

  50.90

  higher rate

  59.55

  60.20

  Short-term Incapacity Benefit (over pension age)

  lower rate

  64.05

  64.75

  higher rate

  66.75

  67.50

  Increase of Long-term Incapacity Benefit for age

  higher rate

  14.05

  14.20

  lower rate

  7.05

  7.10

  Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)

  higher rate

  14.05

  14.20

  middle rate

  8.90

  9.00

  lower rate

  4.45

  4.50

  Income Support

  Personal Allowances single

  under 18—usual rate

  30.95

  31.45

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  40.70

  41.35

  18 to 24

  40.70

  41.35

  25 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  lone parent

  under 18—usual rate

  30.95

  31.45

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  40.70

  41.35

  18 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  couple

  both under 18

  61.35

  62.35

  one or both 18 or over

  80.65

  81.95

  570

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  dependent children

  birth to September following 16th birthday

  25.90

  26.60

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.95

  31.75

  Residential Allowance

  except Greater London

  59.40

  61.30

  Greater London

  66.10

  68.20

  Premiums

  family

  13.90

  14.25

  family (lone parent rate)

  15.75

  15.90

  pensioner

  single

  23.60

  26.25

  couple

  35.95

  40.00

  pensioner (enhanced)

  single

  25.90

  28.65

  couple

  39.20

  43.40

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  30.85

  33.85

  couple

  44.65

  49.10

  disability

  single

  21.90

  22.25

  couple

  31.25

  31.75

  severe disability

  single

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (one qualifies)

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (both qualify)

  79.50

  80.40

  disabled child

  21.90

  22.25

  carer

  13.95

  14.15

  Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes:

  old age

  218.00

  221.00

  very dependent elderly

  252.00

  256.00

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  230.00

  234.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  230.00

  234.00

  mental handicap

  262.00

  266.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  298.00

  303.00

  (b) (over pension age)

  218.00

  221.00

  others

  218.00

  221.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  45.00

  46.00

  nursing homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  326.00

  331.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  326.00

  331.00

  mental handicap

  332.00

  337.00

  terminal illness

  325.00

  330.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  367.00

  373.00

  (b) (over pension age)

  325.00

  330.00

  others (including elderly)

  325.00

  330.00

  maximum Greater London increase

  50.00

  51.00

  Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation (Daily Rate)

  breakfast

  1.10

  1.10

  midday meal

  1.55

  1.55

  evening meal

  1.55

  1.55

  571

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes

  personal expenses

  14.75

  15.45

  dependent children

  (a) under 11

  6.05

  6.15

  (b) 11 to 15

  8.85

  9.00

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.25

  10.40

  (d) age 18

  14.75

  15.00

  hospital

  higher rate

  16.70

  16.90

  lower rate

  13.35

  13.50

  Local authority (Pt III)

  accommodation

  66.75

  67.50

  of which, Personal Expenses

  14.75

  15.45

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in: the Polish home Ilford Park

  max amount for accommodation and meals

  367.00

  373.00

  personal expenses for claimant

  17.35

  17.35

  personal expenses for partner

  17.35

  17.35

  personal expenses for dep children

  (a) under 11

  6.05

  6.15

  (b) 11 to 15

  8.85

  9.00

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.25

  10.40

  (d)18

  15.55

  15.55

  Housing costs deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over, not in work or gross income less than £81.00

  7.20

  7.40

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work:

  gross income: £81 to £117.99

  16.50

  17.00

  gross income: £118 to £154.99

  22.65

  26.35

  gross income: £155 to £203.99

  37.10

  38.20

  gross income: £204.00 to £254.99

  42.25

  43.50

  gross income: £255.00 and above

  46.35

  47.75

  Deduction for direct payments arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default and

  2.60

  2.65

  deductions for child maintenance (standard)

  5.20

  5.30

  deductions for child maintenance (lower)

  2.60

  2.65

  Arrears of Community Charge court order against claimant

  2.60

  2.65

  court order against couple

  4.05

  4.10

  Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments ordinary overpayments

  7.80

  7.95

  where claimant convicted of fraud

  10.40

  10.40

  Reduction in benefit for strikers

  27.50

  28.00

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  8,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amt disregarded of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  572

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Tariff income £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  standard earnings

  5.00

  5.00

  couples earnings

  10.00

  10.00

  higher earnings

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders: disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus

  50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  Expenses for subtenants furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Industrial Death benefit

  Widow's pension

  higher rate

  66.75

  67.50

  lower rate

  20.03

  20.25

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Pension

  18 and over, or under 18 with dependants

  100%

  108.10

  109.30

  90%

  97.29

  98.37

  80%

  86.48

  87.44

  70%

  75.67

  76.51

  60%

  64.86

  65.58

  50%

  54.05

  54.65

  40%

  43.24

  43.72

  30%

  32.43

  34.79

  20%

  21.62

  21.86

  Under 18

  100%

  66.20

  66.95

  90%

  59.58

  60.26

  80%

  52.96

  53.56

  70%

  46.34

  46.87

  60%

  39.72

  40.17

  50%

  33.10

  33.48

  40%

  26.48

  26.78

  30%

  19.86

  20.09

  20%

  13.24

  13.39

  Maximum life gratuity (lump sum)

  7,180.00

  7,260.00

  Unemployability Supplement

  66.75

  67.50

  plus where appropriate an increase for early incapacity

  higher rate

  14.05

  14.20

  middle rate

  8.90

  9.00

  lower rate

  4.45

  4.50

  Maximum reduced earnings allowance

  43.24

  43.72

  Maximum retirement allowance

  10.81

  10.93

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  86.60

  87.60

  intermediate rate

  64.95

  65.70

  normal maximum rate

  43.30

  43.80

  part-time rate

  21.65

  21.90

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  43.30

  43.80

  573

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Invalid Care Allowance

  39.95

  40.40

  Jobseekers Allowance

  Contribution based JSA—pers. rates

  under 18

  30.95

  31.45

  18 to 24

  40.70

  41.35

  25 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  Income-based JSA—pers. allowances

  under 18

  30.95

  31.45

  18 to 24

  40.70

  41.35

  25 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  lone parent

  under 18—usual rate

  30.95

  31.45

  under 18—higher rate payable in specific circumstances

  40.70

  41.35

  18 or over

  51.40

  52.20

  couple

  both under 18

  30.95

  31.45

  both under 18, one disabled

  40.70

  41.35

  both under 18, with resp. for a child

  61.35

  62.35

  one under 18, one 18-24

  40.70

  41.35

  one under 18, one 25+

  51.40

  52.20

  both 18 or over

  80.65

  81.95

  dependent children from birth to September following 16th birthday

  25.90

  26.60

  from September following 16th birthday to day before 19th birthday

  30.95

  31.75

  Residential Allowance except Greater London

  59.40

  61.30

  Greater London

  66.10

  68.20

  Premiums

  family

  13.90

  14.25

  family (lone parent rate)

  15.75

  15.90

  pensioner

  single

  23.60

  26.25

  couple

  35.95

  40.00

  pensioner (enhanced)

  couple

  39.20

  43.40

  pensioner (higher)

  single

  30.85

  33.85

  couple

  44.65

  49.10

  disability

  single

  21.90

  22.25

  couple

  31.25

  31.75

  severe disability

  single

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (one qualifies)

  39.75

  40.20

  couple (both qualify)

  79.50

  80.40

  disabled child

  21.90

  22.25

  carer

  13.95

  14.15

  Maximum amounts for accommodation and meals in residential care homes:

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  230.00

  234.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  230.00

  234.00

  mental handicap

  262.00

  266.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  298.00

  303.00

  others

  218.00

  221.00

  maximum Greater London

  increase

  45.00

  46.00

  574

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  nursing homes

  mental disorder (not handicap)

  326.00

  331.00

  drug/alcohol dependence

  326.00

  331.00

  mental handicap

  332.00

  337.00

  terminal illness

  325.00

  330.00

  physical disablement

  (a) (under pension age)

  367.00

  373.00

  others (including elderly)

  325.00

  330.00

  maximum Greater London

  increase

  50.00

  51.00

  Amounts for meals where these cannot be purchased within the accommodation: (Daily Rate)

  breakfast

  1.10

  1.10

  midday meal

  1.55

  1.55

  evening meal

  1.55

  1.55

  Allowances for personal expenses for claimants in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes:

  personal expenses

  14.75

  15.45

  dependent children

  (a) under 11

  6.05

  6.15

  (b) 11 to 15

  8.85

  9.00

  (c) 16 to 17

  10.25

  10.40

  (d) age 18

  14.75

  15.00

  hospital

  higher rate

  16.70

  16.90

  lower rate

  13.35

  13.50

  local authority (Pt III)

  accommodation

  66.75

  67.50

  of which, Personal Expenses

  14.75

  15.00

  Housing costs deduction for non-dependants aged 25 and over, in receipt of Income Support or income based Job Seekers Allowance aged 18 or over, not in remunerative work or gross income less than £81.00

  7.20

  7.40

  aged 18 or over and in remunerative work

  gross income: less than £81.00

  7.20

  7.40

  gross income: £81 to £117.99

  16.50

  17.00

  gross income: £118 to £154.99

  22.65

  23.35

  gross income: £155 to £203.99

  37.10

  38.20

  gross income: £204.00 to £254.99

  42.25

  43.50

  gross income: £255.00 and above

  46.35

  47.75

  Deduction for direct payments

  Deductions from JSA (IB) arrears of housing, fuel and water costs council tax and fines default, and

  2.60

  2.65

  Deductions for Child Maintenance

  deductions for child maintenance (standard)

  5.20

  5.30

  deductions for child maintenance (lower)

  2.60

  2.65

  Arrears of Community Charge

  court order against claimant

  2.60

  2.65

  court order against couple

  4.05

  4.10

  Deductions from JSA (Cont.)

  Arrears of Comm. Charge, Council Tax, fines & overpayment recovery

  Age 16-17

  10.31

  10.48

  Age 18-24

  13.56

  13.78

  Age 25+

  17.13

  17.40

  575

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Maximum deduction for arrears of Child Supp. Maintenance

  Age 16-17

  10.31

  10.48

  Age 18-24

  13.56

  13.78

  Age 25+

  17.13

  17.40

  Maximum rates for recovery of overpayments in JSA (ib)

  ordinary overpayments

  7.80

  7.95

  where claimant convicted of fraud

  10.40

  10.40

  Reduction in benefit for strikers

  27.50

  28.00

  Capital

  upper limit

  8,000.00

  8,000.00

  amount disregarded

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  child's limit

  3,000.00

  3,000.00

  upper limit of RC/NH

  16,000.00

  16,000.00

  amt disregarded of RC/NH

  10,000.00

  10,000.00

  Tariff income

  £1 for every complete £250 or part thereof between amount of capital disregarded and capital upper limit

  Disregards

  standard earnings

  5.00

  5.00

  couples earnings

  10.00

  10.00

  higher earnings

  15.00

  15.00

  war disablement pension and war widow's pension

  10.00

  10.00

  voluntary and charitable payments

  20.00

  20.00

  student loan

  10.00

  10.00

  student's covenanted income

  5.00

  5.00

  income from boarders:

  disregard the fixed amount (£20) plus 50% of the balance of the charge

  20.00

  20.00

  Expenses for subtenants

  furnished or unfurnished

  4.00

  4.00

  where heating is included, additional

  9.25

  9.25

  Maternity Allowance

  Lower rate

  51.70

  52.25

  Higher rate

  59.55

  60.20

  New standard rate

  0.00

  60.20

  MA threshold

  0.00

  30.00

  Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis, and Miscellaneous Diseases Scheme and the Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation)

  Total disablement allowance and major incapacity allowance (maximum)

  108.10

  109.30

  Partial disablement allowance

  39.95

  40.40

  Unemployability supplement

  66.70

  67.50

  plus where appropriate increases for early incapacity

  higher rate

  14.05

  14.20

  middle rate

  8.90

  9.00

  lower rate

  4.45

  4.50

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  86.60

  87.60

  intermediate rate

  64.95

  65.70

  normal maximum rate

  43.30

  43.80

  part-time rate

  21.65

  21.90

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  43.30

  43.80

  Lesser incapacity allowance

  maximum rate of allowance

  39.95

  40.40

  based on loss of earnings over

  52.95

  53.55

  576

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Retirement Pension

  Category A or B

  66.75

  67.50

  Category B (lower)—husband's insurance

  39.95

  40.40

  Category C or D—non-contributory

  39.95

  40.40

  Category C (lower)—non-contributory

  23.90

  24.15

  Additional pension

  Increase by:

  1.1%

  Increments to:-

  Basic & additional pensions

  Increase by:

  Contracted out deductions (CODs) (Pre April 1988 earnings)

  1.1%

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB)

  Increments to CODs

  (April 1988–April 1996 earnings)

  Additional increase

  Nil

  0.2% to that paid

  (3.0% paid by schemes)

  by schemes

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (unit)(pence)

  8.67

  8.77

  Graduated Retirement Benefit (Inherited)

  Increase by: 1.1%

  Addition at age 80

  0.25

  0.25

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  Basic rate

  40.35

  40.80

  Age-related addition (from December 1990)

  Higher rate

  14.05

  14.20

  Middle rate

  8.90

  9.00

  Lower rate

  4.45

  4.50

  Statutory Maternity Pay

  Earnings threshold

  66.00

  67.00

  Lower rate

  59.55

  60.20

  Statutory Sick Pay

  Earnings threshold

  66.00

  67.00

  Standard rate

  59.55

  60.20

  War Pensions

  Disablement Pension (100% rates)

  officer (£ per annum)

  5,985.00

  6,053.00

  other ranks

  114.70

  116.00

  Age allowances

  40–50%

  7.65

  7.75

  over 50% but not over 70%

  11.80

  11.95

  over 70% but not over 90%

  16.80

  17.00

  over 90%

  23.60

  23.90

  Disablement gratuity

  specified minor injury (minimum)

  730.00

  738.00

  specified minor injury (maximum)

  5,453.00

  5,513.00

  unspecified minor injury (minimum)

  303.00

  306.00

  unspecified minor injury (maximum)

  7,091.00

  7,169.00

  577

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Unemployability allowance

  personal

  70.85

  71.65

  adult dependency increase

  39.95

  40.40

  increase for first child

  (See note on Child Dependency Increase)

  9.90

  9.85

  increase for subsequent children

  (See note on Child Dependency Increase)

  11.35

  11.35

  Invalidity allowance

  higher rate

  14.05

  14.20

  middle rate

  8.90

  9.00

  lower rate

  4.45

  4.50

  Constant attendance allowance

  exceptional rate

  86.60

  87.60

  intermediate rate

  64.95

  65.70

  normal maximum rate

  43.30

  43.80

  part-time rate

  21.65

  21.90

  Comforts allowance

  higher rate

  18.60

  18.80

  lower rate

  9.30

  9.40

  Mobility supplement

  41.25

  41.70

  Allowance for lowered standard of occupation (maximum)

  43.24

  43.72

  Exceptionally severe disablement allowance

  43.30

  43.80

  Severe disablement occupational allowance

  21.65

  21.90

  Clothing allowance (£ per annum)

  147.00

  149.00

  Education allowance (£ per annum, maximum)

  120.00

  120.00

  War widow's pension (further details in schedule WWP)

  Widow (private)

  86.60

  87.55

  Widow (NCO)

  86.90

  87.55

  Widow—Officer (£ per annum, maximum)

  5,356.00

  5,415.00

  Childless widow u-40 (private)

  20.03

  20.25

  Childless widow (NCO)

  20.33

  20.55

  Childless widow (Officer maximum £ per annum)

  5,356.00

  5,415.00

  Supplementary Pension

  56.45

  57.07

  age allowance

  (a) age 65 to 69

  9.90

  10.00

  (b) age 70 to 79

  19.00

  19.20

  (c) age 80 and over

  28.30

  28.60

  children's allowance increase for first child (See note on Child Dependency Increase)

  14.35

  14.35

  increase for subsequent children (See note on Child Dependency Increase)

  15.80

  15.85

  Orphan's pension

  increase for first child (See note on Child Dependency Increase)

  16.20

  16.20

  increase for subsequent children (See note on Child Dependency Increase)

  17.65

  17.70

  Unmarried dependant living as spouse (max)

  84.55

  85.50

  Rent allowance (maximum)

  32.75

  33.10

  578

  Social Security Benefit Rates (Weekly rates unless otherwise shown)

  Rates 1999

  Rates 2000

  Adult orphan's pension (maximum)

  66.75

  67.50

  Widower's pension

  private (maximum)

  86.60

  87.55

  officer (£ per annum, maximum)

  5,356.00

  5,415.00

  Widow's Benefit

  Widow's payment (lump sum)

  1,000.00

  1,000.00

  Widowed mother's allowance

  66.75

  67.50

  Widow's pension

  standard rate

  66.75

  67.50

  age-related3

  age 54 (49)

  62.08

  62.78

  53 (48)

  57.41

  58.05

  52 (47)

  52.73

  53.33

  51 (46)

  48.06

  48.60

  50 (45)

  43.39

  43.88

  49 (44)

  38.72

  39.15

  48 (43)

  34.04

  34.43

  47 (42)

  29.37

  29.70

  46 (41)

  24.70

  24.98

  45 (40)

  20.03

  20.25

  1 NB—The Overlapping Benefits Regulations provide for the rate of child dependency increases, guardian's allowance and child special allowance to be adjusted where the increase or allowance is payable for the eldest eligible child for whom ChB is also payable. The weekly rate of the increase or allowance is reduced by the differential (less the £3.50 from April 2000) between the rate of ChB payable for the oldest eligible child and that payable for a subsequent child.

  2 Includes £2.50 increase from 9 November 1998.

  3 For deaths occurring before 11 April 1988 refer to age-points shown in brackets.

CABINET OFFICE

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has for consulting the public on future Government policy on drug misuse. [96786]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I can assure the hon. Member that the Government will continue to consult widely at both national and local level on drugs policy.

  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress is being made towards achieving the Government's targets on combating drug misuse. [96792]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Islwyn (Mr. Touhig) today,Official Report, column 1115.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress is being made in tackling the problem of drug taking among young people. [96796]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator set out the Government's objectives in his annual report and plan. £22.5 million has been made available over the next three years to assist schools to deliver effective drug education.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the current inquiries being undertaken by the Independent Commissioner for Public Appointments. [96787]

  Mr. Stringer
  In response to concerns raised with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, she is currently undertaking a scrutiny covering all aspects of the NHS appointments system. This will pay particular attention to the selection of politically active and politically nominated candidates.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in recruiting black and Asian people into senior civil service posts. [96789]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We have set targets in the Modernising Government White Paper that by the year 2004–05, 3.2 per cent. of the Senior Civil Service will be from ethnic minority backgrounds—double the current figure. We will report on the progress we have made against these targets next year.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on progress towards meeting targets for recruitment of ethnic minorities into the Civil Service. [96790]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Modernising Government White Paper firmly establishes our commitment to achieving diversity in the Civil Service.

  Departments will propose targets for ethnic minority recruitment by December 1999 and I will report on the progress next year.

  Modernising Government
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when progress has been made in improving liaison between Government services as set out in the "Modernising Government" White Paper. [96791]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government secure intranet now enables 35 Government Departments to securely exchange electronic communications.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what actions she has taken to implement the Government's White Paper on "Modernising Government". [96802]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The actions we are taking are contained in the Modernising Government Action Plan published in July.

  Government Policy (Presentation)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list her four most urgent priorities for the presentation of Government policy. [96793]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My priority is to work with colleagues to deliver our manifesto commitments.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what changes have been made in the Government's policy on genetically modified foods since 27 July; and if she will make a statement. [96794]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on genetically modified foods. [96801]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government's policy has not changed. Our primary role is that of balancing consumer choice with the protection of human health and the environment.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what meetings she has had since her appointment to discuss the Government's policy on genetically modified organisms. [96798]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have received representations from a number of outside organisations and I am in the process of meeting with them.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the costs of Government Special Advisers. [96795]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The estimated cost of Special Advisers in 1999–2000 is £3.9 million.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on her plans to reduce the time it takes Departments to reply to hon. Members' letters; and if she will publish a table showing the current performance of Departments. [96797]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are determined to improve their handling of correspondence from hon. Members. We have already set a new standard for replying to correspondence and are actively seeking out and promoting examples of good practice in correspondence handling across all Departments and agencies. A table detailing the performance of individual Departments was published by my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) in June.

  IT Strategy
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on progress made in developing and implementing a Government IT strategy. [96799]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We have made a commitment in the Modernising Government Action Plan to publish a corporate IT strategy for Government in March 2000. We will publish a number of framework policies for specific technologies during November and December, which will be incorporated in the strategy.

  Civil Service
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will set out the Government's policy on the neutrality of the civil service. [96803]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the right hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mrs. Bottomley) today,Official Report, column 1118.

  Ministerial Memoirs
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to change the Cabinet Office rules governing the publication of ministerial memoirs. [96804]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Ministerial Code requires Ministers to conform to the principles set out in the Radcliffe Report of 1976 if, after leaving office, they publish books drawing on their experience in government. The same principles have been applied by successive administrations and the Government have no plans to change them.

  Ecstasy
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what she is doing to warn young people about the dangers of ecstasy. [96805]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The UK Anti Drugs Co-ordinator is working with Departments to ensure that young people receive information on drugs appropriate to their age and experience throughout their school career and beyond. The Department of Health has contracted the Health Education Authority to deliver a national publicity campaign, which will include warning young people about the dangers of ecstasy.

  Biotechnology Presentation Group
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what instructions she has given to the biotechnology presentation group. [96806]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I chair the group, which comprises other ministerial colleagues, to discuss the presentation of Government policy on Biotechnology.

  E-commerce
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what role she plays in co-ordinating the working of different Government Departments in relation to e-commerce legislation in the UK and internationally. [96807]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I am responsible for the effective co-ordination and presentation of the full range of the Government's policies, including e-commerce. The Prime Minister has appointed an E-Envoy, based in the Cabinet Office. He will report to the E-Minister and myself.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime and Disorder Act 1998
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that 582
  police forces and local authorities use the powers available to them under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [97868]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The use of powers under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 is a matter for local authorities, the police and the courts. I am, however, keen to promote their full use where appropriate. Guidance has already been issued on all aspects of the Act, and last month my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, wrote to all local authority Chief Executives encouraging them to take proper advantage of the Act's new powers to deal with unruly and anti-social behaviour. This letter was copied to all Chief Officers of Police.

  Corruption (Illegal Drugs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of cases of corruption involving(a) police, (b) prison and (c) customs officers which have involved illegal drugs in each of the last five years. [97509]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is held centrally only on the number of police officers convicted of offences of corruption. The total for each of the last five years is shown in the table. The figures held centrally do not indicate those cases which involved drugs:

  Year

  Number

  1994

  2

  1995–96

  1

  1996–97

  5

  1997–98

  1

  1998–99

  2

  In the case of the Prison Service, centrally held records (which are not necessarily complete) show that since December 1993, two prison staff have been dismissed and one member of staff resigned, following allegations that they have been involved in supplying or procuring illegal drugs.

  I understand from Her Majesty's Customs and Excise that one officer resigned in 1996, one was dismissed this year and another officer is currently suspended following the investigation of cases of drug related corruption.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97424]

  Mr. Straw
  Expenditure on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years by my Department was as follows:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  10,200,000

  1996–97

  11,804,984

  1997–98

  7,627,016

  1998–99

  4,588,445

  Prison Management
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evaluation his Department's assessors made of the proposals for prison regimes of the separate bidders for the contract to manage HMP Doncaster; and if he will make a statement. [97728]

  Mr. Boateng
  The evaluation of the operational proposals was based on two Prison Service objectives:

  To protect the public by holding those committed by the courts in a safe, decent and healthy environment:

  to run a secure and orderly prison;

  to treat people fairly, openly and correctly in our work;

  to provide decent conditions of care; and

  to manage all resources effectively.

  To reduce crime by providing constructive regimes which address offending behaviour in custody and after release.

  Each of these two objectives is underpinned by more detailed criteria. Each bid was scored against these criteria and all exceeded the minimum operational requirements.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information relating to the competitive tendering process for the management of prison contracts is made publicly available; and if he will make a statement. [97732]

  Mr. Boateng
  In each competition for the management of a prison, invitations to tender are issued in which bidders are given guidance on what needs to be covered in their bids and how the competition thereafter will be run. These documents are publicly available.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs will be incurred, and who will be responsible for them, as a result of the transfer of the management of HMP Buckley Hall from Group 4 to the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [97735]

  Mr. Boateng
  The start up costs to the Prison Service identified in the bid for Buckley Hall are estimated to be £450,000. They will form part of the overall contract price.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to market-test prisons which fail to meet performance standards; and if he will make a statement. [97737]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service is developing the criteria to be used to identify which failing prisons should be market tested. I have asked them to report to me on this in January.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the bid evaluation documents relating to the competitive tendering process for(a) HMP Doncaster and (b) HMP Buckley Hall; and if he will make a statement. [97726]

  Mr. Boateng
  The bid evaluation documents for both Doncaster and Buckley Hall prisons contain commercially sensitive information and are treated as commercial in confidence; therefore, they cannot be published.
  584
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what overall evaluation his Department's assessors made of the separate bids for the contract to manage HMP Doncaster; and if he will make a statement; [97729]

  (2) what the criteria are for evaluating bids for the management of prisons; and if he will make a statement. [97730]

  Mr. Boateng
  Bids for the management of prisons are assessed on the criteria of deliverability, cost and quality. Deliverability is assessed in terms of financial robustness and operational effectiveness. Cost, expressed in terms of net present value, and quality are then considered. In evaluating proposals, assessors look for evidence that bidders have clear and feasible plans for meeting the requirements and that staff numbers and mix are compatible with the design and regime of the establishment.

  All the bids for the management of Doncaster prison, from the in-house bid team, Premier Prison Services and Group 4, were judged by the evaluation panel to exceed the minimum requirements.

  The marking system was based on the two Prison Service objectives and their five functions. Each function was broken down into sections, or secondary criteria, and a list of key criteria was devised for each section which sets out the main points to be addressed in order for the requirements to be met. Bidders' responses were marked on a scale of 0 to 6 according to the quality of their responses in how they met the requirements of each of the key criteria.

  Premier Prison Services' bid was assessed as best fulfilling these criteria to win the contract for Doncaster prison.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reason is for extending the period of new private prison contracts to 10 years from the previous limit of five years; and if he will make a statement. [97734]

  Mr. Boateng
  Bids were invited for 5 years and ten years. The ten year option offered better value for money for both Buckley Hall and Doncaster prisons.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results of HMP Doncaster and HMP Buckley Hall on key performance indicators in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [97727]

  Mr. Boateng
  The key performance indicator (KPI) results for Doncaster and Buckley Hall prisons are given in the tables. Figures are only available since April 1996.

  KPI results for overcrowding, cost per place and staff training are excluded from this analysis. The overcrowding KPI is formulated in terms of overall Prison Service capacity and population levels and is, therefore, not applicable to individual prisons. Cost per place figures for private prisons are not calculated on a basis comparable with the Prison Service KPI and private prisons are not required to provide information on staff training levels.
  585

  Her Majesty's Prison Doncaster

  KPI

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Escapes

  0

  0

  0

  Assault rate (percentage)

  20.5

  19.2

  19.7

  Average weekly purposeful activity hours

  24.0

  16.7

  17.0

  Positive mandatory drug tests (percentage)

  27.6

  22.8

  12.8

  Offending Behaviour Programmes (including sex offender programmes)

  0

  0

  0

  Prisoners on standard and enhanced regimes unlocked for at least 10 hours on weekdays?

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Her Majesty's Prison Buckley Hall

  KPI

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Escapes

  4

  1

  0

  Assault rate (percentage)

  4.7

  4.5

  2.9

  Average weekly purposeful activity hours

  28.5

  32.8

  26.6

  Positive mandatory drug tests (percentage)

  37.4

  38.7

  37.4

  Offending Behaviour Programmes (including sex offender programmes)

  0

  0

  0

  Prisoners on standard and enhanced regimes unlocked for at least 10 hours on weekdays?

  Yes

  Yes

  Yes

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information is considered commercially confidential by his Department in relation to the competitive tendering process for private prison contracts; and if he will make a statement. [97733]

  Mr. Boateng
  The bids made in the competition, in particular any financial information, are commercially confidential as is any subsequent documentation directly referring to the bids.

  When the contract or service level agreement is signed the details of the winning bid, including price, are put in the public domain.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the financial penalties which can be imposed on the managers of prisons are capped; and if he will make a statement. [97736]

  Mr. Boateng
  The contracts between the Prison Service and the private companies managing prisons all contain a cap on the penalties that can be imposed on the contractor. In the case of the successful bid for Doncaster prison, the cap is 5 per cent. of the annual contract value.

  Financial penalties can be imposed for three reasons:

  failure to meet performance measures in the contract, for which there is a cap of 5 per cent. of the contract price;

  failure to provide an available place for which 100 per cent. of the payment due is deducted; and

  doubling cells in excess of the permitted level for which there are different deductions in different contracts.

  The first type of penalty applies both to prisons built by the Prison Service and then contracted out, and to those designed, constructed, managed and financed by the contractor (DCMF). The second and third penalties apply only to DCMF contracts.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if(a) Ministers and (b) Prison Service managers can overrule the assessment of those evaluating the bids for contracts to manage prisons; and if he will make a statement. [97731]

  Mr. Boateng
  Bids are considered by an evaluation panel comprised of senior Prison Service managers. Recommendations of the panel are put to the Prison
  586
  Service Management Board, which may challenge or overrule these recommendations. The final decision rests with the Director General, to whom such decisions are delegated under the Prison Service Agency Framework Document.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to his Department to ring-fence funding for the recruitment of police officers; and if he will make a statement. [97739]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  For 2000–01, grant for this purpose will be paid, following a challenge fund exercise, using the provisions of the Appropriation Act 1999. The bidding guidance to forces will make it clear that, under the challenge fund, grant will be allocated on the basis that it will be used only for recruitment over and above the number forces would otherwise have recruited over the next three years.

  Crime Fighting Fund
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the new Crime Fighting Fund will be ring-fenced for(a) the recruitment of new police officers and (b) general front-line policing responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [97738]

  Mr. Straw
  Money will be made available through the Crime Fighting Fund to recruit 5,000 more police officers over and above the number forces would otherwise have recruited over the next three years commencing in April 2000. £35 million will be ring-fenced for this purpose in year 1 with further sums being made available in years 2 and 3. The money will be ring-fenced for front-line policing. It is standard practice for newly trained recruits to be put on uniformed patrol.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the Crime Fighting Fund will be distributed between police forces; and if he will make a statement. [97740]

  Mr. Straw
  Forces will be invited to submit bids to the Home Office for a share of the money. We are currently preparing guidance setting out the criteria which forces
  587
  will need to meet to benefit from the Fund. We will be discussing our proposals with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities before formally inviting bids from forces. I refer the hon. member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Ryedale (Mr. Greenway) on 4 November 1999, Official Report, column 298.

  Mounted Police
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police authorities in England and Wales use horse-mounted police officers as part of their regular complement. [98076]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Fourteen: Avon and Somerset, City of London, Cleveland, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Lancashire, Merseyside, Metropolitan, Northumbria, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Thames Valley and West Yorkshire.

  Staffordshire Police Force
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) police officers and (b) civilian staff were employed in Staffordshire Police Force in each year since 1979. [97767]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on police officer and civilian support staff strength is collected at the end of March and September. The figures for the period requested are set out in the table; all figures are for full-time equivalents.

  Total Officer Strength1

  Total Civilian Strength2

  1979

  1,978

  589

  1980

  2,051

  587

  1981

  2,096

  623

  1982

  2,086

  629

  1983

  2,080

  639

  1984

  2,090

  650

  1985

  2,066

  665

  1986

  2,087

  666

  1987

  2,113

  670

  1988

  2,135

  677

  1989

  2,164

  651

  1990

  2,187

  692

  1991

  2,217

  749

  1992

  2,176

  736

  1993

  2,179

  734

  1994

  2,208

  3—

  1995

  2,231

  749

  1996

  2,209

  754

  1997

  2,211

  763

  1998

  2,292

  866

  1999

  2,238

  1,044

  1 Figures are as at 31 March

  2 As at 31 December. Figures for 1995 onwards are as at 31 March

  3 Not available

  The powers of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to set police establishment levels for each force were removed under the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994. It is for the chief officer to determine staffing requirements within the overall resources available. This year, Staffordshire Police Authority has set a budget that will allow the force to spend up to £122.2 million—an increase of £3.3 million or 2.7 per cent. over 1998–99.
  588
  This increase, along with the two per cent. efficiency improvements that have been set, should be sufficient for the force to maintain levels of service.

  Future staffing levels are for the Chief Constable to determine within the overall resources available. However, the Government are making available additional resources, in a new ring-fenced Crime Fighting Fund, to enable the police to recruit 5,000 officers, over and above those that had otherwise planned to recruit over the next three years. Staffordshire Police will be able to apply for a share of this funding.

  Female Prisoners
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female prisoners are currently being held in United Kingdom jails; and what was the average proportion of sentence served by female prisoners in the most recent year for which figures are available. [97718]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of females held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on Friday 29 October was 3,405.

  The average proportion of sentence served on release for female prisoners released during 1998 was 53 per cent. This includes time served on remand.

  Information about prisons and prisoners in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the First Minister of the Scottish Executive and in Northern Ireland for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of(a) police officers and (b) civilian employees employed in the Hillingdon Division of the Metropolitan Police for the years 1993 to 1998 inclusive. [97616]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided the following information:

  Hillingdon Division

  Police

  Civil Staff

  1993–94

  1—

  106

  1994–95

  424

  119

  1995–96

  423

  122

  1996–97

  435

  120

  1997–98

  386

  100

  1998–99

  399

  109

  1 In 1994–95 Hillingdon Division was part of 6 Area. The Metropolitan Police District was then restructured into five Areas. 6 Area records of police officer deployment are no longer available.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were serving in the Barnet and Hertsmere division of the Metropolitan Police(a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) according to the most recent figures available. [97298]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is not available for 1 May 1997, but that information is held for 1 July 1997, when 277 police officers were serving in the Barnet and Hertsmere division.
  589
  Barnet and Hertsmere has now been combined with the Golders Green and West Hendon divisions within the Metropolitan Police. Information about police numbers for these three divisions is therefore now held as one. The number of police officers serving in Barnet Borough on 1 November 1999 was 681.

  Graffiti
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of the reparation orders made under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 were imposed in respect of offences relating to graffiti; and if he will make a statement; [97277]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the use of (a) reparation orders made by the courts under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and (b) reparation orders imposed in respect of offences relating to graffiti; and if he will make a statement. [97276]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Pilots of the reparation order under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 began in five areas in September 1998 and will run for 18 months. 829 reparation orders had been made in the pilot areas by the end of September 1999, the latest date for which figures are readily available. Information has not been collected centrally on the offences for which reparation orders have been imposed. However, the pilots are being evaluated by a team led by Sheffield University, one of whose reports is expected to analyse the relevant offences.

  Non-custodial Sentences
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a breakdown of the offences for which(a) anti-social behaviour orders, (b) sex offender orders, (c) parenting orders, (d) child safety orders, (e) reparation orders, (f) drug treatment and testing orders and (g) action plan orders, have been made to date under the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [97361]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The anti-social behaviour order, sex offender order and child safety order under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 are not criminal penalties. They are preventative in nature and are made on application, in the case of the anti-social behaviour order and sex offender order, to the magistrates' court acting in its civil capacity and, in the case of the child safety order, to the family proceedings court. However, breach of an anti-social behaviour order or sex offender order does constitute an offence.

  A parenting order can follow a parental school attendance conviction under the Education Act 1996, as well as offences by children and young people or the making of an anti-social behaviour order, sex offender order or child safety order in respect of them. Piloting began in nine areas in September 1998 and 122 orders had been made there in all proceedings by the end of September 1999.
  590
  Piloting of the drug treatment and testing order began in three areas in October 1998. 144 orders had been made there by the end of October 1999. The relevant offences included theft, burglary, possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, receiving and handling stolen goods, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, bail offences and driving offences.

  Piloting of the reparation order, in five areas, and of the action plan order, in four areas, began in September 1998. 829 reparation orders and 490 action plan orders had been made there by the end of September 1999. Information has not been collected centrally on the offences for which the orders have been imposed. However, the pilots are being evaluated by a team led by Sheffield University, one of whose reports is expected to analyse the relevant offences.

  Peacekeeping
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had concerning the implications for future British involvement in peacekeeping operations of ratification of the International Criminal Court. [97517]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 8 November 1999,Official Report, column 409.

  Police Manpower
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were(a) the total police strength, (b) the total number of officers available for ordinary duty and (c) the total number of constables for (i) each of the police forces in England and Wales and (ii) England and Wales as a whole on 31 March 1979 and on 31 March in each subsequent year to date. [97231]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 4 November 1999]: Information in the form requested is readily available only for the years 1991 to 1999. Tables containing this information have been placed in the Library. The figures in the tables exclude all secondments (including National Criminal Intelligence Service, National Crime Squad, Central Services and Inter-Force units).

  I will write to the hon. Member with information for the earlier years as soon as it is available.

  Vulnerable Witnesses
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued in respect of evidence in criminal trials from vulnerable witnesses in accordance with the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. [97374]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Explanatory notes were published to accompany the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. The Government intend to issue comprehensive guidance for the purpose of implementing
  591
  all the recommendations relating to vulnerable witnesses in the "Speaking up for Justice" report, including the measures in Part II of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. The Government's implementation programme for all these measures will he published shortly.

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement sections 40 and 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. [97371]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson) on 8 November 1999,Official Report, column 421.

  Probation Service (Computers)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has, at what cost, to upgrade the software used by the Probation Service; and if he will publish a detailed list of errors in and omissions from the specifications of the original software. [97549]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Probation Service uses a variety of software packages including e-mail, word processing, other office automation products and a national case management system. Because of plans to modernise both the Probation Service's structure and ways of working, and as new possibilities have arisen from recent technology, we have also decided to re-develop the national case management system. This work is in its planning stages and work to estimate likely costs has not been completed.

  The software has been subject to change and enhancements over the past few years. The rollout of the current version of the Case Management System is nearing completion. Bespoke software of any degree of complexity often contains some bugs, even after thorough testing. The list of outstanding faults on the Case Management System changes rapidly as the Home Office, Probation Services and the Contractor work together to reduce the number of errors. The error list falls under the definition of Confidential Information in the contract with our suppliers and, therefore, cannot be published.

  Corpus Juris
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) of 26 October 1999,Official Report, column 802, for what reason the information sought is not available. [97566]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Following the reply to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 26 October 1999,Official Report, column 802, it has come to my attention that Mireille Delmas-Marty, one of the authors of the corpus juris report, is chair of the Comité de Surveillance of OLAF (Office pour la Lutte Anti-Fraude).
  592
  However, in order to obtain further information about official European Community positions held, if any, it would be necessary to make inquiries of the European Commission, or of the individuals themselves. We have seen no need to make such inquiries, but it is of course open to the hon. Member to do so.

  Released Prisoners
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to require that(a) local authority social services and (b) local police are informed when prisoners with a record of convictions involving the sexual abuse of minors are released. [97969]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under existing arrangements, prison governors are required to inform local social services departments and the probation service in advance of the release of any prisoner who has been convicted of, or has been previously convicted of, any sexual or violent offence against children or young persons under the age of 18 years listed in Schedule One of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

  On the release of a prisoner who is required to register with the police under the Sex Offenders Act 1997, the prison informs the police for the area to which the prisoner is to be discharged, or, if this is uncertain, the police for the area of the prison establishment.

  The Prison Service will be undertaking shortly a comprehensive review of its current procedures for informing other agencies of the release of prisoners, to ensure that it is able to fully support other agencies in their responsibilities for managing the risk that certain prisoners may pose to the public on release from prison.

  Stop and Search
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken to implement Recommendation 63, regarding stop and search provisions, in the Macpherson report. [97810]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary published his Action Plan in March as the Government's response to the Macpherson Report. On the report's recommendations on stop and search, the Action Plan said that pilot projects would be established to test the practical implications of Recommendation 61 of the report (that all "stops" and "stops and searches" should be recorded and a copy of the record given to the person stopped). The Action Plan said that Recommendation 63 (that Police Authorities be given the duty to undertake publicity campaigns to ensure that the public is aware of "stop and search" provisions) would need to be considered further in the light of the pilot projects.

  The Steering Group which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary chairs to oversee and audit the implementation of the Action Plan has approved proposals for the pilots (to be run in Hounslow and Greenwich in the Metropolitan Police Service, and in Leicestershire, West Yorkshire and Suffolk). Piloting will have begun on all sites by later this month and will run until the end of March 2000. Decisions will be taken on any new recording requirements and further consideration given to Recommendation 63 in the light of the evaluation of the pilot projects.

  Immigration and Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that illegal immigrants and bogus asylum seekers do not remain in the UK. [97891]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government have made clear their commitment to remove from the United Kingdom those persons who have entered illegally and those whose asylum claims have been refused and who do not otherwise qualify to remain.

  The Immigration Service has instituted a range of measures to achieve our commitment including the establishment of a specialist documentation unit to liaise with issuing authorities and the deployment of a dedicated absconder tracing team.

  The Immigration and Asylum Bill currently before Parliament contains further measures aimed at ensuring that those who have no lawful basis to remain here do not do so.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost in each of the last 10 years of(a) welfare benefits, (b) medical and (c) education for illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in the UK. [97890]

  Mrs. Roche
  This information is not available. For information about the amount paid in social security benefits to asylum seekers in the last six years, I refer to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, my hon. Friend the Member for City of York (Mr. Bayley) to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Liddington) on 2 November 1999,Official Report, columns 154-55.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the speedy clearing of the backlog of asylum applications. [97888]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Malins) on 1 November 1999,Official Report, column 58.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Portadown Attack
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Royal Ulster Constabulary officers comprised the inquiry team into the murder of Robert Hamill. [95357]

  Queen's University of Belfast

  University of Ulster

  Total

  Facility

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Science

  16

  49

  10

  50

  26

  49

  Social Science

  5

  15

  4

  20

  9

  17

  Humanities

  4

  12

  3

  15

  7

  13

  Bursaries

  18

  24

  3

  15

  11

  21

  Total

  33

  100

  20

  100

  53

  100

  1 Only four awards allocated by Queen's University of Belfast

  594
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: The RUC have advised that the size of the team investigating the murder of Robert Hamill varied as the investigation necessitated. It consisted of up to 28 officers, with appropriate supporting staff.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hours elapsed between the assaults on Robert Hamill and Gregory Girvan in Portadown town centre on 27 April 1997 and the attendance of Royal Ulster Constabulary scenes of crime officers at the location of the attack. [95355]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: The RUC have advised that Scenes of Crime Officers were at the scene of the incident eight hours after the assault, though there were other officers at the scene before then.

  Postgraduate Awards
  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of students enrolled in higher education institutions in(a) Derry and (b) Belfast benefit from Department of Education Northern Ireland awards for taught postgraduate study in computer science/I.T. [97031]

  Mr. McFall
  The Department of Education for Northern Ireland's awards for taught postgraduate study are tenable only at the Queen's University of Belfast and the University of Ulster. The 1999–2000 full-time postgraduate enrolment position in Londonderry and Belfast is as follows:

  Number of DENI taught postgraduate awards

  Higher education institution

  Number of post graduate students

  All areas

  Computer Science/IT

  Londonderry

  Magee College, University of Ulster

  327

  7

  2

  Belfast

  Queen's University

  1,899

  25

  9

  University of Ulster Jordanstown Campus

  595

  5

  2

  University of Ulster Belfast Campus

  60

  0

  0

  Mr. Hume
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportions of Department of Education Northern Ireland taught postgraduate awards are allocated to each subject area. [97032]

  Mr. McFall
  For the 1999–2000 academic year, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) made available to the University of Ulster (UU) and Queen's University of Belfast (QUB), by faculty, the following numbers of taught postgraduate awards:
  595
  The allocation of awards within each faculty is entirely a matter for each university. I am advised that awards were made for 1999–2000 as follows.

  1999–2000 Awards—Queen's University Belfast

  Facility

  Number

  Percentage

  Science

  Computer Science and Application

  5

  17

  Palaeoecology

  2

  7

  Applied Environmental Science

  1

  3.5

  Engineering Computation

  1

  3.5

  Manufacturing Systems Engineering

  2

  7

  Materials Science

  2

  7

  Occupational Psychology

  1

  3.5

  Opto Electronics and Optical Information Processing

  1

  3.5

  Polymer Engineering

  1

  3.5

  Social Science

  Town and Country Planning

  1

  3.5

  Political Theory

  1

  3.5

  Social Anthropology

  2

  7

  Criminal Justice Management

  1

  3.5

  Humanities

  English

  1

  3.5

  Philosophy

  2

  7

  Irish Studies

  1

  3.5

  Bursaries

  Diploma in Information Management

  4

  14

  Total

  29

  100

  1999–2000 Awards—University of Ulster

  Facility

  Number

  Percentage

  Science

  Engineering

  2

  10

  Toxicology

  1

  5

  Maritime Archaeology

  1

  5

  Geographic Information Systems

  1

  5

  Systems Information

  4

  20

  Food Biotechnology

  1

  5

  Social Science

  Applied Psychology

  1

  5

  International Business

  3

  15

  Humanities

  Irish History and Politics

  1

  5

  Peace and Conflict

  1

  5

  Irish Literature in English

  1

  5

  Bursaries

  Fine Art

  3

  15

  Total

  20

  100

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what languages other than English have been used in advertising designed to convey the Government's message about Year 2000 compliance to ethnic minority communities. [97279]

  Mr. Ingram
  Northern Ireland, like the rest of the United Kingdom, has relied on the publicity material produced by Action 2000 to convey the message about 596
  Year 2000 compliance. Government Departments in Northern Ireland have produced little or no publicity material about the Year 2000 compliance issue.

  Substance Abuse
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) statutory and (b) voluntary bodies there are in Northern Ireland which deal with substance abuse and rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement. [97455]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Department of Health and Social Services is aware of 17 statutory and 34 voluntary organisations working in this area. These figures exclude organisations the primary focus of which is not substance misuse but which nevertheless may encounter such problems in the course of their work.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money is spent per annum in Northern Ireland on substance abuse rehabilitation by(a) statutory and (b) voluntary bodies; and if he will make a statement. [97456]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, a 1999 report on reducing alcohol related harm in Northern Ireland estimated that annual expenditure by Health and Social Services Boards and HSS Trusts on alcohol addiction treatment services was £2.9 million. Similarly, a consultancy report, commissioned to inform the new "Drugs Strategy for Northern Ireland", estimated that Boards and Trusts spend £1.4 million annually on drug services.

  The Department of Health and Social Services awarded grants totalling almost £230,000 in 1998–99 to voluntary organisations involved in combating substance misuse.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what indicators are used by(a) statutory and (b) voluntary bodies in Northern Ireland to measure the success of programmes working with substance abuse and rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. George Howarth
  No common standards or indicators are in place to assess the effectiveness of substance abuse programmes undertaken by the many statutory and voluntary organisations engaged in tackling the problem. However, a number of organisations take steps to assess such programmes ranging from client questionnaires to multi-disciplinary team evaluations. Funding of voluntary organisations by Government Departments is conditional upon the outcome of a rigorous evaluation programme every three years.

  The new "Drug Strategy for Northern Ireland", published in August, sets out a series of objectives and outcomes in respect of four key areas. The Government will, in due course, publish specific plans as to how these objectives and outcomes will be met but organisations will be held accountable for progress through the drug structures and the action planning process. The new alcohol strategy due for publication in March 2000 will also include specific objectives and outcomes.
  597
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of co-operation there is between(a) statutory and (b) voluntary organisations working in Northern Ireland on substance misuse and rehabilitation programmes; and if he will make a statement. [97458]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Structures are in place to ensure co-operation both within and between the statutory and voluntary sectors to tackle substance misuse. The Central Co-ordinating Group for Action Against Drugs, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, comprises representative from Government Departments and their agencies, together with advisers from the police, Prison Service and Customs and Excise. Drug Co-ordination Teams exist in each Health and Social Services Board areas. These include representatives from a wide range of statutory and voluntary sector organisations, and are responsible for developing local action plans to address local needs.

  In addition, health professionals from each Health Board area work together on the Northern Ireland Committee on Drug Misuse. The Committee, which also includes voluntary sector representation, advises the Department on measures to combat the illicit drug problem.

  A Drug Information Exchange Group, under the auspices of the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, also provides a forum for co-operation and information sharing. A separate forum will be established shortly on alcohol misuse.

  Following a recent review of alcohol policy in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health and Social Services intends to publish a new strategy in March 2000. The strategy will include recommendations about structures to facilitate improved co-operation.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money is ring-fenced by local health boards in Northern Ireland for substance abuse rehabilitation schemes; and if he will make a statement. [97459]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, during 1999–2000, expected expenditure to be deployed on alcohol/addiction services by each Health and Social Services Board is set out in the following table:

  Expected spend on alcohol/addiction service in 1999–2000

  Health and Social Services Board

  £000

  Northern

  715

  Southern

  505

  Eastern

  1,400

  Western

  911

  Social Services Personnel
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the recorded assaults on social services personnel during the course of their work in each of the last two years for which figures are available. [97275]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information on recorded assaults on social services personnel is not collected centrally. However, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to 598
  the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 19 October 1999, Official Report, column 463.

  Prisoner Releases
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the offences for which prisoners released under the accelerated prisoner release scheme have been(a) arrested and (b) charged. [97704]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: Seven persons released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 have subsequently been arrested in connection with the following offences: grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm, assault, breach of the peace, affray, criminal damage, theft, handling stolen goods, armed robbery, possession of controlled substances, assault on police, and conspiracy to murder.

  Concerning the question of charges, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 November 1999, Official Report, column 134.

  New Buildings (Capital Expenditure)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what items of capital expenditure on new buildings for Government Departments in Northern Ireland are planned for the current and next three years(a) in the grounds of the Stormont Estate and (b) elsewhere in Belfast; and what is the estimated cost of each such building. [97779]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Whilst there are no plans for expenditure on new buildings, major works are planned for buildings in the government office estate as set out in the following table:

  £000

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Stormont Estate

  Castle Buildings

  1,403

  1,007

  —

  —

  Stormont Castle

  3,621

  3,281

  —

  —

  Dundonald House

  280

  875

  250

  1,000

  Belfast

  Churchill House

  1,225

  1,473

  —

  —

  Clarence Court

  366

  455

  180

  240

  Longbridge House

  883

  40

  —

  —

  Londonderry House

  350

  50

  350

  —

  McAuley House

  851

  —

  —

  —

  Newry SSO

  —

  1,000

  1,000

  —

  Hollywood Road SSO

  —

  1,500

  2,000

  —

  In the event of devolution it may be necessary to acquire or fit out premises to provide additional accommodation for the new Departmental structures.

  Prisoner Statistics
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons claiming affiliation to each terrorist organisation were in prison in Northern Ireland on(a) 1 January and (b) 1 November; and, of those remaining, how many he estimates will be in prison on 1 January 2000. [97824]
  599
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Information is held, for management purposes, in relation to the perceived paramilitary association of prisoners in HMP Maze, where links are clearly defined. Information for HMP Magilligan, HMP Maghaberry, and HM YOC is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Table A sets out the population of HMP Maze according to perceived paramilitary association at 1 January and 1 November 1999.

  Table B sets out the equivalent future estimate at 1 January 2000. Figures at 1 January do not take account of those who may benefit from any of the temporary release schemes currently operated by the NIPS.

  Table A (Maze)

  Affiliation

  1 January 1999

  1 November 1999

  REP/IRA

  103

  63

  INLA

  27

  15

  UVF

  57

  23

  LVF

  19

  14

  UDA

  58

  27

  Table B (Maze)

  Affiliation

  1 January 2000

  REP/IRA

  59

  INLA

  15

  UVF

  21

  LVF

  14

  UDA

  23

  Correspondence
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a copy of the reply received by his predecessor to her letter, with annexe, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Irish Republic, sent in the second week of July and deposited in the Library on 13 July. [97780]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The document deposited in the Library on 13 July was a draft letter from my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam), to the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs. This letter, with its associated annexe and in parallel with the domestic legislation which was at that time being considered by the House, was intended to give effect to the fail-safe arrangements envisaged under the Way Forward proposals set out by the British and Irish Governments on 2 July. In the event, those proposals were not implemented and the letter was not sent.

  Roadway Arches
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what level of public liability insurance indemnifying his Department against claims in respect of injury was required in each successful application for arches over roadways made to the road service in Northern Ireland under Article 73 of the Roads (NI) Order 1993 between 1 and 15 June; [97759]
  600
  (2) how many applications were made to the road service in Northern Ireland under Article 73 of the Roads (NI) Order 1993 between 1 and 15 June for arches over roadways; how many such applications were (a) refused and (b) granted; and if he will list them; [97758]

  (3) how many arches over roadways were erected between 1 and 15 June in respect of which no applications had been made to the road service in Northern Ireland under Article 73 of the Roads (NI) Order 1993; and what prosecutions have taken place for breach of Article 73 of the Roads (NI) Order 1993. [97760]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. Colin James. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from G. P. Fraser to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 9 November 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked our Chief Executive to respond to your three recently tabled Parliamentary Questions about the erection of arches over roads. In the absence of our Chief Executive, I am replying.
  First, as regards your question about public liability insurance, the Department of the Environment requires all successful applicants, who make requests to Roads Service to erect arches over roads under Article 73 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993, to have public liability insurance of £5M. This level of insurance is required regardless of when applications are made.
  Secondly, as to the number of such applications made to Roads Service between 1 and 15 June 1999, only one application was received. The application, which was for an arch at Main Street, Glenvay, was granted.
  Finally, Roads Service has no record of the number of arches that were erected over roads between 1 and 15 June 1999 for which no applications were made under Article 73 of the 1993 Order. No prosecutions have taken place for breaches of Article 73.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97426]

  Mr. Ingram
  The amount spent on external consultants and advisers by Northern Ireland Department and the Northern Ireland Office in each of the last four financial years is as follows:

  1995–96: £13,496,067

  1996–97: £10,781,752

  1997–98: £10,855,484

  1998–99: £11,290,736.

  Terrorist-related Offences
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1999,Official Report, column 135, concerning prisoners released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, what constitutes a terrorist-related offence; if such offences relate to crimes committed in (a) mainland Britain and (b) the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [97778]
  601
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: As I said in my original answer, the offences were all committed in Northern Ireland. They did not involve the use of violence for political ends, including any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear, and so I do not consider them to be terrorist related.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Highways (Spending)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the levels of spending on highways per head of population in(a) Staffordshire and (b) each other county of England (i) in the current year and (ii) in each of the last three years. [94012]

  Mr. Hill
  The tables showing capital and current spending figures for the current year and the last three years, where these are available, have been placed in the Library of the House. Both tables include Staffordshire.

  Driving Theory Test
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the driving theory test to promote greater understanding of the reasons for road traffic laws. [96639]

  Mr. Hill
  The test already addresses road traffic regulations. The question bank is reviewed annually, with new questions introduced to help ensure that learner drivers develop satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the theory of safe driving.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many accidents have been recorded so far in 1999 involving motorcycles; and how many of these were also recorded in the category signifying the presence of oil or diesel on the road surface at the site of the accident. [96973]

  Mr. Hill
  Data on the presence of oil or diesel on the road at the site of injury accidents involving motorcyclists have been collected for the first time this year. Early indications are that the number of accidents involving motorcycles where oil or diesel was present is a very small proportion of the overall motorcycle accident figure. Full data will be available when "Road Accidents Great Britain 1999" is published in September 2000.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many accidents have been recorded so far in 1999; and how many of these have been recorded in the category signifying the presence of oil and diesel on the road surface at the site of the accidents. [97099]

  Mr. Hill
  Data on the presence of oil or diesel on the road at the site of injury accidents have been collected for the first time this year. Early indications are that the number of accidents where oil or diesel was present is a602
  very small proportion of the overall accident figure. Full data will be available when "Road Accidents Great Britain 1999" is published in September 2000.

  Water Companies (Compulsory Purchases)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to grant an extension of time beyond an original deadline to a water company to permit submission of its statement of case and list of documents in relation to an application for compulsory purchase. [97542]

  Mr. Mullin
  Rule 19 of the Compulsory Purchase By Non-Ministerial Acquiring Authorities (Inquiry Procedure) Rules 1990 enables the Secretary of State to allow an extension of time when it is reasonable to do so.

  Railway Industry (Millennium Compliance)
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what reports he has received from Railtrack plc as regards their preparation for the year 2000 and the millennium bug; and if he will make a statement; [97272]

  (2) what reports the railway industry has submitted to him on end-to-end validation of its computer systems for the year 2000; and if he will place copies of such reports in the Library; [97301]

  (3) if Railtrack has reported to him on the completion of its end-to-end validation of its computer systems in respect of the year 2000 millennium bug; and if he will make a statement. [97300]

  Mr. Hill
  The railway industry, led by Railtrack, has for more than two years been undertaking a systematic programme of work aimed at ensuring the Year 2000 compliance of all systems needed for safety and business continuity.

  Millennium bug readiness in the railway industry, including Railtrack, has been independently assessed by the Health and Safety Executive's HM Railway Inspectorate in respect of safety critical systems, and by the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) in respect of business continuity systems.

  ORR has received regular reports from both Railtrack and the industry body, the Rail Millennium Programme Office (RMPO), on the compliance status of the industry. These reports cover the status of all elements of the compliance programme including cross-industry systems, supplier certification statements, and the remediation programme.

  Industry desk-top exercises have been conducted between Railtrack, train operators, London Underground and the British Transport Police to test working arrangements for the Millennium night whilst Railtrack have conducted Business Confidence Demonstrations to test the "rollover" of systems. ORR has attended as observer at selected desk-top exercises and is being advised on the outcome of the Business Confidence Demonstrations.

  My Department receives regular reports on progress made by the railway industry towards millennium compliance and the position is reported by ORR at meetings of the National Infrastructure Forum, organised

  603
  by Action 2000. At the National Infrastructure Forum on 20-21 October the overall assessment of rail safety critical systems and business continuity systems was 100 per cent. "blue" i.e. indicating that the assessment has identified no risk of material disruption. A copy of the ORR report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Emission Levels
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the consent levels are for emissions from the Edmonton and Lewisham incinerators for(a) carbon monoxide, (b) hydrogen chloride, (c) nitrogen dioxide, (d) particulates and (e) sulphur dioxide. [97448]

  Mr. Hill
  Both incinerators are authorised under Part I Environmental Protection Act 1990. The following table shows the emission limits for the substances requested for each plant.

  Substance

  The Edmonton incinerator (incinerators 1–5 and the clinical waste incinerator) Emission limit 95 per cent, hourly mean1 mg/m3

  The SELCHP (Lewisham) Municipal incinerator Emission limit 95 per cent, hourly mean1 mg/m3

  Carbon Monoxide

  100

  80

  Hydrogen Chloride

  30

  30

  Oxides of nitrogen2 expressed as NO2

  350

  350

  Particulates

  30

  20

  Sulphur Dioxide

  300

  80

  1 For continuous monitoring the limits will be considered to be complied with if, in any 24-hour period, 95 per cent, of hourly average results are within these limits and no individual hourly average is greater than 1.5 times the relevant limit. For the Edmonton plant the limits are also for a single test, whether carried out manually or by instruments.

  2 There is no specific limit for nitrogen dioxide. A condition is used to limit all Oxides of Nitrogen as if they were nitrogen dioxide.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many unauthorised emissions, by types and quantities, there have been from the(a) Edmonton and (b) Lewisham incinerators since January 1996; and if he will make a statement. [97449]

  Mr. Hill
  The following tables give a summary of the total number of reported unauthorised emissions by substances for each plant since 1996. Further details can be found on the public register.

  SELCHP (Lewisham) municipal incinerator

  Substance

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Total since 1996

  Hydrogen Chloride

  27

  63

  5

  3

  98

  Sulphur Dioxide

  —

  1

  3

  —

  4

  Particulate

  4

  2

  —

  —

  6

  Oxides of Nitrogen

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  Lime

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Total No.

  32

  66

  9

  4

  111

  604

  The Edmonton incinerator

  Substance

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Total since 1996

  Hydrogen Chloride

  2

  3

  3

  4

  12

  Sulphur Dioxide

  1

  3

  1

  —

  5

  Carbon Monoxide

  —

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Total No.

  3

  6

  4

  7

  20

  For both plants the releases would typically occur over a 2 to 4 hour period within a 24-hour reporting period.

  The Agency considered all the reported unauthorised emissions from the Lewisham plant and was satisfied that no serious effect to the environment or harm to human health occurred as a result of the breaches. Following the hydrogen chloride breaches in 1996 and 1997 at Lewisham, the operator installed new abatement equipment. This has resulted in a decline in breaches.

  The Agency has now required the use of a continuous monitor to control emissions from the Edmonton plant and prevent further breaches.

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions he plans to take following the judgment of the Divisional Court on 15 October in the case of Murtagh and Carter and Bromsgrove District Council concerning the licensing of private hire vehicles and cross boundary operation; and if he will make a statement. [97274]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department is aware of this case, which we understand may be subject to appeal; in the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment.

  Sewer Overflows
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue guidance to water companies regarding the provision of public warning notices at watercourses subject to contamination from combined sewer overflows. [97387]

  Mr. Mullin
  The provision of public warning notices at watercourses is a matter for local Public Health Authorities in consultation, as necessary, with the Environment Agency.

  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to deal with the contamination of watercourses by effluent from combined sewage overflows. [97388]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Secretary of State's guidance to the Director General of OFWAT on the environmental and quality requirements to be placed on the companies during the period from 2000–05, issued on 1 March, included proposals for a substantial programme of improvements to combined sewer overflows. Priority was given to tackling failures to meet mandatory water quality standards and to reducing aesthetic problems resulting from unsanitary and unsightly debris left when combined sewer overflows operate. The Director General will announce his determinations of price limits on 25 November.

  Rail Passenger Partnership Fund
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the funding available for the current financial year in respect of the Rail Passenger Partnership Fund. [97568]

  Mr. Hill
  £20 million has been made available for the current financial year in respect of the Rail Passenger Partnership fund and the Infrastructure Investment Fund.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will report on the progress of successful bids under the Rail Passenger Partnership Fund indicating in each case the location and amount granted. [97569]

  Mr. Hill
  A decision on the first group of bids for Rail Passenger Partnership funding is likely to be announced by the shadow Strategic Rail Authority towards the end of 1999 or early in the New Year.

  Caldon Low Line
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the eligibility of proposals to provide for the opportunity to retain an option of securing rail passenger services following the reopening of the Caldon Low line for freight. [97570]

  Mr. Hill
  To encourage investment in the rail passenger network we have provided the Franchising Director with £105 million of additional funding to be distributed over the next three years through the Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) scheme. Sponsors of new passenger services on the Caldon Low Line which are not self-supporting could be eligible to apply for RPP funding. The Franchising Director would consider bids against his "Planning Criteria" which require that they should be consistent with our Integrated Transport White Paper and represent value for money.

  Electoral Review (North Yorkshire County Council)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the Boundary Commission completes a review of North Yorkshire County Council Divisions in time for the May 2001 county council elections. [97551]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The independent Local Government Commission for England decides the timing of electoral reviews within its periodic electoral review programme having regard to the Government's plans for implementing the Commission's recommendations. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced our current plans on 27 July 1999,Official Report, column 356.

  On this basis the Commission has scheduled the review of North Yorkshire County Council divisions to begin in the financial year 2001–02, with a view to the review being implemented on the normal election day in 2005.

  Landfill Sites
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has undertaken into emissions from landfill sites. [97620]

  Mr. Hill
  DETR has commissioned two projects on estimating methane emissions from landfill sites, the first being "An estimate of methane emissions from UK landfill sites based on direct flux measurements at representative sites", published in November 1997. The results underpinned a second project to develop a methodology for estimating UK emissions from landfill and to offer projections to 2012, published in March 1999.

  Salisbury Transport Study
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was(a) the cost of the Salisbury Transport Study led by the Government Office of the South West and (b) the fee paid to its consultants W. S. Atkins. [97611]

  Mr. Hill
  The overall cost of the Study, which is due for completion March 2000, is estimated at £400,000, excluding VAT. The sum of fees paid to date to W. S. Atkins is £250,000.

  Road Workers (Deaths)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were killed in the last year for which figures are available while working on(a) road construction, (b) road repair and maintenance and (c) road cleaning. [97702]

  Mr. Meacher
  The number of fatal injuries to workers (employees and self-employed) reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 1998–99 is:

  (a) road construction—5

  (b) road repair and maintenance—1

  (c) road cleaning—0

  (These figures based on the HSE's provisional data for 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999).

  Driving Tests (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regional variations there are in the waiting times for driving tests and retests; and if he will make a statement. [97701]

  Mr. Hill
  Driving tests, including retests, can be obtained in the Driving Standards Agency's five operational areas as follows:

  5 weeks in Scotland: 6 weeks in Wales and Western England;

  6 weeks in Northern England; 5 weeks in Midlands and Eastern England, and 9 weeks in London and the South East.

  Local Authority Housing Stock
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which have disposed of their entire housing stock since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [97622]
  607
  Mr. Mullin
  Seventeen local authorities have disposed of their entire housing stock since 1 May 1997. Details are as follows:

  South Oxfordshire DC

  Eden DC

  LB Bexley

  Congleton DC

  Kerrier DC

  West Somerset DC

  Tewkesbury DC

  Rother DC

  West Devon BC

  South Somerset DC

  East Lindsey DC

  South Hams DC

  Telford and Wrekin DC

  Worthing DC

  Bath and North East Somerset Council

  Allerdale DC

  West Lindsey DC.

  Lorry Drivers' Dispute (Claims)
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if all eligible claims relating to the most recent French lorry drivers' dispute have been settled. [97652]

  Mr. Hill
  We understand that nearly all eligible claims arising from the French lorry drivers' dispute in 1996 have now been settled by the French authorities. Claimants are under no obligation to inform the Government of the outcome of their case and so precise details on settlements are not available. We continue to work with the French authorities to seek resolution of the handful of remaining cases.

  Planning Obligations
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the High Court decision in Jelson Ltd.v. Derby City Council for (a) the lawfulness of planning obligations requiring developers to transfer land to registered social landlords and the number of such planning obligations affected, (b) local planning authority practice and (c) Government guidance, with particular reference to Environment Circular 6/98 on affordable housing. [97754]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government do not comment on High Court Decisions.

  The Government's planning policy on affordable housing is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing and amplified in Circular 6/98: Planning and Affordable Housing. The policy aims to ensure that large new housing developments incorporate a reasonable mix and balance of house types and sizes to cater for a range of housing need. It enables local planning authorities to negotiate the inclusion of an element of affordable housing in suitable housing proposals.

  The policy is not affected by this decision, neither should local authority practice be affected, provided it is consistent with our policy.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average time taken by his Department to decide planning applications which have been called in in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what targets he has set on the length of time taken to determine such planning applications. [97910]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The average time taken to decide planning applications called in by the Secretary of State in the 12 months to the end of September 1999 was 27 weeks from the date of call-in. The Secretary of State aims to issue 80 per cent. of decisions within 13 weeks of receipt of the Inspector's report and 100 per cent. of decisions within 20 weeks.

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has (1) to increase the speed limit on motorways; [97946]

  (2) to reduce the speed limit in built-up residential areas. [97945]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department is currently reviewing speed management policy. The issue of speed limits for all types of road is being considered within the review which is due to report by the end of the year.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met leaders of the water industry; and what matters were discussed. [97902]

  Mr. Mullin
  Ministers of my Department meet water company representatives from time to time and discuss matters of mutual interest. Water UK, the industry association, has requested a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, which is being arranged.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of current levels of investment in the water industry. [97903]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Director General of Water Services publishes an annual "Report on the financial performance and capital investment of the water companies in England and Wales", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of Ofwat's efforts to ensure that water companies are able to finance the proper execution of their functions. [97947]

  Mr. Mullin
  This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that the funding criteria applied to water companies will ensure satisfactory levels of future investment. [97948]
  609
  Mr. Mullin
  The Director General of Water Services has a statutory duty to secure that companies are able to finance the proper carrying out of their functions. The Secretary of State has issued guidance to the Director General on the environmental and quality objectives to be achieved by the water industry between 2000 and 2005.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact upon employment levels of planned future reductions in the price of water. [97949]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 27 October 1999,Official Report, columns 871-72, to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mrs. Gilroy).

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of water price reductions upon the provision of subsidised bill payment facilities. [98012]

  Mr. Mullin
  The determination of price limits for water companies is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. The Government believe that it is possible to deliver an ambitious environmental programme and offer reductions in customers' bills.

  Under the Water Industry Act 1999, the Director General will become responsible for approving companies' charging arrangements, set out in their charges schemes; and the Secretary of State may provide guidance. The Secretary of State has published draft guidance to the Director General on the exercise of this responsibility, which proposes that water companies should offer a range of payment options at no extra cost to the customers who use them.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of proposed reductions in charges for water on(a) water company operations, (b) sewage treatment activities and (c) water company investment. [98140]

  Mr. Mullin
  This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services, who has a statutory duty to ensure that companies are able to finance the proper carrying out of their functions.

  M4 Bus Lane
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of the M4 bus lane. [97773]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: The M4 Bus lane is being monitored by the Transport Research Laboratory. Their reports on the first three months of operation show that all vehicles are benefiting from reduced journey times during morning and evening peak periods. Subsequent monitoring shows that benefits, similar to those achieved during the first three months of operation, are continuing to be achieved. Decisions on the
  610
  future of the bus lane will be taken once sufficient operational experience has been gathered and comparable before and after monitoring data have been analysed.

  Leasehold
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the numbers of leasehold(a) properties and (b) households for each local authority area. [97804]

  Mr. Mullin
  Estimates of the number of leasehold households can be made from the Survey of English Housing down to Government Office Region level as shown in the following table. It is not possible to make estimates for individual local authorities from this source owing to limits of sample size.

  Number of leasehold households by Government office region, 1997–98 to 1998–99

  Thousand

  North East

  63

  North West

  540

  Yorks & Humber

  120

  East Midlands

  35

  West Midlands

  137

  Eastern

  125

  London

  433

  South East

  212

  South West

  107

  England

  1,772

  Notes:

  1 Estimates from the Survey of English Housing, using data from the 1997–98 and 1998–99 surveys

  2 Like all estimates from sample surveys, these figures are subject to sampling variability

  Road Users (Drugs)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with his Cabinet colleagues on the possible introduction and use of a reacting portable device for drug testing of road users; and if he will make a statement. [97927]

  Mr. Hill
  Driving while unfit through drugs is an offence and we are therefore working with the police and the Home Office on the development of recognition techniques and screening devices to help them enforce the law more effectively. When suitable equipment is available we would want the police to have the power to require suspected drivers to give samples for screening. This would need primary legislation.

  Mine Water Discharges
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations in north Staffordshire where he is monitoring contamination of surface waters by discharges of mine water; and if he will list those which(a) have and (b) do not have discharge consents. [97799]
  611
  Mr. Mullin
  The Environment Agency monitors the following sites:

  Berry Hill Trentmill Road downstream at NGR SJ89264668

  Berry Hill Austin Street upstream at NGR SJ89004645

  Berry Hill Govan Road—pool at rear NGR SJ89654570

  Berry Hill Adderley Green Brook rear of Arbourfield Drive at NGR SJ90554650

  Berry Hill Adderley Green Brook confluence with Causley Brook at NGR SJ90304690

  Berry Hill Adderley Green Brook at Mossfield at NGR SJ917045025

  Sideway Farm—Chitlings Brook at NGR SJ88204268

  Bucknall—Malthouse Road at NGR SJ90654715

  Ash Bank—Causley Brook at NGR SJ92654725

  Tunstall Park at NGR SJ86655190

  Chatterley—Whitfield—Ford Green Brook at NGR SJ88055360

  Chell Heath Road—Ford Green Brook at NGR SJ88305073

  Silverdale Colliery—Silverbrook at NGR SJ82124667

  Apedale Road—Lyme Brook at NGR SJ82554895

  Cophurst Quarry—Lightwood at NGR SJ92404100

  Cockster Brook adjacent to A50 trunk road NGR SJ89904370

  Norton Green—Caldon Canal north of the Engine Lock at NGR SJ90205160

  Norton Green—Caldon Canal south of the Engine Lock at NGR SJ90005140

  Harecastle Tunnel—Trent and Mersey Canal.

  Apart from the Harecastle Tunnel and Norton Green discharges, these emissions are intermittent, minor, or recent, and there is no proven relationship with any specific colliery. Monitoring has been instigated to assess the impact on receiving waters, and the only consented discharge to date is from Silverdale Colliery.

  The Environment Agency continues to work closely with the Coal Authority to identify relevant sites.

  Newsprint (Recycling)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he received a copy of the report from the Newspaper Publishers Association on targets for the recycled content of newsprint; if he will make a statement; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [97685]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment received a copy of the Newspaper Publishers Association's Report in June 1999. However, since the Report was written by the Newspaper Publishers Association, it is for them to decide whether they wish to make it more widely available.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent advice he has received from industry representatives concerning the maximum achievable recycled content of newsprint; and if he will make a statement. [97684]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Following receipt of the Newspaper Publishers Association's Report in June 1999, my right hon. Friend
  612
  the Minister of State for the Environment asked officials to discuss some of the issues further with the Newspaper Publishers Association. He is now awaiting further advice from the Association.

  Newspaper Publishers Association
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he met representatives of the Newspaper Publishers Association in the last 12 months. [97686]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment met representatives of the Newspaper Publishers Association in March of this year and in October in 1998.

  Gatwick
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recommendation in the SERPLAN report relating to the area around Gatwick Airport and Crawley. [97829]

  Mr. Raynsford
  SERPLAN submitted its Draft Regional Planning Guidance in December 1998. This was subject to a public Examination in Summer 1999. The Panel Report recommends an Area of Plan Led Expansion in the Crawley-Gatwick area. The Panel's Report, and all representations on the Draft RPG, are being considered with a view to full public consultation on the Secretary of State's proposed changes to the Draft RPG early in the New Year.

  Education SSA
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the fairness of the allocation to Nottinghamshire County Council of education Standard Spending Assessment. [97870]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We have sought to improve the fairness of the Standard Spending Assessments over the last two years. But we want to see whether there is a better way of determining the distribution of revenue support grant that is simpler, more stable, more robust, and fairer than the present arrangements for SSAs. We are pursuing this in the review described in the White Paper "Modern Local Government—In touch with the People".

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the funds received from the Single Regeneration Budget by organisations(a) within the Doncaster Borough and (b) within Dearne Valley in each of the last five years. [98029]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The amount of single regeneration budget (SRB) claimed for each of the Partnerships in Doncaster and the Dearne Valley including estimates for the current financial year is as follows.
  613

  £ million

  Partnership/SRB scheme

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000 est.

  Doncaster regeneration Partnership

  Stainforth

  1.238

  2.85

  1.261

  1—

  2—

  Going for Growth

  —

  0.404

  4

  3.63

  3.936

  Northern corridor

  —

  —

  0.413

  1.296

  1.746

  Dearne Valley partnership

  Dearne Valley

  —

  —

  0.338

  0.754

  1.133

  1 £12k

  2 £14k

  Note:

  Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency for Yorkshire and Humber, became responsible for administering the SRB programme from 1 April 1999.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97427]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Estimated expenditure on external consultants by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions over the last four financial years is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  DETR spend on external consultants

  1995–96

  70.52

  1996–97

  17.52

  1997–98

  13.41

  1998–99

  10.56

  DVLC
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the DVLC is millennium compliant for all of its operations; and if he will make a statement. [98036]

  Mr. Hill
  Following the replacement of the vehicle registration and licensing system in October, all DVLA's mission critical operations are Year 2000 compliant.

  Housebuilding completions

  Enfield

  Greater London

  England and Wales

  Year

  Private enterprise

  Registered social landlords

  1Local Authorities, etc

  Private enterprise

  Registered social landlords

  1Local Authorities, etc

  Private enterprise

  Registered social landlords

  1Local Authorities, etc

  1989

  628

  —

  —

  14,117

  1,860

  1,372

  163,344

  12,314

  15,390

  1990

  593

  87

  48

  13,795

  2,137

  1,961

  144,849

  15,625

  14,625

  1991

  282

  535

  —

  12,834

  2,716

  723

  138,572

  18,081

  8,544

  1992

  529

  136

  —

  11,361

  3,946

  249

  127,020

  23,418

  3,650

  1993

  827

  212

  —

  8,870

  5,213

  96

  123,255

  32,734

  1,603

  1994

  832

  227

  —

  9,222

  5,764

  280

  130,066

  33,823

  1,321

  1995

  1,433

  229

  —

  11,114

  5,174

  60

  132,549

  33,430

  974

  1996

  670

  256

  —

  8,152

  5,793

  35

  129,278

  29,582

  576

  1997

  598

  14

  —

  9,034

  4,018

  48

  134,709

  22,995

  291

  1998

  247

  153

  —

  9,407

  3,459

  37

  127,457

  21,414

  289

  1 Including new towns and government departments

  Driving Instructor Tests
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent of delays by the Driving Standards Agency in arranging approved driving instructor tests. [98070]

  Mr. Hill
  The Driving Standards Agency monitors the waiting times for tests for approved driving instructors against a national 5 week target. Extra examiners are being deployed in the London area so this target can be delivered.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about waiting times in arranging approved driving instructor tests for members of the armed forces preparing for resettlement. [98071]

  Mr. Hill
  The Driving Standards Agency has received no such representations.

  House Building
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) private, (b) council and (c) registered social landlord houses have been built in each of the last 10 years in (i) England and Wales, (ii) Greater London and (iii) the London Borough of Enfield. [98052]

  Mr. Mullin
  The latest figures are as follows:

  Rented Accommodation
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include guidance in the modernised planning regime on the need for affordable rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement. [98054]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government's planning policy on affordable housing is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing and in Circular 6/98: Planning and Affordable Housing. In March this year, we issued a consultation draft revision of PPG3. We are currently finalising this revised guidance and expect to publish shortly.

  Housing Green Paper
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Housing Green Paper will be published; and if he will make a statement. [98053]

  Mr. Mullin
  We intend to publish a Housing Policy Green Paper in due course. The Green Paper will build on our achievements in housing to ensure that everyone is offered the opportunity of a decent home and so promote social cohesion, well-being and self-dependence.

  National Countryside Access Forum
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the members of local forums set up to oversee the National Countryside Access Forum; what are the terms of reference of these forums; and if he will make a statement. [98104]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local access forums have not been established yet. As explained in "Access to the countryside in England and Wales: The Government's Framework for Action", which was published in March, the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales have been asked to draw up good practice guidelines on the membership, role and operations of the forums, and to ensure effective geographical coverage. The National Countryside Access Forum for England is advising the Countryside Agency on the guidelines.

  Greenfield Land
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the total amount of greenfield land in respect of which (1) developers have been granted options, broken down by regions; [98065]

  (2) planning permission for new development has been granted, broken down by region; [98066]

  (3) applications for planning permission are currently pending, broken down by region. [98067]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish statistics for new development on(a) greenfield and (b) brownfield sites. [98063]
  616
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Estimates of the proportion of new development on previously developed land are published annually in the statistical Bulletin series "Land Use Change in England". The next edition, issue number 14, will be published shortly.

  Social Landlord Tenants (Discount)
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to adjust the right to acquire discount which is available to some registered social landlord tenants. [98272]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I will lay before Parliament tomorrow The Housing (Right to Acquire) (Discount) (Amendment) Order 1999 No. 3028. Subject to Parliamentary approval, it will come into force on 2 December.

  The Right to Acquire scheme gives eligible tenants of registered social landlords the statutory right to buy the home they currently rent, with the help of a discount of between £9,000 and £16,000 depending on the area in which they live. The change will limit that discount to 50 per cent. of the value of the property where that is less than the flat rate discount for the area.

  Under the current arrangements, tenants in areas where property values are very low could purchase for a very low or nominal sum. This was not the original intention of the scheme, and does not represent a fair contribution from the purchaser towards the cost of acquiring the property.

  The change will bring the Right to Acquire more into line with the Right to Buy and offer better value for money for the taxpayer. It will also help protect some registered social landlords whose financial position could be adversely affected if a substantial number of eligible tenants of low value properties were to exercise their Right to Acquire.

  We are also considering the introduction of a "cost floor" to the Right to Acquire which would be similar to that which operates under the Right to Buy scheme. This would limit the discount available to some tenants whose homes have recently been acquired, built or improved while ensuring that registered social landlords recover the amount they have invested in the property. However, the issues are complex and require further examination before we decide whether to go ahead.

  Housing Capital Resources
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to announce the results of his Department's review of the needs indices used in the allocation of housing capital resources to local authorities and registered social landlords. [98270]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am pleased to be able to announce the conclusion of the review today. There was broad support for nearly all the proposals set out in a consultation paper, which received over a hundred responses. Two key changes to the needs indices to be used for the 2000–01 allocations are: inclusion of data on statutory homelessness in the New Provision Indictor; and increasing the share of the private sector stock condition indicator within the Generalised Needs Index. The second
  617
  of these reflects the move to the single plot for housing capital when resources for private sector renewal will no longer be allocated separately. A summary of the responses to the consultation on this issue is available in the House Library together with tables showing the effect of these changes for each local authority. Members can view individual responses in my Department's Library.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the regional development agencies have prepared annual accounts and reports for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [98271]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Regional Development Agencies' annual reports and accounts for 1998–99 have been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. These cover the preparatory period prior to the launch of the RDAs on 1 April 1999. The Government welcome the progress made by Agencies and their commitment to improving the economy, skills and competitiveness of the regions. The Agencies are producing real benefits for their regions.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on reviewing the local government finance system. [98338]

  Ms Armstrong
  The July 1998 White Paper "Modern Local Government—In Touch With The People" announced that central Government, in partnership with local government, would investigate ways of distributing revenue support grant that were simpler, more stable, more robust and fairer than the present arrangements.

  Alternative approaches to grant distribution are currently being developed by a working group of civil servants and local government officers, which reports to the Central Local Partnership.

  The White Paper also announced that work would be commissioned to simplify the system of local government capital finance. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have now completed their research into two key areas:

  (i) prudential indicators for regulating local authorities' capital expenditure; and

  (ii) a non-statutory framework for the prudent repayment of local authority debt.

  Taken together, the PwC reports propose a move from the present complex system of statutory controls to a new system with a greater emphasis on self-assessment and adherence to professional codes. My Department has not yet had time to fully consider the implications of the reports, but welcomes them as substantial contributions to the review.

  Copies of executive summaries of the PwC research are being sent to every local authority in England and placed on the DETR's website and in the House of Commons Library. The full reports will be published shortly. As with the revenue grant distribution review, the proposed reforms will be considered by a joint working group of civil servants and local government officers reporting to the Central Local Partnership.
  618
  In order to allow for proper consideration of the options being considered by the RGD Review Group, PwC's work and the linkages between them, we therefore intend to issue the previously announced Green Paper on local government finance in summer, rather than spring 2000.

  Scottish Executive (Concordat)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects his Department to publish a concordat with the Scottish Executive. [98360]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Department has now reached agreement with the Scottish Executive on the terms of a concordat between them. This will be published on 11 November, when copies will be placed in the House Library. The concordat will also be made available on the Department's website.

  High Buildings (London)
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the London Planning Advisory Committee's advice on high buildings and strategic views in London. [98359]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The London Planning Advisory Committee's strategic planning advice on high buildings and strategic views in London was submitted to the Government earlier this year. It follows up the proposal in Strategic Guidance for London Planning Authorities (RPG3, 1996), to review policy in this area, and builds upon research jointly commissioned by LPAC, the Government Office for London, English Heritage, the City of London and others.

  The Government welcome this advice, which will provide an important input to the development of the Mayor for London's Spatial Development Strategy, under the proposed new arrangements for strategic planning in the capital. The Government do not propose to issue supplementary planning guidance in the meantime, but will take account of the advice in exercising their planning responsibilities in the capital. Planning authorities in London should also take account of the advice in the interim in preparing or reviewing their Unitary Development Plans and in the exercise of their development control functions.

  The advice provides a useful assessment of the role, value and impact of high buildings in London. It also provides helpful and detailed policy advice on the assessment of high buildings, which should help to ensure that future decisions on such proposals are better informed.

  The Government note in particular the findings that:
  there is some demand for new high buildings, both for office and residential accommodation;
  there is at present, however, no economic imperative in terms of unmet demand or evidence that the competitive position of London is under threat through lack of new high buildings, though this situation needs to be kept under review;
  the existing character of London is highly valued; there is no need or desire for a radical change in the city's skyline in order to sustain or enhance London's image and status as a world city;

  619
  research did not reveal widespread general opposition to new high buildings. However, their location, height and appearance need to be carefully considered; individual high buildings can have a significant negative effect on the urban environment if poorly designed or located.

  The Government therefore broadly endorse the principles set out in LPAC's advice, and consider in particular that local planning authorities in London should:
  consult the Mayor, adjacent authorities and others on all applications for new buildings above the thresholds set out in the advice. (These thresholds will be replicated in the Order defining applications of potential strategic importance on which the Mayor is to be consulted);
  identify in their unitary development plans (UDPs) any areas or locations that are considered particularly suitable for high buildings, taking account of the local context (including clustering of high buildings), potential impacts on particularly sensitive areas or views, and sustainable development objectives such as the need to ensure high levels of public transport accessibility;
  indicate in UDPs the criteria against which they will assess any proposals for high buildings in these areas, consistent with those in the advice;
  take account of the criteria set out in the advice when assessing proposals for new high buildings, including the potential impact on particularly sensitive areas and views, and in particular require that:

  they contribute positively to a point of civic or visual significance (including a cluster);

  they are of outstanding architectural quality;

  applications are accompanied by a design statement and analysis of the urban design context.

  The Government note LPAC's advice that the existing arrangements for protecting designated strategic views across the capital are generally considered to have operated successfully. It therefore reaffirms the existing guidance to local planning authorities to protect and enhance these views, and agrees that boroughs should also adopt policies to identify and protect important local views, prospects and panoramas. The Government intend to transfer responsibility for protecting strategic views to the Mayor under the new planning arrangements to apply in the capital. They do not for the present intend to designate any additional views, and do not believe that a convincing case has been made for the two additional views suggested for consideration in the advice.

  The Government believe that LPAC's advice represents a balanced and pragmatic approach to the issue of high buildings in the capital which should help to ensure that London's needs can be met without compromising its unique character and urban quality. In particular, pending any policies that the Mayor may wish to develop in his or her Spatial Development Strategy, it should assist planning authorities and developers alike in ensuring that any new high buildings are directed to the most appropriate locations and are of the highest possible design quality.

  New Deal (Communities)
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when an announcement will be made about a second round of the New Deal for Communities programme. [98048]
  620
  Ms Armstrong
  I am delighted to announce today that 22 new areas are being invited to bid for funding under the second round of the New Deal for Communities programme. The eligible areas are:

  London:
  Islington, Lambeth, Haringey, Lewisham, Hammersmith and Fulham, Brent

  North West:
  Knowsley, Salford, Rochdale, Oldham

  North East:
  Hartlepool, Sunderland

  Yorkshire and the Humber:
  Sheffield, Doncaster

  West Midlands:
  Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Coventry

  South West:
  Plymouth

  East Midlands:
  Derby

  South East:
  Southampton

  East:
  Luton.

  In each area we are inviting community based partnerships to form, and take responsibility for, the regeneration of one neighbourhood of between 1,000-4,000 households. We trust that the communities, service providers and businesses will seize this opportunity to transform some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.

  Copies of the bidding guidance for round 2 of the New Deal for Communities programme have been placed in the Library of the House.

  I am also pleased to announce the approval of the first of the long-term Delivery Plans developed by our pathfinder partnerships, 17 of whom began work last year. The partnership for Beswick and Openshaw in East Manchester have developed a robust strategy that promises to deliver real and lasting change for the area and its community. I am delighted to announce that we have today offered that partnership the funding they need to implement their strategy for change.

WALES

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02, the departmental expenditure limits of the Wales Office(a) as they were before the negotiation of Objective 1 status for West Wales and the Valleys and (b) as they are now; what amounts are available to meet that expenditure from (i) the block grant, (ii) local authority credit approvals, (iii) European Union grants broken down by programme and (iv) the private sector element of matched funding. [97699]
  621
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Departmental Expenditure Limit of the former Welsh Office (excluding Welfare to Work expenditure) was set at the last Comprehensive Spending Review as:

  £ million

  1999–2000

  7,097

  2000–01

  7,498

  2001–02

  7,888

  There have been no changes arising from the negotiation of Objective 1 status for West Wales and the Valleys. This is a matter for the next spending review.

  The allocation of funds within the block is a matter for The National Assembly for Wales.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Ministerial Visit (China)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the outcome of his visit to China earlier this year. [97979]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: I visited China earlier this year, from 27 April to 6 May. I was accompanied by a delegation of leading figures from the UK television, music and film industries.

  The objectives of the visit were: to create among UK creative industries an improved understanding of China and its way of doing business, to outline to the Chinese what the UK could offer; and to raise the issue of piracy and encourage the Chinese authorities to maintain their efforts to tackle this problem.

  The visit produced some positive outcomes which officials from my Department are taking forward in collaboration with the appropriate contacts from the business community. These include:
  agreement from State Administration for Radio Film and TV to proceed with the idea of National Film and Television School (NFTS) student scholarships under which 4-6 top Chinese students will be given a bursary to attend a one-year NFTS training school;
  agreement on developing ideas for greater exchange of television product between China and the UK;
  commitment by the Ministry of Culture to expanding the cultural exchange programme between China and the UK;
  possibility of running a festival of films produced by the Xian film studios;
  agreement to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) providing a training programme for National Copyright Association of China (NCAC) officials on how to deal with piracy;
  the development of greater understanding of and commitment to the creative industries agenda by both the British Embassy and British Council staff in China;
  a number of specific business deals initiated or concluded by BBC Worldwide and other companies represented on the visit;
  and a greater appreciation of the benefits of a joint political/business approach to doing business in China—and an awareness of cultural events which also provide a business spin-off.

  TV Programmes (Watershed)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport at what time in the morning the watershed period before which programmes unsuitable for family viewing are discouraged, ends. [97592]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: Under the terms of the watershed agreement the hours between 9.00pm and 5.30am are recognised as being a time at which programmes are aimed towards an adult rather than a family audience.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the suitability for screening prior to the 9.00 p.m. watershed of programmes of United States origin depicting extensive use of firearms. [97588]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: Responsibility for these matters rests with the broadcasters and regulators. The regulators are independent of the Government and accountable for safeguarding the public interest in broadcasting. They maintain wide ranging guidelines on the standards which should be observed, including the 9.00 p.m. watershed. These guidelines apply to programmes regardless of genre or country of origin.

  Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team will publish its work plan. [98337]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Quality, Efficiency and Standards Team (QUEST) has been set up to identify, evaluate and promote good practice across the cultural sector. It works independently of the Department and reports directly to me. After wide consultation, QUEST has now decided on its initial projects. Details of these are set out in QUESTS's work plan, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if construction work on each of the zones in the Millennium Dome will be completed by 31 December. [97774]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: Progress on the Millennium Dome remains on time and on budget. The construction and development phases for the Dome are nearing completion and the transition to exhibit fit-out is in full flow. All zones will be complete by 31 December.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the use of the Millennium Dome site after the closure of the exhibition. [95177]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Government is committed to identifying a sustainable, viable use for the Dome after the Millennium Experience ends and launched a competition for that purpose on 4 March 1999. The competition is proceeding

  623
  well and we are pleased with the level of interest that has been shown. Bidders have now provided their outline proposals and we hope to be able to select a final shortlist by the end of the year. Obviously, for commercial reasons, the identities of the bidders will remain confidential. The outcome of the competition will be announced in the summer of 2000.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on security arrangements at the Millennium Dome. [95120]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The New Millennium Experience Company has regular discussions with the Metropolitan Police about all aspects of security. By definition, it would not be helpful to reveal the detail of those discussions or of the security arrangements implemented as a result. I am satisfied that those arrangements are both robust and comprehensive.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what policy towards the employment of people with disabilities he has asked the operators of the Millennium Dome to follow. [95082]

  Janet Anderson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has an equal opportunities employment policy. To ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to vacancies, NMEC is working with Manpower, the Employment Service and a number of specialist agencies. All applicants with a disability are offered an initial interview. They, like all other applicants for vacancies, are assessed on their ability to perform particular jobs to an acceptable standard. Where an individual fails an initial or any subsequent interview, constructive follow-up advice is offered.

  Tourism
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the factors contributing to the fall in the number of people employed in the tourism industry in England between December 1997 and December 1998; and if he will make a statement. [97988]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Data from the Annual Employment Survey suggest that the number of employee jobs in tourism-related industries (TRI) in England rose by some 8,000 to 1.35 million between December 1997 and December 1998.

  On the other hand, Labour Force Survey data suggest that, over the year to December 1998, the number of self-employment jobs fell by 17,000 to 130,000. My Department has asked the Office for National Statistics for their assessment of the reasons for this trend.

  The latest figures, for the year to June 1999, show an increase in employee jobs in all TRI sectors and a reduction in the number of self-employed jobs.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97425]
  624
  Mr. Chris Smith
  The expenditure information requested is given in the following table:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  304,632

  1996–97

  448,931

  1997–98

  589,149

  1998–99

  381,634

  Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will break down the total cost of establishing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [97992]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  £350,000 has been allocated to cover the costs associated with the establishment of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) in this year and next. Costs are likely to include items such as legal fees, consultancy advice, the remuneration of the Chairman and Chief Executive until next April, travel and publications.

  Films
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is on providing funding for films made and produced outside the South-East of England. [97297]

  Janet Anderson
  The Government is keen to develop the film industry and film culture throughout the UK and, where public support for film production is concerned, firm guidelines exist to encourage participation by people living and working outside the South-East. The British Film Institute and the Arts Council of England have co-financed projects with Regional Arts Boards, Regional Media Development Agencies and the Arts Councils of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Film Council will also have a responsibility to ensure wide access to its production funds when it commences operation next year.

  Lottery support for film production is also channelled through the Arts Councils of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all of which have remits to encourage the production of films which contribute to their respective indigenous film industries. This support will continue after the creation of the Film Council.

  Television Regulation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on his policy towards the future regulation of programme output on(a) BBC1 and (b) ITV; [97591]

  (2) what plans he has to improve regulation of satellite television providers. [97589]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: Regulation of programme output on BBC One is a matter for the BBC's Board of Governors and on ITV and satellite broadcasters for the Independent Television Commission. The ITC are currently conducting an audit of regulatory burdens on commercial broadcasters. My Department and the DTI are separately about to undertake

  625
  a fundamental reassessment of broadcasting and communications regulation with a view to possible major legislation early in the next Parliament.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Home Office since 1 August regarding the impact of asylum seekers in seaside holiday resorts. [95909]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 2 November 1999]: Officials in my Department have had a number of discussions with the Home Office on this important subject. Government policy will take proper account of the potential impact on seaside resorts and the availability of support networks locally when placing asylum seekers in available accommodation in these areas.

  Sports Coverage (Terrestrial Transmission)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what developments there have been in the transmission on terrestrial television channels of major sporting events in the last five years; what representations his Department has received on this subject; and if he will make a statement. [97436]

  Janet Anderson
  The four terrestrial television channels which are available to over 99 per cent. of UK viewers have continued to offer high quality coverage of events across a wide range of sports over the last five years. Channel 5, which is available to 75 per cent. of UK viewers, has also offered extensive sports coverage since March 1997. Coverage of a number of major sporting occasions must be made available to the BBC, Channel 3 or Channel 4 under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a revised and extended list of such protected events on 25 June 1998, taking account of the recommendations made to him by the independent Advisory Group chaired by Lord Gordon of Strathblane.

  My right hon. Friend has received 2,948 representations on the subject of sports coverage on terrestrial television channels since May 1997, including 375 from hon. Members.

  Olympic Games
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is towards holding the Olympic Games in the United Kingdom. [97985]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The Government are committed to supporting a viable Olympic bid at the earliest opportunity. The British Olympic Association, who have responsibility for UK bids for the Olympic Games, is carrying out a series of feasibility studies on a London based bid and will report to me before the end of the year.

  Pirate CDs and Videos (China)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what agreement he has reached with the Chinese authorities regarding the trade in illegal copies of compact discs and videos. [97987]
  626
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: During my visit to China and Hong Kong earlier this year, I raised with the appropriate authorities both in Beijing and Hong Kong the issue of trade in illegal copying of CDs and videos. We agreed that such trade is not beneficial to the development of a healthy domestic or international market and that it infringed intellectual property rights, and I encouraged them to maintain and intensify their efforts to enforce their domestic legislation in this area.

  Accommodation Rating
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the level of industry participation in the new harmonised accommodation rating scheme for England. [97476]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 5 November 1999]: Almost 49 per cent. of serviced accommodation providers in England have now signed up to the new standardised ratings being run by the English Tourism Council, the AA and RAC that were introduced in September.

  This is an encouraging start, but we want more providers to sign up to the new schemes since we believe this will help drive up quality standards in accordance with the aims of "Tomorrow's Tourism". The ETC are responsible for encouraging and measuring take-up of the schemes and also identifying how it can be increased.

  Millennium Commission
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding the Millennium Commission has currently allocated for flagship capital projects where the Commission contribution is £10 million or more in(a) London, (b) Birmingham, (c) Manchester, (d) Salford, (e) Liverpool, (f) Sheffield, (g) Newcastle, (h) Leeds and (i) Bristol. [97638]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  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.

SCOTLAND

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97414]

  Dr. Reid
  Expenditure on external consultants and advisers over the last four financial years by The Scottish Office, including its Executive Agencies and associated departments, is estimated as follows:

  £ million

  1996–97

  3.0

  1997–98

  2.5

  1998–99

  2.1

  1999–2000

  0.9

  627
  Figures for the current financial year do not include spending from 1 July onwards by the Scottish Executive, which is now a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Meat Exports and Imports
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent talks he has held with European Commission officials regarding meat exports and imports. [97928]

  Dr. Reid
  None.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Community Charge Non-payment
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people were refused legal aid in cases of non-payment of community charge. [97721]

  Mr. Lock
  Since 1 January 1999, the Legal Aid Board has refused 47 applications for Assistance By Way Of Representation (ABWOR) in respect of fine defaulters on the basis that they failed to meet the legal merits test. A total of 126 applications have been granted during the same period. It is not possible to break down how many of these refusals related to community charge (Council tax) cases as the information is not recorded at that level of detail.

  Under the Legal Aid Act 1988, civil legal aid is not available for representation in the magistrates court for non-payment of community charge (now Council tax since 1993). Where a debtor appears before a magistrates court for failing to pay Council tax or to obey an order of the court and is at risk of imprisonment, legal representation may be provided by the court duty solicitor under paragraph 50(2)(b) of the Legal Aid Board's Duty Solicitor Arrangements 1997.

  In complex cases, where advance preparation may be required, a solicitor may apply for an adjournment in order to apply to the Legal Aid Board for ABWOR under Regulation 7(4) Legal Advice and Assistance (Scope) (Amendment) Regulations 1997.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the implications of the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Mr. Kevin Perks and seven other community charge protesters that their rights had been violated by refusal to grant them legal aid. [97719]

  Jane Kennedy
  The decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Perks and Others v. The United Kingdom is consistent with the leading case of
  628
  Benham v. UK. Since that case, and since the events which gave rise to the application made by Mr. Kevin Perks and others, the law has been changed so that legal aid is now available as required by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Government have noted that none of the eight applicants succeeded in their claim that Article 5 of the Convention had been breached and that only one of the applicants was awarded damages for the breach of Article 6. The Government considers that the judgment of the Court of Human Rights provides useful confirmation and clarification in relation to these issues.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor' s Department if it is the Government's intention to appeal against the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Mr. Kevin Perks and seven other community charge protesters. [97720]

  Jane Kennedy
  It is not possible to appeal against the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in this case.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much the Lord Chancellor's Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97419]

  Mr. Lock
  The information requested is as follows:

  LCD

  Agencies

  Total

  1995–96

  1,295,260

  419,000

  1,714,260

  1996–97

  452,948

  1,741,793

  2,194,741

  1997–98

  377,522

  2,276,779

  2,654,301

  1998–99

  827,891

  3,065,635

  3,893,526

  Crown Court Trials
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of defendants who elect at committal for a Crown court trial(a) in the Liverpool magistrates court and (b) in England and Wales subsequently plead guilty. [97887]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have been asked to reply.

  Although statistics on pleas in the Crown court are collected centrally, these do not record whether the defendant elected trial or was directed by magistrates. In England and Wales, the Crown Prosecution Service statistics for 1998 show that 18,500 defendants elected trial in 1998 in addition to 47,185 either-way cases directed to the Crown court by magistrates. During the same period, 76 per cent. of all defendants in either-way cases pleaded guilty before the commencement of the Crown court trial.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Small Business
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the new measures he is planning to introduce to support the growth of smaller businesses in selected areas, as announced in the White Paper, "Building the Knowledge-Driven Economy". [98159]

  Mr. Byers
  I intend to allocate £45 million over three years for a new Enterprise Grant scheme for SMEs. This will complement the new assistance being made available in this sector for venture capital under the Enterprise Fund.

  Support will be targeted at growth SMEs in tiers 1, 2 and 3 of the proposed new Assisted Areas map currently under discussion with the European Commission and due to come in to effect on 1 January 2000. It will provide SMEs with the opportunity of a selective grant of up to 15 per cent. of fixed capital investment on projects of up to £500,000, with a ceiling of £75,000 on the maximum assistance. The scheme will replace grants at this level currently available under Regional Selective Assistance in the English regions. The priorities for support will reflect RDA economic strategies for the region.

  The scheme is subject to approval from the European Commission.

  Consumer Interests
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he has given to the Office of Fair Trading to ensure that the interests of the consumer are reflected in its operating policy. [97500]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The Director General of Fair Trading is independent of Government. His functions are defined by various statutes, notably the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  As part of his response to the White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers", he is carrying out a fundamental review of his consumer affairs functions. The review will cover his objectives, his powers and liaison and co-ordination with other government departments and enforcement agencies. The Director General expects to complete his review early next year, and I look forward to seeing his conclusions.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the interests of consumers are addressed within Government. [97506]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Our White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" (Cm 4410) sets out a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the needs of consumers are addressed by Government. We are committed to strengthening the institutional framework for consumer protection. We are also developing new mechanisms to ensure that consumer interests are properly
  630
  represented in policy-making, including a new advisory committee, which I shall chair.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to ensure that all Government decisions are subject to a consumer impact assessment. [97507]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The current system of regulatory impact assessments already requires an assessment of the benefits of proposals to consumers, as well as the regulatory costs to businesses and enforcement agencies. I see no need for a new and separate consumer impact assessment.

  Credit Agreements
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review(a) the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and (b) the Estate Agents Act 1979. [97503]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Last July I announced in the Government's White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers", my plans to review the effectiveness of the extortionate credit bargain and consumer credit licensing provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. These reviews are now under way. I also invited consumer and business groups to send me their views on how the Act can be improved and I will consider carefully any responses I receive.

  The Director General of Fair Trading has a duty to keep under review the working and enforcement of the Estate Agents Act 1979.

  Trading Standards
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect of differences in financial commitment by local authorities on the application of trading standards rules. [97499]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The Consumer White Paper (Chapter 7) recognises that some trading standards services, particularly in small authorities, face budgetary pressures, and reviews the consequences, including inconsistent enforcement of trading rules. The White Paper contains a number of proposals for addressing this issue.

  European State Aid
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 656, for what reason approved State aid to the sectors listed is not broken down by country by the Commission; and if he will estimate the figures for each sector in each country. [97228]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Although the Commission surveys on State aid contain information on assistance to each sector across the EU, this information is not broken down by country. UK officials are discussing with the Commission
  631
  ways in which the publication of data on State aid might be improved.

  The detailed information is not therefore available in the form requested.

  Toys (Phthalates)
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Dr. Julian Braybrook, of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, chaired an Expert Committee on phthalates in toys, set up by the Weinberg Group; and if he will make a statement. [97462]

  Dr. Howells
  Dr. Braybrook chaired an independent scientific committee convened by the Weinberg Group. The remit of the committee, which met only once, was to comment on the initial opinion of the EU Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response he has made to the statement made by the European Union Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment on 28 September on the adequacy of the tests developed by the Laboratory of the Government Scientist, for toys containing phthalates; and if he will make a statement. [97464]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department wrote to the Commission expressing disappointment that the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE) could not accept the test developed by the LGC in its current form and concern that the Commission had not encouraged further discussion to address the points raised by the SCTEE. Many of the points raised in the SCTEE opinion could have been addressed in discussions between the LGC and the SCTEE before any final views were published. We believed, and continue to believe, that by working together it should be possible to establish a test which could be used for enforcement purposes across Europe, and which would have relevance beyond the safety of phthalates alone.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role the Laboratory of the Government Chemist has played in relation to phthalates in toys and in(a) advising and (b) representing the Government on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [97460]

  Dr. Howells
  LGC, a privatised and independent laboratory, was contracted to act in an advisory capacity to my Department on matters related to the migration behaviour of phthalates. An LGC scientist has attended certain meetings when technical issues in respect of phthalates were discussed. LGC has also been commissioned by my Department to develop a migration test to measure leaching levels from toys mouthed by children, and to test products currently on the UK market. LGC has also been funded by my Department to participate in work undertaken by both the European Commission and by the so called Dutch "consensus group".

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to ensure that British children are not exposed to phthalates in toys and to support the temporary ban proposed by the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection; and if he will make a statement. [97465]
  632
  Dr. Howells
  All the scientific evidence to date has shown that phthalates can be safely used and our research shows that toys sold in the UK are safe. However, it is important to reach a Community solution, particularly in the interests of consistency in consumer safety so that consumers across Europe do not remain confused and concerned. In the light of this, if the Commission does adopt the draft proposal currently under discussion, I would be willing to accept a ban on phthalates in toys intended to be mouthed. Regarding a ban through emergency measures under the General Product Safety Directive, this would be the first time that such measures were used to ban a product. The measures are there to be used where risk is serious and immediate, and given the scientific evidence regarding phthalates, their use in this case would, in our view, be inappropriate.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Dr. Julian Braybrook, of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, wrote on behalf of the Weinberg Group Experts' Committee to all European Commissioners against an emergency ban on toys containing phthalates; and if he will make a statement. [97463]

  Dr. Howells
  No. Dr. Braybrook did not write to European Commissioners, nor to any other bodies, regarding an emergency ban.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Dr. Julian Braybrook, of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, participated as a UK Government delegate in the European Commission's Emergencies Committee meeting on 14 July 1998; and if he will make a statement. [97461]

  Dr. Howells
  Dr. Braybrook attended a meeting of the Emergencies Committee on 14 September, at the request of the Commission, to present the migration test devised by the LGC. He has attended other meetings as scientific adviser to the UK delegation.

  Commonwealth Partnership for Technology
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he will be taking to promote the work of the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban on 9 to 11 November. [97245]

  Mr. Byers
  The Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management's Report "CPTM into the New Millennium" is on the Agenda of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Durban from 12-15 November. The Department of Trade and Industry has promoted the useful work which the CPTM has undertaken since its inception in 1995. I endorse the call made by the Commonwealth Secretary General to Governments to support the continuation of its activities.

  RDX Explosives
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 26 May 1999,Official Report, column 201, on RDX explosives, what export licences have been issued since May for explosives containing RDX; and how many applications are currently pending. [97114]
  633
  Dr. Howells
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible, and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Energy Consumption
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will rank the sectors of the economy according to their percentage consumption of the UK's total energy, indicating the percentages in each case; and if he will make a statement. [97630]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The percentage of total UK energy consumed by each sector, in 1998, was as follows:

  Sector

  Percentage

  Transport

  34

  Domestic

  29

  Industry

  22

  Services

  14

  The Government are committed to promoting the more efficient use of energy in all sectors of the economy, as part of their policy to encourage sustainable development. A draft Climate Change Programme, to be issued around the turn of the year, will set out a draft programme, for public consultation, about how the Government should move towards their goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases. The Government aim to present a balanced, equitable programme which engages all sectors of the economy and society in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which sector of the economy he has identified as the fastest-growing consumer of energy; and if he will make a statement. [97629]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Since 1990, energy consumption has increased fastest in the transport, domestic and service sectors. The increases in energy consumption, by sector, between 1990 and 1998, were as follows:

  Transport—up 10 per cent.

  Domestic—up 13 per cent.

  Services—up 13 per cent.

  Industry—down 10 per cent.

  Energy consumption fluctuates from one year to another, in particular with differences in temperature and the state of the economy.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the increase in energy use between 1990 and 1998 by (i) industry, (ii) the domestic sector, (iii) transport, (iv) consumer and (v) other; and if he will make a statement. [97631]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Energy consumption by sector between 1990 and 1998 was as follows:

  Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent

  Industry

  Domestic

  Transport

  Services

  All final users

  1990

  38,658

  40,758

  48,635

  19,217

  147,268

  1991

  38,257

  44,769

  47,963

  20,819

  151,818

  1992

  36,535

  44,067

  49,355

  20,959

  151,916

  1993

  36,440

  45,549

  50,024

  20,733

  152,746

  1994

  35,167

  43,947

  50,253

  20,638

  150,005

  634

  Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent

  Industry

  Domestic

  Transport

  Services

  All final users

  1995

  34,553

  42,689

  50,238

  21,303

  148,783

  1996

  35,817

  48,118

  52,212

  22,349

  158,496

  1997

  34,672

  44,855

  52,986

  22,007

  154,520

  1998

  34,966

  46,041

  53,567

  21,674

  156,247

  Source:

  DTI's Digest of UK Energy Statistics 1999

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which sectors of industry he has assessed as having substantial opportunities to reduce their energy consumption; and if he will make a statement. [97624]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Analysis carried out by the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) indicates that there is significant scope for cost-effective energy saving measures across a wide range of industrial sectors.

  Kyoto Targets
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises to make the necessary investment to reduce their energy usage to meet Kyoto requirements; and if he will make a statement. [97633]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for around one third of business emissions of greenhouse gases. The Government's initial proposals for the Climate Change Levy reflect Lord Marshall's conclusion that there may be scope for significant improvements in energy efficiency from this sector. The Government are seeking to design and implement the Climate Change Levy in a way that maximises environmental benefits whilst safeguarding the competitiveness of business of all sizes. The Government have previously announced that £50 million per annum of anticipated revenues from the levy will be used for purposes which include the provision of energy efficiency advice for SMEs.

  E-commerce
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of forthcoming EU directives on electronic commerce; and if he will make a statement. [97960]

  Ms Hewitt
  The draft Directive on Electronic Commerce aims to provide a stable and transparent framework within which businesses and consumers will have increased legal certainty as regards their rights and responsibilities. Other legislative initiatives which are intended to remove barriers to e-commerce in the EU include the draft Copyright Directive, the Distance Selling Directive, the draft Distance Selling of Financial Services Directive and the E-Signatures Directive. The Government will continue to ensure that a coherent overall approach to the regulation of e-commerce in the EU is maintained, and is characterised by flexibility and an appropriate balance between the interests of all those affected.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received that the RSA-155 e-commerce code has been broken by the Dutch National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science; and if he will make a statement. [97942]
  635
  Ms Hewitt
  I have not received any specific reports on this matter. The Department is, however, aware of the work of Dutch National Research Institute, and that of other academics, in the factorising of a single 512 bit RSA key over a seven month period. This, of course, does not mean that the RSA algorithm itself is insecure.

  Organic Food Producers
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support the Government will give to British organic food producers at the Bio Fach trade fair in February 2000; and if he will make a statement. [97941]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department, through British Trade International, has invited the Soil Association to recruit a group of exhibitors at this edition of Bio Fach. In line with normal procedure, if the Association has by 15 December 1999 provided British Trade International with details of a minimum of 10 UK-based businesses who wish to exhibit as part of a supported group, we will pay to those businesses that are eligible grants covering 60 per cent. of their space and construction costs, up to a maximum of £2,300 per business. British Trade International requires the Association to canvass businesses based in any part of the UK who are exporting from the UK—whether or not they are its members. Whether any of those recruited are organic food producers is a matter for the Association, not for British Trade International.

  Objective 2 Funding
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the non-inclusion of Beeston Rylands, Nottingham, under Objective 2. [97970]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department has received representations from the Greater Nottingham Partnership about the non-inclusion of Beeston Rylands, Nottingham, since submitting our proposals to the European Commission for the new Objective 2 areas for 2000 to 2006. As part of the domestic consultation, we received representations from Greater Nottingham Partnership and Broxtowe Borough Council supporting the case for Beeston Rylands.

  My hon. Friend has also raised the issue with me personally. We are considering the points raised.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding the exclusion of Netherfield within the Gedling Borough Council area from the Objective 2 map for European funding; and if he will make a statement. [97869]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department has received five representations regarding the exclusion of Netherfield within the Gedling Borough Council area from the proposals submitted to the European Commission for the new Objective 2 areas for 2000–06.

  Two of the representations were from my hon. Friend, who has also raised the issue with me personally.

  We are considering the points raised.

  Coal Industry
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives of the opencast coal mining industry; and what issues were discussed. [R] [97683]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: I have met RJB, the largest opencast producer, the mining unions and MPs from mining constituencies to discuss the range of issues affecting the coal industry. I have also indicated my readiness to meet the Confederation of United Kingdom Coal Producers to address issues of particular concern that would benefit from discussion at Ministerial level. I would expect these to include opencast issues.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with owners of power stations about their long-term purchases of coal produced in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [R] [97678]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Decisions about the source of coal purchased for electricity generation are a matter for the generators themselves. I have not discussed long-term purchases of coal with the owners of any UK power stations. My officials have regular contacts with all the generators covering most aspects of their business.

  I have recently approved on competition grounds the sale of three coal-fired power stations and in that context I have had to consider competition issues relating to long term coal contracts.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the Scottish coal industry. [R] [97676]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The Government's views on the future of the coal industry were set out in the White Paper on the Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation. Further detailed information about the industry and its future were provided in the Department of Trade and Industry's publication "Prospects for Coal Production in England, Scotland and Wales". We will continue to work to maintain fair competition which will enable the Scottish coal industry to compete.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps have been taken by HM Government to encourage the transfer of opencast coal production from road to rail; what percentage of coal produced is transported by rail; and what reports he has received regarding the efficiency of the rail services provided to the industry; [R] [97679]

  (2) if he will seek reports from the rail regulation authorities about the efficiency of service provided to the opencast coal industry; and if he will make a statement. [R] [97681]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Transport policy is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. His Department publishes statistics on coal movements by rail, but these do not distinguish between coal sources or methods of production. I have been made aware of concerns about the quality of rail services

  637
  provided to the coal industry, and I understand that the industry has now made a formal complaint to the Office of the Rail Regulator. I have asked to be kept closely informed of the progress of the Regulator's investigation.

  IT Projects
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the information technology projects currently being undertaken by his Department and agencies responsible to his Department, indicating the(a) start date, (b) planned completion date, (c) expected completion date, (d) planned cost and (e) estimated cost; and if he will make a statement. [98042]

  Ms Hewitt
  Central records are not maintained in the form necessary to answer this question particularly in respect of the Department's Executive Agencies which exercise delegated authorities for their own IT strategies. I have asked my officials to gather the necessary information, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Internet Access
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to encourage flat-rate pricing to reduce the cost of access to the internet; [97995]

  (2) what steps are being taken to reduce the cost of access to the internet through flat-rate pricing. [97971]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are committed to ensuring the wide availability of fast and affordable internet access and believe that competition is the best way to deliver this. We want to see operators responding to these competitive pressures by offering a broader range of internet tariff options to allow heavy e-commerce users and light users to choose the optimum package for their usage profile. There are no regulatory barriers to prevent operators from including unmetered tariffs in this range of tariff options. I have discussed these points with Oftel, BT and the Campaign for Unmetered Telecommunications and will continue to encourage operators to respond positively so that the cost of internet access can be reduced.

  Objective 1 Funding
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the cross-department co-ordination of plans for EU Objective 1 matched funding. [96779]

  Mr. Caborn
  Objective 1 programmes for the new Structural Funds period 2000–06 have been prepared by the area partnerships. Responsibility for identifying match funding is a matter for those in the area who will make applications for projects to the programmes. The draft programmes should therefore include a realistic assessment of the opportunities to deliver effective projects, including the availability of match funding.

  EU Regulations
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list changes since 1 May 1997 638
  to United Kingdom law in areas covered by his Department's responsibilities which have been directly legislated by EU Regulations; and if he will list these regulations. [97950]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Department does not collect this information in this form. All Explanatory Memoranda for EU Regulations covering the DTI's areas of responsibilities are available in the House of Commons Library, and the six-monthly "Command Paper of RIAs'" (Regulatory Impact Assessments), also available in the Library of the House, lists all EMs with a major impact on the UK.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures his Department has to ensure that British industry is not put at a competitive disadvantage compared with industry in other EU member states from the timing and implementation of EU directives. [97951]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Consultation with UK business is a key priority for the DTI, both when taking forward negotiation of EU directives and, once they are agreed, in deciding how to implement them. Such consultation concerns both the substance of any directives and the timing of the implementation. The "Guide to Better European Legislation", issued by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and made available to all MPs, is the key source of advice for officials dealing with EC legislation and this sets out the requirements for the completion of regulatory impact assessments to identify the likely impact of any legislative proposal, and offers practical advice on implementing EC legislation in an effective, timely and proportionate manner. We support initiatives to improve regulation such as SLIM (Simpler Legislation in the Internal Market), aimed at simplifying the business environment, and the Business Test Panel, aimed at improving consultation with business on the likely impact of selected legislative proposals.

  Diminished Lung Function
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in establishing procedures to compensate sufferers of diminished lung function from the former mining industry; how much compensation has been paid to date; and if he will make a statement. [97814]

  Mrs. Liddell
  We signed the Handling Agreement with the solicitors representing the miners, which sets out the procedures for settling 100,000+ expected respiratory disease claims on 24 September. As at 31 October we had made bereavement awards, and interim and expedited payments totalling some £39 million.

  We have developed a programme of screening spirometry to prioritise claimants proceeding through to the next stage of the process and to make interim or expedited offers where possible. 70 per cent. of the 43,000 live claimants identified in May have now been invited to screening spirometry throughout the UK. We expect to complete virtually all of the spirometry by early next year.

  639
  On 5 October the contract to deliver the full Medical Assessment Process was awarded to Healthcall. The first full medical assessments should begin in the next month.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in establishing procedures to compensate sufferers of vibration white finger from the former mining industry; how much compensation has been paid to date; and if he will make a statement. [97815]

  Mrs. Liddell
  We signed the Handling Agreement with the solicitors representing the miners, which sets out the procedures for settling the 50,000+ expected VWF claims on 22 January. As at 31 October we had made interim and general damage payments totalling some £45 million.

  I announced in July that we had awarded a contract to Sema Group for the delivery of the medical assessment process. Tests began in September, six centres are now open, and they plan to have 12 centres in operation across the mining regions by January.

  EU Copyright Directive
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation he has had with the higher education sector about the implications of the EU Copyright Directive; and if he will make a statement. [97750]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: We have consulted a number of organisations in the educational field on the draft EC Directive on copyright and related rights in the Information Society, including bodies representing the higher education sector such as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the United Kingdom and the Standing Conference of National and University Libraries. We have received many submissions from individual institutions in the sector as well as from representative bodies, and we fully appreciate their concerns about the draft Directive, particularly as regards its provisions on exceptions to rights for the benefit of users of copyright material. From the outset, we have seen these provisions as unnecessarily prescriptive and restrictive, and we are continuing to press strongly for greater flexibility in the Directive in order to allow a fair and reasonable balance to be maintained between the interests of rights owners and those of educational and other users.

  Lord Archer
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which inspectors previously assigned to investigate the case of share dealing in Anglia TV by Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare are involved in the present investigation; [97383]

  (2) when he expects to receive the results of the further investigation into the allegations of insider dealing by Lord Archer of Weston Super Mare in respect of shares in Anglia TV. [97253]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 4 November 1999]: Solicitors representing Lord Archer have provided details to "The Economist" of Lord Archer's transactions involving shares in Anglia TV and the reason why he
  640
  purchased them. I have drawn this information to the attention of my Permanent Secretary. He will decide what action, if any, should be taken.

  Departmental Inspectors
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what restrictions apply to the public disclosure of information on the nature of the interview, by persons interviewed by his Department's inspectors in connection with an investigation under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [97363]

  Mr. Byers
  Inspectors appointed under Section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 are independent and are masters of their own procedures. The Department published in 1990 general guidance in the Investigation Handbook ISBN 0-11-515260-1 and Section 179-180 of the FSA restricts disclosure subject to a gateway regime. Common law duties of confidentiality may also apply.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of reprocessed uranium have been exported to the United States since 1969; under what treaty arrangements such uranium was sent; and when such transfers took place. [96468]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This is an operational matter for BNFL and UKAEA respectively. I have asked the Chair of those companies to write to my hon. Friend setting out details of any such exports and will arrange for a copy of these letters to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to discourage the mis-selling of mortgages. [95818]

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with mortgage lenders on Friday 29 October. [97504]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 28 October 1999]: On 29 October I held a mortgage summit with the major mortgage lenders, consumer groups and regulators to discuss what can be done to tackle consumers' concerns about mortgages. It was a constructive meeting. We addressed consumer concerns about redemption penalties, endowment mortgages, tying in of insurance and other products and when lenders credit the payments borrowers make. As a result I was able to announce that there is broad agreement that consumers should be given a cash figure about the level of penalty if they redeem a mortgage early. I have asked the summit players to meet me again before Christmas with detailed proposals to meet consumer concerns.

  I am taking early action to ensure that consumers are able to make informed choices to get the right deal. I will be laying regulations later this month that will provide a standard method for calculating the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and for the APR to show the total cost of the mortgage loan over its entire life.

TREASURY

  Tax Incentives
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax measures to improve productivity the Government intend to introduce in the next Finance Bill. [98114]

  Mr. Timms
  The Chancellor's Pre-Budget Statement yesterday set out the details of the Government's intention to make the capital gains tax (CGT) taper relief for business assets more generous.

  The Pre-Budget Statement included a range of tax measures to promote enterprise and productivity, which will be contained in the 2000 Finance Bill.

  Inland Revenue Press Releases including details of the following measures: Employee Management Incentives; employee share ownership; corporate venturing; and the research and development tax credit, are being issued today. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Civil List
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the persons eligible for support under the Civil List. [97494]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: None. The Members of the Royal Family who receive moneys are prescribed in the Civil List Acts.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount each member of the Royal Family would have received under the Civil List in each year from 1991 had the 1991 figure been increased each year by the rate of inflation. [97498]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Details of payments under the Civil List arrangements will be provided in the Royal Trustees Report, which is due to be made by next October. Since 1 April 1993 the Queen has voluntarily reimbursed the annuities paid to Members of the Royal Family except those to Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother and The Duke of Edinburgh.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to review the arrangements relating to the Civil List; [97495]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the level of financial support provided by 1991 Civil List arrangements. [97496]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Under the provisions of the Civil List Act 1972, the Royal Trustees (the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Keeper of the Privy Purse) are due to report on the financial provisions of the Civil List by October next year. The report and its recommendations will be laid before the House of Commons.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if moneys allocated to the Civil List by the 1991 arrangement which remain unspent at the end of the 10-year period will be returned to the Treasury. [97497]
  642
  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Under the provisions of the Civil List Act 1972, unspent sums remain available to meet expenditure in future years as Parliament determined and will be taken into account by the Royal Trustees in preparing their Report.

  Kuwait (Gold Reserves)
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Bank of England agreed to act as the depository for the Central Bank of Kuwait to lend part or all of its official gold reserves to the market. [97675]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: This is a routine commercial arrangement between the Bank of England and the Central Bank of Kuwait. As with all such arrangements, details are commercially confidential.

  Computers (Taxation)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends introducing changes to the tax rules that will allow employees to make use of workplace computers for personal use without being liable for their taxation as a benefit in kind. [97913]

  Dawn Primarolo
  An exemption from employee benefits tax for the personal use of a computer supplied by the employer has already been introduced in Section 45 Finance Act 1999. It took effect from 6 April 1999 and effectively exempts computer equipment of up to £2,500 in value; where the value is higher only the excess over £2,500 remains taxable.

  Drownings
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children between the' ages of five and 18 years have drowned in the UK this year; and how many drowned in the years(a) 1995, (b), 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998. [97607]

  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. Nigel Evans, dated 10 November 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many children between the ages of five and 18 years have drowned in the UK this year; and how many drowned in the years (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998.
  Figures for this year are not yet available.
  The information requested for years 1995 to 1998 is given in the table below.

  Drowning deaths, for ages 5 to 18, United Kingdom, 1995–1998

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Males

  42

  48

  36

  27

  Females

  7

  9

  6

  5

  Total

  49

  57

  42

  32

  Infant Deaths
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual number of sudden infant deaths. [97714]

  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. Peter Bottomley, dated 10 November 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the number of sudden infant deaths.
  In 1998, the latest year for which provisional figures are available, 284 sudden infant deaths occurred in England and Wales.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of rebating part of the climate change levy for energy-intensive industries. [97708]

  Mr. Timms
  Our aim has been to design the climate change levy in a way that maximises its environmental effectiveness whilst protecting competitiveness of UK firms. As indicated in the Pre-Budget Report, by increasing the environmental effectiveness of the levy, it has been possible to deliver bigger carbon savings whilst reducing the overall size of the levy from £1.75 billion to £1 billion. The Government is also offering an 80 per cent. discount from the levy for those energy-intensive sectors signing energy efficiency agreements which meet the Government's criteria. This discount will help protect the competitiveness of the industries concerned, whilst ensuring that all firms face some incentive to save energy at the margin. The carbon savings arising from the negotiated agreements will also make a significant contribution to meeting the Government's legally binding Kyoto target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of exempting key industrial processes from the climate change levy, with particular reference to blast furnaces and electrolysis. [97706]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Pre-Budget Report issued by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9 November 1999,Official Report, columns 883-906, which sets out the Government's policy in respect of the exemption from Climate Change Levy on both electrolysis and coke used in blast furnaces.

  Contributions to and receipts from the EC Budget in 1997

  Gross contribution (£ million)

  Receipts (£ million)

  Net contribution/receipt 1 (£ million)

  Population (millions)

  Number of households (millions)

  Gross contribution per head (£)

  Belgium

  2,047.8

  1,365.7

  682.1

  10.2

  4.0

  200.9

  Denmark

  1,037.8

  1,054.3

  -16.5

  5.2

  2.3

  197.8

  Germany

  14,622.5

  6,884.4

  7,738.2

  82.1

  35.2

  178.1

  644
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends the climate change levy on liquified petroleum gas to be fully balanced by excise duties on hydrocarbon oils. [96898]

  Mr. Timms
  The rate of excise duty on fuel oil and gas oil is already higher than the illustrative rates of climate change levy shown in the Customs and Excise consultation document issued on 9 March.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he intends to exempt kerosene from the climate change levy. [96897]

  Mr. Timms
  Climate change levy is not being charged on kerosene or other hydrocarbon oils because they are already within the scope of an existing taxation regime. In the existing regime, however, kerosene is charged at a nil rate because it is heavily used in central heating systems by domestic consumers. For social policy reasons, the Government has made it clear that it does not wish to increase taxation on domestic fuels.

  Electrolytic Processes
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to implement the draft European Energy Products Directive, Article 13, in granting exemptions to electrolytic processes; and if he will make a statement. [97628]

  Mr. Timms
  The draft European Energy Products Directive was proposed in March 1997 and is currently under discussion in the relevant technical working group of the European Council. Progress has been slow and a number of issues remain to be resolved. Until such time as adoption of the proposal is agreed member states are free to implement national energy tax policies as they see fit and there are currently no plans for formal adoption of any part of the proposal.

  Gold Sales
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from governors of central banks in Europe over the limiting of gold sales. [97561]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  None.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) of 2 November 1999,Official Report, column 168, on the EU Budget, if he will convert into sterling, the figures contained in his answer. [97806]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The information requested is set out in the following tables. The amounts shown in sterling have been converted from European Currency Units using the annual average exchange rate for 1997 quoted by the Bank of England.
  645

  Contributions to and receipts from the EC Budget in 1997

  Gross contribution (£ million)

  Receipts (£ million)

  Net contribution/receipt1 (£ million)

  Population (millions)

  Number of households (millions)

  Gross contribution per head (£)

  Greece

  812.1

  3,702.5

  -2,890.4

  10.5

  3.2

  77.1

  Spain

  3,699.2

  7,731.3

  -4.032.1

  39.3

  11.8

  94.1

  France

  9,087.5

  8,408.6

  678.8

  58.6

  21.5

  155.1

  Ireland

  473.4

  2,281.6

  -1,808.2

  3.6

  1.0

  132.1

  Italy

  5,973.2

  5,750.5

  222.7

  57.4

  19.9

  104.1

  Luxembourg

  117.6

  73.1

  44.5

  0.4

  0.1

  286.1

  Netherlands

  3,334.0

  1,715.3

  1,618.7

  15.5

  6.2

  214.6

  Austria

  1,454.4

  908.1

  546.4

  8.1

  3.0

  179.6

  Portugal

  742.8

  2,543.1

  -1,800.4

  9.9

  3.1

  75.4

  Finland

  733.4

  736.6

  -3.2

  5.1

  2.0

  143.1

  Sweden

  1,603.0

  757.5

  845.5

  8.9

  3.8

  179.7

  UK

  6,151.6

  4,887.8

  1,263.8

  59.0

  22.4

  104.3

  Gross contribution per household (£)

  Receipts per head (£)

  Receipts per household (£)

  Net contribution per head (£)

  Net contribution per household (£)

  Belgium

  518.0

  134.0

  345.5

  66.9

  172.5

  Denmark

  4.564

  200.9

  463.6

  -3.2

  -7.3

  Germany

  414.9

  83.9

  195.3

  94.3

  219.5

  Greece

  253.5

  351.6

  1,155.6

  -274.5

  -902.1

  Spain

  312.5

  196.7

  653.2

  -102.6

  -340.7

  France

  421.8

  143.5

  390.3

  11.6

  31.5

  Ireland

  460.1

  636.6

  2,217.3

  -504.5

  -1,757.2

  Italy

  300.0

  100.2

  288.8

  3.9

  11.2

  Luxembourg

  811.0

  177.9

  504.3

  108.2

  306.8

  Netherlands

  541.1

  110.4

  278.4

  104.2

  262.7

  Austria

  482.7

  112.1

  301.4

  67.5

  181.3

  Portugal

  236.1

  258.0

  808.4

  -182.7

  -572.3

  Finland

  360.0

  143.7

  361.6

  -0.6

  -1.6

  Sweden

  418.5

  84.9

  197.8

  94.8

  220.7

  UK

  274.4

  82.8

  218.0

  21.4

  56.4

  1 (-) denotes net recipient

  Notes:

  1. The Court of Auditors uses ecu figures, the unit of account for the EC Budget.

  2. Gross contribution figures are after account has been taken of the UK's abatement (including corrections in respect of earlier years) and for adjustments to VAT and GNP-based contributions in respect of earlier years.

  3. Receipts figures include European Commission payments made direct to the member state's private sector.

  4. The Court of Auditors Report odes not allocate all Community spending to the member states so that the receipts figures in the table may not represent the full amount of expenditure by the Commission in each member state. Consequently the figures for net contributions/net benefits in the table are likely only to be indicative of the amount of member states' net positions. For example, if all administrative expenditure were allocated to the country in which is it paid, the net position of Belgium and Luxembourg would be substantially improved.

  5. Figures converted from ECU using the annual average exchange rate (1.4510) for 1997 quoted by the Bank of England.

  Sources:

  Contributions and receipts data taken from Court of Auditors Report on 1997 Community Budget.

  Population data, relating to 1997, taken from the European Commission's document "European Economy".

  Information on number of households relations to 1991, the latest available, and is taken from the Eurostat yearbook 1997.

  Treasury Building
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the improvements to the Treasury building to be achieved through the proposed PFI scheme. [97596]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: Extensive structural and remedial work is required to preserve and improve this important and historic Grade II* listed building, and to secure its future for at least the next 35 years. This will be its first major refurbishment in almost 100 years. The safety systems require major updating, as do all the other services. The deal will provide modern, efficient, serviced office accommodation for the Treasury to meet its business needs as it approached the 21st Century, and represents good value
  646
  for money for the taxpayer. Payment to Exchequer Partnership plc(EP) for the serviced accommodation will only be on delivery. If any of the accommodation is at any time unavailable, or services are not delivered to previously specified standards, then EP will suffer financial penalties. EP are required to ensure that the building is to be comparable with current best practice in respect of environmental standards, and to comply full with the Government's "green" policies, particularly energy targets.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on(a) maintaining, (b) decorating and (c) otherwise improving the Treasury building since 1 May 1997. [97595]
  647
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: Given the forthcoming PFI refurbishment project, spending in recent years has been confined to essential maintenance work, and to meeting health and safety requirements.

  Figures for the last four complete financial years are as follows:

  £

  Maintenance

  1Decoration

  1995–96

  21,725,000

  —

  1996–97

  633,000

  —

  1997–98

  1,117,000

  —

  1998–99

  869,000

  47,000

  1 Decorating costs incurred by HMT prior to 1998–99 were not separately recorded and are included in the maintenance figures. Decorating costs incurred by other occupiers of the building are not available

  2 Includes works service charge levied by Property Holdings (now PACE) to cover major maintenance work. This charge was discontinued from 1996–97 when HMT took over responsibility for running the building

  The money has been spent on a variety of measures, principally planned preventive maintenance on the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; renewing parts of the electricity distribution system; prevention of water penetration; strengthening of basement vaults and fees to our facilities management company. No other improvements have been made to the building in recent years.

  Money Laundering
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the problems posed by anonymous numbered bank accounts in dealing with large-scale purveyors of drugs and the financing of the provision of chemical precursors to those who process coca leaves and other raw materials for drugs. [96885]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Anonymous bank accounts, and other forms of excessive bank secrecy, provide an opportunity for criminals—including drug traffickers—to launder the proceeds of their crimes, to prevent law enforcement authorities from tracing criminal assets. The National Criminal Intelligence Service and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF, the leading international anti-money laundering body) confirm that anonymous numbered bank accounts remain one of the tools used by money launderers.

  The Government is committed to furthering international efforts to ensure that banking secrecy is not abused to benefit those who trade in illegal drugs. The FATF's international standards on money laundering call on all states to prohibit the use of anonymous accounts. All FATF members, aside from Austria, have done so. The UK Government are actively supporting a variety of initiatives through, for example, the EU, the UN and the G7/8, as well as through bilateral relations with other countries, and through our relationship with the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, to ensure that the FATF's anti-money laundering standards are applied throughout the world. The Financial Services and Markets Bill provides new powers and responsibilities to the Financial Services Authority to combat money laundering in the UK.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97415]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury has spent the following amounts on consultants and advisers since 1996–97.

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  923,662

  1997–98

  976,971

  1998–99

  1,757,400

  1999–2000 to date

  1,053,758

  The increase in consultancies in 1998–99 is mainly the result of the transfer to the Treasury of DTI's Insurance Directorate and the creation of the Debt Management Office (which combined accounted for approximately £950,000).

  Tourist Tax
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce a tourist tax on popular tourist attractions. [98034]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government have no such plans.

  EMU and EU (Public Opinion)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what opinion research the Treasury has commissioned on attitudes to economic and monetary union and the European Union; which polling organisations have been awarded contracts for such research; when such contracts were awarded; and what the costs of such contracts have been. [97769]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury has commissioned no such research.

HEALTH

  Nurses
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses returned to employment in the National Health Service(a) in the first two quarters of 1997, (b) in the first two quarters of 1998 and (c) in the first two quarters of 1999. [93132]

  Mr. Denham
  Since our national recruitment campaign began on 1 February 1999, until 30 September 1999, 2,030 nurses returned to employment in the National Health Service.

  We do not hold figures centrally on the number of nurses who returned to employment in the NHS in 1997 and 1998. Information about the number of nurses joining the NHS is available from the annual survey conducted by the Office of Manpower Economics, on behalf of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health

  649
  Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine. The results from the March 1998 survey are in the sixteenth review body report which is available in the Library.

  2,327 nurses were on return to practice courses or booked on to forthcoming return to practice courses.

  Medical Accidents
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to set targets for the NHS for the reduction in the number of avoidable medical accidents. [93652]

  Ms Stuart
  It is, of course, important that patients should feel confident that they can rely on the National Health Service to provide the best care and treatment possible. We are committed to improving clinical standards across the board, and that is what our reforms of the National Health Service, including the introduction of clinical governance and the new statutory duty of quality, are doing. One of the aims is that, as standards are driven up, so medical accidents will be reduced.

  Continuing Care Beds
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish national eligibility criteria for continuing care beds in NHS hospitals. [95558]

  Mr. Denham
  We are reviewing continuing care policy and guidance and will announce the outcome of our review next year.

  Generic Drugs
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what data his Department has collated from the English health authorities as to the impact on their drugs budgets of the recent shortages and rising prices of generic drugs over the last 12 months; and if he will publish such information as he has received; [96171]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the anticipated impact on the NHS drugs budget of (a) the shortage and (b) rising prices of generic drugs over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [96172]

  Mr. Denham
  Our best estimate is that the combined effect on this year's drugs budget of price increases and the need to dispense more expensive drugs when cheaper generics are in short supply is of the order of £160 million, around 0.5 per cent. of the total resources allocated to health authorities this year. While the National Health Service should be able to cope with such pressures, it is clear that

  The net ingredient cost for thyroxine sodium preparations dispensed in the community, 1994 to 1998, and 1999 (January to June) England

  £000

  Drug name

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Eltroxin Tab 50mcg

  53.0

  46.9

  42.1

  54.6

  48.8

  21.8

  Eltroxin Tab 100mcg

  45.3

  39.9

  36.0

  41.7

  37.8

  17.4

  Thyroxine Sod Tab 100mcg

  341.9

  338.1

  350.8

  456.7

  992.6

  3,739.6

  Thyroxine Sod Tab 50mcg

  402.7

  392.9

  405.4

  548.7

  1,088.7

  2,637.4

  Thyroxine Sod Tab 25mcg

  457.2

  625.4

  1,069.3

  1,404.5

  1,668.9

  1,536.2

  Thyroxine Sod Oral Liq @spec

  11.1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 75mcg/5ml

  —

  2.7

  3.3

  —

  —

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 50mcg/5ml

  —

  9.5

  11.9

  18.7

  18.2

  13.1

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 100mcg/5ml

  —

  5.1

  9.6

  10.4

  18.1

  11.2

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 125mcg/5ml

  —

  4.5

  5.1

  7.2

  11.7

  5.1

  650
  the arrangements for the supply of generic medicines which have served the NHS well for many years have failed us this year. We have taken action on three fronts. First, we are seeking to improve the situation in the short term by making changes to the present arrangements—for example the rules which determine for the purposes of paying pharmacies whether a generic is in short supply. Second, we asked the Office of Fair Trading in August to investigate whether the current situation raises any competition issues. Third, we are setting up a fundamental review of the current arrangements to see whether there are alternative ways of supplying the NHS with generics which would better ensure consistency of supply at reasonable prices.

  Insulin Pens
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the prescribing of pen needles and disposable pens for insulin-dependent diabetics. [R] [96030]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) and the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 747.

  Thyroxine
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) for each of the last five years the amount the NHS has paid, and (b) the amount it expects to pay in this financial year, for the drug thyroxine; what the unit price was, or is, in each of those years; and what reasons underlay the changes. [96445]

  Mr. Denham
  The data requested are shown in the tables.

  The amount which the National Health Service pays for any medicine depends on the total quantity prescribed and the price. In the case of thyroxine, the quantity prescribed generically has increased in recent years and during this one. As regards price, the price which the NHS pays for thyroxine, as for other generic medicines, is based on prices which are set by competition in the market place. It is not controlled by government. There has been a spate of shortages of generic medicines during 1999 which have led to price rises, some of which have been dramatic. The increases in the prices of thyroxine tablets have been at the upper end of this range.

  The total cost of thyroxine for the rest of the financial year will depend on price and volume trends in the coming months.
  651

  The net ingredient cost for thyroxine sodium preparations dispensed in the community, 1994 to 1998, and 1999 (January to June) England

  £000

  Drug name

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 25mcg/5ml

  —

  5.2

  4.9

  6.9

  7.9

  3.2

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 150mcg/5ml

  —

  —

  —

  1.8

  2.0

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 250mcg/5ml

  —

  —

  —

  2.8

  2.7

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 200mcg/5ml

  —

  —

  —

  1.9

  —

  —

  Total

  1,324.7

  1,482.7

  1,958.1

  2,579.9

  3,931.8

  8,014.8

  Notes:

  1. The data cover all prescriptions dispensed in the community, ie by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England.

  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.

  3.For reasons of confidentiality, any individual preparation where less than 50 prescription items were dispensed is excluded. However the total includes all preparations dispensed.

  The net ingredient cost per quantity for thyroxine sodium preparations dispensed in the community, 1994 to 1998, and 1999 (January to June) England

  £

  Drug name

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Eltroxin Tab 50mcg

  0.004

  0.004

  0.004

  0.005

  0.006

  0.006

  Eltroxin Tab 100mcg

  0.005

  0.005

  0.005

  0.006

  0.006

  0.006

  Thyroxine Sod Tab 100mcg

  0.003

  0.002

  0.002

  0.003

  0.006

  0.042

  Thyroxine Sod Tab 50mcg

  0.002

  0.002

  0.002

  0.003

  0.005

  0.025

  Thyroxine Sod Tab 25mcg

  0.009

  0.010

  0.014

  0.016

  0.016

  0.027

  Thyroxine Sod Oral Liq @spec

  0.275

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 75mcg/5ml

  —

  0.176

  0.260

  —

  —

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 50mcg/5ml

  —

  0.294

  0.287

  0.305

  0.223

  0.240

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 100mcg/5ml

  —

  0.301

  0.234

  0.249

  0.272

  0.280

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 125mcg/5ml

  —

  0.607

  0.418

  0.352

  0.482

  0.507

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 25mcg/5ml

  —

  0.226

  0.175

  0.195

  0.228

  0.313

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 150mcg/5ml

  —

  —

  —

  0.219

  0.257

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 250mcg/5ml

  —

  —

  —

  0.752

  0.705

  —

  Thyroxine Sod Liq Spec 200mcg/5ml

  —

  —

  —

  0.298

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. The data cover all prescriptions dispensed in the community, ie by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England.

  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.

  3. The quantity of the drug dispensed is measured in units depending on the formulation of the product, for example one tablet or one millilitre.

  4. The net ingredient cost per quantity figure is the average over each period and will reflect any price changes in the period.

  Barnet Psychiatric Building
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the decision to replace the Barnet psychiatric building with a modern in-patient psychiatric unit will be implemented. [96628]

  Mr. Hutton
  Barnet Healthcare National Health Service Trust, in conjunction with Barnet Health Authority, is working to identify its preferred option for the future provision of mental health services in the east of the borough. Once this process is complete and the support of local commissioners has been obtained a business case will be submitted to the NHS Executive.

  Primary Care Groups
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funds he plans to give to primary care groups for prescribing. [96649]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no plans to increase the unified allocations for health authorities for 1999–2000. No decisions have yet been taken about health authority allocations for 2000–01.

  Xenotransplantations
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risks to human health from xenotransplantations; and if he will make a statement. [96644]

  Ms Stuart
  Xenotransplantation offers a possible solution to the current shortage of organs and tissue for transplantation. The Government, advised by the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority, believes that a cautious, step by step, approach to the exploration of this technology is the right way to proceed. Evidence about the safety of xenotransplantation is kept under constant review by the UKXIRA, which offers advice to the Government on all xenotransplantation issues. Safety remains of paramount importance. Any clinical trial in xenotransplantation involving humans will be allowed to take place only when we are fully satisfied that the risk associated with the particular xenotransplantation procedure involved in the trial is acceptable.

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risks of taking oral corticosteroids for osteoporosis; and if he will make a statement. [96660]

  Ms Stuart
  It is known that prolonged use of corticosteroids is an important risk factor in the development of osteoporosis.

  The Royal College of Physicians' evidence based "Clinical guidelines for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis" highlight this fact, as does the quick reference primary care guide issued by the Department. These documents recommend preventive strategies to help doctors with patients who present with this, and a range of other known risk factors.

  In addition the National Osteoporosis Society have also published guidance on "The prevention and management of corticosteroid induced osteoporosis". This is also a useful resource for doctors and members of the public alike.

  Description

  Total Quantity 1998–99 (Thousand)

  Sales 1998–99 (£000)

  Total Quantity 1997–98 (Thousand)

  Sales 1997–98 (£000)

  Disposable nappies

  11,909

  1,638

  11,370

  1,615

  Incontinence pad, all in one

  20,119

  7,160

  20,691

  7,961

  Incontinence pad, rectangular

  32,816

  2,405

  40,151

  2,835

  Incontinence pad, shaped

  44,791

  9,204

  43,636

  9,515

  Incontinence pad, underpad

  33,717

  4,181

  32,457

  3,795

  Incontinence pants

  5,311

  2,303

  5,023

  2,099

  Incontinence pads, reusable

  44

  241

  38

  219

  Incontinence foam wash

  103

  362

  60

  240

  Total

  148,810

  27,494

  153,426

  28,279

  Notes:

  NHS Supplies only collect information by the financial year. The last two full years are shown.

  All cost information includes Value Added Tax.

  NHS Hearing Tests
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for an NHS hearing test in each health authority. [97221]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which NHS hospitals employ doctors who are also members of the Territorial Army or reserve forces; and how many such doctors each of these hospitals employ; [97242]

  (2) how many NHS doctors are also reservists or members of the Territorial Army. [97243]

  Mr. Denham
  There are currently 440 doctors in the United Kingdom volunteer reserve medical forces. The further information requested is not available.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the results of the most recent

  Continence Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was for each category of continence product purchased by the NHS National Suppliers Trust in the year from February 1998 to January 1999(a) the number of items purchased, (b) the total costs and (c) the percentage change in the number purchased from the previous year; and what estimate he has made of the proportion this represents of the total of such products, by category or overall, that are purchased by the NHS. [96078]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: Information from the National Health Service Supplies Authority is shown in the table. The information relates only to those products that the NHS obtains from NHS Supplies. It is estimated that NHS Supplies' sales represent around 50 per cent. of the total market, with about 30 per cent. of products being provided direct from a supplier to a patient's home and about 20 per cent. direct from supplier to an NHS trust.

  NHS hospital and community health services recruitment, retention and vacancy survey, broken down by NHS region. [97270]

  Mr. Denham
  The detailed results, including an analysis by National Health Service region, of the recruitment, retention and vacancies survey will be published shortly

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to conclude his review of long-term care; and if he will make a statement. [97553]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Royal Commission on Long Term Care was asked to examine the options for funding long-term care, including residential care for elderly people. We are carefully considering the Royal Commission's proposals, the divergences of view within the Royal Commission and the comments that have been made by various organisations and individuals. We will make an announcement in due course.

  Midwifery
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the Iceni Team Midwifery Group in Colchester; and if he will make a statement. [97447]
  655
  Mr. Denham
  We have received a significant amount of correspondence on this subject. The matter was also raised in an Adjournment Debate on Friday 5 November.

  There will be no change to existing maternity services in north east Essex unless and until this has been determined by the outcome of a full and open consultation which will be led by North Essex Health Authority.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many team midwifery groups have been disbanded in each of the last three years for which figures are available, indicating the reasons given in each case; and if he will make a statement. [97452]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the number of team midwifery groups is not available centrally.

  Local Authority Care
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total level of resources he spent in the(a) current and (b) previous financial year to support 16 and 17-year-olds leaving local authority care. [97304]

  Mr. Hutton
  Gross expenditure by local authorities in England on all children who have left local authority care was £23 million for 1997–98, the latest year for which information is available.

  In addition, certain 16 and 17-year-olds leaving care are, like their peers, eligible for benefits. There are no centrally collected statistics on the benefits paid to 16 and 17-year-old care leavers.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total level of resources he spent in the(a) current and (b) previous financial year to support 16 and 17-year-olds in local authority care. [97302]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the total level of resources to support 16 and 17-year-olds looked after by local authorities is not held centrally. Statistics for 1997–98, the latest year available, show that gross expenditure of £969 million was spent on all children looked after by local authorities in England. Provisional statistics on the numbers of children looked after by local authorities in England at 31 March show that for all age groups there were 55,300 children of whom 9,000 were 16 years and over.

  In addition, certain 16 and 17-year-olds in local authority care (such as lone parents and disabled children) are, like their peers in the community, eligible for benefits. There are no centrally held statistics on the number of 16 and 17-year-olds who fall into these categories.

  School Nurses
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reduction there has been in the numbers of school nurses, broken down by health authority, over the last three years. [97443]

  Mr. Denham
  School nurses employed by National Health Service hospital and community health services have not been identified separately from other community nursing staff within the non-medical censuses conducted by the Department after 1994. Figures for 1995 onwards are not therefore available centrally.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received regarding the length of the consultation period on the national required standards for residential coma care; and if he will make a statement; [97367]

  (2) if he will extend the period of consultation on the national required standards for residential and nursing homes; [97366]

  (3) when Hampshire Coma Association can expect a response to its letter to the Minister of State of 6 October. [97360]

  Mr. Hutton
  I assume that the letter of 6 October referred to is the one from Mr. Ronnie Cairnduff of the Hampshire Care Homes Association. I replied to Mr. Cairnduff on 29 October and I hope that by now he will have received my letter.

  On 8 September the Department published the consultation document "Fit for the Future?". About 1,500 copies were distributed to a wide range of representative organisations and individuals for consultation nationally. The document is also immediately accessible on the internet.

  To date the Department has received fewer than a dozen letters suggesting that the formal consultation period should be extended.

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

  Medication (Patient Packs)
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish guidelines explaining why all medications need now to be in patient packs. [97479]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 5 November 1999]: There is no legal or National Health Service requirement for medicines to be supplied in patient packs. European Commission Directive 92/27 on medicines labelling and leaflets requires that medicines are supplied to patients with a detailed label and patient information leaflet containing a standard but extensive minimum set of information.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1999,Official Report, column 101, if he has made a provisional estimate of the aggregate increase in uniform business rates payable by NHS trusts and health authorities in England as a result of the 2000 rating revaluation. [97765]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 2 November 1999,Official Report, column 101.

  GP Referrals
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to reduce the time
  657
  between patients with non-life threatening conditions being referred by their general practitioners and their appointments with specialist consultants. [97650]

  Mr. Denham
  On 6 September, following a top level meeting of National Health Service staff and health ministers at Downing Street, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a package of measures to tackle waiting times to see a consultant. These included the extension of the National Booked Admissions Programme, tough new monitoring of outpatient performance and an additional £30 million to improve outpatient services. This money will go direct to the NHS to tackle problem areas locally—providing extra outpatient clinics, employing additional staff and investing in new medical equipment.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter of 28 September from Mr. R. Wright, a constituent. [97604]

  Ms Stuart
  An official at South West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive replied on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to Mr. Wright on 5 November.

  Health Service Expenditure
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the expenditure per head(a) in England, (b) in each English health region and (c) in each English health authority area on health services estimated for the current financial year and for the previous two financial years. [97967]

  Mr. Denham
  Information requested for the previous two financial years is shown in the table.

  Comparative information on the current financial year is not available.

  England—expenditure on health services by head of population (by health authority and region)

  £

  Health authority/region

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Bradford Health Authority

  598.23

  627.63

  Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority

  545.90

  583.02

  County Durham Health Authority

  586.74

  640.61

  East Riding Health Authority

  570.16

  612.79

  Gateshead and South Tyneside Health Authority

  641.47

  678.35

  Leeds Health Authority

  605.94

  633.88

  Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority

  651.79

  730.37

  North Cumbria Health Authority

  569.98

  614.44

  North Yorkshire Health Authority

  572.92

  624.64

  Northumberland Health Authority

  608.88

  645.41

  Sunderland Health Authority

  605.33

  637.05

  Tees Health Authority

  574.50

  625.99

  Wakefield Health Authority

  663.11

  694.98

  Northern and Yorkshire Region

  594.73

  638.12

  Barnsley Health Authority

  560.91

  602.17

  Doncaster Health Authority

  598.97

  634.92

  Leicestershire Health Authority

  536.87

  564.88

  Lincolnshire Health Authority

  611.59

  608.48

  North Derbyshire Health Authority

  580.60

  622.75

  North Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  544.93

  584.65

  Nottingham Health Authority

  548.03

  662.78

  Rotherham Health Authority

  544.11

  591.33

  658

  England—expenditure on health services by head of population (by health authority and region)

  £

  Health authority/region

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Sheffield Health Authority

  631.99

  669.82

  South Derbyshire Health Authority

  561.92

  587.99

  South Humber Health Authority

  618.19

  675.48

  Trent Region

  573.52

  615.09

  Bedfordshire Health Authority

  504.07

  550.66

  Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority

  482.86

  524.82

  East and North Hertfordshire Health Authority

  557.18

  590.03

  East Norfolk Health Authority

  561.22

  596.32

  North Essex Health Authority

  540.74

  565.85

  North West Anglia Health Authority

  545.05

  582.07

  South Essex Health Authority

  533.21

  560.03

  Suffolk Health Authority

  532.82

  562.89

  West Hertfordshire Health Authority

  586.98

  608.69

  Eastern Region

  538.79

  570.88

  Barking and Havering Health Authority

  607.33

  650.59

  Barnet Health Authority

  627.40

  617.22

  Bexley and Greenwich Health Authority

  636.82

  683.86

  Brent and Harrow Health Authority

  677.55

  714.95

  Bromley Health Authority

  544.59

  575.90

  Camden and Islington Health Authority

  858.84

  979.50

  Croydon Health Authority

  563.24

  609.43

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow Health Authority

  704.53

  726.37

  East London and the City Health Authority

  795.67

  823.29

  Enfield and Haringey Health Authority

  608.30

  652.10

  Hillingdon Health Authority

  585.98

  630.92

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority

  805.22

  830.40

  Kingston and Richmond Health Authority

  636.15

  669.12

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority

  765.47

  815.80

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority

  666.34

  708.34

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest Health Authority

  651.97

  706.54

  London Region

  683.37

  724.55

  Berkshire Health Authority

  508.35

  547.20

  Buckinghamshire Health Authority

  502.78

  526.56

  East Kent Health Authority

  591.12

  635.55

  East Surrey Health Authority

  624.55

  666.72

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority

  607.21

  634.07

  Isle of Wight Health Authority

  685.84

  721.72

  North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority

  508.83

  530.86

  Northamptonshire Health Authority

  507.36

  536.23

  Oxfordshire Health Authority

  492.95

  513.54

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority

  509.88

  572.27

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  565.01

  605.94

  West Kent Health Authority

  533.19

  557.21

  West Surrey Health Authority

  566.49

  585.98

  West Sussex Health Authority

  578.73

  615.59

  South East Region

  546.31

  578.66

  Avon Health Authority

  564.10

  604.19

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority

  578.98

  610.60

  Dorset Health Authority

  578.60

  618.74

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  557.55

  574.99

  North and East Devon Health Authority

  596.29

  620.10

  Somerset Health Authority

  551.10

  586.41

  South and West Devon Health Authority

  584.89

  618.85

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  544.68

  572.77

  South West Region

  568.84

  601.22

  Birmingham Health Authority

  659.02

  714.33

  Coventry Health Authority

  563.24

  601.78

  Dudley Health Authority

  520.91

  564.54

  Herefordshire Health Authority

  586.87

  596.42

  659

  England—expenditure on health services by head of population (by health authority and region)

  £

  Health authority/region

  1997–98

  1998–99

  North Staffordshire Health Authority

  576.69

  612.59

  Sandwell Health Authority

  628.16

  684.33

  Shropshire Health Authority

  524.87

  552.16

  Solihull Health Authority

  551.12

  582.57

  South Staffordshire Health Authority

  500.88

  526.01

  Walsall Health Authority

  560.93

  627.98

  Warwickshire Health Authority

  575.46

  593.80

  Wolverhampton Health Authority

  585.88

  634.42

  Worcestershire Health Authority

  563.72

  591.96

  West Midlands Region

  576.18

  614.13

  Bury and Rochdale Health Authority

  598.09

  618.56

  East Lancashire Health Authority

  620.75

  663.96

  Liverpool Health Authority

  686.21

  725.60

  Manchester Health Authority

  733.88

  817.36

  Morecambe Bay Health Authority

  638.94

  678.32

  North Cheshire Health Authority

  577.53

  620.55

  North West Lancashire Health Authority

  615.74

  649.68

  Salford and Trafford Health Authority

  610.84

  661.14

  Sefton Health Authority

  627.36

  663.36

  South Cheshire Health Authority

  554.45

  604.89

  South Lancashire Health Authority

  555.94

  606.42

  St. Helens and Knowsley Health Authority

  603.85

  642.18

  Stockport Health Authority

  544.67

  579.77

  West Pennine Health Authority

  553.72

  594.36

  Wigan and Bolton Health Authority

  560.27

  603.36

  Wirral Health Authority

  592.76

  671.84

  North West Region

  603.95

  649.50

  England—before adjustment

  587.53

  625.90

  England—after adjustment1

  654.84

  688.21

  1 The majority of drugs expenditure has been accounted for by the Prescription Pricing Authority rather than individual health authorities. Also the majority of General Dental Service expenditure is not available by health authority. A total national position is shown including these two elements.

  Note:

  1998–99 expenditure information is provisional

  Sources:

  Health authority accounts for 1997–98 and 1998–99

  Mid-year resident population estimates for 1997 and 1998

  Dereford Hospital
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding his plans to investigate waiting list management at Dereford Hospital. [97826]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Plymouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust failed to report 4 over-18-month waiters to the NHS Executive in June. The South West Regional Office of the NHS Executive have investigated how this occurred and, together with the National Patient Access Team, are reviewing Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust's waiting list management systems to ensure there is no recurrence.

  Since June 1999 Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has made changes in management including the appointment of a new clinical director and directorate manager for cardiac services together with the appointment of a new central waiting list manager. The Trust has revised its administrative procedures and is introducing a new patient administration computer system. In addition the Trust is making changes to the way the cardiac service is
  660
  delivered, including improving staffing levels to increase intensive bed capacity and changes in clinical practice for the timing of pre operative assessments and admissions.

  Arachnoiditis
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the services available on the NHS for arachnoiditis sufferers. [97411]

  Mr. Hutton
  Arachnoiditis sufferers should have access to any service offering investigation, care or treatment, according to individual clinical need. They will have access to local chronic pain relief services which are available in almost all acute hospitals. Additional pain relief may be provided to day case patients either as ordinary admission or to those requiring special facilities such as physiotherapy, psychotherapy or radiology.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total number of people in the United Kingdom suffering from arachnoiditis. [97410]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally. Statistics held by the Department of Health reflect only diagnostic information collected on in-patients attending National Health Service hospitals in England. In 1997 there were 2,200 cases diagnosed with arachnoiditis admitted to hospital in England1. The Department cannot determine the prevalence of arachnoiditis from these statistics.

  Source:

  1 Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) system.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned or evaluated into arachnoiditis; and what plans he has to introduce a compensation scheme for people who developed arachnoiditis following the administration to them of myodil lumbar myelography. [97996]

  Mr. Hutton
  Neither the Department of Health nor the Medical Research Council have directly commissioned or evaluated research into arachnoiditis.

  The Department has no plans to introduce a compensation scheme for people suffering from arachnoiditis.

  Depo-medrone and Kenalog
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to health authorities on the use of(a) Depo-medrone and (b) Kenalog. [97412]

  Mr. Hutton
  No guidance has been issued to health authorities on the use of Depo-medrone and Kenalog.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had or plans to have with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to ensure that planning permissions given to new nursing homes take account of the impact such consents have on local medical services. [97867]

  Mr. Hutton
  We believe that the supervision of nursing homes is best done through the regulation of homes. General planning legislation is not appropriate for this
  661
  purpose as it does not always differentiate residential and nursing homes from other dwellings where their impact on land-use is regarded as broadly similar. Therefore, we have not had, nor do we have any plans to have, discussions with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on this issue.

  Currently, nursing homes are regulated by Part II of the Registered Homes Act 1984. Under the Act local health authorities are responsible for registering independent nursing homes. Applicants must provide the health authority with details of the arrangements they intend to make, or have made, for their residents to receive medical services either under National Health Service arrangements or otherwise. In considering the application, the local health authority will take into account the impact on local medical services of registering the home along with all the other considerations.

  Consultants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last four financial years. [97421]

  Ms Stuart
  Expenditure by the Department is:

  Year

  Spend £ million

  1995–96

  18.504

  1996–97

  114.518

  1997–98

  111.848

  1998–99

  17.181

  1 Includes figures for regional office of the National Health Service Executive, which became part of the Department of Health in April 1996.

  In-patient Waiting Lists
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the in-patient waiting list figures announced monthly by his Department include patients on the Booked List who have been given a date for treatment, but have not yet received it. [98008]

  Mr. Denham
  Yes. Patients who are given a booked date for their treatment are included in the waiting list figures, until they are admitted.

  Glyphosate
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has undertaken into possible effects of glyphosate on human health; and if he will make a statement. [94829]

  Ms Quin
  I have been asked to reply.

  All pesticides used in this country, including glyphosate, must be approved by Ministers. Approval is granted only following thorough scientific evaluation of the risk that the pesticide might pose to people, wildlife and to the wider environment. Only if this evaluation shows that there is no unacceptable risk will approval be granted. All pesticides are subject to routine review and will be reviewed at any time if doubts are raised concerning their safety.
  662
  Glyphosate is currently being reviewed by the EU Commission as part of a programme to review all agricultural pesticides currently on the market in the EU. The German authorities were nominated by the Commission to evaluate the data and research studies submitted by companies and prepare a report. This report includes the possible effects of glyphosate on human health. The UK is playing an active part in this work and will ensure that the same rigorous standards are applied in this review as are applied in the UK to pesticide approvals.

  Additionally, we have urgently sought the studies allegedly linking glyphosate exposure and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These studies have also been passed to the German authorities and will be taken into account in the risk assessment process for the EU review of glyphosate. If we conclude that approved uses involve unacceptable risks, we will not hesitate to act.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues aimed at increasing awareness of the recognition and treatment of epilepsy in(a) schools and colleges and (b) the workplace. [97468]

  Jacqui Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Health have jointly produced "Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs", a good practice guide for schools. This includes specific reference to epilepsy, its medication and control. "Wired for Health" (www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk), the website of the Government's Healthy Schools Programme, also provides information on epilepsy through a link to the British Epilepsy Association's website. This is primarily for schools and colleges but has a wider audience including other workplaces.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will send a copy of the latest scientific report approving the safety of British beef to those countries which continue to ban British beef. [97743]

  Ms Quin
  Ministers and officials will certainly draw the attention of those countries which currently do not accept UK beef imports to the Scientific Steering Committee's clear advice on the safety of UK beef exports. The report is available through the internet.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those members of the Commonwealth which(a) have lifted their ban on British beef and (b) continue to ban British beef. [97741]

  Ms Quin
  We have approached a number of third countries, where a potential market has been identified, for their agreement to import British beef under the Date-based Export Scheme. So far, of those third countries that are Members of the Commonwealth, Mauritius and Cyprus have agreed, in principal, that they will allow the import of British beef under the Scheme
  663
  while Malta and Singapore have said that, at present, they will continue not to admit British beef. The other countries are still considering their positions. South Africa still has an import ban in place, but has said that this will be kept under review in the light of developments in the EU.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pounds of(a) beef and (b) beef products have been exported each week to each of the European Union member states since the ban on exporting British beef to those states was lifted. [97055]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is not yet available. I will write to my right hon. Friend when it is available. However he may wish to note that Official Overseas Trade Statistics do not separately identify exports of British beef from that of non-UK origin. In respect of exports of British beef, I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) on 21 October 1999,Official Report, columns 570-71.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those countries which continue to operate a ban on British beef imports. [96295]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 29 October 1999]: Among the EU member states only France and Germany still have import bans. We have approached a number of third countries, including the USA, where a potential market has been identified for their agreement to import British beef under the Date-based Export Scheme. To date, four

  Regional Service Centre

  1AAPS

  2BSPS

  3SCPS

  4SAPS

  5HLCA

  6CSS

  7ESA

  Bristol

  83

  29

  92

  60

  31

  599

  154

  Cambridge

  109

  36

  101

  91

  —

  718

  121

  Carlisle

  27

  33

  76

  47

  26

  512

  110

  Crewe

  31

  41

  112

  82

  51

  296

  134

  Exeter

  31

  34

  82

  66

  40

  568

  109

  Northallerton

  80

  37

  86

  64

  30

  408

  127

  Nottingham

  98

  41

  73

  65

  34

  501

  361

  Reading

  60

  39

  89

  59

  —

  805

  143

  Worcester

  59

  32

  92

  61

  28

  610

  148

  1 AAPS—Arable Area Payments Scheme

  2 BSPS—Beef Special Premium Scheme

  3 SCPS—Suckler Cow Premium Scheme

  4 SAPS—Sheep Annual Premium Scheme

  5 HLCA—Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances

  6 CSS—Countryside Stewardship Scheme

  7 ESA—Environmentally Sensitive Areas

  Note:

  Cambridge and Reading offices do not process HLCA claims.

  The amount of work involved in processing a claim or agreement varies according to its value and complexity. The claims processed by each Regional Service Centre will reflect the type of farming activity in its area. Where the farm businesses in a region are bigger than the average for the country as a whole, the number of hectares or animals in a claim for a particular scheme will be higher than the average. This will in turn entail longer field inspections and computer checks on more parcels of land. The figures should not therefore be used as a direct comparison of the efficiency of the nine RSCs. MAFF is currently developing efficiency measures for CAP administration by its Regional Organisation for the financial year 2000–01.
  664
  of those countries, Malta, Russia, Singapore and Switzerland, have said that, at present, they will continue not to admit British beef under the Scheme. Most of the other countries are still considering their positions. South Africa has an import ban in place, but has said that this will be kept under review in the light of developments in the EU.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many bovine TB triplet study areas badger culling has(a) begun and (b) been suspended; and how many study areas he expects to commence in 1999. [96067]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 1 November 1999]: Five triplets have been announced so far, two in 1998 and three in 1999. Culling has taken place in two of them. Operations are temporarily suspended in two others. We expect to announce one more before the end of 1999.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the cost per claim was in 1998–99 in each of his Department's regional service centres for each of the Common Agricultural Policy schemes administered by them. [97707]

  Ms Quin
  The direct cost per claim (in £) of staff administration for 1998–99 at each of the Ministry's Regional Service Centres (RSCs) for each of the major CAP schemes administered by them was as follows.

  Pet Travel Scheme
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the pet travel scheme to be introduced next year will apply to the Channel Islands. [95655]

  Ms Quin
  There are already no controls on the movement of pet animals between the Channel Islands and Great Britain. We have no plans to introduce any. The Channel Islands have their own quarantine regulations. Whether the Channel Island authorities introduce a pet travel scheme for animals entering the islands direct from abroad is therefore a matter for those authorities.

  Nuts
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to restrict the usage of nuts and nut oils in foodstuffs,(a) in general and (b) in cases where the product is specifically marketed at young children. [96532]

  Ms Quin
  Young children may exhibit allergies to a range of foods such as milk, eggs, and peanuts (allergies to other nuts are much less common in childhood), but as these are among the foods that provide good nutrition for the majority of children it would be counterproductive to restrict these for children in general. The mainstay of policy on potentially severe allergens such as peanuts and 'tree nuts' (hazel nuts, Brazil nuts, etc.) has been to encourage better awareness of the problem, and in order to safeguard against exposure to foods that may cause reactions.

  Nut oils are not normally used in foods for young children and experiments funded by the Ministry have shown that the refined oils that are used in food manufacture are very unlikely to cause a problem even for allergic individuals.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received regarding(a) the proposed rise in the hourly charge of the Meat Hygiene Service and (b) the need to increase the number of veterinary surgeons employed in slaughterhouses in order to meet EU protocols. [96247]

  Ms Quin
  My Department has received several hundred representations from Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, industry organisations, individual meat plant operators, farmers, consumers and others about the impact of(a) proposals to increase Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) inspection charges, and (b) increased veterinary supervision in meat plants in line with EU requirements.

  The Government has listened to these concerns about the future of the slaughtering sector. That is why, as my right hon. Friend the Minister announced in September, the Government has further deferred the introduction of charges for MHS supervision of Specified Risk Material controls until at least April 2002. This represents a saving of some £22 million per year to the industry. Moreover, low throughput slaughterhouses will not be required to have full-time supervision by a vet during post-mortem inspection. The MHS is now reviewing its levels of inspections in individual low throughput premises.

  We are also carrying out an Efficiency Review of the MHS under an external chairman and in full consultation with the industry. The results will appear early in the New Year. Furthermore, the Government has set up the Meat Industry Red Tape Working Group (the Pooley Group) to advise on how charges and legislation can be adapted to help the industry.

  In addition, the Government has sent a copy of the MLC report on meat inspection charges in other Member States to the EU Food Safety Commissioner David Byrne, and urged the Commission to investigate the way in which meat inspection charges are levied in other Member
  666
  States. In particular, we have urged the Commission to investigate the allegations of subsidy in Italy and non-collection of charges in Spain.

  Specified Risk Material
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the consequences that transferring the costs of operating specified risk material controls from public funds to industry will have on the agriculture industry. [96250]

  Ms Quin
  My Ministerial colleagues and I have received a considerable number of representations on the impact of charges for the specified risk material controls on the agriculture and slaughterhouse industry over the past 12 months.

  It was in response to these representations that we decided to defer the introduction of these charges initially for the current financial year and subsequently, as my right hon. Friend the Minister announced on 20 September, until 2002–03 at the earliest.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much funding has been given to farmers in England and Wales to alleviate the added costs of enforcing the controls on specified risk material in each of the past two years; and what funding will be provided in the current financial year. [96246]

  Ms Quin
  The costs of enforcing the specified risk material controls have been, and will continue to be, borne by the Government during this period. Enforcement of these controls has not therefore given rise to any added costs to farmers.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the costs of enforcing the specified risk material controls in the UK relative to those of equivalent systems in other EU states. [96262]

  Ms Quin
  The costs of supervising and enforcing the specified risk material (SRM) controls in the UK in the 1998–99 financial year was £17 million.

  No-EU-wide SRM controls are in force and individual Member States operate national controls where it is deemed necessary. Such information as is available on the costs in other EU Member States is contained in a report on meat inspection charges and other enforcement costs published in September 1999 by the Meat and Livestock Commission. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  BSE
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many new cases of BSE were reported(a) in the UK and (b) by other member countries of the EU in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1997. [96679]

  Ms Quin
  Numbers of confirmed cases of BSE by year of report for the UK are as follows:

  1997

  1998

  United Kingdom

  4,335

  3,197

  667
  We do not have data for other Member States by year of report. The following figures, by date of confirmation, were reported to the Commission by Member States. The information was supplied by the Commission.

  Member state

  1997

  1998

  Belgium

  1

  6

  France

  6

  18

  Germany

  12

  Ireland

  77

  79

  Luxembourg

  1

  Netherlands

  2

  2

  Portugal

  30

  104

  1 Germany has reported no homebred cases of BSE.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made towards developing a test for BSE in live animals; and what plans the Government have for implementing such a test. [97227]

  Ms Quin
  There are, as yet, no validated tests for the diagnosis of either BSE or scrapie in live animals. One test, developed in the USA, appears promising with respect to the diagnosis of scrapie in sheep and chronic wasting disease in elk during the pre-clinical stage of infection and while animals are alive. Scientists at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) are collaborating with their American counterparts to introduce this technology to the VLA where it will be evaluated for use to detect scrapie infected sheep. Although BSE in cattle appears to behave quite differently from scrapie in sheep in terms of tissue distribution, attempts will be made to evaluate the potential for the use of this test for BSE in cattle as well.

  We have no knowledge of any other test that has been proven to have the necessary sensitivity and specificity for use on live animals.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many new BSE cases were notified in each month from January to August, broken down by region. [96487]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 29 October 1999]: The following tables give figures for suspect BSE cases reported in the first eight months of 1999 by region for England and in the first six months of 1999 for Scotland and Wales. It must be noted that BSE has not been confirmed in all of these cases.

  Number of suspect cases of BSE reported to MAFF in each region from January to August 1999:

  Eastern region

  1999

  Number of cases

  January

  39

  February

  27

  March

  38

  April

  29

  May

  20

  June

  17

  July

  20

  August

  25

  Eastern Region: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk

  668

  Mid & West region

  1999

  Number of cases

  January

  62

  February

  62

  March

  79

  April

  58

  May

  60

  June

  66

  July

  61

  August

  46

  Mid & West Region: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Hereford & Worcs, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Manchester, Merseyside, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands and Warwickshire

  Northern region

  1999

  Number of cases

  January

  39

  February

  39

  March

  52

  April

  32

  May

  28

  June

  33

  July

  33

  August

  27

  Northern Region: Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Humberside, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire North, Yorkshire South and Yorkshire West

  South East region

  1999

  Number of cases

  January

  37

  February

  33

  March

  31

  April

  25

  May

  26

  June

  30

  July

  24

  August

  19

  South East Region: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, London, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex East and Sussex West

  South West region

  1999

  Number of cases

  January

  113

  February

  108

  March

  130

  April

  84

  May

  120

  June

  97

  July

  64

  August

  76

  South West Region: Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Scilly Isles, Somerset and Wiltshire

  Scotland

  1999

  Number of cases

  January

  6

  February

  10

  March

  5

  April

  7

  May

  6

  June

  5

  669

  Wales

  1999

  Number of cases

  January

  20

  February

  28

  March

  18

  April

  21

  May

  19

  June

  11

  From 1 July 1999 provision of figures for Scotland and Wales became the responsibility of the devolved administration of those countries.

  Labelling
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve the labelling of food products and farm produce. [96682]

  June 1994

  June 1995

  June 1996

  June 1997

  June 1998

  June 1999

  Sheep breeding flock1,2

  England

  9,363,165

  9,103,412

  8,917,524

  9,024,128

  9,162,334

  9,256,526

  Wales

  5,597,654

  5,500,976

  5,490,517

  5,433,855

  5,667,989

  35,480,875

  Total sheep and lambs1

  England

  20,045,276

  19,607,285

  18,846,873

  19,221,664

  19,866,376

  20,030,615

  Wales

  11,023,893

  11,100,156

  10,783,431

  10,824,529

  11,419,604

  310,924,129

  1 The data relate to main holdings only

  2 Up to 1994, the figures relate to ewes kept for breeding, including draft and cast ewes and two-tooth ewes put, or to be put, to the ram. From 1995, the figures relate to ewes and shearlings that have produced lambs in the last year (whether intended for further breeding or slaughter) and female sheep (one year and over) put, or to be put, to the ram.

  3 Figures for Wales for 1999 are provisional.

  Source:

  June Agricultural and Horticultural Census

  Agricultural Wages Board
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to begin consultation on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board; and if he will make a statement. [97381]

  Ms Quin
  During the passage of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 the Government confirmed its plans to review the Agricultural Wages Board in late 1999. We intend to issue a consultation paper before the end of the year.

  Meat and Livestock Commission (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the practicability of setting up a separate meat and livestock commission in Wales answerable to the National Assembly. [97812]

  Ms Quin
  None; we know that the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) is very conscious of the needs of its Welsh levy payers when drawing up its plans. A Welsh Council of the MLC has now been established in response to Devolution. During the recent quinnquennial review of the MLC there was no pressure from Welsh farmers for a separate MLC type body in Wales.
  670
  Ms Quin
  The Government are committed to promoting informed consumer choice. We are pressing for improvements in Labelling rules, at EU level, including full disclosure of major allergens and mandatory, user-friendly nutrition labelling. At a national level we have recently published revised draft guidance notes aimed at ensuring that origin indications on foods are clear and not misleading. In the longer term, we will be seeking changes to labelling rules at European and International level to ensure that information given to consumers about the origin of the foods is clear and unambiguous.

  Sheep
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the size of the sheep flock in England and Wales(a) at present and (b) in each of the last five years. [95748]

  Ms Quin
  The figures for the sheep breeding flock and for all sheep and lambs in England and Wales are shown in the table for the period from June 1994 to June 1999:

  Milk Marque
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which successor organisation to Milk Marque, farmers in Shrewsbury and Atcham will be able to join on 1 April 2000; and if he will make a statement. [97939]

  Ms Quin
  That is a matter for Milk Marque. My understanding is that, initially, the allocation of existing members milk contracts in Shrewsbury and Atcham will be dependent on their district code. This means that some members will be assigned to the North and others to the Central successor bodies. After 1 April 2000 they will be able to seek to join any of the successor bodies.

  Pigs (Welfare)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received as a result of his campaign to ensure that public authorities take account of animal welfare when purchasing pork and pork products. [97911]

  Ms Quin
  A number of local authorities and central purchasing organisations have responded to my right hon. Friend the Minister's letter informing them of the welfare and quality standards of British pig production. Most have
  671
  been positive and where appropriate they have been put in contact with the Meat and Livestock Commission to obtain further information.

  Organic Milk
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of household milk sold in England in the last year for which figures are available was organic; and if he will make a statement. [97938]

  Ms Quin
  No figures are available for liquid milk separately, but estimates produced by the organic sector itself indicate that organic dairy products had a retail value of £54 million in 1998–99. This represents around 1 per cent. of total retail sales of dairy products that year.

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for using a single co-operative to market organic milk after 31 March 2000. [97850]

  Ms Quin
  None. The marketing of milk is a matter for the industry itself. There is already one co-operative marketing organic milk in England.

  Heritage Seed Library
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance is being provided by his Department to the Heritage Seed Library at Ryton. [97808]

  Ms Quin
  This Department supplies no assistance to the Heritage Seed Library at Ryton. However, duplicates of much of the material held by the Heritage Seed Library are held in the Vegetable Gene Bank which is maintained by Horticulture Research International at Wellesbourne and the John Innes Pisum Collection which is maintained by the John Innes Centre for Plant Science Research at Norwich. Both these collections receive assistance from my Department.

  Meat Hygiene Appeals Tribunal
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the review of the Meat Hygiene Appeals Tribunal; and if he will make a statement. [97794]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 November 1999]: The review is in progress and interested organisations and others have been invited to comment by 29 November 1999. Seven representations have been received so far.

  Slaughterhouses
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he first received advice from the EU that full-time veterinary inspection in low-throughput slaughterhouses was not necessary. [97541]

  Ms Quin
  The advice from the Commission on the requirements for veterinary supervision in low throughput slaughterhouses and cutting plants that full-time veterinary ante-mortem inspection in low throughput slaughterhouses was necessary but full-time veterinary post-mortem inspection in low throughput slaughterhouses was not necessary was received on 17 May in a letter dated 5 May 1999.

  Sand Eels
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he held on the conservation of sand eels at the October Fisheries Council. [97574]

  Mr. Morley
  The conservation of sand eels was not on the agenda of the October Fisheries Council. I have had discussions with the Danish Minister and the Commissioner, and expect a Commission proposal addressing the issue shortly.

  Integrated Administration and Control System
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money was recovered from surveys made through the Integrated Administration and Control System farm inspections in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [97694]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Complete data on the amounts recovered are not available. However, under European Community regulations aggregations are made of the value of all irregularities amounting to euro4000 (£2,844) and above which are detected through IACS field inspections and subsequently recovered. The value of these recoveries in the UK financial years specified by the hon. Member are set out in the following table. It should be noted that recovery procedures for the more recent irregularities are still in their early stages, so the amounts recovered are likely to increase substantially.

  £000

  Total value of irregularities recovered

  1996–97

  308

  1997–98

  315

  1998–99

  432

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his officials will rely on Ordnance Survey maps for calculating land area when completing Integrated Administration and Control System forms. [97692]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Under European Community regulations farmers can use field area information taken from Ordnance Survey (OS) maps in their IACS area aid applications. This information is acceptable, provided that the fields concerned are fully utilised for the purpose of the aid scheme under which the claim is made. However, if the field contains an ineligible feature, such as a pond, or a road, or a storage area for straw bales, then the farmer should deduct the area of this feature from the OS area.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of a farm inspection programme under the Integrated Administration and Control System in total per year; and what is the cost per farm inspected. [97693]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The information requested relating to the 1998 inspection programme is currently being compiled. I will write to the hon. Member when it is available.

  Egg Labelling
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve the descriptions of eggs for sale in terms of the rearing system used. [97501]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: EC Egg Marketing rules cover the use of 'Special Marketing Terms' for eggs for sale in terms of the rearing system used. The European Commission is due to review these terms following the adoption of the Directive on the Welfare of Laying Hens this summer. We await proposals from the Commission. Once negotiations begin we will be seeking to ensure the rules reflect the high welfare standards we have in the UK.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will prohibit the description farm fresh eggs from being used to describe those originating from battery systems. [97502]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: Under the EC Egg Marketing Regulations the term 'fresh' is reserved for eggs of Grade A quality, which is the highest standard of freshness and cleanliness laid down. It may be used to describe eggs produced under any system, including battery systems. The word 'farm' is not considered to be misleading, as nearly all eggs are produced on farms of one kind or another.

  Florence Agreement (Export Ban)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the legal status of the Florence Agreement in respect of dairy calves of the export ban on live cattle. [98017]

  Ms Quin
  The Florence Agreement is the conclusion of an informal Council of Minister meeting and, as such, has no legislative status. Nevertheless, the Agreement

  Target

  Performance

  Percentage of claims processed within deadlines

  99.0

  99.4

  Percentage of claims processed correctly

  98.5

  98.9

  Cumulative running cost efficiency gains (percentage)

  2.5

  5.3

  Improvement in index of productivity (percentage)

  4.0

  5.9

  Ratio of disallowance to EAGGF funds handled (percentage)

  0.40

  0.03

  To maintain expenditure within vote provision, cash and running cost limits

  Achieved

  New value for money savings in procurement of goods and services (percentage)

  7.0

  9.3

  Yield: cost ratio of anti-fraud activities

  3.0:1.0

  2.9:1.0

  674
  provides an important framework for the lifting of the export ban on a step by step basis. The lifting of the ban in respect of live cattle is foreseen as one of the stages of the Florence Agreement but it is too early to say when exports of live cattle might resume.

  Cattle Ear Tags
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to replace the current large MAFF-specified cattle ear tags with more durable, smaller, stronger tags containing a microchip. [97691]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 9 November 1999]: The specifications for the large distance readable cattle ear tags are laid down in EU legislation and there are no proposals to amend these requirements. We are aware that there is concern over the loss rates of plastic cattle ear tags experienced by some farmers and we are currently investigating the reasons for this.

  A European Union funded programme of trials into the various forms of electronic identification for cattle and other livestock is currently underway. After these trials have been completed the European Commission is expected to propose an EU wide standard. In the meantime, farmers can voluntarily use electronic identification but this does not replace the requirement for the large distance readable tag.

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the Intervention Board performed against its targets for 1998–99. [98368]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Intervention Board's performance against its key targets in 1998–99 was as follows:

  Pakistan
  Pakistan
  Chechnya
  Chechnya
  Kosovo: De-mining
  Kosovo: De-mining
  Serb Yugoslavia: Energy Supplies
  Serb Yugoslavia: Energy Supplies
  Angola
  Angola
  Roma People
  Roma People
  South-east Europe: Reconstruction
  South-east Europe: Reconstruction
  AWE, Aldermaston: Safety
  AWE, Aldermaston: Safety
  Anti-personnel Mines
  Anti-personnel Mines
  Zinc Cadmium Sulphide Trials
  Zinc Cadmium Sulphide Trials
  Iraqi Opposition Groups
  Iraqi Opposition Groups
  King Edward VII Convalescent Home
  King Edward VII Convalescent Home
  Tourism Forum
  Tourism Forum
  Stonehenge: World Heritage Site
  Stonehenge: World Heritage Site
  Civil Court Action
  Civil Court Action
  Beef on the Bone
  Beef on the Bone
  French Meat
  French Meat
  Farm Payments
  Farm Payments
  Official Veterinary Surgeons
  Official Veterinary Surgeons
  Northern Ireland Statistics
  Northern Ireland Statistics
  Northern Ireland: Agricultural Industry
  Northern Ireland: Agricultural Industry
  Srebrenica Massacre: Report
  Srebrenica Massacre: Report
  British Nationals Tried Overseas: FCO Role
  British Nationals Tried Overseas: FCO Role
  Outer Space
  Outer Space
  UN: US Arrears
  UN: US Arrears
  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Monitoring System
  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Monitoring System
  Transport Tribunal
  Transport Tribunal
  Road Haulage Operators: Reserve Funds
  Road Haulage Operators: Reserve Funds
  London Bus Fare Evasion
  London Bus Fare Evasion
  Stonehenge
  Stonehenge
  Non-packaging Plastic Waste
  Non-packaging Plastic Waste
  Bridleways: Harness Horse Driving
  Bridleways: Harness Horse Driving
  Lead Shot Restriction Regulations
  Lead Shot Restriction Regulations
  King's Cross Partnership
  King's Cross Partnership
  Railway Passenger Safety
  Railway Passenger Safety
  Guide Dogs: Carriage in Taxis
  Guide Dogs: Carriage in Taxis
  London Transport Services: Consultation on Changes
  London Transport Services: Consultation on Changes
  Railtrack
  Railtrack
  Therapeutic Genes Carried by Virus
  Therapeutic Genes Carried by Virus
  Norway, Switzerland and UK: Exports to EU
  Norway, Switzerland and UK: Exports to EU
  Therapeutic Cloning
  Therapeutic Cloning
  Regional Trade Agreements
  Regional Trade Agreements
  Guernsey: Income Tax Law
  Guernsey: Income Tax Law
  Holocaust Remembrance Day
  Holocaust Remembrance Day
  Police Officers: Service with Europol
  Police Officers: Service with Europol
  Firearms Records: Impact Assessment
  Firearms Records: Impact Assessment
  General Pinochet
  General Pinochet
  Fire Officer Deaths
  Fire Officer Deaths
  Police Officer Deaths
  Police Officer Deaths
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Stabled Horses: Overnight Supervision
  Stabled Horses: Overnight Supervision
  Firearms Registers: Computerised Records
  Firearms Registers: Computerised Records
  Asylum Applications: Decisions
  Asylum Applications: Decisions
  Classroom Assistants
  Classroom Assistants
  J Sainsbury plc and DTI Inquiry
  J Sainsbury plc and DTI Inquiry
  Afghanistan: Arms Embargo
  Afghanistan: Arms Embargo