Written Answers of 29 November 1999

DEFENCE

  Procurement
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (i) the original in-service date, (ii) the current in-service date, (iii) the estimated and actual costs, (iv) the years of expected peak expenditure and (v) the prime contractor for all the endorsed staff requirements. [98583]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the use of equipment supplied to Indonesia's armed forces by United Kingdom suppliers; and if he will make a statement. [99297]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We are in regular contact with our Embassy in Jakarta about the use of such equipment. We have made it clear to Indonesia that UK-supplied defence equipment should not be used in East Timor or against civilians in violation of human rights standards.

  Target Setting
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many targets have been agreed between his Department and (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies apart from his own agencies and non-departmental bodies since May 1997. [99478]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: With the exception of the Public Service Agreement with HM Treasury my Department has no targets agreed with other bodies at the Departmental level. However the Public Service Agreement is consistent with the wider goals of the Government. At a lower level some elements of the Department and the Armed Forces will share goals with outside bodies. It would not be possible to provide a comprehensive list of such shared goals without disproportionate cost.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are currently committed to the defence of the Falkland Islands. [100018]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are currently approximately 1,650 Service personnel in the Falkland Islands.

  Old Ranges, Shoeburyness
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the tender documents for the site at the Old Ranges, Shoeburyness, have to be lodged with Donaldsons of 70 Jermyn Street, London SW1; and when the tender documents will be available to possible bidders. [100055]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The sales brochure specified that the extra site would be sold by means of Best Offer bids, and that proposals should be received by 12 noon on Friday 10 December 1999, at the agents, Donaldsons, 70 Jermyn street, London. Donaldsons wrote to all prospective purchasers on 24 November 1999, explaining the basis upon which offers should be made. There is no requirement for formal tender documentation given that the site is not being sold by Formal Tender.

  IT Projects
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information on(a) costs and (b) time scales of IT projects currently being undertaken by his Department is held centrally; if he will list the (i) start date, (ii) planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) planned cost and (v) current estimated cost of these projects where available; and if he will make a statement. [99666]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The information requested is not readily available; however, I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Army (Terms of Service)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact of the Army Terms of Service (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 on the ability of young people in the armed forces to leave after enlistment; and what is the minimum period of service for which such young persons will have to enlist. [100193]

  Mr. Spellar
  All recruits to non-commissioned service in the Army enter on an Open Engagement of 22 years reckonable service from age 18 or the date of joining, whichever is the later. The Army Terms of Service (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999, which came into effect on 1 November 1999, increased the minimum commitment period for newly recruited soldiers from three to four years. Those enlisted after this date will, therefore, serve for an additional year before they have the right to discharge to the reserve.

  The Army Terms of Service (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 have no effect on the statutory right to discharge provisions. A recruit under the age of 18 can leave the Army free as of right within the first six months of service (having served at least 28 days and having given 14 days notice); for those aged over 18, the statutory right to discharge ends three months after joining for duty.

  New recruits who do not exercise this right are committed to serve for four years from their 18th birthday or 4.25 years after attestation, whichever is the later. Provision does, however, exist for personnel of any age to be discharged from the service at any time for a number of reasons, including compassionate.

  War Widows
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date war widows will be able to keep their armed forces pension on remarriage. [99094]

  Mr. Spellar
  The payment of widows' pensions is being examined as part of the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme which is currently under way. We hope it will be concluded by next summer. It is not possible at this stage to comment on the outcome.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions Ministers or his officials have held with the Department of Social Security in respect of war pensions for widows; and if he will make a statement. [100310]

  Mr. Spellar
  MOD and DSS officials have worked closely on the joint MOD-DSS review of compensation for members of the armed forces who suffer illness, injury, and death for reasons attributable to service. The MOD and DSS routinely discuss war pensions issues, including arrangements for war widows. There are also day-to-day contacts between DSS War Pensions Agency and the MOD Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency about the handling of individual cases.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of war widows retaining for life attributable pensions awarded under his Department's armed forces pension scheme. [100313]

  Mr. Spellar
  We estimate that the cost of war widows retaining for life their attributable pensions would be between £2 million and £3 million per annum.

  Marital Status (Service Personnel)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy have changed from Maristat One in each year between and including 1989 and the current financial year; into which marital category they have changed; what proportion of each service this represents for each year; and if he will make a statement. [99928]

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

  Air Crashes
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, for the RAF, the Royal Navy and the Army, he will list(a) the number of aircraft crashed in each of the past five years to November 1999, (b) their value, (c) the age and type of each aircraft, (d) the fate of the pilots and (e) the attributed cause of each accident. [100311]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The information requested is not readily available; however I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  National Employers Liaison Committee
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the budget for the National Employers
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  Liaison Committee for the reserves of the armed forces and (b) the Territorial Army Recruiting Budget for each year from 1994. [99930]

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

  Pay Scales
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the current pay scales for(a) non-regular permanent staff staff sergeants and (b) MOD civil service executive officers. [99932]

  Mr. Spellar
  The current pay scale for a non-regular permanent staff (NRPS) staff sergeant, effective from 1 April 1999, is £20,613 per annum on appointment, rising to £20,723 after nine years.

  With effect from 1 August 1999, the maximum point on the executive officer pay scale was increased from £18,264 to £22,727. The minimum was also increased, from £11,914 to £12,523.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the value of redundancy payments made to non-regular permanent staff replaced by Executive Officers as Territorial Army financial systems administrators; and how many NRPS FSAs over 50 years of age have been pensioned off. [99934]

  Mr. Spellar
  To date there have been no redundancy payments made to non-regular permanent staff (NRPS) financial systems administrator (FSA) personnel, including those over age 50, who are being replaced by civilian Executive Officers (EOs). It is not currently possible to provide the value of redundancy payments which will be made because such payments will be determined individually and will be calculated on the basis of length of NRPS service and rate of pay on discharge.

  The number of NRPS FSAs over the age of 50 is not held centrally, but is being collated, and I will write to the hon. Member with this detail and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Broadsword
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of repairing and refitting the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training vessel Broadsword in the past year; and what would be the cost of purchasing an equivalent new boat. [99931]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Joint Services Adventure Sail Training vessel Broadsword completed an extensive package of work in May 1998 to extend her life for a further 15 years. The total cost of this work was £256,000. Since then, the only costs incurred on Broadsword have been for repair work associated with her participation in the Transglobe Inter-Savings global yacht race, which has not yet completed. It is estimated that the repair work undertaken to-date will cost about £14,000. No refit work is planned for 1999–2000. The cost of purchasing an equivalent new boat is estimated to be about £700,000.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reason Territorial Army financial systems administrators have each received substitution pay of £10 per day; and what has been the total cost to his budget; [99929]

  (2) how many Territorial Army financial systems administrator posts are being civilianised; what is (a) the average and (b) the maximum number of training weeks required to train executive officers as FSAs; what is the cost of that training; what is the cost of (i) subsistence and (ii) travelling expenses per person per day for that training at Worthy Down; and whether overtime will be payable to civilianised FSAs. [99933]

  Mr. Spellar
  The post of Financial Systems Administrator (FSA) was civilianised with effect from 1 July 1999, and this will affect some 78 non-regular permanent staff (NRPS). The executive officer (EO) grade civil servants who will fulfil this function in future will each undergo a maximum of 18 weeks training at the School of Employment (SET) Training at Worthy Down before taking over the job fully. One additional member of staff has been temporarily employed to assist in running courses at SET at a cost of some £35,000 to minimise the impact of this surge in requirement on existing courses.

  The travel and subsistence costs for EOs attending these courses depend on an individual's circumstances. Where EOs stay in the Officers' Mess at Worthy Down, they will receive daily subsistence of £5 in addition to the cost of accommodation. If they stay in a hotel, the rate is up to a maximum of £25 in addition to the cost of accommodation. It is not possible to provide a meaningful figure for travelling expenses because each individual's circumstances are unique. Executive officer FSAs will be entitled to claim overtime.

  Until such time as the executive officers take over these responsibilities, the NRPS staff sergeants who are currently filling the posts are entitled to substitution pay which equates to £10 a day. In order to provide an overall cost, it would be necessary to refer to individual records and this has not been possible in the time available.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what motor mileage allowance rates his Department offers to(a) ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98699]

  Mr. Straw
  Home Office Ministers, when travelling on official business, may use a private car instead of an official car, and claim mileage allowances in the same circumstances and on the same terms as Home Office civil servants. However, all five Ministers use the Government Car Service. The vehicles available to me, while purchased by my Department, are operated by the Metropolitan Police.

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  The Motor Mileage Allowance Rates offered to Ministers and civil servants using their own vehicles for official business are as follows:

  Home Office (excluding Prison Service)

  Motor Vehicle Rates

  Public Transport Rate
  23.8p per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine capacity up to 1500cc
  35.7p for first 5,000 miles
  19p for over 5,000 miles

  Engine capacity 1501–2000cc
  43p for first 5,000 miles
  23p for over 5,000 miles

  Engine capacity over 2000cc
  46p for first 5,000 miles
  31p for over 5,000 miles

  Motor Cycle Rates

  Public Transport Rate

  Engine capacity up to 125cc
  12.9p per mile

  Engine capacity over 125cc
  23.8p per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine capacity up to 125cc
  16.2p for first 4,000miles
  6.2p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine capacity over 125cc
  26p for first 4,000 miles
  9p for over 4.000 miles

  Prison Service

  Motor Vehicle Rates
  Public Transport Rate
  24.9p per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine capacity up to 1000cc
  28p for first 4,000 miles
  17p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine capacity 1001–1500cc
  35p for first 4,000 miles
  20p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine capacity 1501–2000cc
  45p for first 4,000 miles
  25p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine capacity over 2000cc
  63p for first 4,000 miles
  36p for over 4,000 miles
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  Motor Cycle Rates

  Public Transport Rate

  Engine capacity up to 125cc
  13.4p per mile

  Engine capacity over 125cc
  24.9 per mile

  Standard Rate Mileage

  Engine capacity up to 125cc
  17.5p for first 4,000 miles
  6.5p for over 4,000 miles

  Engine capacity over 125cc
  27.2p for first 4,000 miles
  9.7p for over 4,000 miles

  Expenditure

  The cost of motor mileage allowances for Home Office civil servants in each of the last three years has been as follows:

  Year

  £

  1996–97

  1,116,202

  1997–98

  1,039,917

  1998–99

  930,237

  Unfortunately, data are not available for the earlier two years: 1994–95 and 1995–96. Also these figures exclude expenditure in the United Kingdom Passport Agency and the Prison Service because these data could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from organisations representing tourism and the travel industry(a) supporting and (b) opposing an increase in fees charged by the Passport Agency for issuing passports. [99401]

  Mrs. Roche
  Representations expressing concern about increases in passport fees have been received from The Association of British Travel Agents Ltd., The Council of Travel and Tourism, the Passenger Shipping Association and the Federation of Tour Operators.

  The Agency has taken careful account of their representations in its review of passport fees.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he plans to publish the Passport Agency's business plan 1999–2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002. [100210]

  Mr. Straw
  The Passport Agency's Corporate and Business Plans 1999–2002 will be published shortly.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his advisory board considered the Passport Agency's business plan 1999 to 2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002; and if his advisory board has now approved those plans. [100208]

  Mr. Straw
  The Passport Agency's revised Corporate and Business Plans were considered by the Advisory Board on 27 September. The plans, which were held back pending the publication of the National Audit Office 8W
  report, have now been approved. They will be issued shortly, together with a recovery plan which sets out the action the Agency is taking to prevent a recurrence of this year's problems.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Board of the United Kingdom Passport Agency considered its business plan 1999–2000 and its corporate plan 1999 to 2002; and if the plans have been approved. [100209]

  Mr. Straw
  The Passport Agency's revised Corporate and Business Plans were considered by the Agency's Management Board on 20 September. The plans, which were held back pending publication of the National Audit Office Report, have now been approved. They will be published shortly, together with a recovery plan which sets out the action the Agency is taking to prevent a recurrence of this year's problems.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in his review of the future level of passport fees. [100214]

  Mr. Straw
  We are looking at various options for a possible increase in passport fees and an announcement of the outcome will be made shortly.

  Airport Vetting
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it became the practice for immigration officers to vet passengers as to the status of their visas and passports prior to leaving aeroplanes arriving in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [99848]

  Mrs. Roche
  While there are powers in Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 which allow an Immigration officer to board and search an aircraft and to require the production of a passenger's documents, Immigration officers do not routinely examine passengers' travel documents prior to their leaving an aircraft. However, Immigration officers regularly attend arriving flights and check travel documents shortly after disembarkation in order to identify inadequately documented passengers. This practice has grown since the late 1980s in order to deal with the increasing number of passengers who destroy or otherwise dispose of their travel documents and tickets after departure for the United Kingdom. The procedures have been developed to establish the proof of carriage so that charges under the carriers' liability legislation can be effectively pursued and also to minimise the difficulties and costs in removing persons where the identity of the carrier and the port of embarkation cannot be established.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total amount of the settlements made with the five employees of the Commission for Racial Equality with regard to their claims of racial discrimination against the Commission. [100211]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Details of personal settlements are confidential between the parties involved.

  Post Office
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the principal activities of his Department and its agencies which provide business for(a) Crown post offices and (b) other post offices; if he will assess whether the level of business generated in each case is likely to increase or decrease over the next five years; and which new areas of business for post offices are likely to be developed by his Department and its agencies over the same period. [99556]

  Mrs. Roche
  The United Kingdom Passport Agency has a partnership arrangement with Post Office Counters Limited which was established in January 1996. Under this arrangement, passport applicants can lodge their application at any main Post Office.

  The Agency is currently re-tendering its partnership arrangements, however both the Agency and Post Office Counters Ltd. have indicated a commitment to working together in the future.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the advantages of the introduction of national identity cards which include identification for entitlement to social security payments. [99093]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are considering all the relevant issues involved in identity cards including their possible contribution to tackling welfare fraud, increasing individual convenience and simplifying Government. We have not yet reached any final conclusions.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Clay Pigeon Shooting
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress is being made towards a code of practice for clay pigeon shooting. [98827]

  Kate Hoey
  The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Clay Pigeon Shooting Association and British Shooting Sports Council jointly issued, for consultation, draft guidance on the management and control of noise for clay pigeon shooting in November 1997. The consultation period was completed in March 1998 and the guidance is still under preparation. I understand the authors are awaiting further input from various bodies, and will publish the guidance at the earliest opportunity.

  TV Licence Fees
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people will benefit from the free licence fee for those persons aged over 75 years, announced by him; and if he will make a statement. [98535]
  10W
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: Over 3 million households will benefit from the provision of television licences free of charge to people aged 75 or over, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his pre-Budget statement.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review TV licence concessions available for blind people and those in residential and sheltered accommodation below the age of 75 years. [99173]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 22 November 1999]: The Government accept that the introduction of free television licences for people aged 75 or over will not remove the need to consider the shortcomings of the existing concessionary arrangements. We shall consider the recommendations of the BBC funding review panel in the light of the responses to the public consultation which has just concluded. We intend to announce our conclusions in January.

  Channel 5
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement in respect of his policy towards the percentage of home-produced material broadcast on Channel 5. [99133]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: Under the terms of its licence from the Independent Television Commission, Channel 5 must comply with the terms of the European Commission's Directive 97/36/EC (which amended Directive 89/552/EC). Under the Directive, the majority of programmes broadcast by Channel 5 must be of European origin. Channel 5 met that licence condition in 1997 and 1998. For these years, the proportions of European-originated programming transmitted by Channel 5 (other than news, sports coverage, games, advertising and teletext services which are exempted from the Directive) were 60 per cent. and 52 per cent. respectively. A high proportion of Channel 5's European-originated programming is produced in the UK.

  BBC Funding
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to respond to the report by the Independent Review Panel on the future funding of the BBC. [100045]

  Janet Anderson
  The period of public consultation on the panel's recommendations ended on 1 November. We are considering all the panel's recommendations in the light of responses received and hope to announce our final decisions in January.

  Culture/Audiovisual Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the outcome of the Culture/Audiovisual Council held in Brussels on 23 November; and if he will make a statement. [99847]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Culture/Audiovisual Council held in Brussels on 23 November. The Presidency reported on the ongoing conciliation process for the Culture 2000 programme. The Council agreed a Resolution on the promotion of the free
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  movement of persons working in the cultural sector. The Commission will carry out a study on the obstacles to free movement, and the results will be presented at the beginning of the French Presidency. The Council agreed conclusions on the cultural industries and employment in Europe. There was some discussion of the successor programme to MEDIA II and we now await the Commission's proposals for this, which are expected shortly. The Council adopted conclusions on the protection of minors in the context of development in digital audiovisual services. These encourage the parties concerned, (manufacturers, broadcasters and operators), to co-operate in considering ways of evaluating and rating audiovisual content in order to assist parents in the protection of minors. Several cultural initiatives carried out by member states in support of reconciliation in Kosovo were also announced.

  National Lottery Commission
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the National Lottery Commission. [100809]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I regret to report that Robin Squire has resigned his membership of the National Lottery Commission for business and other personal reasons. I will appoint a successor in due course.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Teddy Bear Ties
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee on what authority, and for what reason, the decision was taken to sell teddy bear ties in the souvenir shop. [100435]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  This is a matter for the Director of Catering Services. I have asked her to reply to my right hon. Friend.

  Divisions
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what estimate he has made of the cost to the House of(a) the conducting of each division of the House (i) before and (ii) after 10 pm and (b) each hour of the House's sitting after 10 pm, in each case including all costs relating to staff and the Parliamentary Estate. [100746]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The cost to the House of conducting divisions is met from the day-to-day budgets of House departments. The figures are not separately identified.

  For divisions after 10 pm, no additional staff or services are required when the House divides, so no separately identifiable costs are incurred for such divisions. Some additional costs are incurred when House staff have to stay after 11 pm. e.g. for providing late night transport for staff of the House and others (e.g. security staff).

  The fixed costs of running the estate are incurred regardless of what time the House rises.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Russia
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Russian Government concerning help with, and advice on, the welfare and protection of street children. [99523]

  Clare Short
  I have had no direct discussion with the Russian government on street children.

  My Department is developing a project, expected to start early next year, which will directly benefit homeless and vulnerable children in Ekaterinburg and Sverdlovsk oblast. Throughout the design process, DFID officials have maintained close contact with the Russian regional and municipal authorities, who support the proposed work.

  Hurricane Lenny
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has received of the effects of Hurricane Lenny in the Bahamas. [99205]

  Clare Short
  The effects of Hurricane Lenny in the Bahamas were limited to heavy rainfall. There have been no reports of significant damage.

PRIME MINISTERS

  National Insurance
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the reforms that have been made to national insurance as mentioned in the Gracious Speech. [99412]

  The Prime Minister
  Following recommendations in the Taylor Report on "The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefits System", the Government have introduced the most far-reaching restructuring of the National Insurance System for 20 years. Measures announced in the last two Budgets have been designed to improve work incentives, encourage job creation and build a fairer and simpler National Insurance System.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the official visits to China since 1 May 1997, specifying for each occasion (i) the(a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) numbers of officials who attended, (ii) the matters discussed and conclusions reached and (iii) the cost of the visit. [99130]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: Under the terms of the "Ministerial Code", any member of the Cabinet who wishes to be absent from the United Kingdom for any reason, except for visits to European countries on official business, or visits to member countries for NATO business requires my written approval. Other Ministers who propose to be absent from the country must seek the approval of the Ministerial Head of the Department concerned. A list of visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during the period May 1997 to March 1999 was placed in the Library of the House on 17 June 1999. Since then two Cabinet Ministers, the Secretary of State for Trade and

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  Industry and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport have visited China at an estimated cost of £34,000. This includes the cost of travel and accommodation for a Private Secretary accompanying each Minister and in the case of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, a Special Adviser. Both visits were made in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code".

  Detailed information on visits overseas by Junior Ministers is not collected centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total salary bill, including on-costs, of special advisers employed at 10 Downing street for each year since 1 May 1997. [99137]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 21 January 1998, Official Report, columns 567W–68W and to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed) on 15 June 1998, Official Report, columns 5W–6W and that my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 11 November 1999, Official Report, column 828W.

  Ministers (Private Health Insurance)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to provide guidance to Government ministers regarding the purchase of private health insurance policies. [99309]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: No. The purchase of insurance policies by individual Ministers in a private capacity is a personal matter.

  State Visits
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the State Visits to the United Kingdom that have been made since May 1997 and the dates of each visit. [98655]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: The following State Visits to the United Kingdom have been made since 1 May 1997:

  Visitor

  Date

  President of Brazil

  2–5 December 1997

  Emperor of Japan

  26–29 May 1998

  President of Germany

  1–4 December 1998

  President of Hungary

  22–25 June 1999

  President of the People's Republic of China

  19–22 October 1999

  Tibet
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish in the Official report the reply he gave to the letter from Amnesty International, the Free Tibet Campaign and Mr. Wei Jingsheng of 21 October, requesting an official statement from Her Majesty's Government on human rights and Tibet. [99435]
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  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: My Office's reply to the letter of 21 October from Amnesty International and others said that I discussed human rights with the Chinese President during our meeting and lunch on 21 October. It added that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office would brief Amnesty International and other non-governmental organisations concerned on the human rights aspect of the State Visit and the next steps in our human rights dialogue with the Chinese. The briefing took place on 9 November.

  Lord Chancellor
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultation the Lord Chancellor had with him about the newspaper reports that officials in the House of Lords were asked by him to make untrue statements; and what advice he gave to the Lord Chancellor. [100186]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the budget of the Social Exclusion Unit for the current financial year and for each future year for which a budget has been set for it. [99588]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1999]: The Social Exclusion Unit's running costs budget for 1999–2000 is £1,846,334. The Unit's budget for 2000–01 and subsequent financial years has not been agreed and will depend partly on the outcome of the current review of the Unit's future which will be announced before the end of this year.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the title of each report published to date by the Social Exclusion Unit, stating the cost implications of the recommendations made in each report. [99644]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1999]: To date the Social Exclusion Unit has published the following reports:
  "School Exclusion and Truancy" (published May 1998);
  "Rough Sleeping" (published July 1998);

  "Neighbourhood Renewal" (published September 1998);
  "Teenage Pregnancy" (published June 1999);
  "Bridging the Gap: New Opportunities for 16–18 Year Olds Not in Education, Employment or Training" (published July 1999).

  Each report contains information on the cost implications of its recommendations

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the title, purpose and work programme of all policy action teams led(a) by the Social Exclusion Unit and (b) by departments with Social Exclusion Unit involvement, indicating in each case (i) the date when they were set up and (ii) the date when their work is due for completion. [99587]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1999]: The remit and timetable for each of the 18 Policy Action Teams is set out in the Social Exclusion Unit's report "Bringing Britain Together: a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal" [CM 4045]. Copies are available

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  in the Libraries of the House. All 18 Teams started work in autumn 1998. The following six Teams have published reports:

  Business;

  Housing Management;

  Unpopular Housing;

  Community Self-Help;

  Arts and Sport;

  Financial Services.

  The others will follow over the next few months.

  Copies of all the published reports are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister how many staff were employed in the Social Exclusion Unit in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and what plans he has for staffing levels in 2000 to 2002. [99643]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1999]: By the end of 1997 The Social Exclusion Unit had 12 members of staff. On 30 June 1998 the Unit had 21 members of staff and on 30 June 1999 the Unit had 35 members of staff. The Unit's staffing for 2000–01 and subsequent financial years has not been agreed and will depend partly on the conclusions of the current review of the Unit's future which will be announced before the end of this year.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister what the current work programme is of the Social Exclusion unit, including(a) the titles of all reports in preparation, (b) their expected publication dates and (c) any further subjects due to be examined by the unit during the period 2000 to 2002. [99645]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1999]: The current work programme of the Social Exclusion Unit includes support to the Policy Action Teams which the Unit itself leads and liaison with those led by other Departments, the preparation of a National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal and oversight of the implementation of previous reports.

  The Unit's future work programme will reflect the conclusions of the current review of the Unit's future which will be announced before the end of the year.

  Balkans
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what action the Government are taking to minimise hypothermia in the Balkans during the winter. [100090]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The impact of the Balkan winter is likely to be the harshest in Kosovo, where 100,000 houses were severely damaged or destroyed during the conflict. The Department for International Development (DFID) aims to complement shelter initiatives being carried out by other donors by rehabilitating utilities, especially power and water supplies, before the weather becomes too severe.

  The electrical distribution system (100KV) sustained considerable war damage and is the focus of DFID's attention. Other donors are working on the 220KV and 440KV transmission systems. Our aim is to help the local authorities with the supply of equipment and technical
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  advice on the electrical distribution system throughout Kosovo. A British management team, jointly funded by the EU Task Force and British Trade International (BTI), is currently working with the EU Task Force, UNMIK and the Kosovo Electric Company, to manage the overall power situation in Kosovo. Specific funding from DFID and BTI is ensuring the continued supply of coal to the Kosovo power stations.

  Additionally, DFID has committed £3 million to carry out emergency works to Pristina airport to keep it operational throughout the winter. The airport is a crucial alternative supply route to the congested Blace border crossing.

  In Serbia heating assistance is being targeted on vulnerable groups by the international agencies such as UNHCR and the European Commission's Humanitarian Office (ECHO). ECHO's assistance to Serbia and Montenegro since May 1999 amounts to 26.6 million euros, of which the UK has contributed approximately 15 per cent.

  Life Peerages
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek to change the law to provide a way for a life peerage to be disclaimed; and if he will make a statement. [100126]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: In the unlikely event that a life peer wished to disclaim a life peerage he or she could seek to introduce a Private Bill to enable that to happen.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Lift Installations
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average waiting time between the occupational therapist's recommendation of a through-floor lift and the installation of the lift in(a) the South and East and (b) the North and West Trust areas in the last 12 months. [98474]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The average waiting time in South and East Belfast Trust area in public sector housing is three months for terminally ill clients and over one year for others. For private sector housing this is 3–5 months if the building work is undertaken by the client and over one year where an application is made for a Disabled Facilities Grant. In North and West Belfast Trust area the average waiting time is 4–5 months.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests for through-floor lifts in(a) the South and East and the (b) North and West Trust areas were made in the last 12 months; and in which areas such lifts are still to be installed. [98475]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The need for through floor lifts is normally identified following an assessment of an individual's needs and home environment by an Occupational Therapist. During the last 12 months South and East Belfast HSS Trust identified a total of 33 clients requiring a through floor lift although 10 clients later withdrew from the scheme. Four lifts have still to be installed by the Trust. In North and West Belfast HSS
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  Trust area 37 clients were identified as requiring a through floor lift in the last 12 months and 22 lifts have still to be installed by the Trust.

  Health Investment
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for investment in the National Health Service infrastructure in Northern Ireland. [99381]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Major hospitals in each of the four Health and Social Services Board Areas are being modernised or replaced. Within the next two years, the Causeway Hospital will come into operation, along with the Altnagelvin Hospital Nucleaus Extension. Following that, a major external refurbishment project will be completed at Craigavon Area Hospital, and the Phase 1 New Block at the Royal Victoria Hospital redevelopment will be completed. The total value of these projects is almost £139 million.

  Construction of a £15 million local hospital at Downpatrick in County Down is planned to begin next year and is due to be completed in 2003.

  Further investment is planned with a £28 million upgrading of Altnagelvin Hospital Tower Block, and Phase 2 of the Royal Victoria Hospital redevelopment estimated at £24 million.

  A £30 million Regional Cancer Centre is planned, and detailed proposals are being drawn up for a Regional Medical Rehabilitation Centre and for a Medium Secure Unit for the mentally ill. It is anticipated that these projects will be procured under the Private Finance Initiative.

  Railways
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will undertake an inquiry into the safety of the railway system in Northern Ireland. [99279]

  Mr. George Howarth
  NIR has a statutory duty to ensure the safety of operations on the network.
  NIR commissioned consultants in March this year to conduct a strategic safety review of NIO's network and operations.

  The final report should be available shortly.

  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase investment in the railway system outside the Belfast to Dublin line. [99280]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Work has recently commenced on the reinstatement of the Antrim Bleach Green line at a cost of approximately £17 million. In addition, work on a new Bangor Interchange Centre is in progress at a cost of £4.2 million.

  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has also examined opportunities for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to meet future investment needs. It is expected that an announcement on the way forward will be made in the near future.
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  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to improve the state of the Northern Ireland Railway's rolling stock. [99281]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is acknowledged that much of the NIR class 80 rolling stock is nearing the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced over the coming years. To this end the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has been examining opportunities for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to meet the investment needs. A report on PPP options is expected in the near future and an announcement will follow when decisions have been made on the way forward. In view of the time scales involved in bringing forward any PPP option the Department is also examining the interim funding that would be required for rolling stock replacement.

  Prisoners (Early Release)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average resettlement grant made to prisoners released under the early releases scheme in Northern Ireland; who is responsible for distributing this money; what criteria are used in determining the levels of awards; and if he will make a statement. [100207]

  Mr. Ingram
  Prisoners in Northern Ireland do not receive resettlement grants.

  Every prisoner, however, including those released by decision of the independent Sentence Review Commissioners under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, is entitled to a Discharge Grant paid and administered by the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

  The Discharge Grant is intended to ensure that each discharged inmate has enough money for his immediate needs and the rates are calculated to reflect the rate of Income Support Benefit currently in payment by the Social Security Agency.

  Current rates, uprated in April 1999, are as follows:

  A Standard Grant is payable at the rate of £40.70 for inmates aged 18 to 24 years and £51.40 for inmates aged 25 years and upwards.

  A Higher Grant is payable at the rate of £103.81 to any inmate who satisfies the prison authorities that he or she is effectively homeless on discharge. The higher amount takes into account the average costs of hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation in Northern Ireland.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Pigmeat
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that all departments and public sector agencies require that pigmeat supplied under their catering contracts be produced according to UK welfare standards. [99057]

  Ms Quin
  We cannot dictate to public procurement authorities, but we will continue to seek to persuade them that buying to British welfare and other standards offers good value and meets the needs of their "customers".
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  To back up this message, my right hon. Friend the Minister has written to local councils and health authorities in England to emphasise the importance of sourcing to British standards. As the welfare legislation was passed in this House with an overwhelming majority, we also believe that every right hon. and hon. Member has a duty to raise this issue with public procurement authorities in their constituencies.

  Climate Change Levy
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Ministry has made of the potential impact of the proposed climate change levy on the agricultural sector. [99049]

  Ms Quin
  It is not possible to say what the impact of the levy on the agricultural industry will be. That will depend on a number of factors, including future energy consumption and what use the industry makes of electricity generated from 'new' renewable sources of energy or in 'good quality' combined heat and power plants. The use the industry makes of the proposed system of enhanced capital allowances for energy saving investments will also have an impact. In addition certain sectors of the industry will be eligible for an 80 per cent. discount on the rates of the levy if they enter into energy saving agreements with the Government. All sectors of the industry will also benefit from the lower overall rates of the levy announced by the Chancellor in his pre-Budget Report statement.

  Fur Farming
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to(a) introduce and (b) facilitate the passage of a Bill banning fur farming within the current parliamentary session. [99119]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: A Bill to ban fur farming in England and Wales was introduced on 22 November. I understand the Scottish Executive will be introducing a separate Bill to extend the ban to Scotland.

  Primates
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what regulatory requirements must be satisfied by persons seeking to export primates for experimentation purposes. [99138]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 November 1999]: The rules governing the export of primates from the UK to member states of the European Union are set down in Council Directive 92/65/EEC of 13 July 1992. These rules are implemented in Great Britain by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1998 and in Northern Ireland by the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 (as amended).

  Under this legislation primates may be traded within the EU only between institutes or establishments which have been approved by the competent authority. Commission Decision 92/65/EEC sets down detailed specifications for the approval of institutes or establishments engaged in the import and export of primates. An up-to-date list of all such approved premises is lodged with the European Commission.
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  Exported primates must be accompanied by official veterinary documentation confirming that the animals are in good health and that they originate from approved premises.

  In the case of exports of primates to third countries, exporters are required to satisfy conditions agreed bilaterally between the UK and the importing country.

  All primates exported from the UK are subject to rules introduced by The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997. Exporters are required to give a written undertaking that arrangements have been made to comply with the terms of the EU Directive 91/628 on the protection of animals during transport. The animals must not be transported in a way that causes or could cause injury or unnecessary suffering. Strict rules covering the construction and maintenance of the receptacles and means of transport must be complied with.

  Bee Diseases
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he is putting into effect to contain bee diseases in 2000. [99441]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 November 1999]: The Government fund a range of measures in England through its bee health programme, which is delivered by the Central Science Laboratory's National Bee Unit. In 2000–01 the programme will cost £1.3 million. The measures include a free diagnostic service for varroa, American Foul Brood and European Foul Brood as well as providing training and guidance on how to improve bee husbandry to help control bee diseases. In addition, in 2000–01 MAFF expects to spend around £244,000 on research and development (mainly on varroa) to support our bee health work. This includes a four year project on the biological control of varroa.

  Arrangements for bee health matters in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly respectively.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to promote ship building and repair in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [99208]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To support and promote the UK shipbuilding industry, in July 1998 the Department established the Shipbuilding Forum whose membership comprises representatives of the shipbuilding and shiprepair industry, trades unions, equipment suppliers and customers, both private and public sector. Also involved are the National Training Organisation for the marine sector and relevant Government Departments. The Forum's terms of reference were to consider the current situation of the shipbuilding and shiprepair industry and how to improve its competitiveness so as to increase its share of the European market, leading to increased output,
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  profitability and employment. The Forum produced a Report (a copy of which was placed in the Library in May 1999) and a subsequent Implementation Plan containing Recommendations—more than 40—addressed to all the participants, not just to Government. The Forum believes that these Recommendations will go a long way towards improving the fortunes of the UK shipbuilding and shiprepair industry.

  The Department has already implemented most of the Recommendations addressed to it, most of which related to improvements to the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund (SIF) and the Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme (HSCGS). The Department has agreed to include an element of profit in SIF calculation; has extended SIF to conversion contracts; and has extended access to SIF to a number of previously excluded yards. The HSCGS has been improved by allowing contacts offering "pure cover" and by allowing US dollar and euro financing. In addition my Department has supported financially two projects being undertaken by the Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers Association aimed at improving productivity in shipyards, both new building and repair/conversion.

  As well as these measures we are working in the EU and the OECD to find effective international trade disciplines to tackle unfair trade practices, such as low pricing from Korea. The Industry Council achieved a positive conclusion on this issue at its meeting on 9 November, making clear the EU' s determination to deal with Korean unfair pricing and agreeing further actions to this end, including re-engaging Korea in bilateral consultations and pursuing possible actions under the World Trade Organisation.

  Post Office
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the principal activities of his Department and its agencies which provide business for(a) Crown post offices and (b) other post offices; if he will assess whether the level of business generated in each case is likely to increase or decrease over the next five years; and which new areas of business for post offices are likely to be developed by his Department and its agencies over the same period. [99554]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  By the nature of their operations and activities, this Department and its agencies do not directly provide business for Crown or other post offices and this position is not expected to change over the next five years. Currently no specific new areas of business for post offices are foreseen by this department but the targets for electronic delivery of services (50 per cent. by 2005, 100 per cent. by 2008) represent a real opportunity for additional business for the Post Office network across all public services delivered by central Government. Moreover, equivalent targets are now being set for local Government and there is an opportunity for the Post Office network to gain further business in delivery of services which are the responsibility of local Government. In addition to these Modern Government initiatives, the potential to provide a wider range of banking and other financial services through the Horizon automated system could facilitate an increase in the levels of business generated by or with Government Departments and agencies.
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  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices there are in each parliamentary constituency; and how many of them transact more than 40 per cent. of their work volumes on behalf of the Benefits Agency. [99766]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 25 November 1999]: I have obtained from the Post Office a list providing the information requested and have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has approved the Post Office's five year Strategic Plan; and if he will make a statement. [100811]

  Mr. Byers
  I am pleased to announce Government approval of the Post Office's Strategic Plan for 1999–2004. This is a five year rolling Plan which will be updated annually. The Plan, as submitted by the Post Office Board meets the requirements set out in the Post Office White Paper (CM 434) and represents a key element in the new arm's length relationship that the Government is now establishing with the Post Office in fulfilment of the reforms described in the White Paper. The Post Office will now be pursuing and developing their strategy and this will be reflected in the Plan for 2000–05, which the Board will be presenting to me next spring.

  For the Post Office both to modernise and improve services to customers in this country and to develop into a significant global player in distribution markets poses tough challenges, but exciting opportunities. In an increasingly competitive market place for postal services these challenges should not be underestimated as the Post Office itself fully recognises. This means that the Post Office must successfully build on current initiatives and seize commercial opportunities as they arise in the UK and internationally.

  The key features of the Strategic Plan are commercially confidential, and as such will not be published. However, on the basis of the Plan the Government have set a post-tax profit target of £350 million for the financial year 1999–2000. This figure excludes any exceptional provisions which may be made for the Horizon automation project. As already announced, the Government have set the external financing regime (excluding adjustments for Horizon and acquisitions) as 50 per cent. of the post-tax profits for this year, and therefore, if the Post Office achieves the profit target, this equivalent of a commercial dividend will be £175 million. In the unlikely event of the Post Office falling short of the profit target the minimum figure will be £140 million. The Post Office will not pay dividends until it becomes a plc but in the meantime will set aside the relevant amount in its reserves.

  Employment Tribunals
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to allocate funding for a permanent hearing centre in North Wales for employment tribunal cases; and if he will make a statement. [99985]
  23W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Employment Tribunals Service is presently seeking to identify suitable premises in North Wales. Decisions on funding priorities for 2000–01 and beyond have not yet been taken.

  Target Setting
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many targets have been agreed between his Department and (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies apart from his own agencies and non-departmental bodies since May 1997. [99474]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 24 November 1999]: The Department's Public Service Agreement (PSA) sets out Departmental and Agency targets. The PSA includes two targets which are shared with HM Treasury and two shared with the Foreign Office. These apart, none of the targets have been agreed between the Department and (i) Local Authorities, or (ii) other bodies apart from the Department's own agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies.

  Ilisu Dam
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's current investment in the Ilisu Dam, Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [100056]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government have provided no support for the Ilisu dam project. We have not yet made a decision on the application for export credit support from Balfour Beatty.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings his Department has held with Balfour Beatty plc about the Ilisu Dam Project since 1 January 1998. [100170]

  Mr. Caborn
  Balfour Beatty has attended meetings with ECGD on:

  23 June 1998

  9 October 1998

  9 April 1999

  30 June 1999

  9 July 1999

  8 September 1999

  30 September 1999

  Balfour Beatty and ECGD have been present at meetings of the Export Credit Agencies and contractors on:

  24 July 1998

  18 December 1998

  28 April 1999

  Balfour Beatty was also present at meetings in Turkey on 12–13 May which the Minister for Trade held with Turkish officials, when Ilisu was discussed.

  Trade Liberalisation
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantitative assessment the Government have made of the benefits and costs to the United Kingdom of a comprehensive multilateral trade 24W
  round involving far-reaching liberalisation of trade in (a) agriculture, (b) manufacturing and (c) services. [99873]

  Mr. Caborn
  A number of studies have been published estimating substantial income gains to the world and the European Union from further trade liberalisation. Two recent ones are by the European Commission and the OECD. The Commission study covers agriculture, industrial tariffs and services; the OECD study does not include services. These studies do not provide separate estimates of the impact on the UK. However, on the assumption that the UK gains in line with its share of Community output and external trade, it is possible to provide a broad indication of the likely effects on the UK economy. On this basis, the European Commission and the OECD studies suggest that further trade liberalisation could bring income gains for the UK of between $8 billion and $19 billion (£5 billion and £11 billion) per year in terms of 1998 prices and incomes. This is equivalent to an income increase of between £210 and £480 per year for the average UK household. All such estimates are sensitive to assumptions made, particularly about the form, scope and scale of further liberalisation. I shall also be writing to the hon. Member with further information.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what formal representations have been made by(a) Ministers and (b) officials to the European Commission regarding the negotiating objectives for the forthcoming World Trade Organisation talks. [100277]

  Mr. Caborn
  UK Ministers have played a key role in shaping the EU's approach to the Seattle meeting where we hope that a new comprehensive round of trade negotiations will be launched. The EU's position was agreed by the Council of Ministers in formal Conclusions on 26 October. Trade Commissioner Lamy and Commission officials have been negotiating on behalf of the EU in Geneva on the basis of these formal Conclusions.

  ECGD
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the environmental and ethical considerations that he has announced will apply to the ECGD. [100477]

  Mr. Caborn
  There has been no announcement about ethical or environmental considerations that will apply to ECGD. This is being addressed in the current review of ECGD's Mission and Status. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced the introduction of a screening process to facilitate the identification of environmentally sensitive cases.

  Mr. Onliwyn Glyndwr Williams
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Mr. Onliwyn Glyndwr Williams, a constituent of the hon. Member for Hereford, has not yet undergone spirometry testing for the purposes of his compensation claim against British Coal; and if he will make a statement. [99855]
  25W
  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: Appointments for spirometry testing are being made on a regional basis according to an agreed order of priority which reflects age of claimant, age of claim and other relevant information. I understand that Mr. Williams will be receiving an appointment at his home in the course of next week.

  Approximately 95 per cent. of the 43,000 living claimants identified as at May this year should now have been contacted to arrange an appointment, and nearly 30,000 tests have been conducted.

  Corporate Assets
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the value of land and property in (i) Scotland, (ii) the United Kingdom, (iii) overseas and (iv) total within the responsibility of the(a) Bio-technology and Biological Sciences Research Council, (b) Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Council, (c) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, (d) Economic and Social Research Council, (e) Medical Research Council, (f) Natural Environment Research Council and (g) Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council. [99816]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: Details of the total assets of the seven science Research Councils are published in their Annual Accounts and the latest DTI Annual Expenditure Plans Report (Cm4211). As expenditure from the Science Budget is deemed to be for the benefit of the UK as a whole, data are not collected in the form requested.

  Video Recorders
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's policy on the continuation of the EU import tariff on video recorders; and what representations on this it has received in the last 12 months. [100278]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government's broad policy objective is to maximise the liberalisation of industrial tariffs world-wide including those of the EU. The consumer electronics industry has indicated, in response to a DTI consultative document on future tariff liberalisation published in May and on other occasions, that in exchange for greatly improved access to third-country markets it would welcome tariff reductions world-wide, including by the EU, on video recorders and all other consumer electronics.

  Tweeddale Press Group
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the proposed acquisition of the Tweeddale Press Group by Johnston Press has been referred to the Competition Commission. [100080]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: I have issued a Press Notice inviting comments on the proposed transfer, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  EU Structural Funding
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he proposes 26W
  to make to cover the anticipated time lag between the ending of the existing European structural funding on 31 December and the beginning of the transitional payments under the reformed system; and if he will make a statement. [100343]

  Mr. Caborn
  Projects approved within current Structural funds programmes by the end of this year can be co-financed until the end of 2001.

  For projects approved within programmes that cover the new period 2000–2006, the Regulations provide for these to be co-financed from 1 January 2000, provided that the draft programmes have been lodged with the Commission by 31 April 2000.

  These arrangements will ensure continuity of funding between the programming periods.

  Private Recruitment Industry
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment his Department has made concerning(a) the potential impact of proposals for the regulation of the private recruitment industry on job seekers over the age of 50 years and (b) the potential effects of restrictions of the charging by recruitment agencies of fees; and if he will make a statement; [99667]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the effect of his proposals on the regulation of the private recruitment industry on the ability of hirers to fill vacancies in a timely fashion; [99668]

  (3) what plans his Department has to establish a code of practice for the private recruitment industry as an alternative to regulation. [99669]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Except in respect of a few provisions specifically to protect those under 18 the proposals seek to protect the interests of those using bureaux equally, regardless of age. The effect of the proposals to restrict fee charging to hirers in certain circumstances are assessed in the Regulatory Impact Assessment in the consultation document. Changes to the controls on fee charging to workseekers are set out in Annex 1 of the document. The proposals seek to ensure both that bureaux are able to respond to hirers' requirements promptly and that neither hirers, workers nor third parties are put at risk as a consequence of bureaux not doing necessary checks to establish the suitability of those they are supplying. Careful consideration is being given to all the representations received. I have no plans to establish a code of practice. The reasons why this approach is not considered practicable are set out in chapter 4 of the consultation document.

  Environmental Impact Assessment
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the environmental assessment questionnaire which companies seeking cover from the ECGD will have to complete from 4 January 2000. [100415]

  Mr. Caborn
  A copy of ECGD's "Environmental Questionnaire" is being placed in the Library of the House.
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  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the announcement on 23 November imposing a requirement upon companies applying for credit insurance to the ECGD that they must provide an environmental impact assessment of projects in respect of which they seek cover, was not made to the House. [100411]

  Mr. Caborn
  The intention to introduce an enhanced environmental screening process was covered in the summer edition of ECGD News and was also mentioned in presentations at successive customer seminars. It is not customary to announce such procedural changes to the House.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who will judge and against what criteria whether an environmental impact assessment questionnaire completed by an applicant for ECGD cover meets the Government's requirements. [100416]

  Mr. Caborn
  The "Questionnaire" is simply designed to help ECGD Underwriters identify whether a case may be environmentally sensitive, and consider appropriate action.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the regulatory impact assessment which has been carried out in respect of the new requirement upon companies applying for credit insurance to the ECGD that they must provide an environmental impact assessment of projects in respect of which they seek cover. [100413]

  Mr. Caborn
  A regulatory impact assessment is not appropriate in this case since the introduction of the enhanced environmental screening process does not involve Parliamentary legislation.

  The environmental screening process being introduced is designed to facilitate the identification of environmentally sensitive cases. Companies will not have to provide an environmental impact assessment in all cases.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations were carried out with British industry and exporters prior to his announcement that applicants for credit guarantees to the Export Credits Guarantee Department will have to provide an Environmental Impact Assessment of the projects in respect of which they seek cover. [100412]

  Mr. Caborn
  A number of customers were consulted by ECGD about the form of a draft 'Environmental Questionnaire'. Environmental Impact Assessments will not be required in all cases.

  Industrial Diseases
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what will be the(a) maximum and (b) minimum fee received by lawyers for work on any individual claim for compensation for (i) vibration white finger injuries and (ii) chronic bronchitis/emphysema. [100213]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Solicitor's costs and the precise circumstances in which those costs are met are detailed in the Handling Agreements for both diseases.

  28W
  The agreed costs for most successful vibration white finger claims will be in the range of £600 plus VAT and reasonable disbursements, although in some cases the costs are dealt with on the merits of each case. For respiratory disease the agreed costs per successful claim range from £500 to £1,750 plus VAT and reasonable disbursements.

  In addition to these costs the agreements also provide for the payment of costs for claims in particular instances, for example where the disputes procedures have been invoked or where complex special damages are being claimed.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the provision he has made for the British Coal health liabilities in respect of compensation claims for(a) vibration white finger injuries and (b) chronic bronchitis and emphysema he estimates will be paid to lawyers in fees agreed under the scheme. [100212]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Solicitors costs are based on agreed tariffs set out in the Handling Agreements. It is not possible at this stage to forecast accurately the provision to cover these costs. The actual amounts paid will depend on the number of successful claims, the particular characteristics of these claims (for example, whether they have been settled by expedited payments) and the disbursements involved.

  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what fees lawyers will receive under the scheme agreed for compensation for former miners suffering from(a) vibration white finger and (b) chronic bronchitis/emphysema in respect of claims which are unsuccessful. [100206]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Under the terms of the Handling Agreements negotiated for compensating former miners for these injuries, the Government meets the costs and reasonable disbursements of solicitors in successful claims. No such costs are reimbursed where the claim is unsuccessful. However, in the case of chronic bronchitis and emphysema in addition to the costs agreed for successful claims the Department has also agreed to make payments in respect of all claims on the Register (some 62,000) held by the Department's claim handlers as at 14 June 1999, whether the claimant is successful or not. These costs range from £25 to £100 per claim depending on the date of claim and number of claims held by the solicitor and are in recognition of client care work carried out after the Judgment and before the signing of the Agreement.

  Insurance Industry
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the UK insurance industry about promoting plain English in insurance policies. [99594]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Policy terms and conditions, and the way they are presented, are ultimately matters for individual insurers. However, the use of Plain English is to be encouraged, not least because of the commercial benefits that accrue from customer satisfaction.
  29W
  The Association of British Insurers, whose members provide 96 per cent. of insurance in the United Kingdom, has promoted better practice. In this area, its Statement of General Insurance Practice notes that insurers will continue to develop more explicit proposal forms and policy documents, while bearing in mind the legal nature of insurance contracts.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage the insurance industry to provide more information to customers about its practice of premium-loading after claims. [99593]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  None. It is for insurance companies themselves to determine the terms and conditions of their policies and the premiums that they charge in the light of their assessment of the perceived risk and the need to remain competitive.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Diplomatic Corps (Non-payment of Rates)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the diplomatic missions and international organisations which have outstanding balances of over £10,000 as at 31 March in respect of national non-domestic rates. [99443]

  Mr. Battle
  Most missions and international organisations meet their obligations. However, at 31 March 1999, the following missions owed over £10,000 for national non-domestic rates:

  Country

  Amount outstanding up to 31 March 1999 (£)

  Algeria

  34,545.78

  Bulgaria

  149,468.19

  Cameroon

  22,323.83

  Ghana

  17,783.05

  Iran

  79,123.25

  Jordan

  27,601.57

  Mozambique

  28,554.63

  Nigeria

  314,714.57

  Portugal

  43,692.28

  Senegal

  10,927.33

  Sierra Leone

  49,576.00

  Uganda

  17,649.17

  Yemen

  27,561.83

  Yugoslavia

  43,734.21

  Family Visit Appeals
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to UK embassies and high commissions of the appeal system for family visits in each of the last five years. [99897]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Right of Appeal against the refusal of visas for visits was withdrawn in 1993. There has therefore been no extra cost to UK Embassies and High Commissions over the past five years in this respect. An appeal system for family visits is to be introduced within the next 12 months.
  30W
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made, in respect of each of the five posts overseas that deal with the greatest number of visitor applications, of the need for further entry clearance officers to deal with family visit appeals. [99898]

  Mr. Vaz
  All visa issuing posts have been asked to estimate the likely staffing implications arising from the new right of appeal for family visits, which is due to be introduced within the next twelve months. We are assessing the responses but no final decisions on additional staff will be taken until the implementation procedures are agreed.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made about ensuring the safety of Ahmadiyya followers in Pakistan in the last two months. [99849]

  Mr. Hain
  We continue to raise our concerns about the position of Pakistan's Ahmadiyya community with the Pakistani authorities. We have noted General Musharraf's promise to Pakistan's minorities that their rights would be respected and that they would be treated as equal citizens. Our High Commissioner in Islamabad has underlined to General Musharraf and other members of his administration the need for the military authorities in Pakistan to maintain respect for human rights.

  Falklands
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on opening negotiations with Argentina regarding the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. [R] [100017]

  Mr. Battle
  There is no doubt about British sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, confirmed in international law. This is not negotiable. We are committed to defend the Islanders' right to determine their own future.

  In consultation with the Falkland Islands Government, we continue to discuss with Argentina issues of common interest in the South Atlantic, for example the conservation of fish stocks, in order to improve the way we manage our differences with Argentina that arise from our respective positions on sovereignty. The British-Argentine Joint Statement of 14 July was a significant milestone in this process.

  BBC World Television
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the contribution of BBC World Television to the promotion of British interests internationally; and if he will make a statement. [99997]

  Mr. Hain
  We have received no such representations. In July, a senior producer from BBC World wrote to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary about future funding of BBC World. In his reply, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear that, as BBC World was established as a commercial venture, he could see no possibility of Government taking on responsibility for its financing.
  31W
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to provide grant in aid from his Department's budget for BBC World Television; and if he will make a statement. [99996]

  Mr. Hain
  There are no plans to provide grant in aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's budget for BBC World. BBC World is a commercial operation funded by subscription and/or advertising. It is part of the BBC's commercial arm and is quite separate from the BBC World Service which is funded by parliamentary grant in aid.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal advice he has obtained since the Kosovo campaign on the legality of the NATO intervention in Kosovo. [100089]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: Throughout the Kosovo crisis, the Government took legal advice in accordance with standing procedures. They continue to do so as necessary. During the NATO air campaign, a series of cases was brought by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against the UK and other NATO Allies before the International Court of Justice. The UK's defence in these proceedings has been handled by the Attorney-General in person, assisted by a legal team composed of officials and outside counsel. If the FRY persists in its case against the UK, we shall contest it vigorously.

  Danube
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from(a) Bulgaria, (b) Hungary and (c) Romania on the clearing of the Danube. [100088]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: We are aware of, and share, the concerns of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania about the blockages in the Danube caused by downed bridges at Novi Sad. The matter is currently under discussion within the Danube Commission at technical level, and within the EU. The last meeting of the General Affairs Council on 15 November confirmed the EU's willingness to provide the Danube states and the Danube Commission with active support in their efforts to devise and implement a solution, and that it was prepared to examine an EU contribution to the clearance on the Danube on the basis of proposals to be put forward by the Danube Commission.

  The General Affairs Council also recalled however, that, under international law, the main responsibility for clearing the Danube lies with the FRY. It requested the Yugoslav authorities immediately and unconditionally to perform or allow the necessary clearance operations.

  Stability Pact
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of the UK contribution to the Stability Pact between its inception and 30 October. [100081]

  Mr. Vaz
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: We anticipate that the UK's contribution to cover the costs of the inaugural Summit meeting of the Stability Pact, and
  32W
  the costs incurred in supporting the EU' s Special Representative for the Stability Pact until 31 December 1999, will be approximately £225,000.

  The Stability Pact is not intended to be a grant-giving organisation but we will continue to support the implementing agencies (EU, OSCE, IFIs etc.) through our regular contributions and on a case-by-case basis.

  Iran
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the deaths of Iranian law enforcement personnel in a clash with drug traffickers on 3 November. [100337]

  Mr. Battle
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary greatly regrets these tragic deaths and sent a message of condolence to the Iranian Foreign Minister. They are another very distressing reflection of the efforts and commitment that Iran has made to combat the narcotics trade.

  Hon. Members will recall that, in March this year, the UK donated £300,000 to the United Nations International Drugs Control Programme to provide Iranian frontier personnel with 1,020 bullet proof vests. I should like to announce that, following discussions with the Iranian authorities in Tehran over the weekend, the Government are donating a further £1 million to UNDCP for projects in Iran and separately giving £150,000 of bilateral drugs assistance. The UNDCP programme covers training and equipment primarily to strengthen counter-narcotics work at Iran's borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our proposed bilateral assistance covers training and equipment for the border with Turkey and airport controls, areas not covered by the UNDCP programme. Our overall assistance package will improve the capacity of Iranian drugs control agencies to combat the traffickers and to stop drugs entering and leaving Iran.

  No suppliers have yet been nominated for the goods covered by this assistance package. The export from the UK of some of the goods concerned may be subject to control and an export licence might need to be granted if they are sourced from the UK. If such a licence were granted, this could constitute an exception to our arms embargo on Iran and would be announced.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Iranian Government, and with what response, over the arrest and detention of those who took part in pro-democracy demonstrations in July. [100471]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns about these detentions with Foreign Minister Kharrazi during their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly on 21 September. He was told that should charges be brought against those detained, then they would receive a fair trial, and that any sentences would be subject to appeal.

  A Resolution on the Human Rights situation in Iran was adopted on 18 November at the United Nations General Assembly. This resolution, tabled in conjunction with our EU partners, also underlined continuing international concern over these arrests.

  Surveying Agreement
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the working of the agreement relating to co-operation in mapping, charting and geodesy signed at Feltham and Washington on 4 and 18 July 1985. [100344]

  Mr. Battle
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary will write to the hon. Member.

  British Citizenship
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) officials in his Department, (b) officials in other Departments and (c) others are currently working on the bill to restore British citizenship to the people of British Dependent Territories. [100312]

  Mr. Battle
  A joint Steering Group of Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office officials has been established to work on the British citizenship offer to be contained in the Overseas Territories Bill. The Steering Group membership comprises a core of some 10 people of whom six are FCO officials and the rest from the Home Office. They are supported by other members of the Overseas Territories Department of the FCO who are involved in the implementation of the White Paper. Consultations are being held with Overseas Territory Governments.

  Chinese President (State Visit)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what written record was kept of the(a) proceedings and (b) conclusions reached at meetings between the Metropolitan Police and his Department's officials in relation to the Chinese President's State Visit. [100420]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 4 November 1999,Official Report, columns 271–72W.

  "Your Britain Your Europe" Campaign
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the costs of the "Your Britain Your Europe" campaign and the tour of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), of the UK are being met from public funds. [100319]

  Mr. Vaz
  The costs of the "Your Britain Your Europe" Roadshow are estimated at £60,000, plus travel and accommodation.

  It is Government policy to set out the benefits of the UK's membership of the EU. One of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's publicly declared performance targets is:
  "a step change in the UK's relations with the rest of Europe, with increasing public support for EU activities".
  The Roadshow is excellent value for money, with 23 events in 11 cities in five days. We are working with a number of business, educational and other organisations which are providing their time and resources free of charge.

  Sri Lanka
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the killings in Madhu Church, Manar, Sri Lanka. [100134]

  Mr. Hain
  None. I deeply regret the loss of civilian life in this incident. I urge all parties to this tragic conflict to do their utmost to avoid civilian casualties.

  Export Licences (Bahrain)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the six ML1 SIELS and one ML1 open individual export licences for exports to Bahrain this year. [100135]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 24 November 1999,Official Report, columns 148–49W.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  David Cocks and Jonathan Goldberg
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Solicitor-General what were the total sums received from public funds by David Cocks and Jonathan Goldberg in the period from the beginning of 1994 to the latest date for which he has figures. [99331]

  The Solicitor-General
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Heathrow Airport
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the decision on Part 2 of the second stage consultation on options for changes to the preferential use of Heathrow Airport's runways at night. [99218]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government announced their decision on 23 November 1999,Official Report, columns 62–65W.

  Homelessness (Merseyside)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the primary reasons were for families becoming homeless within Merseyside in each year since 1993; [98601]

  (2) what the primary reasons were for homelessness on Merseyside in the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by gender. [98598]

  Mr. Mullin
  Data are reported to the Department each quarter by local authorities on their activity under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing
  35W
  Acts. These identify the main reasons for loss of last settled home of homeless households accepted by local authorities as in priority need. Further classification by

  Homeless households in Merseyside authorities: reasons for loss of last settled home

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Relatives/Friends no longer able or willing to accommodate

  Parents

  1,285

  895

  621

  483

  336

  347

  Friends

  284

  440

  293

  228

  195

  173

  Breakdown of relationship

  Violent

  476

  786

  482

  410

  390

  395

  Non-violent

  166

  170

  171

  158

  120

  86

  Arrears of

  Mortgage

  203

  198

  189

  177

  127

  141

  Rent

  37

  28

  43

  27

  26

  57

  End of assured shorthold tenancy

  204

  246

  320

  289

  253

  230

  Loss of other rented/tied housing

  187

  233

  242

  184

  339

  286

  Institution or care

  160

  174

  130

  143

  95

  83

  Other reasons

  589

  435

  435

  484

  212

  197

  Total households accepted

  3,591

  3,305

  2,926

  2,583

  2,093

  1,995

  Note:

  Prior to 1997, reported figures include a small number of households not in priority need.

  Homelessness (Sefton)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many children formed part of families made homeless in Sefton in each year since 1996. [98600]

  Mr. Mullin
  Data are reported to the Department each quarter by local authorities on their activity under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts. Information is not collected on the numbers of children in homeless families. The following table provides for Sefton the available data on the numbers of households with dependent children accepted as homeless.

  Households accepted by the authority as unintentionally homeless and in priority need

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Total

  166

  106

  109

  Number with dependent children

  109

  75

  78

  Of which:

  1 child

  —

  25

  29

  2 children

  —

  27

  28

  3 children

  —

  22

  21

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the voluntary agreement on the commercial growing of genetically modified crops between his Department and SCIMAC, which he announced on 5 November. [99543]

  Mr. Meacher
  Yes. The details of the voluntary agreement on the commercial growing of genetically modified crops between my Department and SCIMAC are publicly available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
  36W
  gender, or household type, is not collected. The following table summarises information provided by authorities in Merseyside since 1993:

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list research contracts controlled by his Department for work associated with the genetically modified crop farm-scale trials. [99536]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department currently has three contracts in place covering farm scale trials of genetically modified crops and farmland wildlife, worth £3.3 million. The contracts are as follows:

  Contract

  Lead contractor

  Start date

  Completion date

  Winter oilseed rape

  Institute of Arable Crops Research

  9 April 1999

  31 December 2003

  Spring oilseed rape

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  9 April 1999

  31 December 2002

  Maize

  NERC Institute of Terrestrial Ecology

  9 April 1999

  31 December 2002

  GM Farm-scale Trials
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the payments made to farmers hosting the genetically modified farm-scale trials; and whether the payments include(a) a fee for managing the farm-scale trial crop, (b) compensation for loss of income from the land growing the farm-scale crop and (c) a fee for taking part in the farm scale trial. [99541]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Department has no involvement in any payments made to farmers for taking part in the farm-scale evaluations of GM crops, nor is it party to any such arrangements. All fields and crops are provided by the industry group SCIMAC (supply chain initiative on modified agricultural crops)
  37W
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the method and date of destruction and disposal used for the harvested crops from the 1999 genetically modified farm-scale trial of fodder maize at Little Park Farm, Beech Hill Road, Mortimer, Berkshire. [99540]

  Mr. Meacher
  The genetically modified farm-scale trial of fodder maize at Little Park Farm, Beech Hill Road, Mortimer, Berkshire was harvested in early October 1999. The harvested crop was then mechanically chopped and ploughed back into the ground.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the criteria used by the Farm-Scale Trials Scientific Steering Committee for the selection of farms to take part in the farm-scale trials. [99542]

  Mr. Meacher
  The criteria for selecting farms to take part in the farm-scale evaluations are still under discussion by the research contractors and the Scientific Steering Committee. The issue was discussed at the first and second meetings of the Scientific Steering Committee and the Committee's opinions are recorded in the minutes which have been published.

  The intention is to compare the GM crops with the non-GM equivalent crops grown and managed using a range of current agricultural practices and distributed throughout the normal geographic range for that particular crop.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a list of the crop varieties, including the respective companies which developed them, so far proposed by SCIMAC for the inclusion in the genetically modified crop farm-scale trials. [99538]

  Mr. Meacher
  The crops provided by SCIMAC for the farm-scale evaluations are fodder maize and oil seed rape, which are genetically modified to be tolerant to glufosinate ammonium. AgrEvo UK Limited have developed these crops.

  The trait has been bred into varieties of maize and oil seed rape (both spring-sown and autumn-sown) suitable for growing in the UK. The intention is that only one variety of fodder maize, and one variety each of spring-sown and autumn-sown oil seed rape, will be used in the farm-scale evaluations as the results will be generic in nature.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a copy of the protocols for the management of the GM farm-scale trials for each crop and each variety planted. [99544]

  Mr. Meacher
  All GM crops in the farm-scale evaluations will be grown in accordance with the SCIMAC (supply chain initiative on modified agricultural crops) guidelines, the industry code for good practice. These guidelines have been published. A copy has been placed in the House Library.

  The approval for the herbicide sets out the protocol for its use. This has been seen and approved by the scientific steering committee, but is not fully published yet. It is intended that this information be published as soon as possible.
  38W
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on which dates the crops in the 1999 genetically modified crop farm-scale trials were sown and harvested involving fodder maize at Walnut Tree Farm, Lyng, Norfolk, crops at(a) Home Farm, Spittle-in-the-Street, Glentham, Lincolnshire, (b) Little Park Farm, Beech Hill Road, Mortimer, Reading, Berkshire, and (c) Rothampsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and spring oilseed rape at Advanta Seed, Booth Graffoe, Lincoln, and Model Farm, Shirburn, Watlington, Oxfordshire. [99539]

  Mr. Meacher
  The fodder maize crop at Walnut Tree Farm, Lyng, Norfolk was sown on 7 May 1999 and harvested in early October. The fodder maize crop at Home Farm, Spittle-in-the-Street, Glentham, Lincolnshire was sown on 18 May 1999 and harvested in early October. The fodder maize crop at Little Park Farm, Beech Hill Road, Mortimer, Reading, Berkshire was sown on 10 May 1999 and harvested in early October. The fodder maize crop at Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire was sown on 12 May 1999 and harvested on 22 September.

  The spring oil seed rape crop at Advanta Seed, Boothby Graffoe, Lincoln was sown on 28 April 1999 and harvested on 1 September 1999. The spring oil seed rape crop at Model Farm, Shirburn, Watlington, Oxfordshire was sown on 29 April 1999 and harvested on 2 September 1999.

  Central Railways
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new proposals have been submitted to his Department by the company seeking to develop the Central Railways project; and if he will make a statement.[99630]

  Mr. Hill
  We are aware that Central Railway plc has been consulting about its proposal for a freight and passenger railway between Liverpool and Lille, via London. Ministers have received copies of the company's consultation documents but have not taken a view on the scheme.

  If Central Railway plc is to proceed with the scheme it will have to apply for an Order under the Transport and Works Acts 1992. We understand that the company hopes to submit an application next year. The company's previous application in 1996 was rejected by Parliament. As was the case last time, the company will be obliged to consult on any applications and affected parties will have the right to put forward their views.

  John Harrison
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he received a report on the Louth District Coroners Court hearing into the death of coastguard John Harrison; and what action he has undertaken. [99621]

  Mr. Hill
  No report into the death of Coastguard John Harrison from Louth District Coroners Court has been received by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Louth District Coroners Court office has confirmed that no report has been issued.

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the Maritime and Coastguard Agency achieved its Charter Mark. [99612]

  Mr. Hill
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has not applied for a Charter Mark yet, in view of the changes the agency has undergone since its formation. The MCA is committed to a high level of customer service and has 15 Service Standards which cover the business activities of the whole agency.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions in the last 12 months the automatic data retrieval system has failed to function at(a) Oban, (b) Shetland and (c) Pentland Coastguard stations. [99615]

  Mr. Hill
  The Action Data System (ADAS) has failed twice in the last 12 months at these stations—once at Pentland and once at Oban. At Oban the failure was caused by an engineer shutting off the power, followed by a temporary failure of the auxiliary electricity supply. On both occasions, the system was restarted within an hour.

  Other minor problems have been experienced which have affected printers or individual terminals, but none of these has resulted in a failure of the whole system.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instigate an inquiry into charges of bullying and intimidation of coastguard officers by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Management. [99613]

  Mr. Hill
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has a well established grievance procedure for handling complaints from its staff. Both cases of bullying and intimidation reported under the procedure during 1999 have been investigated using this procedure which has been agreed with Trade Unions.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what experiments have been carried out to establish the response times necessary to respond physically to emergency calls at present covered by Oban Coastguard. [99617]

  Mr. Hill
  No experiments have been carried out to establish Coastguard response times as these are covered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Service Standards. The target response time for a Coastguard presence at the reported scene of an incident in the area covered by the Oban Coastguard District is 30 minutes. This is a national target response time which is reported to the MCA Headquarters monthly, and reviewed locally by Coastguard management, through regular operational readiness inspections. The expectation is that this target will be met 95 per cent. of the time, since some remote locations can cause teams to take up to an hour to arrive.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the digital computer system for the new Maritime and Coastguard Agency communications system is operational. [99614]
  40W
  Mr. Hill
  The Action Data System, as modified for compliance for the year 2000 (ADAS 2000), is used to record data about incidents dealt with by HMCG. This system was operational at all Coastguard Stations by September 1999. The new Integrated Coastguard Communication System (ICCS) will replace the existing equipment which is nearing the end of its life. Operational roll out will start in May 2000, and finish three years later.

  Proprietorial Schools
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he has with the Department for Education and Employment concerning the impact on proprietorial schools of his decision not to issue permits to such schools under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985; [99760]

  (2) how many proprietorial schools have registered as public service operators following a decision not to grant them permits to operate a minibus under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985. [99761]

  Mr. Hill
  It has always been the case that only vehicles that are not being used with a view to profit may be operated under a permit issued under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985. Decisions on whether particular applicants are eligible under the terms of Section 19 are for the Traffic Commissioners not my Department. I understand that there have been a small number of recent cases where proprietorial schools have applied for a public service vehicle operator's licence after having been ruled ineligible for a Section 19 permit by the Traffic Commissioner.

  There have been no discussions between my Department and the Department for Education and Employment on this particular issue.

  Health and Safety Laboratory
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Health and Safety Laboratory intends to publish its Annual report and Accounts for 1998–99. [100474]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Health and Safety Laboratory has today published the 1998–99 Annual Report and Accounts, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Cement
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on the use of alternative fuels for the production of cement. [100023]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The use of alternative fuels for the production of cement has raised a significant amount of public interest. The Department has received a number of representations from local communities where cement kilns are situated, environmental pressure groups, as well as representations from the cement industry itself.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is
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  taking to ensure that regional development agencies are responsible for promoting a sustainable energy policy within their region. [100455]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The new UK Sustainable Development Strategy, published in May this year, said that the Government wished to see high level sustainable development frameworks for each English region by the end of 2000. These frameworks will set out a regional vision for sustainable development. They will need to have the support of a wide range of stakeholders and should be agreed by Regional Chambers. Although they will not be in the lead, RDAs will be one of the key partners in the preparation of frameworks.

  One of the tasks identified for these frameworks will be to build consensus on how the national policy and target on renewable energy will be taken forward in each region. Government Offices are initiating work to produce regional assessments and targets for renewable energy provision based on regional resource studies. The Government hope that frameworks will draw upon this work and elaborate a regional approach to renewable energy delivery, including regional targets.

  The frameworks should take account of issues raised by the RDA strategies for sustainable development and, in turn, will inform future revisions of the RDA strategies.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people are employed by each of the regional development agencies; and what have been their administration costs since their establishment. [100464]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The table shows the number of full-time equivalent staff in the Regional Development Agencies, as at 1 April 1999 (the most recent figures available); the administration costs for the period December 1998 to April 1999, when the Agencies were being set up; and administration budgets for the current financial year.

  £000

  Regional Development Agency

  Staff

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  One North East

  203

  2,395

  9,771

  North West

  1182

  327

  12,131

  Yorkshire Forward

  174.5

  403

  8,036

  East Midlands

  107

  406

  7,155

  Advantage West Midlands

  118.5

  384

  7,678

  East of England

  38

  350

  4,803

  South East

  60

  411

  5,225

  South West

  143

  461

  7,488

  Total

  1,026

  5,137

  62,287

  1 Total staff, not full-time equivalents. No separate figure for part-time staff available.

  Signals (Millennium Compliance)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if all(a) road traffic signals systems and (b) rail signals systems are millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement. [100078]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The millennium readiness of road traffic signals systems and national railways signals systems has been assessed under
  42W
  Action 2000's Independent Assessment Programme. These assessments concluded that all safety critical and business continuity systems within the local and national road sectors in England, and the national railways sector in Great Britain, were 100 per cent. blue—indicating that the assessments have identified no risk of material disruption. Full details are available on Action 2000's website (www.bug2000.co.uk).

  Public Transport (Millennium Holiday)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about public transport arrangements for new year's eve and new year's day. [100077]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The details of transport provision over the Millennium period are primarily a matter for decisions and announcement by individual transport operators taking account of local needs and in consultation with local authorities and other relevant bodies. Many bus and rail transport providers will operate special timetables to enable members of the public to get to and from Millennium celebrations. In developing such timetables, operators have maintained close contact with police and emergency services.

  Disabled Facilities Grant
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the operation of the disabled facilities grant to ensure that it provides prompt and sympathetic treatment for those with degenerative conditions. [99063]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department keeps the operation of disabled facilities grants under regular review, to ensure that they continue to provide prompt and sympathetic treatment for all disabled people who need adaptations to their homes. The allowances in the test of resources are reviewed and uprated annually, to ensure that they reflect changes in living costs. Last year, we announced that we would increase the resources available for the grant by a quarter over the following three years, and this should enable local authorities to deal with applications more promptly. Local authorities are required by law to deal with applications as quickly as possible, and we advise them in guidance to ensure that applicants with the most pressing needs are dealt with first.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of EU transport ministers. [100499]

  Mr. Hill
  The proposed agenda for the 9–10 December Transport Council comprises the following items.

  1. Adoption of the agenda.

  2. Approval of "A" points.

  Maritime Transport
  3. Commission Communications on short sea shipping.
  Horizontal Issues

  4. Commission Communication on intermodality and intermodal freight transport;

  5. Galileo satellite navigation project.

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  Land Transport

  6. New developments for European railways (including rail infrastructure, rail interoperability and alleviation of bottlenecks);

  7. Working time in road transport;

  Air Transport

  8. Short and long term perspectives on aviation noise;

  9. Establishment of a European Aviation Safety Authority

  10. Air Transport negotiations with Central and Eastern European countries;

  11. Commission Communication on air traffic management

  12. Other business

  Inverness Airport
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many flights there were(a) into and (b) out of Inverness airport, in each of the last three years. [100307]

  Mr. Mullin
  Data on aircraft movements are collected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA data does not distinguish between a take-off and a landing referring only to aircraft movements which can be either a take-off or a landing. The last three years for which there is a full year's data are 1996, 1997 and 1998.In 1996 there were 26,776 aircraft movements at Inverness airport.
  In 1997 there were 22,475 aircraft movements.
  In 1998 there were 26,875 aircraft movements.

  Disused Railway Lines
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many disused railway lines have been re-opened since 1969; and what was the cost to public funds in each case. [100580]

  Mr. Hill
  This information is not readily available.

  Council Housing
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to synchronize secured and assured tenancy regulations in connection with the large-scale voluntary transfer scheme of council houses; and if he will make a statement. [100095]

  Mr. Mullin
  I am aware of the discussion paper published by the Chartered Institute of Housing on a single form of tenancy for social housing. It is an interesting proposal which the Department will bear in mind in developing the contents of any forthcoming Housing Green Paper.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Woking 44W
  concerning the law on abandoned vehicles, dated 17 September, forwarded to him by the Home Office in October. [100419]

  Mr. Hill
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary wrote to the hon. Member on 26 November.

  Green Ministers Committee
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the actions taken by the Green Ministers Committee since its formation. [99927]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The Green Ministers Committee has made good progress since May 1997 and has met seven times. I refer the hon. Member to the replies I have given previously announcing the actions taken at each meeting.
  To my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mrs. Gilroy) on 22 November 1999, Official Report, column 22W, with regard to the outcome of the Committee's meeting in November 1999.
  To my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 16 July 1999, Official Report, column 341W, with regard to the outcome of the Committee's meeting in July 1999.
  To the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 24 March 1999, Official Report, column 248W, with regard to the outcome of the Committee's meeting in March 1999.
  To my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham) on 25 November 1998, Official Report, column 5W, with regard to the outcome of the Committee's meeting in November 1998.
  To the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 29 June 1998, Official Report, column 90W, with regard to the outcome of the Committee's meeting in June 1998.
  To the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 17 March 1998, Official Report, column 546W, with regard to the outcome of the Committee's meeting in December 1997.
  To my hon. Friend the Member for Worsley (Mr. Lewis) on 31 July 1997, Official Report, column 542W, with regard to the outcome of the Committee's meeting in July 1997.

  The Committee published its first annual report on its activities, "Greening Government: the first annual report of Green Ministers 1998/99" in July 1999. It sets out achievements and a future work programme across a wide range of activities.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Child Care
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places with registered forms of child care there have been for each quarter of 1999 in England. [98664]

  Ms Hodge
  Information, which is collected annually, is not available in the precise form requested. The available information is shown in the following table.
  45W

  Children's day care provision in England as at 31 March 1999 (provisional)

  Providers

  Child care places

  Day Nurseries

  7,000

  247,700

  Playgroups

  15,000

  347,200

  Child minders

  82,200

  336,600

  Out of School Clubs

  3,800

  113,800

  Holiday Schemes

  10,200

  435,300

  Note:

  Data compiled from information provided by local authorities. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Provision may be made by local authorities, voluntary or private organisations register under Part X of the Children Act 1989 or exempt from registration. Where complete information was not available, some estimates have been made. Holiday schemes are counted once for each holiday period in which they operate.

  Merseyside Training and Enterprise Council
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) performance indicators and (b) output measures are used to measure the (i) absolute and (ii) relative performance of Merseyside TEC. [98569]

  Mr. Wicks
  The indicators used to measure performance of all Training and Enterprise Councils (including Chambers of Commerce, Training and Enterprise) are:

  Work based training for young people:

  NVQs per 100 leavers

  NVQ2s per 100 leavers

  NVQ3+s per 100 leavers

  Cost per point

  Percentage other training trainees who found training very/fairly useful

  Percentage ethnic minority leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Percentage non ethnic minority leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Percentage disabled leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Percentage non disabled leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Work based training for adults:

  Jobs per 100 leavers

  NVQs per 100 leavers

  Cost per point

  Percentage ethnic minority leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Percentage non ethnic minority leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Percentage disabled leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Percentage non disabled leavers gaining at least one whole NVQ

  Investors in People:

  Percentage medium/large companies recognised as an Investor in People

  Percentage large (200+) companies recognised as an Investor in People.

  Performance information for all TECs is collated and published annually. A copy of the publication "TEC/CCTE Performance Indicators 1998–99" has been placed in the Library. The publication shows the absolute performance of Merseyside TEC against a range of indicators and makes relative comparison with TECs within the North West and in England as a whole.

  Equal Opportunities Legislation
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when his Department will give its considered response to the Equal Opportunities Commission's proposal for reform of equal opportunities legislation. [98680]

  Ms Hodge
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Twigg) on 14 July 1999,Official Report, column 194W.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what level of funding was received by each TEC in the north-west and north-east in the last financial year. [98515]

  Mr. Wicks
  Information relating to the funding of Training and Enterprise Councils (including Chambers of Commerce, Training and Enterprise) can be found in the individual or group TEC/CCTE Statutory Accounts for 1998–99 filed in the Library.

  The following table shows the income reported in the 1998–99 Statutory Accounts:

  Reported income 1998–99 statutory accounts

  £

  North-East

  County Durham

  17,193,770

  Northumberland

  18,404,012

  Tees Valley

  31,403,000

  Tyneside

  32,321,000

  Sunderland City

  13,609,590

  North-West

  Bolton Bury

  14,013,044

  Manchester

  45,721,464

  Wigan

  12,648,226

  Oldham

  7,159,008

  Rochdale

  8,920,382

  South and East Cheshire

  14,322,311

  Stockport and High Peak

  11,709,431

  Cumbria

  19,931,255

  Eltec (East Lancs)

  19,519,119

  Lawtec (Lancashire Area West)

  25,792,672

  North and Mid Cheshire

  14,549,521

  Cewtec (Cheshire, Ellesmere Port and Wirral)

  18,499,595

  Merseyside

  42,390,021

  St. Helens

  10,236,787

  Early Years Education
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice since May 1997 he has given to local education authorities on funding early years provision(a) at school and (b) at pre-school nurseries. [100008]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have provided policy and funding guidance to Local Education Authorities and early years settings through the "Requirements of Nursery Education Grant" document as well as our "Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership Planning Guidance", both of which are distributed annually. The guidance makes clear that early years provision must be
  47W
  provided across all sectors, be appropriate to the age of the children and that new places for three year olds must not be in reception classes.

  Child Counselling
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that a child counselling service is available for all schools in England and Wales. [100187]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government are already supporting a range of counselling services for pupils in schools. We are proposing to develop these further, for example, through our funding of a national mentoring network. The planned youth support service, to be introduced in 2001, will ensure that young people aged 13 to 19 have access to the specialist support they need. Provision in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  School Transport
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local education authorities provide school transport(a) free of charge to all school pupils travelling a distance of over (i) three miles, for secondary pupils, and (ii) two miles, for primary pupils, and (b) free of charge as in (a) to pupils below the age of 16 years, but charge pupils when they become 16 years; and what savings on such travel costs those local education authorities that charge post-16 year olds to travel make. [100005]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not held centrally.

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each education action zone the total amount of private sector resource included in the original bids broken down by(a) cash support, (b) equipment, (c) consultancy and (d) other. [100066]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The original bids did not contain the requested degree of detail. Figures for the private sector contributions to the 25 round 1 Education Action Zones will be available as part of the annual audited accounts. The National Audit Office will lay the 25 sets of accounts before Parliament. The NAO expects to lay the first of these in December.

  Swimming
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given to local authorities regarding the provision of time for swimming within the national curriculum. [100229]

  Jacqui Smith
  The amount of time to be spent on swimming is not prescribed, but primary schools must ensure that, by age 11, pupils have been taught:to swim unaided, competently and safely, for at least 25 metres;
  to develop confidence in water, and how to rest, float and adopt support positions;
  a variety of means of propulsion using either arms or legs or both, and how to develop effective and efficient swimming strokes on the front and the back;
  the principles and skills of water safety and survival.
  48W
  Swimming has remained a compulsory element of the primary curriculum between September 1998 and September 2000 (while the full programmes of study for the non core subjects have been relaxed to allow the literacy and numeracy strategies to be given priority) and will continue to be compulsory in the new National Curriculum for September 2000.

  School Funding
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of school funding by local education authorities came through the(a) standard spending assessment and (b) the Standards Fund for (i) 1997–98, and (ii) 1998–99; and what are the projected figures for (A) 1999–2000, and (B) 2000–01. [100092]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table sets out the proportions of Education Total Standard Spending provided through central government grant to the Standards Fund, LEA contributions to the Standards Fund, and through SSAs (minus LEAs' matching contributions). Over this period grant from the DfEE will increase from £211 million to £1,077 million. Funding devolved to schools from the Standards Fund was £563 million in 1999–2000.

  Percentage

  Year

  Standards Fund grant

  LEA contribution

  SSA minus LEA contributions

  1997–98

  1.2

  0.6

  98.2

  1998–99

  1.7

  1.1

  97.2

  1999–2000

  2.7

  1.9

  95.4

  2000–01 (estimate)

  4.8

  2.8

  92.4

  Disability Rights Commission
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the proposed disability rights commission will have power to review the performance of social security appeals tribunals. [99091]

  Ms Hodge
  The functions of social security appeal tribunals will be transferred to the new unified appeal tribunals from 29 November 1999. The Disability Rights Commission will have the power to review the performance of these appeal tribunals in so far as it is carrying out its functions and duties under the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999, in particular, its duty to take such steps as it considers appropriate to encourage good practice in the treatment of disabled persons. For example, the Commission may, for a purpose connected with the performance of its functions, carry out research or provide advice or information, or make proposals or give other advice to any Government agency or other public authority as to the practical application of any law. The Commission may also decide to conduct a general formal investigation into the activities of the appeal tribunals for any purpose connected with the performance of its duties.

  Pop Music (School Performances)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he takes to ensure children in primary schools are not subject to commercial pressure by pop music bands performing in those schools. [100346]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This is a matter for individual schools to decide.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits (Savings)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will review the limits on savings relating to benefits administered by his Department. [99079]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Pensions Green Paper outlined our commitment to looking at ways to better reward savers. We will bring forward our proposals later in this Parliament.

  Earnings Allowances
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Reduced Earnings Allowance cases are currently in the appeal system. [99081]

  Angela Eagle
  The Appeals Service currently hold 2,410 appeals relating to Reduced Earnings Allowance. Of these appeals 1,609 cases are held pending a decision of the European Court of Justice on lead cases.

  CSA (Inland Revenue)
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he intends to take to allow information about income presently in the possession of the Inland Revenue to be shared with the Child Support Agency. [99082]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not right that some self-employed non-resident parents avoid their obligations to their children by refusing to provide details of their income to the Child Support Agency. That is why the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 gives the Child Support Agency access to information held by the Inland Revenue about the earnings of self-employed non-resident parents.

  Means-tested Benefits (Pensioners)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for reducing the numbers of pensioners reliant on means-tested benefits. [99083]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are pressing on with our pensions reforms. Reforming the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme through the introduction of the State Second Pension is the final stage of our pensions strategy, following stakeholder pension schemes and the Minimum Income Guarantee. This will give more help in retirement to low and moderate earners, carers and some long-term disabled people with broken work records. By 2038, everyone who has a working life of employment or caring will retire with a State Pension above the means-tested threshold.
  50W
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the results available from the pilot schemes to increase the rate of take-up of means-tested benefits for those past state retirement age. [99087]

  Mr. Rooker
  The evaluation of the pilot initiatives will be published later this year.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his proposals to reform housing benefit. [99084]

  Angela Eagle
  We intend to publish a Housing Green Paper in due course. This will present proposals for Housing Benefit within the overall strategy for Housing.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce scope for error and fraud in the housing benefit system; and if he will make a statement. [99635]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are committed to taking tough action to combat Housing Benefit fraud. We have:reformed the anti-fraud financial incentive scheme for local authorities to ensure that they are rewarded for detecting cases of fraud;
  made an additional £100 million available over the next three years to encourage local authorities to adopt the Verification Framework, which, through a series of checks throughout the period of a benefit claim, will help make Housing Benefit administration more secure;
  invited all local authorities to participate in the Royal Mail "do not redirect" initiative which prevents benefit claimants from using Royal Mail's postal redirection arrangements to make false claims to benefit from multiple addresses. Already, over 200 local authorities are operating this scheme and many more are preparing to implement it;
  made over £4 million available to install computer terminals in local authorities which provide access to the Department's benefit systems. We are now looking to extend this initiative to include exchanging information electronically between local authorities and the Department, providing further scope to prevent fraud and error occurring.

  Carers
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last met the Carers National Association to discuss support for carers. [R] [99086]

  Mr. Bayley
  I visited the headquarters of the Carers National Association on 29 June 1999 to discuss various issues of concern to carers. I was the keynote speaker at a CNA meeting in September and participated in an any questions panel with their Deputy Chief Executive last month. I value the Association's expertise and experience and I keep in touch with them.

  Child Support Reform
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the use of a default rate to calculate maintenance payments under the new proposals for reforming child support. [99088]
  51W
  Angela Eagle
  The White Paper published on 1 July gave details of our plans to impose a default rate of maintenance liability. It is important that maintenance starts flowing quickly and reliably to children. Where exceptionally it is clear that there is going to be a delay in assessing maintenance, we plan to impose a default rate until the CSA has enough information to calculate the true liability.

  We have not received any representations on this issue.

  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to amend section 6(1) of the Child Support Act 1991. [100103]

  Angela Eagle
  Our plans for the reform of child support were published in the White Paper "Children's Rights and Parent's Responsibilities" (Cm 4349) on 1 July 1999. Legislation announced in the Queen's Speech in November 1999 will set out the detail of the reforms.

  Section 6(1) of the 1991 Act provides that parents with care on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance can be required to apply for child support. Our plans to change this provision were set out in Chapter 4 of the White Paper. Currently, child support arrangements cannot be made unless a parent specifically applies for maintenance. While every effort is made to ensure parents with care are not put at risk by the child support process, this rule can actually increase the risk that parents face. This is because when non-resident parents receive notification that the parent with care had applied for child support, some feel that they have been 'shopped' to the Department of Social Security.

  Under the new scheme, it is planned that a separate application for maintenance will not be required for parents with care on benefit. Claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will be enough to start the child support process, unless a parent with care specifically asks us not to pursue maintenance. A parent with care who opts out will be asked to show that she has good cause for doing so. If it is clear that the child support process would cause her or her children harm or undue distress no further action will be taken. Otherwise, a benefit penalty may be imposed.

  Fraud
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he plans to take to reduce fraud in benefits. [99089]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government published "Safeguarding Social Security", its strategy for combating fraud and reducing error on 23 March. This document is available on the Department's website.

  Income Support (Pensioners)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the Government's policy towards increasing take-up of income support by pensioners. [99090]

  Mr. Rooker
  Research on why pensioners do not take up their entitlement to Income Support was published on 15 October. We will present our plans for the national programme in due course.

  ONE Service
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the progress to date of the ONE service pilots. [99092]

  Angela Eagle
  The first four ONE service pilots, which were launched in June, are making good progress. We are already helping people plan ways to become independent, while ensuring that claims to benefit are dealt with promptly and accurately.

  A further eight pilots are being launched today. Four will test the advantages of using call centre technology and the other four will be delivered in partnership with private and voluntary sector providers.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the progress of the pilot scheme for the New Deal for the disabled as it affects Scarborough and Whitby. [99095]

  Mr. Bayley
  There are 12 Personal Adviser Service pilots within the New Deal for Disabled People. The North Yorkshire pilot, which includes my hon. Friend's constituency, is one of these and was the most recent to start. It has so far helped 24 disabled people into work, including 10 in the last month. Overall the New Deal for Disabled People has helped nearly 1,500 people into jobs.

  Disabled People
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effects of his reforms to the system of benefits for disabled people. [99097]

  Mr. Bayley
  We are modernising the welfare system to encourage work for those who can and provide security for those who cannot. Our reforms will help disabled people who want to work and ensure that extra support is given to those who need it most.

  Benefits Agency Medical Service
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to review the Benefits Agency Medical Service. [99073]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Contract for the provision of medical services to the Benefits Agency was awarded to Sema Group from 1 September 1998 for five years. The service is managed and monitored on a daily basis by a dedicated Benefits Agency Contract Management Team. The service provided by Sema Group has not necessitated a review to be conducted and there are no plans currently for a review to be carried out.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of imposing a threshold of £125 in relation to incapacity benefit. [99080]

  Mr. Bayley
  We estimate that setting a threshold of £125, below which no account would be taken of pension income, would increase benefit expenditure by £10 million in the first year, £45 million in the third year and £120 million after ten years.

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what motor mileage allowance rates his Department offers to(a) Ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98717]

  Mr. Bayley
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Ministers, when travelling on official business, may use a private car instead of the official vehicle provided and claim mileage allowance on the same terms as civil servants in the Department.

  Departmental motor mileage allowance rates

  All cars (irrespective of engine capacity)

  Pence per mile

  Standard Rate

  Up to 4,000 miles per annum

  40

  Over 4,000 miles per annum

  22.5

  Public Transport Rate

  22.5

  Notes:

  1. These rates were first introduced on 4 April 1997.

  2. Information is not kept in a format which provides a breakdown of the components in the Department's overall spend on transport for the last five years.

  3. Standard rate milage can only be claimed if it an be justified that the journey taken by private vehicle is in the public interest.

  Benefit Payment Methods
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment he has made of the accessibility to benefit recipients of(a) post offices and (b) banks; and if he will estimate the average distance from home in each case; [99270]

  (2) what investigation the Benefits Agency has conducted of the effects of its decision to pay benefits through banks by 2003 on (a) benefit recipients, (b) banks and (c) post offices, with particular reference to smaller post offices; and what the results were; [99271]

  (3) in his discussions with the banks about paying benefits through bank accounts, if the banks have agreed to (a) handle the cash necessary for all benefit recipients and (b) issue bank accounts to all benefit recipients. [99269]

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assurances he has received from the banking industry that, if new accounts were opened solely for the purpose of receipt of social security benefits, no charges would be levied for the withdrawal of cash; [99577]

  (2) what assurances he has received from the banking industry that, in the event of all benefit payments being made into bank accounts from 2003, bank accounts would be available to all benefit recipients. [99570]

  Mr. Rooker
  No assessment of the accessibility of post offices or banks to benefit recipients has been made. Customers can choose to access their benefits in cash at both post offices and banks. We have no plans to change this.

  54W
  We have decided to move to automated credit transfer (ACT) from 2003 as a modern, more secure and efficient method of paying benefits. People are increasingly choosing ACT as their preferred method of payment. The Benefits Agency and Post Office Counters Ltd. will be working together to build on this trend to ensure that, from 2003, ACT offers an attractive choice to benefit recipients, opening up access to a wider range of banking and other financial services, while continuing to offer access to cash at post office counters. The Performance and Innovation Unit will pay particular attention to this as part of their study into the post office network which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 October.

  The Department will be arranging discussions with the banking industry on issues surrounding benefit recipients, charges and other matters in due course. We envisage there will be alternative arrangements for anyone who cannot open a bank account. We will ensure procedures are in place for payment of emergency payments where cash is required on day of decision.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to change the present system of benefits payments by requiring all recipients to receive payment by automated credit transfer. [99632]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are to move from the traditional paper based methods of payment to a more modern, secure and efficient way of paying benefits using the existing Automatic Credit Transfer (ACT) system to make benefit payments available through banks and the Post Office network. The new arrangements will begin in 2003 to be completed by 2005. Those benefit recipients who wish to collect their benefits in cash at post offices will continue to be able to do so.

  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the extent of fraud when benefits are paid(a) through bank accounts and (b) through post offices. [99268]

  Mr. Rooker
  The majority of payments through bank accounts relate to benefits such as Retirement Pension and Child Benefit. Few cases of fraud have been detected in these payments; however, the BA continues to work on identifying risks on dealing with them.

  It is estimated that fraudulent losses from benefits paid through post offices were £19.4 million in respect of girocheques and £83.3 million in respect of order books.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what the results were of his trial of the use of a benefits payment card in respect of the level of benefit fraud; [99566]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent of benefit fraud when payments are made by automated credit transfer. [99568]

  Mr. Rooker
  A pilot payment card exercise started in September 1996 in 12 post offices. The full trial took place from April 1997 to May 1999 in 204 post offices in the south-west and north-east areas of England. In total, 35,000 Child Benefit customers were issued with payment cards. No cases of benefit fraud were found.
  55W
  Around 65 per cent. of all benefits are still paid to customers by order books and girocheques which are cashed at post offices. However, automated credit transfer (ACT) is becoming more prevalent and therefore, as the attendant risks increase, the Benefits Agency (BA) is working on identifying the nature of the fraud associated with this method of payment.

  The majority of payments through bank accounts currently relate to benefits such as Retirement Pension and Child Benefit. Few cases of fraud have been detected in these payments.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the titles of official departmental reports he is preparing with a view to publication in(a) 1999 and (b) 2000, stating in each case the planned date of publication. [99627]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department fully expects to publish the following documents in 1999–2000.

  Social Security Departmental Report—The Government's Expenditure Plans 2000–01 and 2001–02

  The 2nd Poverty Audit Report

  The Chief Adjudication Officer's final report

  The War Pensions Agency Business Plan 2000–01

  The War Pensions Agency Annual Report and Accounts 1999–2000

  The War Pensioners Report 1999–2000

  The Information Technology Services Agency Annual Report and Accounts 1999–2000

  The Benefits Agency Business Plan 2000–01

  The Benefits Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2000–01

  The Child Support Agency Annual Report 1999–2000

  The Child Support Agency Business Plan 2000–01

  As yet dates for these are unconfirmed. Publication dates will be determined by the progress of work, the requirements of Parliament and the efficient management of Government. Other reports may emerge during the course of the year.

  Child Poverty
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much extra cash income would need to be received by low-income households in the latest year for which figures are available in order to ensure that all children are in households with at least half average income(a) as the half average is at present and (b) as half average income would be after the extra transfers. [99395]

  Angela Eagle
  Our strategy for eradicating child poverty within 20 years involves tackling the main causes of poverty and social exclusion. This means helping parents find work, making work pay and ensuring that every child gets the best possible start in life as well as providing additional help for families through the tax and benefit system.

  Using information drawn from the 1997–98 Households Below Average Income data set, based on the 1997–98 Family Resources Survey; it is estimated that, on average, around £46 per week per household of additional
  56W
  income from earnings, benefit, or other source would have needed to have been received in 1997–98 to ensure that all children were in households with at least half average income before housing costs as it was before the transfers; and around £52 per week using the after housing costs measure.

  The amount of additional income needed, as half average income would be after transfers depends on the proportion of the total additional income accounted for by transfers and how those transfers are funded.

  Notes:

  1. Figures given in April 1999 prices are rounded to the nearest pound. 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 the years 1994–95 to 1997–98 and covers Great Britain but not Northern Ireland. The figures presented will be subject to sampling error. Figures for children are sensitive to the choice of equivalence scale.

  2. Estimates assume that each household receives exactly enough extra to reach half average income.

  3. The estimates assume no change in working patterns after the transfers have been made.

  4. Estimates based on reported current income, which is assumed to stay constant throughout the year. Estimates include some negative incomes (after tax and housing costs). Estimates exclude the self-employed. Income data at the bottom of the income distribution and for self-employed people are known to be an imperfect indicator of living standards. Estimates of the median gap, which are less affected by very low incomes at the bottom of the income distribution than the mean, are £36 per week (after housing costs) and £32 per week (before housing costs).

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Government's policy of eliminating child poverty requires rates of social security benefits set above the official poverty line. [99569]

  Mr. Bayley
  We published the document "Opportunity for all" on 21 September (Cm 4445) which sets out our strategy for tackling the causes of poverty and social exclusion. The report includes a range of indicators against which we can monitor our progress in tackling these causes and overcoming the problems faced by people living in poverty. Further details on all the indicators in the report have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Our strategy for eradicating child poverty within 20 years involves tackling the main causes of poverty and social exclusion, providing additional help for families with children through the tax and benefit systems and ensuring that every child gets the best possible start in life.

  Capital Limits (Benefits)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Government's review of the capital limits for(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit will be concluded. [99445]

  Angela Eagle
  We announced in the Pensions Green Paper, "Partnership in Pensions", that we would examine ways to greater reward those who have made provision for their own retirement. Our proposals will be announced during this Parliament.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances a female appellant against a disability living allowance rejection is permitted to ask for an all-female tribunal to hear her case; and if he will make a statement. [99549]

  Angela Eagle
  The allocation of members to a tribunal is a matter for the President of the Independent Tribunal Service, His Honour Judge Michael Harris. He will write to the right hon. Member.

  Industrial Injuries Benefit
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the medical examination given to claimants of industrial injuries benefits. [100257]

  Mr. Bayley
  Decisions on claims for Industrial Injuries benefits are made by decision makers, taking into account the medical evidence provided by medical advisers trained in Disability Assessment Medicine. It is for the decision maker to judge whether the medical examination report is adequate for the purpose of deciding a claim. The on-going medical quality monitoring of the medical advisers' examination reports suggests that they are maintaining the same standards as pertained when the doctors were responsible for decision making. However following the introduction of lay decision making in July this year the quality of the medical report is further enhanced by a requirement that medical advisers give clear, unambiguous and jargon-free reasons for their opinion.

  Asbestos-related Disease
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to claim from asbestos manufacturers, suppliers and their insurance companies for the cost to the public purse of asbestos-related illness. [99575]

  Mr. Bayley
  The Industrial Injuries scheme provides benefits for employed earners disabled by asbestos-related illness arising out of and in the course of their employment. This benefit compensates people for a loss of faculty which results in disablement; it is not based on issues of 'fault'.

  Under the provisions of the compensation recovery scheme, benefits paid as a result of asbestos-related illness can be recovered if the person suffering from the illness is awarded third party compensation. Benefits are recovered from the compensator from the date of claim to benefit in respect of the disease, subject to a five year maximum. The compensator may reduce the compensation payment to take account of this liability, but only where compensation and benefits are paid for the same need. Compensation for pain and suffering cannot be reduced.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations have been made to 58W
  him about the adequacy of the diagnosis procedures for asbestos-related diseases for qualifying for social security benefits; and if he will make a statement. [99572]

  Mr. Bayley
  Representations have been received about individual claimants, which are of course confidential. We are not aware of any representations specifically about the adequacy of diagnostic procedures for these diseases.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what training is undergone by doctors serving his Department to enable them to distinguish between diseases having their origin in smoking and those having their origin in asbestos. [99574]

  Mr. Bayley
  Medical Services doctors receive a five day training course instructing them how to apply their medical knowledge to the legislative criteria. It includes considering the raw materials, radiological and pathological findings and clinical presentation. Each doctor is then assigned to a more experienced colleague who acts as a supervisory mentor until he or she is assessed as capable of working alone. Work is then audited regularly with quality assured processes to assess any need for further training, and the training is kept under constant review. Forms used to record medical assessments for respiratory prescribed diseases require the doctor to record details of the claimant's smoking habits.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is his policy that all those claiming a social security benefit on the grounds of suffering from an asbestos-related disease should have undergone a CT scan to improve diagnosis. [99573]

  Mr. Bayley
  It is not our policy that such Social Security benefit claimants should have undergone a CT scan.

  CT scans involve considerable exposure to ionising radiation. It would be incompatible with EU and UK legislation on reducing radiation exposure to set any such requirement when it is possible to award benefit on the basis of other evidence of an acceptable nature, such as ordinary chest radiographs. It is important to note that the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (which advises the Secretary of State on this benefit) recommended in 1996 that awards for bilateral diffuse pleural thickening should be based upon the chest radiograph rather than a CT scan.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent discussions Ministers or his officials have held with the Ministry of Defence in respect of war pensions for widows; what was the outcome; and if he will make a statement. [100314]

  Mr. Bayley
  Officials of both Departments have been fully involved in the joint review of compensation for members of the Armed Forces who are disabled because of or whose death is due to service. Ministers and officials of both Departments also discussed the issues raised by the recent debates on war widows' pensions during the passage of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act.

  Widow's Benefit
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what effect the removal of widow's benefit will have on the widow's eligibility for the basic state pension. [99075]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have ensured that, when the new Bereavement Benefits scheme is introduced, a widow on reaching pension age, who has not remarried, will receive Retirement Pension as if she had been receiving Widow's Pension up to pension age under the current scheme. This provision will, of course, like the Bereavement Benefits themselves be available equally to widows and widowers.

  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the payment of the winter fuel allowance. [99098]

  Mr. Rooker
  For the third winter running, Winter Fuel Payments are being made to eligible pensioners. For the first time, payments this year will be made before Christmas. The issue of payments began on 8 November and should be completed by 3 December.

  The payment has been increased to f100 for eligible pensioner households from this winter. Also, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security announced that the payments will be made every year from now on.

  Pensioners (Benefits)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of pensioners entitled to receive the minimum income guarantee(a) in the current year and (b) in each of the next five years, assuming it is uprated by earnings each year. [99398]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Estimates of the average number of pensioners entitled to receive the minimum income guarantee in each year, 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  Thousand

  Income Support cases aged over 60

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Pensioner cases (excluding RA/RCNH)

  1,390

  1,380

  1,350

  Pensioner cases plus partners (excluding RA/RCNH)

  1,640

  1,620

  1,580

  Residential Allowance cases

  170

  180

  180

  RC/NH cases

  50

  40

  30

  Notes:

  1. The partners of pensioner cases (excluding Residential Allowance (RA) and Residential Care and Nursing Home (RCNH) cases) may be under 60, but the majority will be over 60.

  2. The figures are consistent with expenditure estimates published in the November 1999 Pre Budget Report for the years 1998–99 to 2001–02.

  3. There are no published estimates for later years.
  60W
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are entitled to means-tested benefit in 1999; and how many will be so entitled after the implementation of the increases in the basic state pension and the minimum income guarantee for pensions announced in his up-rating statement, when broken down between the different benefits. [99448]

  Mr. Rooker
  As at May 1998, the latest date for which information on all means-tested benefits is available, the estimated number of pensioners (aged 60 or over) who were entitled to means-tested benefit was 3.08 million. We estimate that a further 25,000 pensioners will become entitled to the minimum income guarantee from next April because of its link with earnings growth. 6,000 pensioners will become entitled to Housing Benefit and 9,000 will become entitled to Council Tax Benefit for the same reason.

  Notes:

  1. In this analysis, pensioners are defined as where the claimant or partner is aged 60 or over.

  2. Means-tested benefits include Disability Working Allowance, Family Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based), Council Tax Benefit and Housing.

  3. Numbers refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  4. Figures do not include second adult rebates.

  5. Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten thousand.

  Sources:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry (5 per cent. sample), May 1998 and May 1999.

  Jobseeker's Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry (5 per cent. sample), May 1998 and May 1999.

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  Disability Working Allowance Statistics Quarterly Enquiry (100 per cent. sample), May 1998 and May 1999.

  Housing Benefit Management Information System (1 per cent. sample), May 1998.

WALES

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of special advisers working for the Secretary of State for Wales in each year from 1992–93. [100097]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Figures are not available for the financial year 1992–93. From that year they are as follows:

  Date

  Number

  1993–94

  1

  1994–95

  1

  1995–96

  1

  1996–97

  1

  1997–98

  2

  1998–99

  1

  1999

  1 April to 30 June

  3

  1 July to 29 November

  1

  From the start of December this year I will employ two special advisers.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Lord Chancellor (Tenure of Office) (Amendment) Bill
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions(a) he and (b) his officials have had since 27 March 1998 concerning the Lord Chancellor (Tenure of Office) (Amendment) Bill [Lords] 1998; if he will make a statement on the statutory provisions concerning disbarment from holding the position of Lord Chancellor as it affects (i) Jews, (ii) Muslims, (iii) Buddhists and (iv) members of other non-Christian religions; and what steps he proposes to ensure there is no religious requirement in (a) holding the office of Lord Chancellor and (b) carrying out the functions of Lord Chancellor.[99810]

  Jane Kennedy
  [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The Lord Chancellor and his officials have held preliminary discussions with the promoter of the Lord Chancellor (Tenure of Office) (Amendment) Bill, the noble Lord Alderdice, and his advisers. The purpose of the discussions is to consider how legislation could provide for alternative arrangements to be made in the event of a Lord Chancellor considering that it was not proper for him or her personally to exercise ecclesiastical functions attached to the office of Lord Chancellor. The discussion follows proposals made during the debates on the Bill which Lord Alderdice introduced last year.

  £

  April 19961

  January 1997

  January 1998

  January 1999

  Outside London

  Franchisees

  Preparation

  46.00

  47.29

  48.85

  50.02

  Advocacy

  57.75

  59.37

  61.33

  62.80

  Attendance at Court

  31.50

  32.38

  33.45

  34.25

  Travelling and waiting

  25.50

  26.21

  27.08

  27.73

  Routine letters and telephone calls

  3.55

  3.65

  3.77

  3.86

  Non-Franchisees

  Preparation

  44.75

  46.00

  47.52

  48.66

  Advocacy

  56.50

  58.08

  60.00

  61.44

  Attendance at Court

  30.50

  31.35

  32.39

  33.17

  Travelling and waiting

  24.75

  25.44

  26.28

  26.91

  Routine letters and telephone calls

  3.45

  3.55

  3.66

  3.75

  London area

  Franchisees

  Preparation

  48.50

  49.86

  51.50

  52.74

  Advocacy

  57.75

  59.37

  61.33

  62.80

  Attendance at Court

  31.50

  32.38

  33.45

  34.25

  Travelling and waiting

  25.50

  26.21

  27.08

  27.73

  Routine letters and telephone calls

  3.70

  3.80

  3.93

  4.02

  Non-franchisees

  Preparation

  47.25

  48.57

  50.18

  51.38

  Advocacy

  56.50

  58.08

  60.00

  61.44

  Attendance at Court

  30.50

  31.35

  32.39

  33.17

  Travelling and waiting

  24.75

  25.44

  26.28

  26.91

  Routine letters and telephone calls

  3.60

  3.70

  3.82

  3.91

  1 Hourly rates for legal aid work in the Magistrates Courts were last raised in April 1996 and these are therefore the existing rates.

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department of the judicial vacancies filled since May 1997 in the(a) House of Lords, (b) Court of Appeal, (c) High Court and (d) Circuit Bench, how many were filled by (i) women, (ii) people from ethnic minorities and (iii) solicitors. [100417]
  62W
  I am not aware of any extant statutory provisions which would disbar any person from holding the office of Lord Chancellor on the ground of his or her religious persuasion.

  The Government do not propose to take any steps to change any existing law which governs the holding of the office of Lord Chancellor, or the carrying out of the functions of that office. Traditionally, it has not been regarded as appropriate for the Government to introduce legislation intended to facilitate the holding or performance of such office by individuals of particular religious persuasions.

  Magistrates Courts (Legal Aid)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what would have been the hourly rate for legal aid work in magistrates courts had fees been raised annually in line with inflation, detailed by each year, in each of the last five years. [100470]

  Mr. Lock
  The majority of magistrates court criminal cases are paid for by a standard fee. Hourly rates are paid on non standard cases. Of cases receiving criminal legal aid, 9 per cent. are currently paid by non standard fees and account for 35 per cent. of expenditure. Although hourly rates have not increased during the period in question, the average amount paid in a case has increased from £1,554 to £1,649. Had the hourly rates increased in line with inflation, the rates would be as detailed.

  Mr. Lock
  The available information is as follows:

  The figures for the number of appointments made since May 1997 and the further breakdown by gender, ethnic background and professional background are detailed in the table.

  63W

  Full-time appointments made since May 1997, classified by gender, ethnic and professional background

  Post

  Appointments made

  Number of females

  Number of ethnic minority background

  Solicitors

  House of Lords

  4

  0

  0

  0

  Court of Appeal

  11

  1

  0

  0

  High Court

  19

  2

  0

  0

  Circuit Bench

  71

  12

  1

  4

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many vacancies for judicial appointments there were in the(a) House of Lords, (b) Court of Appeal and (c) High Court in each of the last three years. [100418]

  Mr. Lock
  From the information available the number of vacancies for judicial appointments in the House of Lords, Court of Appeal and the High Court for the past three years is as follows:

  House of Lords

  Court of Appeal

  High Court

  1996

  2

  2(3)

  9

  1997

  2

  5

  7

  1998

  2

  2

  5(2)

  1999

  1

  4

  5(1)

  Note:

  The figures in brackets represent additional appointments. In 1996 there were three additional appointments to the Court of Appeal. In 1998 there were two additional appointments to the High Court and in 1999 there was one additional appointment to the High Court. These appointments were additional in that they did not arise from vacancies caused by promotion or retirement.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when Sir Leonard Peach was commissioned to conduct his inquiry into the procedures for appointing judges and QCs; by what date he was asked to report; and when the Lord Chancellor expects to receive the report. [100446]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor announced on 27 July 1999 that he had appointed Sir Leonard Peach to provide a report on the operation of the appointments procedures. At that time Sir Leonard expected to report during the last quarter of the year. The Lord Chancellor expects to receive the report soon and for it to be published before Christmas.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to advertise for candidates for the eight new vacancies on the High Court Bench approved on 23 November. [100414]

  Mr. Lock
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor does not advertise vacancies on the High Court Bench on an individual basis. However, the Lord Chancellor has placed advertisements indicating that he welcomes applications from practitioners who wish to put themselves forward for appointment to the High Court Bench and continues to welcome such applications.

  64W
  In the light of the statutory instrument passed in the House of Commons on 23 November, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is considering if it is appropriate to place further advertisements in order to encourage suitably qualified and experienced Barristers and Solicitors to put themselves forward for appointment to the High Court.

  "Paths to Justice"
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the research report, "Paths to Justice", published by the Nuffield Foundation, in respect of public confidence in the judiciary. [100445]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor and I are both very grateful to Professor Genn for undertaking the research in "Paths to Justice". The report reveals that the perception of judges is inconsistent with the true facts, as evidenced by the high level of satisfaction with judges which most court users report—a level of satisfaction which is remarkable, considering that in every court case there has to be a winner and a loser, and therefore a disappointed party. It is important that deserved public confidence in the judiciary is maintained.

  Magistrates Courts (Costs)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost per day of a trial in a Magistrates Court(a) at which a stipendiary magistrate presides and (b) before lay justices. [100315]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information requested is not yet available. The Government have commissioned research to assess the relative costs, effectiveness and other benefits/disadvantages of Stipendiary and lay magistrates, taking into account all related costs including those of other agencies.

HEALTH

  Departmental Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what motor mileage allowance rates his Department offers to(a) Ministers and (b) civil servants using their own vehicles for official business; and what has been the cost of each in each of the last five years. [98696]

  Yvette Cooper
  In the Department the current motor mileage allowance rates for Ministers and civil servants who use their own vehicles are 40 pence per mile for the first 4,000 miles in a financial year and 22.5 pence per mile for mileage in excess of 4,000 miles.

  Ministers, when travelling on official business, may use a private car instead of an official car, and claim mileage allowance in the same circumstances and on the same terms as civil servants in the Department.
  65W
  The cost of motor mileage allowance payments available for each of the last three years only:

  1996–97: £824,000

  1997–98: £877,000

  1998–99: £816,000

  of which the following was paid to Ministers:

  1996–97: £69

  1997–98: £189

  1998–99: £0

  Alder Hey Children's Hospital
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate claims that children's organs were removed following their deaths without informed parental consent, and retained by medical staff at Alder Hey Children's Hospital on Merseyside. [99402]

  Mr. Denham
  In October the former Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) announced he would be launching an investigation into the retention of organs, following inquiries by Alder Hey Hospital which had revealed that in a number of cases, other organs as well as hearts were retained from children who underwent post mortems. He asked the Chief Medical Officer to conduct an investigation to look into what happened not just at Alder Hey Hospital, but in the country generally and its implications for the National Health Service as a whole. This investigation is under way.

  Nutrition
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility the Food Standards Agency will have for the health aspects of nutrition. [99282]

  Yvette Cooper
  The division of responsibilities for nutrition between the Food Standards Agency and Hearth departments is set out in chapter 5 of the White Paper "The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change", copies of which are available in the Library.

  The White paper states:

  The Government propose that the agency will:
  be responsible for monitoring and surveillance of the nutrient content of food and the nutrient content of the diet,
  provide authoritative factual information about the nutrient content of individual foods and advice on the diet as a whole,
  secure expert scientific advice on the relationship between diet, nutritional status and health to support the definition of a healthy diet and to inform policy from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA)1,
  provide the definition of a balanced diet, based on COMA'S1 scientific advice, for subsequent use in health education material produced by other bodies,
  where appropriate, propose legislation relating to nutritional aspects of food, including labelling and claims, dietary supplements sold as food, fortified foods and functional foods,
  provide practical guidance in relation to nutritional aspects of the food chain, including production and catering,
  commission food and diet research appropriate to the functions of the agency,
  represent the United Kingdom in international negotiations on issues relating to nutritional aspects of food,
  formulate policy and provide advice to Ministers on these issues.
  66W
  The agency will share with Health departments responsibility for:
  providing the joint secretariat to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA)1. (COMA1 will advise Health departments and the agency),
  surveillance of the nutritional status of people,
  defining the health education message on nutritional issues, taking account of both food and wider health issues,
  policy formulation and advice to Ministers on these issues, for example in relation to Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation, and public health aspects of food fortification.

  Health departments will retain responsibility for:
  wider public health policy issues including conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis or obesity) where nutritional status is one of a number of risk factors,
  consideration of vulnerable groups and inequalities issues,
  health education on wider behavioural issues which may include but go beyond nutrition (such as smoking, drinking, physical activity),
  all links with the NHS and health professionals, breastfeeding promotion in the NHS, clinical nutrition and dietetics including hospital catering and nutritional therapy,
  dietary supplements which are controlled by the Medicines Act (through the Medicines Control Agency),
  health surveillance of the population,
  and international negotiations on health matters.

  1The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) will be succeeding the current advisory Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA).

  Mental Incapacity Bill
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in the proposed Mental Incapacity Bill for England and Wales, nutrition and hydration by artificial means will be defined as medication. [99267]

  Yvette Cooper
  As outlined in my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor's Policy Statement: "Making Decisions—The Government's proposals for making decisions on behalf of mentally incapacitated adults", we have no plans to enshrine such a definition in statute law.

  ME/CFS
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on the treatment of ME/CFS in young people and the principle of parental consent to their removal from their home for such treatment; [99453]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the provision of specific treatment centres for ME/CFS and on the system of inspection for the centres. [99452]

  Mr. Denham
  The causes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis are not fully understood, nor is there a generally agreed method of treatment. Treatment to relieve the wide variety of symptoms which patients can experience is, therefore, a matter for individual doctors to decide in consultation with their patients.

  The National Health Service provides a considerable number of services to which people suffering from CFS/ME have access, and such patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialities. The CFS/ME Working Group will produce guidance aimed at improving the quality of this care and treatment.
  67W
  The Children's Group of the CFS/ME Working Group, which has been established to review management and practice in the field of CFS/ME with the aim of providing best practice guidance for professionals, patients and carers to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with CFS/ME, will, as the name suggests, focus on issues specific to children. This will include educational and social services issues as well as child specific research. It is also considering reviewing practice in paediatric clinics.

  Consent of a young person who has reached the age of 16 to their own medical or surgical treatment is sufficient unless they are not competent to give valid consent, where the consent of a person with parental responsibility should be sought. Such power only extends until the person is 18. The refusal of treatment by a young person competent to give consent may be overridden by consent from a person with parental responsibility or the Courts, provided the treatment is in the young person's best interest. Where the young person is not competent to give consent and a person with parental responsibility refuses consent, the Courts can over-rule that refusal if to do so would be in the child's best interest.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what experiments are taking place on young patients suffering from ME/CFS; and if he will make a statement. [99450]

  Mr. Denham
  We are not aware of any experiments taking place on young patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is(a) undertaking and (b) funding into the causes of ME/CFS; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for the success of such research. [99449]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government fund health and medical research in a number of ways:

  The Department funds research and development to support its work on policy development and evaluation in health and social care. The Department also manages the National Health Service research and development levy which is used to support research and development of relevance to the National Health Service in hospitals, general practice and other health care settings, and to fund the NHS research and development programme. In addition, the Medical Research Council (MRC)—which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the science and engineering base.

  The MRC has provided support for a Small Project Grant in the area of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, undertaken by Dr. R. K. Morriss at the University of Manchester, entitled "The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenesis on the chronic fatigue syndrome". The total amount awarded was £37,241 and the study was concluded this year.

  The NHS research and development programme is supporting the following projects:
  Chronic fatigue syndrome after acute Q fever: a follow-up study of the 1989 outbreak cohort—Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham
  68W
  Should general practitioners manage chronic fatigue syndrome?—University of Hull
  Family focused cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome—King's College School of Medicine, London

  Project details of work directly funded by the Department or supported through the NHS R&D levy can be found on the National Research Register (NRR).

  Chelation Therapy
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities that finance the use of chelation therapy for patients. [99232]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information is not held centrally on the funding of this therapy by health authorities. Chelation therapy may be used in the treatment of a variety of diseases and is available in various forms.

  Embryos (Disposal)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current arrangements for disposing of embryos. [99265]

  Yvette Cooper
  Section 17 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority Act 1990 provides that the person responsible in a licensed clinic must ensure that proper arrangements are made for the disposal of gametes or embryos that have been allowed to perish.

  In its Code of Practice the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority provides that, where an embryo is no longer to be kept for treatment the centre should decide how it is allowed to perish and what is to happen to the perished material. The authority requires the procedure to be sensitively devised and described, and that it should be communicated to the people for whom the embryo was being stored if they so wish.

  Carisolv Gel
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make Carisolv gel available to NHS dental patients; and if he will make a statement. [99389]

  Mr. Denham
  Carisolv gel is available for use by dentists throughout the European Union and this includes its availability to National Health Service dental patients.

  Pertussis Whole Cell Vaccine
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the large scale vaccine trials of the pertussis whole cell vaccine were carried out in Sweden and Germany; and if he will place a copy of the report of the trials in the Library. [99447]

  Yvette Cooper
  Large-scale clinical trials of acellular pertussis vaccines that include whole cell pertussis vaccines as a comparison group were conducted in Sweden between 1992 and 1996 and in Germany between 1991 and 1995. Findings from these clinical trials were published and the following references have been placed in the Library:Gustafsson L et al. A controlled trial of two-component acellular, a five-component acellular and a whole cell pertussis vaccine. N. Engl J. Med 1996; 334:349–55.

  69W
  Olin P et al. Randomised controlled trial of a two-component, three-component, and five-component acellular pertussis vaccines compared with whole-cell pertussis vaccine. Lancet 1997; 350: 1569–77.
  Schmitt H-J et al. Efficacy of acellular pertussis vaccine in early childhood after household exposure. JAMA 1996; 275: 37–41.
  Liese J.G. et al. Efficacy of a two-component acellular pertussis vaccine in infants. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997; 16: 1038–44.
  Heininger U. et al. Comparative efficacy of the Ledele/Takeda acellular pertussis component DTP vaccine and Lederle whole-cell component DTP vaccine in German children after household exposure. Pediatrics 1998; 102: 546–553.

  Cervical Screening
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will implement the recommendations of the NHS Health Technology report entitled "A Systematic Review of the Role of HPV Testing in the Cervical Screening Programme". [99750]

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the NHS Health Technology report, "A Systematic Review of the Role of HPV Testing in the Cervical Screening Programme". [99720]

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce testing for the human papilloma virus for the triage of borderline smears, as recommended by the NHS Health Technology report entitled "A Systematic Review of the Role of HPV Testing in the Cervical Screening Programme". [100185]

  Yvette Cooper
  An outline proposal on pilot studies using human papilloma viruses testing as triage for mild and borderline cervical smears, as recommended in the National Health Service Health Technology Assessment report, will be discussed at the National Screening Committee's meeting in Belfast on 8 December. The National Screening Committee will advise Ministers in light of these discussions.

  ChildLine
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make additional funding available to ChildLine; and if he will make a statement. [99581]

  Health authorities

  A Weighted capitation target (£000)

  B Allocation (£000)

  C Distance from target (£000)

  D Distance from target (%)

  Avon

  589,434

  582,510

  -6,924

  -1.17

  Barking and Havering

  258,434

  256,500

  -1,934

  -0.75

  Barnet

  204,463

  209,057

  4,594

  2.25

  Barnsley

  160,844

  156,058

  -4,786

  -2.98

  Bedfordshire

  324,996

  312,569

  -12,427

  -3.82

  Berkshire

  446,620

  431,001

  -15,619

  -3.50

  Bexley and Greenwich

  274,466

  289,039

  14,573

  5.31

  Birmingham

  679,290

  681,946

  2,656

  0.39

  Bradford

  317,304

  311,762

  -5,542

  -1.75

  Brent and Harrow

  301,083

  310,379

  9,296

  3.09

  Bromley

  184,106

  183,609

  -498

  -0.27

  Buckinghamshire

  377,426

  368,084

  -9,343

  -2.48

  Bury and Rochdale

  251,674

  248,434

  -3,241

  -1.29

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  367,445

  369,064

  1,619

  0.44

  70W
  Mr. Hutton
  We greatly value the service that ChildLine provides to children in trouble and in danger. We have committed substantial support to the core operation of ChildLine through a grant under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, totalling £542,500 over the three financial years 1999/2000–2001/02. ChildLine have also been awarded a Section 64 Grant of £150,000 over the three financial years 1999/2000–2001/02 for their special helpline for children in care.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average expenditure is per patient on the treatment of epilepsy. [99764]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, information is available on the cost of epilepsy drugs.

  The number of prescription items and the net ingredient cost for drugs used for the treatment of epilepsy and dispensed in the community in England in 1998 (the latest date that this information is available) was 6.1 million and £74.9 million respectively. 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.

  Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities in England, showing in each case(a) the amount of money to which they would be entitled in 1999–2000 if every health authority were paid at capitation, (b) the actual amount allocated in 1999–2000, (c) the amount of money by which each authority is either above or below capitation, and (d) the percentage of each health authority's allocation which that capitation underpayment or overpayment represents, ranked by the percentage figures in (d). [99803]

  Mr. Denham
  The table shows, for 1999–2000, for each health authority: in column A, the amount to which they would be entitled if every health authority were paid at capitation, ie their weighted capitation target; in column B, the actual amount allocated; in column C, the amount by which each authority is above or below capitation, ie their distance from target; and in column D, the percentage distance from target.
  71W

  Health authorities

  A Weighted capitation target (£000)

  B Allocation (£000)

  C Distance from target (£000)

  D Distance from target (%)

  Cambridge and Huntingdon1

  236,369

  233.706

  -2,663

  -1.13

  Camden and Islington

  313,103

  320,052

  6,949

  2.22

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  309,707

  316,160

  6,454

  2.08

  County Durham

  420,738

  411,001

  -9,737

  -2.31

  Coventry

  208,065

  200,882

  -7,182

  -3.45

  Croydon

  205,238

  202,682

  -2,556

  -1.25

  Doncaster

  198,087

  197,811

  -276

  -0.14

  Dorset

  436,860

  446,631

  9,771

  2.24

  Dudley

  184,858

  183,018

  -1,840

  -1.00

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  478,734

  475,900

  -2,835

  -0.59

  East and North Hertfordshire

  292,156

  290,037

  -2,118

  -0.73

  East Kent

  388,808

  395,915

  7,108

  1.83

  East Lancashire

  352,280

  349,892

  -2,389

  -0.68

  East London and The City

  514,149

  490,031

  -24,117

  -4.69

  East Norfolk1

  376,838

  380,037

  3,198

  0.85

  East Riding

  361,453

  359,056

  -2,397

  -0.66

  East Surrey

  239,039

  244,052

  5,013

  2.10

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  494,731

  505,366

  10,634

  2.15

  Enfield and Haringey

  321,764

  323,495

  1,731

  0.54

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  256,652

  254,698

  -1,954

  -0.76

  Gloucestershire

  322,184

  334,591

  12,408

  3.85

  Herefordshire

  98,652

  98,713

  61

  0.06

  Hillingdon

  153,696

  154,353

  658

  0.43

  Isle of Wight

  86,064

  92,390

  6,326

  7.35

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  314,256

  286,339

  -27.917

  -8.88

  Kingston and Richmond

  203,787

  208,380

  4,593

  2.25

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  574,882

  571,315

  -3,567

  -0.62

  Leeds

  466,585

  467,788

  1,203

  0.26

  Leicestershire

  530,776

  517,310

  -13,466

  -2.54

  Lincolnshire

  392,462

  394,990

  2,528

  0.64

  Liverpool

  341,971

  349,120

  7,149

  2.09

  Manchester

  340,940

  348,698

  7,758

  2.28

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  413,443

  422,995

  9,553

  2.31

  Morecambe Bay

  197,059

  205,730

  8,671

  4.40

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  330,977

  332,729

  1,752

  0.53

  North and East Devon

  295,287

  300,720

  5,434

  1.84

  North and Mid Hampshire

  288,021

  291,934

  3,913

  1.36

  North Cheshire

  198,024

  201,585

  3,561

  1.80

  North Cumbria

  198,179

  198,290

  111

  0.06

  North Derbyshire

  228,939

  228,364

  -575

  -0.25

  North Essex

  507,041

  503,561

  -3,480

  -0.69

  North Nottinghamshire

  239,324

  236,475

  -2,849

  -1.19

  North Staffordshire

  311,809

  303,653

  -8,156

  -2.62

  North West Anglia1

  255,274

  250,526

  -4,748

  -1.86

  North West Lancashire

  322,992

  321,635

  -1,356

  -0.42

  North Yorkshire

  436,615

  434,879

  -1,736

  -0.40

  Northamptonshire

  321,398

  326,245

  4,847

  1.51

  Northumberland

  196,339

  196,014

  -325

  -0.17

  Nottingham

  400,526

  390,375

  -10,151

  -2.53

  Oxfordshire

  337,381

  327,812

  -9,569

  -2.84

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  331,271

  330,353

  -917

  -0.28

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  283,560

  296,944

  13,384

  4.72

  Rotherham

  160,241

  159,162

  -1,079

  -0.67

  Salford and Trafford

  302,725

  309,165

  6,440

  2.13

  Sandwell

  207,949

  205,153

  -2,795

  -1.34

  Sefton

  190,041

  192,028

  1,987

  1.05

  Sheffield

  360,678

  366,097

  5,419

  1.50

  Shropshire

  248,555

  247,650

  -905

  -0.36

  Solihull

  121,100

  122,698

  1,598

  1.32

  Somerset

  287,231

  290,097

  2,866

  1.00

  South and West Devon

  376,078

  383,067

  6,989

  1.86

  South Cheshire

  403,528

  405,696

  2,168

  0.54

  South Derbyshire

  347,813

  340,745

  -7,068

  -2.03

  South Essex

  432,611

  417,802

  -14,809

  -3.42

  South Humber

  192,513

  199,138

  6,625

  3.44

  South Lancashire

  181,469

  185,797

  4,328

  2.38

  South Staffordshire

  320,147

  322,868

  2,721

  0.85

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  327,461

  327,774

  312

  0.10

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  237,420

  236,408

  -1,013

  -0.43

  Stockport

  175,572

  176,374

  802

  0.46

  Suffolk

  391,148

  397,601

  6,452

  1.65

  72W 73W

  Health authorities

  A Weighted capitation target (£000)

  B Allocation (£000)

  C Distance from target (£000)

  D Distance from target (%)

  Sunderland

  202,063

  200,533

  -1,530

  -0.76

  Tees

  372,959

  369,278

  -3,681

  -0.99

  Wakefield

  210,413

  211,183

  771

  0.37

  Walsall

  165,336

  163,243

  -2,093

  -1.27

  Warwickshire

  285,805

  293,422

  7,616

  2.66

  West Hertfordshire

  312,558

  317,538

  4,980

  1.59

  West Kent

  559,299

  562,935

  3,636

  0.65

  West Pennine

  302,185

  297,286

  -4,898

  -1.62

  West Surrey

  362,469

  371,000

  8,531

  2.35

  West Sussex

  470,645

  467,090

  -3,555

  -0.76

  Wigan and Bolton

  385,390

  373,322

  -12,069

  -3.13

  Wiltshire

  339,986

  345,684

  5,699

  1.68

  Wirral

  221,847

  226,212

  4,365

  1.97

  Wolverhampton

  162,577

  160,226

  -2,351

  -1.45

  Worcestershire

  298,177

  303,405

  5,228

  1.75

  1 Since the announcement of allocations for 1999–2000, North West Anglia Health Authority, East Norfolk Health Authority and Cambridge and Huntingdon Health Authority have merged into two new health authorities, Norfolk Health Authority and Cambridgeshire Health Authority. It is not possible to provide data on a comparable basis for the new health authorities.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to respond to the recommendations contained in the Royal Commission report on long-term care for the elderly; and if he will make a statement. [99723]

  Mr. Hutton
  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.

  Mental Health Services
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the total spending on mental health services in(a) 1999 and (b) 1997 for each health authority area. [99887]

  Mr. Hutton
  Over £2,648 million in 1996–97 and over £2,925 million in 1998–99 was spent purchasing secondary healthcare on mental illness in England.

  The table shows the breakdown for each health authority area.

  Purchase of secondary healthcare—mental illness—England

  £000

  HA code/Health authority

  1996–97

  1998–99

  QD8 Avon

  45,732

  49,507

  QAP Barking and Havering

  20,782

  27,310

  QAQ Barnet

  18,332

  20,922

  QCG Barnsley

  9,868

  11,671

  QA6 Bedfordshire

  17,142

  24,266

  QA7 Berkshire

  31,180

  38,284

  QAA Bexley and Greenwich

  18,837

  30,939

  QD9 Birmingham

  55,899

  63,980

  QDD Bradford

  25,348

  25,535

  QAR Brent and Harrow

  34,074

  40,714

  QAC Bromley

  15,424

  17,927

  QA8 Buckinghamshire

  29,543

  29,755

  QCT Bury and Rochdale

  14,105

  15,672

  QDT Calderdale and Kirklees

  26,317

  26,578

  QA9 Cambridge and Huntingdon

  22,678

  24,975

  QAT Camden and Islington

  47,735

  59,732

  QDV Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  25,894

  27,260

  74W

  Purchase of secondary healthcare—mental illness—England

  £000

  HA code/Health authority

  1996–97

  1998–99

  QDE County Durham

  36,169

  33,968

  QEA Coventry

  16,216

  16,571

  QAD Croydon

  17,322

  21,682

  QCK Doncaster

  14,561

  14,050

  QDW Dorset

  29,859

  31,160

  QEC Dudley

  13,855

  16,419

  QAV Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  57,339

  63,938

  QEP East and North Hertfordshire

  23,426

  26,630

  QAE East Kent

  25,211

  35,293

  QCX East Lancashire

  25,363

  28,416

  QAW East London and The City

  60,430

  60,879

  QCA East Norfolk

  32,286

  32,591

  QDF East Riding

  29,141

  22,877

  QAK East Surrey

  32,755

  32,396

  QAM East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  37,961

  41,986

  QA4 Enfield and Haringey

  41,147

  36,452

  QDG Gateshead and South Tyneside

  26,064

  27,537

  QDY Gloucestershire

  23,874

  25,628

  QED Herefordshire

  4,766

  7,074

  QA2 Hillingdon

  11,132

  10,672

  QD4 Isle of Wight

  7,541

  6,898

  QA3 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  52,059

  57,703

  QAG Kingston and Richmond

  20,793

  20,917

  QAH Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  79,400

  106,945

  QDH Leeds

  42,230

  41,662

  QCL Leicestershire

  48,737

  54,561

  QCM Lincolnshire

  28,662

  22,145

  QC2 Liverpool

  29,857

  38,934

  QC3 Manchester

  37,596

  39,867

  QAJ Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  47,578

  51,405

  QC4 Morecambe Bay

  21,666

  23,041

  QDJ Newcastle and North Tyneside

  21,980

  28,601

  QDX North and East Devon

  22,837

  24,606

  QD1 North and Mid Hampshire

  23,290

  26,116

  QVC North Cheshire

  22,507

  25,305

  QDK North Cumbria

  17,797

  19,202

  QCH North Derbyshire

  17,295

  18,549

  QAX North Essex

  43,602

  46,622

  QCN North Nottinghamshire

  29,508

  14,302

  QEH North Staffordshire

  25,534

  23,084

  QCD North West Anglia

  19,502

  22,253

  QCY North West Lancashire

  26,560

  29,419

  QDR North Yorkshire

  32,818

  39,955

  QCC Northamptonshire

  26,562

  33,001

  QDM Northumberland

  16,304

  17,983

  QCP Nottingham

  38,028

  43,942

  QCE Oxfordshire

  28,061

  30,713

  QD2 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  28,771

  32,186

  75W

  Purchase of secondary healthcare—mental illness—England

  £000

  HA code/Health authority

  1996–97

  1998–99

  QA5 Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  34,854

  39,271

  QCQ Rotherham

  10,517

  11,039

  QC6 Salford and Trafford

  27,653

  27,580

  QEE Sandwell

  12,563

  14,748

  QC7 Sefton

  11,499

  12,977

  QCR Sheffield

  32,545

  33,983

  QEF Shropshire

  16,983

  19,672

  QEG Solihull

  6,735

  6,285

  QD5 Somerset

  22,452

  25,431

  QD6 South and West Devon

  22,747

  32,439

  QCW South Cheshire

  35,732

  40,602

  QCJ South Derbyshire

  26,608

  27,959

  QAY South Essex

  36,511

  42,633

  QDL South Humber

  1,894

  11,495

  QC1 South Lancashire

  8,325

  12,918

  QEJ South Staffordshire

  22,563

  24,191

  QD3 Southampton and South West Hampshire

  29,516

  31,486

  QC5 St. Helens and Knowsley

  16,287

  19,684

  QC8 Stockport

  11,021

  12,777

  QCF Suffolk

  33,877

  37,625

  QDN Sunderland

  24,536

  20,375

  QDP Tees

  28,075

  29,525

  QDQ Wakefield

  17,333

  17,951

  QEK Walsall

  10,556

  11,237

  QEL Warwickshire

  22,585

  23,341

  QEQ West Hertfordshire

  22,889

  26,836

  QAF West Kent

  37,857

  46,498

  QC9 West Pennine

  22,807

  26,867

  QAL West Surrey

  33,964

  36,035

  QAN West Sussex

  40,767

  42,875

  QDA Wigan and Bolton

  27,734

  28,205

  QD7 Wiltshire

  27,888

  29,471

  QDC Wirral

  11,480

  13,161

  QEM Wolverhampton

  8,928

  11,215

  QEN Worcestershire

  15,068

  16,384

  Total (England)

  2,648,191

  2,925,934

  Notes:

  1. Data for 1998–99 is provisional

  2. These figures do not include primary care nor personal social services

  Source:

  Health Authority Annual Accounts 1996–97 and 1998–99

  Primary Care
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress made on the setting up of(a) Primary Care Groups and (b) primary care trusts. [99869]

  Mr. Denham
  481 Primary Care Groups have been successfully established. 83 per cent. have opted to take on a substantial commissioning role and are operating at level 2. PCGs have taken responsibility for £11 billion.

  Hospital Bed Use
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the inquiry into the use of hospital beds to report. [99992]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Beds Inquiry is nearing completion. Its findings will be published in due course.

  Bicester Community Hospital
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of Bicester Community Hospital. [100283]
  76W
  Mr. Denham
  As part of the modernisation of community services across Oxfordshire, a brand new 30 bed community hospital is to be built at Bicester. The new hospital will replace the current hospital with a much needed facility, with an additional 18 beds to meet the health care needs of the local community.

  Waiting Times (West Sussex)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people had been waiting for 12 weeks or more for a first appointment with a consultant in the West Sussex Health Authority Area on(a) 1 April and (b) 1 October. [100480]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of people waiting for 13 weeks or more for outpatient appointments in the West Sussex Health Authority area is contained in the table.

  Patients waiting for 13 weeks or more for first outpatient appointment

  Date

  Number

  31 March 1999

  6,915

  30 September 1999

  8,350

  Age Concern
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he will take to prevent ageism in the NHS, with particular reference to the recent representations made by Age Concern. [100198]

  Mr. Hutton
  We welcome the recent Age Concern report which highlights this important issue.

  Discrimination of any kind, whether it is on the basis of age, race or gender, is completely unacceptable in the National Health Service. Treatment should rest entirely on clinical need. We are determined to provide older people with care that meets their needs-fast, efficient and sensitive. The provision of first class care on the NHS is a priority for this Government. That is why we are developing the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. This, for the first time, will set national standards for the care of older people, driving up the quality and reducing the variations of that care. The NSF will be published next year. The development of the NSF has involved many groups, including the patients and carers themselves. However, until the NSF is in place, we will continue to improve and modernise the services we provide. Thus last year we extended the annual immunisation programme for influenza to ensure that everyone aged 75 and over can have the 'flu vaccine free of charge. Over the next three years we will be expanding cataract services to increase the number of cataract operations from 170,000 a year currently to 250,000 a year-this will benefit thousands of older people. From 1 April this year all people aged 60 and over are entitled to free eye tests regardless of income or health status.

  Child Protection
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to bring into force each of the provisions in the Protection of Children Act 1999; and if he will make a statement. [100300]
  77W
  Mr. Hutton
  As I confirmed during the passage of this Act, it is the Government's firm intention to implement the provisions of the Protection of Children Act as soon as possible.

  We will be consulting widely on draft regulations in the new year, and will clarify the dates for implementation at that stage.

  Postnatal Depression
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all antenatal clinics have in place a procedure for identifying mothers at risk of postnatal depression. [100098]

  Yvette Cooper
  "The Report on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom 1994–1996" recommended that the early identification of women at risk of postnatal mental illness or self harm should become part of routine practice. At the maternity booking stage, brief details should be taken about the presence or history of maternal psychiatric disorder, alcohol or substance abuse, severe social problems and previous self harm. Mechanisms should be in place to ensure effective psychiatric liaison as well as to provide appropriate support. The report's recommendations were widely circulated to health professionals in the National Health Service in November 1998.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list, by region, the number of psychiatric beds available in mother and baby units for the treatment of women suffering from postnatal depression; [100099]

  (2) how many women were admitted to psychiatric hospitals and units as a result of postnatal depression by region, for each of the past five years: what proportion of those women were treated in (a) mother and baby units and (b) in general psychiatric wards. [100100]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information is not collected centrally in the form requested. However, there were an estimated 613 finished consultant episodes recorded with a primary diagnoses of puerperium (post natal depression occurring within six weeks of delivery) during 1996–97, the latest year for which information is available. A patient may, of course, have more than one episode of treatment during a year.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends to take to improve the well-being of children in care. [99064]

  Mr. Hutton
  A major programme of action to improve services for children in the public care has been set out in the Government's Response to the Children's Safeguards Review: the launch of the three-year "Quality Protects" programme; and in the White Paper "Modernising Social Services". The "Quality Protects" programme set new national objectives to transform the management and delivery of children's social services. A special grant of £375 million over three years has been made available to support the changes.

  The Government also believe that many young people living in and leaving care have not been getting a fair deal. The Children (Leaving Care) Bill, introduced in the
  78W
  House of Lords on 18 November, will change the system to give these young people the support they need and deserve in preparing for and leaving care.

TREASURY

  South Korea
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to prevent IMF support for South Korea being used to subsidise South Korean shipyards; and if he will make a statement. [99844]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my predecessor as Economic Secretary gave him on 1 March 1999,Official Report, column 807W. There is no evidence that IMF support has been used to subsidise the South Korean shipbuilding industry, and this year South Korea has made net repayments to the IMF.

  The UK Government strongly support Korea's IMF programme, the benefits of which are now being felt as that country recovers from financial crisis. However, the Government fully acknowledge the necessity to monitor that the terms and conditions of the programme continue to be fully respected. This point was underlined by the Industry Council on 9 November in the context of a discussion of the European Commission's first monitoring report on the situation in the world shipbuilding market.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the introduction of the national minimum wage on inflation. [99633]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Monetary Policy Committee is charged with setting interest rates to ensure the Government's inflation target of 2.5 per cent. is met, and hence the introduction of a National Minimum Wage is not expected to have any material effect on inflation.

  Duty Free Sales
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the abolition of duty free sales within the countries of the European Union on employment in the UK. [99607]

  Mr. Timms
  In introducing the legislative framework for the duty free successor regime, the Government promised a post-implementation review after six months. Early next year we will carry out a properly structured evaluation exercise to assess the impact on UK industry.

  Income Drawdown and Annuities
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Inland Revenue to conclude its examination of income drawdown and annuities. [100022]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Inland Revenue has been conducting a review of the operation of income drawdown in personal pension schemes and an announcement will be made in due course if it is decided that any changes are required.

  Incomes (North Staffordshire)
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average gross weekly income was in(a) the North Staffordshire travel-to-work area and (b) Stoke-on-Trent for the last year for which data are available. [99878]

  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. George Stevenson, dated 29 November 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on average gross weekly income for the North Staffordshire travel-to-work area (TTWA) and Stoke-on-Trent.
  Estimates of average gross income data for North Staffordshire TTWA and for Stoke-on-Trent, as discrete areas, are not available. The lowest regional breakdown of household income data published by the ONS is for annual gross household income per head by county. The latest published figures are for 1995 and were published in Table 9 of the article Regional Accounts 1995: part 2 in Economic Trends no. 535, June 1998. This publication is available in the House of Commons Library. Sub-regional estimates of household income in the future will be based on different geographies, owing largely to the reorganisation of local government throughout Great Britain. The first estimates on this basis will be published in the first half of 2000, and will include data for more recent years.
  The county figures available relate to the income of the household sector, as defined for the purposes of national and regional accounts. In addition to private households, this includes charities, voluntary and other non-profit organisations, and quasi-corporations.
  The published figures are normally presented in terms of total annual household income per head of population. The 1995 average household income per head estimate for the county of Staffordshire, converted to a weekly average, was £186.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the payment of national insurance contributions within the student grant system. [100038]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There is no liability for National Insurance contributions in respect of student grants. I am not aware that any representations have been received on this issue.

  Transport (Revenue)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the fuel duty increases in table B9 of the Pre-Budget report make provision for hypothecated revenue for transport. [100498]

  Mr. Timms
  No. I refer the hon. Member to paragraph B17 of the Pre-Budget Report which explains the assumptions behind table B9.

  Air Passenger Duty
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of exempting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland from air passenger duty. [100305]

  Mr. Timms
  Customs' preliminary estimate of the cost of an exemption for flights from airports in the Scottish Highlands and Islands is under 5 million, but the precise figure would depend on the exact scope of any exemption. Customs are consulting on this and a final decision will be announced in the Budget.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of exempting Inverness from air passenger duty. [100306]

  Mr. Timms
  It is not possible to break down a figure for Inverness with any assurance at this stage. Fuller data will be compiled as part of the consultation announced in the Pre-Budget Report.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions he has had with the European Commission on exempting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland from air passenger duty; [100309]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the European Commission on exempting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland from air passenger duty. [100308]

  Mr. Timms
  The European Commission has been informed that the Government are consulting on introducing an exemption for flights from the Scottish Highlands and Islands, as part of a package of measures to amend air passenger duty announced in the Pre-Budget Report.

  OSCE Summit, 18–19 November
  OSCE Summit, 18–19 November
  River Danube and Black Sea: Toxic Wastes
  River Danube and Black Sea: Toxic Wastes
  Turkey: Human Rights Violations
  Turkey: Human Rights Violations
  Hereditary Peers: Computer Equipment
  Hereditary Peers: Computer Equipment
  Policing in 2000–01: Objectives
  Policing in 2000–01: Objectives
  Flood and Coastal Defence
  Flood and Coastal Defence
  Organophosphates: COT Report
  Organophosphates: COT Report
  Forestry Commission: Expenditure Limit
  Forestry Commission: Expenditure Limit
  France: UK Beef Imports Ban
  France: UK Beef Imports Ban
  Fisheries Council, 22 November
  Fisheries Council, 22 November
  Glufosinate Ammonium
  Glufosinate Ammonium
  Health Council, 18 November
  Health Council, 18 November
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority: Annual Report
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority: Annual Report
  Non-domestic Rates
  Non-domestic Rates
  Military Offences
  Military Offences
  Millennium Start Date
  Millennium Start Date