Written Answers of 19 October 1999

DEFENCE

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93567]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department's Year 2000 programme is nearing completion. As reported in September, work on critical systems is almost complete and front-line systems are ready for the Millennium. Contingency plans have been developed and tested.

  The Meteorological Office, which provides services to the public, reports that all of its systems are now compliant and contingency plans have been developed.

  Details of MOD progress in tackling the Millennium problem are set out in our quarterly reports. These are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the Internet. The overall MOD programme completion dates have not changed since the July report to the House.

  Within this programme, two critical systems showed some slippage in their completion dates, but both of these have now been certified as compliant. A small slippage has been reported in one non-critical system.

  The results of the October monthly review of progress of Government Departments and Agencies in tackling the Millennium problem are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the assessment of damage inflicted on Serbian military vehicles in Kosovo by air power will be completed. [94138]

  Mr. Hoon
  General Clark, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), gave his battle damage assessment to the North Atlantic Council on 15 September. This was made public at a NATO press conference on 16 September. A copy of the transcript has been placed in the Library of the House and can also be obtained from the NATO website at http://www.nato.int/kosovo/press/p990916a.htm.

  But, as my predecessor made clear in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 30 June 1999, Official Report, column 160, the measure of the campaign's success lies in the fact that it resulted in withdrawal of Milosevic's troops from Kosovo, the entry of KFOR and the return of refugees.

  Menwith Hill
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reviews the United States National Security Agency has carried out of security practices and breaches of security at RAF Menwith Hill since 1993; and on what dates his Department received copies of the reports arising out of each review. [93939]

  Mr. Spellar
  Two reviews of security have been conducted by the National Security Agency at RAF Menwith Hill since 1993. As the then Minister for the Armed Forces stated in his answer of 11 March 1998,Official Report, columns 196-97, a review was conducted in April 1997. The second review was undertaken on site in January 1998 and was finalised by the US authorities at the end of March that year. My Department was made aware of the contents of both reports at the time.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the past five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93851]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Information is not available in the form requested, not least because of the number of changes in the organisation of my Department since 1995. However, the main corporate in-house journals currently published, and their frequency, are set out below:

  Frequency

  Subject Matter

  MOD-wide

  Focus

  Monthly

  Main Corporate Journal

  MOD 'OnLine'

  Daily

  Electronic news service

  Money Matters

  Quarterly

  Financial Management

  Paper Clips

  Monthly

  Civilian Personnel Policy

  PM World

  Monthly

  Civilian Personnel Management Issues

  Capital

  AD hoc

  Resource Accounting and Budgeting

  Royal Navy

  Navy News

  Monthly

  Main RN Corporate Journal

  Broadsheet

  Annual

  RN Annual Review

  People Matters

  2 a year

  RN Personnel Policy

  Army

  Soldier

  Monthly

  Main Army Corporate Journal

  British Army Review

  3 a year

  General Army Matters

  Sixth Sense

  Weekly

  Newspaper for all Forces serving in Germany

  RAF

  RAF News

  Fortnightly

  Main RAF Corporate Journal

  Air Power Review

  Quarterly

  Air Safety and Air Power

  All titles are unclassified. In addition, there are many newsletters and other internal publications on specific subjects, such as the redevelopment of MOD's Whitehall HQ, or specific to individual management areas. The vast majority of military units also produce newsletters or magazines of their own for their personnel and for the benefit of Service families.
  419
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93687]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The costs of production of MOD's principal official publications are borne by the Stationery Office, as with all Command Papers, House of Commons papers and Statutory Instruments.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average annual expenditure per Defence Housing Executive administered married quarters on repairs and maintenance for the year 1997–98. [94064]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  In the Defence Housing Executive (DHE) 1999 Corporate Plan, the action plan sets out a key target relating to the unit cost of housing and aims to achieve a figure of less than £5,400 per property. A figure for 1998–99 was given on 26 July 1999,Official Report, column 56. For 1997–98, the calculation is similar—i.e. by dividing the total cost of the DHE (£343,429 million including some £100 million rental payment to Annington Homes Ltd) by the average number of properties occupied (including those which are Substitute Services Families Accommodation—52,832). The equivalent figure for FY 97–98, uprated for inflation, is £5,473.10 per property. The cost of the upgrade programme is not included as this is outside the routine cost of housing provision.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the suitability for making nuclear weapons of the material currently being transported to Japan by BNFL. [93828]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has made an assessment of the suitability for making nuclear weapons of the material currently being transported to Japan by BNFL. The assessment was that the risk of this material being so used is very low.

  Anti-Personnel Mines
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to review current and future stocks of munitions to ensure that they do not have the capacity to act as anti-personnel mines; and if he will make a statement. [94642]

  Mr. Spellar
  All UK weapons systems and munitions have been checked for compliance with the provisions of the Ottawa Convention. There are no weapons or munitions in the UK inventory which fall under the Ottawa definition of an anti-personnel mine. The UK is fully committed to a complete global ban on anti-personnel mines and will never again use these weapons.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many mines have been retained for training purposes; and which anti-personnel types have been retained. [94668]

  Mr. Spellar
  The UK is permitted to retain the minimum necessary amount of anti-personnel mines for training and testing in de-mining techniques, as permitted under Article 3 of the Ottawa Convention. As of 1 August 1999, these comprised 2088 Ranger mines, 1056 C3 Elsie 420
  mines, and 434 HB 876 sub-munitions to the JP233 weapon system. As of 1 August 1999, the UK also held 859 anti-personnel mines of foreign manufacture for the development of and training in mine detection, mine clearance, or mine destruction techniques, as provided for in Article 3 of the Convention.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made on the review of compensation arrangements for service and ex-service personnel suffering from asbestos-related illnesses caused by exposure to asbestos prior to 1987. [94427]

  Mr. Spellar
  The review to which my hon. Friend refers is nearing completion. I hope to be able to meet him and other interested colleagues soon to discuss the findings.

  Regimental Insignia
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 1999,Official Report, column 263, on what date this year the Daily Mail sought permission to use the insignia of the Parachute Regiment; and what royalties or fees have so far been received. [93827]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Daily Mail has not, this year, sought permission from the Ministry of Defence to reproduce the insignia of the Parachute Regiment, and no royalties or fees have been received. Dispensation from royalties and fees is generally given for the publication of Crown Copyright material in newspapers and magazines, in the interest of good public relations.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if existing intellectual property rights will be transferred with the assets of DERA on privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [93662]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  No decisions have been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for DERA, and it is too early to speculate on the precise form it will take, or how intellectual property rights will be treated.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he will take to ensure the continued availability of informed independent advice to Ministers after the privatisation of DERA. [93667]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  No decisions have been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for DERA. The need for continued access to informed and impartial scientific services and advice is a key tenet of the MOD's consideration of the future of DERA and is defined in the "MOD Customer Needs Statement" and laid down in Figure 1 of the DERA PPP Consultation Document, a copy of which was placed in the Library on 5 May 1999. Ministers will want to ensure each of these customer requirements is addressed when making a decision on the final PPP solution for DERA.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis collaboration with allied powers by DERA will continue after privatisation. [93668]
  421
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The detailed mechanisms under which DERA would collaborate with allies will not be known until we have decided upon the precise PPP solution to be adopted. However, DERA's participation in collaborative activities with allied powers, following the adoption of a PPP solution, would be governed by the government to government arrangements agreed with our allies.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if liabilities arising from the exposure of staff to hazardous working conditions will be transferred to the purchaser following the privatisation of DERA; and if he will make a statement. [93664]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  No decision has been made on the nature of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for DERA, and it is too early to speculate both on the precise form it would take and how commercial and legal issues, including liabilities, will be handled. The MOD study team, which is taking forward the work on the DERA PPP, is supported by legal experts who will provide advice during the implementation stage on the future treatment of liabilities.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision will be made to fund the transfer of DERA employee pension entitlements from the Civil Service Pension Scheme into a private scheme following his proposals for privatisation; and if he will make a statement. [93669]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  No decisions have been taken on the form of a PPP for DERA, and it is therefore too early to be specific about pension arrangements for staff or how they will be funded.

  Sandhurst (Staff College)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the former Staff College at Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, was vacated; what proposals there are for its future use; and if he will make a statement. [94453]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The former Staff College at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, was vacated in September 1997. Options for the future of the former Staff College Buildings at Camberley are being investigated by the Army. No proposals have yet been put to Ministers.

  Defence Research Programme (Technology Audit)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the nature and purpose of the technology audit of the defence research programme which was discussed at the Defence Research Committee on 31 March 1998; when this audit was started and ended; what were the conclusions of this audit; and if he will place a copy of the report arising out of this audit in the Library. [93863]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Since about 1991, the Defence Scientific Staff, in providing support for the work of the Defence Research Committee, have undertaken an ongoing review of technology aspects of the defence research programme. The paper entitled "technology audit", discussed at the Committee on the 31 March 1998, dealt with the internal processes by which this ongoing review is carried out.422
  I am withholding this document in accordance with exemption 2 of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information".

  Ministerial Meetings (United States)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visit to the United States on 2-3 June 1997; and if he will list the date and location of each meeting, and the names of the members and officials of the United States Government at each meeting. [93949]

  Mr. Hoon
  During his visit to the US from 2 to 3 June 1997, my predecessor's only formal meeting was with Mr. William Cohen, the US Secretary for Defense. General John Shalikashvili, the then Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, was present during part of the discussions. This meeting took place in the Pentagon on Tuesday 3 June 1997.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department started discussions with the United States Government on the decision to invest in the US National Ignition Facility; with which US Departments these discussions have been held; to which United States Department, and on what date, his Department notified the decision to invest in this facility; whether the decision to invest in this facility will be covered by a memorandum of understanding; when his Department expects to formalise the decision in a contract with the US; and with which United States Department this contract will be signed. [93932]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Discussions between officials of my Department and the US Department of Energy on the possibility of optimising National Ignition Facility (NIF) technology began in September 1998. Written confirmation of the United Kingdom's decision to invest in the NIF was conveyed to the US Department of Energy on 9 June 1999. The US Department of Defense was also made aware of out intentions. The arrangements, which are being made under the aegis of the 1958 UK-US Mutual Defence Agreement, will be formalised in a number of contracts covering the procurement process between my Department and the US Department of Energy.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States personnel have visited the Atomic Weapons Establishment (Aldermaston) since 1 January; and from which United States Departments and establishments these visitors have come. [93944]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  A total of 381 United States personnel have visited AWE Aldermaston between 1 January and 30 September 1999. The visitors represented the following:

  Department of Energy

  Department of Defense

  Defense Threat Reduction Agency

  Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories

  Kaiser-Hill

  Mason & Hanger, Pantex

  Westinghouse Savannah River

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  Chew & Associates Inc

  Allied Signal, Kansas City Division

  Lockheed Martin, Y-12 Plant

  Lockheed Martin Missiles Systems

  ITT SSC

  Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute

  University of California

  McCrone Associates

  Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories

  Applied Research Associates Inc.

  Electronic Test Facility
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received from the Irish Government with regard to the Ministry of Defence's Electronic Test Facility formerly sited at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. site at Capenhurst, Cheshire, since 1 July; when these representations were received; and from which Irish Departments. [93856]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence has not received any representations from the Irish Government with regard to the Electronic Test Facility.

  Anthrax Vaccine
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies from which his Department has procured anthrax vaccine since 1 January 1995. [93840]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Department's only supplier of anthrax vaccine is the Centre for Applied Microbiological and Research, which is the executive arm of the Microbiological Research Authority, a Special Health Authority sponsored by the Department of Health.

  Operational Requirements
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose of operational requirements which are issued by his Department; which section of his Department is responsible for issuing operational requirements; how many operational requirements have been issued since 31 December 1998; and how many of these operational requirements are currently unclassified. [93933]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  "Operational requirement" is a generic term used to describe the detailed documentation setting out a military requirement for equipment, in preparation for possible procurement action. It is prepared by staff reporting to the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Equipment Capability), in consultation with others in my Department, and may, when appropriate, be made available to industry during the procurement process. Since 31 December 1998, work has been initiated on some 196 new operational requirements. There is no central record of the numbers of operational requirements issued to industry. Since such documents give details of our planned future military capability, they are almost invariably classified.

  Bombs
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the size of the existing surplus of 5001b bombs in this country; and what the cost(a) has been to manufacture and (b) will be to destroy this surplus. [94051]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  There are currently no surplus 5001b bombs in this country. However, a number of 5001b bombs which had reached the end of their initial service life, and which subsequent testing had shown to be defective, were destroyed earlier this year at a cost of around £135K.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93562]

  Mr. Battle
  Details of the Department's progress in tackling the bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the internet. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Government departments and agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council. It will show that the Department's business critical systems will be compliant by 31 October as scheduled and that work on non critical systems is well advanced. The Foreign and Commonwealth Business Continuity Plan and Millennium Operating Plan will also both be completed and tested by 31 October on schedule. All our posts have prepared and tested their own Business Continuity Plans.

  Falklands
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department expects to clear the anti-personnel mines that remain in the Falkland Islands. [94641]

  Mr. Battle
  We are fully committed to the Ottawa Convention, which entered into force in the UK on 1 March 1999. It requires us to clear all anti-personnel mines from the Falkland Islands within 10 years of entry, unless we can show good reasons why an extension should be granted. Such reasons may include humanitarian, environmental and technical considerations. Mine clearance in the Falkland Islands is both difficult and dangerous and we should be keeping these points in mind.

  The Ministry of Defence estimate that 14,000 anti-personnel mines were laid by the Argentines in the Falkland Islands in 1982. The Argentine Government have offered to assist in mine clearance. During President Menem's visit to the UK in October 1998, we agreed as a first step to work together with Argentina to evaluate the feasibility and cost of clearing the land mines still present in the Falkland Islands. Work on a Memorandum of Understanding setting out how this feasibility study

  425
  will be carried out is underway. Both Governments re-affirmed their commitment to co-operate on mine clearance in the Joint Statement of 14 July 1999.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response there has been to the report of Mr. Jiri Dienstbier, the UN's Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Yugoslavia, on sanctions against former Yugoslavia. [94711]

  Mr. Hain
  Mr. Dienstbier's most recent report was submitted to the UN Commission on Human Rights on 20 January 1999. It makes no reference to sanctions. I understand that, following his visit to the region in early October 1999, Mr. Dienstbier will shortly be submitting a further report to the General Assembly. The Government have not seen the report, which has yet to be published.

  Missing Israeli Servicemen
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government(a) has made and (b) proposes to make, over the missing Israeli servicemen, Ron Arad, Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz. [R] [94410]

  Mr. Hain
  We regularly raise the issue of the missing Israeli servicemen with those who might have knowledge of their fate. The late Derek Fatchett met the families of the missing servicemen when he visited Israel in January 1998. Other suitable opportunities will be taken advantage of as they arise.

  Honorary British Consuls
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what stipend or other emoluments are paid to honorary British consuls. [94712]

  Mr. Hain
  Honorary British Consuls receive an honorarium, currently set at a ceiling of £1,835, and reimbursement of necessary expenses.

  Iraq (Papal Visit)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made, by which(a) Ministers and (b) officials, to the Holy See about the Pope's planned visit to Iraq. [94360]

  Mr. Hain
  Ministers have not made any representations. Foreign Office officials have discussed the proposed Papal visit to Iraq with officials from the Holy See. We have expressed concern that the visit will be manipulated by the Iraqi government for propaganda purposes and represented as evidence of Papal support for Saddam Hussein's regime and its policies.

  Hong Kong War Pensions
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many former prisoners of war currently benefit from the Hong Kong War Memorial Pension Scheme. [93831]

  Mr. Battle
  As at 31 August 1999, there were 661 pensioners under the Hong Kong War Memorial Pension Scheme, of which 467 were single widowed 426
  persons and 194 were married. None of these are British ex-servicemen. No distinction is made between those who were prisoners of war and others who qualify under the scheme.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution was made by the Government to the Hong Kong War Memorial Pension Scheme in 1991. [93830]

  Mr. Battle
  Under Section 5 of the Hong Kong War Memorial Pensions Ordinance of 1991, pensions were paid from the general revenue of the then Hong Kong Government. They are now paid by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

  Turing's Treatise on the Enigma
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 31 March 1999,Official Report, column 689, on Government Codes and Cypher School, if GCHQ holds a complete copy of Turing's Treatise on the Enigma to be released to the Public Record Office; and if Turing's Treatise on the Enigma has been released to the United States National Archives. [93961]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  GCHQ holds Turing's Treatise on the Enigma and will shortly release it to the PRO. A facsimile is available in the United States National Archives.

  International Criminal Court Treaty
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what timetable he has adopted in respect of the drafting of legislation to enable the signing of the International Criminal Court Treaty. [93675]

  Mr. Hain
  The legislation to enable ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable permits. Detailed work to prepare this legislation is going forward. We are strongly committed to the Court and intend to be among the first sixty States to ratify.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Solicitor General what proportion of cases brought by the Serious Fraud Office have resulted in conviction. [94156]

  The Solicitor-General
  Since its inception, the Serious Fraud Office has prosecuted 197 cases involving 442 defendants. Of the 442 defendants, 300 were convicted or pleaded guilty, an overall conviction rate of 68 per cent.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in
  427
  the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93569]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  All DCMS computer systems have been tested and are now millennium ready. My Department provides no public services via any computer systems for which it is directly responsible. A millennium contingency plan has now been completed and will be tested shortly.

  No slippage occurred following the July statement to the House. My Department's Year 2000 programme was completed at the end of July 1999. We will though continue to monitor the position until the end of the year.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in each year since the establishment of English Heritage, how much(a) his Department and its predecessors, (b) English Heritage, (c) other departments and (d) other agencies have spent on (i) public consultations, (ii) conferences, (iii) public exhibitions, (iv) public relations, design and other consultancy fees and (v) legal fees in connection with (1) the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, (2) proposals for a new visitors centre and (3) proposals for roads in the vicinity. [94153]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Prior to 1990–91, English Heritage incurred no expenditure in respect of Stonehenge beyond that arising from its normal day-to-day responsibilities. Between 1990–91 and 1997–98, English Heritage spent some £3.7 million in relation to proposals for a new visitor centre and for improving the setting of the monument. However, the total expenditure cannot at this stage be readily apportioned to specific aspects of the project. From 1 April 1998 to date, English Heritage expenditure has been as follows:

  £

  Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan

  Public consultation

  47,678

  Public relations, design and other consultancy fees

  58,803

  Proposed new visitor centre

  Public exhibitions

  24,304

  Public relations, design and other consultancy fees

  48,966

  Legal fees

  96,237

  Prior to 1 April 1996, the only expenditure by the Highways Agency that can be attributed solely to the Stonehenge element of the A303/Amesbury—Berwick Down scheme relates to a public consultation exhibition in 1993 costing £32,000 and a conference and exhibition in 1994 costing £78,000. Since then, they have spent £794,945 on the design of the Stonehenge part of the scheme. In addition to this, they mounted a public exhibition earlier this year (1999) at a cost of £48,000.

  My Department, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and their predecessor Departments have not incurred any directly attributable costs in connection with Stonehenge. It is not possible meaningfully to apportion the cost of official time spent in respect of consultations and correspondence.

  Library and Leisure Services
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the levels of spending on(a) library services and (b) leisure services per head of the population in each county of England in each year since 1995–96. [94314]

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the levels of spending on(a) library services and (b) leisure services per head of population in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) each other county of England (1) in the current year and (2) in each of the last three years. [94017]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The requested information is set out in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's annual publications "Public Library Statistics" and "Leisure and Recreation Statistics", which can be consulted in the House Library.

  Royal Armouries Museum
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the(a) financial situation at the Royal Armouries Museum, (b) public funds made available to the museum and (c) the future of the museum and its management. [94381]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Following the restructuring of the PFI arrangement at the end of July which enabled the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds to remain fully open, DCMS Ministers are keeping the financial situation under close scrutiny. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made an additional £1 million per annum available to the Royal Armouries, a 25 per cent. increase in its grant support. The additional grant support is conditional on improvements in management and efficiency which are essential to the future well-being of the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

  Performing Arts
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on provision for performing arts for young people. [94428]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Ensuring all children have access to the arts and to quality arts education opportunities are key departmental priorities. We are working closely with the Department for Education and Employment, the Arts Council of England and other partners on a range of policies to deliver this.

  Airport Tax
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the level of airport tax on the tourism industry in the United Kingdom. [94160]

  Janet Anderson
  My Department has made no systematic assessment of the impact of Air Passenger Duty (APD). APD was introduced in November 1994, and there were 20.8 million overseas visits to the UK in 1994. In 1998, there were almost 26 million overseas visits to the UK.
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  I am, however, aware of the travel and tourism industry's concerns about the APD and have passed these on to ministerial colleagues in the Treasury.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of her Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93575]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Privy Council Office (PCO) computer systems are part of the Cabinet Office network, which is millennium compliant. These systems are encompassed in the Cabinet Office returns.

  PCO's own computer and other electronic hardware have been tested and are compliant. PCO has recently relocated to new premises, which have also been tested and are compliant. There has been no slippage in PCO's millennium bug programme.

  PCO does not provide services to the general public.

  PCO is in the process of finalising its business continuity plan and millennium operating regime and will be bound by the targets I set other Departments and Agencies of having robust and tested plans in place by the end of October.

  Oral Statements
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list(a) the reports published by her Department and its associated bodies, (b) the reports received from bodies set up by her Department, (c) the decisions her Department has taken and (d) events in the UK and elsewhere, since 27 July, which satisfied the criteria she uses for deciding whether to apply to make oral statements to the House when the House is sitting. [93981]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Paragraph 27 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that when Parliament is in session, Ministers will want to bear in mind the desire of Parliament that the most important announcements of Government policy should be made, in the first instance, in Parliament. This is considered in the light of other parliamentary business under consideration in the same week. It is therefore not possible to say with certainty whether any particular decision would be announced in an oral statement even when the House is sitting.

  During Parliamentary recesses, the business of Government continues and outside events often require ministerial decisions which cannot await the end of recess. Many of the significant reports published and decisions made during the recess will come before Parliament in other ways—such as the annual reports of agencies or statutory instruments—and are laid on the day the House returns. A full list of these will appear in the Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday 19 October.
  430
  In relation to my own responsibilities, monthly statements of progress on tackling the Millennium bug in central Government and the wider public sector were sent to all Members in August and September. Information was also made available in the Libraries of the House. When the house is sitting, these announcements are made by oral statement.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Rwanda
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is being given to Rwanda to help improve its educational infrastructure. [94387]

  Clare Short
  Education is identified as a key sector for DFID support in our recently published Country Strategy Paper for Rwanda. Since 1998, we have provided short-term planning advice and, together with the World Bank, have been helping the Government of Rwanda carry out a Public Expenditure Review of education and other key social sectors aimed at identifying strategic priorities which are affordable and sustainable. In addition, we have provided direct budgetary support aimed at increasing the proportion of Government expenditure in the social sectors.

  Over the next three years, we plan to build on this work as our partnership with the Government of Rwanda deepens. We are at the early stages of planning a sector support programme in education to be implemented in collaboration with the World Bank and other interested donors. In addition to providing much needed institutional strengthening and further strategic planning support, the programme would target infrastructure and training priorities.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the current humanitarian situation in Rwanda. [94388]

  Clare Short
  Unrest in the north-west of Rwanda in the latter part of 1998 led to the displacement of over 600,000 people. Since November 1998, we have provided over £1.7 million in humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable groups. A degree of stability has now returned to the north-west, but we stand ready to respond to any further humanitarian crises in Rwanda as needs are identified.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93681]

  Clare Short
  We publish a wide range of material, both centrally funded and as part of individual programmes such as those covering knowledge and research work. We spent around £1.3 million on official publications since May 1997, which includes the costs incurred in publishing, preparation, production and purchase of copies for official use. It excludes the costs of publications produced for internal use and as part of individual programmes of research.
  431
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of her Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93850]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID) has three main in-house publications for its staff:

  'North & South', a bi-monthly staff newspaper produced since February 1991.

  'What's happening?', a bi-monthly newsletter on management initiatives published since June 1997 under its present title, and from November 1996 to May 1997 as 'Management Matters'.

  'Weekly Office Notices', an electronic newsletter of staff postings, and other events of general interest.

  A number of individual departments also produce periodic newsletters for some or all staff. While it would be disproportionately expensive to provide an exhaustive list of these, examples include:

  'European News', a monthly newsletter issued in print and electronic form by the European Union Department since 1997.

  'NR News', a quarterly newsletter issued electronically by Rural Livelihoods and Environment Division since June 1996.

  'Infoload', a monthly newsletter issued electronically by DFID's Library since 1997.

  None of these in-house publications have any secrecy clarification. Several are only sent electronically to staff with an acknowledged interest in a particular subject, or to members of staff of the issuing department.

  Western Kenya (Malaria)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid her Department is providing for Kisii, in Western Kenya, in relation to a malaria epidemic. [94390]

  Clare Short
  My Department gave technical advice to the Government of Kenya following the outbreak of this malaria epidemic. One of our regional health team based in Nairobi joined two Government/donor teams sent to the District to assist the local health authorities in the management of the crisis and helped to co-ordinate inputs from the European Commission, WHO, and UNICEF. DFID also drew up emergency treatment protocols in collaboration with colleagues from the WHO country office which were adopted and used.

  DFID has provided around £1.3 million over the last two years for emergency malaria work in Kenya, including one year's supply of the new first-line drug for malaria treatment, Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP). The availability of this drug was a major factor in reducing the impact of the epidemic. We are also helping the Government of Kenya to prepare epidemic preparedness guidelines which should strengthen the response to future outbreaks.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of her Department's432
  computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93577]

  Clare Short
  Details of the Department's progress in tackling the Millennium Bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the Internet.

  All of the key business critical systems have been tested and put back into service. Work is also complete on non-critical systems, telecommunications systems and embedded chips.

  The Millennium Operating Regime has been completed and presented to Ministers. The Business Continuity Plans for all IT business critical systems have been dry-tested. Contingency arrangements on some non-IT aspects of the business covered by the Business Continuity Plans will be tested as appropriate in the next few weeks.

  The results of the October monthly review of progress of Departments and agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  In order to ensure that the projects are effective, they are appraised before approval and monitored during implementation.

  Mine Clearance Projects
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what countries have received direct support from the UK Government since 1997 for mine clearance projects; and if she will make a statement about the effectiveness of the projects. [94667]

  Clare Short
  My department had funded projects to clear anti-personnel mines and other unexploded ordnance since 1997 in the following countries:Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia, Cambodia, Croatia, Egypt, Georgia, Iraq (Northern), Jordan, Laos, Mozambique, Yugoslavia (Kosovo province).

  The projects address urgent humanitarian needs in the context of post-conflict resettlement. They improve access for rural or urban poor to land and services and thus promote sustainable livelihoods.

  In order to ensure that the project are effective, they are appraised before approval and monitored during implementation.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what dates special advisers from her Department have visited the United States of America on official business since 1 May 1997; which of her special advisers took part in each visit; and if she will list the meetings which these special advisers held with members and officials of the United States Government during each visit, specifying the date and location of each meeting and the names of the US members and officials at each meeting. [93943]

  Clare Short
  Since 1 May 1997, no Special Advisers from my Department have visited the United States of America on official business.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Employment Contracts (Clergy)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Church Commissioners have to issue formal employment contracts for clergy. [93275]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Archbishops' Council has set up a staff group to explore what can and should be done to give the clergy the rights they could and should expect.

  The great majority of clergy are office holders without contracts of employment. For National Insurance purposes only, they are deemed to be employees of the Church Commissioners.

  Giving clergy formal employment contracts would raise questions about the current arrangements over patronage, parochial appointments practices, selection for ordination training and clergy discipline, and would require complex and protracted legislation with great problems in defining the employer.

  The Minister for Trade has indicated that there would be extensive consultation were he to exercise the powers conferred on him by Clause 23 of the Employment Relations Act in respect of the faith communities.

  Clergy (Housing)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Church Commissioners have to review the estimated value of the housing clergy receive. [94040]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Archbishops' Council, in its annual report as central Stipends Authority, provides an assessment of the value of the amount clergy would have to earn if they were to have to provide and maintain domestic accommodation (excluding office space) for themselves and their families.

  The clergy remuneration package (including the value of provided housing) will be considered by the group set up by the Archbishops' Council to review clergy stipends. The group will make a preliminary report to the Council in November 2000.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Church Commissioners have for changing the housing situation of retired clergy as regards obtaining their own property. [94052]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  There are currently no plans to change the retirement provisions for clergy. The level of clergy pensions and retirement lump sums recognise the need for retired clergy to meet the cost of their housing.

  The Church of England Pensions Board operates a scheme for assisting with the actual provision of retirement housing. Under the scheme, applicants with some resources can be granted value-linked mortgage loans to enable them to purchase a property. Those with very limited resources may occupy a property owned by the Board, for which they pay a maintenance contribution. Most of the finance for the scheme is provided by the Church Commissioners.

  Millennium Celebrations
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what plans the Church Commissioners have for celebrating the millennium. [93653]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Church of England is working in close partnership with the other Christian Churches, with the overall goal of encouraging a wide range of activities and projects which seek to celebrate and explain the Christian faith. Hundreds of local congregations are also making plans for activities and events under the three themes of a New Start with God, a New Start at Home, and a New Start for the World's Poor. The Faith zone of the Millennium Dome will also celebrate the nation's Christian heritage. The Archbishop of Canterbury will lead the nation in prayer during the opening ceremony at the Dome on New Year's Eve and the Churches' Millennium Resolution, set to music by John Taverner, will be sung. Later in the year, the main focus of the Churches' celebrations will be Pentecost Sunday, June 11, when a large range of events have been planned.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Electoral Procedures
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the final report of the Home Office Working Party on Electoral Procedures. [94816]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today placed a copy of the Working Party's Report in the Library and it will also be published on the Home Office's internet website.

  I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth), now Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and all the members of his Working Party, on a report that will be a major landmark in this country's electoral history. The existing procedures have served us well but are now well over a hundred years old and do not fully reflect modern conditions of life and work. The Working Party has gone out of its way to ensure that the integrity and openness of our electoral system will still be maintained into the next century.

  I am very pleased to see the cross-party consensus that was achieved within the Working Party as this is essential to any aspect of electoral legislation.

  I commend the Working Party's report to the House. The majority of its recommendations will require primary legislation, and I shall be seeking the earliest practical opportunity for a Bill. I look forward to cross-party co-operation that will ensure a swift and smooth passage for this excellent set of proposals.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93564]
  435
  Mr. Straw
  Details of the Home Office and its agencies' progress in tackling the bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These are available in the Library and are published on the Internet.

  In the latest published return, up to the end of August, out of 28 business critical Information Technology systems in the Home Office and its Agencies, 25 had been declared Year 2000 compliant. The remaining three systems completed their work during September. In the Home Office all Business Critical systems (Information Technology, Telecommunications and Embedded Systems) have now completed their Year 2000 work.

  My department will complete work on all non-critical systems slightly later. 86 per cent. of non-critical Information Technology systems are complete, with full completion due during November. 80 per cent. of all non-critical embedded systems are compliant, with all work due to complete during December. Non-critical telecommunications work is scheduled to finish during this month. It should be noted that none of these non-critical systems affect the key services provided by my Department.

  In Home Office Agencies, with the exception of one building management system, whose functions can be performed manually, all non-critical systems are compliant.

  The results of the October monthly review of progress of Government departments and agencies in tackling the bug are to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  The Home Office has policy responsibility for the police, fire, prison and probation services, the Police Information Technology Organisation and the Forensic Science Service. The results of the latest independent assessment of these sectors will be announced at the National Infrastructure Forum (NIF) on 21 October. This will show that good progress has been made since the previous NIF on 13 July, with all areas expected to report a Blue grading, meaning no material disruption is expected.

  All key services provided by the Home Office will have business continuity plans in place by the end of October. 16 of the 19 services have already completed this work. My Department's Millennium Operating Regime will be completed by the end of this month and will be effective from November 1999.

  Two Home Office business critical systems reported minor slippage during August, although these have since been declared compliant. The Forensic Science Service also reported that embedded systems at one site were not yet compliant. Negotiations are continuing with the landlords and the necessary compliance work is expected to be completed shortly.

  Schengen
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the Commission recommendation concerning the UK application to join elements of Schengen. [94139]
  436
  Mrs. Roche
  The Opinion of the European Commission on the United Kingdom's application to participate in certain provisions of the Schengen acquis was deposited for Parliamentary scrutiny on 9 August 1999. At the same time a copy was placed in the Library.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration posts have run-out of forms SAL1 and SAL2 in the last year; how many have been using form IS96 for the wrong purpose in the last year; what assessment he has made of the effects of this on(a) fraud and (b) inconvenience to asylum seekers; what plans he has to issue more consistency of supply; and if he will make a statement. [93732]

  Mrs. Roche
  In the 12 months ending on 12 July 1999, because of printing problems, four immigration ports of entry exhausted their supplies of form SAL1 on various dates between 29 June and 12 July 1999 but no port of entry exhausted its supply of form SAL2. As a temporary measure, the Immigration Service, after liaising with the Benefits Agency, issued alternative confirmation that applicants who were not issued with form SAL1 had arrived in the United Kingdom and sought asylum on entry. There is no record that during the same period any port used form IS96 for the wrong purpose.

  There are no indications that these measures had any bearing on fraud or that there was significant inconvenience to asylum seekers.

  There are now adequate stocks of forms SAL1 and SAL2 available and future orders will be placed earlier.

  Drug-related Crime
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the age distribution of individuals who commit drug-related crime on Merseyside. [94517]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not centrally collated. However, some research bearing on the Merseyside area, is currently being analysed as part of the New England and Wales Arrestee and Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) programme for interviewing and drug testing arrestees. It is hoped to publish the next set of full results, including those for Merseyside, in the first half of next year.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what range of national initiatives Her Majesty's Government have employed to reduce drug-related crime since 1997. [94523]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  One of the four Key Aims of the Government's drug strategy is to protect communities from drug-related crime. National initiatives introduced since 1997 include the piloting of the new Drug Treatment and Testing Order, for which around £60 million has been earmarked for national roll-out next year, an additional £60 million for the provision of new treatment services in prison and up to £20 million over the next two years to assist in the development of arrest referral schemes to get drug misusing offenders into treatment.
  437
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much expenditure has been committed to reducing drug-related crime on Merseyside, for each year since 1995. [94522]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The total expenditure of the relevant agencies involved in tackling drug-related crime on Merseyside is not held centrally.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what range of initiatives have been taken by Her Majesty's Government since 1997 on Merseyside to reduce drug-related crime. [94516]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The responsibility for local delivery on Merseyside of the Government's drugs strategy, including the key aim of protecting communities from drug-related crime, rests with the four Drug Action Teams in Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens and Knowsley and Wirral. In addition, Liverpool is one of the three locations

  Expenditure per head of population—1995–96 to 1999–2000

  £

  Police forces (England)

  1995–961

  1996–971

  1997–981

  1998–992

  1999–20002

  Shire police authorities

  Avon & Somerset

  98.0

  103.7

  107.5

  111.1

  115.5

  Bedfordshire

  100.4

  103.9

  106.9

  110.9

  111.8

  Cambridgeshire

  87.3

  93.3

  99.5

  102.7

  103.7

  Cheshire

  87.1

  94.1

  104.2

  107.5

  112.2

  Cleveland

  116.8

  127.2

  132.4

  137.5

  145.9

  Cumbria

  109

  117.5

  125.7

  127.4

  130.5

  Derbyshire

  90.0

  94.1

  98.4

  102.7

  108.8

  Devon & Cornwall

  95.1

  96.9

  100.2

  108.5

  112.3

  Dorset

  91.2

  100.8

  102.7

  104.7

  110.4

  Durham

  100.3

  111.3

  122.4

  129.4

  135.6

  Essex

  97.45

  100.4

  102.1

  108.6

  111.1

  Gloucestershire

  98.7

  103.5

  105.8

  113.0

  115.9

  Hampshire

  95.0

  98.9

  102.4

  106.8

  109.1

  Hertfordshire

  94.8

  103.2

  106.7

  111.7

  116.4

  Humberside

  107.0

  110.3

  119.7

  122.9

  126.9

  Kent

  96.1

  103.5

  111.5

  114.0

  116.7

  Lancashire

  107.5

  111.5

  117.2

  119.8

  123.3

  Leicestershire

  93.4

  100.9

  105.6

  107.9

  113.2

  Lincolnshire

  95.9

  100.2

  104.2

  106.5

  111.0

  Norfolk

  89.7

  96.6

  102.9

  103.6

  106.4

  North Yorkshire

  90.9

  92.3

  98.6

  102.9

  104.2

  Northamptonshire

  97.0

  98.7

  106.6

  106.8

  111.4

  Nottinghamshire

  100.9

  107.6

  114.5

  117.4

  121.6

  Staffordshire

  93.4

  102.6

  104.5

  110.1

  113.0

  Suffolk

  85.8

  91.1

  97.2

  101.2

  103.2

  Surrey

  107.7

  110.8

  116.5

  115.8

  118.8

  Sussex

  91.9

  99.9

  104.3

  108.2

  109.4

  Thames Valley

  92.8

  97.1

  102.8

  106.8

  109.2

  Warwickshire

  96.0

  95.1

  99.9

  104.7

  108.7

  West Mercia

  85.5

  91.3

  95.3

  99.7

  102.7

  Wiltshire

  96.9

  100.5

  104.6

  108.3

  113.0

  Metropolitan police authorities

  Greater Manchester

  125.9

  130.2

  136.2

  140.6

  146.9

  Merseyside

  151.5

  153.3

  158.2

  166.5

  172.4

  Northumbria

  120.6

  126.2

  131.7

  137.5

  143.6

  South Yorkshire

  108.6

  114.2

  124.9

  125.3

  129.5

  West Midlands

  120.4

  130.9

  132.5

  135.9

  139.5

  West Yorkshire

  111.1

  123.9

  130.7

  131.3

  135.61

  Metropolitan police

  214.8

  216.1

  218.3

  234.6

  240.5

  Average for England

  103.7

  109.3

  114.6

  118.7

  122.6

  1 Figures for 1995–96 to 1997–98 are from Audit Commission

  2 Figures for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are based on police force budgets and police authority population estimates

  438
  in the country where the new drug treatment and testing order is being piloted under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much expenditure has been committed to reducing drug- related crime within the United Kingdom in each year since 1995. [94521]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is not possible to identify separately the national expenditure on reducing drug-related crime. The total annual expenditure on tackling drug misuse has been estimated at £1.4 billion. An additional £217 million over three years was made available in 1998.

  Police Service
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the levels of spending on the police service per head of the population in each county of England in each year since 1995–96. [94206]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Fire Service
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the levels of spending on the Fire Service per head of the population in each county of England in each year since 1995–96. [94207]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the then Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) to my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Marsden) on 15 February 1999,Official Report, column 503.

  Passports
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in Lancashire received their passports after the target date set by the Passport Agency in each of the last six months. [94208]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Passport Agency does not monitor its performance on a county basis.

  Applications from Lancashire would normally be dealt with by the Liverpool Passport Office, which faced considerable operational difficulties over the summer. To ensure that customers' needs were met, it moved from working a ten-day turnaround target for straightforward applications—its main customer service target—to prioritising applications by declared travel dates. These dates were met in 99.99 per cent. of cases.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in Lancashire did not receive their passports from the Passport Agency before their declared journey time; and when they will receive(a) compensation and (b) apologies. [94183]

  Mrs. Roche
  Applications from Lancashire would normally be dealt with by the Liverpool Passport Office and their records show that in the period January 1999 to September 1999 claims were received from 22 residents in Lancashire relating to a missed travel date. The Passport Agency very much regrets the anxiety and inconvenience caused by its missing of these dates. All these cases have received an apology and compensation as appropriate.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to carry out the next customer satisfaction survey for the UK Passport Agency. [94132]

  Mrs. Roche
  Customer satisfaction surveys are carried out by the Passport Agency bi-monthly for postal applications and every quarter for personal callers. The last postal survey covered the period 30 July to 2 September 1999 and is due to be published shortly. The last survey for personal callers covered the period 27 August to 4 October and is due to be published at the beginning of November. Copies of the analyses of these surveys will be placed in the Library.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what subjects were discussed at(a) the informal EU Council of Justice and Home Affairs
  440
  Ministers on 24 and 25 September and (b) the formal Council in Luxemburg on 4 and 5 October; and if he will make a statement. [94339]

  Mr. Straw
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the meetings that took place on 16-17 September and 4 October.

  The informal meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Turku, Finland, on 16-17 September concentrated on preparations for the European Council at Tampere. Ministers exchanged views on the three main themes—asylum and immigration, cross-border crime and developing a European Judicial Area—proposed for discussion at Tampere.

  As regards the formal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 4 October, I have written to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees, in accordance with the special arrangements which apply during a recess, reporting on the outcome. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of my letter.

  Counterfeit Travel Documents
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy towards the Commission's comments (8505/99 ADD.1) on the proposal for a Council decision on the improved exchange of information to control counterfeit travel documents. [94318]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government supported the adoption of this Council decision which was subject to agreement by unanimity. Nevertheless, it recognises that this measure can be seen both as a police co-operation measure and as a measure to combat illegal immigration and has noted the Commission's statement in that context. The final arbiter of the correct legal base for this measure would be the European Court of Justice; it is open to any interested party to bring such a matter before the Court for such a ruling.

  The Government consider that, irrespective of whether the fifth recital of this Decision is redundant, it cannot as a Third Pillar measure affect the respective competencies of the Community and its member states.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the responsibilities of his Department in respect of(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [94340]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Broadly, my responsibilities remain the same as they were before devolution to Scotland and Wales (devolution to Northern Ireland has not yet taken effect). Specifically, details of the matters for which the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales are now responsible, and for which the devolved administration in Northern Ireland will be responsible in due course, can be found in the following documents:

  Scotland Act 1998, Schedule 5,

  Scotland Act 1998: Executive Devolution Order,

  Scotland Act 1998: Transfer of Functions Order,

  Government of Wales Act 1998, Sections 21 and 22 and Part III,

  Government of Wales Act 1998: Assembly Transfer Order, and

  Northern Ireland Act 1998, Section 4 and Schedules 2 and 3.

  EU Readmission Issues
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the claim of the European Commission that the EU should have competence over readmission issues. [94133]

  Mrs. Roche
  Following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, matters concerning immigration and asylum co-operation are now contained within Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Community and are therefore within Community competence. The Government is of the view that readmission issues could fall within the scope of Article 63(3)(b) TEC which provides for measures on immigration policy within the area of removal of illegal residents.

  Under the terms of the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland, annexed to the Treaties by the Treaty of Amsterdam, the United Kingdom may decide to participate in the adoption and application of any measures, including readmission measures, brought forward in Title IV, but it is not otherwise bound by Community law in this area. Should any readmission measures be considered to be a development of the Schengen acquis, the provisions of the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union would also be relevant.

  Prison Education
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors are used to determine the allocation of resources for postgraduate education courses to prisoners serving lengthy prison sentences. [94704]

  Mr. Boateng
  The main priority for the Prison Service is to raise the levels of literacy and numeracy among prisoners, but there are opportunities for eligible prisoners to pursue courses of higher education where resources allow.

  A prisoner would be deemed eligible if as a result of assessment a higher degree course was a requirement of the sentence plan. It would be necessary prior to embarking on this course of study for the prisoner to demonstrate that he or she was capable of attaining the qualification. Resources to pay for this could either come from the governor's budget, a charitable organisation or from the prisoner or a relative.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are available for courses of study to further degree level in each prison; what criteria are applied in deciding the allocation of these resources; and if he will make a statement. [94583]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is for prison governors to decide how much from their annual budget to allocate to education. The main priority of the Prison Service is to raise the levels of literacy and numeracy among prisoners, but there are opportunities for eligible prisoners to pursue higher education studies. Each application is considered on its merits, and there is no predetermined level of funding specifically for degree courses. Before any application can be approved, the governor and education officer need to be satisfied that the prisoner has the aptitude, ability and motivation to complete their chosen course.
  442
  The Prison Service has made arrangements for eligible prisoners to undertake degree and other higher education courses with the Open University. These can be funded either by the prisoner, a relative, through a charitable trust or by the prison.

  In addition, the Open University has a system of financial support which it has agreed, as from the academic year starting February 2000, it will extend to pay the fees for continuing students in prison and has allocated up to £100,000 for this purpose.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will authorise correspondence and papers between Ministers and their US counterparts to be made available for public access, simultaneous to their availability in the USA under the provisions of that country's freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement. [94385]

  Mr. Straw
  The Code of Practice on Access to Government Information sets out current Government policy on access to information. The Code of Practice promotes a culture of openness. It makes the assumption that information should be released except where disclosure would not be in the public interest. Whilst the Code of Practice identifies categories of information that are exempt from the commitment to provide information, where there is a reference to harm or prejudice, there is the presumption that information should be disclosed unless the harm likely to arise from disclosure would outweigh the public interest in making the information available. The Code of Practice is a non-statutory regime which the Government plan to replace with a Freedom of Information Act. It will, however, continue to operate the Code of Practice until a new Act is brought into force. The Government plan to introduce a Freedom of Information Bill into Parliament as soon as the timetable allows.

  The Government's proposals for a Freedom of Information Act are contained within Freedom of Information, Consultation on Draft Legislation. Under the provisions contained in the Bill, public authorities, including all central government departments, will have a duty to comply with requests promptly and in any event within a specified time limit. Where the information sought falls into an exempt area, it will be for the authority to consider, on a case by case basis, whether the information should be disclosed in the public interest. This will ensure that proper consideration is given to all requests by the authority. This is the appropriate way forward. It is for the United Kingdom Government to develop legislation which is appropriate to the needs of this country. It would be wrong to subject United Kingdom authorities to the scope of foreign legislation in the context of their activities in this country. It is for the Parliament of the United Kingdom to decide such matters, not the congress of the United States of America.

  The draft Bill was the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny by the Public Administration Select Committee, as well as a Select Committee of the House of Lords and a period of public consultation. The Government will respond to the recommendations of the Select Committees and to the public consultation soon.

  Plastic Bullets
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the new guidelines relating to the use of plastic bullets by police forces in England and Wales. [94379]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer to the reply I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 27 July 1999,Official Report, columns 246-47.

  Prison Service Documents
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of reference for his inquiry into the leak of confidential Prison Service documents established on 12 July; if the inquiry team has power to examine the involvement of the intelligence services; and if he will place in the Library his letter to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe). [93528]

  Mr. Boateng
  An internal investigation into the loss of confidential information from Belmarsh prison was ordered by the Director of High Security Prisons on 14 July 1999, headed by the governor of Whitemoor prison.

  A separate inquiry is being undertaken by the Metropolitan Police which has led to an arrest, but is still continuing. The Prison Service inquiry will not be completed until after any police matters are concluded to avoid jeopardising any legal proceedings.

  A copy of the letter I sent to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 9 August about this matter has been placed in the Library.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Act
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 so that same-sex couples are dealt with in the same way as heterosexual couples. [93923]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We mounted a public consultation exercise on the compensation scheme earlier this year. That public debate was informed by the issue of a consultation paper "Compensation for Victims of Violent Crime: Possible Changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme". The possibility of extending eligibility for fatal awards to partners of the same sex was one of the options for change mentioned in that paper.

  We received over 50 responses to the consultation exercise and a wide variety of proposals for change was put forward, including the suggestion that fatal awards be given to same-sex partners. We are still considering the results of the consultation exercise, and hope to be able to say later in the year how we proposed to take matters forward.

TREASURY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the 444
  provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93561]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Details of the Treasury's progress in tackling the bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the Internet. They show that work on business critical IT systems, embedded systems and telecoms has been completed. Our Y2K business continuity plan and millennium operating regime were completed in September. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Departments and agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  The results of the latest independent assessment of the tax collection and financial institutions sectors will be announced at the next National Infrastructure Forum on 21 October.

  Refurbishment Costs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of refurbishing the Treasury. [94467]

  Mr. Timms
  The plans for the refurbishment of the Treasury accommodation in the building were announced by the former Chief Secretary on 27 July 1999,Official Report, columns 400-01. The design and build costs of the current project within the Private Finance Initiative package are £113 million. The non-Treasury space will be developed and let by the Private Sector Partner to other public sector bodies.

  Smuggling
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his latest assessment of the volume of cigarettes and tobacco products illegally smuggled into the country without duty being paid. [93578]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Based on work still in progress, Customs' provisional assessment is that losses through all forms of smuggling were around £1.7 billion in 1998, equivalent to approximately 10 per cent. of the cigarette market and 75 per cent. of the hand-rolling tobacco market.

  The Government take the challenge posed by smuggling to our health and revenue objectives extremely seriously and our position is clear. We will not permit organised smuggling to undo a policy on tobacco duty, which successive Governments have adopted for good and urgent health reasons.

  EU Expenditure
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1999,Official Report, columns 132-34, on EU expenditure, if he will identify the legal basis for those items of Government expenditure listed; and what total sums are involved. [94148]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer the former Economic Secretary gave the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 27 July 1999,Official Report, column 392.

  Public Finance Initiative
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated cost to the Treasury of not enforcing in full in all cases financial penalty clauses in PFI contracts in the last year for which figures are available. [94525]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ministerial Visits (United States)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visits of December 4 to 6 1997 to New York and 16 July 1998, to Idaho, United States of America; and if he will list the date and location of each meeting, and the names and officials of the United States Government at each meeting. [93953]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my predecessor gave him on 31 March 1999,Official Report, column 687. The main purpose of the Chancellor's visit to the United States in December 1997 was to deliver a speech to the British-American Chamber of Commerce.

  Windfall Tax
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount collected by the windfall tax on the public utilities; and how much of this total has been paid out to each of the New Deal initiatives and other projects financed from the tax. [94447]

  Mr. Timms
  The Windfall Tax raised a revenue of £5.2 billion, all of which has now been collected. The allocation of this money to each initiative is set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report, March 1999, Table 4.1: The Allocation of the Windfall Tax. These estimates will be updated in the Pre-Budget Report this autumn.

  UK-US Inland Revenue Co-operation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the ways in which the Inland Revenue and the United States Inland Revenue Service co-operate to achieve their objectives; [93937]

  (2) if he will list all the (a) joint committees and (b) working groups which have been in existence manned by the Inland Revenue and the United States Inland Revenue Service since 1 January 1997, specifying the title, purpose, starting date and duration of each committee or group; [93935]

  (3) if he will list the agreements between the Inland Revenue and the United States Inland Revenue Service since 1 January 1997, specifying the title, purpose, starting date and duration of each agreement. [93936]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue and the US Internal Revenue Service co-operate within the terms of the Double Taxation Convention between the UK and the USA, and also exchange views on general issues of mutual interest.

  Council of Economic Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what dates Chris Wales, Paul Gregg and Shriti Vadera were appointed members of the Council of Economic Advisers. [93839]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Chris Wales and Paul Gregg took up their appointments on 3 September 1997, and Shriti Vadera on 1 April 1999.

  Pakistan (Cargo Seizure)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on HM Customs and Excise's seizure of cargo at Thamesport, in July, imported from the United States destined for Dubai and Lahore, alleged to have been procured for the Pakistani nuclear weapons programme. [94149]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  There was no seizure of the nature identified in July 1999. There was, in May 1999, a seizure of aluminium bars intended for shipment to Dubai with a final destination understood to be Pakistan. The bars were of a specification which requires an export licence and were seized because there was no licence. Inquiries into this incident are continuing.

  VAT (New Houses)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce VAT at 17.5 per cent. on new houses; and if he will make a statement. [94196]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chancellor has no present plans to impose VAT at 17.5 per cent. on new houses. The Government keep under review the scope for using economic instruments to complement the planning system in achieving their social and environmental objectives.

  National Insurance
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of employees whose liability for national insurance contributions will rise by 2001–02 as a result of the reforms to employees' NICs introduced in the (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999 Budgets. [94317]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There were no measures in the 1997 or 1998 Budgets which increased the MC liability of employees. In fact, the 1998 Budget included the abolition of the 2 per cent. "entry fee", which would have cost all NIC payers about £1.40 per week in 2001–02 had it remained in place.

  In the 1999 Budget, the Chancellor announced a number of changes for NICs. The point at which people start paying NICs and the upper earnings limit will be increased by more than indexation in April 2000 and April 2001, so those 16.6 million employees earning between £69 and around £540 per week will be liable to less NICs and 3.9 million employees earning more than around £540 per week will be liable to more NICs. The rise in the starting point for employees' NICs necessitates a rise in the upper earnings limit, to maintain the historical relationship between the two points and thus protect the base for such contributions.

  Health Insurance
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 July 1999,Official Report, column 632, (1) if the remit of the single ombudsman as proposed in the Financial Services and Markets Bill will extend to matters relating to permanent health insurers and claims of individuals suffering from chronic diseases; [94032]

  (2) if individuals covered through a contract of their employer with a permanent health insurer will have the right to complain to the single ombudsman; and if he will make a statement; [94070]

  (3) if the single ombudsman will have the power to investigate the methods used by permanent health insurers to assess the medical and mental condition of claimants. [94031]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The carrying on of permanent health insurance business will continue to be an activity requiring authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Bill, as it is now under the Insurance Companies Act 1982.

  The Bill will require any authorised person who carries on those regulated activities specified by the Financial Services Authority to be subject to the compulsory jurisdiction of the new Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme.

  The Authority is due to consult on the activities which it proposes should be covered by the compulsory jurisdiction of the Scheme before the end of the year. It is envisaged that it will cover permanent health insurance.

  The details of the Scheme's remit, powers and eligibility of complainants will be specified in the rules set by the Authority. Such matters will also be addressed in the Authority's consultation.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of families in Hendon which will benefit from working families tax credit in its first year. [94394]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Estimates for Hendon are not available.

  Duty-free Money
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for 1999 the proportion of the money stock as measured by MO which can be attributed to duty-free money as measured by MO; and if he will state the proportion in the years(a) 1989 and (b) 1979. [94126]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Figures for MO are published in table 3.1 B of the ONS publication "Financial Statistics". Data on the amount of duty-free spending is not available for the years requested.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public 448
  bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93852]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Treasury has produced a monthly staff magazine called "Chequerboard" since July 1992. To date there have been 80 issues, all of which have contained only unclassified material.

  Gold
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent European Central Bank's agreement on gold. [94834]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The agreement reached by European central banks1 to limit gold sales and lending over the next five years means that the UK will be able to continue its sales programme while the price is underpinned. The agreement is an endorsement of the UK's transparent approach to selling gold. The Bank of England is a signatory on behalf of the Treasury.

  The text of the European central banks statement is set out below:

  Statement on Gold

  In the interest of clarifying their intentions with respect to their gold holdings, the institutions listed below1 make the following statement:

  1. Gold will remain an important element of global monetary reserves.

  2. The above institutions will not enter the market as sellers, with exception of already decided sales.

  3. The gold sales already decided will be achieved through a concerted programme of sales over the next five years. Annual sales will not exceed approximately 400 tons and total sales over this period will not exceed 2,000 tons.

  4. The signatories to this agreement have agreed not to expand their gold leasing and their use of gold future and options over this period.

  5. This agreement will be reviewed after five years.

  1The European Central Bank; the central banks of Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Switzerland and Sweden; and the Bank of England.

  Pre-Budget Report
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish his Pre-Budget report. [94835]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  This year's Pre-Budget Report will be published on Tuesday 9 November.

  Diplomats (Tax-free Concessions)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the tax-free concessions which apply to (i) UK diplomats returning to the UK from EU countries, for(a) visits and (b) permanent residence and (ii) families of UK diplomats, indicating how many UK diplomats and members of their families are entitled to benefit from such tax free concessions. [94412]

  Mr. Timms
  No UK tax concessions are granted specifically to returning UK diplomats.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax-free concessions apply to (i) UK nationals and (ii) their families who are employed by or otherwise
  449
  attached to, or are members of the (a) European Parliament, (b) European Commission, and (c) NATO when returning to the UK on visits or for permanent residence, indicating how many people in the above categories are entitled to benefit from tax-free concessions. [94413]

  Mr. Timms
  UK nationals and their families who are employed by or otherwise attached to, or are members of the(a) European Parliament, (b) European Commission, and (c) NATO on return to the UK for visits or transfer of residence are not by virtue of their status granted any special tax-free concessions. The host nation tax authority can, however, extend some concessions to eligible organisations and their personnel. Where the UK is the host nation no tax concessions are granted to UK nationals.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice is given to people with entitlement to tax-free concessions as to the use of the entitlements; and if he will make a statement. [94414]

  Mr. Timms
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise diplomatic missions, international organisations and their entitled personnel as to their tax-free entitlements. Customs and Excise advise visiting forces as to their tax-free entitlements.

  Oral Statements
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the reports published by his Department and its associated bodies, (b) the reports received from bodies set up by his Department, (c) the decisions his Department has taken and (d) events in the UK and elsewhere, since 27 July, which satisfied the criteria he uses for deciding whether to apply to make oral statements to the House when the House is sitting. [93966]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which the President of the Council has given him today.

SCOTLAND

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the

  Title of publication

  Date of first issue

  Date of last issue

  Frequency of issue

  BSU Newsletter

  June 1998

  October 1999

  9 issues

  EC Link

  May 1994

  October 1996

  4 issues

  Engineering, Water and Waste Directorate Newsletter1

  1991

  1995

  Quarterly

  Gemini Gem

  March 1996

  March 1998

  12 issues

  National Roads Directorate Newsletter

  December 1994

  December 1995

  3 issues

  Phoenix Flyer

  May 1995

  February 1996

  4 issues

  SCOAP Newsletter

  February 1996

  March 1998

  7 issues

  Scoop

  June 1989

  September 1999

  Quarterly

  SCOTS Newsletter

  January 1995

  November 1997

  14 issues

  Scottish Parliament News

  December 1997

  May 1999

  8 issues

  Training and Development News

  February 1997

  August 1999

  15 issues

  1 No records regarding this title remain, as the Directorate has since been reorganised

  450
  provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly Report to the House. [93574]

  Dr. Reid
  Computer systems, embedded systems and telecommunications within the Scotland Office have been tested and declared to be Year 2000 compliant. No slippage has occurred since the July return, and contingency plans are in place. Responsibility for Year 2000 compliance in the wider public sector in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the carbon dioxide emissions reduction needed for a 20 per cent. reduction in the UK's 1990 levels by 2010 he expects to be delivered in Scotland. [93868]

  Dr. Reid
  Following Kyoto in 1997, the UK has a legally binding target to cut emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels over the period 2008–12. The UK Government also have a domestic goal to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010.

  The Government, in conjunction with the devolved administrations, are currently developing a draft climate change programme which will set out how we will deliver our Kyoto commitment and move towards our domestic goal. The aim is to publish the draft programme for consultation towards the end of 1999.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93846]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department is aware of 11 in-house publications and newsletters, which have been produced during the last five years. The information is set out in the table. Where the date of first issue falls before 1994, that is the date which is given. The majority of titles have not been issued according to a fixed schedule. Circulation of these titles ranges from 'all staff' to staff in a single Scottish Department. None of these titles carry any security classification.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many special advisers have worked for Ministers in his Department since 1 May 1997; and on what date each of these special advisers was appointed to their post. [93881]

  Dr. Reid
  Between 1 May 1997 and 6 April 1999, four Special Advisers have worked for Ministers in the former Scottish Office. Ms Wendy Alexander and Mr. Murray Elder were appointed on 5 May 1997. Ms Alexander resigned on 31 December 1998 and Mr. Elder resigned on 6 April 1999 prior to the Scottish Parliament Election. Mr. David Whitton was appointed on 5 May 1998 and Ms Elsbeth Johnson on 1 February 1999. Both resigned on 6 April 1999.

  My current Special Advisers in the Scotland Office are Mr. Richard Olszewski, appointed on 17 May 1999, Mr. Mike Elrick, appointed on 14 June 1999 and Professor Mike Donnelly, appointed on 24 June 1999. Professor Donnelly will work in an unpaid capacity.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Oral Statements
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list(a) the reports published by his Department and its associated bodies, (b) the reports received from bodies set up by his Department, (c) the decisions his Department has taken and (d) events in the UK and elsewhere, since 27 July, which satisfied the criteria he uses for deciding whether to apply to make oral statements to the House when the House is sitting. [93978]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council today,Official Report, columns 429-30.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93572]

  Mr. Byers
  Details of progress in tackling the bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns, the most recent being for September, which are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the internet.

  Contingency plans are in place within the Department and its agencies. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Departments and agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  Metric and Imperial Units
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the inspection, compliance and enforcement costs of converting to dual metric and imperial units for goods sold loose from bulk. [94433]
  452
  Dr. Howells
  The cost of converting an existing weighing machine to operate in metric and imperial units would be between £60 and £145. The cost of buying a new machine in metric and imperial units would start at £450, depending on the model ordered.

  The cost of indicating prices in metric and imperial units would be relatively low where price tickets are printed by computer, but would be more expensive where price tickets are prepared manually. There may be a relatively small increase in the cost of inspection and enforcement because of the need to check the accuracy of weighing machines and price indications in both metric and imperial units.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of ending the exclusive use of imperial units for loose goods after 31 December on the retail trade, with regard to(a) the number of traders affected, (b) the average cost of conversion to metric plus imperial systems and (c) the total cost to the retail sector. [94432]

  Dr. Howells
  The compliance cost assessment published by the Department of Trade and Industry when the metrication legislation was laid before Parliament in 1994 estimated that about 62,000 traders would be affected. The overall business costs were estimated to be about £33 million, of which about £30 million was identified as the conversion or replacement of an estimated 200,000 weighing machines. The assessment did not apportion the costs between the metric changes in 1995 and the change to loose goods by the end of 1999. The UK Weighing Federation estimated that, at the beginning of 1999, only 95,000 weighing machines were still to be converted or replaced. According to the Federation, about 76,000 machines could be converted and the remaining 19,000 would have to be replaced.

  Small Business Service
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to transfer responsibilities from the Regulatory Impact Unit to the Small Business Service. [94669]

  Ms Hewitt
  There are three areas where responsibilities will be either transferred or shared between the Regulatory Impact Unit and the Small Business Service.

  Regulatory information: The work on providing advice and information on regulations to small businesses was transferred to the Department of Trade and Industry earlier this year in anticipation of the establishment of the Small Business Service. This includes responsibility for the Direct Action Government internet service and the proposals for an Electronic Regulation Service.

  Minimising regulatory burdens: The Small Business Service will be key to helping small businesses to meet the demands of regulation and ensuring that the impact of proposed regulations on small business is properly understood and taken into account at all levels of Government. The Small Business Service will work closely with the Regulatory Impact Unit to achieve this aim and working arrangements are being formulated at present.
  453
  Local Business Partnerships provide a forum for dialogue between local business and the local enforcement community. Responsibility for promoting partnerships will be transferred from the Regulatory Impact Unit to the Small Business Service shortly.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the aims and objectives of the Small Business Service Unit. [94500]

  Ms Hewitt
  A consultation paper on the Small Business Service was issued in June. It proposed that the Small Business Service should have three main aims: to act as a strong voice for small businesses at the heart of Government; to simplify and improve the quality and coherence of Government support for small businesses; and to help small firms with regulation and ensure small firms' interests are properly considered in future regulation.

  The consultation process closed on 30 September and the submissions are now being analysed.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service has been appointed. [94499]

  Ms Hewitt
  The post of Chief Executive of the Small Business Service was publicly advertised and the appointment will conform to public sector standards of recruitment. The date for applications has now closed and the selection process is taking place.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made establishing a Small Business Service; and what financial support the Small Business Service has(a) received and (b) been allocated. [94498]

  Ms Hewitt
  The consultation exercise on the role and objectives of the Small Business Service closed on 30 September. Over 700 written responses have been received and are currently being analysed.

  The recruitment of the Chief Executive is under way and I hope to announce the name of the successful candidate in November.

  As the Small Business Service will not begin operating formally until 1 April 2000, it is not currently in receipt of financial support. Its allocation for 2000–01 is not yet determined.

  Forest Products
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has consulted the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport, and the Regions, concerning the impact on rates of deforestation of the proposed elimination of tariffs on wood products. [94462]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government are very much seized of the importance of ensuring that trade liberalisation is consistent with sustainable development. My Department has been, and remains, in close consultation with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and other interested Departments on the range of environmental issues raised by the prospective new round 454
  of trade negotiations. With UK support, the European Commission is currently undertaking a sustainability impact assessment which will cover particular trade sectors, including forest products, likely to be included in the new round. This impact assessment will be used by the European Union to inform its negotiating position in the future trade negotiations.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will oppose the proposal to establish a World Trade Organisation agreement on forest products. [93835]

  Mr. Caborn
  We do not rule out the possibility of an agreement on tariff reduction on forest products as part of a comprehensive round of trade negotiations.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on rates of deforestation of the proposed elimination of tariffs on wood products. [94461]

  Mr. Caborn
  With UK support, the European Commission is currently undertaking a sustainability impact assessment which will cover particular trade sectors, including forest products, likely to be included in the prospective new round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. This impact assessment, along with the views of others, such as those received by my Department in our recent consultation on tariff priorities for the new round, will be considered in forming a UK Government position on the issue.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the mechanisms within Government to ensure that the Government's policies on forest conservation are taken into account when its stance in World Trade Organisation negotiations is being considered. [93833]

  Mr. Caborn
  In formulating the Government's approach to the negotiations, the Department has consulted widely. I am confident that the range of mechanisms for such consultations will ensure that all other areas of Government policy are fully considered in developing our position for the negotiations.

  Employment Agencies
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the change in costs of employing self-employed carers as a result of regulating secretarial and employment agencies; and if he will make a statement; [94373]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on self-employed carers of his policy of regulating secretarial and other employment agencies; and if he will make a statement. [94372]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Carers supplied by employment bureaux, whether self-employed or not, are protected by existing regulations on employment agency standards. We have been consulting on replacement regulations, including a proposal that workers (including carers) supplied by a bureau on a staff hire basis should have a
  455
  contract with that bureau instead of the hirer with whom they are placed. Care workers who are self-employed could remain so. The consultation document published on 31 May contains a regulatory impact assessment of possible cost consequences to those hiring staff through employment bureaux. We are also considering representations on costs.

  Better Regulation Task Force
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which organisations have been or will be consulted in drawing up the terms of reference for research to assess the degree of consistency between tribunals in various parts of the UK as reported in the Government response to the review of anti-discrimination legislation conducted by the Better Regulation Task Force; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the project has expert advice on potential solutions in the field of information technology. [93529]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I propose to consult widely on the planned research project into the operation of tribunals which, as indicated in the Government's response to the Better Regulation Task Force Report, is likely to provide information on the consistency of employment tribunal decision-making. The exact terms of reference of the project are not yet determined. Given their interest, anti-discrimination bodies, the Equal Opportunities Commission and others will all be included in that consultation. Expert advice on the use of information and communication technologies in this project will be commissioned as necessary.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the statutory instruments introduced into Parliament by his Department in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [93838]

  Mr. Byers
  My Department has introduced 280 Statutory Instruments into Parliament since 1 May 1997. A list detailing these has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to the letter of 26 May from the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton regarding Mr. M. P. Dickson, a constituent. [93737]

  Mr. Byers
  The Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), replied to the letter on 26 July 1999. A copy will be made available in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Duties
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the dates in July when the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), was not performing ministerial duties. [94147]

  Mr. Byers
  There were no such dates.

  Electronic Communications
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government proposes to introduce legislation to safeguard the privacy and security of e-mails; and if he will make a statement. [94577]

  Ms Hewitt
  In July the Government published the draft Electronic Communications Bill, which facilitates privacy and security of electronic communications, including e-mail, within the existing framework of legislation. It will be introduced into Parliament in the next session.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to publish the E-Commerce Bill. [94576]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Electronic Communications Bill was published in draft on 23 July and announced by my hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon (Mr. Wills) on 23 July 1999,Official Report, columns 681-83, as part of a consultation. I am pleased to say that we have received over 80 responses to the consultation.

  The Government will introduce the Bill to Parliament in the next session.

  Ilisu Dam
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on UK support for the Ilisu Dam project in Turkey. [94386]

  Mr. Caborn
  No decision has been made on the provision of ECGD support for this project. The case for such support is being considered in consultation with the contractors and governments from a number of countries.

  Airlines
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take to ensure fair competition between low cost airlines; and if he will make a statement. [94572]

  Dr. Howells
  Responsibility for ensuring that competition laws are not broken lies with the competition authorities, the Office of Fair Trading within the UK or the European Commission for activities which affect trade between member states. I look to these bodies to ensure fair competition, and for those with concerns to put them to the competition authorities for investigation.

  Post Office
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contribution was made to the Consolidated Fund by the Post Office in each of the last 10 years at(a) actual and (b) 1999 retail index prices; and if he will initiate a study of how future payments could be used to fund future investment in the postal services. [94637]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Post Office does not make payments to the Consolidated Fund, as it does not pay a dividend. However, its contribution to the Exchequer can be measured by its negative External Financing Requirement, through which it is obliged to invest in
  457
  gilt-edged stock or National Loan Fund deposits. In each of the last 10 years its contributions in both actual and in 1998–99 RPI values were as follows:

  £ million

  Actual

  1998–99 RPI

  1989–90

  102

  142

  1990–91

  0

  0

  1991–92

  74

  90

  1992–93

  80

  94

  1993–94

  182

  211

  1994–95

  235

  265

  1995–96

  245

  267

  1996–97

  285

  304

  1997–98

  338

  349

  1998–99

  321

  321

  In the White Paper "Post Office Reform: A World Class Service for the 21st Century", the Government confirmed that under the new financial regime for the Post Office an equivalent of a commercial dividend would be set at 50 per cent. of expected post-tax profits in the current financial year and at 40 per cent. in subsequent years. This will more than halve the rate at which profits are removed from the business and increase the funds available to the Post Office to fund future investment. Once the Post Office has been established as a plc, it will pay an annual dividend to the Exchequer rather than build up its deposits.

  Timeshare
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on the regulation of the timeshare industry in the United Kingdom; [94435]

  (2) what statutory provisions govern the regulation of timeshare operations in the United Kingdom. [94434]

  Dr. Howells
  Regulation of timeshare operations in the United Kingdom are governed by the Timeshare Act 1992, as amended by the Timeshare Regulations 1997.

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Timeshare Act 1992 and Timeshare Regulations 1997 in relation to the regulation of the timeshare industry. [94436]

  Dr. Howells
  I believe that the Timeshare Act has been effective and that timeshare in the UK is generally well run. Since the Act came into force in 1992, the level of complaints about timeshare made to the Office of Fair Trading has fallen significantly from over 11,500 in 1991–92 to less than half that number today—but there is no room for complacency with over 5,000 complaints every year. I intend to use the forthcoming consultation exercise to assess whether aspects of the legislation need updating.

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to strengthen the regulations, under the Timeshare Act 1992 and Timeshare Regulations 1997, in respect of claims made by individuals against timeshare operators. [94437]
  458
  Dr. Howells
  As set out in the Consumer White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers", the Government plans to review timeshare legislation to see whether aspects of it need updating. My Department will consult interested parties on our proposals before the end of this year.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the ways in which the Export Credits Guarantee Department and the Export-Import Bank of the United States co-operate to achieve their objectives; what joint working groups and committees between the Export Credits Guarantee Department and the Export-Import Bank of the United States have operated since 1 January 1997; what agreements between the Export Credits Guarantee Department and the Export-Import Bank of the United States have been in existence since 1 January 1997; how many personnel from the Export-Import Bank of the United States have visited the Export Credits Guarantee Department since 1 June 1998; and how many personnel from the Export Credits Guarantee Department have visited the Export-Import Bank of the United States since 1 June 1998. [93938]

  Mr. Caborn
  1. Co-operation between US Eximbank and ECGD to achieve our objectives: ECGD and the Export Import Bank of the United States (US Exim) co-operate in a number of ways to achieve their respective objectives. This includes discussions in multilateral fora such as the International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers (the Berne Union) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OFCD), with the aim of maintaining discipline in the field of Export credits and phasing out trade distorting subsidies. They also hold ad hoc informal discussions.

  2. Joint Working Groups, Committees and Agreements that have operated since 1 January 1997: ECGD and US Exim participate in the following Committees and Working Groups:

  In the context of the OECD:

  The Participants to the Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits

  The Group on the Sector Understanding on Export Credits for Nuclear Power Plant

  The Group on the Sector Understanding for Civil Aircraft,

  The consultation Group on Tied Aid

  The Working Group of Experts on Premium and Related Conditions and the Sub Group of country Risk Experts

  The Working Party on Export Credits and Credit Guarantees

  The International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers.

  In the context of the OECD:

  The Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits

  The Statement of Intent on Officially Supported Export Credits and the environment

  Agreement on environmental Information Exchange for Large Projects

  The Berne Union Sector Understandings (on credit terms).

  ECGD has a number of Bilateral Co-operation Agreements between various other Export Credit Agencies which at present does not include US Eximbank.
  459
  ECGD has entered into discussion with them but the discussions are at an early stage and US Eximbank is yet to respond to our draft agreement and documentation. If US Eximbank wish to pursue this agreement then we would expect to conclude the negotiations next year.

  3. Visits by staff to US Eximbank and ECGD since 1 June 1998: Our relationship with US Eximbank cuts across many areas and their meetings take place at all levels with regard to 2 above. Our respective Chief Executives meet and talk to each other on a regular basis.

  Visits to our respective office have occurred on the following matters:

  Aircraft financing matters (2 visits)

  Project finance matters (1 visit)

  Co-operation Agreement discussions (2 visits).

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93848]

  Dr. Howells
  A list of those in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for staff and that have been notified to my Department's Publications Unit and published by my Department during this period has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Federal Key Management Infrastructure
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when officials from his Department attended meetings of the United States Department of Commerce's Technical Advisory Committee to Develop Federal Information Processing Standards for the Federal Key Management Infrastructure. [93841]

  Ms Hewitt
  Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry have not attended any meetings of the US's Technology Advisory Committee on developing a Federal Information Processing Standard for a Federal Key Management Infrastructure.

  Ministerial Visits (United States)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times since 1 January 1998 officials from his Department have visited the United States to gather information to help set up his Department's Small Business Service; on what dates his officials visited the US on each occasion; and which US organisations his officials visited on each occasion. [93957]

  Ms Hewitt
  Officials from my Department with a responsibility for small firms issues visited the United States in October 1998 and February 1999. Both visits had a broad agenda, but included meetings with the Small Business Administration and a number of other organisations which are engaged with the SBA in delivering business support for small firms. In addition, officials have met with colleagues from the SBA in the United Kingdom in November 1998 and July 1999.

  Encryption
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times(a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have held meetings with the United States Special Envoy for Cryptography, Ambassador David Aaron, since 1 January 1998, on (i) encryption and (ii) other issues; what were the dates and locations of each meeting; and if any other (a) British and (b) United States Government Departments took part in each meeting. [93865]

  Ms Hewitt
  Ministers have not met with Ambassador Aaron.

  Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Cabinet Office and the Government's technical advisers on information security, the Communications Electronic Security Group met Ambassador Aaron on 4 June 1998 in London, on 3 September 1998 in Ottawa and 3 December 1998 in Vienna. On the United States side, the meetings involved officials from the Department of State, Commerce, Justice and Defense, and from the National Security Council. Each of these meetings related to discussions about national and international policies on encryption and possible changes to export controls on cryptographic goods under the Wassenaar Agreement for Export Controls on Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods. Each of these meetings were multinational meetings involving a number of other countries.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93576]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the quarterly statements made in the House by the President of the Council. These statements cover the whole of the United Kingdom. The President of the Council is due to make a further statement shortly to update the House on progress towards compliance. Information on the compliance situation in each Department is laid before the House each quarter and is published on the internet.

  It may be useful to point out that we have six Departments in Northern Ireland which are responsible, through Agencies, for the delivery of all key sectors of the infrastructure, with the exception of electricity generation and distribution. Hence most of the key services in Northern Ireland are included in the quarterly monitoring process and the statements by the President of the Council. They are also subject to the independent assessment process along with the Electricity Services and the results are reported at the Northern Ireland Infrastructure Forum and the National Infrastructure Forum.
  461
  At the Northern Ireland Infrastructure Forum on 11 October the following services reported a Blue rating under the Action 2000 colour coding:

  Water and Sewage

  Housing

  Roads

  Health and Ambulance Service

  Payment of Welfare

  Fire Service

  Police Service

  Electricity and Gas

  NICS Telecommunications

  Education

  Prisons.

  The position on the remaining services are:

  Rail and Buses—90% Blue with 100% Blue expected by mid October

  Housing—52% Blue with 100% Blue expected by November

  Local Government—77% Blue with 100% Blue expected by October.

  I should point out that Local Government in Northern Ireland has a much smaller remit than in Great Britain, the key business areas being refuse collection and disposal, street cleansing, environmental health and registration of births, deaths and marriages.

  Four of the core Northern Ireland Departments are all now reporting that they are fully compliant. The Department of Economic Development and the Department of Health and Social Services state that they will be compliant by end of October. Only one Department has shown slippage since the July statement to the House, i.e. the Northern Ireland Office.

  The compliance of critical and non-critical communication and embedded systems in the Northern Ireland Office were completed in August 1999. A robust programme to combat slippage in the critical and non-critical IT systems is under way to ensure timely compliance.

  The Business Continuity Plans and Millennium operating Regimes are being tested and independently assessed in accordance with Action 2000 guidance and an overall 100% Blue rating is expected by the end of October.

  The results of the latest independent assessment of the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Sector will be announced at the next National Infrastructure Forum on 21 October.

  Police Authority
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total work force of the Northern Ireland Police Authority, including staff seconded from the civil service; and if he will list the principal occupation sub-divisions and their composition in respect of(a) gender and (b) perceived religious/community origin. [94657]

  Mr. Ingram
  The total work force of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland, including staff seconded from the Civil Service, numbers 46 persons.
  462
  (a) The gender of the 46 members of staff broken down into the following branches is:

  Branch

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Community Affairs

  6

  4

  10

  Policy and Research

  0

  2

  2

  Press Office

  5

  0

  5

  Police Administration

  2

  3

  5

  Internal Audit

  4

  6

  10

  Senior Management

  0

  2

  2

  Secretariat and Administration

  8

  4

  12

  Totals

  25

  21

  46

  (b) In order to preserve individual confidentiality, Central Personnel Group have provided an overall breakdown of the staffs religious/community origin as follows:

  Protestant: 30

  Roman Catholic: 8

  Non Determined: 8.

  Union Flag
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what days of each year it is(a) required and (b) permitted for the Union flag to be flown from (i) Government buildings, (ii) headquarters of public bodies, (iii) RUC stations and (iv) schools. [94662]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Union Flag is required to be flown on Government buildings in Northern Ireland on 20 days during the year. The days on which the Flag is flown are as follows:

  New Years Day: 1 January

  Her Majesty's Accession: 6 February

  Birthday of The Duke of York: 19 February

  Commonwealth Day: 8 March (in 1999)

  Birthday of The Prince Edward: 10 March

  St. Patrick's Day: 17 March

  Easter Day: 4 April (in 1999)

  Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen: 21 April

  Europe Day: 9 May

  Coronation Day: 2 June

  Birthday of The Duke of Edinburgh: 10 June

  The Queen's Official Birthday: 12 June (in 1999)

  Battle of the Boyne Anniversary: 12 July

  Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: 4 August

  Birthday of The Princess Royal: 15 August

  Birthday of The Princess Margaret: 21 August

  Remembrance Day: 14 November (in 1999)

  Birthday of The Prince of Wales: 14 November

  Anniversary of Her Majesty's Wedding: 20 November

  Christmas Day: 25 December.

  There is no requirement for headquarters of public bodies, RUC stations or schools to fly the Union Flag on these days. It is entirely at the discretion of each public body, the Chief Constable and individual school authorities respectively to decide if and when the Flag should be flown on their buildings.

  Social Workers (Attacks)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the trend in attacks upon those employed in social work; and if he will make a statement. [94541]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information on the trend in attacks upon those employed in social work is not collected centrally.

  HPSS organisations have policies to assist staff to deal with violence. The HSSE recently issued guidance for managers and staff. Further guidance on health and safety is to be issued shortly and organisations will be asked to review their policies. Violence is specifically mentioned and employers are to be advised to undertake risk

  Department/Title

  Date first produced

  Frequency

  NIO

  Outlook

  1992

  3 per year

  Inside out

  March 1999

  Bi-monthly

  Keynotes

  February 1994

  Bi-monthly

  Corporate and Business Plan—Staff Summary

  1998

  Annually

  Snips News Bulletin

  March 1997

  16 editions

  IIP Newsletter

  May 1998

  As required

  Staff Reduction Project newsletter

  February 1999

  As required

  News, Information and Opinions (magazine)

  March 1998

  Quarterly

  DANI

  Fishnet Weekly News

  November 1998

  3 per month

  Forest Service Newsletter

  April 1996

  Monthly

  Streamline

  Winter 1997

  2 per year

  Fair Do's

  October 1997

  2 per year

  Gazette

  July 1997

  Quarterly—6 monthly

  Vetlink

  March 1992

  6 per year

  APHIS User News

  July 1998

  Irregular

  'in touch'

  March 1993

  Quarterly

  Personal Development Guidance Notes

  February 1995

  One off

  AFDS Values and Customer Service

  May 1999

  One off

  DED

  Resource Accounting

  October 1998

  One off

  DED Newsline

  September 1998

  Quarterly

  DENI

  Edlines (magazine)

  March 1995

  Irregular

  DFP

  Newsline (magazine)

  1993

  Quarterly

  Memo (magazine—successor to Newsline)

  September 1996

  Quarterly

  Harassment Policy Statement

  June 1998

  As required

  Fact File

  May 1998

  As required

  IT Training Prospectus

  December 1996

  One off

  H&S Policy Statement

  1991

  As required

  DFP Departmental Plan

  May 1994

  Annually

  DFP Strategic Plan (successor to Departmental Plan)

  April 1997

  Annually

  Departmental Brief

  April 1998

  Bi-monthly

  SCS Journal

  December 1997

  As required

  DHSS

  The Magazine

  July 1997

  Quarterly

  DHSS Library Newsletter

  February 1997

  Minimum of 5 each year

  Team Talk

  October 1998

  Six weekly

  People Matter

  July 1995

  Irregular

  DOE

  Denote (newsletter)

  December 1990

  Quarterly

  Steps to Change

  December 1995

  Quarterly

  Equality Times

  January 1999

  2 per year

  Departmental Annual Health & Safety Report

  March 1995

  Annually

  Investors in People Newsletter

  March 1999

  Quarterly

  Departmental Training and Development Strategy

  November 1997

  One off

  None of the above publications has a current secrecy classification.
  464
  assessments, to draw up action plans to identify, analyse and rectify problems, to train staff and to support and counsel those subjected to violence.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93849]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

HEALTH

  Casualty Modernisation Schemes
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many casualty department modernisation schemes are planned this year to improve facilities for children. [92601]

  Ms Stuart
  Of the 242 schemes currently under way to modernise and expand accident and emergency departments, 55 include schemes of specific benefit to children. They range from creation of separate children's observation and assessment wards to separate waiting and play areas within the department. They amount to £28,360,000. In most cases, the children's schemes are an integral part of much wider A&E redevelopment schemes and it is not possible to identify the specific costing for the children's element of the schemes. The other 187 schemes, which are more general, will also be of benefit to children and their parents. Their safety, and that of the staff caring for them, will be better safeguarded. In other schemes, children will benefit from new diagnostic and resuscitation equipment.

  Health Authority Priorities
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions are being given to health authorities on the relative priority to be given to(a) reducing financial deficits and (b) maintaining standards of health care among health providers in their districts. [92602]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Priorities Guidance for Health and Social Services 1999–2000 to 2001–02 highlights the need for the National Health Service to ensure financial stability is maintained and, where necessary, improve working balances and achieve clear targets on improving service standards for patients.

  Non-emergency In-patient Cases
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-emergency in-patient cases were treated by the NHS during the year to the end of March(a) 1999 and (b) 1998. [92604]

  Mr. Hutton
  The number of non-emergency cases (ordinary in-patients and daycases) treated during 1997–98 was 4.9 million. The figure for 1998–99 was 5.4 million, an increase of 9.2 per cent. on the previous year.

  Cardiac Care
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on waiting times for(a) non-urgent and (b) urgent cardiac (i) operations and (ii) procedures. [92605]

  Mr. Denham
  Since April we have received a number of letters from Members of Parliament and members of the public, and Parliamentary Questions, regarding waiting times for cardiac surgical procedures.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to issue new guidance concerning the prescribing of beta interferon for(a) relapsing remitting and (b) secondary progressive MS. [92606]
  466
  Mr. Denham
  We consulted earlier in the summer on a proposal to refer beta interferon to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, for an authoritative appraisal of the available evidence, and an announcement will be made in the near future. We intend to issue a Health Service Circular giving management advice on beta interferon for the period until NICE guidance is available.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities by region which(a) have and (b) have not agreed to clear their existing waiting list for MS patients waiting for beta interferon. [94195]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available.

  We consulted earlier in the summer on a proposal to refer beta interferon to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), for an authoritative appraisal of the available evidence, and an announcement will be made in the near future. We intend to issue a Health Service Circular giving management on beta interferon for the period until NICE guidance is available.

  Optometrists
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on the role and training of optometrists. [92607]

  Mr. Denham
  We value very highly the contribution that optometrists make to the eye care of the population. We intend that, with appropriate training, they should develop their role beyond sight testing to work with general practitioners and ophthalmologists in treating patients with eye diseases.

  Capital Investment
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the planned level of capital investment in the NHS over the next three years. [92610]

  Mr. Denham
  Capital investment in the National Health Service over the next three years is planned at more than £8 billion, which will be targeted towards modernising the infrastructure of the NHS through spending on new hospitals, plant and equipment. This level of investment will be met from public capital and through the Private Finance Initiative.

  Primary Care
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost to date of establishing(a) primary care groups and (b) primary care trusts. [92611]

  Mr. Denham
  The establishment of Primary Care Groups has been funded using moneys released by the abolition of fundholding. The first Primary Care Trust will be established early next year. The cost of establishing Primary Care Trusts, like those of PCGs, will largely be met using moneys released by the abolition of fundholding. The previous Government had set aside an annual budget of £180 million to run fundholding. We have used those moneys both to set up Primary Care Groups and to improve services to patients.
  467
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners have yet to agree to participate in a primary care group. [93906]

  Mr. Denham
  All general practitioners are part of, and covered by, a Primary Care Group. However, it is for individual general practitioners to choose how they wish to participate in the operation of their Primary Care Group.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will publish its response to the Health Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Primary Care Groups (HC 153). [94788]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government's response to the Health Committee's Report on Primary Care Groups is published today and copies will be placed in the Library. The Government welcome the Committee's report and are pleased that the Committee supports the Government's policy that underlies this initiative.

  Draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what period of consultation he proposes on the draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations. [92612]

  Yvette Cooper
  The eight weeks of public consultation on the draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations 1999 and draft Regulatory Impact Assessment Document published on 17 June ended on 13 August.

  Waiting Times
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been waiting in excess of one year for treatment. [92613]

  Mr. Denham
  At the end of August 48,900 patients (4.54 per cent. of the total list) had been waiting over a year for hospital admission. This is 23,000 lower than at the end of June 1998. In tackling waiting lists, we are reducing waiting times.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has held with local health authorities regarding the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in men in their areas; and if he will make a statement. [92614]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government are committed to improving the prevention, detection and treatment of all cancers including prostate cancer. We have identified this as a priority for the National Health Service. There is, as yet, no consensus of medical opinion about the correct management of early localised tumours. The Health Technology Assessment Programme has already funded two systematic reviews of the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer and the National Co-ordinating Centre for the HTA programme is commissioning a £200,000 study at the University of Bristol looking at the feasibility of conducting a multi-centre randomised trial of treatment for localised prostate cancer.

  Mortality Ratio (Barnsley)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the level of the standard mortality ratio in the Barnsley area. [92615]

  Yvette Cooper
  High level performance indicators show that the standard mortality rate for Barnsley in the age range 65-74 years is 103, compared with the national figure for England of 90. The comparatively poor health status of Barnsley, particularly with regard to coronary heart disease, stroke and some cancers, evident from measures such as the high level performance indicators and standard mortality rates, has been recognised. Barnsley (together with Rotherham and Doncaster) was designated last year in the first wave of health action zones which are at the vanguard of our new approach to tackling health inequalities, through partnership working and with targeted investment to achieve modernisation, reform and results.

  "Smoking Kills"
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the proposals in the White Paper, "Smoking Kills". [92616]

  Yvette Cooper
  Progress in implementation of "Smoking Kills" includes the allocation of up to £60 million over three years to health authorities to develop specialist services, the establishment this year of National Health Service smoking cessation services in health action zones, draft Regulations to ban tobacco advertising, the launch of the Public Places Charter, £47.5 million over three years to prepare the health education programme and consultation on an Approved Code of Practice on smoking in the workplace.

  TB
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to tackle the growing incidence of TB. [92617]

  Yvette Cooper
  The United Kingdom has a good record of tuberculosis (TB) control and we are determined this should remain the case. The Government are responding positively to adverse developments in other countries. These developments inevitably impinge on the incidence of TB in this country and we have recently seen small annual increases in the incidence of TB. However, notifications of TB in the UK have reached the relatively low levels of about 6,500 cases a year from nearly 50,000 in 1950.

  In addition to the existing provisions we have for the surveillance, prevention and control of TB, including drug resistant TB, within the UK, recent developments include:

  the commencement of work on ongoing enhanced surveillance of TB to improve monitoring;

  the appointment of regional epidemiologists to help towards a more coordinated approach to surveillance;

  the strengthening of surveillance of drug and multidrug-resistant TB through a scheme co-ordinated by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS);

  469

  the development—by the PHLS—and availability of more rapid diagnostic and drug susceptibility tests for TB, which can be used where there is a presence of risk factors which might predispose towards multidrug-resistant TB;

  the co-ordination of the PHLS's activities through the new Tuberculosis Programme.

  Oral Cancers
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has commissioned or evaluated on the relationship between the chewing of tobacco products and the development of oral cancers. [92618]

  Yvette Cooper
  In its report published on 11 March 1999, the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health noted that chewed tobaccos are sources of potent carcinogens in the mouth.

  Social Services (Children)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many action plans have been approved by his Department to help local authorities improve their performance in providing high quality social services for children in need. [92620]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 114.

  IVF Treatment
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring is carried out to ensure that IVF treatment is available in every health authority area. [92621]

  Yvette Cooper
  We have pledged to tackle unacceptable levels of geographical variations in access to NHS infertility treatment and have set in motion a programme of work to achieve that aim. A Departmental survey of current health authority infertility service provision has recently taken place and the results are being analysed. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have published two sets of evidence based on clinical guidelines on infertility and intend to publish the third and final set on specialised services like IVF in January 2000. The RCOG guidelines have been commissioned by the Department.

  The survey will enable the cost implications of any policy changes to be estimated and the RCOG guidelines will indicate the circumstances in which infertility treatment can be most clinically effective. We then hope to move towards fairer access to NHS infertility services where those most able to benefit from such treatment will be able to receive it.

  Osteoporosis
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investment his Department is making in services to combat osteoporosis. [92622]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department has invested in measures to highlight the importance in preventing the development of osteoporosis and resulting fractures and the need for health authorities to develop their own local strategies. An osteoporosis strategy for England was launched in June 1998 by my right hon. Friend the 470
  Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Ms Jowell) at the sixth Bath Conference on Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Measurement. The strategy consisted of a quick reference primary care guide, a laminated desk top guide and a local health action sheet.

  The Department does not specify what proportion of health authorities' funding allocations is to be spent on services to combat osteoporosis. It is for health authorities, in partnership with National Health Service trusts, primary care groups, local authorities and local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and modernising services. The additional resources of at least 5.45 per cent. cash increase to all health authorities for 1999–2000 will help them in this.

  Consultant Referrals
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been referred to a consultant by their GP but are still awaiting their first appointment with the consultant. [92623]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Care Homes
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to accept the proposed national standards for the inspection of care homes drawn up by the Centre for Policy on Ageing earlier this year. [92608]

  Mr. Hutton
  Last year we commissioned the Centre for Policy on Ageing to work on identifying national required standards for older people in care homes. The proposed standards were published for consultation on 8 September. We will carefully consider all the comments we receive before finalising any regulatory standards and arrangements for implementing them.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93568]

  Ms Stuart
  Details of progress by the Department, its executive agencies and the National Health Service in tackling the millennium bug are set out in the appropriate monitoring returns. Those for the Department are available in the Library and are published on the Internet. The returns for individual NHS organisations are published on the Internet at: http://www. imc.exec.nhs.uk/2000

  The results of the latest review of progress by Departments will be announced shortly in Parliament by the President of the Council. The latest results for the NHS are due to be announced at the Action 2000 National Infrastructure Forum on 20/21 October.
  471
  The Department and its Executive Agencies have completed all essential Year 2000 work by the published deadlines. Contingency plans for the Department have been prepared.

  All NHS organisations have completed their compliance programmes or have contingency arrangements in place.

  Cancer Services (North-West)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish his review of cancer services in the North-West of England. [94044]

  Yvette Cooper
  The report was published on 20 September. I have arranged for the hon. Member to receive a copy.

  Anti-psychotic Drugs
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds will be available to provide a typical anti-psychotic drugs to those patients for whom they prove more effective and more acceptable. [94299]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service Modernisation Fund consists of £700 million over 3 years. As part of the first year targeted allocation of the fund (1999–2000), £2.5 million had been allocated for a typical anti-psychotics. Discussions are still under-way concerning allocation of the NHS Modernisation Fund for years 2 and 3.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if NICE intends to carry out an appraisal of the effectiveness of newer atypical anti-psychotics compared with older generation anti-psychotics. [94295]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are considering asking the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to look at all treatments for schizophrenia and similar conditions. In general, NICE clinical guidelines will give advice on the appropriate use of all therapies, including drug therapies.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when assessing the effectiveness of drugs such as anti-psychotics which are known to have major side effects, what account NICE will take of the preferences and experiences of the individuals taking the drugs. [94296]

  Mr. Hutton
  In appraising pharmaceuticals and other treatments, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will need to assess carefully the evidence on both the intended therapeutic effects and any adverse effects of treatment. Representative patient organisations will be invited to submit evidence on these and other aspects and will have the opportunity to comment on guidance in draft.

  Mid-Essex Hospital Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish figures for the last three months for which figures are available in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area for(a) the number of people waiting for 12 months or more for hospital treatment and (b) the total number of people waiting for hospital treatment. [94564]
  472
  Mr. Denham
  The information available is given in the table.

  The number of patients waiting for elective admission in Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust

  Month

  Total waiting

  Number waiting over 12 months

  June

  9,824

  1,083

  July

  9,488

  1,061

  August

  9,465

  991

  Source:

  Form KH07 and monthly returns

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area the total number of people waiting on(a) 31 March 1997 and (b) the latest available period for orthodontic treatment. [94563]

  Mr. Denham
  The information available is given in the table.

  The total number of people waiting for orthodontic treatment at Mid-Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust

  Year (January to December)

  Number of patients waiting

  1996

  49

  1997

  79

  1998

  64

  1999 (year to date)

  55

  Source:

  Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust (Orthodontics)

  (This information is not collected centrally)

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish for the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area the number of people on(a) 31 March 1997 and (b) the latest available period waiting (i) over 6 months, (ii) 12 months or more, (iii) over 18 months and (iv) over 24 months for orthodontic treatment. [94562]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  The information available is given in the tables.

  The total number of people waiting for orthodontic treatment at Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust

  Year (January-December)

  Number of patients waiting

  1996

  49

  1997

  79

  1998

  64

  1999 (year to date)

  55

  Source:

  Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust (Orthodontics)

  (This information is not collected centrally)

  The total number of people waiting more than 13 weeks for the first outpatient appointment (orthodontics) at Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust

  Year

  Number of patients

  31 March 1997

  7

  31 March 1998

  2

  30 June 1999

  0

  Source:

  Form QM08
  473
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on measures being taken by the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust to be millennium compliant by 31 December. [94565]

  Ms Stuart
  Mid-Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust successfully met the 30 September deadline to "ensure that all systems were Year 2000 compliant or that effective contingency plans were in place if full compliance could not be achieved". The NHS Trust was therefore designated as Action 2000 "Blue" as of 30 September, indicating that assessment had not identified any risk of material disruption.

  The NHS Executive Eastern Regional Office and the NHS Trust continue to work closely, and the Regional lead on Winter 2000 attends Project and Trust Board meetings.

  In the next three months, the NHS Trust will continue to monitor its systems to ensure that they remain millennium compliant and to train staff in contingency arrangements.

  Sheltered Accommodation
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the levels of spending on sheltered accommodation per head of the population in each county of England in each year since 1995–96. [94315]

  Mr. Hutton
  Details of the levels of total spending on sheltered accommodation are not collected centrally. A table showing information on reported personal social services current expenditure on sheltered accommodation by each local authority in England for 1995–96 to 1997–98 has been placed in the Library. Data for 1998–99 are not yet available.

  Health Spending
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the levels of spending on health per head of the population in each county of England in each year since 1995–96. [94312]

  Mr. Denham
  Levels of spending on health per head of the population are given in the table.

  Expenditure levels per head of population on health are not available by county, but figures based on health authorities have been provided as the nearest figures available. In some cases the health authority area may approximate to a county boundary, but this is not the position for all health authorities.

  Expenditure in 1995–96 is not included because information is not available on a comparable basis.

  England: Expenditure by head of population (by health authority)

  £

  Health authority

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Avon

  590.20

  574.58

  619.77

  Barking and Havering

  636.24

  587.94

  690.89

  Barnet

  659.01

  645.41

  631.77

  Barnsley

  616.70

  574.42

  622.28

  Bedfordshire

  561.71

  516.85

  563.74

  Berkshire

  521.77

  519.83

  561.15

  Bexley and Greenwich

  679.13

  660.28

  704.59

  Birmingham

  693.97

  681.20

  754.68

  474

  England: Expenditure by head of population (by health authority)

  £

  Health authority

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Bradford

  630.44

  613.22

  645.17

  Brent and Harrow

  685.31

  692.90

  733.13

  Bromley

  596.21

  574.13

  726.59

  Buckinghamshire

  532.73

  519.14

  536.25

  Bury and Rochdale

  656.75

  614.58

  637.94

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  586.70

  557.91

  597.32

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  530.94

  499.11

  541.28

  Camden and Islington

  961.90

  889.09

  1,082.69

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  627.51

  592.84

  626.42

  County Durham

  629.72

  602.97

  660.97

  Coventry

  605.31

  599.77

  664.54

  Croydon

  594.31

  577.16

  628.69

  Doncaster

  617.78

  617.94

  739.15

  Dorset

  619.19

  588.85

  631.11

  Dudley

  550.54

  538.78

  646.78

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  736.69

  718.19

  759.54

  East and North Hertfordshire

  585.36

  575.15

  601.73

  East Kent

  636.03

  609.60

  654.03

  East Lancashire

  635.02

  626.05

  679.85

  East London and The City

  846.28

  812.81

  887.72

  East Norfolk

  611.62

  579.70

  641.11

  East Riding

  599.69

  579.53

  626.68

  East Surrey

  666.25

  649.25

  689.62

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  649.95

  628.63

  680.95

  Enfield and Haringey

  685.09

  641.52

  682.29

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  713.02

  687.27

  728.98

  Gloucestershire

  583.23

  571.04

  587.64

  Herefordshire

  576.66

  605.14

  612.18

  Hillingdon

  623.60

  611.35

  659.25

  Isle of Wight

  707.44

  701.23

  741.54

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  902.58

  837.02

  920.87

  Kingston and Richmond

  653.35

  661.77

  709.67

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  811.17

  786.14

  839.67

  Leeds

  675.81

  667.01

  741.75

  Leicestershire

  572.83

  553.07

  595.60

  Lincolnshire

  604.12

  627.04

  641.25

  Liverpool

  732.66

  710.18

  801.17

  Manchester

  787.40

  771.10

  851.74

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  714.95

  692.10

  734.55

  Morecambe Bay

  655.16

  655.56

  815.86

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  696.79

  666.99

  747.47

  North and East Devon

  634.17

  616.49

  651.92

  North and Mid Hampshire

  538.86

  518.81

  541.54

  North Cheshire

  632.25

  628.41

  662.45

  North Cumbria

  601.05

  588.78

  630.14

  North Derbyshire

  568.54

  595.14

  642.86

  North Essex

  564.45

  555.32

  601.58

  North Nottinghamshire

  578.57

  559.44

  599.86

  North Staffordshire

  606.52

  602.29

  631.23

  North West Anglia

  582.31

  560.59

  602.83

  North West Lancashire

  670.75

  632.40

  672.93

  North Yorkshire

  567.12

  585.76

  640.79

  Northamptonshire

  539.91

  529.00

  589.10

  Northumberland

  621.09

  623.88

  689.21

  Nottingham

  605.02

  564.92

  679.76

  Oxfordshire

  531.78

  518.28

  539.90

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  561.65

  521.45

  586.91

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  695.30

  669.61

  724.04

  Rotherham

  603.27

  564.88

  611.09

  Salford and Trafford

  651.63

  628.66

  713.28

  Sandwell

  645.49

  649.51

  710.51

  Sefton

  680.90

  620.22

  683.55

  Sheffield

  817.29

  805.76

  845.27

  Shropshire

  562.68

  546.14

  570.07

  Solihull

  587.43

  570.71

  600.11

  Somerset

  576.74

  569.56

  602.51

  South and West Devon

  633.93

  598.78

  636.12

  South Cheshire

  577.17

  575.70

  626.78

  South Derbyshire

  580.08

  585.52

  612.27

  South Essex

  552.23

  549.61

  604.90

  South Humber

  594.61

  635.57

  687.96

  475

  England: Expenditure by head of population (by health authority)

  £

  Health authority

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  South Lancashire

  577.62

  565.00

  619.03

  South Staffordshire

  552.98

  536.71

  587.92

  Southampton and South West Hamptonshire

  574.88

  577.56

  621.60

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  628.63

  618.00

  664.57

  Stockport

  578.43

  556.08

  597.00

  Suffolk

  569.14

  544.16

  575.59

  Sunderland

  652.08

  624.48

  723.39

  Tees

  615.98

  591.00

  669.11

  Wakefield

  669.59

  695.29

  732.69

  Walsall

  607.64

  583.80

  655.67

  Warwickshire

  618.13

  597.37

  617.01

  West Hertfordshire

  596.49

  598.96

  621.66

  West Kent

  581.43

  553.71

  574.82

  West Pennine

  599.26

  574.22

  621.94

  West Surrey

  631.44

  586.04

  607.41

  West Sussex

  616.55

  600.78

  639.31

  Wigan and Bolton

  587.89

  573.03

  623.31

  Wiltshire

  579.65

  558.34

  586.42

  Wirral

  628.93

  607.98

  687.92

  Wolverhampton

  639.32

  601.57

  653.54

  Worcestershire

  559.83

  582.26

  607.59

  England: before national adjustment for drugs and GDS

  625.29

  607.84

  657.80

  England: after national adjustment for drugs and GDS

  643.98

  675.14

  720.10

  Notes:

  1. 1998–99 expenditure information is provisional

  2. For 1997–98 and 1998–99 the majority of drugs expenditure has been accounted for by the Prescription Pricing Authority rather than individual health authorities. Also the majority of General Dental Service expenditure is not available by health authority. A total national position is shown including these two elements.

  Sources:

  Health Authority accounts for 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99

  Mid-year resident population estimates for 1996, 1997 and 1998

  NHS Land Sales
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Fearn) of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 410, how much money the National Health Service Executive expects to raise from the sale of the National Health Service sites listed for which planning permission for housing has been granted. [94290]

  Mr. Denham
  Most of the sites listed are in various stages of the planning process, and planning permission has not yet been issued. Of those where planning permission has been granted, the anticipated income is in the region of £15.5 million. If planning permission is granted for others listed, the anticipated income is approximately £180 million.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money the NHS Executive has raised in each year since 1995 for the sale of its land for private development. [94192]

  Mr. Denham
  The money the National Health Service Executive has raised from the sale of land from private developments cannot be separately identified. The figures show the total capital receipts.
  476

  £ million

  HCHS1

  NHS Trust Receipts 1

  Total

  Outturn

  1994–95

  158

  51

  208

  1995–96

  210

  72

  282

  1996–97

  276

  116

  393

  1997–98

  240

  231

  471

  Estimated outturn

  1998–99

  343

  157

  500

  1 Receipts from the sale of fixed assets, which include land, buildings and equipment

  Private Hospitals
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money the NHS spent in private hospitals to treat NHS patients in each(a) month and (b) region since April 1995. [94025]

  Ms Stuart
  Information is not collected centrally on National Health Service expenditure on commissioning health care from private hospitals. Figures on total NHS expenditure on commissioning hospital and community health services outside the NHS each year from 1995–96 are set out in the table for the area covered by each NHS Executive Regional Office. Monthly figures are not collected centrally.

  £000

  Regional office

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Northern and Yorkshire

  154,678

  124,811

  144,475

  2169,683

  Trent

  91,130

  66,787

  78,684

  2100,157

  Anglia and Oxford

  65,918

  79,125

  108,411

  1—

  North Thames

  255,304

  160,152

  179,679

  1—

  South Thames

  209,584

  174,254

  185,906

  1—

  South and West

  204,139

  185,334

  188,293

  1—

  West Midlands

  94,272

  51,734

  91,792

  2116,447

  North West

  151,170

  28,947

  106,778

  2130,595

  Eastern

  1—

  1—

  1—

  2129,349

  London

  1—

  1—

  1—

  2223,016

  South East

  1—

  1—

  1—

  2254,517

  South West

  1—

  1—

  1—

  2125,245

  Total

  1,226,195

  871,144

  1,084,018

  1,249,009

  1 Figures unavailable owing to the reorganisation of regional office boundaries

  2 Provisional figures—may change because of late notifications

  Note:

  In addition 'Laing's Healthcare Market Review 1998–99' estimates that the value of NHS purchases of acute treatment in the UK under health authority contracts was £50 million in 1995, £52 million in 1996, and £56 million in 1997, the latest figures available.

  Barnsley Hall
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was raised by the sale by the NHS Executive of the Barnsley Hall site in Bromsgrove; and where the money will be reinvested. [94194]

  Mr. Denham
  All proceeds from the sale of surplus National Health Service estate are directed back into central Departmental funds, to be redistributed back to regional offices as part of their overall capital allocations. The closure and sale of Barnsley Hall was the culmination of a range of investment in Bromsgrove and Redditch health services over the past few years, and as such the sale proceeds from Barnsley Hall can be seen as a partial
  477
  repayment of this investment. It is not the policy of the NHS to reveal how much it receives for land sales, as this information is considered commercially sensitive.

  Cancer Patients
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of cancer patients who will be seen per week by NHS consultants under the Government's proposal to ensure that no patient referred by a GP waits more than two weeks once it is implemented in April 2000; [94026]

  (2) how many cancer patients referred by GPs are seen per week by NHS consultants at present. [94072]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department does not currently collect data on the number of cancer patients seen by consultants per week.

  However, data from the first quarter monitoring of the two week breast cancer standard, which began in April 1999, show that an average of 1,686 urgent referrals of suspected breast cancer were seen per week over the three months April-June 1999.

  Health Service Circular HSC1999/205 requested that health authorities, in consultation with their National Health Service Trusts and local primary care groups, should undertake state of readiness surveys in preparation for the extension of the two week standard for urgent referrals for all cases of suspected cancer. These will include baseline assessments of numbers of urgent referrals. The surveys will be carried out on a rolling basis, in line with the planned roll out of the two week standard during 2000.

  Booked Admissions Policy
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his advice to hospital trust boards on the implementation of the National Booked Admissions Policy. [94146]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Booked Admissions Programme was established last year with 24 pilot sites across England. It has since been extended to a further 60 pilots plus nine looking specifically at cancer services. These pilots were set up to enable patients to pre-book their admission dates or hospital appointments. The Programme is closely managed and supported by the National Patients' Access Team, which is currently headed by Peter Homa, and National Health Service Executive Regional Offices. They are closely monitoring the pilots' performance against outcome plans and milestones. Support includes training in project management and redesign techniques and also regular meetings where all the pilot sites discuss progress and share experiences.

  The first wave of the programme and the cancer work is being evaluated by the Health Services Management Centre, based at the University of Birmingham, over a 3-year period. They will report at regular intervals, to enable lessons learnt to be fed back to the pilot sites and spread more widely to the NHS. The first initial evaluation report will be published shortly and will be sent to all health authorities, trusts and primary care groups.
  478
  On 2 September, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the 60 new pilots being set up, benefiting 1.5 million patients, taking the total benefiting from the programme to around 2 million.

  Home Care Companies
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Government have made on proposed legislation on the registration of home care companies; and if he will make a statement. [94440]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are committed to reforming regulatory arrangements for care homes and other social services as set out in the White Paper "Modernising Social services". We will legislate for these reforms as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

  Environment and Health
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the relationship between health and fitness levels and environmental factors. [93384]

  Yvette Cooper
  Our new health strategy Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation, published on 6 July 1999, acknowledges that health is affected by a complex interaction of factors including the environment. It recognises the health benefits of a good environment and that factors such as cold, damp housing and poor quality air contribute to health problems including respiratory and cardio-vascular diseases.

  Recognising, among other things, the links between poor housing and health, we have made substantial additional resources available for regenerating the worst neighbourhoods, improving social housing stock and combating fuel poverty for groups most vulnerable to cold-related ill health.

  We are working through the New Deal for transport to encourage walking and cycling and to reduce pollution from vehicles. We are also promoting Health Action Zones, Healthy Living Centres and National Health Service walk-in centres to promote healthy lifestyles and improve access to community-based health facilities.

  Breast Cancer
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress his Department has made on meeting the target for seeing patients diagnosed with breast cancer within two weeks. [94030]

  Yvette Cooper
  The first quarter's data on achieving the two week standard for the urgent referral of patients suspected of having breast cancer were published on 24 September. These showed that 91.1 per cent. of patients were seen within two weeks of urgent referral by their general practitioner. This represents some 12,500 women seen within two weeks of urgent referral out of a total of nearly 13,700 patients seen during the quarter. This was an encouraging start to achieving the standard and the Department is currently working with poorer performing National Health Service trusts to ensure improvement in performance in the second quarter.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) circulars and (b) executive letters his Department has issued in each month since May 1997. [94028]

  Mr. Denham
  The table shows the number of(a) circulars and (b) executive letters the Department of Health has issued in each month since May 1997.

  Month

  Circulars

  Executive letters

  1997

  May

  12

  3

  June

  4

  4

  July

  12

  2

  August

  16

  5

  September

  17

  4

  October

  26

  6

  November

  14

  6

  December

  22

  8

  1998

  January

  18

  6

  February

  21

  —

  March

  40

  —

  April

  42

  —

  May

  30

  —

  June

  14

  —

  July

  27

  —

  August

  21

  —

  September

  22

  —

  October

  30

  —

  November

  34

  —

  December

  42

  —

  1999

  January

  23

  —

  February

  36

  —

  March

  48

  —

  April

  29

  —

  May

  29

  —

  June

  22

  —

  July

  34

  —

  August

  39

  —

  September

  33

  —

  Notes:

  1. Until December 1997 the Department of Health issued circulars in the following series:

  Health Service Guidelines (HSG); Finance Directorate Letters (FDL); Family Health Service Letters (FHSL); Local Authority Circulars (LAC); Local Authority Social Services Letters (LASSL); Chief Inspector (CI); Family Practitioner Notices (FPN) and Professional Letters (PL).

  In December FPNs were discontinued.

  On 2 February 1998 ELs, HSGs, FDLs and FHSLs were replaced with a single series of management letters—Health Service Circulars (HSC). This was as part of the Department's strategy to improve written communications and in response to the recommendations in the "Seeing the Woods, Sparing the Trees" Efficiency Scrutiny.

  2. The Department's Agencies occasionally publish in the above series, and also issue circulars in their own series. Between May 1997 and September 1999 Medicines Control Agency published 72 Drug Alerts and 15 Consultative Letters. Medical Devices Agency published eight Device Bulletins, two Advice Notices, 16 Hazard Notices, 94 Safety Notices and 11 Pacemaker Technical Notes.

  Health Professions Regulatory Body
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the composition of the body he plans to establish to regulate professions allied to medicine. [93907]
  480
  Mr. Hutton
  No decisions have been taken about the precise composition of the new Health Professions Council, which will eventually replace the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine, using an Order under s60 of the Health Act 1999. The Government is committed to full and wide-ranging consultation on the proposals for new legislation in addition to the statutory consultation on the draft Order required by the Health Act, with a report to Parliament on the outcome when the Order is laid.

  Medium-secure Units
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the findings of the current review of data collection requirements regarding escapes and absconds from medium-secure units. [93871]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is in contact with the National Health Service Executive Regional Offices to access the current data collection and to ensure that procedures are in place for recording escapes and absconds from medium-secure units. We expect these procedures will be in place later in the year.

  Fundholders
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners fundholding practices remain. [93905]

  Mr. Denham
  None.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of sustaining residual general practitioners fundholding practices in the next financial year. [93904]

  Mr. Milburn
  None. The residual fundholding scheme ended on 1 October 1999.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what qualitative studies he has commissioned regarding outcomes from calls to NHS Direct; and if he will make a statement. [93875]

  Ms Stuart
  The Medical Research Unit of the University of Sheffield is undertaking an independent evaluation of NHS Direct. This evaluation will include a study of the outcomes from calls to NHS Direct. We expect the University of Sheffield's full and final report to be published early next year.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the services of NHS Direct will be available in(a) Lymington, (b) New Milton and (c) Ringwood. [93869]

  Ms Stuart
  NHS Direct has been available in Lymington and New Milton since March 1999. The service will be available in Ringwood by the end of this year.

  Strokes
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 13 July 1999,Official Report, column 151, on stroke services, if he will specify the funding that he is making available for initiatives related to strokes. [93902]
  481
  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is currently supporting some inititatives relating to stroke through the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. The responsiblity (and hence funding) for the Effective Health Care Bulletin, national sentinel audits and development of clinical guidelines now rests with NICE, which has total funding of just under £10 million for this financial year. The hon. Member may wish to contact the Chairman of NICE, Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, for further details.

PRIME MINISTER

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93559]

  The Prime Minister
  For these purposes my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office,Official Report, columns 527-28.

  White Papers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the White Papers published from 1998 to date indicating their sale price. [93674]

  The Prime Minister
  The term "White Paper" has no formal definition but is interpreted as meaning those statements of Government policy and other documents which have been published in the Command Papers series but excluding Treasury Minutes, reports from Committees and Commissions and the papers in the Treaty and other series presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. A list of those published from 1998 showing their sale price has been placed in the Library.

  Yugoslavia
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimates he has received of the cost of reconstruction in Yugoslavia made necessary by the NATO offensive. [94124]

  The Prime Minister
  The reconstruction of Yugoslavia, and in particular Kosovo, is a huge task which will take many years. This is not just as a result of the conflict brought about by Milosevic's policy towards Kosovo, but because of the need for modernisation and democratisation of Yugoslav society and its economy. The UK will play a full part in this reconstruction.

  We will not have an accurate estimate of reconstruction costs until the next donor conference held under their auspices in November. In the meantime, emergency and immediate reconstruction projects are going ahead under the auspices of the EU Task Force in Pristina and the UN Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK).
  482
  The EU Task Force in Pristina has committed 46 million euros so far. The EU has pledged a total of 137 million euros of reconstruction aid for Kosovo in 1999 through the EU Assistance Fund in addition to 378 million euros of humanitarian aid.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultations he has had with the heads of other NATO countries about the cost of reconstruction in Yugoslavia; and if any member country has yet agreed to contribute financially. [94125]

  The Prime Minister
  The European Union (through the European Commission) and the World Bank are responsible for the co-ordination of the donor effort for the reconstruction of Yugoslavia. All NATO countries are represented in either or both of these organisations.

  The EU and World Bank are organising a series of donor conferences, the first of which was on 28 July 1999. At this conference initial donor indications of financial support amounted to US$2.1 billion. NATO members indicating their intention to provide financial support at this stage were: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. NATO countries who are also members of the EU will also be contributing multilaterally through the European Commission.

  Government Reports
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister who was responsible for making the Government's Annual Report 1998–99 available to Tesco Stores Ltd. the day before it was made available to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [94155]

  The Prime Minister
  Guidance to Ministers on the publication of Command Papers and other Government documents is set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service".

  The Stationery Office, who published the Government's Annual Report, were responsible for the marketing arrangements with Tesco. Copies of the report were distributed in advance by The Stationery Office to Tescos and other bookshops under the usual strict embargo that they should not be placed on sale until after the Report had been presented to Parliament on the morning of Monday 26 July. I understand that, due to an oversight in one or two individual stores, a small number of copies were available on Saturday 24 July.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of the Government's annual report 1998–99; [93670]

  (2) what was the cost to public funds of the Government's annual report 1997–98; [93676]

  (3) how many copies of the Government's annual report 1997–98 were (a) printed, (b) sold and (c) distributed free of charge. [93671]

  The Prime Minister
  The direct cost of preparing the Government's annual report 1998–99 for publication is estimated at £75,000. The equivalent figure for the Government's Annual Report 1997–98 is £96,000.
  483
  Additional costs associated with the Annual Report 1998–99, including putting the report on the No. 10 website and preparing a leaflet, are estimated at £105,000. The equivalent figure for the Annual Report 1997–98 are estimated at £144,000.

  The costs, prices, print runs and sales for the first two Government annual reports are produced in the table.

  AR 1997–98 CM3969

  AR 1998–99 CM4401

  Costs to Government:

  Design and publication costs

  £96,000

  £75,000

  Launch, distribution, etc.

  £144,000

  £105,000

  Total cost to Government:

  £250,000

  £180,000

  Sales:

  Cover price

  £5.95

  £2.99

  Copies printed

  20,000

  100,000

  Copies bought by Government

  9,000

  41,000

  Total copies sold:

  14,000

  49,000

  Leaflet/summary

  Numbers produced

  20,000

  150,000

  Note:

  All figures are approximate and rounded to the nearest thousand

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy not to make command papers and other Government documents available for retail sale before making them available to parliament. [93708]

  The Prime Minister
  Guidance to Ministers on the publication of Command Papers and other Government documents is set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service".

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Prime Minister how many copies of the Government's annual report had been sold through (i) the Stationery Office and (ii) other retail outlets at the most recent date for which figures are available. [93710]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) today,Official Report column 482.

  All copies of the Annual Report 1998–99 were sold by The Stationery Office, the publishers. Some have been sold direct to the public, the remainder through other retailers.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the cost of(a) copy writing, (b) design, (c) photography, (d) printing and (e) all other relevant items of the production of the Government's annual report; and how many copies were produced in total; [93713]

  (2) how many civil servants were involved in the production of the Government's annual report; and what is his estimate of the number of person-hours involved. [93712]

  The Prime Minister
  Preparation of the Government's Annual Report was undertaken in accordance with the requirements of "Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service".

  The approximate costs of preparing the Annual Report 1998–99 for publication were as follows: design £75,000 and photography £1,000. Copywriting was done entirely
  484
  within Government. Printing costs fall entirely to The Stationery Office, the private-sector publishers. 100,000 copies of the Annual Report were printed.

  Oral Statements
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list(a) the reports published by his Department and its associated bodies, (b) the reports received from bodies set up by his Department, (c) the decisions his Department has taken and (d) events in the UK and elsewhere, since 27 July, which satisfied the criteria he uses for deciding whether to apply to make oral statements to the House when the House is sitting. [93931]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council, today,Official Report, columns 429-30.

  Cabinet Meetings
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) on how many occasions the Cabinet has met formally during the summer adjournment; [94624]

  (2) when was the last full formal meeting of the Cabinet. [94623]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 30 April 1999,Official Report, column 281.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what constitutional tests will be applied to any future decision concerning United Kingdom adherence to the euro. [94636]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed) on 13 April 1999,Official Report, columns 2-3.

  MOD Electronic Test Facility
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Irish Government with regard to the Ministry of Defence's Electronic Test Facility formerly sited at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd site at Capenhurst, Cheshire, since 1 July; when these representations were received; and from which Irish Government departments. [93882]

  The Prime Minister
  The Irish Ambassador called on a senior official in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 26 July, where this issue was discussed.

  Policy Unit (US Visits)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer 25 June 1999,Official Report, column 480, on Policy Unit (US visits), what were the names of the members of his Policy Unit who accompanied (a) him and (b) other Ministers on visits to the United States of America on four occasions since 1 January 1998; and how many meetings each of these members of his Policy Unit held with members and officials of the United States of America Government on each visit, indicating the dates and locations of each

  485
  meeting, the Policy Unit members involved at each meeting, and the names of the US Ministers and officials at each meeting. [93962]

  The Prime Minister
  David Miliband, Geoff Mulgan and Derek Scott accompanied me for all or part of my visit to the United States of America on 4-7 February 1998. David Miliband also accompanied me on similar visits on 22 September and 8 November 1998. James Purnell accompanied the former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry during a visit to the United States on 10-16 October 1998.

  Members of the Policy Unit participated in the official Ministerial programme and also separately attended meetings with US public officials. All visits were undertaken in line with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions members of his Policy Unit travelled to the United States of America on official business between 1 May 1997 and 1 January 1998, indicating the name of the member and the dates of travel in each case. [93880]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Prime Ministerial Meetings (US)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer on 17 May 1999,Official Report, column 267, on meetings with President Clinton, how many meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visit of 21 September 1998, indicating the location of each meeting and the names of the members and officials of the United States Government at each meeting. [93960]
  486
  The Prime Minister
  I travelled to New York in September 1998 to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where I heard a speech by President Clinton. I had also been invited to make a speech and focused on the development of the United Nations and the challenges we face in a global economy.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 17 May 1999,Official Report, column 267, on meetings with President Clinton, how many meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visit of 4 to 7 February 1998, specifying the date and location of each meeting and the names of the members and officials of the United States Government at each meeting. [93903]

  The Prime Minister
  My visit to the United States in February 1998 was my first official visit to the United States as Prime Minister. I had talks with the President at the White House in Washington to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

  Child Poverty
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Prime Minister what definition of child poverty underlies his target of eliminating child poverty within 20 years. [94702]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 29 March 1999,Official Report, column 496 and 31 March 1999, Official Report, column 717.

  On 21 September 1999, we published the document "Opportunity for all" 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 of people living in poverty.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93560]

  Mr. Hill
  Details of the Department's progress in tackling the bug are set out in our regular monitoring returns. These are available in the Libraries of the House and published on the Internet.

  The President of the Council wrote to all Members on 23 September 1999 with details of the latest position. That confirmed that, with two exceptions, all the business critical systems of DETR(C) and the other DETR Agencies were expected to be complete by the end of October at the latest.

  The exceptions were:

  (a) The Planning Inspectorate which is on course to confirm that a business critical IT system to produce 400 standard letters will be millennium compliant in November. In the unlikely event of a delay in installing the system, the Agency is confident that it would still be able to maintain its current level and standard of service to customers.

  (b) The Rent Agency, created on 1 October 1999, which is currently establishing the compliance of the embedded systems in the rent offices previously managed by local authorities. The Agency is aware that local authorities have been actively dealing with these embedded systems, and is confident that they will be fully compliant by December 1999.

  The results of the October review, due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council, are expected to confirm that, with the exception of the above two Agencies, the Department's business critical systems and most of its non-critical systems will be millennium compliant by the end of the month.

  Turning to progress in devising contingency plans, DETR(C) and its Agencies are on course to complete and test these plans by the end of this month.

  As regards the millennium readiness of public services for which the Department has oversight, the results of the latest independent assessment of the water, transport, and local government sectors will be announced at the National Infrastructure Forum on 20-21 October 1999. It is expected that all these sectors will report that the independent assessments have not identified any risk of material disruption to the infrastructure.

  Voluntary Purchase Grant
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many 488
  tenants have received a voluntary purchase grant in (a) England and (b) London in each year since its introduction. [94347]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Voluntary Purchase Grant scheme was introduced in April 1996. The number of registered social landlord households who have received a voluntary purchase grant in England and in London since the scheme's introduction is shown in the table below.

  Number of RSL households in receipt of VPG, in England and London

  London

  England

  1996–97

  14

  54

  1997–98

  35

  195

  1998–99

  27

  122

  Note:

  Source is the Housing Corporation's Annual Investment Reports

  Rent-to-Mortgage Scheme
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tenants exercised their rights under the rent-to-mortgage scheme in each year since its introduction. [94348]

  Mr. Mullin
  Latest information on rent-to-mortgage activity in England since the introduction of the scheme in October 1993 is given in the table.

  Claims

  Acceptances

  Sales

  October 1993 to March 1994

  152

  19

  —

  1994–95

  738

  89

  12

  1995–96

  396

  45

  8

  1996–97

  373

  34

  4

  1997–98

  402

  51

  7

  1998–99

  n/a

  n/a

  9

  The figures to March 1994, and for Sales in each period, are of reported activity only as no estimates were made for non-responding authorities in either grouping; the figures cover around 90 per cent. of authorities.

  London Airports
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passengers passed through the London area airports in the past year; what is his forecast for the year 2015; and what estimate he has made of the number of such passengers who would in the next year if duty were to be imposed on aviation fuel at the same rate as on motor vehicle fuel, assuming a similar rate of tax is imposed by other countries. [93832]

  Mr. Mullin
  In 1998, 102 million terminal passengers passed through the London area airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City).

  In the DETR 1997 air traffic forecasts, the unconstrained forecast for London area airports (defined there as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton) is 147 million (low growth) to 212 million (high growth) with a mid point forecast of 184 million.

  No specific estimate has been made on the effect of imposing a tax on aviation fuel at the same rate as that on motor vehicle fuel. However, studies have been done by

  489
  the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and for the European Commission, among others, on the effects of applying different tax rates to aviation fuel under different scenarios. In reviewing such studies the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in its Special Report on Aviation and the Global Atmosphere published earlier this year, noted that levies (taxes and charges) could be a means of reducing growth of aircraft emissions by further stimulating the development and use of more efficient aircraft and by reducing growth in demand for aviation transportation. The studies also showed that to be environmentally effective, levies would need to be addressed in an international framework. Consequently further work on market based approaches to limit the growth in aviation emissions is being taken forward by ICAO.

  M4 Bus Lane
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions at what time on the morning of 23 July the M4 bus lane was opened to all vehicles; at what time it was closed again; and what period of time elapsed between the closure of two lanes due to an accident on that morning and the opening of the bus lane to all vehicles. [94204]

  Mr. Hill
  The accident occurred in the nearside lane (lane one) at about 7:30am. At 7:37am lane one closure signs were displayed on the two matrix sign gantries approaching the incident and all traffic except buses and taxis used the middle lane (lane two). This continued until 8:14am when this lane was also closed and the bus lane was opened to all traffic. This was carried out under police supervision to enable the fire brigade to work safely. At 8:54am, lanes one and two were re-opened to traffic and lane three reverted to being a bus lane.

  Swanwick Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the planned date on which Swanwick air traffic control will become operational. [94202]

  Mr. Mullin
  Swanwick is still expected to become operational in the spring of 2002.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre of the Government's proposals for the future of NATS. [94300]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government recognises the importance of introducing the right strategic partner to the New Partnership Company under the PPP. In order to protect the public interest and national security, given the strategic importance to the UK of NATS activities, the Government will have to be satisfied of, among other things, the strategic partner's commitment to the development of the New En Route Centre at Swanwick and the NSC, thereby maintaining the two-centre strategy.

  The arguments for the PPP include: to give NATS access to private capital; enable that capital to be used to best effect; and bring in the investment and project
  490
  management skills which only the private sector can offer. Additionally, it will free NATS investment and management decisions from Government financing constraints, allow NATS the commercial opportunities it lacks in the public sector, and introduce quality key private sector management skills to build on NATS operational excellence.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the climate change programme referred to on page 47 of the Government's Annual report 1998–99 will include measures designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. by the year 2010 based on 1990 levels. [94200]

  Mr. Mullin
  The draft UK climate change programme will set out the Government's strategy for meeting the UK's legally binding target agreed at Kyoto to reduce a basket of six greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2008–12 and moving towards our domestic goal to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent. by 2010. We are aiming to publish our draft programme towards the end of 1999 for consultation.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the level of carbon dioxide emissions in(a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on future targets for carbon dioxide emissions in each area. [93862]

  Mr. Meacher
  A report is currently being completed for the Government and the devolved Administrations which will provide details of historic emissions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The report will detail emissions of the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol for the years 1990 and 1995 and will be in the same format as that currently used for the UK-wide greenhouse gas inventory. The report is due to be published shortly. In future years, the Government plans to produce a greenhouse gas inventory for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, alongside the UK inventory, on an annual basis.

  Following Kyoto in 1997, the UK has a legally binding target to cut emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels over the period 2008–12. The UK Government also has a domestic goal to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. The Government is currently developing a draft climate change programme which will set out how the UK will deliver its Kyoto target and move towards its domestic goal. We are aiming to publish the draft programme for consultation towards the end of 1999.

  Threatened Species
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response the Government have made to the report requested from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee on the rationale
  491

  behind the listing of threatened species on schedules associated with Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. [94203]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department is actively discussing with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee what further measures may be appropriate to protect the relevant species.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people living in fuel poverty in(a) solid-walled and (b) cavity-walled housing; [94311]

  (2) what plans he has to provide funding for the insulation of the walls of solid-walled properties for those deemed to be living in fuel poverty. [94308]

  Mr. Meacher
  Data from the English House Condition Survey shows that there were at least 4.3 million fuel poor households in 1996. Of these, 1.5 million are estimated as living in solid-walled properties and 2.4 million in cavity-walled housing. The remaining 0.4 million are thought to live in non-traditional and mixed-construction housing.

  The new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) has been designed to tackle fuel poverty, focusing on those households most at risk of ill health due to cold homes. It does so by providing packages of heating and insulation improvements that will reduce the cost of keeping warm for households by up to £1,000 a year.

  During the development of the scheme, the full range of heating and insulation measures were considered, including the use of external or internal wall insulation for solid wall properties. Discussions with the insulation industry showed that the cost of external wall insulation was about £2,500 for an average 3-bedroom semi-detached property with disruption for the household. With internal wall insulation, installation costs are less but the disruption to households is greater and there is a loss of internal space. In addition, there are redecoration costs after the work has been completed.

  It was therefore felt that both these measures were more appropriate for large-scale estate renewal programmes where they could be combined with other work such as damp proofing, rather than for new HEES which will target individual properties, primarily in the private sector.

  The packages available for solid walled properties under the new HEES include higher levels of heating improvements than those for cavity walled homes, so providing similar reductions in fuel costs for both types of property.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responses have been received to the consultations relating to the proposed redefinition of households in fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on his plan for action following the consultation. [94199]

  Mr. Meacher
  The consultation document on the new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme invited comment on two aspects of the commonly used definition of a fuel poor 492
  household—that is to say, one needing to spend more than 10 per cent. of income to achieve a satisfactory heating regime—namely:
  whether the use of fuel for non-heating purposes should be included in assessing the amount of fuel needed to achieve a satisfactory heating regime;
  and
  whether the calculation of household income should exclude any element of housing costs such as rent or mortgage payments.

  A total of 252 responses to the consultation document have been received to date. Forty per cent. of respondents did not comment on either of these particular questions. On the issue of non-heating fuel, 54 per cent. felt that all fuel costs should be taken into account; 6 per cent. had various other suggestions. On the issue of housing costs, 34 per cent. felt that they should not be excluded from income; 20 per cent. felt the opposite; and 6 per cent. made other suggestions.

  The eligibility of households for assistance under the new HEES is not directly dependent on the definition of fuel poverty. However, it is relevant more widely to the discussion of fuel poverty issues, and we intend to look at the definition in the light of the comments received.

  I shall write to my hon. Friend separately with a full copy of the analysis of the consultation responses and place a copy in the Library.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what percentages of heat is lost on average from(a) solid-walled and (b) cavity-walled housing; [94310]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the principal sources of heat loss in domestic properties. [94309]

  Mr. Meacher
  On behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions the Building Research Establishment has undertaken research into heat loss from solid-walled and cavity-walled housing.

  In a typical semi-detached dwelling with un-insulated cavity walls and with average insulation standards for the other elements, the walls account for about 40 per cent. of the total dwelling heat loss (reducing to slightly below 20 per cent. if cavity-wall insulation is added).

  For the same dwelling with un-insulated solid walls, the heat loss through the walls accounts for about 48 per cent. of the total dwelling heat loss.

  Estimates of the principal heat losses for a typical dwelling are: walls 38 per cent., ventilation 23 per cent., windows and doors 26 per cent., roofs 5 per cent., floors 8 per cent.

  Strategic Planning (Spending)
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the levels of spending on strategic planning per head of population in(a) Staffordshire and (b) each other county of England (i) in the current year and (ii) in each of the last three years. [94018]
  493
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The available information on planning expenditure does not permit spending on strategic planning to be separately identified.

  GM Micro-organisms
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the environmental and health risks posed by the release into the environment of genetically modified micro-organisms; and if he will make a statement. [94168]

  Mr. Meacher
  All activities involving the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) are required to be assessed for potential risk to both human health and the environment by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended. These Regulations also require that control measures are used to limit contact of the GMMs with the environment and general population so that harm is not caused.

  For higher hazard GMMs release, to the environment must be prevented. This is achieved by application of extremely stringent control methods and 100 per cent. kill of all waste and contaminated material before disposal. For low hazard GMMs, control measures must minimise release. Although absolute prevention of release in these cases is not required, waste is still treated to inactivate the GMMs prior to disposal with, typically, at least 99.999 per cent. of GMMs being killed. In all cases the risk assessment must be used to ensure that the control measures, including the degree of inactivation, to prevent or minimise release are commensurate with maintaining a high level of safety for both human health and the environment.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the arrangements for public involvement in decision making about the use of genetically modified micro-organisms; and if he will make a statement. [94163]

  Mr. Meacher
  All activities involving the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) are regulated under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended. The Regulations require all activities to be assessed for potential risk to both human health and the environment. All activities involving hazardous GMMs have to be notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

  Although there are provisions in these Regulations for information to be available to the public, including a public register with information from all premises undertaking work with hazardous GMMs, there are no provisions for statutory consultation with the public on individual activities. However, members of the public may request copies of activity notifications and are free to comment on activities to HSE. These comments will be considered and action taken as appropriate. Improvements to the public register proposed by the Health and Safety Commission in a recent consultation document on proposed new contained use legislation will greatly aid public access to information and therefore the ability to comment.
  494
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that inactivated waste from factories and laboratories does not contain living genetically modified micro-organisms; and if he will make a statement. [94172]

  Mr. Meacher
  None at this time.

  The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended, require that users limit contact of GMMs with the environment and the general population. In all cases the degree of limitation must relate to the level of risk. For hazardous GMMs "limit" must be interpreted as "prevent". Control measures in these cases will include inactivation of waste material to give 100 per cent. kill.

  The European Directive on the contained use of GMMs has been revised. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has consulted on proposals to implement the revised Directive by replacing the 1992 Regulations. The handling and treatment of waste was one of the key aspects consulted on. The responses to the consultation are being analysed.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend inspections of sites using genetically modified micro-organisms to include those currently classified as low-risk; and if he will make a statement. [94166]

  Mr. Meacher
  All sites where work with any genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) is to take place must notify HSE and are subject to inspection by HSE Specialist Inspectors. HSE is currently considering how to improve its arrangements for regulating risks from such biological agents and this will include inspection of sites using low risk GMMs.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce independent assessments of the risks of genetically modified micro-organism use at registered sites; and if he will make a statement. [94169]

  Mr. Meacher
  None at this time.

  Provisions for independent assessment of risks relating to hazardous genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) at premises undertaking contained use activities already exist. All premises and all activities involving hazardous GMMs are required to be notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 (as amended). HSE's technical specialists, together with experts in other relevant Departments, scrutinise the risk assessments supplied with all notifications. In addition, advice can be sought from the Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (ACGM).

  The Regulations are due to be replaced by new legislation in Spring 2000 in order to implement the revised European Directive on the contained use of GMMs. The Directive requires that notification and an independent scrutiny is maintained for premises and all activities involving hazardous GMMs. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has consulted on proposals for the new legislation. Responses are being analysed.
  495
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce regulations specifying the maximum level of genetically modified micro-organisms in waste; and if he will make a statement. [94164]

  Mr. Meacher
  None at this time.

  The Regulations which control all contained use activities involving genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs)—the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended—are intended to be replaced in Spring 2000. New Regulations are required to implement the revision of the European Directive on the contained use of GMMs. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has recently undertaken a public consultation on proposed new Regulations. The proposals did not include specifying limits for the numbers of GMMs which can be in waste. However, they did propose that there should be a requirement that all GMM containing waste be inactivated prior to disposal, unless users had the agreement of the authorities to do otherwise. Such agreement would only be given if fully justified by the risk assessment. In all cases the level of inactivation (ie percentage kill) must be commensurate with the level of risk. For hazardous GMMs inactivation must be 100 per cent.

  Responses to the consultation are being analysed. I expect HSC to submit proposals to me early in 2000. It would be inappropriate to pre-empt their advice.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will backdate to pre-1992 the Health and Safety Executive's public register of centres using genetically modified micro-organisms; and if he will make a statement. [94171]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended, require the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to maintain a public register with information from all premises which undertake contained use activities with hazardous genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs).

  The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) recently consulted on proposals to replace these Regulations in order to implement revisions to the European Directive on the contained use of GMMs. The proposals included significant improvements in the quality and quantity of information to be placed on the public register. In particular, it was proposed to include information from all premises undertaking contained use activities, even those originally notified prior to 1992.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the resources dedicated by the Health and Safety Executive to the inspection of sites using genetically modified micro-organisms; and if he will make a statement. [94167]

  Mr. Meacher
  HSE is reviewing the way it inspects sites handling genetically modified organisms and biological agents to take account of the increased activity in this field and also to ensure that public concern is properly addressed. An internal HSE review will put forward recommendations in November 1999 and I am sure that HSE will wish to act on them as soon as possible. I believe it is right that HSE should consider ways in 496
  which it can continually improve its enforcement and inspection duties to ensure that risks are being properly controlled.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the monitoring and control of discharges of genetically modified micro-organisms into the environment; and if he will make a statement. [94170]

  Mr. Meacher
  None at this time.

  All activities in containment (eg laboratories, production facilities) are regulated under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended. These Regulations require all genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) to be controlled so as to limit contact with the environment and the general population. GMMs are inactivated prior to disposal. Users are required to test and maintain control measures and to test (ie monitor) when necessary for the presence of viable GMMs outside of the primary physical containment. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Specialist Inspectors enforce the requirements of the Regulations. This includes scrutinising users' monitoring data and inactivation methods.

  The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has consulted on proposals for new Regulations to implement a revision to the contained use of GMMs European Directive. Responses are being analysed. I expect HSC to submit its final proposals to me early in 2000. It would be inappropriate to pre-empt HSC's advice.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to require all registered users of genetically modified micro-organisms to provide information about their use; and if he will make a statement. [94165]

  Mr. Meacher
  None at this time.

  The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 (as amended) require users undertaking contained use activities with GMMs which may be hazardous to humans or the environment to notify the individual activities to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) before commencing work. Activities of negligible risk are not required to be notified, but users are required to provide information to HSE Specialist Inspectors if requested or during site inspections.

  The Regulations are to be replaced in Spring 2000 to implement the revised European Directive on the contained use of GMMs. The Directive requires that users provide information to the authorities on all activities involving hazardous GMMs. The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) have consulted on proposals for the new legislation. Responses are being analysed.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the whole of the Jubilee Line extension will be open and fully operational before 31 December; and if he will make a statement. [93731]
  497
  Mr. Hill
  The first two phases of the Jubilee Line Extension are now open, operating from Stratford to Waterloo. One phase 2 station, Southwark, is not yet operating, but will open within the next few weeks.

  Phase 3 will include joining the existing Jubilee Line and will offer full through-running services from Stanmore to Stratford. It will also involve moving on to 7-day per week services (the Extension currently closes on weekends). Phase 3 is due to open in late autumn. The last new station, Westminster, will open a little later. I can therefore confirm that we expect the whole Extension to be fully operational by 31 December.

  Best Value (Sefton)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what progress has been made in implementing Best Value in Sefton Metropolitan Authority; [94495]

  (2) what progress has been made in implementing Best Value in the housing department in Sefton Metropolitan Authority. [94496]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  It is the responsibility of each local authority to implement best value in its own area. However, I am aware that Sefton, like many other authorities around the country, is making progress. Each Department has drawn up proposals for a five-year fundamental review of all its services. In addition, Sefton is undertaking five pilot reviews. As part of this exercise, I understand the housing department will be reviewing services for the homeless. Under the best value regime, the performance of local authorities will be subject to independent scrutiny through the audit and inspection of all services, including housing.

  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are built into Best Value. [93915]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Once the duty of Best Value comes into force on 1 April 2000, local authorities will be required to secure continuous improvement in the exercise of their functions with regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness. We have made clear in the recently published 'Implementing Best Value—A Consultation Paper on Draft Guidance' that Best Value Reviews will need to give effect to the principles of sustainable development.

  It is for local authorities to determine how to give such principles practical effect through the setting of consistent performance targets, following consultation with their community and in the light of progress with their Local Agenda 21 strategies.

  Driving Licences
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make the carrying of driving licences compulsory while individuals are driving. [94506]

  Mr. Hill
  This is being considered by the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT), formed by the Government last year to develop a strategy to reduce vehicle crime by 30 per cent. by March 2004. VCRAT concluded that the case for requiring drivers to carry their 498
  licences has not yet been made, but my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary indicated within the foreword to the VCRAT Strategy report that he will want to look at that issue again in the light of developing technology and further assessment of the potential wider crime reduction benefits. A copy of the report, published on 22 September 1999, is in the Library of the House.

  Road Traffic Offences
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publicise the(a) risk and (b) consequences of committing road traffic offences. [94505]

  Mr. Hill
  The Department's ongoing programme of publicity campaigns draws attention to the risk and consequences of committing road traffic offences. Our high profile advertising campaigns currently address speeding, drinking and driving, and the non wearing of rear seat belts, which are key factors in more than half of all road deaths. These campaigns focus on the potential risk of causing death or serious injury and the consequences to the perpetrator and others affected. Annex 5 of the Highway Code indicates some of the main offences and penalties.

  We intend to publish soon a new strategy for improving road safety which will inform the development of future campaigns.

  Construction Industry
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the state of(a) the construction industry and (b) the housing construction market between January and June 1997. [94596]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The volume of construction output in Great Britain increased by 1.0 per cent. from £13,700 million in the quarter beginning January 1997 to £13,834 million in the quarter ending June 1997. During this period new construction output fell by 0.3 per cent., whereas repair and maintenance grew by 2.3 per cent.

  The volume of housing construction increased by 0.6 per cent. from £5,517 million in the quarter beginning January 1997 to £5,548 million in the quarter ending June 1997. During this period new housing construction remained unchanged and repair and maintenance grew by 0.8 per cent.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on his initiatives to improve skills in the construction industry; [94597]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his initiatives to encourage young people to enter the construction industry; [94599]

  (3) if he will make a statement on his initiatives to encourage family friendly policies within the construction sector. [94598]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  It is vital for the construction industry to be able to attract and retain people with the right skills—women as well as men, and from all ethnic communities.
  499
  We are driving forward the "Movement for Innovation" which is seeking to implement the recommendations in Sir John Egan's report "Rethinking Construction". A key item on the agenda is "respect for people" which covers training, equal opportunities, health and safety and site conditions.

  We will shortly respond to the Report on Combating Cowboy Builders, which includes a proposal to introduce a Quality Mark scheme for builders in the domestic sector. One of the requirements of the scheme will be that a firm has operatives with the appropriate skills.

  The "New Deal in Construction", launched last year in collaboration with the construction industry, is designed to make it easier for the industry to recruit young unemployed people and as a way of reducing skills gaps in the industry.

  ADAS 2000
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tests he has carried out on the ICCS ADAS 2000 equipment; where such tests were executed and under what circumstances; and what training staff have received on this equipment. [94645]

  Mr. Hill
  Testing carried out on ADAS 2000 covered:Testing and pre-roll out checks of the hardware itself;
  Full functional acceptance testing of the software;
  Test of the system's ability to cope with the year 2000 itself, and with the following leap year date;
  Performance testing by a number of users;
  On-site trials at a Coastguard Co-ordination Centre.

  All of these tests were done according to a pre-designed plan drawn up before delivery of the software by the supplier. They were performed on a test system set up using examples of the target hardware at both the client and server ends. Users were fully involved in both the planning and testing processes.

  As to training, a team of people drawn from Coastguard Operations Staff accompanied the installation team to each Co-ordination Centre and instructed Coastguard operators in the use of the new software and the difference between it and the previous version.

  ICCS is a separate major project where the current VHF and MF Radio Control Equipment in HM Coastguard will be replaced.

  Rented Accommodation
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he is ensuring that private landlords fulfil their responsibilities to maintain the standard of rented accommodation. [94494]

  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that private landlords fulfil their responsibilities to maintain the standard of rented accommodation. [94532]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local authorities are responsible for enforcing standards of fitness in privately rented properties. We intend to reform the housing fitness 500
  standard by introducing a hazard based rating system, which will enable local authorities to assess the fitness of privately rented housing more effectively. The introduction of mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation will place duties on landlords of this type of accommodation to maintain their properties to decent minimum standards and ensure the health and safety of their tenants.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for raising the quality of private rented accommodation. [94493]

  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have for raising the quality of private rented accommodation. [94534]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are committed to introducing mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupations where the worst conditions are often found. This will place duties on landlords of this type of accommodation to maintain their properties to decent minimum standards and ensure the health and safety of their tenants. We also intend to reform the housing fitness standard by introducing a hazard-based rating system which will enable local authorities to assess the fitness of privately rented housing more effectively. In addition, we support the development of voluntary initiatives to raise standards in the private rented sector such as good practice codes and landlord accreditation schemes.

  Homelessness
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many families were made homeless within(a) Sefton and (b) Merseyside in each year since 1993; [94580]

  (2) how many people have been homeless during the last five years broken down by gender in Merseyside. [94648]

  Mr. Mullin
  Data on homelessness activity are reported each quarter by local authorities and this includes the number of households accepted as homeless and in priority need under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts. Further classification by gender, or numbers of people, is not collected. The following table summarises information provided by authorities in Merseyside since 1994:

  Households accepted as being unintentionally homeless and in priority need

  Year

  Sefton

  All Merseyside

  1994

  218

  3,235

  1995

  191

  2,900

  1996

  166

  2,557

  1997

  106

  2,093

  1998

  109

  1,995

  1999 1st half

  68

  11,030

  1 An estimate for non response from one authority is included in this figure

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to further reduce homelessness among(a) families and (b) young people. [94582]
  501
  Mr. Mullin
  The Government have a Manifesto commitment to impose a new duty on local authorities to protect those who are homeless through no fault of their own and are in priority need. This includes families with children and others who are regarded as vulnerable, which can include young people. Since taking office, we have already strengthened the legislation to give homeless people reasonable preference in the allocation of long-term social housing.

  My Department has set up an official-level sounding board with the local authority associations, Shelter, the Chartered Institute of Housing and others to discuss further proposals for change, on which we would propose to consult more widely in due course. In particular, we will be looking at ways of encouraging more partnership working at a local level, through the development of local homelessness strategies and preventive initiatives. We will also be considering further measures to ensure that housing solutions are sustainable in order to reduce the risk of homelessness recurring.

  The Department has also established a Youth Homelessness Action Partnership, again with both the voluntary and statutory sectors, to look at the particular problems faced by young people and to develop proposals for tackling them. Our revised Code of Guidance on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness, due to be published around the end of the year, will recommend local authorities to treat young care-leavers, especially, as being vulnerable under the homelessness legislation.

  My Department is also contributing to follow-up work on the Social Exclusion Unit's reports, which have a particular bearing on young people, including "Bridging the Gap", and the "Report on Rough Sleeping". These measures include: the extension to young homeless people of the Education Maintenance Allowance pilots (which aim to encourage young people to remain in full-time education and so improve their life-skills); the introduction of a new Youth Support Service, with links to statutory and voluntary housing and homelessness agencies; and the establishment of the new Rough Sleepers Unit, which is co-ordinating Government action to achieve our target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough in England by two-thirds by 2002.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use lottery funding to support projects and organisations which help the homeless. [94649]

  Mr. Mullin
  None. Responsibility for distributing proceeds from the National Lottery rests with a number of distributing bodies which make their decisions independently of Government.

  HM Coastguard
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recommendations contained within Lord Donaldson's report on a five-year strategy for HM Coastguard. [94509]

  Mr. Hill
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions accepts all of the recommendations contained in Lord Donaldson's Review of the Five-Year Strategy for HM Coastguard.
  502
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if any dedicated frequencies are going to be allocated for marine safety information broadcasts; and if there have been any operational difficulties utilising existing frequencies for marine safety information broadcasts. [94646]

  Mr. Hill
  The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have applied to the Radio communications Agency for two additional VHF working frequencies which will be used primarily for Maritime Safety Information broadcasts. The MCA application was placed before the National Frequency Assignment Panel (NFAP) on Friday 15 October 1999.

  Operational difficulties utilising those frequencies assigned to Maritime Safety Information broadcasts have been limited to some mutual interference between HM Coastguard transmissions and those of port operators in Clydeport, Liverpool and Medway. Those difficulties have been overcome by avoiding transmissions on a frequency in use by the other authority and HM Coastguard's use of an alternative working frequency not normally assigned to Maritime Safety Information.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the new equipment used by HM Coastguard for Medilink Services varies from the original equipment used by BT coast radio stations; and what difficulties have been involved in its introduction. [94626]

  Mr. Hill
  The Medilink equipment, known as TeleConnect, installed in HM Coastguard Co-ordination Centres is specifically designed for simplex communications. This mode of communications allows only one operator to speak at any time. Hospital medical staff who might not be familiar with this mode of communications have received appropriate training from HM Coastguard.

  BT Coast Radio Stations were fitted with Medilink equipment which differs from HM Coastguard's equipment in that it provides duplex communications. This mode of communications is similar to that used, for instance, in normal telephone calls. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has applied to the Radio communications Agency for two of the hitherto BT duplex channels following closure of BT Coast Radio Stations.

  No difficulties were encountered with the introduction of Medilink equipment into HM Coastguard Co-ordination Centres. The TeleConnect Units installed for Medilink purposes have been used successfully on each occasion medical advice has been sought by vessels at sea.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents, by category, have been handled by each coastguard station during the last five years. [94644]

  Mr. Hill
  The following tables detail incidents, by category, handled by each Coastguard station during the last five years.
  503

  HM coastguard SAR activity: 1994

  District

  Total incidents

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax

  Number assisted

  Number rescued

  Lives lost

  Aberdeen

  362

  164

  193

  5

  447

  375

  7

  Belfast

  350

  172

  160

  18

  293

  94

  12

  Brixham

  690

  445

  236

  9

  712

  295

  4

  Clyde

  397

  218

  172

  7

  457

  133

  37

  Dover

  531

  258

  258

  15

  518

  258

  24

  Falmouth

  976

  357

  611

  8

  460

  413

  51

  Forth

  330

  167

  159

  4

  282

  157

  8

  Holyhead

  566

  315

  236

  15

  523

  257

  8

  Humber

  415

  308

  99

  8

  694

  241

  8

  Liverpool

  446

  257

  181

  8

  413

  174

  14

  Milford Haven

  444

  241

  197

  6

  277

  213

  5

  Oban

  235

  180

  52

  3

  335

  123

  4

  Pentland

  136

  76

  59

  1

  116

  40

  5

  Portland

  861

  512

  329

  20

  953

  511

  3

  Shetland

  152

  124

  27

  1

  384

  111

  4

  Solent

  1,188

  728

  426

  34

  1,465

  429

  32

  Stornoway

  198

  123

  72

  3

  182

  119

  9

  Swansea

  815

  426

  353

  36

  1,350

  435

  8

  Thames

  600

  392

  193

  15

  758

  395

  9

  Tyne Tees

  357

  231

  113

  13

  554

  169

  12

  Yarmouth

  360

  197

  146

  17

  495

  113

  8

  Total

  10,409

  5,891

  4,272

  246

  11,560

  5,067

  272

  HM coastguard SAR activity: 1995

  District

  Total incidents

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax

  Number assisted

  Number rescued

  Lives lost

  Aberdeen

  568

  246

  305

  17

  1,201

  675

  16

  Belfast

  396

  218

  166

  12

  346

  188

  9

  Brixham

  768

  499

  256

  13

  616

  535

  15

  Clyde

  449

  270

  163

  16

  407

  188

  18

  Dover

  751

  355

  379

  17

  1,232

  192

  21

  Falmouth

  1,044

  377

  663

  4

  468

  428

  26

  Forth

  332

  174

  153

  5

  412

  151

  5

  Holyhead

  660

  354

  291

  15

  491

  290

  13

  Humber

  523

  391

  127

  5

  744

  237

  11

  Liverpool

  531

  317

  200

  14

  557

  221

  11

  Milford Haven

  561

  289

  255

  17

  443

  222

  8

  Oban

  288

  209

  73

  6

  371

  133

  8

  Pentland

  136

  93

  40

  3

  255

  37

  8

  Portland

  981

  602

  368

  11

  953

  511

  12

  Shetland

  226

  178

  48

  0

  301

  134

  4

  Solent

  1,279

  828

  420

  31

  1,610

  480

  13

  Stornoway

  242

  169

  70

  3

  249

  149

  14

  Swansea

  1,112

  618

  471

  23

  753

  672

  8

  Thames

  894

  635

  241

  18

  996

  397

  11

  Tyne Tees

  374

  236

  131

  7

  515

  142

  8

  Yarmouth

  578

  247

  317

  14

  851

  155

  6

  Total

  12,693

  7,313

  5,152

  251

  13,872

  8,051

  245

  HM coastguard SAR activity: 1996

  District

  Total incidents

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax

  Number assisted

  Number rescued

  Lives lost

  Aberdeen

  670

  188

  469

  13

  661

  362

  7

  Belfast

  303

  174

  114

  15

  362

  96

  5

  Brixham

  720

  456

  255

  9

  898

  445

  9

  Clyde

  415

  256

  150

  9

  392

  171

  18

  Dover

  559

  258

  294

  7

  1,625

  140

  13

  Falmouth

  895

  345

  544

  6

  578

  331

  31

  Forth

  316

  160

  137

  19

  240

  158

  11

  Holyhead

  553

  322

  210

  21

  495

  247

  4

  Humber

  508

  375

  129

  4

  683

  272

  11

  Liverpool

  523

  274

  235

  14

  419

  161

  12

  Milford Haven

  445

  253

  180

  12

  459

  260

  7

  Oban

  255

  180

  70

  5

  333

  163

  5

  Pentland

  133

  85

  46

  2

  216

  28

  4

  Portland

  874

  548

  318

  8

  845

  405

  8

  Shetland

  123

  90

  32

  1

  225

  62

  4

  504 505

  HM coastguard SAR activity: 1996

  District

  Total incidents

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax

  Number assisted

  Number rescued

  Lives lost

  Solent

  1,207

  751

  418

  38

  1,844

  478

  31

  Stornoway

  224

  149

  74

  1

  311

  110

  9

  Swansea

  958

  515

  411

  32

  562

  504

  10

  Thames

  771

  512

  252

  7

  2,298

  380

  6

  Tyne Tees

  334

  219

  98

  17

  463

  125

  6

  Yarmouth

  505

  191

  303

  11

  317

  111

  5

  Total

  11,291

  6,301

  4,739

  251

  14,226

  5,009

  216

  HM coastguard SAR activity: 1997

  District

  Total incidents

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax

  Number assisted

  Number rescued

  Lives lost

  Aberdeen

  763

  217

  536

  10

  643

  195

  14

  Belfast

  292

  167

  113

  12

  333

  95

  10

  Brixham

  776

  476

  286

  14

  1,193

  300

  8

  Clyde

  457

  267

  176

  14

  565

  197

  15

  Dover

  619

  266

  340

  13

  420

  116

  15

  Falmouth

  975

  357

  612

  6

  351

  264

  64

  Forth

  330

  176

  149

  5

  343

  144

  9

  Holyhead

  638

  384

  239

  15

  480

  354

  8

  Humber

  489

  331

  153

  5

  761

  262

  9

  Liverpool

  691

  351

  321

  19

  821

  201

  8

  Milford Haven

  482

  266

  208

  8

  395

  242

  6

  Oban

  267

  222

  41

  4

  338

  163

  11

  Pentland

  140

  101

  39

  0

  307

  55

  7

  Portland

  814

  494

  307

  13

  722

  353

  10

  Shetland

  153

  133

  20

  0

  354

  73

  6

  Solent

  1,158

  768

  331

  59

  1,345

  685

  20

  Stornoway

  238

  154

  84

  0

  174

  124

  8

  Swansea

  795

  471

  309

  15

  567

  496

  11

  Thames

  705

  476

  196

  33

  833

  425

  4

  Tyne Tees

  378

  256

  108

  14

  568

  158

  3

  Yarmouth

  507

  223

  268

  16

  287

  182

  5

  Total

  11,667

  6,556

  4,836

  275

  11,800

  5,084

  251

  HM coastguard SAR activity: 1998

  District

  Total incidents

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax

  Number assisted

  Number rescued

  Lives lost

  Aberdeen

  788

  265

  515

  8

  413

  325

  12

  Belfast

  251

  161

  78

  12

  420

  112

  4

  Brixham

  767

  492

  252

  23

  1,679

  370

  7

  Clyde

  394

  198

  185

  11

  407

  131

  8

  Dover

  681

  353

  315

  13

  1,259

  105

  38

  Falmouth

  915

  278

  628

  9

  351

  306

  25

  Forth

  267

  156

  107

  4

  244

  177

  5

  Holyhead

  558

  288

  259

  11

  374

  243

  9

  Humber

  507

  335

  164

  8

  1,130

  254

  11

  Liverpool

  724

  385

  324

  15

  707

  207

  6

  Milford Haven

  443

  259

  179

  5

  510

  167

  8

  Oban

  288

  243

  45

  0

  436

  82

  10

  Pentland

  111

  77

  33

  1

  138

  43

  4

  Portland

  790

  458

  311

  21

  662

  424

  8

  Shetland

  141

  126

  15

  0

  411

  52

  4

  Solent

  1,066

  628

  386

  52

  2,014

  482

  33

  Stornoway

  211

  147

  61

  3

  153

  128

  9

  Swansea

  849

  444

  383

  22

  1,119

  247

  11

  Thames

  729

  484

  235

  10

  971

  247

  14

  Tyne Tees

  442

  256

  169

  17

  769

  136

  16

  Yarmouth

  631

  310

  297

  24

  328

  232

  7

  Total

  11,553

  6,343

  4,941

  269

  14,495

  4,470

  249

  Notes:

  Assistance Rendered—SAR Unit despatched and rendered assistance to a casualty.

  Assistance Not Rendered—SAR Unit called out or despatched but casualty resolved problem, others assisted first or False Alarm with Good Intent.

  Hoax—SAR Unit Called Out or despatched based on call with Malicious Intent.

  Persons Assisted—SAR Unit used to transfer or escort persons to safety but not from a life threatening situation.

  Persons Rescued—SAR Unit used to evacuate or escort persons to safety where but for the intervention lives would probably have been lost.
  506

  Pupil Funding
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the average funding allocation per child attending(a) junior and (b) secondary schools in each year from 1992 to 1998 in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton. [94595]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Sefton's Standard Spending Assessment per pupil figures for Primary and Secondary Education from 1992–93 to 1998–99 are shown in the table.

  £

  Primary education SSA per pupil

  Secondary education SSA per pupil

  1992–93

  1,769

  2,586

  1993–94

  1,788

  2,596

  1994–95

  1,879

  2,630

  1995–96

  1,875

  2,492

  1996–97

  1,955

  2,590

  1997–98

  2,038

  2,662

  1998–99

  2,153

  2,789

  Road Traffic Reduction
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to set targets for road traffic reduction. [94459]

  Mr. Hill
  We intend to publish our first report on the issue of whether to set a national road traffic reduction target, under the Road Traffic Reduction (National Targets) Act 1998, by the end of this year.

  Forest Products
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has carried out or commissioned into the environmental consequences of the proposed World Trade Organisation agreement on forest products. [93836]

  Mr. Mullin
  The UK and its EU partners are committed to the launch of a comprehensive Round of multilateral trade negotiations at the 3rd WTO Ministerial meeting in Seattle (30 November-3 December). The UK does not believe that a sectoral approach to trade negotiations in advance of the Seattle Ministerial is the best way forward.

  The European Commission is currently undertaking a sustainability assessment of the WTO new Round. The UK supports this work and UK Government officials have met with the consultants to discuss progress. This study will consider the range of possible sustainability impacts in all trade sectors likely to be affected by the Round, including forest products, and will be used by the European Union to inform its negotiating position at Seattle and thereafter.

  Thameslink (Franchise Extensions)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Thameslink's plans for franchise extensions aimed at increasing capacity. [94134]
  508
  Mr. Hill
  The Franchising Director and Chief Executive of the Shadow SRA has recently invited franchises to submit bids for the renegotiation of passenger rail franchises, and encouraged them to include proposals for significant new investment in improving capacity, punctuality and reliability of services in their bids. He has also announced that he will prioritise those bids that he receives, and will take them forward for renegotiation over the coming months. The Franchising Director will review any renegotiation that he receives from Thameslink's franchise GOVIA as part of this process.

  Private Hire Vehicles (Control) Act 1998
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the regulations to bring into effect the provisions of the Private Hire Vehicles (Control) Act 1998. [94404]

  Mr. Hill
  During the summer we conducted jointly with the Public Carriage Office a consultation on proposals for regulating private hire vehicle operators in London. We are considering the responses, with the aim of publishing draft regulations as soon as possible. Further consultations will follow on proposals for regulating private hire drivers and vehicles.

  Train Operators' Performance
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what independent evaluations are commissioned by(a) his Department and (b) the Rail Regulator of the performance of train operators. [94020]

  Mr. Hill
  None. The Franchising Director is responsible for monitoring the performance of train operators. Performance data provided by train operators are independently and regularly checked for the Franchising Director by the University of Sheffield. Data relating to train operators' performance are also produced by Railtrack using trackside equipment. This data is independently audited.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends next to visit the Ribble Valley. [93660]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have no current plans to visit Ribble Valley.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Poland. [94573]

  Mr. Prescott
  I visited Warsaw on 20 September to attend informal high level consultations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the Fifth Conference of the Parties to the Convention, to be held in Bonn from 25 October to 5 November 1999. The meeting was well attended by Ministers and other high level representatives, and proved a valuable opportunity to discuss a number of important issues. I was pleased to note that there is still strong political commitment to the process and the participants reaffirmed their determination
  509
  to drive the negotiations forward. I hope we can make good progress in Bonn and pave the way for a successful outcome at the Sixth Conference of the Parties, which is the deadline for decisions on key outstanding issues.

  Planning Decisions
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authority planning decisions have been overturned on appeal by(a) the Planning Inspector and (b) himself in each of the last two years. [93718]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. Nigel Evans, dated 19 October 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about local authority planning decisions that have been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State over the past two years.
  The information requested is as follows:

  Planning appeals against refusal

  Decisions overturned by

  Appeal decided during

  Inspectors

  Secretary of State

  Total

  1997–98

  4,200

  31

  4,231

  1998–99

  4,001

  29

  4,030

  Regional Government
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many letters he has received from people living in Lancashire in support of a regional tier of government for the north-west. [94187]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  None.

  Unoccupied Shops
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) shops and (b) dwellings above shops are currently unoccupied. [93695]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Some local authorities collect data on empty retail units, but we do not hold national figures. There are 315,000 existing dwellings over shops in total in England, of which 18 per cent. or approximately 57,000, are empty (1996 figures).

  New Homes (Lancashire)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 387, on new homes built in Lancashire in 1998, how many were built on (a) brownfield sites and (b) greenfield sites. [93673]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information requested is not available. Estimates of the proportion of new homes built on previously developed land are available from the Department's Land Use Change Statistics, for Government Office Regions but not yet for counties.510
  Latest figures show that, in 1994, 57 per cent. of new dwellings were built on previously developed land in the north-west, and 43 per cent. were built on land that was not previously developed. These figures exclude new dwellings provided from conversion of existing buildings, for which reliable information is not available below national level.

  Estimates of the number of houses built are available from the Department's housing completion statistics at county level, but these do not distinguish houses built on greenfield and brownfield land.

  These sources are under review and will be developed to provide more detailed, timely information.

  Sussex Downs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make an announcement about the future structure and funding of the successor body to the Sussex Downs Conservation Board. [94463]

  Mr. Mullin
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 29 September that he was asking the Countryside Agency to consider, in consultation with the local authorities concerned, designating a National Park in the South Downs. In the event of a National Park designation being confirmed, a South Downs National Park Authority could be expected to become the successor body to the Sussex Downs Conservation Board. Arrangements for the structure and funding of National Park Authorities are laid down in the Environment Act 1995. Almost three-quarters of the membership are made up of local councillors, including parish representatives. Current funding arrangements provide for 75% of core budgets to come direct from central Government, with the remaining 25% coming from constituent local authorities, compensated through the revenue support grant.

  I met the hon. Member as part of a delegation from East and West Sussex and Hampshire on 12 October. As I indicated then, the Countryside Agency will liaise closely with all the local authorities across the South Downs to ensure that any recommendations it makes for a National Park properly take into account the particular characteristics of the area. I also indicated that Ministers would place importance on there being a smooth transition from the Sussex Downs Conservation Board to a successor body.

  Bird-proofing
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation for compulsory proofing of premises against birds; and if he will make a statement. [94454]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Local authorities already have powers to deal with bird nuisance through a variety of measures including the Public Health Act 1961, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Government have no plans to introduce further legislation.

  "Renegade" Collision
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made with the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch's inquiry into a collision between the Irish fishing vessel "Renegade" and an unidentified merchant vessel which occurred on 26 July; if he will place a copy of the report of the inquiry in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [93942]

  Mr. Hill
  The Marine Accidents Investigation Branch will not be investigating the collision between the Irish fishing vessel "Renegade" and a merchant vessel as both vessels were non-UK registered and the accident happened outside UK territorial waters. However, the Irish authorities are investigating the incident.

  Disabled Rail Passengers
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Office of the Rail Regulator will publish the revised code of practice for disabled passengers. [94526]

  Mr. Hill
  The Rail Regulator has prepared a draft revision of his Code of Practice "Meeting the needs of Disabled Passengers". The draft version is currently subject to a technical consultation and the Regulator plans to publish the document in draft form during November 1999. He will invite comments from a wide range of interested parties including rail operators and representatives of disability groups.

  JANSC
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the training and arrangements for consultation on, and consideration of, the future operation of the JANSC or its successor body. [94338]

  Mr. Mullin
  The future role and operation of the successor body to the JANSC is currently being formulated, in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defence. Once finalised, these will be encapsulated within formal Directions to the CAA, and made available to the House.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the time scale and arrangements for the exploration of his proposal for more conventional contractual arrangements for the provision of air traffic control services by NATS to BAA plc. [94337]

  Mr. Mullin
  Where NATS provides air traffic control services at an airport, it does so on the basis of a contract with the airport operator. However, the means by which it charges for these services differs between six of the BAA airports and other airports. Outside the BAA-run airports, NATS is paid by the airport operator, but in the case of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Heathrow and Stansted, the contractual arrangement between NATS and the BAA provides for NATS to charge airlines directly for its services. No other provider of air traffic control services at airports has the ability to recover its charges direct from the airlines.
  512
  The Government, in line with its expressed desire to explore the feasibility and desirability of a more conventional contractual arrangement, have recently written to representatives of the airlines, air users and the airport operators. These parties have been invited to comment on the arguments for and against direct charging for air traffic control provision at airports.

  The Government propose that the CAA, as regulator, should review how direct charging is working after the PPP is set up. In carrying out this review, the CAA will consult with air traffic control service providers, airport operators and users. The Government will take a final view as to whether the facility should be extended to all providers, or should be withdrawn, when this review is complete. It is not the Government's intention unilaterally to force an end to a charging method that, on reflection of the arguments, was acceptable to all three parties involved.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on those synergies which are to result from the public private partnership proposed by the Government for the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. [94322]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are determined to secure a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors. Private sector status will allow important investment and management decisions to be taken on commercial grounds while the public sector interest will be protected through the Golden Share, the shareholders agreements and the Government appointed partnership directors. There will also be a stakeholder council to provide a forum for consultation with all stakeholders in the partnership.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what level of proposed reduction in the Government's shareholding in NATS it will be required to seek prior parliamentary approval. [94330]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government intends to retain a 49 per cent. stake in NATS and will seek to ensure through legislation that there can be no reduction below this level without Parliamentary approval. In addition to this, a mechanism will be devised which will allow for limited dilution of the Government's stake if that is necessary in order to raise investment capital.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the detailed discussions which are to take place with potential strategic partners in the public private partnership proposed by the Government for the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd on the suggested employee share scheme, setting out the arrangements for the timing and publication of the results of these discussions. [94323]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government have said that 5 per cent. of NATS shares will be made available for an employee share scheme. Details of that scheme are being developed and we intend to discuss proposals with pre-qualified potential strategic partners, and with employee representatives in due course. However, as the pre-qualification process cannot begin until well into the
  513
  Parliamentary process for the legislation which will enable the PPP to be effected this will not be for some time.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the dates and duration of the meetings held by (i) himself and (ii) his Ministers with representatives of trade unions representing staff at National Air Traffic Services Ltd in the six months prior to 27 July. [94320]

  Mr. Mullin
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister met with representatives of the IPMS and PCS on 27 July 1999 to discuss the NATS PPP.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on employment levels of the Government's proposed sale of 51 per cent. of National Air Traffic Services Ltd in the (i) five years and (ii) 10 years following the sale. [94321]

  Mr. Mullin
  No formal assessment of staffing levels has been undertaken by the Government. However, it is expected that due to the continued increase in the growth of Air Traffic, coupled with the new opportunities the PPP will create, there should be no adverse effect on staffing levels as a result of the PPP.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the proportion of employees taken on by the public private partnership proposed for National Air Traffic Services Ltd who will be able to join the Civil Aviation Authority Pension Scheme. [94331]

  Mr. Mullin
  All NATS staff who are in employment with the company at the time the public-private partnership is established will be entitled to remain in the Civil Aviation Authority Pension Scheme. It will be up to the strategic partner to determine the pension arrangements to be offered to staff taken on by the partnership after it is established.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the decisions of the regulator proposed for Air Traffic Services in determining a dispute between the service provider and users envisaged under the public private partnership proposed for the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. will be open to judicial review. [94328]

  Mr. Mullin
  Decisions of the regulator will be open to judicial review in the same way as those of regulators in other regulated industries.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those potential strategic partners identified by the Government to date for participation in the public private partnership proposed for the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. [94324]

  Mr. Mullin
  The strategic partner for the NATS PPP will be selected following a competitive tender process. The Government will seek the widest possible participation in the process in the first instance, to enable them to pre-qualify a shortlist of quality and most appropriate candidates.
  514
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment has been made of the proposal that the employee share distribution involved in the public private partnership arrangements proposed for the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd should include the distribution of shares into a Trust fund controlled by the employees. [94325]

  Mr. Mullin
  The form of the employee share scheme will be discussed with NATS staff representatives in due course. A Trust Fund is one option which will be considered.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the assurances to be given to leisure users of National Air Traffic Services Ltd on their exemption from certain charges under the proposed public private partnership. [94336]

  Mr. Mullin
  Leisure fliers are currently exempt from most air traffic control charges and NATS is not seeking to change this. There have, of course, long been differing views as to whether these exemptions should continue. But there will be full consultation with air users and other interested parties, if at any time in the future, there are proposals to remove these exemptions.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanism will be set up to assess on its merits each occasion when it is necessary for the United Kingdom to be represented in international fora on air traffic matters by(a) Government officials and (b) the private sector partner envisaged in the public private partnership proposed for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. [94327]

  Mr. Mullin
  The question of United Kingdom representation at international fora is presently being considered. Many international panels and study groups, upon which the UK is represented, are highly technical in nature. In such cases the prospect of a conflict between commercial and public interest may be minor, and outweighed by the benefit of having the best qualified body take the lead. The Government are the signatory to most international instruments and must, therefore, ensure both that all interests are taken into account in deciding the UK's negotiating position, and that all relevant sources of expertise are used to the greatest effect.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the dates and duration of the meetings held by (i) himself and (ii) his Ministers with the senior management of National Air Traffic Services Ltd in the six months prior to 27 July. [94319]

  Mr. Mullin
  In the six months up to 27 July, the Minister for Transport met with Senior Management of NATS on 4 March, and 8, 22 and 27 July. The DPM met with senior officials of NATS in a separate meeting on 27 July, and that meeting was also attended by the Minister for Transport.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to take powers of direction over National Air Traffic Services Ltd, the Civil Aviation Authority and UK civil aviation in times
  515
  of hostilities, severe international tension or great national emergency; and what will be the arrangements for consultation on these proposals. [94334]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government will need to be able to exercise control over NATS operations, and over UK civil aviation in the event of crisis, war, severe international tension or national emergency. The Government therefore intends to bring forward legislative proposals to take powers to direct the CAA, NATS and any other owner or operator of a relevant asset to:participate in planning for an emergency;
  in the case of the CAA, to discharge its functions in accordance with the directions;
  in the case of owners of assets and operators of air services, manage the asset or provide the service in accordance with the directions.

  The Government will be seeking the consent of Parliament to these powers of direction being available in times of hostilities, severe international tension or great national emergency.

  The Government's proposals were set out in the consultation paper "A public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd (NATS)", published on 20 October 1998, and in the Government's report on the responses received, which was published on 27 July 1999.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency arrangements are to be put in place to ensure the uninterrupted provision of air traffic control services and the compliance of the United Kingdom with its international obligations in the event of insolvency of a strategic partner in the proposed public private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. [94326]

  Mr. Mullin
  The United Kingdom is bound by the Chicago Convention to provide continued air navigation services in national airspace. Where the company is, or is likely to become, insolvent, the proposed legislation will provide that the Secretary of State and the regulator have powers to petition the courts for a special administration order, to appoint an administrator to manage the affairs of the company. The administrator will oversee the transfer to another company, as a going concern, sufficient of the licensee's business to ensure that the licensed activities can be properly carried out, and to ensure that the licensed activities are carried out pending completion of the transfer. It is envisioned that these powers would be applied in the event that NATS was or was likely to be unable to pay its debts, or if it would be just and equitable under the Insolvency Act for the company to be wound up.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what sanctions the Economic Regulator will be able to impose under the public private partnership proposed by the Government for the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. for any abuse of the monopoly position of the private sector strategic partner. [94335]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government feels that any proposed enforcement regime should be both prompt and effective. However, in order to ensure that the UK can provide an uninterrupted service—as the Chicago Convention requires—the holder of the en-route licence must be allowed to continue its licensed activities while any abuse 516
  of its monopoly position is rectified. To this end, the Government will be seeking powers for the CAA, as economic regulator, to secure, where necessary, Provisional or Final Enforcement Orders. These Orders will be used to prevent any contravention or likely contravention of a licence obligation. The regulator will be able to enforce such Orders through civil proceedings, in order to obtain appropriate relief.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms and criteria he will use under the public private partnership proposed by the Government for the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd., to determine whether the strategic partner is, and remains, a fit and proper person whose ownership will not compromise the public interest or national security. [94333]

  Mr. Mullin
  The strategic partner will be selected via a rigorous, competitive process—to ensure that they have the pre-requisite financial capability, proven commercial management expertise and strategic rationale for investing in NATS.

  The Government will wish to satisfy them, at the earliest possible stage of the selection process, that the strategic partner passes all probity and national security examinations. The Government will also ensure resolution of any actual or perceived conflict of interest issues and that the partner is committed to maintaining and, where necessary, improving NATS provision of safe air traffic control services to users of UK airspace.

  The design of the remaining stages of the process will allow bidders the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the aviation industry and public interest concerns. Shortlisted bidders will be required to prepare thorough final offers which will detail their long term commercial business plans for NATS and allow them to provide commitments for the further development and enhancement of NATS infrastructure and the broadening of NATS management skill base.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the response by the trade unions representing NATS staff to the Government's plans for selling 51 per cent. of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. [94332]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Trade Unions response to the Government's proposals for the future of NATS was contained in a joint submission made by the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists and the Public and Commercial Services Union. In it, the Unions recognised the case for change, in order to access additional sources of capital investment, to meet the needs of maintaining existing safety and efficiency levels against increased traffic. However, they disagreed on the best way to achieve this, arguing that NATS should stay in the public sector, and putting forward as their preferred solution, an Independent Publicly Owned Company (IPOC) option.

  The Government considered the IPOC model, and a range of other options, both in deciding on their preferred option in the first instance and in considering the responses to the public consultation. There are many similarities between the IPOC model and the New

  517
  Partnership Company, but the Government believe that the New Partnership Company approach supplies all the solutions of an IPOC model, but with additional benefits.

  In common with the IPOC, the New Partnership Company secures access to private capital, separates regulation from operations, introduces economic regulation, involves all stakeholders in the company's future, provides for Government to appoint Partnership Directors, gives Government—and consequently the taxpayer—annual dividends, and provides on-going assurances that the company is operating properly in the national interest. However, the New Partnership Company also:
  removes any future risk of investment counting in the public accounts and therefore becoming subject to Government controls;
  enables private sector investment, project and commercial management expertise to be introduced;
  brings in genuine private sector efficiency drivers at the outset;
  gives the company more freedom to extend its operations world-wide, while minimising the risk to the taxpayer of possible financial failure;
  provides proceeds for use in other transport projects.

  The Unions also put forward a trust model (such as NavCanada) as an alternative to IPOC, if the Government's overriding objective was to raise proceeds for other transport projects. The Government also considered a trust model in deciding on their preferred option. They concluded that, while a trust might offer limited benefits, primarily the potential for involving airspace users and NATS staff, there were a number of weaknesses in the model. These included the lack of real commercial incentives or disciplines, making costs higher than they could be, difficulties in ensuring adequate accountability, and the potential complexity of the ownership structure.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communication he has received from the institutions of the European Community concerning the proposed share of Her Majesty's Government in the re-organised National Air Traffic Services; and if he will list the articles of any treaty relating thereto. [94635]

  Mr. Mullin
  A copy of the Government's consultation paper, setting out the proposals for the Public-Private Partnership, was sent to the European Commission at the time of its Publication in October 1998. The commission acknowledged receipt of the document and said that it awaited, with interest, further developments.

  In July 1999, the Government sent a copy of their report on the responses to the consultation exercise to the Commission, and offered an explanatory presentation, at official level, of the proposals. Arrangements for this presentation, particularly on the proposed regulatory, are oversight of the new partnership company currently in hand.

  Housing Developments
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that substantial new housing developments have access to the necessary infrastructure and services; and if he will make a statement. [94157]
  518
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The draft policy planning guidance note 3 (Housing), which is now being finalised in the light of consultation, requires all major housing developments to be planned as communities. This implies adequate infrastructure and services.

  Commercial Airline Pilots
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the recruitment and training of pilots for commercial airlines. [94027]

  Mr. Mullin
  This is one of the issues that were considered by the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs (ETRA) Transport Sub-Committee into Aviation Safety. The report was published on 21 July 1999.

  We are currently considering all of the Select Committee report's recommendations. Our response will be before the House as soon as possible.

  Wildlife Sites
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's legislative proposals on the protection of(a) SSSIs and (b) other wildlife sites; and what plans he has for the restoration of damaged sites. [94380]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government will bring forward legislation to ensure the better protection and management of SSSIs as soon as Parliamentary time permits. Measures to be taken were set out in "The Government's Framework for Action" on 2 August.

  Increased emphasis on positive management agreements, backed up by new powers to combat neglect, will lead to an improvement in condition for all our SSSIs through better protection and management.

  In addition, we have set up a Local Sites Review Group to consider how local authorities and other bodies can best contribute to the identification, protection and management of locally important sites.

  Lead Shot
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his proposals for the use of lead shot. [94378]

  Mr. Mullin
  On 1 September 1999, legislation to restrict the use of lead shot came into force in England. Regulations to restrict the use of lead shot in Scotland and Wales are a matter for the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly respectively.

  The regulation prohibits the use of lead shot on or over all Ramsar sites, as well as those Special Protection Areas and other Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that have been identified as being sites important for waterfowl by English Nature. The regulation will also apply to areas below the high water mark of ordinary spring tides (only some of which are already designated as SSSIs). Outside these areas, the regulation prohibits the use of lead shot for shooting all species of Anatidea (ducks and geese) together with moorhen, coot golden plover and snipe.

  A13
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contracts for the improvement of the A 13 have been let; when, under the terms of the contract, they were due to be completed; and when each contract is expected to be completed. [94365]

  Mr. Hill
  Three contracts have been let in recent years to improve the A13: West of Heathway to Thames Avenue, Thames Avenue to Wennington and Wennington to Mar Dyke.

  The contractual completion dates are, respectively, May 1999, March 1997 and August 1998.

  We expect the Heathway to Thames Avenue scheme to be finished around November/December 1999; the other two schemes were completed in May 1997 and October 1998 respectively.

  The West of Heathway scheme has been delayed by problems with statutory undertaker's equipment and there have been some difficulties with the design and construction of a complex viaduct. The other two schemes were delayed because of problems with earthworks.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93678]

  Mr. Prescott
  The spending on official publications since May 1997, which includes the costs incurred by the department in publishing, preparation, production and purchase of copies for official use, was £5,897,683. Where the Department makes use of a private sector publisher, the publishing, printing and design costs are generally met by the publisher as part of their acceptance of the risks of publication.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93843]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A list of corporate internal publications produced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions since immediately before its creation in June 1997 has been placed in the Library. The Department's policy has been to rationalise the number of regular staff newsletters and magazines to improve communication and save money; periodic publications that have been incorporated into others have been marked with an asterisk.

  Information about the former departments of the Environment and Transport before April 1997 is not readily available and could be gathered only at disproportionate expense.

  Flaxmill
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in granting planning permission for Flaxmill; and if he will make a statement. [94123]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Secretary of State has decided that the applications for planning permission and for listed building consent with regard to Flaxmill should not be referred to him for determination. He has notified Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council of his decision. This is now a matter for the local planning authority.

  Diesel Spillages
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to make negligent spillage of diesel on highways an endorsable offence; and if he will make a statement. [93646]

  Mr. Hill
  There is an offence, under existing regulations, of "using a vehicle in a dangerous condition" the penalty for which in the case of goods vehicles and buses includes an endorsement of 3 penalty points. It would be for the police and the courts to decide whether such an offence might apply to a case where a motorist had spilled diesel on the road.

  The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 currently require that fuel tanks must be constructed and maintained in such a manner that neither liquid nor vapour can escape from them. Anyone failing to comply with these Regulations may be liable to a maximum fine of £2,500.

  The European Parliament is currently considering changes to the Fuel Tank Directive (70/221/EEC), which would require fuel caps to be securely attached to the tank. When applied in the UK this amendment should reduce the risk of spillage even further.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include road accidents caused by diesel spillage as a separate category within road accident statistics; and if he will make a statement. [93645]

  Mr. Hill
  Data on the presence of oil or diesel on the road surface at the site of a road accident have been collected as a separate category within road accident statistics from the beginning of 1999. It was introduced following a review of the collection of national road accident statistics. No information is collected nationally on the contributory factors to accidents.

  Regional Planning (London)
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the regional planning process in London. [94288]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government is putting in place new procedures for the regional planning process in London. The proposals were outlined in the White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" and are contained in the Greater London Authority Bill currently before Parliament.
  521
  The Boroughs will remain the local planning authorities for their areas, but the Mayor will be responsible for drawing up strategic planning guidance in the form of a new Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) for London. The detailed content of the SDS will be for the Mayor to consider but, in general terms, it is expected to address all issues of strategic importance to the capital with a spatial dimension. The SDS will also provide a common spatial framework for all the Mayor's strategies and policies. Borough Unitary Development Plans will be required to be in general conformity with the SDS.

  Present strategic planning policy for London is contained in The Secretary of State's Strategic Guidance for London Planning Authorities, and its annexes. This will remain in place until the Mayor produces the first Spatial Development Strategy.

  The Mayor must also have a means of intervening in the development control process where issues of genuine strategic importance are concerned. The Mayor will therefore become a statutory consultee for planning applications of potential strategic importance. The Mayor will also have the power to direct a Borough to refuse planning permission for these cases where he or she considers this necessary on strategic grounds. The criteria for applications that will be notified to the Mayor were announced by my hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford) on 15 March 1999, Official Report, columns 472-74, and will now be taken forward into secondary legislation. The Government will be carrying out further consultation on the draft secondary legislation associated with the Mayor's planning role shortly.

  The Mayor will also be responsible for representing London's interests on broader strategic planning matters, including at the regional level.

  Dangerous Goods Cargo
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many dangerous goods incidents attributed to the carriage of cargo have been reported to the CAA in the last 12 months; how many of these were investigated; how many of these were forwarded to the CPS for prosecution; and how many led to successful prosecutions. [94539]

  Mr. Mullin
  In the twelve months to the end of September 1999, the Civil Aviation Authority received 126 reports of incidents involving dangerous goods carried as cargo. The CAA's Dangerous Goods Office reviews the circumstances of all reported incidents and will take appropriate action. If an incident is the result of a deliberate action or has potentially serious consequences, it may be referred to the CAA's Aviation Regulation Enforcement and Investigation Branch for formal investigation. Five of the dangerous goods incidents reported in the last 12 months have been referred for formal investigation. So far, one of these incidents has resulted in a prosecution by the CAA. That prosecution was successful.

  Housing (North-west)
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in meeting targets for housing on recycled land in the north-west. [94533]
  522
  Mr. Raynsford
  The Department's Land Use Change Statistics show that, in 1994, 57% of new dwellings were built on previously developed land in the north-west, but these figures exclude conversions from existing buildings. The existing Regional Planning Guidance for the region emphasises the importance of channelling growth back into the main urban areas, but gives no targets. This guidance is currently being reviewed, and the issue of an appropriate target for the reuse of previously developed land and buildings for housing is under consideration.

  Audit Fees
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government take to regulate the size of audit fees for small village councils. [94531]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The setting of audit fees in respect of the audit of accounts is a statutory responsibility of the independent Audit Commission under Section 7 of the Audit Commission Act 1998. The Secretary of State has no powers to direct an auditor or the Audit Commission on the conduct of an audit.

  The Commission is aware of the burden that audit costs can impose on small parish councils and have introduced measures designed to reduce fees. Parish Council audit fees are charged at a rate that is 40% of that charged for principal authorities. Parishes with an income below £5,000 per annum can reduce the burden further by adopting the 'triennial scheme' which allows three annual audits to be undertaken together to save on the overheads associated with an audit.

  Sellafield MOX Plant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses were received to the public consultation which closed on 23 July on the Sellafield MOX plant; what proportions were in favour; and what proportion were received from abroad. [94154]

  Mr. Meacher
  A total of 332 responses were received during the public consultation period on the economic case for the Sellafield MOX plant. Of these, 16(5 per cent.) were in favour, and 32(10 per cent.) were from abroad.

  Green Ministers Committee
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon), 16 July 1999,Official Report, column 341, if he will list the Departments which did not send a Minister to the Green Ministers' meeting of 6 July, indicating the reasons given for non-attendance; and if he will make a statement. [94294]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Departments represented by Ministers were: Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions; Law Officers Departments; Department of Trade and Industry; Home Office; Ministry of Defence; Department of Culture, Media and Sport; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and the Northern Ireland Office. Those represented by officials
  523
  were: the Chancellor's Departments; Cabinet Office; Department for Education and Employment; Department for Health; and Department of Social Security. The Departments not represented were: Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Lord Chancellor's Department; and the Department for International Development.

  Several Ministers were absent from the meeting because they were attending a ministerial awayday organised by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the Prime Minister.

  The first annual report of the Green Ministers Committee has been published since the meeting. This sets out in some detail the achievements and future plans of the Committee.

  Powered Garden Tools
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to bring forward measures to restrict the use of powered garden tools on Sundays. [93644]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government have no plans to bring forward measures to restrict the use of powered garden tools on Sundays.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what dates Special Advisers from his Department have visited the United States of America on official business since 1 May 1997; which of his Special Advisers took part in each visit; and if he will list the meetings which these Special Advisers held with members and officials of the United States Government during each visit, specifying the date and location of each meeting and the names of the US members and officials at each meeting. [93959]

  Location

  Date

  Observation (ug/1)

  Pimlico, Dolphin Square, Well 1 and 2

  7 July 1997

  124

  Catford, Initial Services

  7 July 1997

  114

  Wimbledon, South Downs Works

  7 July 1997

  109

  Wandsworth, King George's Park

  7 July 1997

  109

  Warley, Warley Hospital

  3 July 1997

  58

  Holyport, Les Lions Farm

  1 July 1997

  50

  Sunbury, Pim Board and Co. Ltd.

  6 July 1998

  9.98

  Slough, Slough Trading Estate

  4 June 1998

  3.37

  Hounslow, Avis Rent-a-Car

  13 May 1998

  2.28

  Hounslow, Avis Rent-a-Car

  2 September 1998

  1.39

  Goosey, Church Farm

  29 April 1998

  1.36

  St. Albans, Mud Lane PS

  10 March 1999

  1.3

  Stanford-in-Vale, Sheeperoft Hill Farm

  29 April 1998

  1.22

  Pimlico, Dolphin Square, Well 1 and 2

  13 July 1999

  0.7

  Sunbury, Chertsey Road, Well 3

  6 July 1998

  0.7

  Pimlico, Dolphin Square, Well 1 and 2

  21 December 1998

  0.63

  Stansted Mountfitchet

  8 March 1999

  0.49

  Isleworth, Garvin House

  13 May 1998

  0.4

  Bicester, Wendlebury (Faccenda) Chicken

  16 February 1998

  0.31

  Chigwell, Epping Forest Country Club

  6 July 1998

  0.3

  Chalfont St. Giles

  19 March 1998

  0.22

  Abingdon, Vineyard Maltings

  27 April 1998

  0.21

  Rickmansworth, Tolpits

  17 March 1999

  0.21

  Newbury Racecourse

  20 May 1998

  0.18

  Epsom, Nonsuch

  25 September 1998

  0.14

  Cheam PS

  13 June 1998

  0.13

  524
  Mr. Prescott
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 27 July 1999,Official Report, column 332. In addition, I was accompanied by a Special Adviser when I undertook a further visit to the United States of America in April 1999.

  Ministerial Meetings (United States)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visit on 7 to 9 June 1998 to the United States of America for the UN Special Session on Drugs; and if he will list the date and location of each meeting, and the names of the members and officials of the United States Government at each meeting. [93950]

  Mr. Prescott
  None.

  MTBE Contamination
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what analysis he has carried out where MTBE has been found in ground water and aquifers; and if he will make a statement; [93666]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent of ground water contamination by MTBE; if he will list those sites where MTBE contamination has been detected; and if he will make a statement. [93665]

  Mr. Mullin
  At the request of my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, the Environment Agency is undertaking a research project to establish the incidence of MTBE in England and Wales, the results of which are expected in the first half of next year. The Environment Agency has already monitored for MTBE at 300 sites in its Thames region. MTBE was found at the sites listed although my advice is that the observed concentrations are all below the level at which it has been suggested that health hazards may arise.
  525

  Location

  Date

  Observation (ug/1)

  Loudwater, Railko

  12 May 1998

  0.13

  Hillingdon, Blue Dragon Laundry

  13 May 1998

  0.13

  Reading, Battle Hospital

  15 May 1998

  0.12

  Bray, PS

  16 September 1998

  0.12

  Watford, Bushey Hall

  17 March 1999

  0.12

  Underground NCRS

  15 April 1999

  0.12

  Kenley PS

  25 February 1998

  0.11

  Watford, Eastbury PS

  17 March 1999

  0.11

  Binsted, Hawbridge Farm

  20 May 1998

  0.1

  FPSO (Fires)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency plans he has for responses to major fire on board any of the FPSO in severe weather conditions in the oil fields west of Shetland; and if he will make a statement. [94528]

  Mr. Meacher
  Arrangements are in place; the response to a major fire would be dealt with by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in co-operation with operators of offshore installations and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). In line with Lord Donaldson's report on command and control at sea, DTI would co-ordinate in the event of an incident involving a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) installation at anchor, where there is risk of or actual damage to the environment.

  Under health and safety law, operators must assess major accident hazards, including fires, and take appropriate measures to deal with them. The Health and Safety Executive enforces these requirements, and inspects the installations to ensure measures are in place.

  School Bus Transport
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to improve the safety of school bus transport. [94723]

  Mr. Hill
  The use of buses is already considered the safest way to transport children to and from schools. With the introduction of seat belts on forward facing seats in coaches and minibuses carrying groups of children on organised trips we have already implemented measures that improve the safety of these vehicles.

  Targets for service delivery for 1 October 1999 to 31 March 2000

  Current performance

  Target

  Housing benefit determinations (without an inspection). Statutory requirement—5 working days.

  60% within 4 working days

  65% within 4 working days

  71% within 5 working days

  80% with 5 working days

  Housing benefit pre-tenancy determinations. Statutory requirement—5 working days.

  65% within 3 working days

  70% within 3 working days

  95% within 5 working days

  99% within 5 working days

  Housing benefit redeterminations. Statutory requirement—20 working days.

  30% within 20 working days

  50% within 20 working days

  Housing renovations grant determinations. Statutory requirement—45 days.

  98% within 45 working days

  88% within 45 working days

  526
  A new School Travel Advisory Group has been set up to advise local authorities, school governors and teachers etc. on the best practices for operating school travel. It includes safety as part of its remit.

  Rent Service
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made with the establishment of the Rent Service as a Next Steps executive agency. [94817]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Rent Service was established as a Next Steps Executive Agency on 1 October 1999. Copies of the Agency's Framework Document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The aim of the Agency is to provide for rental valuations which are impartial and fair to tenants, landlords and taxpayers.

  I have set the following targets for the Agency for the remainder of 1999–2000:

  1. Achieve targets for service delivery set out in table below.

  2. Manage the Service within financial allocation.

  3. Implement new and streamlined management structure by end November 1999, including appointment of Area Managers, posts in the Quality Inspectorate and regional redetermination teams.

  4. Develop and implement effective Agency systems for finance, personnel, training and development, internal and external communication, and the quality control of valuation by 31 March 2000.

  5. Put in place by the end of October 1999 a detailed plan for the implementation of the new IT system and abide by that plan.

  6. Produce detailed action plan for phased rationalisation of the office structure in London by 31 October 1999 and implement first phase by 31 March 2000. Produce detailed action plan for reorganisation of the office structure outside London by 31 December 1999.

  7. Negotiate and conclude 1999 pay settlement for rent officers. Develop plan to negotiate harmonised terms and conditions for Agency staff by 31 March 2000.

  London Transport
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the Government's performance targets for(a) London

  Performance

  Targets

  1998–99

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1995–96

  1998–99

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1995–96

  London Underground

  Train Service regularity (%)1

  94.3

  95.4

  93.5

  95.6

  n/a

  95.9

  95.7

  95.7

  Percentage of schedule operated

  93.6

  95.5

  94.5

  96.2

  96.9

  96.9

  96.5

  n/r

  Ticket purchase—queueing less than 3 mins (%)1

  93.9

  94.8

  96.0

  97.2

  n/a

  98.0

  98.0

  98.0

  Escalator availability (%)

  92.7

  93.3

  92.8

  92.7

  91.4

  93.0

  92.0

  92.0

  Lift availability (%)

  94.8

  95.8

  96.8

  95.5

  93.8

  96.0

  96.0

  95.0

  Excess journey time (mins)

  6.46

  —

  —

  —

  6.25

  —

  —

  —

  Customer satisfaction measures

  Train service (%)

  75

  75

  76

  76

  77

  77

  76

  76

  Information on stations and trains (%)

  77

  74

  74

  68,73

  75

  75

  73

  66,76

  Customer safety and security (%)

  81

  81

  83

  83

  83

  83

  83

  84

  Station staff helpfulness and availability (%)

  68

  67

  69

  64

  70

  70

  69

  65

  Train and station cleanliness (%)

  67

  66

  68

  63,68

  69

  69

  69

  66,70

  London Transport Buses

  Kilometres operated

  98.5

  98.7

  99.1

  99.2

  99.0

  99.0

  99.0

  99.0

  Low frequency routes departing on time

  69.0

  70.0

  70.3

  71.4

  77.0

  74.0

  74.0

  70.0

  Low frequency routes—departing early

  5.0

  5.0

  4.8

  4.7

  3.4

  4.0

  4.0

  4.0

  Night bus services—departing on time

  71.0

  66.2

  61.3

  61.4

  70.0

  65.0

  65.0

  65.0

  Excess waiting time on high frequency routes (min)

  2.0

  1.8

  1.8

  1.7

  1.4

  1.5

  1.5

  1.5

  Customer satisfaction measures

  Bus stations—overall quality of environment

  73

  68

  69

  67

  76

  71

  71

  71

  Bus stations—overall quality of information

  63

  63

  65

  66

  68

  68

  68

  67

  Condition of bus stops and shelters

  78

  57

  55

  53

  76

  57

  54

  54

  Internal cleanliness of buses

  75

  67

  59

  58

  83

  70

  63

  63

  External cleanliness of buses

  76

  66

  54

  54

  78

  69

  54

  54

  Staff helpfulness

  82

  60

  63

  64

  87

  66

  66

  66

  1 This measure was replaced in 1998–99 with a measure of excess journey time

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of her Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93566]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Details of the Cabinet Office, its Agencies and associated public bodies—for which I am responsible—progress in tackling the bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These show that work on all business critical systems, embedded chips and telecommunications systems is now complete. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Departments and agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  There has been a slight slippage in ensuring the compliance of a few non-business critical applications and embedded systems. This work had been scheduled for
  528
  Underground and (b) London Buses have been met in the last two years. [91528]

  Mr. Hill
  [pursuant to the reply, 27 July 1999, c. 358-59]: The following table shows the performance and targets of both London Underground and London Buses.

  completion by the end of September. Some of this has now been completed and contingency arrangements have been invoked to ensure compliance of all systems by the end of October.

  In line with CCTA guidance, all areas including No. 10 will have Business Continuity Plans and Millennium Operating Regimes in place and tested by the end of October.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93565]

  Mr. Wills
  The Department's millennium readiness programme was completed in April 1999. Prior to completion of the programme, all of the Department's
  529
  systems were subjected to a rigorous testing process. Consequently, there has been no slippage since the July quarterly report to the House.

  Where functions delivered by the Department involve the provision of public services, business continuity plans have been developed and tested. In addition to subjecting continuity plans to rigorous testing, each plan, and test results, have been subjected to independent assessment before being agreed.

  Similar progress has been made in the Employment Service where the millennium readiness programme was completed in June 1999 with business continuity plans completed and tested in August 1999.

  Details of the Department's and the Employment Service's progress in tackling the bug are set out in their quarterly monitoring returns. These are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the internet. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Government Departments and agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  Vocational Programmes
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students are currently on(a) GNVQ and (b) NVQ programmes; and what proportion achieved their intended qualifications in each of the last five years. [94736]

  Mr. Wicks
  The figures requested are shown in the following table. Information on the proportion of students achieving GNVQ and NVQ qualifications is not available on a consistent basis for all GNVQs and NVQs.

  Table 1 Numbers of Level 3 qualifications awarded by type (1993/94–1997/98)

  Academic year qualification was issued

  Qualification type

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  2 or more GCE A Levels1

  164,469

  164,597

  169,345

  182,523

  188,173

  Advanced GNVQ

  1,210

  11,493

  28,078

  34,274

  39,011

  NVQ Level 3

  225,114

  248,682

  263,794

  290,385

  90,343

  Other VQs Level 33

  123,736

  101,965

  83,685

  66,560

  57,672

  1 The figures represent the number of people who have achieved two or more passes at A level. A levels are level 3 courses but a person needs to have two or more passes at A level to have achieved the same as an advanced GNVQ or a NVQ level 3.

  2 Figures are for United Kingdom only.

  3 Other (unregulated) vocational qualification only relate to those awarded by the following awarding bodies (Oxford Cambridge and RSA (OCR), Edexcel and City and Guilds).

  Level 2 Graduation Test
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has held with disability interests concerning the modification of the Level 2 graduation test at age 19 years for those with special educational needs. [94679]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) will be consulting disability interests as part of its remit to develop and consult on options for a 'graduation' certificate.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he will make for
  530

  Numbers on NVQ/GNVQ programmes

  Thousand

  Numbers studying for:

  Academic year

  NVQs1

  GNVQs2

  1994–95

  660

  n/a

  1995–96

  799

  n/a

  1996–97

  871

  198

  1997–98

  789

  186

  1998–99

  856

  3—

  1 These are UK figures derived from the Labour Force Survey (Spring 1995 to Spring 1999).

  2 These are figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland taken from the Joint Council for National Vocational Awarding Bodies annual press notice.

  3 To be published in November 1999.

  Able Pupils
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to reflect the attainments of able pupils who take GCSEs early in school performance tables. [94740]

  Jacqui Smith
  The achievements of such pupils have been included in performance tables since they were first published in 1992.

  Level 3 Qualifications
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for the last five years the numbers and proportions of whole Level 3 qualifications obtained through(a) GCE A Level, (b) GNVQs, (c) NVQs and (d) other recognised qualifications. [94731]

  Mr. Wicks
  The information requested is shown in the following table. Information on the proportion of people gaining level Figures are for England unless stated otherwise.

  further progression after Level 2 graduation at age 19 years; and if modern apprenticeships will remain open to young adults who have graduated from Level 2. [94684]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Government is committed to offering continuing learning opportunities for young people. Those, for example, who have successfully completed NVQ qualifications at level 2 are encouraged to progress to further training or vocational education. Many will opt for Modern Apprenticeships, where funding is available until the young person's 25th birthday.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the starting-point of
  531
  annual income for the repayment of student loans which are in (a) income-contingent and (b) old-style mortgage loans. [94743]

  Mr. Wicks
  The starting point of annual income for the repayment of student loans which are income-contingent will be £10,000; the starting point of annual income for the repayment of student loans which are old-style mortgage loans is £18,192 in academic year 1999–2000. The repayment of income-contingent loans will be fairer than mortgage-style because it will be tied closely to income. Repayments will be based on 9 per cent. of income over £10,000 a year so that repayments will increase or decrease in line with changes in income. The repayment of mortgage style loans above the threshold is not income-contingent. A fixed proportion of the loan has to be repaid each year: someone earning £20,000 a year will repay the some monthly sum as someone earning £40,000.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce arrangements for the extension of loans to part-time students. [94745]

  Mr. Wicks
  My noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment announced on 29 January that from 2000–01 we would make loans available to part-time students on low incomes to help with the costs of study, and would announce details later this year. The Department is now analysing information from the Student Income and Expenditure Survey, and will make a further announcement before Christmas.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students hold means-tested loans; and what is their overall value. [94744]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Student Loans Company has informed me that at 15 October 1999, cheques have been issued to 325,000 students under the new student support arrangements. The total value of the loans was approximately £346 million. These figures are for the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about delays in the delivery of student loan cheques following their arrival at college for the autumn term. [94675]

  Mr. Wicks
  To date, my Department has received one e-mail about delays in the delivery of this term's student loan cheques. Students who applied on time and provided the necessary documentation should have received their cheques: that is a considerable achievement by all concerned.

  Learning Accounts
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about the current acceptability of individual learning account credits to higher education institutions; and what advice he has circulated to them. [94732]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Department has not received any representation about the current acceptability of individual learning account credits to higher education institutions, nor have we issued specific advice to higher education institutions on the acceptability of credits.
  532
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many individual learning accounts are currently open; and what is their cumulative value. [94734]

  Mr. Wicks
  By the end of August 22,530 individual learning accounts were opened through Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs). The cumulative contribution from TEC resources to these accounts is £734,277. These are the first pilot accounts. The national framework will be rolled out as planned in 2000. Under that we expect to see a rapid build-up towards the target of 1 million accounts in 2002.

  Inspection Procedures
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has for co-ordination of inspection procedures for post-compulsory education between Ofsted, the Further Education Funding Council Inspectorate and the Training Standards Council Inspectorate. [94761]

  Mr. Wicks
  Under the proposals in our "Learning to Succeed" White Paper (CM 4392), we will bring together the current arrangements for the inspection of provision for post-16 education, (excluding higher education), and of work-based training, into a single system.

  Ofsted will take responsibility for the inspection of 16-19 provisions in schools and colleges. For post-19 provision in colleges, and for work-based provision for all age-groups, there will be a new independent Inspectorate. The two Inspectorates will work together, where appropriate, to plan a joint inspection plan for sixth form, further education and tertiary colleges, working to a common inspection framework.

  Social Exclusion Unit Report
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many times the departmental-led Ministerial Group has met to progress the Social Exclusion Unit report (Cm 4405); and how many times the official cross-departmental implementation group has met. [94747]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Ministerial Steering Group has met once to progress the work set out in "Bridging the Gap: New Opportunities for 16–18 year olds not in education, employment or training". The official cross-departmental implementation group has met twice.

  Careers Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the relationship between the proposed Connections Support Service and the existing providers of careers education and advice, with specific reference to the professional qualifications and inspection regime; if the remit covers all young people; and who is to finance the service. [94683]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Social Exclusion Unit report "Bridging the Gap: New Opportunities for 16–18 year olds not in education, employment or training", published in July, outlined a new support service for all 13–19 year olds. Since then we have consulted widely on the service, including its functions, structure and professional formation. The consultation closed on 15 October and we
  533
  are considering responses. Decisions on the structure, professional qualifications, inspection and funding of the new service and how these will affect existing organisations providing careers education and advice to young people, will be taken following analysis of the consultation response.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice he has issued to higher education institutions about collection of tuition fees in circumstances where students have not yet received their loan cheques. [94676]

  Mr. Wicks
  Loan cheques are intended to cover maintenance costs rather than tuition fees and have already been issued to eligible students who applied on time and provided all the necessary documentation. We have asked higher education institutions to be flexible and sensitive in collecting tuition fees and not to bill or require payments from students whose financial assessments have not yet been completed. A copy of our written advice to institutions has been placed in the Library.

  Lecturers (Professional Qualifications)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress he has made in developing new professional qualifications for lecturers in further education and the private training sector. [94762]

  Mr. Wicks
  All further education colleges in England will shortly be consulted about proposals. As regards the private training sector, the Employment National Training Organisation (ENTO) is currently reviewing the range and scope of its qualifications.

  Adult Education (Funding)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on standards fund grants for adult and continuing education. [94756]

  Mr. Wicks
  The level of the 2000–01 Standards Fund grant for Local Authority Lifelong Learning Development Plans will be announced shortly. Local education authorities have an important role in lifelong learning and the grant next year will be significantly higher than this. We want authorities to use this money to reach new learners, to improve the quality of learning opportunities they offer, and to strengthen their own internal planning and their links with other learning providers. That is the way to ensure the learning opportunities they offer best meet the needs of the people they serve.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received concerning the withdrawal of local authority discretionary award schemes and the implications of new funding arrangements for improving access to further education. [94735]

  Mr. Wicks
  The discretionary awards scheme was not working well with large variations in funding in different parts of the country with consequential effects on access. A number of letters have been received about the new further education student support arrangements in 1999–2000. But more money will be available overall so 534
  that, in general, students are better off than in the previous year and than would have been the case had we allowed discretionary awards to continue for this year.

  Study Leave
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what basis his Department is planning for 50 per cent. participation in the right to time off for study or training; and if he plans any incentives to providers to achieve this level of participation. [94681]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Department made a planning and costing assumption, published in the 1997 Regulatory Appraisal, based on our estimate of the number of young people aged 16 and 17 in employment, not qualified to Level 2, and not working towards a Level 2 qualification. This is a new entitlement, and performance will be kept under review. Employers can apply to the local TEC for a contribution towards the cost of the study or training.

  Post-16 Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he proposes to put in place to secure an element of moral and social education and pastoral arrangements in post-16 education. [94759]

  Mr. Wicks
  It is a matter for the individual institutions and private training providers to decide how they address moral and social education and pastoral arrangements for their post-16 students. There is no compulsory curriculum post-16, and therefore no requirement to study any particular subjects. However, for example, the new GCE A-level specifications have been written to identify, as appropriate to the subject, ways in which the study of the area can contribute to an understanding of spiritual, moral, ethical, social and cultural issues.

  Hardship Loans
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce the result of his consultation exercise on hardship loans. [94746]

  Mr. Wicks
  The review of Hardship Loans and Access Funds will be completed by Christmas and the outcome will be announced in the new year.

  Schools Access Initiative
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress with the Schools Access Initiative. [94725]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Schools Access Initiative gives capital support to make more mainstream schools accessible to pupils with disabilities and those with sensory impairments. It has run each year since 1996 and a total of £25 million had been allocated by March 1999. We have allocated a further £20 million in 1999–2000 which will benefit over 1,600 schools and are planning further big increases for the following two years.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on local education authorities' progress in developing special educational needs development plans. [94724]

  Jacqui Smith
  From 1 October 1998 LEAs have a statutory duty under Section 5 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to carry out all their functions to promote high standards. Education Development Plans are three-year plans whose purpose is to draw together the main actions, which LEAs are taking in pursuit of this statutory duty. They will increase accountability to schools, local partners and to Government.

  Targets for special schools and information on how LEAs plan to improve standards achieved by pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in their schools must be reflected in the main body of the EDP. The SEN Annex (Annex 4) gives further more detailed information about the LEA's policy.

  All LEAs now have an EDP, and almost all have been approved for three years from April 1999 to March 20002. The Department will continue to monitor and evaluate EDPs during this period.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if a premium will be available for work-based training of those with special educational needs. [94752]

  Mr. Wicks
  The funding which the Department provides to Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) for work-based training includes an element to cover the additional costs incurred in providing quality training for those with special training needs.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils in England carried statements of special educational need in each of the last 10 years; and what proportion of the total of pupils they represented. [94680]

  Jacqui Smith
  The available information is shown in the following table.

  Number and percentage of pupils with statement of special educational needs in England Position in January each year

  Year

  Number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs

  Percentage of pupils with a statement of special educational needs

  1999

  248,041

  3.0

  1998

  242,294

  2.9

  1997

  234,629

  2.9

  1996

  227,348

  2.8

  1995

  211,307

  2.6

  1994

  194,541

  2.5

  1993

  178,029

  2.3

  1992

  160,759

  2.1

  1991

  153,228

  2.0

  1990

  159,485

  2.1

  1989

  155,191

  2.1

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for improving the transition planning for those aged 16 years with special educational needs. [94753]
  536
  Jacqui Smith
  The Government intend to change the law in order to require local education authorities to conduct the 'transition review' of a child's statement during academic year 9. At present the transition review takes place after the child's 14th birthday, which means that the review may not in practice be undertaken until year 10. Where the young person leaves school at age 16 he or she may therefore have had only one review which has focused on the personal 'transition plan'. The proposed change will ensure that 16-year-old school leavers who have statements of special educational needs will have had the benefit of at least two and in most cases three annual reviews at which planning for their transition from school has been actively and effectively addressed. Further guidance on good practice in transition planning will be provided in the revised SEN Code of Practice.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to encourage local education authorities to alter the balance of their provision for children with special educational needs between(a) privately funded institutions, (b) publicly funded special schools and (c) inclusion in mainstream schools, respectively. [94729]

  Jacqui Smith
  It is for local education authorities to decide the pattern of provision they need to meet the special educational needs of pupils in their area.

  Where parents want a mainstream setting for their child, our policy is to try to provide it. Equally, where more specialist provision is what is sought, it is important that parents' wishes are respected. Our approach has been practical, rather than dogmatic, with an acceptance that the key objectives must be to safeguard the interests of all children and to ensure that they achieve to their full potential. We are advocating inclusion by choice and have underlined that there remains a continuing and vital role for specialist schools.

  We are seeking to join up the different sectors (maintained, independent and voluntary) and establish more effective links between the special and mainstream schools. Through the establishment of the SEN regional co-ordination projects local authorities are being encouraged to work with each other and with the voluntary and private sectors to better plan and meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what initiatives he has taken to improve the education provision within the special needs sector within Sefton Metropolitan Borough. [94587]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government's Programme of Action: Meeting Special Educational Needs, published in November last year, announced a package of measures designed to improve special educational needs provision across the country. As part of the targeted support available to local education authorities in 1999–2000, Sefton Metropolitan Borough was allocated £182,987 under the Special Educational Needs Standards Fund Programme and a further £152,800 under the Schools Access Initiative to make more primary and secondary schools accessible to disabled pupils.

  These targeted resources are additional to the substantial increase in resources available to local education authorities via the Standard Spending Assessment. Sefton's Standard Spending Assessment for

  537
  1999–2000 was £122.2 million, an increase of £5.7 million on the previous year. It is for local education authorities to determine, within the total resources available to them, the level of resources available for special educational needs provision.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many primary and secondary children with(a) learning and (b) physical difficulties are accommodated within the mainstream school system in Sefton Metropolitan Borough. [94588]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, in January 1998, of the 27,882 pupils in maintained primary schools in Sefton Metropolitan Borough, 369 were pupils with a statement of special educational needs and 4,239 were pupils with special educational needs but without a statement. Of the 19,744 pupils in maintained secondary schools in Sefton Metropolitan Borough, 506 were pupils with a statement of special educational needs and 2,020 were pupils with special educational needs but without a statement.

  Academic Standards
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he plans on the maintenance of academic standards while extending participation in higher education to 50 per cent. of young people. [94678]

  Mr. Wicks
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has announced that 50 per cent. of young adults will be able to enter higher education by the age of 30. Increased participation is likely to be largely in high quality, shorter qualifications valued by employers. Maintenance and improvement of standards would be central to any consultation.

  Young Carers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to support learning at a distance by young people who have responsibilities as carers. [94748]

  Jacqui Smith
  There is already a comprehensive range of distance learning materials available for young people which can be accessed by those young people who have caring responsibilities.

  Education Business Partnerships
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to complete a national network of education business partnerships. [94757]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There is already a national network of education business partnerships in place. We are, however, working closely with the National Education Business Partnership Network and others to strengthen the national, regional and local structures for promoting and encouraging greater collaboration between schools and business.

  Educational Maintenance Allowances
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will give details of pilot 538
  schemes for Educational Maintenance Allowances and define the basis on which income eligibility is to be calculated and the number of pupils affected. [94751]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is being piloted in 15 local education authorities (LEAs) across England to test the effectiveness of targeted financial support on post-16 participation and attainment rates. The 15 pilot LEAs are: Middlesbrough, Walsall, Southampton, Oldham, City of Nottingham, Bolton, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent, Gateshead, Cornwall, Leeds, Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich, Lambeth. Different pilot variants are being tested in different areas.

  Young people resident in the pilot areas may be eligible to receive an EMA if they left Year 11 last summer, participate in full-time post-16 education at school or college, and satisfy a financial assessment based on their parents' annual gross taxable income. The full allowance (£30 in all areas except Nottingham and Oldham where £40 is the maximum) will be payable if the parents' gross taxable income is less than £13,000. For higher incomes, the amount will be tapered, down to a minimum of £5. No allowance will be payable where the taxable income exceeds £30,000 (£20,000 in London). In the London LEAs, eligibility is restricted to young people living in selected wards; in Leeds to those who attended selected schools pre-16.

  The EMA will be paid during term-time only and will be stopped if the young person fails to comply with the terms of a learning agreement (such as not attending lessons) drawn up with the institution. Bonuses are payable for retention and achievement.

  We estimate that around 29,000 young people in the 15 pilot areas will be eligible for an EMA.

  Learning Direct Helpline
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the correlation between those accessing the Learning Direct helpline and their eventual attainment of(a) qualifications at Level 2 or above and (b) basic skills qualifications. [94738]

  Mr. Wills
  The information is not available from existing evaluation. We are currently designing continuing evaluation arrangements on the use made of Learning Direct.

  Small Business Service Areas
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will give details of the network of local learning and skills councils and Small Business Service areas. [94755]

  Mr. Wicks
  When the Government published the "Learning to Succeed" White Paper and Small Business Service consultation document, my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry asked the Regional Development Agencies and the London Development Partnership to provide us with advice on potential local Learning and Skills Councils, and Small Business Service boundaries.

  Ministers are currently considering the advice received and we intend to announce details of boundaries shortly.

  National Record of Achievement
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress to date with the National Record of Achievement in education. [94677]

  Mr. Wicks
  Following early trialling of the ideas proposed by the 1997 report of the National Record of Achievement Review Steering Group, materials under the title of "Progress File" have been developed and are being tested and adapted over the next three years with schools, colleges and employers in ten demonstration projects in different areas of England. The new materials are also available to other interested schools. The existing National Record of Achievement remains available to schools and training providers.

  Return Rates (Education)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the current social rate of return to(a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) tertiary education. [94730]

  Mr. Wicks
  The estimated social rate of return to A-levels taken by young people is 14-21 per cent. The National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education estimated the rate of return on first degrees at 7-9 per cent. in the first half of the 1990s, and there are some indications that a marginally higher figure may now be appropriate. Estimates for compulsory education are not available.

  Discount Card
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what detailed proposals he has for the 16 to 18 discount card; who will finance these discounts; what arrangements will be made to deal with complaints by(a) dissatisfied consumers and (b) potential providers who are excluded from the scheme; and what is the anticipated cost to public funds. [94750]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Youth Card will build on the current Learning card which is issued to all young people during their final year of compulsory education. When fully up and running it will reward young people in learning and help to remove some of the barriers to further learning by offering a range of attractive discounts covering transport, leisure, and the commercial sector.

  Discussions are taking place with a wide range of organisations to secure these discounts. The expectation is that the cost of discounts will be borne by those organisations willing to accept the Youth Card for discounting purposes. Consequently no significant additional public cost is anticipated.

  All those organisations willing to recognise the Youth Card for discounting purposes will be bound by contract to deliver the agreed discount and to ensure that any complaints are dealt with properly. This contract will be reviewed annually.

  School Sixth Forms
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce the results of his consultation on school sixth forms. [94754]
  540
  Mr. Wicks
  The consultation on the funding of school sixth forms closed on Friday 15 October. Some late responses are still being received. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will announce the results of the consultation after he has considered all views.

  Learning Support Assistants
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in developing professional qualifications, matched to NVQs, for learning support assistants. [94728]

  Jacqui Smith
  Work is currently in progress to develop a national framework of training and qualifications for teaching assistants. The Department is working on this with the Local Government National Training Organisation (LGNTO) in consultation with Local Educational Authorities, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and other bodies. This framework will cover all teaching assistants including those learning support assistants who support children with special educational needs. As part of the first phrase of this work, we have commissioned LGNTO to develop national occupational standards for all teaching assistants. This work is due to be completed in Spring 2000.

  "On a Wing and a Prayer"
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what reply he has made to MENCAP's report on school inclusion entitled, "On a Wing and a Prayer". [94727]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The DfEE is working closely with MENCAP. However, the publication of this report coincides with the publication of a DfEE commissioned report entitled "The Management, role and training of Learning Support Assistants". Both reports explore how learning support assistants work with pupils with special educational needs in inclusive settings. They each highlight good practice. The Government is already taking forward work relating to a number of the recommendations in the MENCAP report, as highlighted in the Teachers Green Paper. Specifically we are:working with the Local Government National Training Organisation to develop a national framework of training and qualifications;
  developing good practice materials on the effective deployment of teaching assistants, including learning support assistants;
  making available £350 million over this and the next two financial years to support the recruitment and training of an additional 20,000 (FTE) assistants, including learning support assistants.

  In addition, we are currently in discussion with MENCAP and the authors of the two reports about the possibility of a joint conference to discuss the research findings and identify ways forward for improving practice.

  "Learning to Succeed"
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has had with local education authorities(a) in the course of the preparation of the paper "Learning to Succeed" (Cm 4392) and (b) after the paper's publication. [94739]
  541
  Mr. Wicks
  Ministers and officials meet with the Local Government Association and individual local education authorities on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues including our proposals in "Learning to Succeed". We have also received written responses to the consultations associated with the White Paper from the Local Government Association and a large number of individual local education authorities.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the role of the voluntary sector in the implementation of Learning to Succeed. [94760]

  Mr. Wicks
  The voluntary sector has a number of important roles to play in implementing the proposals in 'Learning to Succeed'. These include helping to ensure that the education and training that the Learning and Skills Council provides is relevant to the needs of young people and adults and providing high quality opportunities to help young people and adults get and keep work. Voluntary organisations are particularly well placed to contribute their expertise in key areas such as tackling social exclusion and in the education and training of those with special or basic skill needs.

  Pupil Numbers (Crosby)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average number of children by year group in primary and secondary schools within the Crosby constituency, in each year from 1992 to 1999. [94585]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on the number of pupils by year group is not collected centrally.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the expected average number of children by year group in primary and secondary schools within the Crosby constituency in each year from 1999 to 2001. [94586]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many private finance initiatives are currently being promoted by Lancashire Education Authority. [94184]

  Jacqui Smith
  Lancashire Education Authority is currently engaged in replacing Fleetwood High School through the Private Finance Initiative.

  Science Laboratories
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list the cases where private finance initiative resources have been given to science laboratory development; [93706]

  (2) how much private funding initiative resource has contributed to capital budget funding for science laboratory development in the last five years. [93707]

  Mr. Wicks
  In the Schools sector, five Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects have been signed, with many more in the pipeline, to provide new or replacement 542
  secondary schools. All of these schools will have modern science laboratories fully capable of delivering the national curriculum. The PFI credits given by the Government to support these projects do not include separately identifiable amounts for specific aspects of each development.

  In the Higher Education sector two of the seven signed deals include modern facilities for teaching and research in the fields of medical, biological and clinical science. In the Further Education sector, the seven PH deals signed to date do not include specific science laboratory elements.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the results of the examination of the design needs of scientific laboratories in secondary schools under Building Bulletin 80. [93715]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department has reviewed its guidance on science accommodation in secondary schools, and a revised building bulletin updating Building Bulletin 80, 'Science Accommodation in Secondary Schools: A Design Guide', will be published shortly.

  National Curriculum for Science
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment with whom consultations were held in the revision of the experiments carried out in the National Curriculum for Science in Schools. [93709]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority consulted a number of science associations, prior to preparing advice to the Secretary of State on proposals for a revised science curriculum. A full list of those consulted is contained at Annex 2 of the QCA's Report "Developing the School Curriculum", which was published on QCA's website www.qca.org.uk following the Secretary of State's announcement on 9 September. In addition all local authorities, teachers, governors, parents and other interested parties were able to contribute to the public consultation on the revised National Curriculum, which ran from May to July this year. On the basis of the QCA's advice we have strengthened the role of Scientific Enquiry within the Science curriculum by establishing it as a separate Attainment Target. Revised curriculum handbooks will be sent to schools in November and copies will be placed in the Library.

  Building Bulletin 80
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the distribution list for the replacement document for Building Bulletin 80. [93714]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department will distribute copies of the revised Building Bulletin 80, 'Science Accommodation in Secondary Schools: A Design Guide', to the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries and the British Library. The priced document will be available from the Stationery Office.

  Maths Year 2000
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support schools will be given in the forthcoming Maths Year 2000. [94538]
  543
  Ms Estelle Morris
  This September we launched the National Numeracy Strategy in primary schools, underpinned by a comprehensive programme of training. Maths Year 2000 aims to support teachers as they implement the strategy by creating a positive, "can-do" culture towards mathematics throughout the community.

  We are investing £105 million in the National Numeracy Strategy over two years. This includes up to £19.2 million available to provide maths resources in the classroom for 2000–2001. £6.75 million is being invested in the Maths Year which includes a total of £0.5 million specifically provided for local numeracy projects involving schools and their business partners. Many businesses will also be running their own schemes to support schools as their contribution towards the year.

  Schools will be able to find a range of ideas for ways to get involved through regular newsletters, a free calendar with puzzles and stories about the history of maths and, from December, the Maths Year Website (www.mathsyear2000.org).

  Teachers' Pay
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans to introduce performance-related pay for teachers; and what recent representations he has received on this issue. [94159]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State submitted the Department's written evidence to the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) on 23 September, asking them to consider the Government's proposals for reform of teachers' pay, including a new upper pay spine for classroom teachers accessed via a performance threshold, and requesting the Review Body to make recommendations accordingly. A copy of this evidence is in the Library of the House. The formal consultation period on the Green Paper and its accompanying technical consultation document ended on 31 March. Detailed summaries of the responses to the consultation are also available in the Library of the House.

  The Department has continued to discuss the Government's proposals in detail with representatives of the teacher unions and employers.

  Corporal Punishment
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to introduce legislation to outlaw the use of(a) the cane and (b) other forms of corporal punishment in independent schools; and if he will make a statement. [94579]

  Jacqui Smith
  From this September, Section 131 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 outlawed corporal punishment for all pupils in maintained and non-maintained schools, and for children receiving nursery education.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93690]
  544
  Mr. Wills
  Within the Department's Advertising and Publicity Budget the total spend on publications since May 1997 is £4.106 million.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93844]

  Mr. Wills
  Since the Department was created in 1995, it has produced the following internal communications for its staff:The News Centre—daily electronic information which announces key news about policy or work related issues published via the Department's intranet;
  BulletinBoard—a weekly paper publication which briefly outlines what has been on the week's Newscentres;
  BulletinBoard Link—issued weekly to staff on loan/secondment, career breaks, maternity leave and home workers, who do not have access to electronic information. It provides an outline of what has been on the Newscentre and details where to get more information;
  A Message From …—gives important strategic information from members of the Board. It is produced as required and available on paper and electronically; and
  Feedback—a staff magazine published six times a year.

  None of them bear a security classification.

  Employment Service Appeals Procedure
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in each of the last three years(a) how many cases were referred to the Employment Service Appeals Procedure, (b) what percentage of cases handled by the Employment Service was referred to the Employment Service Appeal Procedure, (c) what was the average time that cases referred to the Employment Services Appeals Procedure took to be resolved, and (d) what percentage of appeals taken to the Employment Service Appeals Procedure were withdrawn before reaching a final ruling; and if he will make a statement. [94593]

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

  Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Lembit Öpik, dated 19 October 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question concerning statistical information about appeals received by the Employment Service over the last three years. This is something, which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  It may be helpful, by way of background, if I first explain a little about the Employment Service appeals procedure. Decisions on doubtful claims to Jobseeker's Allowance are made by Employment Service Adjudication Officers. If a jobseeker wishes to appeal against a decision given by the Employment Service Adjudication Officer, they complete a form giving their reasons for appeal. The Adjudication Officer then re-examines the case, collects any further information that may be required from the jobseeker and the employer, and either revises the decision in the jobseekers favour or

  545
  prepares a written submission to The Appeals Service, which is not part of the Employment Service. On receipt of the submission, The Appeals Service allocates a date when the case can be heard by an appeals tribunal and deals with all subsequent administration such as notifying the jobseekers of the outcome of the appeal.
  Against this background, the following table shows the number of appeals received by the Employment Service over the last three operational years.

  Operational year

  Number of appeals received by the Employment Service

  1996–97

  18,628

  1997–98

  30,312

  1998–99

  19,261

  The following table shows the number of appeals received as a percentage of all the decisions given by Employment Service Adjudication Officers.

  Operational year

  Percentage of decisions appealed against

  1996–97

  1.2

  1997–98

  2.8

  1998–99

  2.2

  In answer to your question on what was the average time that cases referred to the Employment Service Appeals Procedure took to be resolved, the only information available on speed of process is the length of time appeals take to be processed by the Employment Service. The following table shows the length of time between the appeal being made by the jobseeker and processed by the Employment Service Adjudication Officer either by revising the decision in the jobseekers favour or referring the appeal submission to The Appeals Service.

  Percentage of appeals processed within the stated periods

  Operational year

  Up to 28 days

  29-56 days

  Over 57 days

  1996–97

  90

  8

  2

  1997–98

  83

  13

  4

  1998–99

  86

  12

  2

  As you will see, it is split into three periods, appeals processed within 28 days of receipt, those processed between 29 and 56 days after receipt and those not processed within 57 days. Because Employment Service Adjudication Officers often need to obtain further information from the jobseeker on receipt of an appeal, it is unusual for a decision to be revised or a submission to be prepared and referred to The Appeals Service immediately on receipt.
  On occasions these enquiries can be protracted which means that the Employment Service Adjudication Officer is not in a position to process the appeal quickly. However, the Employment Service sets performance targets to encourage appeal submissions to be processed as quickly as possible. These are that 70% of appeals must be processed within 28 days and 85% within 56 days. The Employment Service does not collect information on the time the appeal subsequently takes to be allocated a hearing date and resolved by The Appeal Service.
  Finally, I am sorry that the Employment Service does not keep information on the numbers of appeals, which were withdrawn before the Appeals Tribunal made a decision. This would be a matter for The Appeals Service which is the responsibility of the Department of Social Security.
  You may also be interested to know that from 18 October the appeals procedure will be changing with the implementation of the new Decision Making and Appeals arrangements.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Professor Barber
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what date Professor Michael Barber was appointed as Standards and Effectiveness Adviser; when Professor Barber has travelled on official business to the United States of America since his appointment; and what meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during each visit. [93887]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Michael Barber was appointed as Head of the Standards and Effectiveness Unit on 2 May 1997.

  Michael Barber visited San Diego to speak at the National Centre on Education and the Economy's conference in January 1998. He met various state level officials but no representative of the US Government. He visited Washington DC in December 1998 to present to the World bank on education reform in the UK. While he was there, he met Bruce Reed, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. He visited the USA again in August 1999 to speak at the International Principals' Institute conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and on that occasion met Bruce Reed again and Andrew Rotherham, who shortly afterwards took up a post as education adviser to President Clinton's administration. He also gave a presentation to a group of officials in the Education Department in Washington DC.

  Postgraduate Students
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish(a) the number of students undertaking postgraduate university courses for (i) MA and (ii) PhD degrees in the arts and humanities and (b) the amount of finance provided by his Department to help sustain such students in each of the past five years. [94673]

  Mr. Wicks
  The available data for both student numbers and expenditure for the five most recent years are shown in the following tables.

  Students on Arts and Humanities1 courses in HE institutions in the UK

  Academic year

  MA

  PhD

  1994–95

  97,133

  20,524

  1995–96

  107,338

  23,523

  1996–97

  108,375

  25,924

  1997–98

  113,282

  26,849

  1998–992

  112,547

  27,082

  1 Excludes students on Combined courses who may study Arts and Humanities as part of their course.

  2 Provisional data.

  Departmental postgraduate expenditure 1 for the UK

  Financial year

  £ million

  1994–95

  18.3

  1995–96

  18.5

  1996–97

  18.0

  1997–98

  18.3

  1998–99

  18.8

  1 The Department allocates expenditure on postgraduate courses as a whole and it is not therefore possible to separately identify expenditure on MA and PhD courses.

  547
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the funds available to support students undertaking postgraduate courses in the arts and humanities; and if he will make a statement. [94674]

  Mr. Wicks
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, welcomed the establishment of the Arts and Humanities Research Board to allocate postgraduate awards and research grants for arts and humanities courses. The total funding of the Board is over £44 million in 1999–2000, which includes funds for postgraduate arts and humanities courses. Decisions about the level of future funding for postgraduate courses in arts and humanities are under consideration.

  Careers Service
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to change the statutory basis for the Careers Service in England. [94033]

  Mr. Wicks
  Following publication in July of the Social Exclusion Unit's report on new opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds not in education and training, we have consulted widely about a new service to support young people including its functions and organisation. The consultation period ended on 15 October and we are considering the responses.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to integrate careers advice and guidance for young people with the service for adults; and if he will make a statement. [94039]

  Mr. Wicks
  Access to high quality information and advice on learning and career opportunities is essential for young people and adults to make well informed decisions about the range of learning and career opportunities open to them.

  Following publication in July of the Social Exclusion Unit's report on new opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds not in education and training, we have consulted widely about a new service to support young people, including its functions and organisation. The consultation period ended on 15 October and we are considering the responses.

  From April 2001, the Learning and Skills Council will be responsible for planning and funding local provision for adults. We will ensure that provision for clients of all ages is complementary.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to change the contracting system for the Careers Service; and if he will make a statement. [94035]

  Mr. Wicks
  Following publication in July of the Social Exclusion Unit's report on new opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds not in education and training, we have consulted widely about a new service to support young people including its functions and organisation. The consultation period ended on 15 October and we are considering the responses.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to make additional funding available to Careers Service contractors for improved use of ICT. [94037]
  548
  Mr. Wicks
  The Government fund Careers Service contractors to deliver a range of services as set out in their contract with the Secretary of State. Contractors are expected to develop the use of ICT to deliver services more effectively.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve guidance to 18-year-olds who are in full time education. [94034]

  Mr. Wicks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State requires careers services to focus their help on young people, including 18-year-olds, who need most help to stay in, or progress in, education. The "Learning to Succeed" White Paper announced the creation of a new youth support service which will provide guidance and support for all young people aged 13-19, building on what is currently provided by the Careers Service, parts of the Youth Service and other organisations. Guidance for 18-year-olds currently given through their FE institution or from the Careers Service will continue under a new youth support service. Eighteen-year-olds in higher education will continue to receive guidance through their education institution.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce externally validated quality assessments of Careers Service contracts and contractors. [94038]

  Mr. Wicks
  The "Learning to Succeed" White Paper announced the creation of a new youth support service which would provide guidance and support for all young people aged 13-19, building on what is currently provided by the Careers Service, parts of the Youth Service and other organisations. Consultation on the new service ended on 15 October 1999. Quality assurance arrangements are being considered as part of that process.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to monitor the education and career progression of 18 to 25-year-olds. [94036]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Government have invested significant resources to ensure that all adults, young and old, have access to high quality and co-ordinated information and advice on learning and careers opportunities. Services will be co-ordinated and delivered at local level through the lifelong learning partnerships. The partnerships will be expected to identify and target particular groups of people who, for various reasons, may lack confidence and need extra support and encouragement to access the learning opportunities open to them. The Government, through the Learning and Skills Council from April 2001, will monitor the success of the partnerships in achieving this objective.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people were employed by his Department in each of the years from 1993–94 to 1998–99; if he will break down the total into the categories(a) male, (b) female, (c) registered disability and (d) ethnic minority; and if his Department has an equal opportunities policy. [88684]
  549
  Mr. Wicks
  [pursuant to the reply, 30 June 1999, c.225]: The original answer failed to explain that information on people with a disability and people from an ethnic minority background is not held in the form requested before April 1996. The following table shows the breakdown of available DfEE staff figures from 1993–94 to 1998–99:

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  Total employed

  Male

  Female

  Registered disability

  Ethnic minority

  1 April 1993

  8,978

  3,950

  5,028

  1—

  1—

  1 April 1994

  6,561

  2,887

  3,674

  1—

  1—

  1 April 1995

  5,683

  2,500

  3,183

  1—

  1—

  1 April 1996

  5,212

  2,345

  2,867

  240

  324

  1 April 1997

  4,795

  2,206

  2,589

  226

  312

  1 April 1998

  3,956

  1,838

  2,118

  191

  310

  1 April 1999

  4,094

  1,874

  2,220

  247

  347

  1 Information on people with a disability and people from an ethnic minority background is not held in the form requested before April 1996.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93571]

  Mr. Morley
  Details of the Ministry's progress in tackling the millennium bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the Internet. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Departments and agencies are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  Work on ensuring that all of the Ministry's internal systems are millennium ready has been completed, for both critical and non-critical systems. Testing will be ongoing to ensure that compliance is maintained. As indicated in the July quarterly Report to the House, work on IT and telecoms systems was completed earlier in the year. Work on embedded systems was not completed until September, in part because of the take-on of new buildings/systems.

  Business continuity planning (including contingency planning) and development of MAFF's MOR will be completed this month. As part of our MOR we will be ensuring that contact is maintained with key players in the food industry throughout the millennium period.

  With regard to the provision of related public services, millennium preparations in non-Departmental and other associated Public Bodies are being monitored and satisfactory progress is being maintained. Independent assessments of the preparedness of the food and groceries and flood defence sectors were reported to the July
  550
  National Infrastructure Forum. Emerging results for the food and groceries sector indicated blue for internal compliance and amber for business continuity planning, using Action 2000's colour coding system. The flood defence sector was assessed as 95 per cent. blue and 5 per cent. amber. The latest results of the independent assessments of these sectors (including continency planning) will be announced at the next National Infrastructure Forum on 21 October.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what dates special advisers from his Department have visited the United States of America on official business since 1 May 1997; which of his special advisers took part in each visit; and if he will list the meetings which these special advisers held with members and officials of the United States Government during each visit, specifying the date and location of each meeting and the names of the United States members and officials at each meeting. [93987]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  No special advisers from my Department have visited the United States of America on official business since 1 May 1997.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends next to visit the Ribble Valley. [93661]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I hope to visit the North-West Region this year to meet farmers and others, and would like to include a visit to the Ribble Valley in my itinerary. I will let the hon. Member know when a firm date has been established.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 1999,Official Report, column 495, if he will list the average size and weight of the (a) undersized and (b) oversized fish corresponding to his answer on percentages by weight for cod, haddock and whiting. [94341]

  Mr. Morley
  The average sizes and weights of the three species sampled as part of the 1997 CEFAS North Sea discard study are detailed in the following table.

  Species

  Average of

  Discards below MLS

  Discards above MLS

  Cod

  Length (cms)

  30.0

  36.0

  MLS=35 cms

  Weight (g)

  277

  455

  Haddock

  Length (cms)

  26.6

  21.2

  MLS=30 cms

  Weight (g)

  175

  279

  Whiting

  Length (cms)

  24.2

  29.1

  MLS=27 cms

  Weight (g)

  114

  202

  The actual estimates of the proportions of discarded fish, by number that was undersized, was cod 82 per cent., haddock 57 per cent. and whiting 67 per cent.

  By weight, the percentages were cod 73 per cent., haddock 46 per cent. and whiting 53 per cent.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Local Veterinary Inspectors carry out pre-export inspections during the hours of darkness. [93039]

  Mr. Morley
  Information on the time of day when inspections are undertaken is not kept centrally. However, we are aware that many inspections are carried out in buildings under artificial light, irrespective of the time of day when they are undertaken. It is the Local Veterinary Inspector's responsibility as the certifying officer to ensure that the conditions during his inspection are such that he is able to carry out his certifying officer responsibilities properly.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he makes to ensure that his staff at Dover dockside are able to make proper inspections when livestock vehicles are loaded on to the ship during the hours of darkness. [93038]

  Mr. Morley
  State Veterinary Service staff stationed at Dover are equipped to carry out the necessary inspection of vehicles carrying livestock for export, whatever the time of that inspection.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to discourage regular sailings of the vessel which carries live farm animals from Dover to the continent at night; and if he will make a statement. [93040]

  Mr. Morley
  None. The timing of sailings of any vessel, whether it carries live animals or not, is a matter for the operators of the vessel and their customers, provided that the relevant regulations are obeyed.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the sailings of the vessel carrying live farm animals from Dover to the continent began during the hours of darkness in the last year for which figures are available. [93037]

  Table 1: Number of live sheep and pigs certified for export to other member states of the EU during the period 1 January 1999 to 26 July 1999

  Destination country

  Sheep for breeding

  Sheep for fattening

  Sheep for slaughter

  Pigs for breeding

  Pigs for fattening

  Pigs for slaughter

  Belgium

  —

  —

  —

  7,275

  —

  —

  Denmark

  —

  —

  757

  —

  —

  —

  France

  30

  70,777

  —

  2,984

  —

  —

  Germany

  1

  17,750

  —

  26,599

  —

  —

  Greece

  —

  —

  —

  193

  —

  —

  Italy

  —

  9,632

  —

  3,502

  —

  —

  Netherlands

  11

  77,394

  —

  10,467

  —

  —

  Portugal

  —

  —

  4,092

  177

  —

  —

  Republic of Ireland

  31

  —

  80

  57

  4,205

  55,452

  Spain

  —

  —

  —

  2,081

  —

  —

  Total

  73

  175,553

  4,929

  53,335

  4,205

  55,452

  Source:

  GB figures were obtained from the Ministry's CENTAUR/Animo computer system. Department of Agriculture Northern Ireland figures were obtained from ANIMO messages sent to other member states vis the Eurocom computer system. The figures are provisional and subject to change.
  552
  Mr. Morley
  In the period 1 October 1998—30 September 1999, out of a total of 195 sailings of vessels carrying live farm animals 103 (52.8 per cent.) began between 8.00 pm and 6.00 am the following morning.

  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) live sheep and (b) live pigs have been exported for (i) slaughter, (ii) further fattening and (iii) breeding to date in 1999; and how many of each was exported to each individual country of destination. [93036]

  Mr. Morley
  The tables show the number of live sheep and live pigs exported from the United Kingdom during the period 1 January 1999 to 26 July 1999.

  Table 1 shows the number of animals certified for export from the UK to other member states during the period 1 January 1999 to 26 July 1999. These figures are derived from the electronic messages which European law requires exporting countries to send to importing countries to inform them of the number of animals being exported in a given consignment.

  The number of pigs exported to the Republic of Ireland for slaughter may have been influenced by a fire in a pig plant in Northern Ireland which reduced slaughtering capacity in the Province.

  Table 2 shows data for exports to third countries. Specifically, it shows the number of export health certificates, which were prepared and sent to official veterinarians for completion during the period 1 January 1999 to 26 July 1999. In the case of exports to third countries, precise figures of how many animals were ultimately exported are not available as there is no central record kept showing exactly how many animals were certified for export to third countries. The cost of collecting this level of detail would be disproportionate.

  There were no exports from Northern Ireland to third countries.

  In view of the continual updating of statistics, the figures in Tables 1 and 2 remain provisional and subject to change.
  553

  Table 2: Number of live sheep and pigs for which export health certificates were prepared for export from Great Britain to Third Counties during the period 1 January 1999 to 26 July 1999

  Destination country

  Sheep for breeding

  Sheep for fattening

  Sheep for slaughter

  Pigs for breeding

  Pigs for fattening

  Pigs for slaughter

  Canada

  —

  —

  —

  268

  —

  —

  China

  —

  —

  —

  4,588

  —

  —

  Czech Republic

  —

  —

  —

  183

  —

  —

  Japan

  —

  —

  —

  264

  —

  —

  Kenya

  —

  —

  —

  7

  —

  —

  Latvia

  —

  —

  —

  360

  —

  —

  Mexico

  —

  —

  —

  26

  —

  —

  Russia

  —

  —

  —

  50

  —

  —

  Slovenia

  —

  —

  —

  161

  —

  —

  St. Helena

  6

  —

  —

  20

  —

  —

  Thailand

  —

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  USA

  —

  —

  —

  114

  —

  —

  Total

  6

  0

  0

  6,081

  0

  0

  Note:

  There were no exports from Northern Ireland to third countries.

  Source:

  The Ministry's CENTAUR computer system. This information is provisional and subject to change. The central computer system is updated periodically to remove details of withdrawn export consignments from the records but we cannot guarantee that this information is complete. Confirmation of the actual numbers of animals exported could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Concordat (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish before the summer adjournment, the most recent draft concordat between the Department of Agriculture and the National Assembly for Wales. [92331]

  Ms Quin
  Work on the concordat between this Department and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales is proceeding well. We hope that formal agreement on the text can be reached shortly. We do not intend to publish the concordat in advance of that.

  Equal Treatment
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [93456]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 July 1999]: The Government are committed to making sure that its policies are fair and inclusive and take full account of the needs and experiences of all those affected by them.

  As part of this commitment, the Ministry has guidance in place to ensure that those involved in policy development check how the policy or programme will affect, either directly or indirectly, different groups of people and take action if necessary where any adverse differential impact is identified. Whilst this does not involve the establishment of a base line, it does involve the consultation of appropriate groups and consideration of their views. However, the nature of the Ministry's responsibilities means that much of its activity does not have a differential impact on different groups of people.

  Fur Farming
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink and fox factory farms there are, by county, in England and Wales. [93616]
  554
  Mr. Morley
  There are currently the following numbers of mink farms in England:

  County

  Number of licensed mink farms

  Cornwall

  1

  Dorset

  1

  Hampshire

  1

  Isle of Wight

  1

  Lancashire

  5

  Northumberland

  1

  South Yorkshire

  1

  Staffordshire

  1

  West Yorkshire

  1

  Total

  13

  There is no requirement to register fox fur farms. However, I am not aware of any in England.

  The situation in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales to report on.

  Market Research
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89688]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 July 1999]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Employees
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons were employed in his Department(a) 10 years ago and (b) at the latest available date. [92716]

  Mr. Morley
  On 1 April 1989, there was 10,577 staff working in my Department and its agencies. On 1 January 1999 (the latest published information available) there
  555
  Was 9,711 staff working in MAFF and its agencies undertaking broadly comparable functions. In addition, there are 1,528 staff working for the Meat Hygiene Service who undertake functions which were the responsibility of local authorities in 1989.

  Government Patents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the Government patents held by his Department. [93080]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The following sets out the key families of UK granted patents and patent numbers currently held by MAFF arising from Research and Development which it has funded. In a number of cases, patents have been granted (or are pending) in other countries.

  Patent Number

  UK Patents

  Alignment mechanism (Flax Harvester)

  2273942

  Bait and Trap

  2291776

  Biological Control of Post Harvest Disease

  2280113

  Carbon Monoxide Generating Composition

  2300567

  Continuous process for the Partial Sterilisation of Horticultural Materials

  2166633

  Crushing mechanism (Flax Harvester)

  2275274

  Detection of CNS Disease

  2291968

  Device for Assessing Processing Stresses

  2196740

  Equine Arteritis Virus, Peptides and Antibodies and their use in Diagnostic test

  2299994

  Identification of Fruit Juice Components

  2283568

  Insect Trap

  2240911

  Method, Device and Kit for Controlling Insects

  2174907

  Pest Trap

  2305104

  Process for the Destruction of Aflatoxin in Agricultural Products

  2108365

  Refrigeration Apparatus including a Frost Sensor

  2143945

  Separating mechanism (Flax Harvester)

  2273943

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Detection Methods

  2308659

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Detection Methods and Agent which were obtained

  2308658

  European patents (including UK)

  Detection of Heat Stable Proteins from Meat of Ruminants

  0714515

  Detection of Microbial Growth

  0705347

  Method and Kits for Detection of Bacteria

  0663016

  Method and Test Kits for Detection of Bacteriophage

  0714450

  Method for Testing for Salmonella

  0551325

  Methods, Agents and Kits for Detection of Organophosphorus Compounds

  0699305

  Salmonella Polynucleotide Sequence

  0551324

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Raynaud's Disease
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of young people suffering from Raynaud's disease who are in receipt of the full rate of Disability Living Allowance. [94053]

  Mr. Bayley
  Specific information on higher rate Disability Living Allowance recipients with Raynaud's Disease is not available. Sample counts show that there 556
  are a small number of DLA recipients (possibly around 100) aged under 16 in the wider group whose principal disabling condition is peripheral vascular disease including thrombosis and claudication, but this estimate is based on numbers too small to be reliable.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much maintenance is paid to families in receipt of Family Credit. [94049]

  Angela Eagle
  As at May 1999, there were a total of 790,000 families receiving Family Credit, of which 131,000 were receiving maintenance. The average amount of maintenance in payment was £32.85 a week.

  Family Credit was replaced by the new Working Families Tax Credit on 5 October.

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are not rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Based on 15 per cent. sample, figures are therefore subject to sampling error.

  Source:

  Family Credit Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1999.

  Lone Parents (New Deal)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received on the progress of the New Deal for Lone Parents(a) nationally and (b) in the Vale of York; and if he will make a statement. [94158]

  Angela Eagle
  The New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) was launched nationally on 26 October 1998. The results of the national programme and those for North Yorkshire District, which covers the Vale of York, are available up to the end of July 1999. The information is in the table.

  North Yorkshire district

  National programme

  Initial interviews carried out

  725

  80,130

  Number agreeing to participate

  639

  71,480

  Number of jobs obtained

  188

  18,260

  Lone parents and organisations that represent them have welcomed NDLP and a vast majority of those attending an interview with a personal adviser have decided to participate in the programme.

  There were two earlier phases: phase one prototypes in eight areas from July 1997 and phase two, for new and repeat claims, from April 1998. The full independent evaluation of the prototype phase is now expected to be published by March next year.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July Quarterly report to the House. [93570]
  557
  Angela Eagle
  Details of the Department's and its Agencies' progress in tackling the Millennium bug are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns. These are available in the Libraries of the House and are published on the internet. The results of the October monthly review of progress of Departments and Agencies in tackling the bug are due to be announced shortly by the President of the Council.

  The Department's key benefit paying computer systems had all corrective work and testing complete by the end of 1998 allowing a full annual processing cycle before 2000. Additionally, all telecoms systems have been confirmed as compliant and the few remaining critical embedded systems (less than one per cent.) are receiving close management attention and will be cleared by 31 October. Since the President of the Council's quarterly Report to the House in July, there has been some very minor slippage in the embedded systems area, which poses no risk to the delivery of benefit.

  Contingency plans are in place; have been rehearsed; and continue to be refined to mitigate the latest assessment of risks, in particular those which specifically relate to the date change. The Department will have a Millennium Control Centre in operation over the period 1-5 January 2000, which will manage a range of readiness checks and pro-active communication on our status. The Departments key Social Security services of paying benefits, pensions and Child Support have been subject to independent assessment and each were assessed as "Blue" prior to Action 2000's National Infrastructure Forum in July. The results of the latest independent assessment of the "pay benefit" sector will be announced at the next National Infrastructure Forum on 21 October.

  Benzodiazepine
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice he has issued regarding the handling of disability and incapacity benefit claims by people suffering from addiction to benzodiazepine drugs. [93719]

  Mr. Bayley
  Entitlement to state disability or incapacity benefits is dependent not on the diagnosis but on the functional effects resulting from the condition. The Department provides guidance regarding benzodiazepine and other substance abuse to benefit decision makers and doctors providing advice or undertaking examinations in connection with a State benefit.

  The Disability Handbook is available to all decision makers handling claims to Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance. It contains a section, which outlines the functional effects of drug abuse, including benzodiazepine abuse, on an individual's care needs. A copy of the Disability Handbook is available for consultation in the Library. Guidance for approved doctors undertaking All Work Test Assessments is contained in the Incapacity Benefit Handbook for Medical Services Doctors, which is also available in the Library.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of ex-offenders who qualify for a Social Fund grant but do not receive one because of the limited funds available; and if he will make a statement. [93928]
  558
  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is that in the financial year 1998–99 less than 10 per cent. of community care grant applications refused were on the grounds of insufficient priority.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of the new Budget Loans system upon single people; what plans he has to improve the system as it affects single people; and if he will make a statement. [93986]

  Angela Eagle
  The new budgeting loan system is designed to improve fairness to all applicants, including single people, and to provide access to interest-free loans to as many eligible applicants as possible.

  Indications from the first six months of the scheme are that the proportion of successful applications from single people has increased.

  Monitoring of the new scheme is continuing, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will report on the first year of the new scheme in his next annual report on the Social Fund, due for publication next summer.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons local benefit agencies do not have flexibility in respect of their overall expenditure on Social Fund grants; if he will introduce greater flexibility; and if he will make a statement. [93929]

  Angela Eagle
  The national discretionary Social Fund budget is cash limited. The community care grant budget for 1999–2000 is £98 million.

  Allocating the community care grant budget to District offices ensures that local expenditure is targeted on those in greatest need while keeping expenditure under control. However, additional funding can be provided from the centrally held contingency reserve to any District faced with additional expenditure resulting from an emergency in their locality.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons Social Fund grants have been increased by less than inflation over the past two years; what assessment he has made of the impact of this on claimants; and if he will make a statement. [93927]

  Angela Eagle
  The Community Care Grant budget is reviewed annually. It was increased in April 1998 by £1 million to support greater help for homeless people. This increase, which was the first since 1994, has been maintained in the current year's budget allocation. As a result, the number of homeless people getting help more than doubled.

  British Pensioners (Overseas)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact on British citizens of the decision of the Australian Government to cease its topping-up procedures to compensate British citizens of pensionable age who live in Australia and whose United Kingdom pension entitlement is frozen. [93741]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Australian Government announced in July that it intended to terminate the bilateral Social Security Agreement with the United Kingdom. We have
  559
  not received formal notice of termination. The Agreement would terminate 12 months after formal notice was received.

  The Agreement has a bearing on UK pensioners in Australia only if they have lived there for less than 10 years. It helps them to satisfy Australia's 10-year residence test for its Age Pension. UK pension is deducted from any Age Pension due. About 3,000 UK pensioners in Australia receive Age Pension with the help of the Agreement. They would be unaffected by termination, as anyone already entitled to benefit with the help of the Agreement when it terminated would continue to be covered by its terms.

  If the Agreement is terminated, UK pensioners would have to have lived in Australia for 10 years before they could become entitled to Age Pension.

  Age Pension is subject to a test of income and assets, so the amount any pensioner receives, or whether they qualify at all, depends on their financial circumstances.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British citizens living abroad have had their United Kingdom pension entitlement frozen. [93742]

  Mr. Rooker
  At present, of the 870,000 UK State Pensions paid to people living abroad, some 470,000 are frozen. That is, annual upratings are not paid after the date the person becomes entitled to the pension, or the date on which they left the UK if that is later.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will assess the cost of abolishing the provisions which freeze pension entitlement for British citizens living abroad; and if he will make a statement. [93743]

  Mr. Rooker
  The total annual cost of uprating all frozen UK basic State pensions paid overseas to the rate paid to pensioners resident in the UK would be some £300 million.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to change the rules covering disregard relating to war pensions, whereby only the first £10 of a war pension is disregarded when other benefits are calculated; and if he will make a statement. [94452]

  Mr. Bayley
  The mandatory disregards for War Disablement and War Widows Pensions that already exist in the income-related benefits recognise the special nature of these pensions, and ensure that the pensioners receive preferential treatment. For example, a war pensioner can have between £10 and £181 a week of his pension disregarded on a statutory basis.

  A full disregard of War Disablement and War Widows Pension in the income related benefits would cost in the region of an additional £160 million a year.

  Income Support
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans the Government have to change entitlement to payment of Income Support to claimants who remain in hospital for longer than six weeks; and if he will make a statement. [94584]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no plans at present to revise the rules regarding the payment of Income Support to people who remain in NHS hospitals for longer than 6 weeks. We continue to keep these rules under review.

  Child Maintenance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if the child maintenance premium of £10 applies regardless of number of children; or if it applies for each child; [94050]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing the £10 child maintenance premium for parents on income support. [94045]

  Angela Eagle
  The new Child Support system will allow parents with care on Income Support (or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance) to keep up to £10 a week of maintenance paid irrespective of the number of children involved.

  The net cost to the Exchequer of introducing the child maintenance premium for existing parents with care is estimated to be £65 million in a full year, after allowing for abolition of the child maintenance bonus.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the categories of those on low incomes who are currently exempted from paying child maintenance, but who will become eligible for payment under the proposals in Cm 4349. [94058]

  Angela Eagle
  Non-resident parents who have been assessed to pay the minimum amount, including those on Income Support or Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance, will no longer be exempt from paying maintenance where:they receive Incapacity Benefit, Maternity Allowance or various disability benefits; or
  they have children in their second family.

  However, a non-resident parent on benefit will be exempt from the minimum payment where he shares the care of a child for at least 52 nights a year.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the late payment penalty to be introduced within the reforms proposed in Cm 4349 will be calculated on the basis of (i) weekly, (ii) monthly and (iii) annually assessed maintenance; whether the fine will be cumulative; what will be the definition of late payment; and what recourse there will be when fines for late payment are not met. [94047]

  Angela Eagle
  The White Paper "A new contract for welfare: Children's rights and parents responsibilities" (Cm 4349) sets out our plans to introduce a straightforward penalty for late payment. The penalty will help to make sure that payments of child maintenance are made on time and to support negotiations aimed at getting payments flowing regularly.
  561
  A late payment penalty of up to 25 per cent. of the amount owed may be imposed. The penalty will be payable to the Secretary of State and may be levied at a discretionary rate for each week in which the maintenance is due but was not paid, but will not be compounded. Imposition of the penalty will be discretionary and reasons for late payment will be taken into account. Where late penalty payments have been imposed but remain unpaid enforcement measures will be taken to recover amounts due.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what basis he has estimated that one million or more children (Cm 4349, page 13) will benefit from child support from the non-resident parent as a result of changes outlined in the White Paper on reform of the CSA (Cm 4349). [94604]

  Angela Eagle
  The figure of one million is our best estimate of the number of children who will benefit from the reforms over time through a combination of a more effective system which will get more non-resident parents paying and more of what is due actually paid and of the new maintenance disregard in Income Support.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of non-resident parents who will pay weekly maintenance of(a) £5 or less, (b) £5 to £5.99, (c) £6 to £6.99, (d) £7 to £7.99, (e) £8 to £8.99, (f) £9 to £9.99 and (g) £10 and over. [94353]

  Angela Eagle
  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of maintenance assessments of non-resident parents in work under the proposed new scheme

  Maintenance assessments under the proposed new scheme

  Caseload (Thousands)

  £5 or less

  45

  £5 to £5.99

  5

  £6 to £6.99

  5

  £7 to £7.99

  5

  £8 to £8.99

  5

  £9 to £9.99

  5

  £10 or over

  465

  Total

  535

  Notes:

  1. New scheme maintenance modelled using data taken from August 1998 5 per cent. scan of Child Support Computer System.

  2. Caseloads calibrated to forecasts of caseload at 'A' day and rounded to the nearest 5,000.

  3. Table covers non-resident parents in paid work with a full maintenance assessment. Non-resident parents on benefit will normally be liable to pay £5 a week.

  All

  Up to 3 months

  3 to 6 months

  6 to 12 months

  Over 12 months

  Total for Scotland 1

  48,935

  3,864

  13,919

  22,218

  8,934

  Kirkwall (Orkney)

  69

  8

  27

  31

  3

  Lerwick (Shetland)

  56

  5

  13

  28

  10

  1 Including Orkney and Shetland

  Notes:

  1. Figures relate to appeals registered and cleared at hearing between 1 January 1997 and 30 April 1999.

  2. The GAPS computer system was introduced in late 1997. This means that the figures for 1997 are artificially low.

  Source:

  100 per cent. download from the Independent Tribunals Service GAPS computer.
  562
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if compensation will be paid, and overpayments will be recoverable, where the default maintenance rate applied is found to be greater than the full maintenance assessment. [94048]

  Angela Eagle
  Paragraphs 37 to 39 of Chapter Two of the White Paper "A new contract for welfare: Children's rights and parents' responsibilities" (Cm4349) set out our plans for a default rate of maintenance when maintenance liability cannot be assessed straight away. The purpose of a default rate is to enable children to see the advantages of maintenance as soon as possible and to get non-resident parents into the habit of paying. The proposal is that it is set at or around the average assessment of average earnings.

  The full assessment will be payable from the date that all the information needed to complete it is provided. Maintenance liability for the past will only be recalculated if the full assessment is higher than the default rate.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much revenue he expects to receive as a result of doubling the proportion of lone parents on benefits who will receive maintenance payments; and by what date he expects this increased figure to have been achieved. [94046]

  Angela Eagle
  Under the new child support scheme, the increased number of lone parents receiving maintenance payments will result in reduced expenditure on social security benefits. These savings will build up from the introduction of the scheme and are expected to reach around £40 million a year after five years, taking into account the cost of the child maintenance premium and assuming cash compliance of 75 per cent. The reduction in spending will allow us to pay for the administrative costs of introducing the new scheme without increasing Government spending.

  Tribunal Hearings
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appellants from(a) Orkney, (b) Shetland and (c) Scotland had to wait (i) up to three months, (ii) three to six months, (iii) six to 12 months, and (iv) over 12 months from the date of lodging an appeal against the decision of an adjudication officer to the date of the tribunal hearing, in respect of appeals lodged since 1 January 1997. [94371]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral answer of 24 May 1999,Official Report, column 11, on housing benefit, what account was taken of the needs of students in his Department's review of Housing Benefit. [93956]

  Angela Eagle
  Most full-time students are not entitled to Housing Benefit as support for students comes through the educational maintenance system rather than Social Security. However, certain students in vulnerable groups, such as lone parents, remain eligible to claim. There are no plans to change this position.

  We intend publish a housing Green paper.

  Pensions Reform
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent discussions he has held with his Irish

  Benefit

  Number of recipients (Thousand)

  Date

  Sample size (Percentage)

  Attendance Allowance

  1,232

  February 1999

  5

  Child Benefit

  7,060

  June 1999

  4

  Council Tax Benefit

  5,281

  August 1998

  1

  Death Benefit

  16

  December 1998

  100

  Disability Living Allowance

  2,042

  February 1999

  5

  Disability Working Allowance

  16

  January 1999

  100

  Family Credit

  788

  February 1999

  5

  Housing Benefit

  4,425

  August 1998

  1

  Incapacity Benefit

  1,600

  November 1998

  5

  Income Support

  3,815

  February 1999

  5

  Industrial Injuries Benefit1

  276

  April 1998

  10

  Invalid Care Allowance

  374

  June 1999

  100

  Jobseeker's Allowance2

  1,326

  February 1999

  5

  Maternity Allowance

  13

  August 1998

  5

  Reduced Earnings Allowance1

  157

  April 1998

  10

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  370

  November 1998

  5

  State Retirement Pension3

  10,867

  March 1999

  5

  War Pensions4,5,6

  302

  June 1999

  100

  Widows Benefit

  268

  March 1999

  5

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Jobseeker's Allowance represents all those claiming Unemployment-related benefit. This includes Jobseeker's Allowance (Contributory), Jobseeker's Allowance (income based) and those with National Insurance credits only.

  3 Figures are for all pensioners resident in GB and also overseas.

  4 Figures relate to payments made to War Pensioners in the United Kingdom and overseas.

  5 Figures are based on management information supplied by the War Pensions Agency.

  6 Figures include War Disablement Pensions, War Widows Pensions and Child Allowances.

  Note:

  Earnings Top-Up figures are excluded, as it is a pilot benefit.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Access to Justice Act
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to publish the legal aid Funding Code consequent on its Access to Justice Act 1999 reforms; and if he will make a statement. [94397]

  Mr. Lock
  The Legal Aid Board published a consultation paper on the new Funding Code in January 1999 at the Lord Chancellor's request. The Board intends to publish a report on that consultation, and a new draft of the Code for further consultation, on 26 October. This will constitute the consultation required by section 8(8) of the Access to Justice Act.
  564
  and Canadian counterparts regarding pensions reform; and if he will make a statement. [94458]

  Mr. Rooker
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security met Pierre Pettigrew, Canadian Minister for Human Resources Development, on 12 January, and Dermot Ahern, Irish Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, on 25 June. They had wide-ranging discussions on a variety of topics of mutual interest, including pension reform.

  Benefits
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his most recent estimate of the number of people receiving each of the benefits administered by his Department. [92375]

  Mr. Rooker
  [pursuant to the reply, 22 July 1999, c. 577-80]: The numbers of recipients of each of the benefits administered by the Department are shown in the table below.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date the reforms in the Access to Justice Act 1999 relating to(a) conditional fee agreements and (b) legal aid will come into effect; and if he will make a statement. [94399]

  Mr. Lock
  On conditional fee agreements, my Department issued a consultation paper, "Conditional Fees: Sharing the Risks of Litigation", on 23 September. This fulfilled our commitment made during the passage of the Access to Justice Act, to consult before implementing the provisions in the Act on recovery of insurance premiums and success fees. Consultation closes on 26 November. Subject to the results, we plan to implement these provisions in the first quarter of next year.
  565
  On the legal aid reforms, implementation is planned to take place in several stages. On 4 January 2000, contracts for family, immigration, mental health and advice and assistance work will take effect under the Legal Aid Act 1988. These contracts will be continued when the relevant sections of Part I of the Access to Justice Act come into force in April 2000. The new Legal Services Commission and Community Legal Service will also be established in April; in the same month the Funding Code will take effect (subject to further public comment and parliamentary approval); contracting for individual high-cost cases will begin; and there will be new regulations governing financial eligibility and conditions. In October 2000, the Criminal Defence Service will replace criminal legal aid.

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the Law Society's statements concerning the abolition of Queen's Counsel on the credibility of the Queen's Counsel system; and if he will make a statement. [94400]

  Mr. Lock
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is very disappointed that the Law Society has seen fit to adopt a concluded public position in advance of the publication of Sir Leonard Peach's report on the operation of the judicial appointments and Silk systems. He regards Silk as a kitemark of quality, which engenders public confidence and enables lawyers and clients to identify the leading members of the profession. He and his officials are absolutely committed to ensuring equality of opportunity, and he makes his decisions on Silk only after wide, extensive and highly structured consultation with those who are best placed to judge the applicants against the set criteria. In fairness to solicitor applicants, he will respond to the Law Society's withdrawal of co-operation by developing other channels of consultation to ensure that he can give fair consideration to their applications.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the(a) individuals and (b) organisations consulted as part of the secret soundings for appointments (i) to the judiciary and (ii) to leading counsel; and if he will make a statement. [94402]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor consults widely among the judiciary and senior members of the legal profession about the suitability of candidates for judicial appointment and Silk. He entirely rejects any suggestion that those arrangements constitute "secret soundings". Information about those who are consulted is publicly available. Assessments are provided in confidence, but many candidates take up the offer of feedback which includes the tenor of the assessments received.

  Judicial appointments
  In the case of judicial appointments, the list of those consulted depends on the nature of the judicial office to be filled. Those consulted about particular appointments are currently drawn from a list which includes the following individuals and organisations:
  566
  Individuals consulted

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  The Vice-Chancellor

  The President of the Family Division

  The Senior Presiding Judge, England and Wales

  Presiding Judges

  Judges of the Supreme Court

  Chancery Division Liaison Judges

  Family Division Liaison Judges

  The Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster

  All Circuit Judges

  The President of the Council of Her Majesty's Circuit Judges

  An Administrative Law High Court Judge

  An Admiralty High Court Judge

  The High Court Judge in Charge of the Commercial List

  The High Court Judge in Charge of the Non Jury List (Queen's Bench Division)

  The Judge in Charge of the Technology and Construction Court

  The Judge Advocate General

  The Judge Advocate of the Fleet

  The Chief Naval Judge Advocate

  The Director of Legal Services, RAF

  The Chief Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate

  The Chief Provincial Stipendiary Magistrate

  The Chief Immigration Adjudicator

  The President of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal

  The Chief Social Security Commissioner

  The President of the Independent Tribunal Service

  The President of the VAT and Duties Tribunal

  The President of the Employment Tribunals

  The President of the Lands Tribunal

  The Chief Chancery Master

  The Senior District Judge of the Family Division

  The right hon. Lord Justice Aldous, the hon. Mr. Justice Jacob and the hon. Mr. Justice Laddie (Intellectual Property Judges)

  The right hon. Lord Justice Schiemann, the hon. Mr. Justice Sullivan and the hon. Mr. Justice Harrison (Judges experienced in Planning)

  The hon. Mr. Justice Keene (Judge experienced in Planning and Local Government; Administrative and Public Law)

  His Honour Judge Toulmin QC (Judge experienced in EC Law)

  His Honour Judge Colyer QC and Mr. K. M. J. Lewison QC (Landlord and Tenant Law)

  The President of The Law Society

  Bar Mess Chairmen

  The Chairman of the Bar

  All Circuit Leaders

  The Vice-Chairman of the Bar

  Mr. J. J. McMullen QC (Employment and Industrial Relations)

  Mr. N. J. Forwood QC (EC Law)

  Mr. K. P. E. Lasok QC (Restrictive Practices and Monopolies)

  Ms W. Backhouse (Housing Law Practitioners)

  Any other consultees nominated by the applicant

  567
  Organisations consulted

  The Law Society

  The Technology and Construction Solicitors Association

  The Criminal Law Solicitors' Association

  The London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association

  The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

  The Solicitors' European Group

  The Solicitors' Family Law Association

  The Legal Aid Practitioners' Group

  The London Solicitors' Litigation Association

  The Solicitors' Association of High Court Advocates

  The Association of Pension Lawyers

  The Employment Lawyers' Association

  The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association

  The Insolvency Lawyers' Association

  The Intellectual Property Lawyers' Association

  The Education Law Association

  The Local Government Group

  The Race Relations Committee of the Bar

  The Sex Discrimination Committee of the Bar

  The Administrative Law Bar Association

  The Technology and Construction Bar Association

  The Chancery Bar Association

  The Northern Chancery Bar Association

  The Bristol and Cardiff Chancery Bar Association

  The Commercial Bar Association

  The Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association

  The London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

  The Personal Injury Bar Association

  The Professional Negligence Bar Association

  The Criminal Bar Association

  The Employment Law Bar Association

  The Bar European Group

  The Family Law Bar Association

  The Planning and Environment Law Bar Association

  The Revenue Bar Association

  The Parliamentary Bar Mess

  Army Legal Services

  Queen's Counsel

  For the 1999–2000 procedure, the consultees include:

  Individuals consulted

  The President of The Law Society

  Other Law Society consultees

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  Lords Justices of Appeal

  The Lord Chief Justice

  The Master of the Rolls

  The President of the Family Division

  The Vice-Chancellor

  The Senior Presiding Judge

  The Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division

  568

  The Vice-President of the Queen's Bench Division

  All High Court Judges

  All Presiding Judges

  All Family Division Liaison Judges

  The Law Officers

  The Recorder of London

  The Common Serjeant

  Resident Circuit Judges

  Designated Civil Circuit Judges

  Designated Family Circuit Judges

  Central Criminal Court Judges

  Chancery Circuit Judges

  Mercantile Circuit Judges

  Judges of the Technology and Construction Court

  The President of the Employment Tribunal

  The President of the Lands Tribunal

  The President of the Independent Tribunal Service

  The President of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal

  The Presiding Special Commissioner of Income Tax

  The Senior Queen's Bench Master

  The Senior District Judge of the Family Division

  The Chief Social Security Commissioner

  All Circuit Leaders

  The Chairman of the Bar Messes on the South Eastern Circuit

  The Chairman of the Bar

  The Vice-Chairman of the Bar

  The Race Relations Committee of the Bar

  The Sex Discrimination Committee of the Bar

  Judges of the European Court of Human Rights

  Judges of the Court of Justice of the EC

  A Judge of the International Court of Justice, The Hague

  The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the EC

  His Honour Judge Colyer QC (Landlord and Tenant Judge)

  N. Forwood QC (EC Law)

  Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC (Human Rights Law)

  S. Thorley QC (Intellectual Property Law)

  K. Lewison QC (Landlord and Tenant Law)

  V. Pugh QC and P. Valiance QC (Environmental Law)

  N. Blake QC (Immigration Law)

  R. Hartley QC (Defamation Law)

  J. Lever QC (Restrictive Practices and Monopolies Law)

  J. McMullen QC (Employment and Industrial Relations)

  R. S. Stone QC (Admiralty Law)

  The Chief Planning Inspector

  The Legal Adviser, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  The Solicitor of the Inland Revenue

  Any other consultees nominated by the applicant

  569
  Organisations consulted

  The Law Society Equal Opportunities Committee

  The Association of Patent Solicitors

  The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

  The Association of Pension Lawyers

  The Commerce and Industry Group

  The Criminal Law Solicitors' Association

  The Education Law Association

  The Employment Lawyers' Association

  The Housing Law Practitioners Association

  The Immigration Law Practitioners' Association

  The Insolvency Lawyers' Association

  The Intellectual Property Lawyers' Association

  The Legal Aid Practitioners' Group

  The Local Government Group

  The London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association

  The London Solicitors' Litigation Association

  The Technology and Construction Solicitors' Association

  The Solicitors' Association of Higher Court Advocates

  The Solicitors' European Group

  The Solicitors' Family Law Association

  The Administrative Law Bar Association

  The Chancery Bar Association

  The London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association

  The Criminal Bar Association

  The Employment Law Bar Association

  The Family Law Bar Association

  The Local Government and Planning and Environmental Law Bar Association

  The Technology and Construction Bar Association

  The Parliamentary Bar Mess

  The Personal Injury Bar Association

  The Professional Negligence Bar Association

  The Revenue Bar Association.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the decision of the Law Society to boycott the secret soundings process on appointments to the judiciary and leading counsel; and if he will make a statement. [94401]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor is disappointed by the Law Society's decision to withdraw from the existing arrangements for consultation on candidates for judicial and Queen's Counsel appointments, which do not in any way constitute a "secret soundings process". He has valued the help he has received from the Law Society in assessing solicitors as candidates for appointment, and he finds it difficult to see how the interests of solicitors can be advanced by a decision to withhold the assistance previously given. In fairness to solicitor candidates, the Lord Chancellor will continue to consult such representative bodies as the Solicitors' Family Law Association and the London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association, and proposes also to develop other channels of consultation, potentially including solicitors' firms, senior practitioners and local and regional Law Societies.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to publish the report of Sir Leonard Peach into applications for judicial and QC appointments. [94426]
  570
  Mr. Lock
  Sir Leonard Peach's report will be published after it has been completed.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will extend the terms of reference of Sir Leonard Peach in his review of appointment arrangements to Queen's Counsel and the judiciary to reflect the views of the Law Society on the secret soundings system; and if he will make a statement. [94398]

  Mr. Lock
  The system of consultation on candidates for the judiciary and Queen's Counsel is not secret. Information about those who are consulted for assessments of suitability is publicly available. Assessments are sought in a structured way against the specific criteria for appointment; they are provided in confidence, but many candidates take up the offer of feedback, which includes the tenor of the assessments received. The scope for improvements in the consultation arrangements is within the terms of reference of the scrutiny of judicial appointments and Queen's Counsel selection procedures, which my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has asked Sir Leonard Peach to undertake. The Law Society has presented its views on the system to Sir Leonard, who will no doubt take these into account when he reports in due course.

  Road Accident Victims
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps the Court Service proposes to take to ensure that those representing road accident victims are able easily to comply with the notice requirement of the revised Motor Insurers Bureau uninsured drivers' agreement; and if he will make a statement. [94395]

  Jane Kennedy
  I do not foresee any action on the part of the Court Service being immediately necessary. However, I am of course willing to consider any suggestions that my hon. Friend may have. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, will be providing a substantive response to this and other associated parliamentary questions, and proposes personally to contact my hon. Friend.

  Magistrates Courts (Sign Language)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to provide(a) sign language interpreters and (b) other facilities to enable people suffering from hearing loss to observe magistrates courts proceedings. [94403]

  Jane Kennedy
  Arrangements are in place for the provision of sign language interpreters for defendants and witnesses appearing in criminal proceedings in England and Wales. However, there are no plans to provide such interpreters for a member of the public who visits the court to observe the proceedings. The Lord Chancellor's Department has issued guidance to magistrate's courts committees and local authorities on the court environment and range of physical facilities that we would expect to be provided to enable those court users with hearing difficulties to observe magistrates court proceedings. Provision of such facilities is a matter for the magistrates courts committee and local authority.

  Civil Procedure Rules
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consultation arrangements are(a) in place and (b) proposed in relation to proposed amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules; and if he will make a statement. [94396]

  Mr. Lock
  Papers sent to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee are also circulated to a number of other persons and bodies, including the Bar Council and the Law Society, who thus have an opportunity to comment. Major issues considered by the Committee are the subject of consultation papers, which receive a wide circulation.

  Impecunious Litigants
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the levels of court fees on impecunious litigants since the start of the Civil Justice Review; and if he will make a statement. [93730]

  Mr. Lock
  A new civil court fee structure was introduced on 26 April 1999, at the same time as the Civil Procedure Rules. Impecunious litigants continue either to be automatically exempt from paying fees or able to apply for fee remission or reduction. There have been minor changes to fee remission and exemption provisions: the wording of the hardship criterion is now the same in each Fees Order; Court Service guidelines on fee remission have been amended; and the automatic exemption provisions have been updated to take account of the introduction of Tax Credits. None of these changes has adversely affected the level at which relief is granted.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to reconsider the requirements for litigants who wish to apply for reductions in court fees on the grounds of undue hardship following the Court of Appeal judgment in exparte Scarth; and if he will make a statement. [94393]

  Mr. Lock
  My officials are considering whether any changes should be made to the guidelines or legislation governing fee exemption and remission, in the light of the judgment in exparte Scarth. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am able to let him know what conclusions I have reached.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93692]

  Mr. Lock
  The spending on official publications since May 1997 by the Lord Chancellor's Department was £4,407,500. This represents spending by LCDHQ, Court Service, Public Trust Office, Public Records Office, Office of the Official Solicitor and the Land Registry. This excludes the cost of publications produced for internal use. Where the Department makes use of a private sector publisher, printing and design costs are generally met by the publisher as part of their acceptance of the risks of publication.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how often his Department produces(a) LCD News, (b) Talkback,
  572
  (c) Hearsay and (d) Direct Brief; which of these publications are unclassified; and when each publication was first produced. [93934]

  Mr. Lock
  "LCD News" is published weekly and circulated to all staff in LCD HQ and the Court Service. It was first produced in 1972. It is unclassified. "Hearsay" is published bi-monthly and is circulated to staff in LCD HQ and the Court Service. It was first published in March/April 1997. It is unclassified. It replaced "Your Court," first published in October/November 1987, which was unclassified. "Talkback" was circulated to all LCD HQ staff on a six-weekly basis on average. It was first published in April 1997 and discontinued in February 1999. It was unclassified. "Direct Brief' is circulated to all Court Service staff. It is published monthly, with up to 3 to 4 "special" editions, as and when required, each year. It was first published in May 1997.

  Legal Aid (Northern Ireland)
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the amount of money paid out of legal aid in Northern Ireland for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99. [94343]

  Mr. Lock
  Expenditure in relation to civil legal aid, advice by way of representation, Green Form advice and assistance and criminal legal aid for the years 1995–96 to 1998–99 is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  1995–96

  25.78

  1996–97

  26.07

  1997–98

  28.85

  1998–99

  30.09

  Oral Statements
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list(a) the reports published by his Department and its associated bodies, (b) the reports received from bodies set up by his Department, (c) the decisions his Department has taken and (d) events in the UK and elsewhere, since 27 July, which satisfied the criteria he uses for deciding whether to apply to make oral statements to the House when the House is sitting. [93968]

  Mr. Lock
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council on 19 October 1999,Official Report, column 429.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of the Lord Chancellor's Department computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93563]
  573
  Mr. Lock
  Year 2000 compliance work on all Business Critical Systems in the Department, its Agencies and other bodies which report to the Lord Chancellor is complete. No slippage on these systems has occurred since the July quarterly report. More details on progress, which has been made in tackling the Millennium Bug, are set out in our quarterly monitoring returns, available in the Libraries of the House and on the internet. The results of the October monthly progress review of Departments and Agencies are due to be published shortly by the President of the Council.

  The Departmental Business Continuity Plan and Millennium Operating Regime is complete and testing is under-way, which will be complete before the end of October.

  Our provision of key public services within the Criminal Justice System has been the subject of independent assessment and reported to the National Infrastructure Forum. For the July Forum under the Action 2000 colour coding system, the Magistrates' Courts were assessed as 53 per cent. Blue, 47 per cent. Amber, and the Crown Court 77 per cent. Blue, 23 per cent. Amber. The results of the latest independent assessment of these areas of the Department's responsibility within the Criminal Justice sector will be announced at the next National Infrastructure Forum on 21 October.

  Motoring Offences
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to appoint specifically trained magistrates to handle road traffic cases. [94527]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government is currently considering the report by the Parliamentary Advisory Council Transport Safety (PACTS)—'Road Traffic law and enforcement: a driving force for casualty reduction'—which includes a recommendation that only magistrates with specialised training should deal with motoring offences. There are no plans to appoint specifically trained magistrates to handle road traffic cases, but we are considering the case for additional training for all magistrates in motoring offences, including the causes of road casualties and the means of reducing them.

WALES

  Mixed Sex Wards
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the costs of conversion of hospitals to mixed sex wards in Wales. [93134]

  Mr. Hanson
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: No estimate of costs of conversion of hospitals in Wales to mixed sex wards was made in the period up to 30 June 1999. Since 1 July, this has been a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  NHS Patients
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many NHS trusts in Wales were paying private sector hospitals to treat NHS patients on 1 April; if he will list the hospitals; and what were the costs involved. [93129]
  574
  Mr. Hanson
  [holding answer 23 July 1999]: This information is not collected centrally, and since 1 July 1999 this has been a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Consultant Posts (NHS)
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of consultant posts currently vacant in Wales by(a) specialty and (b) health authority. [93144]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: This is now a matter for the National Assembly for Wales. However, as the information is collected annually in September, the most recent figures relate to a time when the matter was the responsibility of the Secretary of State. The information is collected by speciality and by trust rather than by health authority and is contained in the following table as at 30 September 1998.

  Trust/speciality

  Number

  Wte1

  Carmarthen and District

  Radiology

  1

  1.0

  Dermatology

  1

  0.7

  Glan Clwyd Hospital

  Traumatic and orthopaedic surgery

  1

  1.0

  Glan Hafren

  Anaesthetics

  1

  1.0

  Glan-y-Mor

  Child and adolescent psychiatry

  1

  1.0

  General medicine

  1

  1.0

  Gwynedd Community

  Mental illness

  1

  1.0

  Forensic psychiatry

  1

  1.0

  Gwynedd Hospitals

  Urology

  1

  1.0

  Cardiology

  1

  1.0

  Anaesthetics

  1

  1.0

  North Glamorgan

  Anaesthetics

  1

  1.0

  Pembrokeshire and Derwen

  Urology

  1

  1.0

  Palliative medicine

  1

  1.0

  Accident and emergency

  1

  1.0

  Child and adolescent psychiatry

  2

  2.0

  Mental illness

  2

  2.0

  Old age psychiatry

  1

  1.0

  Rhondda

  Old age psychiatry

  1

  0.5

  Velindre

  Palliative medicine

  1

  0.7

  Clinical oncology

  1

  1.0

  Total

  23

  22.0

  Health authority area

  Bro Taf

  4

  3.3

  Dyfed Powys

  10

  9.7

  Gwent

  1

  1.0

  Morgannwg

  2

  2.0

  North Wales

  6

  6.0

  Total

  23

  22.0

  1 Whole time equivalent

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to reduce primary school class sizes in Wales. [93145]
  575
  Mr. Hanson
  [holding answer 26 July 1999]: The Secretary of State started to implement plans to reduce primary school class sizes in Wales from September 1998. Following the £3.7 million Welsh Office grant for infant class size reduction in 1998–99, the Schools Census for January 1999 showed that the number of large infant classes in Wales had reduced by 50 per cent. when compared with January 1998. Out of 100,000 pupils just 15,000 remained in classes of over 30.

  As a result of the £11.3 million allocated for 1999–2000, it is expected that 90 per cent. of the problem of large infant classes, which existed in 1997, will be solved.

  The Secretary of State has no further plans to reduce primary class size, as this is now a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement of progress on the millennium readiness of his Department's computer systems, and those for which it is responsible in the provision of public services; if contingency plans are in place; and what slippage has occurred since the July quarterly report to the House. [93573]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department is not responsible for any computer systems, which deliver public services. My Department's internal computer systems form part of a larger network, which also serves the National Assembly for Wales. A full inventory of every PC on this network has been undertaken, and progress is well advanced.

  I understand that contingency plans are in place and I am not aware of any slippage since the July quarterly report in the House. The National Assembly for Wales is responsible for millennium preparations in Wales, and Mrs. Edwina Hart made a statement to the Assembly on 23 September regarding this matter.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93855]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The "Staff Bulletin" was first produced in November 1993. It is issued weekly, and it does not have a security classification.

  "Links" is a staff newspaper, which was first produced in November 1997. It is issued every two months, or six times a year, and it does not have a security classification.

  In addition, a range of ad-hoc publications have been produced by various divisions of the Department for internal distribution to staff, on topics such as the devolution process. Information on each of these individual, and generally one-off, items is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  576
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93683]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The figures are as follows:

  £

  The Welsh Office (May 1997-July 1999)

  May 1997-March 1998

  82,611

  April 1998-March 1999

  139,232

  April 1999-July 1999

  24,103

  The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

  July 1999-13 October 1999

  0

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the carbon dioxide emissions reduction needed for a 20 per cent. reduction from the UK's 1990 levels by 2010 he expects to be delivered in Wales. [93866]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Following Kyoto in 1997, the United Kingdom has agreed a legally binding target to cut emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases by 12.5 per cent. below 1990 levels over the period 2008–12. The UK Government also has a domestic goal to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. The Government and the devolved Administrations are currently developing a draft climate change programme, which will set out how the UK will deliver its Kyoto target and move towards its domestic goal. Consultation on the draft programme will take place towards the end of the year.

  Ministerial Engagements
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the agriculture shows in Wales he has(a) attended and (b) intends to visit this year. [94043]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have not attended any agriculture shows in Wales this year and have no plans to do so at present. However, following my appointment as Secretary of State, and reflecting my keen interest in the future of the Welsh farming industry, I hope to visit Welsh farms and attend agricultural events in Wales in the year ahead.

  Welsh Concordats
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on matters relating to concordats with the National Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [94152]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Memorandum of Understanding and supplementary agreements between the United Kingdom Government, Scottish Ministers and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales was published earlier this month (Cm 4444). Bi-lateral concordats between Whitehall Departments and the Assembly are being finalised.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with, and when he next intends to meet, the first Secretary and the Economic Development Secretary, regarding concordats relating to inward investment in Wales. [94174]
  577
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  One of the supplementary agreements to the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the devolved Administrations concerned financial assistance to industry. I discussed this with the First Secretary before it was agreed. I meet the First Secretary and the Economic Development Secretary regularly to discuss a variety of topics.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when(a) he last met and (b) he plans next to meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss the Welsh Block for 2000–01. [94173]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I see the Chancellor of the Exchequer regularly when we discuss a number of issues.

  Election Reform
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Electoral Reform Society regarding measures to increase the turnout for elections in Wales. [94181]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  None.

  Employment Concordats
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with, and when he next intends to meet, the First Secretary and the Economic Development Secretary, regarding concordats relating to employment in Wales. [94175]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Concordats will set out the administrative arrangements between the Assembly and each Whitehall Department. That dealing with the management of issues relating to employment is for the Assembly to discuss with the Department for Education and Employment.

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to discuss assistance for Welsh beef farmers to export their beef; and if he will publish the minutes of these meetings. [94177]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I am in regular contact with my right hon. Friend and we discuss a range of issues. However, assistance to Welsh beef farmers is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales, which is discussing related matters direct with my right hon. Friend.

  Milk Marque
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with(a) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and (b) the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the implementation of the findings of the Milk Marketing Council's report on the future of Milk Marque. [94179]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  None. The National Assembly for Wales is pursuing this directly with my right hon. Friend.

  Traffic Congestion
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions concerning measures to reduce traffic congestion between London and Cardiff; and if he informed the Economic Development Secretary in the National Assembly for Wales of the outcome. [94182]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  While I take a keen interest in transport issues in Wales and value the importance of good communications, the development of an integrated transport policy for Wales is the responsibility of the National Assembly. I understand that Assembly officials are in direct contact with officials in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that the Welsh Assembly complies with section 76(3) of the Government of Wales Act 1998. [94180]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Under Standing Order 6.7. of the Assembly, documents relating to plenary sessions are made available to me at the same time as they are to Assembly Members.

  Private Office (Running Costs)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of running his Private Office each year since 1995–96; and what estimate he has made of the cost of running the office in (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [94176]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The cost of Ministerial Private Offices in the Welsh Office was as follows:

  £

  1995–96

  724,230

  1996–97

  720,625

  1997–98

  758,763

  1998–99

  820,240

  Estimated costs of the Ministerial Private Offices are:

  £

  1999–2000

  672,837

  2000–01

  682,930

  2001–02

  693,022

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the number of EU export-approved abattoirs in Wales; and if he has informed the Agriculture and Rural Economy Secretary of the Welsh Assembly of the outcome. [94178]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have held a number of discussions with my right hon. Friend on a variety of issues concerning Welsh Agriculture and I have met representatives of the NFU and FUW. The specific issue of EU export-approved abattoirs in Wales is, however, a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  China and Tibet
  China and Tibet
  Arms Exports
  Arms Exports
  Indonesia: UK Arms Exports
  Indonesia: UK Arms Exports
  East Timor
  East Timor
  EU: Common Foreign and Defence Policy
  EU: Common Foreign and Defence Policy
  UK-US Bilateral Treaties
  UK-US Bilateral Treaties
  Electoral Procedures: Working Party Report
  Electoral Procedures: Working Party Report
  Foreign Nationals in Prison
  Foreign Nationals in Prison
  Asylum Application
  Asylum Application
  Eastern Caribbean: British Military Assistance Training Team
  Eastern Caribbean: British Military Assistance Training Team
  Copyright: Proposed EU Information Society Directive
  Copyright: Proposed EU Information Society Directive
  Coastguard Station Closures at Oban and Pentland Firth
  Coastguard Station Closures at Oban and Pentland Firth
  Train Protection Warning System
  Train Protection Warning System
  Train Emergency Exits
  Train Emergency Exits
  Train Signals Passed at Danger
  Train Signals Passed at Danger
  Train Driver Training
  Train Driver Training
  EU Transport Council, 6 October
  EU Transport Council, 6 October
  Schools: Collective Worship
  Schools: Collective Worship