Written Answers of 26 October 1999

DEFENCE

  Armed Forces Personnel
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the policy of allowing armed forces personnel below the age of 18 years to serve in war zones, in peacekeeping or other combat roles; and if he will make a statement. [94344]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 19 October 1999]: The armed forces recruit only volunteers, and those who join under the age of 18 do so only with the written consent of parents and guardians. No personnel are deployed until they are well into their 17th year and only after they have undergone thorough professional training. Our recruitment and deployment policies are in line with international standards set by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the recent International Labour Convention 182 which prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

  Training (Armed Forces)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list average training days, by Army trade, for(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [95411]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information asked for is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the length of time typically taken for a soldier to progress from enlistment to completion of Specialist Training, i.e. to be sent to the Field Army as a trained soldier, is shown in the table, broken down by Arm or Corps. These times do not change significantly from year to year and are based on current information.

  Days

  Arm or Corps

  Time in basic training

  Time in specialist training

  Total

  Royal Armoured Corps

  90

  117

  207

  Infantry

  90

  138

  228

  Army Air Corps

  90

  175

  265

  Royal Artillery

  90

  111

  201

  Royal Engineers

  90

  505

  595

  Royal Signals

  90

  398

  488

  Royal Logistics Corps

  90

  282

  372

  Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  90

  559

  649

  Adjutant Generals Corps

  90

  62

  152

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Falkland Islanders have enlisted in HM armed forces in each year since 1981. [95312]
  766
  Mr. Spellar
  Data readily available indicate that:Naval Service: since 1996, no Falkland Islanders have enlisted as ratings;
  Army: since 1986, two Falkland Islanders have enlisted, joining in 1994–95 on Short Service Engagements;
  RAF: since 1981, no Falkland Islander has enlisted.

  In the case of the Naval Service and the Army, information prior to the dates indicated could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Falkland Islanders are currently serving in each service of HM armed forces. [95313]

  Mr. Spellar
  Data readily available indicate that there are no Falkland Islanders currently serving in the Naval Service, Army or RAF.

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on force levels in the Falkland Islands. [96090]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government remain firmly committed to the defence of the Falkland Islands and the right of the Islanders to determine their own future. There are no plans to make changes to the front line strength of our forces stationed there. We have concluded however that minor adjustments can be made to some elements of the Falklands garrison without diminishing our ability to ensure the security of the Islands. These adjustments will reduce the number of service men and service women stationed there by around 100. The first of these adjustments, the withdrawal of a contingent of Royal Engineers, took place in early September. The remaining changes will be implemented over the coming months. These changes are a further demonstration of this Government's efforts to ease the burden on the armed forces where at all possible.

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland has to close Army bases or establishments in the Province within the next three months. [95341]

  Mr. Spellar
  The General Officer Commanding in Northern Ireland keeps the operational requirement for Army bases in the Province constantly under review. No decision has been taken to close any base within the next three months.

  Manpower Commitments
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list total manpower commitments for the Armed Forces in each year since 1995; and what has been the total manpower available in each year. [95324]

  Mr. Spellar
  We do not hold information on total manpower commitments in the form that the hon. Member requests. These will vary at any point in a year depending
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  on the circumstances. The total trained strength of the Armed Forces, including Gurkhas, on 1 April of each year since 1995 was as follows:

  Number

  1 April 1995

  226,328

  1 April 1996

  212,164

  1 April 1997

  197,390

  1 April 1998

  193,914

  1 April 1999

  190,506

  Our commitment to achieve full manning in all three Services is a key component of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). Recruiting is buoyant; for example, the Army have just had their best recruiting year this decade, and each Service is taking vigorous steps to tackle the problem of retention.

  Under 18-year-olds
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many under-18-year-old UK service personnel are serving in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Kosovo. [95684]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 1 September 1999, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of UK service personnel under 18 years of age serving in Northern Ireland and Kosovo are:Northern Ireland: 26
  Kosovo: 49.

  Iraq
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of United Kingdom military actions against Iraq in the current financial year; and what proportion of those costs have been borne by(a) UK public funds and (b) other sources. [95547]

  Mr. Hoon
  Information on the expenditure to date this year on ongoing military operations in the Gulf is not held centrally and could be collated only with disproportionate effort. However, excluding the value of assistance provided through host nation support, expenditure on such operations last year amounted to some £35 million, and is forecast to be some £28 million this year.

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement setting out the key targets which have been set for the Disposal Sales Agency for financial year 1999–2000. [96020]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since its launch in October 1994 the Agency has brought in over £400 million in gross sales receipts and has achieved significant efficiency savings through contractorisation of the disposals business. The Key Targets which have been set for the Chief Executive of the Disposal Sales Agency for this financial year are aimed at a continued focus on receipts, much of which has been achieved through British companies participation, and to ensure continual improvement in efficiency and working practices.
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  The Chief Executive of the Agency has been set the following key targets for the financial year 1999–2000:
  To achieve disposal sales income of £66 million from sales of surplus Government owned equipment and stores.
  To reduce the unit cost of generating £1 million of sales to £62,500 from a baseline of £90,500 achieved in 1994–95.
  To undertake customer satisfaction surveys designed to identify key issues and priorities, measure perceptions and expectations, and to communicate results and benefits of actions taken to Agency's customer base.

  Bosnia
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the current security situation in Bosnia and the potential implications for the numbers of UK troops deployed there. [96088]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK remains fully committed to supporting NATO operations in Bosnia. In conjunction with Allies, we have just completed a careful assessment of the current security situation in Bosnia. The situation has improved sufficiently in the four years since the deployment of the Implementation Force (IFOR) for NATO to move safely to a restructured force, of some 20,000 members. The implication for UK forces is that 900 personnel will now return to the UK, without replacement, before Christmas. The UK contribution to the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) will then stand at some 3,300.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce a decision on the way ahead for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency public private partnership proposals. [96089]

  Mr. Hoon
  Following the announcement on 6 July that further discussions with stakeholders were continuing, we have held consultations with interested parties, including UK industry, our international partners, DERA staff and trade unions. In response to the feedback we have received, and a number of views expressed, we have decided to widen the scope of these discussions to address the issues raised in the consultation process. We will now undertake further work on these issues. This process will continue into the New Year.

  We continue to work positively for a PPP result which will strengthen DERA's ability to continue to provide world class scientific research and enable it to be a flexible and responsive organisation which can attract investment and develop new business, while at the same time preserving our essential defence interests and maintaining our valuable collaborative relationships.

  Serbia
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 427, if he will make a statement on the progress of the Joint Task Force set up by the UN Environment Programme and the UN Commission on Human Settlements on the environmental effects of the conflict in Kosovo. [95810]
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  Mr. Hoon
  The joint UN Environment Programme/UN Commission on Human Settlements Balkans Task Force issued its report "The Kosovo Conflict: Consequences for the Environment" on 5 October 1999. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Armed Forces (Running Costs)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and running costs of(a) Royal Navy shore stations, (b) Army core headquarters and (c) RAF bases in (i) the South East of England, (ii) England, (iii) Scotland, (iv) Wales and (v) Northern Ireland. [95277]

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

  Secondments
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are(a) on secondment from UK armed forces serving with foreign armed services and (b) from abroad serving with UK armed forces, specifying their ranks and to which service they belong; and if he will make a statement. [95931]

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

  Departmental Twinning
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests there have been to his Department for placement of officials from Central, East European and CIS states as twins of his officials; how many such officials have been accepted as twins; and from which countries(a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came. [94001]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) gave on 25 October 1999,Official Report, columns 739–40.

  Efficiency Savings
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the £594m of new efficiency improvements achieved in 1998–99, indicating where the savings were made; and if he will make a statement. [95551]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the letter sent on 27 July by the then Secretary of State, Lord Robertson, to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House. That letter provides a breakdown of the £594 million of new efficiency improvements in 1998–99, £89 million more than the target of £505 million.

  Both service and civilian personnel made this achievement across all parts of my Department by seeking out genuine efficiencies. The extra efficiency gains have been retained by the defence budget and have contributed
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  to funding other defence priorities. This further demonstrates the MOD's commitment to improving our capability and performance.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Biosafety Protocol
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what preparations her Department is making for input into the EU position for the next meeting of the Biosafety Protocol; and if she will make a statement. [94826]

  Clare Short
  My Department has been closely involved in the UK contribution to the EU position for the next meeting of the Biosafety Protocol to ensure that it takes account of developing country concerns.

  Rwanda
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made on debt relief for Rwanda; and if she will make a statement on the Rwanda Trust Fund. [95237]

  Clare Short
  Rwanda's external debt burden is heavy. At the end of 1998, Rwanda's debt stock was around US$1.2 billion, equivalent to 59 per cent. of GDP.

  Multilateral creditors account for over 80 per cent. of Rwanda's external debt stock. A Multilateral Debt Trust Fund was established in 1998 to service Rwanda's debts to the International Development Association, the African Development Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development over the period 1999–2001, using funds pooled by bilateral donors. The UK contributed £10.6 million to this Fund in 1999, as part of the disbursement of the £30 million of flexible assistance committed in the Development Partnership Understanding signed by the two Governments in April 1999. The Fund is expected to be adequately financed through to the end of 2000. The UK will keep under review whether a further UK contribution to the Multilateral Debt Fund might be appropriate.

  We strongly support the agreement at the 1999 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank to revise the framework for debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC), and to link it to poverty reduction much more strongly. For Rwanda, the revisions mean additional debt relief, provided that it continues to pursue sound policies, and a start to this relief three years earlier than under the original HIPC framework. Rwanda's Decision Point, when it will start to receive its HIPC debt relief, is likely to be in the next year or so. The UK will press for the maximum reduction in multilateral debt servicing in the early years, consistent with Rwanda being able to spend the savings effectively on programmes to reduce poverty.

  In July 1998, agreement was reached between Paris Club official bilateral creditors (Austria, Canada, France, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States) and Rwanda on a debt rescheduling on Naples terms. All the relevant bilateral agreements with Paris Club creditors have now been signed.

  AIDS Research
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the use of the money earmarked by her Department for Aids vaccine research. [95285]

  Clare Short
  We are providing £14.2 million over 5 years to support the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) in developing an AIDS vaccine which is safe, effective and affordable for the developing world. This supplements our work with the Medical Research Council and the European Commission. IAVI are harnessing public and private human and financial resources to accelerate testing of a number of promising candidate AIDS vaccines suitable to market to developing countries within 10–15 years.

  Sudan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent reports she has received regarding food supplies in Bahr el Ghazal, Southern Sudan. [95236]

  Clare Short
  Latest reports show that food supplies in Bahr el Ghazal are relatively good this year and certainly much better than in 1998. The bulk of supplies consumed in the region are from local production but a top-up of food aid continues at a rate of between 3,000 and 4,000 metric tonnes per month. Although food aid deliveries are below planning figures, the low observed rates of malnutrition confirm improvements over the last year.

  The UN Annual Needs Assessment for Sudan, which is being carried out by FAO and WFP, is presently under way. We await its results with interest.

PRIME MINISTER

  Oleg Gordievsky
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister what papers were passed during the past 10 years on the authority of(a) the Foreign Secretary, or (b) other Ministers, to Professor Christopher Andrew relating to Oleg Gordievsky, (i) in connection with his defection and (ii) in relation to other matters; and if he will make a statement. [94705]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 October 1999]: No such papers have been passed during this Government. I am not accountable for what happened under previous Governments.

  Luxembourg Compromise
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions member states of the European Union(a) have invoked and (b) have threatened to invoke the Luxembourg Compromise. [95306]

  The Prime Minister
  There is no central record of the number of times member states have invoked or threatened to invoke the Luxembourg Compromise. We are not aware of any formal invocation since this Government took office.

  Michael John Smith
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) when Michael John Smith (prison number PR 3345) will receive a substantive reply to his letter of 10 January 1997 to the Secretary of the Security Commission; and what was the reason for the delay; [96168]

  (2) why undertakings contained in the letter of 7 January 1998 from the Secretary of the Civil Service Commission to Michael John Smith (prison number 3345) were not fulfilled. [96167]

  The Prime Minister
  Mr. Smith last wrote on 3 August 1999 requesting a substantive reply to his letter of 10 January 1997. An acknowledgement was sent on 13 August by the current Secretary of the Security Commission also apologising for any earlier delays. A substantive response, approved by the Chairman of the Security Commission, was sent on 13 October 1999. This pointed out that the questions raised in Mr. Smith's letter of 10 January 1997 relating to the Security Commission Inquiry had already been dealt with in correspondence from the then Secretary of the Security Commission dated 20 December 1996 and in the Report of the Security Commission on Mr. Smith's case published in July 1995.

  Robert Hamill
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received requesting that a judicial inquiry be held into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Robert Hamill; and if he will make a statement. [95356]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have received a number of requests for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Robert Hamill. Whilst an inquiry has not been ruled out the Government take the view that this ought not to be considered while there is the possibility of disciplinary proceedings by the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary against police officers following the (Northern Ireland) Director of Public Prosecution's direction of no prosecution on 30 September 1999.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if fisheries policy will be negotiated at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference. [95786]

  The Prime Minister
  No. The Common Fisheries Policy will be reviewed in 2002.

  Drugs
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister which is the lead Department in considering the effects of the drug pyridostigmine bromide in relation to the report of the RAND Corporation for the San Diego Veterans' Affairs Medical Centre. [95658]

  The Prime Minister
  The Ministry of Defence is taking the lead in considering the report of the review, by the RAND Corporation, of the scientific literature on pyridostigmine bromide as it pertains to Gulf War illnesses.

  Former Paymaster General
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the officials in his Department who have held discussions with(a) the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) or (b) his representatives concerning the content of his memoirs. [95874]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93679]

  Dr. Howells
  The spending on official publications since May 1997, which includes the costs incurred by the Department in publishing, preparation and production, was £13,206,319. This excludes the cost of publications produced for internal use. 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.

  In addition, my Department spent £221,154 on purchase of copies for official use from The Stationery Office between April 1997 and March 1999. Due to changes in ordering and payment systems this information is no longer held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Helium-Neon Lasers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much income his Department has received from Patent GB222 6443 Helium-Neon Lasers; when the patent came into force; and when it is due to expire. [94465]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 19 October 1999]: My Department has received income of £29,800 from patent "GB222 6443 Helium-Neon Lasers". It was filed on 5 May 1988, was granted on 8 January 1992 and is due to expire in 2008.

  Y2K Product Liability
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on policy towards year 2000 product liability. [95409]

  Dr. Howells
  Computer equipment which is sold as year 2000 compliant and accessory equipment designed to fix systems so that they will be year 2000 compliant are subject to the Sale of Goods Act 1979. This requires goods to be of satisfactory quality and fit for their intended purpose. People suffering harm from defective products may have a right to compensation under Part I of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which implemented the EC Product Liability Directive (85/374/EEC) into UK law.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those proposals within the social chapter remit which(a) have been placed before
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  the Council since United Kingdom accession to that Chapter and (b) are currently being drafted; and what has been United Kingdom policy on each. [95296]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Social Chapter proposals placed before the Council since the United Kingdom's accession to that Chapter are:a Commission proposal for a Council Directive concerning a Framework Agreement on Part-time Work (1997/81/EC) was forwarded to the Council on 28 July 1997. The Directive supports the Government's commitment to improving the functioning of the UK labour market by increasing its flexibility while providing a framework of minimum standards for workers.
  a Directive concerning a Framework Agreement on Fixed-term Work (1999/70/EC) was forwarded to the Council on 30 April 1999. We support the aim of ensuring that fixed term contracts are not abused, while retaining flexibility. In implementing the directive, we will ensure that people's freedom to enter into contracts which suit their circumstances is not limited; and finally,
  a Commission proposal for a Council directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community (13099/98, COM (98)612) was forwarded by the Commission to the Council on 17 November 1998. The Government is not persuaded of the need for a directive on information and consultation in undertakings operating only at national level, which is difficult to reconcile with subsidiarity and would cut across existing practices in member states to no benefit.

  I am not aware of any further Social Chapter proposals being drafted by the Commission.

  Ilisu Dam
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the Export Credits Guarantee Department to make a final decision on whether to extend UK export credit support for British firms involved in the construction of the Ilisu Dam in Turkey. [95160]

  Mr. Caborn
  ECGD is some way from taking a final decision on the project. The issues are currently being considered with other interested Government Departments. There will also be further discussion with the export credit agencies supporting other contractors involved in the project.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the environmental and social impact assessments of the Ilisu Dam arrived at by the Government before a final decision is taken on whether or not to extend export credit support for the British firms involved. [95161]

  Mr. Caborn
  It is intended to publish the independent reports commissioned by the Export Credits Guarantee Department on the environment and social impacts of Ilisu before a final decision is taken on whether or not to extend export credit support.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings have taken place between his Department and Balfour Beatty on the matter of the Ilisu Dam. [95162]

  Mr. Caborn
  Since receiving Balfour Beatty's application for support on Ilisu, ECGD has held four meetings with Balfour Beatty. There have also been six meetings on the project at which both ECGD and Balfour Beatty were among the participants, three with other UK Government Departments and three with the other export credit agencies.

  Icecream Industry
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department will publish its response to the Competition Commission's report into the icecream industry. [95079]

  Dr. Howells
  The Competition Commission report on impulse icecream will be published as quickly as is practicable. I cannot comment on the likely publication date of the report, which remains confidential until publication. Copies of the report will be laid before Parliament at the same time as it is published.

  World Trade Organisation
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what outcomes the Government aims to achieve at the forthcoming trade round in Seattle. [95289]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government hope that a comprehensive Round of negotiations will be launched at Seattle with a negotiating agenda which reflects the interests of all members of the World Trade Organisation in a substantial new package of trade liberalisation and will be guided by the aim of sustainable development.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received concerning reform of the World Trade Organisation. [95290]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government have received a range of representations many of which support the UK's and EU's call for the launch of a comprehensive Round of trade negotiations at Seattle. Some have expressed the desire to see the pace of liberalisation stopped and a review undertaken of existing World Trade Organisation Agreements. In such cases, the Government have explained that we need a new Round to keep up the pace of liberalisation to promote growth in the world economy, jobs for our people and resist protectionist pressures which threaten us all. At the same time, the Government accept that more can be done to strengthen the World Trade Organisation through increased transparency and dialogue. This communication effort is very much the responsibility of national governments and the UK is committed to playing its full part.

  Working Time Regulations
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he has given to(a) the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities and (b) Industrial Tribunals, on enforcing the new Working Time Regulations. [95698]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Department of Trade and Industry published guidance on the Working Time Regulations, which covered enforcement, in September 1998. Copies were sent to the Health and Safety Executive and the Employment Tribunal Service (formerly the Industrial Tribunal Service). Guidance is also available on the Department website.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provision has been made to increase the resources available to(a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) industrial tribunals, to enforce the new Working Time Regulations. [95699]
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  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Department of Trade and Industry transfers funds to the Health and Safety Executive for enforcing the working time limits. This funding is reviewed in the light of experience.

  Resources are allocated to the Employment Tribunal Service taking account of the Service's forecasts of overall caseload and operational requirements. Recent forecasts take into account the implementation of the Working Time Regulations.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received on the enforcement mechanisms for the new Working Time Regulations. [95697]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Department of Trade and Industry is in regular contact with interested parties about many aspects of the Working Time Regulations, including enforcement.

  Petrol Prices
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that the pricing policies of petrol wholesalers do not disadvantage independent retailers. [95746]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: Under UK competition legislation responsibility for monitoring markets, including the petrol market, and investigating allegations of anti-competitive practices lies with the Director General of Fair Trading. He has powers to act if necessary. Anyone with evidence of, or concerns about, anti-competitive pricing policies or other behaviour should contact the Director General.

  Structural Funds
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about criteria for allocating structural funds to the regions. [94212]

  Mr. Caborn
  We received over 440 representations in response to the public consultation on determining areas for Structural Funds Objective 2 eligibility.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the procedures used to determine the selection of areas recommended for Objective 2 status. [94234]

  Mr. Byers
  On 8 October the Government submitted the UK proposals for new Objective 2 areas for 2000–06 to the European Commission.

  The procedure the Government used is set out in the document URN99/1021 "The Government's proposals for new Objective 2 areas". Copies have been sent to all Members.

  In drawing up its proposals the Government took account of responses to the earlier consultation exercise, and in particular of the proposals from the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales.

  Electrical Installations
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to require electricity supply companies to upgrade consumer installations to comply with Building Standard BS 7671. [95264]

  Ms Hewitt
  None. The decision and responsibility for any necessary upgrading of consumers' existing electrical installations is a matter for those consumers alone.

  Timor Gap
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent meetings(a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his officials held where UK investment in oil or gas developments in the Timor Gap was discussed; when these meetings were set up; with whom these meetings were held; what the precise purpose of the meetings was; and what involvement there was of Indonesian Government (i) Ministers, (ii) officials and (iii) businesses; and if he will make a statement. [95267]

  Mr. Caborn
  All the dealings of my Department regarding oil and gas developments in the Timor Gap have been with the Australian side. To date there has been no involvement of Indonesian Government Ministers, officials or other organisations in relation to such developments.

  My officials visited Darwin in July 1999 and met the Northern Territory Minister, Hon. Daryl Manzie. Meetings were also held with the Office of Resource Development, Phillips Oil Company Australia, Woodside Energy Ltd., the Australian representative of the Australia-Indonesia Joint Authority for the Timor Gap Zone of Co-operation and with the University and local engineering and supply companies.

  These meetings were set up by the British Consulate-General in Perth, WA, to allow an assessment to be made of the likelihood of oil and gas developments going ahead in the Timor Gap and the opportunities these might present for the suppliers of UK goods and services.

  EU Trademark Directive
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the EU regarding changes to the EU Trademark Directive, with respect to allowing branded goods from outside the EU to be imported; and if he will make a statement. [95710]

  Dr. Howells
  Since the European Court of Justice, in its judgment in the Silhouette case last year, determined that European trade mark law allows trade mark owners to prevent the import of their goods into the EU, we have made it clear to our European partners and to the Commission that full discussion, including possible change to European law, must take place. This discussion should be informed by studies into the economic effects of this judgment, in particular on prices, competition and consumers.

  The European Commission has responded with a study undertaken by the consulting firm NERA which demonstrated that there would be a beneficial, if small
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  impact on the European economy resulting from change to the law, and that such benefits would be focussed in certain sectors, especially clothing, footwear, perfumes and other luxury goods. Work undertaken by my Department concerning the United Kingdom economy, and by the Swedish government, supports these findings.

  We have ensured that trade mark rights and the results of these studies have been discussed at meetings of the Internal Market Council. The Council will consider the issue again at its meeting in November. In the meantime we are encouraging other member States to undertake investigations to ensure that discussion at the Council progresses and is well informed.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requirement there is for care workers to be paid at national minimum wage rates for time spent travelling between assignments; what representations he has received from and discussions he has had with care companies on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [95731]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The National Minimum Wage Regulation 15 provides that workers travelling on the business of their employer during their normal working hours must be paid the national minimum wage for that time, except where the travel is between the worker's home and place of work. I have received a number of representations on this issue from organisations involved in the provision of care work.

  We have asked the Low Pay Commission to monitor and evaluate the impact of the national minimum wage on pay, employment and competitiveness. I would expect that care work providers will have taken the opportunity to raise this matter with the Commission.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Solicitor-General what training(a) in race awareness and (b) on employers' responsibilities under the Race Relations Act 1975 has been undertaken by (i) the DPP, (ii) CPS chief Crown prosecutors, (iii) CPS assistant chief Crown prosecutors and (iv) CPS branch Crown prosecutors; what plans he has to review training in (a) and (b); and if he will make a statement. [95773]

  The Solicitor-General
  A programme of training in race awareness was introduced in the Crown Prosecution Service for all staff managers in September 1997. In the London Area, which has a high percentage of staff from minority racial and cultural backgrounds, this training was extended to all staff. The course covers the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. The Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Executive have received this training since joining the CPS. The Chief Crown Prosecutors who were appointed to their posts this year will either have received this training earlier or should have done so by the end of
  779
  the year. This training is now provided on an on-going basis so that all new managers receive it shortly after appointment.

  The structure, delivery and content of all training provided within the CPS is currently being reviewed by the Equality Committee that was formed within the Department in August this year.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Solicitor-General what the present position is in relation to the Commission for Racial Equality's possible investigation into the Crown Prosecution Service; and if he will make a statement. [95774]

  The Solicitor-General
  On 27 July 1999 the Commission for Racial Equality wrote to the Crown Prosecution Service indicating that it was minded to undertake a formal investigation under section 48 of the Race Relations Act 1976. The Crown Prosecution Service have made written representations to the Commission in response to their letter and discussed these with a number of Commissioners on 5 October. The Crown Prosecution Service is currently waiting to hear from the Commission with their conclusions.

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Solicitor-General if an action plan for increasing the representation of women in public life has been(a) prepared by his Department and (b) published since November 1998. [94843]

  The Solicitor-General
  The hon. Member is referred to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the cost of establishing the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [95136]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: £350,000 has been allocated to cover the costs associated with the establishment of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) in this year and next.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications were received for the position of Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council; how many candidates were interviewed; and what salary the position carries. [95150]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: Thirty seven applications were received for the position of Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

  Six Candidates were interviewed for the post. The position carries a salary of £67,500.

  Tourism
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many incoming tourists to the UK there were annually since 1995; and what estimate he has made of the numbers for 1999. [95203]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: Since 1995 the number of incoming tourists to the UK has been as follows:

  Thousand

  Year

  Visits to UK

  1995

  23,537

  1996

  25,163

  1997

  25,515

  1998

  25,745

  There were 17.46 million visits to the UK in the first 8 months of 1999, an increase on 17.42 million visits in the equivalent period for 1998.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the effectiveness to date of the Government's tourism strategy. [95117]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: "Tomorrow's Tourism" is a challenging strategy for the next decade with many long-term goals. Together with the industry, we have already made good progress, for example:
  the creation of the English Tourism Council (ETC) to provide strategic leadership for the industry in England;
  the launch of the new standardised accommodation rating system;
  the addition of on-line accommodation booking facilities to BTA's award-winning "Visit Britain" website; the launch of 16 of the British Tourist Authority's planned 36 new websites overseas; and the launch of the "Britain—Now is the Time" campaign to market the UK as a visitor destination for the Millennium;
  the successful hospitality careers festival held earlier this year;
  the inclusion of many seaside resorts on the new Assisted Areas map.

  A fuller progress report will be made at the first Tourism Summit early next year.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has made to Her Majesty's Treasury regarding the impact on the tourism industry of airport passenger duty. [95118]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have discussed many matters of concern to the tourism industry, including air passenger duty (APD), with a wide range of ministerial colleagues including my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In addition, my officials have made contact with their colleagues in HM Customs and Excise when representations about APD have been made by industry representatives or members of the public.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future arrangements for England-wide marketing within the tourism sector. [95132]
  781
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The British Tourist Authority continues to market England abroad as part of its overall remit. It does so in partnership with the Regional Tourist Boards and the English Tourism Council with which it has an Overseas Marketing Agreement. Domestically, the English Tourism Council retains a strategic policy overview of marketing and has a major role in carrying out market research and providing advice on techniques and best practice.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on the number of visitors to Britain of doubling airport passenger duty. [95124]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The new rates of APD were introduced on 1 November 1997. In the first twelve months (November 1997 to October 1998) in which the new rates were in operation there were an estimated 25.8 million visits to the UK, an increase of 3 per cent. on the previous twelve months.

  Green Spaces
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what amount in(a) percentage and (b) money terms of the New Opportunities Fund budget is currently spent on the purchase of brown-field sites for developing playing fields; [95199]

  (2) what is the breakdown in (a) cash and (b) percentage terms of the moneys set aside by the new Opportunities Fund for the Green Spaces initiative. [95185]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The New Opportunities Fund is currently consulting on the Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities initiative, and has so far made no grants under it. The policy directions that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has issued to NOF require it to commit at least 75 per cent. of the £125 million available for the initiative to green spaces, and NOF will decide in the light of its consultation exercise whether or not further to allocate this sum between particular types of project.

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if an action plan for increasing the representation of women in public life has been(a) prepared by his Department and (b) published since November 1998. [94854]

  Janet Anderson
  The Cabinet Office is responsible for co-ordinating the Government's initiative on equal opportunities and public appointments, so I therefore refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

  This Government are committed to the equal representation of women and men in public appointments. A plan of action has been drawn up, which includes individual departmental plans for increasing the participation of women in public life. Details of individual Departments' plans are given in "Quangos: Opening up Public Appointments, 1999–2002", published by the Cabinet Office on 25 May 1999. Copies are in the Libraries of the House and on the Internet. The plans
  782
  contain specific goals and objectives for increasing the representation of women on the boards of public bodies, and are updated annually in the light of progress made.

  Dance and Drama
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment regarding the funding of dance and drama courses. [95114]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had a number of discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and my noble Friend the Minister of State regarding the development of policy for funding dance and drama students.

  Ealing Studios
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received in relation to the future of Ealing Studios; and if he will make a statement. [95128]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: In addition to the representation from the hon. Member, my Department has received four representations about Ealing Studios, three of which were from interested parties.

  The National Film and Television School, as the owner of the land at Ealing, is responsible for the future of the site. As one of my Department's funded bodies, the School will keep my officials fully informed of its plans.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met representatives of the London Borough of Brent to discuss the development of the national stadium at Wembley; and what discussions have taken place regarding section 106 proposals. [95144]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the London Borough of Brent on 15 and 22 July to discuss general progress with the national stadium project. He has had no discussions with the London Borough of Brent about section 106 requirements related to the national stadium project, which are entirely matters for the planning authority and the applicant, Wembley National Stadium Limited, to resolve following submission of the formal planning application.

  I will be meeting representatives of the London Borough of Brent early next month.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase public participation in Millennium Experience celebrations at a regional level; and if he will make a statement. [94069]
  783
  Janet Anderson
  The Millennium Experience is already achieving considerable success in encouraging public participation at a local and regional level through its National Programme of events and activities and through its involvement with the Millennium Festival. To date 10 National Programme strands have been launched and another will be launched in December. Through this programme and the Millennium Festival, NMEC estimates it will have reached 40 million people before the end of the year 2000. Equally importantly, it believes it will have delivered a programme which will not only have encouraged people to celebrate this momentous point in time but will have left a legacy, the value of which will continue to be felt long after the Dome has ceased to welcome the public.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what events are planned in Shropshire as part of the Millennium Experience(a) National Programme and (b) Manpower National Skills Festival; and if he will make a statement. [94068]

  Janet Anderson
  The Millennium Experience National Programme is made up of a series of events and activities which aim to inspire everyone across the UK to take part and make a difference to us and to future generations. Shropshire and the West Midlands are keenly participating in many of these initiatives including over 40 major companies and public sector organisations signing up to Children's Promise; hundreds of schools busily composing a song for the Millennium as part of Voices of Promise; schools and the community in Shropshire performing in the Dome on 1 November 2000 for the Our Town Story show; and 74 Shropshire schools taking part in the creation of the greatest modern day domesday book on the internet. The area is also participating in the Manpower National Skills Festival, which encourages the promotion and celebration of vocational skills. The programme features regional contests and demonstrations culminating in the first-ever national skills championships at the NEC in Birmingham in July 2000.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Integrated Public Transport
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the integration of public transport in rural areas. [94220]

  Mr. Meacher
  Most of the proposals in our integrated transport strategy apply to rural areas just as much as other areas of the country. Local Transport Plans in particular will provide a much sounder base for local authorities to develop effective rural transport strategies. Additionally, in view of the urgent need to improve transport in rural areas, we have made available £170 million over three years to improve rural public transport.

  Housing Tenancy Arrangements
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for the future of housing tenancy arrangements. [94225]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have no immediate plans to make any changes to housing tenancy arrangements. I am aware, however, of the discussion paper published by the Chartered Institute of Housing on a single form of tenure for social housing.

  Roads Programme
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the priority he will give to bypassing towns and villages on major trunk routes in his roads programme. [94227]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  " A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England" sets out the priorities for investment in the trunk road network. Half the schemes in our targeted programme of improvements will provide bypasses of local communities.

  House Building
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that his target for house building on brown-field sites is met. [94228]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We have set in hand a number of policy initiatives to help authorities substantially increase their reuse of previously developed land. Chief amongst these is our radical revision of the last Government's outmoded planning guidance on housing (PPG3), which has caused so much greenfield development over the last decade.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his target for the proportion of new housing to be built on brown-field sites. [94232]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Government's national target is that 60 per cent. of new housing should be built on previously developed land or provided by way of conversion of existing buildings.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses will be built on greenfield sites in Lancashire in 1999–2000. [94236]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department does not estimate the number of new homes to be built. Estimates for Net Additional Dwelling Provision for 1991–2011, by county, are in Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (RPG13), but it does not make separate estimates for 'brownfield' or 'greenfield' sites.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has further to restrict house building in the green belt. [94237]
  785
  Ms Armstrong
  Planning Policy Guidance note 2——"Green Belts"——already recommends that local authorities' development plans should include a strict presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt. This includes most types of house building.

  Regional Strategies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the draft Regional Strategies presented by the Regional Development Agencies. [94229]

  Ms Armstrong
  Regional Development Agencies have today formally handed over their Regional Strategies to Ministers for consideration. We aim to respond to the strategies before the end of the year.

  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the regional development agencies' regional strategies will be published; and if he will make a statement. [96169]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Regional Development Agencies' regional strategies were handed over to Ministers today. Copies of those which have been printed to date have been placed in the Library of the House. The remainder will be placed in the Library as soon as they are published.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many young people sleeping rough in England have been settled in accommodation in the most recent year for which figures are available. [94230]

  Mr. Mullin
  Comprehensive information on resettlement is not available. The Rough Sleepers Initiative has provided about 3,500 units of accommodation over the past 9 years, a large number of which have been let to young people.

  Eastern Regional Development Agency
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in the work of the regional development agency in the eastern region. [94231]

  Ms Armstrong
  The East of England Development Agency has achieved much since their official launch on 1 April this year and are now fully established with a committed and enthusiastic Board.

  The Agency have handed over the final version of their regional economic development strategy today and are currently working hard to finalise their first corporate plan.

  They have already announced over £20 million of Single Regeneration Budget funding, £4.3 million for the Skills Development Fund, almost £3 million for the Rural Development Programme and are managing Land and Property Regeneration schemes with a value of £25 million.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he has made to ensure the accountability of English Partnerships to local communities. [94233]

  Ms Armstrong
  In carrying out its activities in the former new town areas, English Partnerships has to have due regard for the convenience and welfare of people who live, work or carry on their business there. When drawing up its plans, it consults with local councils and other interested parties.

  Housing Green Paper
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he now expects to publish the Housing Green Paper; and if he will make a statement. [94235]

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

  Thameslink Services
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the frequency and quality of Thameslink services to central London from Mill Hill Broadway and Hendon. [94239]

  Mr. Hill
  The frequency of service Thameslink are providing from Mill Hill Broadway and Hendon to Central London is greater than required by their Passenger Service Requirement. The Franchising Director is aware that services during peak periods are overcrowded beyond allowable thresholds and he has required Thameslink accordingly to produce a Feasibility Study detailing ways in which capacity can be increased to reduce this overcrowding. In addition to the Feasibility Study, Thameslink are currently negotiating with other train operators to lease additional trains.

  London Underground
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made on the public private partnership for the London Underground. [94240]

  Mr. Hill
  Excellent progress has been made on the PPP. London Underground has been restructured, in shadow form, into one operating company and three infrastructure companies. Four consortia have been invited to tender for each of the two deep tube infrastructure companies. Discussions with Railtrack concerning the integration of the subsurface railway and the national rail network are continuing to make progress.

  The Greater London Authority Bill, which contains the new powers governing the public private partnership, is in its final stages in the House of Lords.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the principal capital sums which need to be expended on the London Underground in respect of
  787
  (a) each line, (b) multi-line improvements and (c) other aspects, indicating the principal purposes of each and the (i) sums and (ii) proportion of each item or the total amount arising from the shortfall in past maintenance. [94792]

  Mr. Hill
  Information is not available in the form requested. London Underground have made the following line-by-line estimates of how much it will cost to implement the performance regime being developed for the first 15 years of the proposed Public Private Partnership. They estimate that £1.2 billion of the total projected expenditure of £7.36 billion can be attributed to past funding constraints on the Underground network.

  £ million (1999–2000 prices)

  Line

  Indicative projection of 15 year investment expenditure

  Bakerloo

  390

  Central, Waterloo and City

  780

  Victoria

  900

  Northern1

  950

  Jubilee2

  280

  Piccadilly

  1,190

  Metropolitan, Circle, Hammersmith and City

  1,700

  District

  970

  East London3

  200

  Total

  7,360

  1Northern Line train investment costs are contracted for under a separate PFI sceme and are excluded from these figures.

  2Excludes operating and maintenance costs for the Jubilee Line Extension project.

  3Excludes costs from potential project for extending East London Line.

  Waste Minimisation Act
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will undertake a review of the Waste Minimisation Act 1998. [94241]

  Mr. Hutton
  As the Waste Minimisation Act came into force only in November 1998, it is too early to undertake a review of it. During the passage of this Act, the Government promised to provide guidance to Local Authorities on the powers it conferred on councils and on the issue of consultation. My Department will be issuing such guidance shortly.

  Urban Task Force
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in the north west with regard to implementing the recommendations contained in the report of the Urban Task Force, "The Urban Renaissance". [94242]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Government is considering the recommendations of the Urban Task Force's report in its preparation of the new Urban and Rural White Papers which are due to be published next summer. The Government has launched a pilot urban regeneration company, Liverpool Vision, and has invited Manchester City Council to submit a proposal for a second pilot in East Manchester.

  Norfolk Broads
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the impact of aquatic pollution on the Norfolk Broads. [94243]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Environment Agency, as the environmental regulator, is responsible for keeping this matter under review. On their advice, parts of the Broads have been designated Sensitive Areas (eutrophic) under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This is subject to 4 yearly review due to report next in 2001. Designation requires phosphorus removal from sewage treatment works into the affected waters to combat eutrophication. The Agency is keeping this and other pollution sources under review through monitoring and research. Proposals for further action will be included in the Broadland Rivers Local Environmental Action Plan, which is in the final stages of preparation following public consultation.

  Alternative Fuels
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has commissioned into alternative fuels. [94244]

  Mr. Hill
  The most recent research, commissioned jointly by my Department, DTI and MAFF, compared the emissions performance of a wide range of alternatively fuelled vehicles. The results were published by HMSO early last year as "Alternative Road Transport Fuels—UK field trials, Volumes 1 and 2".

  Climate Change
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Ministers of other EU countries about climate change and the impact upon rare animal species. [94245]

  Mr. Meacher
  I regularly speak to my EU partners about the potential impacts of climate change and how to mitigate it. The EU fifth framework research programme includes a key action on global change, climate and biodiversity, and my Department and English Nature have commissioned research to address this issue.

  Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Chamber
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will report on progress in the establishment of the Regional Chamber in Yorkshire and Humberside. [94246]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Regional Chamber for Yorkshire and Humberside was designated, under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, on 27 July 1999.

  Rural Public Transport
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the provision of rural public transport. [94238]
  789
  Mr. Hill
  We have received representations on the provision of public transport from a range of individuals living in rural areas, as well as from a number of interested organisations.

  Housing Benefit Subsidy
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the reduction in expenditure by his Department on housing benefit subsidy in respect of rent rebates paid to local authorities in each of the years

  Projected rent rebate subsidy savings at time of transfer

  £ million

  Year of transfer

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  1991–92

  3.3

  3.2

  3.1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992–93

  —

  14.5

  18.5

  19.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  —

  —

  14.4

  13.3

  9.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994–95

  —

  —

  —

  16.5

  14.0

  13.5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995–96

  —

  —

  —

  —

  26.7

  26.6

  26.3

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8.1

  8.3

  8.3

  —

  —

  1997–98

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  28.6

  28.4

  28.6

  —

  1998–99

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  30.2

  28.9

  26.8

  Renovation Grants
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to increase renovation grants for(a) improving the quality of housing in the private sector and (b) helping owner-occupiers on low incomes; and if he will make a statement. [94796]

  Mr. Mullin
  Local authorities are responsible for paying renovation grants to help owner-occupiers on low incomes improve their homes and are funded from within the local authorities' housing capital programme, partly from subsidy allocated by central Government and partly from authorities' own resources. Decisions on the size of their renovation grant programme are taken by authorities in the light of their housing strategy and the housing needs of the different forms of tenure. From April next year, there will no longer be a separate ring-fenced allocation to support renovation grant expenditure. The resources will, instead, be included in a new single capital allocation for housing. This will give local authorities more freedom to decide the balance between investment in their own housing stock and in private sector renewal. Next year, local authorities will be allocated an additional £30 million for capital investment in housing, which is part of the additional £5 billion being made available over the life of this Parliament.

  Minicabs
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will extend section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to cover minicabs, with particular reference to the problems of sight-impaired people with guide dogs. [94865]

  Mr. Hill
  Such a change would require primary legislation and at this stage we have no plans to introduce any amendment in respect of private hire vehicles (PHVs).

  Having said that, there is a power available to licensing authorities outside London under Section 51(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
  790
  1989–90 to 1998–99 as a result of large scale voluntary transfers of tenants to registered social landlords; and what are his estimates for 1999–2000 and for each of the years from 2000–01 to 2029–30. [94346]

  Mr. Mullin
  The only estimates which have been made are the projections made for three years ahead at the time of each transfer. These are set out in the following table. Our records do not extend back to cover transfers made before 1991–92. No figures are available for 1999–2000 and future years because we do not yet know what transfers may occur.

  enabling them to attach such conditions to the grant of a PHV driver's licence as they consider reasonably necessary. Bearing in mind that this power is subject to an appeals procedure, it would be up to individual councils in their capacity as licensing authorities to consider whether it could, or should, be applied in respect of guide dogs.

  With regard to the situation in London, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 25 October, Official Report, column 669.

  Railway Policing
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to enhance railway security and policing, with special reference to assaults on railway staff. [95171]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government expects all public transport operators to adopt the crime prevention strategies in our guidance "Personal Security on Public Transport—Guidelines for Operators". This includes measures such as CCTV, improved lighting and the availability of trained staff.

  My Department has launched the Secure Stations scheme, with the British Transport Police (BTP) and Crime Concern, to encourage railway companies to work with the BTP to improve security and reduce the fear of crime. Stations can apply to become accredited as "Secure Stations" by meeting agreed standards on crime prevention measures. 21 stations have so far been independently awarded "Secure Station" status.

  Assaults on railway staff are a growing problem and the Health and Safety Commission's Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC) organised a conference in July to discuss what could be done to address this matter. The conference was attended by representatives of the Health and Safety Executive, Railtrack, the BTP and the train operating companies. It was agreed that RIAC should develop guidance setting out good practice to

  791
  assist railway managers with developing action plans to combat the problem. RIAC are now developing these proposals.

  Parish and Town Councils
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the future of parish and town councils. [95329]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  As stated in our White Paper "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People" (Cm 4014)"Parish councils will continue to play a key role in many of our towns and villages".

  In our forthcoming Rural White Paper we intend to address further how we see parish councils playing their part in rural local governance.

  Paddington Rail Services
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Tnsport and the Regions what was the total number of scheduled passenger train services entering and leaving Paddington railway station in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998. [94874]

  Mr. Hill
  This information is not held by the Government.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give further protection to designated areas of outstanding natural beauty. [95224]

  Mr. Mullin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment expects to make an announcement shortly about measures to conserve and enhance designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the preparations made by housing associations in respect of the millennium computer bug. [95215]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Housing Corporation is responsible for assessing preparations taken by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to deal with the millennium computer bug.

  In its progress report to the Action 2000 National Infrastructure Forum on 21 October 1999, the Housing Corporation confirmed that no evidence had been found, in respect of those RSLs owning about 80 per cent. of total RSL stock to suggest that millennium bug concerns had been inadequately addressed.

  The Housing Corporation anticipates that all remaining RSLs will be prepared for the millennium change by mid November.

  Thermal Insulation
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and th Regions what changes 792
  were made to BS 5422 on thermal insulation of pipes after the Rio Earth Summit; and what assessment hehas made of its compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations 1991. [94886]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Changes to British Standards are a matter for the British Standards Institute and its technical committees. I am aware however that BS 5422 is currently being revised to incorporate among other things a new method of assessing appropriate insulation thicknesses that takes account of environmental issues.

  BS 5422 is referenced in the Approved Document which supports Part L of the Building Regulations. This too is currently under review. During the course of the review we shall be examining whether standards of insulation applied to vessels, pipes and ducts should be increased, and also whether the reference to the revised BS 5422 is still appropriate.

  Ragwort
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to combat the spread of ragwort(a) along roadside verges and (b) in liaison with local authorities and utilities in respect of land owned by them. [95318]

  Mr. Hill
  For roadside verges, eradication of noxious weeds on road verges in England is the responsibility of highway authorities. These authorities take measures to eradicate ragwort when made aware that a problem exists. The Highways Agency's current policy on noxious weeds for the trunk road and motorway network in England is to seek out infestation and take appropriate control measures. Maintenance of roadside verges on local authority roads is the responsibility of the local highway authorities, who are free to set their own standards. However, DETR are working with local authorities to produce a new code of practice for maintaining their roads, and will recommend that they adopt the same procedures for ragwort elimination as on national roads.

  For land owned by local authorities and utilities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has policy responsibility for control of injurious weeds, of which ragwort is one, under the Weeds Act 1959. Under its provisions, the Ministry may investigate complaints from any occupiers of agricultural land who consider that their land is threatened by ragwort spreading from land nearby. Where a specific complaint is received about ragwort spreading from land occupied by utilities or local authorities, the local Ministry regional service centre may approach the utility or authority concerned to request that control measures be taken. Where such measures are not put in hand, the Weeds Act gives the Minister powers to implement statutory procedures to ensure that weed control is carried out.

  Shorthold Tenancy Agreements
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from(a) landlords and (b) tenants regarding shorthold tenancy agreements; and if he will make a statement. [94885]

  Mr. Mullin
  Since April 1999, nine letters have been received from landlords and 26 from tenants regarding various aspects of assured shorthold tenancy agreements.
  793
  The main topics raised are repossession and tenants' rights (by landlords) and affordability, condition, housing benefit and security of tenure (by tenants).

  We believe that to encourage growth in long term, good quality accommodation for private letting, we must secure the confidence of landlords in a stable policy framework while at the same time ensuring that the interests of tenants are protected. We therefore have no plans to change the legislative framework of assured and assured shorthold tenancies established under the Housing Act 1988.

  Noise (Heathrow)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the level of night-time noise around Heathrow Airport in connection with attempts to meet the night-time noise exposure levels under the EU Fifth Environmental Action Programme by 2000. [95248]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Fifth Environmental Action Programme does not require such an assessment to be made.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the long-term implications for noise from air traffic around Heathrow Airport and under its flight paths of the adoption of an EU noise abatement programme which has as its objective ensuring that no person should be exposed to levels of noise which endanger health and quality of life; [95247]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the long-term implications of the adoption of the EU noise abatement programme with regard to the operations and competitiveness of (a) Heathrow and (b) other UK airports. [95246]

  Mr. Mullin
  The European Commission has stated its intention to make a proposal for a Directive on environmental noise. However, this is not expected until late next year and the UK Government will treat the proposals on their merits as they emerge.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what level of noise from air traffic he has assessed to be excessive around Heathrow Airport and under its flight paths between 2300 and 0700 hours in the past year; [95460]

  (2) how many people are exposed to excessive noise from air traffic around Heathrow and under its flight paths between 2300 and 0700; and what were the number for each year since 1993; [95461]

  (3) what steps have been taken to measure the levels of noise experienced at night between 1 and 2 metres above ground level in residential areas (a) around Heathrow Airport and (b) under flight paths to Heathrow. [95468]

  Mr. Mullin
  For many years, one of the objectives of the night restrictions has been to protect local communities around Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports from excessive aircraft noise levels at night. It has been the view of successive Governments that policy on night noise should be firmly based on research into the relationship between aircraft noise and interference with sleep and that, in order to preserve the balance between 794
  different interests, this should continue to be the basis for decisions. The "Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted: Second Stage Consultation", published on 17 November 1998, included a summary of research. Copies were placed in the Library.

  My Department has for many years published daytime (7.00 am—11.00 pm) aircraft noise contours for the area around Heathrow. They show a substantial improvement in the daytime noise climate over the past two decades.

  The Department does not publish night-time noise contours. A 1998 study found that there is not enough research evidence to underpin scientifically robust night contours relating noise to annoyance. Its publication was announced on 27 February 1998, Official Report, columns 403–04. However, a comparison of the seasonal totals of the 'quota count' (QC) ratings of aircraft counted against the noise quotas, indicates that there has been an improvement in the night noise climate around Heathrow, between 11.30 pm and 6.00 am, since the introduction of the present night restrictions regime in 1993. Information on this was also given in the "Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted: Second Stage Consultation".

  Night Flights
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for changing the night flight restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. [95233]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government announced new night flight restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports on 10 June 1999,Official Report, columns 378–80, which will last for five years, from 31 October 1999 until the end of the 2004 summer season. This followed a two-stage consultation between February 1998 and February 1999. The 10 June announcement included notification of a review of the QC system before the 2002 summer season. It also recognised that it may be necessary to review the Stansted night restrictions before 2004 if the current strong growth in traffic there were to continue. We expect to announce shortly the decision on Part 2 of the second-stage consultation on options for changes to the preferential use of Heathrow's runways at night.

  Birds of Prey
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require owners of birds of prey to have a licence of competence before allowing them to fly freely. [95320]

  Mr. Mullin
  Adequate statutory controls are already in place to regulate possession, welfare and trade in these sensitive species. I believe we can continue to rely on the long tradition of British falconry and its voluntary associations to maintain and disseminate satisfactory standards for those who fly birds of prey.

  Turkish Earthquake
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the assistance being given to the UK construction industry to help in Turkey following the earthquake. [R] [95464]
  795
  Mr. Raynsford
  I led a construction sector trade mission to Turkey on 20–24 September. One of the themes of this visit was to explore ways in which UK companies might participate in the planning and redevelopment of the areas worst affected by the tragic earthquake on 17 August.

  I and the businessmen who travelled with me were appalled by the extent of destruction, particularly in the city of Adapazari. Adapazari has a population of 350,000 and is part of the industrial heartland of Turkey with some 350 factories. The World Bank investigation team estimated that the rebuilding of this city would require more time and more careful planning than the others which it had visited, because of the extent of the damage and the poor ground conditions that exist in the area.

  Following the visit, the Government has in principle agreed to provide financial support, on a 50:50 basis, for an initiative by a group of nine UK companies which would provide much-needed consultancy advice on the reconstruction of Adapazari. This offer of assistance was delivered to the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey on Monday 18 October.

  Countryside Access
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to provide for greater rights of public access to(a) coastal land, (b) privately-owned woodland and (c) riverbanks. [95434]

  Mr. Mullin
  In March this year, the Government announced plans to introduce a new statutory right of access on foot to specified categories of open countryside—mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land. As part of its announcement, the Government also asked the Countryside Agency, together with the Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission, to report on the case for extending public access to other types of open countryside, such as coast, woodland and riverside. We look forward to receiving their formal report and advice very shortly (I am aware that the Countryside Agency has already set out its recommendations on its website). We will wish to consider their views carefully before deciding how best to proceed.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of practical driving tests were passed each year from 1983; and in which year the Driving Standards Agency became fully self-funding. [95540]

  Ms Armstrong
  Driving test pass rate data are not available for the years prior to 1989. Details for the financial years 1989–90 to 1998–99 are given in the following table.

  Year

  Car

  Motorcycle

  Lorry

  Bus

  1989–90

  52.2

  71.0

  50.0

  55.0

  1990–91

  52.4

  52.0

  51.0

  55.0

  1991–92

  50.8

  68.3

  50.0

  56.0

  1992–93

  49.75

  69.70

  50.0

  53.0

  1993–94

  47.9

  70.15

  49.0

  52.0

  1994–95

  46.9

  70.5

  47.5

  70.5

  796

  Year

  Car

  Motorcycle

  Lorry

  Bus

  1995–96

  45.7

  70.1

  47.0

  49.3

  1996–97

  44.7

  67.5

  48.1

  48.7

  1997–98

  46.7

  68.6

  52.8

  47.7

  1998–99

  45.9

  67.9

  51.8

  47.8

  The Driving Standards Agency became a Trading Fund in April 1997. Prior to that, it operated as an on-Vote non-statutory trading body, and was required to recover its full costs through fees and charges.

  Parish Councils
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an Order to effect the establishment of parish councils for(a) Hereford City and (b) Belmont; and if he will make a statement. [95676]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We intend to consult the Herefordshire Council and other interested parties shortly on a draft Order. Subject to that consultation the intention is to make the Order before the end of 1999 with the view to first elections for the new parishes being held in May 2000.

  Pubs (Business Rates)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance on the application of the powers to reduce business rates to 50 per cent. on public houses. [95634]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The village shop rate relief scheme gives billing authorities a discretionary power to grant up to 100 per cent. rates relief to any business in a listed rural settlement, provided the rateable value of the property occupied is less than £10,000 and, in the view of the authority, is used for purposes which are of benefit to the local community. The legislation does not rule out any business or premises from receiving relief, and public houses might therefore qualify.

  Guidance on the village shop rate relief scheme and eligibility for discretionary relief was issued to all billing authorities on 12 December 1997.

  Leasehold Tenure
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce plans to reform leasehold tenure; and if he will make a statement. [95915]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have almost completed our analysis of the responses received to our consultation paper on residential leasehold reform, and will announce our conclusions shortly.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Electrical Wiring Regulations set out in Building Standard BS 7671 to be incorporated into the building regulations. [95263]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My Department has been working with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and others to develop proposals for
  797
  amendments to the Building Regulations that would introduce requirements for electrical safety in dwellings. The draft proposals indicate that following the recommendations in the British Standard BS 7671 would be a way of achieving compliance. The Building Act 1984 requires consultation with interested bodies before substantive amendments are made to the Building Regulations. I intend to announce consultation on these proposals once I am satisfied that they meet our better regulation criteria. Whether and when amendments are made will depend upon the outcome of this consultation. Electrical safety requirements for buildings other than dwellings are already made in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency plans are in place for visitors to travel to the Millennium Dome in the event that the Jubilee Line extension is not fully operable by 1 January 2000. [95807]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government expects that the whole of the Jubilee Line extension will be up and running from end-to-end in time for the opening of the Millennium Experience and hope that all stations will be open by the end of this year. A 15 train per hour Monday to Friday service is already operating to North Greenwich station through the Stratford to Waterloo section of the line. This is expected to be increased to 24 trains per hour seven days a week when through running from Stanmore to Stratford is successfully achieved in due course. Visitors to the Dome will therefore be able to travel on the Jubilee Line, even if access to the line is not possible from all of the stations at the end of the year.

  It had, however, been decided in June 1998 that it would be irresponsible not to have contingency arrangements in place to manage problems on any of the main transport links to the Millennium Dome during the Millennium Year. London Underground Ltd. have therefore, in association with London's other transport operators, developed plans to cover a wide range of possible scenarios and a robust command and control strategy to direct those plans should they need to be invoked.

  In the event of disruption, contingency provision will be made available through a combination of spare capacity on the other available public transport links to the Dome and a small number of additional buses and boats that have been contracted to be made available at short notice. A summary of the contingency plan arrangements has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Dogs (Identification)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what legislation exists to require dogs to be identified; and if he will make a statement. [95665]

  Mr. Hill
  The Control of Dogs Order 1992 made under the Animal Health Act 1981 requires every dog (with some exceptions) while in a highway or in a place of public resort to wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a place or badge attached to it. My Department has set up a Dog 798
  Identification Working Group to reflect a consensus view on all the available options for dog identification. They will be producing a report in due course. No decisions will be taken until we have fully considered the report.

  Recycling
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the EU measures relating to recycling which apply in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the UK's performance in respect of such measures. [95562]

  Mr. Mullin
  Currently only the EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC) imposes recovery and recycling targets for the UK. The Directive requires Member States to recover 50 per cent. of all packaging materials by 2001, of which half must be recycled.

  The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 implement part of the Directive in the UK. In 1998, according to returns to the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency—the bodies responsible for monitoring compliance with the Regulations—UK business exceeded their recovery obligation of 2,393,327 tonnes, with a total of 3,322,715 tonnes, with 2,874,316 tonnes having been recycled.

  Plants (EU Transportation)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) guidelines and (b) legislation applies to the application of fees for transporting certain types of plants across EU borders; what the (i) cost and (ii) purpose of licences for such transportation is; what plans he has to make representations to the EU on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [95728]

  Mr. Mullin
  EU Wildlife Trade Regulations 338–97 and 939–97, implementing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), contain provisions for the control of trade and movement of listed species of endangered animals and plants. The controls apply to imports and exports across the external frontier. Member states may set fees for issuing the relevant import and export permits. Under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Fees) Regulations 1997 the current fee for import and export permits for plants issued by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is £7 per genus. There is a reduction to £5 per genus for non commercial consignments and for consignments of 5 or more genera.

  Within the European Union there are controls on the sale (including movement for sale) and purchase of the most endangered category of plants listed in Annex A of Council Regulation 338–97. Such activities may be subject to the issue of a certificate from my Department although no fee is charged. Detailed guidance is available on demand to all applicants for CITES permits or certificates.

  Domestic Electrical Installations
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he
  799
  has to require domestic electrical installations to conform to a national minimum standard; and if he will make a statement. [95572]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My Department has been working with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee and others to develop proposals for amendments to the Building Regulations that would introduce requirements for electrical safety in dwellings. The draft proposals include the publication of approved guidance indicating that following the recommendations in British Standard BS 7671, "Requirements for Electrical Installations" would be a way of achieving compliance. I will announce consultation on these proposals once I am satisfied that they meet our better regulation criteria. Whether to amend the Building Regulations will depend upon the results of this consultation.

  Draft Waste Strategy
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the draft waste strategy; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [95563]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government published for consultation its draft waste strategy for England and Wales, "A Way With Waste", on 30 June 1999. We have received over 500 substantive submissions from a wide range of interested parties, and around 20,000 postcards urging higher recycling targets from members of the public. These views will be taken into consideration as we develop the final strategy.

  The final version of our sustainable waste management strategy-which we will publish early next year-will be a long-term strategy for handling the waste generated by businesses, service providers and households. The Government is committed to introducing and promoting sustainable waste management across the UK. This means using materials resources efficiently, to cut down on the amount of waste we produce. And where waste is produced, dealing with it in a way that actively contributes to the economic, social and environmental goals of sustainable development.

  Mobile Telephone Masts
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the planning requirements as regards the siting of mobile telephone masts. [95679]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The provisions of Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (GPDO) which govern the installation of mobile telephone masts were amended earlier this year by SI 1999 No. 1661. Guidance on these changes is contained in DETR Circular 04/99 which complements Planning Policy Guidance note 8 (revised) (PPG8) on telecommunications. In December 1998 the Department issued for consultation a draft circular prepared jointly with the Department of Health on land use planning and electromagnetic fields. We are currently considering the responses received.

  Consumer Protection (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 consumer protection 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. [94016]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply.

  The figures requested are contained in the following table. Expenditure per head has been calculated by dividing the total expenditure on consumer protection for each county (excluding those abolished during local government reorganisation), as collected by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, by the total population of the county. The population data used are the latest available, namely for mid 1997.

  Total expenditure figures for the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98 are actual out-turns; those for 1998–99 are provisional out-turns; and the 1999–2000 figures are budget estimates.

  Figures reflect the changes in local authority boundaries that came into effect in 1998–99.

  Consumer protection net expenditure per head of population for the Shire counties for the years 1996–97 to 1999–2000

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Bedfordshire1

  2.55

  —

  —

  —

  Bedfordshire

  0

  2.61

  2.57

  2.7

  Berkshire

  2.4

  2.4

  —

  —

  Buckinghamshire1

  2.66

  —

  —

  —

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  2.14

  2.13

  2.38

  Cambridgeshire1

  2.2

  2.13

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  0

  0

  2.22

  2.09

  Cheshire1

  2.11

  2.16

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  0

  0

  2.09

  2.39

  Cornwall

  2.38

  2.6

  2.41

  2.88

  Cumbria

  2.8

  2.74

  2.75

  2.74

  Derbyshire1

  1.96

  —

  —

  —

  Derbyshire

  0

  2.38

  3.03

  3.21

  Devon1

  2.26

  2.19

  —

  —

  Devon

  0

  0

  2.2

  2.25

  Dorset1

  2.42

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  0

  2.43

  2.84

  2.82

  Durham1

  2.66

  —

  —

  —

  Durham

  0

  2.71

  2.85

  2.99

  East Sussex1

  1.97

  —

  —

  —

  East Sussex

  0

  1.88

  1.92

  1.9

  Essex1

  2.03

  2.02

  —

  —

  Essex

  0

  0

  2.05

  2.1

  Gloucestershire

  2.21

  2.36

  2.62

  2.68

  Hampshire1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  0

  2.12

  2.27

  2.35

  Hereford and Worcester

  2.61

  2.56

  —

  —

  Worcestershire

  0

  0

  2.64

  2.7

  Hertfordshire

  1.88

  1.89

  1.71

  1.74

  Kent1

  2.37

  2.4

  —

  —

  Kent

  0

  0

  2.44

  2.48

  Lancashire1

  2.26

  2.37

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  0

  0

  2.65

  2.73

  Leicestershire1

  2.11

  —

  —

  —

  Leicestershire

  0

  2.11

  2.7

  2.81

  Lincolnshire

  2.43

  2.48

  2.36

  2.39

  Norfolk

  1.98

  2.05

  2.19

  2.23

  North Yorkshire

  2.45

  2.18

  2.47

  2.61

  Northamptonshire

  2.25

  2.21

  2.32

  2.32

  Northumberland

  2.66

  2.83

  3.02

  3.37

  Nottinghamshire1

  2.72

  2.85

  —

  —

  Nottinghamshire

  0

  0

  2.81

  2.78

  Oxfordshire

  2.29

  2.3

  2.31

  2.32

  Shropshire1

  2.95

  3.49

  —

  —

  801

  Consumer protection net expenditure per head of population for the Shire counties for the years 1996–97 to 1999–2000

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Shropshire

  0

  0

  3.86

  3.85

  Somerset

  2.9

  2.91

  3.27

  3.38

  Staffordshire1

  2.39

  —

  —

  —

  Staffordshire

  0

  2.68

  2.65

  2.69

  Suffolk

  2.36

  2.29

  2.42

  2.53

  Surrey

  2.36

  2.41

  2.49

  2.63

  Warwickshire

  3.24

  3.3

  2.93

  3.2

  West Sussex

  2.69

  2.63

  2.77

  2.82

  Wiltshire1

  2.14

  —

  —

  —

  Wiltshire

  0

  2.31

  2.66

  2.91

  1 These figures relate to spending by the authority prior to boundary changes as a result of Local Government reorganisation.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Commissioners
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the amount paid to each European commissioner who resigned earlier this year(a) arising from their resignation and (b) over the period to the appointment of the new Commission. [94807]

  Mr. Vaz
  Commissioners' terms and conditions of service are set down in the 1967 Council Regulation 422/67, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current state of investigations into former EU commissioners in respect of possible fraud or misconduct. [94808]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Council has commenced proceedings in the European Court of Justice against Mr. Bangemann, a former Commissioner, under Article 213 (2) of the Treaty. This matter is sub judice.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of each of the proposed reforms to the EU Commission put forward by the Commissioner for Administrative Reform. [94809]

  Mr. Vaz
  We fully support the process of reform in the new Commission. We welcome the progress already made; and in particular, the adoption of a new Code of Conduct covering Commissioners' behaviour, a re-organisation of Directorates General and a reorganisation of senior jobs (which are now filled according to merit rather than on the basis of a quota system). We welcome the Commission's intention to publish a White Paper on reform early next year.

  Paul Van Buitenen
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the European Commission about the position of EU employee Paul van Buitenen; and if he will make a statement. [94810]
  802
  Mr. Vaz
  We have not made any representations on this matter. We welcome the Commission's intention to bring forward proposals for such guidelines and procedures as part of its package of reform.

  Corpus Juris
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the official positions in the European Communities currently held by contributors to the Corpus Juris document. [95229]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I have been asked to reply.

  The research study "Corpus Juris: introducing penal provisions for the purposes of the financial interests of the European Union" was published in April 1997. It was written by a group of experts from the Association of European Lawyers for the Protection of the Financial Interests of the Community (ALPFIEC). Although the experts worked under the aegis of the Directorate General for Financial Control (DGXX) of the European Commission, they were independent of the Commission and held academic appointments which are listed in the publication. Information on any official positions currently held by the authors of the study is not available.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken to reorganise his Department's workload in accordance with the Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement. [95399]

  Mr. Battle
  The Department constantly reviews its workload to take account of changing demands and priorities. Guidance issued to staff and managers requires line managers to re-prioritise the work on their staff to ensure that working hours comply fully with the Working Time Directive and Regulations.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's staff are exempt from the Working Time Directive. [95401]

  Mr. Battle
  All staff are subject to the provisions of the Working Time Directive and Regulations.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to his Department to date of implementing the working time regulations; what additional paperwork has been required; and what checks are undertaken internally. [95403]

  Mr. Battle
  No additional financial costs have been incurred so far. Staff who have opted to waive their rights to a maximum 48 hour week are required to keep records of the hours they work. Guidance for staff and managers on the application of the Working Time Directive and Regulations have been circulated to staff. Line Managers are required to ensure that the working hours of their staff comply fully with the Working Time Directive and Regulations.

  Chinese President (State Visit)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations
  803
  his Department made to the Metropolitan Police about the public order implications of the state visit of the President of China. [95647]

  Mr. Battle
  As is normal practice in preparing for State Visits, there were routine Whitehall meetings to go through the programme so that the Metropolitan Police could make their operational decisions.

  Refugees
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK's participation within NATO in respect of the provision of intelligence information regarding refugees. [95569]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is longstanding Government practice not to comment on intelligence matters.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial responsibility the UK has accepted in respect of refugees from the former Yugoslavia. [95570]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  Currently, refugees who arrive in the United Kingdom and claim asylum are entitled to welfare benefits if they claim asylum at the port of entry, or help under the National Assistance Act 1948 or the Children Act 1989 if they make their claim after they have entered the country.

  International Criminal Tribunal (Former Yugoslavia)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial provision he has made in connection with requests from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement. [95566]

  Mr. Hain
  Our total UN assessed contribution to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to date is £7.1 million since the Tribunal was established in 1993. In addition, we have made voluntary contributions totalling just over £2.6 million towards, for example, the construction of ICTY's second court-room; its Exhumations Programme; the translation of Prosecution documents; and more recently a UK Scenes of Crime Team which is helping ICTY's investigation of atrocities in Kosovo.

  China
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government about the persecution of people who practise Falun Gong; and if he will make a statement. [95561]

  Mr. Battle
  We have made a series of representations expressing our disappointment to the Chinese Government at the banning of the Falun Gong on 22 July and supported an EU Presidency demarche in Peking on 29 July to the Chinese Government. We reiterated our concerns about the Chinese government's treatment of Falun Gong adherents during the latest round of our high level Bilateral Human Rights Dialogue between 13–15 September. Both the Prime Minister and the 804
  Foreign Secretary raised the issue of human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of religious belief, with the Chinese during the State Visit.

  Burma
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burma regarding the alleged massacres at Kwei and Hpway Plaw villages, and the killings at Ta Hpo Hkee and the Tavoy District; and if he will make a statement. [95669]

  Mr. Battle
  We had heard reports of these appalling events, but have been unable to substantiate the details. We remain deeply concerned about human rights violations against the Karen and other ethnic minorities in Burma and raise our concerns regularly with the military regime. We will continue to do so.

  Egypt
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department is currently giving to those planning to travel to Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [95574]

  Mr. Hain
  The FCO travel advice for Egypt, as valid on 22 October 1999 is as follows:Begins
  "British nationals travelling to Egypt should keep in touch with developments in the Middle East. Any increase in regional tension might affect travel advice.
  Over 200,000 British nationals visit Egypt each year. Most enjoy a trouble-free stay. Visitors should dress modestly, and respect local customs and sensitivities.
  Beginning in 1992 extremists conducted a campaign of violence against the Egyptian Government, mainly in the Governorates of Minya and Assiut (half way between Cairo and Luxor) but with sporadic attacks in other areas. Most incidents were directed at the police, or were sectarian in nature. However, some were directed against tourists. In March 1999 the principal extremist group reportedly announced a ceasefire, which has held so far. But the risk of a renewed campaign, including attacks on foreigners, remains. In addition, Egypt is one of a number of countries where we believe there is a threat to British interests from global terrorism.
  The Egyptian authorities have expressed their determination to prevent attacks on foreign visitors and have taken a number of steps to increase security, especially at tourist sites. British nationals should be vigilant and respect any advice from the local security authorities.
  There remains a small risk from unexploded mines in some desert areas, and some limited coastal areas. Visitors should follow local advice, especially if travelling off road.
  Local driving conditions and poor vehicle maintenance make road travel outside the main cities hazardous, especially at night. In the event of an accident emergency medical facilities are limited.
  Millennium Bug
  The Egyptian Government are continuing their efforts to minimise the effects of any Millennium Bug problems in Egypt. Based on the information available at present, we believe that as elsewhere, there is a risk of limited disruption in some sectors. Particular sectors include health and the mobile telephone network. British nationals resident in or visiting Egypt should take the potential for temporary disruption into account when making their plans for the New Year period. These should include checking insurance cover and having enough cash to cover contingencies."
  Ends
  805
  FCO travel advice represents an objective assessment of the risks to British nationals. It is designed to help them choose whether to travel and how to reduce their exposure to danger. It is reviewed regularly.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ratify the Rome Statute for an International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement. [95567]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government will bring forward legislation to enable ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits. We are strongly committed to the Court and intend to be among the first sixty states to ratify.

  Libya
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to appoint a commercial officer to the British Embassy in Tripoli; and if he will make a statement. [95887]

  Mr. Hain
  We have selected and appointed two UK based commercial officers to our Embassy in Tripoli. Following pre-posting preparation, the Head of Commercial Section should be in Tripoli in early December with his deputy following early next year.

  British Trade International now offer a trade promotion service, within the constraints of the present lack of specialist commercial staff in Tripoli.

  Full commercial support in Tripoli will be available when the commercial section is operational but staff in Tripoli will meanwhile continue to help where they can.

  Special Operations Executive
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to release more records of the wartime Special Operations Executive. [96166]

  Mr. Battle
  The records of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) have been released on a rolling basis since 1993. The seventh batch, comprising SOE Section Histories and its Headquarters War Diaries, will be opened at the Public Record Office today. Further records, including Headquarters policy files, will be released in due course.

  Congo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of the Republic of Congo about torture of child witch doctors in Kinshasa. [95231]

  Mr. Hain
  We have asked our Embassy in Kinshasa to investigate these reports. We maintain a regular dialogue with the Minister for Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, covering all facets of human rights and child rights issues. We condemn all acts of violence against civilians and any acts that cause unnecessary suffering. We continue to urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to 806
  apply rigorously international humanitarian law and human rights law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

  Tunisia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Tunisian Ambassador; and if he will make a statement on UK-Tunisian relations. [95097]

  Mr. Hain
  The Secretary of State has not yet met the Tunisian Ambassador, Mr. Jhinaoui. I last met him on 6 September.

  Bilateral ties go back a long way and remain mutually productive. Tunisia is an important trading partner and Britain is one of the largest international investors there. Tunisia is also a constructive and moderate influence on many of the Middle East's regional problems. Human rights form an important part of our bilateral agenda. We have welcomed the recent release from gaol in Tunisia of two people championed by international human rights NGOs. We hope to build on this at both bilateral and EU level for a resolution to other outstanding cases.

  Gender Impact Assessment
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason his Department has not carried out any gender impact assessments since June 1997. [95228]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department has introduced three pieces of legislation since June 1997 which were needed to implement internationally negotiated treaties in the United Kingdom. Gender impact assessments were not considered necessary for the legislation concerned.

  My Department works closely with the Women's Unit, and will continue to consider the need for gender impact assessments for all new legislation.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Lifelong Learning
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what contacts he has made with(a) trade associations and (b) trades unions on the formulation of strategies for lifelong learning and continuing professional development. [95723]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Department works closely with a variety of organisations in formulating its strategies for lifelong learning and continuing professional development. These include Trade Associations and Trade Unions.

  Toddington and Didbrook
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to make public his decision on the amalgamation of Toddington and Didbrook primary schools in Gloucester. [95712]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State informed Gloucestershire local education authority on Thursday 21 October that he had rejected the
  807
  proposals. The letter containing the Secretary of State's decision asked the local education authority to inform objectors.

  Departmental Twinning
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many requests there have been to his Department for placement of officials from Central, East European and CIS states as twins of his officials; how many such officials have been accepted as twins; from which countries(a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came; and which of these twinnings related to the (i) education and (ii) employment aspects of his Department. [93998]

  Mr. Wills
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 25 October 1999, Official Report, columns 739–40.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he plans to announce the national roll-out of the New Deal for Disabled People. [95726]

  Ms Jowell
  Together with colleagues at the Department for Social Security, we are currently considering what has been learnt from the pilot phase for a national extension of this New Deal. We hope to make an announcement on this in the near future.

  Supported Employment
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what use he is making of research his Department has recently(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the demand for places for supported employment. [95727]

  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. Tim Boswell, dated 25 October 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply direct to your question about research into the demand for place for our Supported Employment Programme. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  The research was conducted by Sheila Honey and Matthew Williams at the Institute for Employment Studies and published in July 1998 under the title: Supply and Demand for Supported Employment. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.
  The Programme provides job support to over 22,000 disabled people with a range of employers and in supported factories and businesses. It is open to disabled people who face more complex barriers to getting or keeping a job because of their disability, but who can work effectively with support. The Programme is delivered in partnership with over 230 local authority and voluntary organisations and Remploy Ltd. Around 12,000 supported employees work in a variety of jobs with mainstream employers with the remainder working in around 190 supported factories and businesses, including some 6,3000 in Remploy factories.
  808
  The research provided estimates, using a variety of data sources, of the extent to which the supply of places on our Programme matched the potential demand on a geographical basis. Depending on the definition, the research indicated a potential additional demand of between 40,000 and 180,000 places. The lower figures was based on people who were unemployed and actively seeking work and the upper figure included those who were currently inactive in the labour market (such as students, those looking after families or homes, or people temporarily unable to work due to illness). It is unlikely, however, that all of those estimated as eligible for our Supported Employment Programme will actually demand a place—many are likely to find work in open employment or training.
  The research also indicated that the degree to which the potential supply of places on the Programme matched the potential demand varied by Employment Service Region. Wales had the closest match between supply and demand, followed by the South West and the Northern Region. The greatest mismatch between supply and demand occurred in London, followed by the West Midlands and the North West.
  East year some 3,000 people enter the Programme; and we are using the findings of the research to inform contract discussions with a view to addressing geographical imbalances over time. One key factor we take into account in these discussions is that any rapid redistribution of existing places could force people off the Programme (and potentially out of work). Many contractors also have a specific geographical rather than a national remit, for example local authorities, and cannot support people elsewhere.
  Government funding for our Supported Employment Programme for 1999–2000 is £155.1 million. A further £5 million for this financial year and the two following financial years to March 2002 has been allocated as part of a new £30 million fund for disability services, announced in 1998 by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. We are using this additional resource to increase the grant per place to local authority and voluntary body contractors, to support developments at Remploy, and to support proposals for a series of projects to develop and test ways of improving the effectiveness of the Programme and, in particular, its success in helping people to progress into open employment. Helping those disabled people who can cope with unsupported open employment to make the transition will release places for new people to enter the Programme.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Oral Statements
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [93970]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Council on 19 October 1999,Official Report, column 429.

  Remploy
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent discussions he has had with Remploy in connection with divergence from their corporate plan. [94726]

  Ms Hodge
  [holding answer 19 October 1999]: There have been no discussions with Remploy regarding changes to their Corporate Plan. Ministers have approved

  809
  the strategy in the Board's Corporate Plan for 1999–2002, and remain committed to Remploy's current Corporate Plan.

  Age Diversity in Employment
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the outcome of his Department's consultation with heads of employment tribunals about the legal status of the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment. [95951]

  Ms Jowell
  The consultation confirmed that as the Code is non-statutory it cannot be used as the basis of a legal decision. It may, in time, though, help inform the thinking of Employment Tribunals on what constitutes "reasonable behaviour". That will, however, be a matter for the Tribunals themselves.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many higher education places remain unfilled at the start of the academic year. [95725]

  Mr. Wicks
  Student number targets are set by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) each year covering home and EU students (whether fundable by HEFCE or not) who are on full-time or sandwich courses, or on courses of initial teacher training (ITT). For 1998 these targets were broadly met in aggregate at the sector level. Equivalent figures are not yet available for 1999.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students he estimates are entering higher education in the current year; and if he will make a statement on trends relative to the last three years. [95724]

  Mr. Wicks
  The latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show that, as at 13 October, the number of UK domiciled applicants accepted for entry to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses was 247,318, which represents an increase of 2 per cent. compared to 1998. Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), which cover both full-time and part-time students, show that undergraduate recruitment has held up over the last three years.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the additional number of staff required in the Employment Service if unemployed claimants had to register every day; and what would be the cost in a full year of employing such staff. [95656]

  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.
  810
  Letter from Richard Foster to Mr. Hilary Benn, dated 25 October 1999:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked Leigh Lewis to reply to your question concerning the additional staff numbers and costs that would be required should daily registration be required from unemployed claimants. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.
  Using the current live headline unemployment level of 1.2m along with staffing assumptions for current registration activities, the total additional staff numbers required to manage the daily registration would be approximately 25,000 at a cost of £400m in a full year.
  I hope this is helpful.

  TECs
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Chairman of the TECs regarding their contribution to a legal fighting fund to challenge the Governments' proposals on the use of their reserves and assets when they are wound up. [95413]

  Mr. Wicks
  We are aware that the TEC National Council (TNC) has been taking legal advice on behalf of TECs. Officials and the Department's legal advisers have met the TNC on a without prejudice basis to discuss the legal aspects and implications around the termination of the Licence. We have also made it absolutely clear to TEC Chairmen and Boards that we expect TECs to work with us to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements and that resources are used effectively and efficiently for the benefit of learners, businesses and local communities.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the reserves and assets of each TEC indicating those moneys which came from(a) public and (b) private sources. [95414]

  Mr. Wicks
  The following table sets out the reserves of each TEC in England based upon information drawn from the companies' audited statutory accounts for 1998–99. The table splits the reserves into those which TECs believe attributable to funds derived from payments made by the Secretaries of State and those attributable to funds from other sources. Reserves include all assets less any liabilities of TECs. We are currently discussing with TECs the basis on which non attributable reserves have been calculated.

  Split of TEC reserves 1998–99

  £

  TECs

  Attributable to SoS

  Attributable to other

  Total reserves

  Hampshire

  6,156,000

  —

  6,156,000

  Wight

  1,040,094

  —

  1,040,094

  Kent

  4,364,691

  1,079

  4,363,612

  Milton Keynes

  1,372,558

  303,262

  1,675,820

  Heart of England

  1,902,407

  361,068

  2,263,475

  Surrey

  2,022,318

  740,914

  2,763,232

  Sussex

  4,578,000

  199,000

  4,777,000

  Thames Valley

  6,808,754

  265,010

  7,073,764

  South East Total

  28,244,822

  1,868,175

  30,112,997

  AZTEC

  3,299,489

  —

  3,299,489

  FOCUS

  3,830,000

  1,316,000

  5,146,000

  LeTEC

  5,215,737

  795,472

  6,011,209

  North London

  1,786,468

  804,977

  2,591,445

  811

  Split of TEC reserves 1998–99

  £

  TECs

  Attributable to SoS

  Attributable to other

  Total reserves

  North West London

  2,691,411

  137,608

  2,829,019

  SOLOTEC1

  3,971,000

  886,000

  4,857,000

  West London

  3,085,429

  207,000

  3,292,429

  London Total

  23,879,534

  4,147,057

  28,026,591

  WESTEC1

  4,213,000

  10,000

  4,223,000

  Prosper

  6,298,000

  —

  6,298,000

  Dorset

  3,141,418

  —

  3,141,418

  Gloucester

  1,806,252

  1,092,191

  2,898,443

  Somerset

  2,877,938

  76,965

  2,954,903

  Wiltshire

  2,650,552

  —

  2,650,552

  South West Total

  20,987,160

  1,179,156

  22,166,316

  Birmingham

  6,440,000

  2,548,000

  8,988,000

  Cov/War

  1,545,060

  2,029,898

  3,574,958

  Dudley

  2,159,637

  84,000

  2,243,637

  HAWTEC

  1,334,449

  1,478,014

  2,812,463

  Sandwell

  1,872,568

  276,500

  2,149,068

  Shropshire

  2,910,359

  1,161,773

  4,072,132

  Staffordshire

  4,773,000

  224,000

  4,997,000

  Walsall

  1,075,097

  200,000

  1,275,097

  Wolverhampton

  1,611,000

  124,000

  1,735,000

  West Midlands Total

  23,721,170

  8,126,185

  31,847,355

  Greater Nottingham

  3,573,000

  788,000

  4,361,000

  Leicester

  2,509,113

  638,834

  3,147,947

  Lincoln

  1,083,140

  2,281,073

  3,364,213

  Northamptonshire

  4,736,401

  —

  4,736,401

  North Derby

  1,157,063

  420,001

  1,577,064

  North Nottingham

  2,228,163

  —

  2,228,163

  South Derby

  3,322,000

  861,000

  4,183,000

  East Midlands Total

  18,608,880

  4,988,908

  23,597,788

  Bedford

  790,696

  527,536

  1,318,232

  Cambs TEC

  1,285,874

  —

  1,285,874

  Essex

  8,090,000

  355,000

  8,445,000

  Greater Peterborough

  1,993,335

  47,000

  2,040,335

  Hertfordshire

  5,695,000

  421,000

  6,116,000

  Nor/Wav

  3,524,000

  181,000

  3,705,000

  Suffolk

  3,890,815

  —

  3,890,815

  Eastern Total

  25,269,720

  1,531,536

  26,801,256

  Barnsley/Doncaster

  6,653,000

  102,000

  6,755,000

  Bradford

  2,148,861

  —

  2,148,861

  Cardles/Kirkles

  1,395,743

  —

  1,395,743

  Humber

  6,069,427

  —

  6,069,427

  Leeds

  4,513,167

  —

  4,513,167

  North Yorkshire

  6,207,000

  —

  6,207,000

  Rotherham

  2,457,875

  322,386

  2,780,261

  Sheffield

  2,874,000

  168,000

  3,042,000

  Wakefield

  889,830

  106,542

  996,372

  Yorkshire and Humberside Total

  33,208,903

  698,928

  33,907,831

  Bolton/Bury1

  2,802,363

  580,132

  3,382,495

  Manchester

  6,891,000

  2,540,132

  9,431,132

  Wigan

  1,103,385

  489,988

  1,593,373

  Oldham

  1,364,670

  214,927

  1,579,597

  Rochdale

  1,713,582

  378,740

  2,092,322

  South and East Cheshire

  3,418,445

  1,371,785

  4,790,230

  Stockport

  2,592,458

  —

  2,592,458

  Cumbria

  1,582,954

  780,752

  2,309,706

  ELTEC

  2,349,000

  673,000

  3,022,000

  LAWTEC

  6,292,364

  —

  6,292,364

  812

  Split of TEC reserves 1998–99

  £

  TECs

  Attributable to SoS

  Attributable to other

  Total reserves

  North and Mid Cheshire

  2,727,169

  —

  2,727,169

  CEWTEC

  2,257,557

  162,686

  2,420,243

  Mersey

  5,973,222

  592,745

  6,565,967

  St. Helens

  1,299,384

  82,291

  1,381,675

  North West Total

  42,313,553

  7,867,178

  50,180,731

  County Durham

  4,956,661

  —

  4,956,661

  Northumberland

  4,423,000

  1,644,000

  6,067,000

  Tees Valley

  8,427,000

  —

  8,427,000

  Tyneside

  3,940,000

  330,000

  4,270,000

  Sunderland

  6,101,434

  66,445

  6,167,879

  North East Total

  27,848,095

  2,040,445

  29,888,540

  Grand Total

  244,081,837

  32,447,568

  276,529,405

  1 Audited accounts are unavailable for 1998–99 and therefore we have used consolidated 1998–99 draft statutory accounts.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department is taking to monitor the use of reserves and assets of TECs in the period leading to their being wound up. [95415]

  Mr. Wicks
  All TECs were sent a formal notification on 13 July 1999 that their Licences would terminate on 25 March 2001. Since then, in accordance with the terms of the Licence, TECs have been required to inform Government Offices of any proposed new commitments or expenditure and must comply with all reasonable requests either to provide information or to limit expenditure. In addition, Government Offices receive regular information from TECs on their financial position and continue to monitor their financial and audit systems.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ensure that funds commercially generated by TECs from money originally from public sources returns to the public sector. [95416]

  Mr. Wicks
  Under the terms of the Licence, any funds derived from payments made by the Secretaries of State for Education and Employment, for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and for Trade and Industry will return to the relevant Secretaries of State on termination of the Licence. The Secretaries of State will determine their use to ensure that Government priorities and commitments are met.

  New Deal
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 18 to 24 year-olds have started the New Deal scheme in Shrewsbury and Atcham, broken down by(a) employer, (b) full time education, (c) voluntary sector, (d) environment task force and (e) other; and if he will make a statement. [94247]

  Ms Jowell
  In the period to the end of July 1999, 278 young people had joined New Deal in Shrewsbury and Atcham parliamentary constituency.
  813
  The following table shows the destinations of all those who had left the Gateway by the end of July 1999.

  Number

  Total number of leavers from Gateway

  227

  Immediate destination on leaving:

  Unsubsidised employment

  46

  To a New Deal Option

  123

  of which:

  Employment

  14

  Full-time education/training

  34

  Voluntary Sector

  36

  Environment Task Force

  39

  Other destinations:

  Other benefits

  11

  Other known destination

  12

  Not known

  35

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what telephone access to the Immigration Service is currently available to(a) asylum seekers and (b) local Benefit Agency sections on asylum seeker matters; what plans he has to improve the current level of telephone access; and if he will make a statement. [93984]

  Mrs. Roche
  Asylum seekers, in common with other members of the public, can telephone the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau to seek information on general immigration matters or to chase progress on applications. Major improvements have recently been made in telephone call handling with around 4,000 calls (75 per cent. of calls) now being answered each day. Further measures are planned with the aim of increasing this to 5,000 calls a day.

  Arrangements have been made with the Benefits Agency that local offices should use a dedicated fax line to make inquiries about an asylum seeker's immigration status. Urgent inquiries will be dealt within three days. Inquiries from the Fraud Unit or in connection with terminally ill claimants can still be made by telephone.

  Scout and Guiding Movement
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the amount of income that will be generated from fees paid by the Guide Association Movement in the UK arising from use of the proposed Criminal Records Bureau in the first three years of its operation; [93728]

  (2) what estimate he has made of (a) the annual revenue raised from the Scout and Guiding Movement as a result of the charges for carrying out security checks on new volunteers, (b) the cost of administering each charge associated with security checks on people who work with children and (c) the number of individuals subject to such a charge per annum. [94703]
  814
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  When the Criminal Records Bureau comes into operation, it will be expected to recover its costs through charges for the certificates it will issue, on application, to individual employees. The overall cost to the Scout and Guiding Movement will depend upon their decisions as to the circumstances in which its volunteers should apply for a certificate and whether to reimburse the cost. Until the Bureau's operating costs have been determined it will not be possible to fix the charges for certificates but our best early estimate is £10 for the most expensive certificate, the Enhanced Criminal Record Certificate. We have made clear our intention to keep the cost as low as possible.

  Wildlife
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives his Department has launched to protect wildlife(a) in the UK and (b) on Merseyside. [94653]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Government policy responsibility for wildlife conservation rests mainly with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). There are no initiatives on this in which the Home Office has the lead role.

  The principal national initiative, overseen by the DETR, but to which the Home Office suscribes, is the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), launched in 1995 and fully supported by this Government. It provides a forum for Government Departments, voluntary organisations and wildlife user groups to make a strategic contribution to the fight against wildlife crime. PAW supports a network of over 250 Police Wildlife Liaison Officers (PWLOs) in police forces across the United Kingdom, including the Merseyside Police. PAW also hosts an annual conference of PWLOs.

  Enforcement responsibility for wildlife crime rests with the police and, in the case of illegal imports and exports, with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. Local initiatives to combat wildlife crime are matters for chief police officers in the light of their overall policing priorities. Merseyside Police are active in this area, and have most recently been targeting unlawful collection of birds' eggs, with the result that prosecutions are pending. A number of persons in Merseyside have also been cautioned for wildlife offences this year.

  To assist local enforcement efforts across the country, PAW has made a number of recommendations, including that the courts be given the option, at present unavailable to them, of imposing custodial sentences for wildlife offences. The Government will be implementing this as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

  Eurodac
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made with the implementation of the Eurodac Implementing Rules (8140/99); and if he will make a statement. [94131]

  Mrs. Roche
  The draft Eurodac implementing rules were drawn up in respect of the draft Eurodac Convention and associated draft Protocol, which were not adopted by the Council prior to the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam. A draft Eurodac Regulation is currently under discussion as a First Pillar measure. My right hon.
  815
  Friend the Home Secretary announced on 7 October that the United Kingdom was opting in to the draft Regulation. Implementing rules for the draft Regulation may need to be supplemented in the future in the light of technical developments.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had about the possible transfer to the Commission of competence for implementing the provisions of the Eurodac Regulation; and if he will make a statement. [94130]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Commission has proposed that competence for implementing provisions of the Eurodac Regulation should be transferred to the Commission by the Council in accordance with the terms of the first sentence of Article 202 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community. The Council will need to decide whether there are grounds in this instance for reserving that competence to itself in accordance with the third sentence of Article 202.

  Establishment

  1995–96 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1996–97 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1996–97 as % of 1995–96 %

  1997–98 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1997–98 as % of 1996–97 %

  1998–99 spend £

  1998–99 as % of 1997–98 %

  Acklington

  320,988

  255,692

  80

  226,867

  89

  229,400

  101

  Albany

  247,745

  110,279

  45

  158,413

  144

  172,037

  109

  Aldington

  167,464

  130,183

  78

  135,247

  104

  131,333

  97

  Ashwell

  372,115

  336,886

  91

  341,547

  101

  359,680

  105

  Askham Grange

  155,818

  139,374

  89

  131,372

  94

  142,894

  109

  Aylesbury

  388,924

  321,477

  83

  424,991

  132

  522,455

  123

  Bedford

  225,219

  228,859

  102

  205,957

  90

  204,989

  100

  Belmarsh

  390,367

  367,166

  94

  426,554

  116

  440,854

  103

  Birmingham

  299,945

  213,254

  71

  203,980

  96

  199,999

  98

  Blantyre House

  146,090

  172,466

  118

  184,963

  107

  159,433

  86

  Blundeston

  329,451

  227,839

  69

  248,196

  109

  244,169

  98

  Brinsford

  305,533

  189,433

  62

  173,544

  92

  242,237

  140

  Bristol

  219,098

  154,292

  70

  167,307

  108

  153,388

  92

  Brixton

  432,034

  395,589

  92

  450,427

  114

  312,580

  69

  Brockhill

  270,784

  211,734

  78

  164,372

  78

  174,391

  106

  Bullingdon

  929,823

  545,194

  59

  497,006

  91

  512,312

  103

  Bullwood Hall

  206,707

  223,984

  108

  210,604

  94

  233,355

  111

  Camp Hill

  351,260

  368,614

  105

  367,815

  100

  352,129

  96

  Canterbury

  212,128

  178,896

  84

  154,277

  86

  134,907

  87

  Cardiff

  215,605

  192,010

  89

  187,714

  98

  212,610

  113

  Castington

  256,500

  211,643

  83

  247,594

  117

  256,167

  103

  Channings Wood

  483,715

  416,982

  86

  370,859

  89

  361,226

  97

  Chelmsford

  205,243

  182,372

  89

  170,633

  94

  185,244

  109

  Coldingley

  221,893

  180,317

  81

  164,441

  91

  191,468

  116

  Cookham Wood

  155,655

  140,222

  90

  136,257

  97

  131,159

  96

  Dartmoor

  490,432

  426,430

  87

  376,086

  88

  426,377

  113

  Deerbolt

  393,771

  346,360

  88

  334,390

  97

  422,119

  126

  Dorchester

  267,942

  221,926

  83

  100,197

  45

  130,048

  130

  Dover

  189,120

  141,074

  75

  154,973

  110

  157,403

  102

  Downview

  230,174

  233,426

  101

  225,186

  96

  206,700

  92

  Drake Hall

  203,930

  167,620

  82

  163,714

  98

  156,929

  96

  Durham

  354,246

  346,553

  98

  362,400

  105

  355,476

  98

  East Sutton Park

  132,863

  102,594

  77

  96,178

  94

  85,966

  89

  Eastwood Park

  —

  168,820

  —

  179,756

  106

  226,694

  126

  Elmley

  475,773

  305,430

  64

  261,960

  86

  391,782

  150

  Erlestoke

  335,619

  283,987

  85

  306,365

  108

  309,072

  101

  Everthorpe

  337,331

  431,628

  128

  448,623

  104

  443,146

  99

  Exeter

  211,231

  138,522

  66

  132,976

  96

  154,440

  116

  Featherstone

  260,355

  187,970

  72

  179,526

  96

  181,350

  101

  Feltham

  398,644

  420,368

  105

  479,126

  114

  592,115

  124

  Ford

  269,577

  286,046

  106

  282,219

  99

  260,074

  92

  Foston Hall

  —

  —

  —

  139,476

  230,688

  165

  Frankland

  313,636

  253,805

  81

  279,530

  110

  350,257

  125

  Full Sutton

  671,801

  602,092

  90

  486,519

  81

  467,432

  96

  Garth

  395,810

  369,719

  93

  397,672

  108

  423,618

  107

  Gartree

  280,660

  241,692

  86

  221,795

  92

  208,846

  94

  Glen Parva

  529,564

  439,707

  83

  450,296

  102

  553,878

  123

  Gloucester

  208,789

  205,317

  98

  214,285

  104

  252,051

  118

  816
  The Regulatory Procedure which the Commission has proposed for the implementing rules for the draft Eurodac Regulation would give the Member States considerable control over the Commission's exercise of delegated powers.

  Prison Education Courses
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the amounts of money available in each prison for education courses in each of the past 10 years at current prices and the percentage increase for each year. [94570]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information is not available in the form requested. The table sets out actual expenditure on certain separately identifiable areas of education spend covering payments to education service providers and purchase of education materials. These cover the financial years 1995–96 to 1998–99 and are at 1998–99 prices; information for earlier years is not readily available, neither is information on education costs at private sector prisons.
  817

  Establishment

  1995–96 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1996–97 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1996–97 as % of 1995–96 %

  1997–98 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1997–98 as % of 1996–97 %

  1998–99 spend £

  1998–99 as % of 1997–98 %

  Grendon

  416,997

  362,016

  87

  356,722

  99

  393,318

  110

  Guys Marsh

  248,305

  306,353

  123

  265,237

  87

  359,457

  136

  Haslar

  221,863

  220,134

  99

  123,624

  56

  136,942

  111

  Hatfield

  208,588

  184,771

  89

  230,847

  125

  224,478

  97

  Haverigg

  229,051

  217,593

  95

  307,805

  141

  275,718

  90

  Hewell Grange

  187,496

  155,722

  83

  155,771

  100

  153,081

  98

  High Down

  566,157

  426,147

  75

  339,929

  80

  407,265

  120

  Highpoint

  522,202

  357,017

  68

  518,874

  145

  578,123

  111

  Hindley

  399,586

  714,789

  179

  745,775

  104

  624,206

  84

  Hollesley Bay Colony

  518,083

  431,767

  83

  364,023

  84

  359,530

  99

  Holloway

  364,472

  379,385

  104

  388,327

  102

  433,770

  112

  Holme House

  425,669

  486,164

  114

  586,511

  121

  382,409

  65

  Hull

  372,511

  384,935

  103

  348,541

  91

  375,372

  108

  Huntercombe

  370,931

  319,583

  86

  325,599

  102

  402,591

  124

  Kingston

  131,829

  112,263

  85

  91,701

  82

  106,748

  116

  Kirkham

  260,166

  221,003

  85

  237,869

  108

  242,505

  102

  Kirklevington Grange

  94,276

  40,942

  43

  56,656

  138

  36,554

  65

  Lancaster Castle

  191,599

  190,058

  99

  169,115

  89

  171,845

  102

  Lancaster Farms

  355,794

  428,832

  121

  469,904

  110

  564,437

  120

  Latchmere House

  48,859

  20,378

  42

  19,687

  97

  18,524

  94

  Leeds

  362,199

  410,932

  113

  433,803

  106

  551,235

  127

  Leicester

  207,601

  206,254

  99

  201,130

  98

  201,636

  100

  Lewes

  333,143

  325,761

  98

  280,200

  86

  276,099

  99

  Leyhill

  256,715

  260,851

  102

  251,993

  97

  241,674

  96

  Lincoln

  378,992

  353,502

  93

  228,668

  65

  220,840

  97

  Lindholme

  456,410

  434,242

  95

  431,289

  99

  445,630

  103

  Littlehey

  589,391

  456,617

  77

  432,097

  95

  395,780

  92

  Liverpool

  304,672

  310,245

  102

  340,917

  110

  365,870

  107

  Long Lartin

  249,304

  213,313

  86

  237,430

  111

  200,300

  84

  Low Newton

  378,245

  348,073

  92

  353,312

  102

  360,377

  102

  Maidstone

  252,495

  230,986

  91

  208,931

  90

  195,777

  94

  Manchester

  577,197

  508,335

  88

  480,993

  95

  557,039

  116

  Moorland

  724,341

  657,735

  91

  707,773

  108

  829,616

  117

  Morton Hall

  240,870

  211,571

  88

  193,058

  91

  191,851

  99

  Mount (The)

  529,479

  467,467

  88

  372,248

  80

  377,489

  101

  New Hall

  316,980

  359,568

  113

  309,448

  86

  376,651

  122

  North Sea Camp

  136,350

  134,421

  99

  130,866

  97

  126,023

  96

  Northallerton

  250,127

  242,067

  97

  242,156

  100

  279,352

  115

  Norwich

  581,512

  487,871

  84

  404,560

  83

  417,911

  103

  Nottingham

  238,436

  231,123

  97

  264,019

  114

  250,387

  95

  Onley

  341,343

  331,618

  97

  467,001

  141

  570,060

  122

  Parkhurst

  177,353

  203,573

  115

  228,680

  112

  253,595

  111

  Pentonville

  318,807

  249,295

  78

  271,258

  109

  318,295

  117

  Portland

  458,136

  476,653

  104

  455,097

  95

  500,700

  110

  Preston

  216,330

  202,751

  94

  245,151

  121

  265,367

  108

  Pucklechurch

  145,948

  277

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ranby

  239,595

  373,831

  156

  380,482

  102

  410,498

  108

  Reading

  196,703

  163,667

  83

  146,103

  89

  136,296

  93

  Risley

  691,312

  575,368

  83

  585,171

  102

  593,435

  101

  Rochester

  361,227

  274,862

  76

  152,095

  55

  190,179

  125

  Send

  163,481

  135,870

  83

  144,275

  106

  126,692

  88

  Shepton Mallet

  261,070

  229,425

  88

  210,478

  92

  184,749

  88

  Shrewsbury

  167,624

  135,534

  81

  117,589

  87

  121,260

  103

  Stafford

  392,396

  297,225

  76

  288,926

  97

  261,845

  91

  Standford Hill

  230,451

  208,939

  91

  200,701

  96

  204,993

  102

  Stocken

  363,746

  330,037

  91

  363,977

  110

  393,849

  108

  Stoke Heath

  301,910

  249,703

  83

  301,152

  121

  482,394

  160

  Styal

  245,601

  230,306

  94

  238,478

  104

  277,910

  117

  Sudbury

  414,493

  412,081

  99

  391,876

  95

  399,954

  102

  Swaleside

  360,517

  299,976

  83

  337,231

  112

  351,168

  104

  Swansea

  234,158

  180,318

  77

  146,683

  81

  130,088

  89

  Swinfen Hall

  228,202

  244,270

  107

  217,106

  89

  331,556

  153

  Thorn Cross

  287,383

  365,351

  127

  496,638

  136

  511,470

  103

  Usk/Prescoed

  378,810

  246,897

  65

  385,413

  156

  362,278

  94

  Verne (The)

  272,071

  411,824

  151

  224,120

  54

  211,964

  95

  Wakefield

  381,573

  362,875

  95

  349,726

  96

  359,617

  103

  Wandsworth

  455,950

  263,351

  58

  230,002

  87

  226,969

  99

  Wayland

  489,750

  401,023

  82

  434,827

  108

  413,968

  95

  Wealstun

  424,943

  444,615

  105

  382,561

  86

  343,721

  90

  Weare (The)

  —

  —

  —

  165,098

  —

  318,446

  193

  Wellingborough

  288,771

  209,685

  73

  227,193

  108

  227,327

  100

  Werrington

  217,266

  160,067

  74

  195,469

  122

  201,345

  103

  Wetherby

  283,267

  228,420

  81

  444,925

  195

  497,377

  112

  818 819

  Establishment

  1995–96 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1996–97 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1996–97 as % of 1995–96 %

  1997–98 spend at 1998–99 prices £

  1997–98 as % of 1996–97 %

  1998–99 spend £

  1998–99 as % of 1997–98 %

  Whatton

  379,617

  312,413

  82

  311,847

  100

  298,068

  96

  Whitemoor

  600,985

  442,938

  74

  410,264

  93

  432,700

  105

  Winchester

  303,629

  308,643

  102

  314,370

  102

  323,249

  103

  Woodhill

  551,458

  508,685

  92

  503,416

  99

  486,963

  97

  Wormwood Scrubs

  300,565

  290,010

  96

  296,875

  102

  280,952

  95

  Wymott

  208,603

  359,781

  172

  415,976

  116

  399,012

  96

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the amount per head of population of each prison available for education courses for each of the past 10 years. [94571]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information is not available in the form requested. The tables set out actual annual expenditure on certain separately identifiable areas of education spend covering payments to education service providers and purchase of education materials divided by the average

  £

  Establishment

  1995–96 spend per head at 1998–99 prices

  1996–97 spend per head 1998–99 prices

  1997–98 spend per head at 1998–99 prices

  Spend per head 1998–99

  Acklington

  503

  395

  347

  356

  Albany

  587

  256

  369

  399

  Aldington

  1,384

  937

  987

  966

  Ashwell

  959

  820

  754

  740

  Askham Grange

  1,528

  1,124

  1,034

  1,143

  Aylesbury

  1,760

  1,345

  1,367

  1,593

  Bedford

  734

  646

  541

  548

  Belmarsh

  659

  472

  493

  545

  Birmingham

  332

  214

  196

  189

  Blantyre House

  1,446

  1,500

  1,541

  1,340

  Blundeston

  860

  571

  617

  712

  Brinsford

  663

  387

  333

  482

  Bristol

  430

  282

  287

  265

  Brixton

  741

  662

  753

  474

  Brockhill

  2,036

  1,667

  1,274

  1,246

  Bullingdon

  1,072

  798

  723

  603

  Bullwood Hall

  1,708

  1,821

  1,608

  1,716

  Camp Hill

  894

  882

  733

  744

  Canterbury

  810

  644

  576

  480

  Cardiff

  487

  300

  264

  315

  Castington

  888

  720

  784

  753

  Channings Wood

  868

  706

  613

  611

  Chelmsford

  540

  421

  364

  457

  Coldingley

  784

  626

  556

  660

  Cookham Wood

  1,216

  1,002

  927

  835

  Dartmoor

  859

  731

  600

  657

  Deerbolt

  987

  835

  800

  1,045

  Dorchester

  1,313

  1,004

  436

  588

  Dover

  666

  463

  510

  547

  Downview

  822

  811

  668

  608

  Drake Hall

  1,030

  665

  613

  599

  Durham

  545

  400

  389

  402

  East Sutton Park

  1,444

  1,127

  1,002

  966

  Eastwood Park

  —

  1,384

  1,145

  837

  Elmley

  783

  469

  311

  430

  Erlestoke

  1,271

  1,064

  998

  1,020

  Everthorpe

  1,140

  970

  975

  959

  Exeter

  533

  309

  290

  344

  Featherstone

  471

  333

  301

  304

  Feltham

  492

  486

  536

  674

  Ford

  654

  643

  630

  616

  Foston Hall

  —

  —

  1,134

  1,709

  Frankland

  782

  589

  624

  739

  Full Sutton

  1,226

  1,158

  973

  841

  Garth

  781

  710

  645

  660

  Gartree

  864

  673

  611

  572

  Glen Parva

  684

  507

  516

  671

  820
  population for each prison in that year. These cover the financial years 1995–96 to 1998–99; information for earlier years is not readily available, neither is information on education costs at private sector prisons. The figures are at current, 1998–99, prices.

  The percentage of the population which would have been engaged in education will have varied from prison to prison and from year to year, so any conclusions drawn from these figures must be treated with caution.
  821

  £

  Establishment

  1995–96 spend per head at 1998–99 prices

  1996–97 spend per head 1998–99 prices

  1997–98 spend per head at 1998–99 prices

  Spend per head 1998–99

  Gloucester

  892

  808

  760

  849

  Grendon

  1,012

  864

  830

  839

  Guys Marsh

  853

  995

  717

  752

  Haslar

  1,608

  1,487

  877

  925

  Hatfield

  1,363

  1,155

  1,529

  1,477

  Haverigg

  574

  455

  560

  542

  Hewell Grange

  1,172

  815

  807

  797

  High Down

  918

  650

  488

  523

  Highpoint

  808

  584

  747

  846

  Hindley

  1,373

  1,427

  1,429

  1,345

  Hollesley Bay Colony

  1,584

  1,151

  859

  980

  Holloway

  671

  659

  745

  839

  Holme House

  696

  685

  656

  402

  Hull

  1,043

  879

  686

  755

  Huntercombe

  1,438

  1,310

  1,252

  1,160

  Kingston

  1,292

  1,079

  791

  684

  Kirkham

  511

  361

  362

  400

  Kirklevington Grange

  1,025

  405

  326

  207

  Lancaster Castle

  855

  880

  783

  792

  Lancaster Farms

  1,002

  914

  936

  1,193

  Latchmere House

  370

  130

  110

  108

  Leeds

  340

  465

  430

  454

  Leicester

  643

  610

  581

  579

  Lewes

  1,099

  1,037

  581

  586

  Leyhill

  717

  671

  646

  651

  Lincoln

  635

  549

  366

  443

  Lindholme

  748

  667

  635

  661

  Littlehey

  1,056

  785

  675

  621

  Liverpool

  251

  251

  234

  253

  Long Lartin

  700

  580

  623

  574

  Low Newton

  1,411

  1,226

  1,186

  1,209

  Maidstone

  507

  430

  374

  351

  Manchester

  553

  453

  455

  527

  Moorland

  1,191

  1,017

  1,050

  1,089

  Morton Hall

  1,460

  1,144

  965

  989

  Mount (The)

  1,055

  777

  600

  614

  New Hall

  1,546

  1,657

  935

  1,024

  North Sea Camp

  816

  719

  658

  681

  Northallerton

  1,367

  976

  894

  1,054

  Norwich

  1,638

  857

  560

  605

  Nottingham

  1,152

  1,090

  679

  592

  Onley

  702

  644

  808

  938

  Parkhurst

  778

  704

  648

  622

  Pentonville

  378

  284

  290

  284

  Portland

  1,048

  926

  829

  893

  Preston

  482

  452

  375

  396

  Pucklechurch

  2,115

  —

  —

  —

  Ranby

  690

  726

  678

  588

  Reading

  1,137

  737

  641

  603

  Risley

  937

  750

  671

  684

  Rochester

  1,082

  735

  379

  499

  Send

  1,229

  944

  659

  1,526

  Shepton Mallet

  1,312

  1,108

  988

  876

  Shrewsbury

  588

  440

  363

  386

  Stafford

  678

  489

  465

  422

  Standford Hill

  660

  584

  597

  637

  Stocken

  923

  791

  795

  745

  Stoke Heath

  1,048

  793

  672

  793

  Styal

  1,032

  921

  877

  985

  Sudbury

  1,006

  875

  796

  810

  Swaleside

  720

  577

  569

  569

  Swansea

  1,079

  670

  439

  399

  Swinfen Hall

  1,240

  1,075

  1,080

  1,188

  Thorn Cross

  1,661

  1,752

  2,247

  2,357

  Usk/Prescoed

  1,592

  1,359

  1,372

  1,258

  Verne (The)

  507

  440

  393

  371

  Wakefield

  534

  580

  575

  614

  Wandsworth

  440

  287

  261

  207

  Wayland

  919

  697

  675

  649

  Wealstun

  961

  793

  647

  559

  Weare (The)

  —

  —

  581

  907

  822 823

  £

  Establishment

  1995–96 spend per head at 1998–99 prices

  1996–97 spend per head 1998–99 prices

  1997–98 spend per head at 1998–99 prices

  Spend per head 1998–99

  Wellingborough

  947

  833

  708

  695

  Werrington

  1,940

  1,417

  1,261

  1,598

  Wetherby

  2,146

  1,919

  1,561

  1,535

  Whatton

  1,791

  1,427

  1,368

  1,173

  Whitemoor

  1,138

  842

  786

  847

  Winchester

  575

  554

  519

  542

  Woodhill

  1,096

  814

  732

  700

  Wormwood Scrubs

  371

  260

  223

  250

  Wymott

  493

  488

  522

  501

  EU Documents
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what draft documents were presented by the Presidency of the European Union to be considered at the European Council in Tampere, on 15 and 16 October concerning any aspect of the Union's area of freedom, security and justice; when these were received by Her Majesty's Government; and what steps were taken by the Presidency to make documents publicly available prior to the meeting. [94363]

  Mr. Straw
  The Presidency have produced only one draft document for consideration at the European Council itself. This was a paper dated 5 October on the composition and working arrangements for the body to be charged with the preparation of a draft European Union Charter of Rights; I understand that it was not published. In July, the Presidency presented three discussion papers on possible themes for the Tampere European Council intended to assist member states in their preparations. I understand that these documents were not published.

  I should add that the Presidency have been happy to make widely known their developing policy towards this European Council. In this regard, for example, they gave oral evidence before Sub-Committee F of the House of Lords European Communities Committee on 6 July, in the context of that Sub-Committee's inquiry into Prospects for the Tampere European Council. They have also placed extensive material on their internet website.

  Rapparee Cove, Devon
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1999,Official Report, column 162, regarding the status of the human remains found in 1997 at Rapparee Cove in Devon, if the scientific examination has commenced; and when he estimates it will be completed. [94801]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand tests to establish the origin of the remains have commenced, but are not yet completed.

  Airguns
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will revise the guidance he has issued to the Firearms Consultative Committee on strengthening the provisions on the ownership and use of airguns. [94839]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government have asked the Firearms Consultative Committee (FCC) to look at a wide range of firearms issues as part of its work programme 824
  for this year, including the controls on air weapons. The FCC has made clear that its main focus in considering these issues, including the controls on air weapons, is in terms of protecting and improving public safety. We look forward with interest to the FCC's annual report at the end of the year and any recommendations the Committee may make.

  Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the procedure for the transfer of persons held in custody under the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (1999/C251/01); if the burden of proof will be equivalent to that required in British courts; and what is the status of this proposal. [95255]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Article 9 of the draft Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters provides that a member state requesting a criminal investigation in another member state may temporarily transfer a person in custody in its own territory to the member state carrying out the investigation to assist in that investigation. Transfer can take place only with the agreement of the competent authorities of both member states concerned, which includes agreement on the date by which the prisoner is to be returned to the requesting member state. Paragraph 3 of the Article would also enable the United Kingdom to seek the prisoner's consent to be transferred. The period of detention in the territory of the requested member state must be deducted from the period of detention that the prisoner would serve in the requesting member state.

  Since the transfer is temporary and is not done for the purpose of prosecuting the prisoner in the state to which he is transferred, the question of burden of proof does not arise.

  The wording of this Article of the draft Convention has been agreed by all the member states.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of requests he will receive for telecommunications intercepts following ratification of the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between EU states. [95254]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is not possible to provide a meaningful estimate of the number of requests likely to be received for the interception of telecommunications under the European Union Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters if it is agreed and ratified.
  825
  The number of requests made will depend on the requirements of other member states. However, requests to intercept the telecommunications of targets in the United Kingdom will not be granted unless all the tests for issuing a warrant under the United Kingdom's domestic interception legislation have been met.

  Defence Exhibition
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of policing the Defence Systems and Equipment International Exhibition flotilla this summer in the Isle of Dogs. [94898]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that the total cost for policing this event was about £331,000.

  Ms Snejana Fournadjieva
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a decision will be taken on the applications by Ms Snejana Fournadjieva for leave to remain in the United Kingdom, References F1001194 and PO 15309/99. [95321]

  Mrs. Roche
  Leave to remain on the basis of marriage was granted to Ms Fournadjieva on 21 October.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of policing demonstrations in London connected with the arrest and detention of Senator Pinochet. [94899]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that the cost of policing these demonstrations has been about £94,500.

  Immigration
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of the concession to overseas domestic workers have been received by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; how many of those applicants have now received a decision on their application; and how many of those applications were successful. [95166]

  Mrs. Roche
  The introduction of a revised concession to overseas domestic workers was announced on 23 July 1998. Some 230 such workers were granted indefinite leave to remain in the period July 1998 to September 1999. Available data on the number of applications received for indefinite leave to remain and the number refused do not separately identify overseas domestic workers.

  Metropolitan Police Authority
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria the proposed Metropolitan Police Authority will use in determining whether a police/community consultative group continues to receive approval and support; and what role PCCGs themselves will have in devising an acceptable process for assessing each PCCG's performance. [95167]
  826
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Subject to the passage of the Greater London Authority Bill, it will be the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) (after consulting the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis) to make arrangements for obtaining the views of Londoners about matters concerning policing in the Metropolitan Police District and for securing their co-operation with the police in preventing crime in that area. This responsibility will be identical to that currently falling on police authorities outside London. It will be for the Metropolitan Police Authority to determine what criteria it will use to assess whether and to what extent individual Police/Community Consultative Groups help it to fulfil its statutory responsibility. In assessing the effectiveness of all its arrangements for public consultation, the MPA will be under the duty of Best Value.

  Drug Treatment Programmes
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was in total and in respect of each prison and young offender institution in England and Wales(a) the number of prisoners currently taking part in a drug treatment programme, (b) the number of current prisoners who have completed a drug treatment programme and (c) the number of prisoners who are waiting to join a drug treatment programme. [94904]

  Mr. Boateng
  As an integral part of the £76 million programme to expand drug treatment for prisoners, the Prison Service will be introducing early next year a comprehensive monitoring system to evaluate the effectiveness of both the new services and those already operating. Until then, the information requested cannot be provided.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state in respect of each police force in England and Wales the number of offenders entering drug treatment programmes as a result of arrest referral schemes(a) during 1998–99 and (b) during 1999–2000 to date; and if he will make a statement. [94907]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is not currently available. Information from Drug Action Teams' plans for 1999–2000, submitted in December 1998, suggested that coverage of custody suites by arrest referral schemes was partial across police forces. We have set targets to double the number of schemes this year, with coverage of all custody suites to be achieved by 2002.

  Tackling drug related crime is one of the Home Secretary's Policing Priorities for 1999–2000, and it is accompanied by a supporting key performance indicator concerned with the numbers entering treatment as a result of arrest referral. Police forces will report to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on their performance at the end of this financial year.

  To assist the national roll out of arrest referral, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in July that up to £20 million will be available to police forces to

  827
  accelerate the introduction of arrest referral schemes and to help ensure that treatment is available for those with drug problems identified by these schemes.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was in total and in respect of each prison and young offender institution in England and

  The number of prisoners tested for drugs under the random mandatory drug testing programme and the number of those tested who were positive for drugs for the periods 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 to date1

  1997–98 Number of:

  1998–99 Number of:

  1999–2000 to date Number of:

  Prison

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Altcourse

  —

  —

  673

  128

  322

  36

  Askham Grange

  144

  20

  141

  15

  68

  7

  Acklington

  793

  229

  793

  216

  298

  61

  Albany

  783

  59

  523

  7

  152

  0

  Aldington

  164

  39

  157

  35

  19

  5

  Ashwell

  516

  207

  561

  214

  224

  70

  Aylesbury

  370

  47

  346

  48

  165

  19

  Belmarsh

  770

  62

  1,013

  122

  360

  40

  Buckley Hall

  432

  167

  390

  146

  183

  42

  Blundeston

  220

  57

  313

  44

  106

  16

  Bedford

  335

  121

  418

  102

  157

  33

  Blantyre House

  133

  5

  142

  1

  56

  1

  Brockhill

  77

  25

  128

  19

  47

  9

  Bristol

  692

  186

  686

  158

  168

  29

  Birmingham

  1,290

  423

  1,260

  381

  367

  81

  Bullingdon

  549

  190

  483

  128

  220

  47

  Brinsford

  603

  108

  574

  120

  181

  46

  Blakenhurst

  921

  426

  1,019

  393

  375

  19

  Bullwood Hall

  25

  5

  77

  10

  33

  6

  Brixton

  709

  106

  450

  51

  401

  46

  Chelmsford

  313

  75

  402

  93

  57

  11

  Cardiff

  710

  192

  559

  142

  174

  48

  Camp Hill

  279

  89

  184

  50

  45

  15

  Cookham Wood

  176

  12

  186

  11

  62

  1

  Coldingly

  483

  141

  212

  30

  107

  11

  Colchester

  31

  6

  9

  2

  —

  —

  Castington

  352

  38

  342

  61

  83

  13

  Channings Wood

  671

  134

  477

  77

  187

  8

  Canterbury

  324

  60

  343

  46

  141

  20

  Dartmoor

  740

  124

  440

  25

  147

  3

  Drake Hall

  268

  48

  293

  52

  99

  21

  Durham

  1,279

  403

  1,282

  203

  301

  51

  Doncaster

  1,256

  286

  1,335

  171

  538

  61

  Dorchester

  130

  58

  187

  63

  50

  9

  Deerbolt

  473

  71

  419

  37

  96

  21

  Dover

  285

  47

  275

  34

  129

  14

  Downview

  413

  18

  365

  14

  116

  4

  Erlestoke

  348

  99

  373

  96

  148

  44

  Eastwood Park

  133

  11

  229

  35

  126

  21

  East Sutton Park

  116

  9

  120

  5

  40

  0

  Everthorpe

  399

  108

  564

  168

  118

  30

  Exeter

  287

  99

  323

  89

  65

  18

  Elmley

  1,076

  145

  987

  117

  355

  55

  Ford

  555

  55

  481

  52

  169

  19

  Foston Hall

  37

  5

  154

  12

  84

  6

  Frankland

  532

  192

  555

  98

  218

  26

  Feltham

  538

  112

  540

  116

  191

  38

  Full Sutton

  592

  38

  664

  46

  255

  26

  Featherstone

  433

  176

  267

  112

  123

  57

  Garth

  653

  111

  709

  83

  239

  42

  Gloucester

  313

  111

  312

  93

  143

  51

  Guys Marsh

  380

  129

  271

  92

  217

  74

  Grendon

  150

  23

  165

  17

  45

  4

  Glen Parva

  884

  184

  907

  135

  307

  58

  Gartree

  283

  87

  315

  81

  151

  21

  Hollesley

  393

  90

  238

  61

  99

  28

  Huntercombe

  315

  56

  227

  40

  93

  28

  828
  Wales, (a) the number of prisoners who were tested for drugs in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000 to date and (b) the number of such prisoners who tested positive for drugs. [94903]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of prisoners tested under the random mandatory drug testing programme by establishment and as a total figure, for the periods 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 to date, together with the number of prisoners who tested positive, is given in the table.
  829

  The number of prisoners tested for drugs under the random mandatory drug testing programme and the number of those tested who were positive for drugs for the periods 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 to date1

  1997–98 Number of:

  1998–99 Number of:

  1999–2000 to date Number of:

  Prison

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Hatfield

  156

  21

  172

  27

  57

  6

  Hewell Grange

  197

  30

  232

  24

  77

  13

  Holme House

  1,278

  245

  875

  98

  390

  35

  Hindley

  250

  89

  185

  45

  87

  15

  Hull

  614

  126

  596

  92

  115

  16

  High Down

  349

  89

  652

  134

  236

  41

  Highpoint

  226

  56

  448

  90

  145

  15

  Haslar

  161

  7

  167

  4

  77

  2

  Haverigg

  1,011

  160

  622

  112

  167

  34

  Holloway

  622

  150

  619

  63

  172

  31

  Kirkham

  280

  71

  297

  70

  87

  16

  Kirklevington

  169

  9

  164

  12

  59

  1

  Kingston

  110

  12

  68

  13

  17

  2

  Lancaster

  276

  102

  277

  101

  107

  34

  Leicester

  309

  100

  248

  68

  94

  29

  Leeds

  709

  171

  922

  175

  346

  92

  Lancaster Farms

  587

  29

  423

  25

  207

  12

  Lowdham Grange

  19

  3

  528

  162

  239

  44

  Lindholme

  764

  178

  778

  233

  271

  86

  Lincoln

  541

  187

  525

  138

  222

  44

  Long Lartin

  437

  99

  424

  60

  170

  20

  Latchmere House

  317

  46

  206

  30

  83

  6

  Low Newton

  125

  51

  108

  42

  63

  12

  Liverpool

  1,277

  242

  1,531

  270

  456

  83

  Littlehey

  687

  116

  746

  107

  294

  33

  Lewes

  598

  162

  576

  192

  279

  57

  Leyhill

  478

  63

  439

  59

  169

  25

  Moorland

  824

  89

  770

  43

  356

  16

  Morton Hall

  236

  22

  208

  17

  76

  6

  Manchester

  1,332

  242

  1,425

  221

  465

  70

  Maidstone

  656

  96

  663

  86

  164

  16

  Mount

  268

  75

  577

  117

  98

  17

  Newhall

  352

  28

  413

  20

  129

  10

  Nottingham

  325

  101

  281

  72

  131

  32

  Northallerton

  308

  49

  329

  49

  127

  18

  North Sea Camp

  187

  44

  223

  53

  62

  18

  Norwich

  403

  97

  209

  48

  166

  37

  Onley

  577

  27

  539

  21

  111

  12

  Parc

  14

  8

  823

  367

  356

  117

  Portland

  645

  66

  610

  57

  203

  18

  Parkhurst

  315

  21

  440

  14

  149

  2

  Preston

  733

  145

  382

  88

  255

  69

  Pentonville

  753

  240

  955

  302

  292

  79

  Rochester

  497

  21

  429

  18

  137

  6

  Reading

  132

  32

  147

  43

  13

  3

  Ranby

  679

  108

  833

  72

  353

  31

  Risley

  972

  238

  914

  198

  279

  59

  Send

  216

  65

  102

  20

  47

  6

  Stafford

  696

  141

  634

  109

  179

  28

  Stoke Heath

  458

  37

  283

  28

  122

  16

  Stocken

  500

  170

  570

  176

  218

  51

  Standford Hill

  237

  28

  479

  54

  142

  20

  Swaleside

  650

  126

  682

  122

  208

  36

  Shepton Mallet

  144

  69

  248

  79

  94

  27

  Swinfen Hall

  219

  32

  326

  19

  134

  6

  Spring Hill

  190

  36

  177

  24

  87

  10

  Styal

  213

  51

  240

  32

  53

  8

  Sudbury

  603

  66

  606

  68

  104

  13

  Swansea

  231

  122

  327

  121

  137

  37

  Shrewsbury

  295

  47

  288

  49

  145

  24

  Thorn Cross

  240

  62

  247

  57

  91

  37

  Usk/Prescoed

  342

  27

  342

  19

  132

  8

  Verne

  287

  104

  134

  24

  125

  9

  Weare

  218

  61

  327

  92

  161

  22

  Wellinborough

  386

  128

  405

  93

  163

  45

  Winchester

  519

  151

  298

  93

  124

  34

  Wakefield

  721

  21

  695

  8

  185

  5

  Wealstun

  662

  176

  494

  122

  141

  36

  Woodhill

  796

  201

  712

  118

  194

  20

  830 831

  The number of prisoners tested for drugs under the random mandatory drug testing programme and the number of those tested who were positive for drugs for the periods 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000 to date1

  1997–98 Number of:

  1998–99 Number of:

  1999–2000 to date Number of:

  Prison

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Prisoners tested for drugs

  Prisoners who tested positive

  Wayland

  225

  75

  228

  83

  133

  32

  Wymott

  894

  177

  970

  158

  278

  33

  Werrington

  136

  7

  128

  6

  47

  3

  Wolds

  477

  86

  494

  87

  189

  28

  Whitemoor

  627

  80

  470

  36

  91

  7

  Wormwood Scrubs

  826

  136

  840

  192

  185

  21

  Whatton

  280

  15

  300

  13

  129

  2

  Wandsworth

  1,067

  39

  931

  71

  331

  21

  Wetherby

  398

  16

  349

  18

  147

  77

  Total

  62,674

  13,038

  63,182

  11,540

  22,544

  3,762

  1 Figures for 1 April to 31 August 1999

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state in respect of each month from January to date(a) the number of occasions when visitors to prisons or young offender institutions have been caught trying to smuggle illegal drugs, (b) the number of such visitors who have been banned from further visits, (c) the number of such visitors who have been charged with a criminal offence, (d) the number of such visitors who have been prosecuted in court and (e) the number of such visitors who have been convicted. [94906]

  Mr. Boateng
  The total number of visitors arrested for drug offences is given in the table, together with the number of visitors banned. Figures for the number of visitors subsequently charged, prosecuted and/or convicted are not recorded by the Prison Service.

  Visitors to prisons arrested for drug offences

  Number of visitors arrested

  Number of visitors banned

  January 1999

  71

  Not previously recorded

  February 1999

  57

  March 1999

  105

  April 1999

  71

  138

  May 1999

  65

  186

  June 1999

  72

  63

  July 1999

  73

  Not yet available

  August 1999

  73

  September 1999

  53

  October 1999

  32

  Prison Officers (Assaults)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state, in respect of each prison and young offenders institution, the number of prosecutions which have been brought against inmates for assault on prison officers in each year from 1992 to date. [94913]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information on prosecutions for assault is now being collected and will be available in future years.

  The Prison Service collects centrally information on the numbers of proven charges of assault at adjudications
  832
  under the Prison Rules, and the available information is set out in the table. These figures relate to assaults on staff of all grades, not solely prison officers, together with any assaults on others excluding prisoners, such as contractors or visitors.

  Proven adjudications for assaults by prisoners on staff/others1

  Year ending

  Prison

  31 March 1997

  31 March 1998

  31 March 1999

  Acklington

  13

  4

  6

  Albany

  2

  2

  8

  Aldington

  0

  0

  0

  Altcourse

  2—

  18

  65

  Ashwell

  20

  4

  3

  Askham Grange

  1

  0

  0

  Aylesbury

  32

  66

  87

  Bedford

  23

  24

  13

  Belmarsh

  114

  104

  70

  Birmingham

  51

  42

  46

  Blakenhurst

  38

  49

  65

  Blantyre House

  0

  0

  0

  Blundeston

  23

  17

  8

  Brinsford

  20

  40

  17

  Bristol

  26

  24

  42

  Brixton

  46

  30

  70

  Brockhill

  4

  18

  26

  Buckley Hall

  13

  9

  10

  Bullingdon

  52

  36

  36

  Bullwood Hall

  36

  15

  10

  Camp Hill

  5

  17

  11

  Canterbury

  5

  9

  2

  Cardiff

  28

  19

  18

  Castington

  21

  15

  35

  Channings Wood

  2

  3

  4

  Chelmsford

  21

  31

  17

  Colchester

  0

  0

  0

  Coldingley

  6

  5

  0

  Cookham Wood

  13

  3

  6

  Dartmoor

  22

  35

  28

  Deerbolt

  10

  19

  25

  Doncaster

  53

  70

  48

  Dorchester

  11

  18

  10

  Dover

  10

  24

  19

  Downview

  0

  1

  1

  Drake Hall

  3

  1

  1

  Durham

  34

  33

  41

  East Sutton Park

  0

  0

  0

  Eastwood Park

  25

  26

  25

  Elmley

  28

  37

  37

  Erlestoke

  2

  1

  2

  Everthorpe

  4

  9

  7

  Exeter

  11

  14

  19

  Featherstone

  14

  11

  6

  833

  Proven adjudications for assaults by prisoners on staff/others1

  Year ending

  Prison

  31 March 1997

  31 March 1998

  31 March 1999

  Feltham

  115

  93

  82

  Ford

  0

  1

  0

  Foston Hall

  0

  6

  13

  Frankland

  40

  47

  18

  Full Sutton

  23

  23

  18

  Garth

  17

  17

  1

  Gartree

  7

  3

  10

  Glen Parva

  56

  55

  81

  Gloucester

  26

  35

  27

  Grendon

  2

  4

  2

  Guys Marsh

  4

  5

  10

  Haslar

  1

  1

  1

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  I

  Haverigg

  5

  4

  6

  Hewell Grange

  0

  1

  1

  Highdown

  67

  91

  83

  Highpoint

  14

  23

  21

  Hindley

  35

  32

  58

  Hollesley Bay

  7

  11

  11

  Holloway

  115

  126

  95

  Holme House

  16

  26

  26

  Hull

  29

  21

  22

  Huntercombe

  7

  15

  13

  Kingston

  0

  0

  0

  Kirkham

  2

  0

  0

  Kirklevington

  0

  0

  0

  Lancaster

  4

  1

  2

  Lancaster Farms

  18

  31

  19

  Latchmere House

  0

  0

  0

  Leeds

  50

  51

  65

  Leicester

  31

  16

  17

  Lewes

  15

  23

  14

  Leyhill

  0

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  17

  13

  8

  Lindholme

  3

  6

  7

  Littlehey

  11

  8

  12

  Liverpool

  47

  50

  59

  Long Lartin

  30

  32

  12

  Low Newton

  17

  36

  23

  Lowdham Grange

  0

  0

  22

  Maidstone

  1

  11

  8

  Manchester

  63

  49

  59

  Moorland

  61

  62

  38

  Morton Hall

  0

  1

  0

  Mount

  5

  8

  13

  New Hall

  32

  31

  32

  North Sea Camp

  0

  0

  0

  Northallerton

  5

  13

  9

  Norwich

  30

  41

  37

  Nottingham

  12

  17

  19

  Onley

  24

  67

  65

  Oxford

  0

  0

  0

  Parc

  2—

  11

  34

  Parkhurst

  17

  13

  16

  Pentonville

  59

  69

  95

  Portland

  13

  10

  21

  Preston

  27

  49

  44

  Pucklechurch

  0

  0

  0

  Ranby

  4

  10

  18

  Reading

  20

  19

  18

  Risley

  41

  52

  77

  Rochester

  20

  21

  16

  Send

  0

  0

  I

  Shepton Mallet

  3

  0

  2

  Shrewsbury

  1

  3

  15

  Stafford

  24

  22

  16

  Stanford Hill

  1

  1

  0

  Stocken

  11

  13

  13

  Stoke Heath

  22

  46

  88

  Styal

  15

  14

  9

  Sudbury

  2

  2

  1

  Swaleside

  16

  26

  35

  Swansea

  15

  11

  14

  Swinfen Hall

  2

  14

  18

  834

  Proven adjudications for assaults by prisoners on staff/others1

  Year ending

  Prison

  31 March 1997

  31 March 1998

  31 March 1999

  Thorn Cross

  4

  6

  1

  Usk

  0

  1

  0

  Verne

  1

  1

  0

  Wakefield

  11

  10

  9

  Wandsworth

  46

  42

  57

  Wayland

  7

  5

  9

  Weayallsantudn

  2

  2

  7

  Weare

  2—

  4

  3

  Wellingborough

  9

  8

  7

  Werrington

  7

  25

  10

  Wetherby

  4

  10

  25

  Whatton

  0

  0

  0

  Whitemoor

  55

  36

  58

  Winchester

  27

  28

  27

  Wolds

  18

  12

  26

  Woodhill

  36

  48

  61

  Wormwood Scrubs

  83

  93

  49

  Wymott

  2

  7

  7

  1 The definition staff/others includes staff of all grades, contractors, visitors to prisoners, official visitors and anyone else in the prison with the exception of other prisoners. Assaults on other prisoners are recorded separately.

  2 Indicates that this establishment was not open during this year

  Club Closures
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions to date local authorities have used powers under the Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Act 1997 to shut down clubs; and if he will list the local authorities which have exercised these powers. [94908]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  No arrangements exist to collect this information centrally. Close contact with the police and the club trade suggest, however, that the powers of the Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Act 1997 have not yet been used by a local authority to close a club.

  Martin McGartand
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further progress has been made by Northumbria Police in identifying those involved in the attempted murder of Martin McGartand at Whitley Bay on 17 June; if the weapon used has been identified and/or connected with any other crime; and if he will make a statement. [95335]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Northumbria Police continue to make inquiries into this crime. I understand that, at the present time, there is no firm evidence to identify those involved in the shooting; nor has the weapon used been identified or confirmed as being connected with any other crime.

  Cycling Fines
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many on-the-spot fines for cycling on the pavement have been issued by each police force since the scheme was introduced, [95310]
  835
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is not yet available.

  Each police force has been asked to monitor the new fixed penalty provisions which came into force on 1 August 1999, but the figures are not likely to be available until early in the new year.

  Racing Pigeons
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of offences involving racing pigeons in each of the last three years for which figures are available under the criminal law section of the Theft Act 1969 and section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971; and if he will make a statement. [95319]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is not collected centrally. Although the Home Office Court Proceedings database identifies the legislation under which a defendant is proceeded against, it generally does not hold information on the characteristics of individual cases dealt with by the courts.

  Prisoners (Civil Claims)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil claims by prisoners against the Prison Department have been settled out of court in each year since 1995. [95074]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is available only from 1997 onwards and is given in the table.

  Civil claims by prisoners against the Prison Service settled out of court1

  Year

  Civil claims

  1997

  106

  1998

  83

  1999 (to 20 October)

  25

  1 These figures exclude any cases where a settlement has been reached but final resolution on matters such as costs have not yet been completed.

  Paramapathy Pavanathan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mr. Paramapathy Pavanathan of Acre Road, Kingston, will hear the results of his application for refugee status. [95235]

  Mrs. Roche
  On 21 October, Mr. Pavanathan was granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom until 1 March 2000.

  Domestic Fires
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires occurred in domestic dwellings caused by(a) an electrical source and (b) misuse of electrical equipment and appliances in the United Kingdom during each of the years from 1989 to 1998. [94974]
  836
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information is given in the table.

  Accidental fires in dwellings where source of ignition was electrical, and where cause was misuse of equipment 1989–98 United Kingdom

  Year

  Number1

  Total number of dwelling fires where sources of ignition was electrical

  1989

  26,976

  1990

  26,432

  1991

  27,410

  1992

  27,844

  1993

  28,167

  19941

  29,659

  19951

  29,468

  19961

  32,364

  19971

  34,094

  19981,2

  33,280

  Total number of dwelling fires where source of ignition was electrical, and cause was misuse of equipment and appliances

  1989

  17,006

  1990

  16,414

  1991

  16,823

  1992

  16,786

  1993

  17,603

  19941

  10,402

  19951

  11,284

  19961

  11,252

  19971

  12,395

  19981,2

  11,936

  1 Includes additional "late" call and heat and smoke damage incidents, which were not recorded prior to 1994

  2 Provisional figures

  Asylum Applications
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the average time from the lodging of the asylum application to the determination of the appeal for those cases where a determination of an appeal to an adjudicator against an initial asylum decision has been made in each of the last three calendar months; [95884]

  (2) what has been the average time from the lodging of the application to the initial decision for those cases where an initial decision has been made on an asylum claim, where the asylum seeker was a single person, in each of the last three calendar months; [95883]

  (3) what has been the average time from the lodging of the application to the initial decision for those cases where an initial decision has been made on an asylum claim, where the asylum seeker had dependent children, in each of the last three calendar months; [95886]

  (4) what has been the average time from the lodging of the application to the initial decision for those cases where an initial decision has been made on an asylum claim in each of the last three calendar months; and how this average has been calculated. [95885]

  Mrs. Roche
  The available information is given in the table. The figures were calculated by taking the mean length of time between the date that the asylum application was lodged and the date of the initial decision, for asylum decisions taken in July, August and September 1999. The figures relate to asylum applications lodged by
  837
  principal applicants only. Separate figures for single people and for people with dependent children are not presently available.

  Average time to initial decision, in months1,2,3 July, August and September 1999

  Month of decision

  Pre 1993 Act cases

  Post 1993 Act cases

  Total

  July

  84

  28

  48

  August

  85

  28

  49

  September

  88

  26

  49

  July-September

  88

  27

  49

  1 Figures are estimates based on cases for which information is recorded

  2 Mean average is used

  3 Excluding dependants

  Immigration and Asylum Bill
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with Amnesty International regarding the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Bill; and if he will make a statement. [95568]

  Mrs. Roche
  I met representatives of Amnesty International on 19 October to discuss the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Bill.

  Laser Pens
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to regulate the use of laser pens; and if he will make a statement. [95668]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Anyone carrying a laser pointer as a weapon in a public place or a school may be liable to prosecution under section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953. In addition, laser pointers which may present an unacceptable risk in the hands of the general consumer, are subject to consumer safety legislation.

  We have no plans to introduce further regulation in this area.

  Police Officers
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed in England and Wales during the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many he expects will be employed in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [95664]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As at 31 March 1999, there were 126,096 police officers in England and Wales. Under legislation passed by the previous Government, the powers of the Home Secretary to set overall police numbers were removed. The number of police officers at any given time is determined by chief constables on the basis of resources made available to them. The Government are making available additional resources, in a new ring-fenced crime fighting fund, to provide 5,000 extra police recruits over the next three years.

  Vivisection
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the 838
  benefits to medical science of vivisection; what plans he has to review the practice; and if he will make a statement. [95722]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The development of many new drugs and medical technologies has depended on, and continues to depend on, the use of animals. Their use is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which is widely viewed as the most rigorous piece of legislation of its type in the world.

  In 1998, the Animal Procedures Committee completed a review of the operation of the Act. Its results were published in November 1998 as part of the Committee's annual report for 1997. The Committee concluded that further examination of the cost/benefit assessment should be undertaken and that the validity of science using animals could be part of their review. The Committee is planning to consult publicly and I await their further advice.

  Convicted Sex Offenders
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirement there is(a) for convicted sex offenders against children to notify authorities of addresses they are staying at abroad and (b) for sex offenders convicted abroad for offences against children to notify authorities when residing in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [95564]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the Sex Offenders Act 1997, there is no requirement for offenders to register if they travel abroad or for those with overseas convictions to register if they reside in the United Kingdom. This is one of a number of issues we are looking at in evaluating the operation of the registration requirement in the 1997 Act. Once the review is completed, we shall then need to consider whether, and if so what, changes are necessary.

TREASURY

  Departmental Twinning
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests there have been to his Department for placement of officials from Central, East European and CIS states as twins of his officials; how many such officials have been accepted as twins; and from which countries(a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came. [93994]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 25 October 1999, Official Report, columns 739–40.

  ONS
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the reasons are for the Office for National Statistics five-year survey of companies' fixed assets; [95917]
  839
  (2) how many companies in (a) manufacturing and (b) food-processing industries have been sent questionnaires by the Office for National Statistics requesting details of their fixed assets; and what is his estimate of the total compliance cost involved. [95916]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 26 October 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary questions on companies' fixed assets.
  The new Fixed Assets Survey to collect details of capital stocks held by businesses is one of a number of measures introduced to improve the quality of the National Accounts. The survey was introduced in 1999 to provide a more reliable basis for calculating the value of fixed assets held in the UK, required for the National Accounts. It will cover all industries in a rolling programme so that each industry is surveyed only once in about five years.
  The questionnaire requesting details of fixed assets was sent to a sample of 264 companies in manufacturing, of which 257 were in the food processing industry. The estimate of the total compliance cost for these industries is£19,000.

  Revenue
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total revenue was raised(a) directly and (b) indirectly (i) 30 years ago, (ii) 20 years ago, (iii) 10 years ago and (iv) currently. [95517]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Frank Field, dated 26 October 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on revenue as a proportion of direct and indirect taxation.
  The ONS does not publish data under the headings of direct and indirect taxation.
  In table 10.1 of the United Kingdom National Accounts (Blue Book) 1999 a full list of UK taxes is published on a European System of Accounts (ESA 1995) basis. Copies of this publication are available in the House of Commons Library. Broadly speaking they are, split into:

  (i) taxes on products and production (D.2 taxes) including taxes such as VAT and business rates

  and the rest which includes

  (ii) taxes on income and wealth including taxes such as income tax, corporation tax, motor vehicle duties (D.5)

  (iii) social contributions including employers and employees compulsory contributions (D.611)

  (iv) capital taxes including taxes such as inheritance tax (D.91)

  Year

  1968

  1978

  1988

  1998

  Taxes on production as a percentage of total taxes

  39.0

  35.2

  38.1

  38.4

  Other taxes as a percentage of total taxes

  61.0

  64.8

  61.9

  61.6

  EU Funding (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the National 840
  Assembly for Wales with regard to the provision of additional funds from the Treasury for the financial year 2000–01 and subsequent years, to enable Wales to take up European Union strategic funds fully in each year from April 2000, without having to reduce spending on other services to provide the necessary Welsh funding; and if he will make a statement. [95769]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  My predecessor discussed these matters with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales. I have also held discussions with the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that the full sums of money provided by the EU for Objective 1 strategic projects in Wales will be passed to Wales outside the Welsh block and not be subject to the application of the Barnett formula; and if he will make a statement. [95770]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  UK Government Departments, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales are required to find full public expenditure cover for EU Structural Funds expenditure.

  I will consider on their merits representations from the National Assembly about the public spending implications arising from Objective 1 status as part of next year's spending review.

  Crown Estate
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the past five years payments to the Consolidated Fund made by the Crown Estate Commissioners. [95271]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The information requested is as follows:

  Financial year

  £ million

  1994–95

  81.9

  1995–96

  94.3

  1996–97

  103.1

  1997–98

  116.6

  1998–99

  122.0

  Fuel Duty
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to end the above-inflation rises in fuel duty; and if he will make a statement. [95274]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government's policy on fuel duty escalators is set out on page 121 of the 1999 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  Mortgage Mis-selling
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has received in the past four months on the mis-selling of mortgages. [95158]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The deadline for submissions to the Treasury's consultation on whether mortgages should be regulated was 22 October. The Treasury has received over 150 responses to date. Analysis is now taking place, with some responses still being received. A decision will be announced by the end of the year.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the median total weekly income of those current recipients of Incapacity Benefit or Invalidity Benefit below state pension age who have private pension income in excess of £50 per week. [94698]

  Mr. Bayley
  Around 80 per cent. of current recipients of Incapacity Benefit below State pension age either have no private pension or a pension of less than £50 a week.

  The median weekly household income before housing costs of current recipients of Incapacity Benefit below State pension age with income from a private pension in excess of £50 a week is £309 a week. The average weekly household income for this group is £343 a week. The average is higher than the median because a significant proportion have high pension incomes.

  Notes:

  1. Incapacity Benefit replaced Sickness Benefit and Invalidity Benefit in April 1995. All existing recipients at that date became Incapacity Benefit recipients.

  2. Weekly income is unequivalised income net of tax and other deductions of the household that the benefit recipient lives in.

  3. All figures are in April 1999 prices and are rounded to the nearest £.

  4. Figures are estimates from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) dataset based on the 1997–98 Family Resources Survey (FRS) for Great Britain.

  5. Private pensions are defined as occupational and personal pensions.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93682]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department has spent £3.216 million on official publications in the period May 1997 to the end of September 1999.

  Income Support
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumption about the indexation arrangements for Income Support underlies his estimate that on unchanged policies one in three pensioners will be in receipt of Income Support by 2050. [94699]

  Mr. Rooker
  For the above estimate, Income Support is assumed to increase in line with average earnings from the year 2000. The assumed rate of increase in average earnings is 1.5 per cent. per year above the rate of inflation.

  Notes:

  1. The estimate referred to above was obtained through an approximate extension of the results for 2025 of the Departments' microsimulation model, PENSIM.

  2. PENSIM provides estimates of pensioners' incomes up to 2025. Using the 2025 income estimates, all sources of private incomes were assumed to increase in line with average earnings (1.5 per cent. per year above inflation) up to 2050. State income (other than Income Support) was assumed to increase only with prices. This provided an estimate of the distribution of pensioners' incomes in 2050. The model's caseload was re-weighted to reflect the projected size and composition of the pensioner population in 2050.
  842
  3. The number of pensioners in 2050 with estimated income below Income Support levels in this year was calculated. The same proportion of this group receiving Income Support in 2025 was assumed to receive Income Support in 2050. This resulted in an estimate of around 30 per cent. of the total pensioner population in 2050 receiving the benefit.

  4. The Department does not currently have a tool to estimate pensioners' incomes in 2050 although a long-term project is underway to develop one.

  Fraud
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of benefits claimants receive benefits by(a) cash payment through the Post Office and (b) direct credit transfer; and what amount of benefit fraud arises from (i) cash payments and (ii) direct credit transfer. [95176]

  Mr. Rooker
  As at August 1999, about 65 per cent. of all benefit recipients were receiving payment in cash by order book or girocheque at the Post Office. Thirty-four per cent. were receiving payment by direct credit transfer and 1 per cent. by other methods of payment into banks (these include payable orders and the small proportion of girocheques paid into bank accounts).

  It is estimated that fraudulent losses during 1998–99 from cash payments were £19 million in respect of girocheques and £83 million in respect of order books. No fraud has been detected to date directly arising from payment by direct credit transfer.

  Overseas Pensions
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations have been received from(a) the Canadian Government and (b) other Governments since 1 May, in favour of restoring parity between the state pension available to British citizens resident overseas and that available to United Kingdom residents. [95076]

  Mr. Rooker
  The issue of frozen rate pensions was raised by Donald Campbell, of Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, during a meeting with my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 6 October 1999 in Canada.

  The Australian Government made representations in July 1999 for a limited unfreezing of pensions for some UK pensioners living in Australia. We rejected this proposal. The Australian Government indicated that it would be abrogating the Social Security agreement with the UK. Formal notification of this has not been received.

  We have had no other formal approaches from Governments about unfreezing pensions during the period.

  Pensions
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the value of the basic state pension for(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples for each

  843
  year since November 1979 to April 1999; what it would have been if it had been uprated in line with whichever was the higher of average earnings or prices; and what were the average earnings and retail prices index figures

  Single pensioners

  Uprating date

  Actual rates £'s per week

  Increased by higher of earnings or prices £'s per week

  Earnings Percentage

  Retail Prices Percentage

  Period used

  November 1979

  23.30

  23.30

  —

  —

  —

  November 1980

  27.15

  27.60

  18.5

  15.3

  November 1979–80

  November 1981

  29.60

  30.90

  11.5

  12.0

  November 1980–81

  November 1982

  32.85

  33.50

  8.4

  6.3

  November 1981–82

  November 1983

  34.05

  36.40

  8.7

  3.7

  May 1982–83

  November 1984

  35.80

  38.25

  5.0

  5.1

  May 1983–84

  November 1985

  38.30

  41.60

  8.7

  7.0

  May 1984–85

  July 1986

  38.70

  43.45

  4.5

  1.1

  May 1985–January 1986

  April 1987

  39.50

  45.90

  5.6

  2.1

  January 1986–September 1986

  April 1988

  41.15

  49.50

  7.8

  4.2

  September 1986–87

  April 1989

  43.60

  53.85

  8.8

  5.9

  September 1987–88

  April 1990

  46.90

  59.05

  9.7

  7.6

  September 1988–89

  April 1991

  52.00

  65.50

  9.5

  10.9

  September 1989–90

  April 1992

  54.15

  70.50

  7.6

  4.1

  September 1990–91

  April 1993

  56.10

  73.90

  4.8

  3.6

  September 1991–92

  April 1994

  57.60

  76.25

  2.5

  1.8

  September 1992–93

  April 1995

  58.85

  78.85

  3.4

  2.2

  September 1993–94

  April 1996

  61.15

  81.95

  2.8

  3.9

  September 1994–95

  April 1997

  62.45

  85.40

  4.2

  2.1

  September 1995–96

  April 1998

  64.70

  88.90

  4.1

  3.6

  September 1996–97

  April 1999

  66.75

  93.25

  4.9

  3.2

  September 1997–98

  Pensioner couples

  Uprating date

  Actual rates £'s per week

  Increased by higher of earnings or prices £'s per week

  Earnings Percentage

  Retail Prices Percentage

  Period used

  November 1979

  37.30

  37.30

  —

  —

  —

  November 1980

  43.45

  44.20

  18.5

  15.3

  November 1979–80

  November 1981

  47.35

  49.50

  11.5

  12.0

  November 1980–81

  November 1982

  52.55

  53.65

  8.4

  6.3

  November 1981–82

  November 1983

  54.50

  58.30

  8.7

  3.7

  May 1982–83

  November 1984

  57.30

  61.25

  5.0

  5.1

  May 1983–84

  November 1985

  61.30

  66.60

  8.7

  7.0

  May 1984–85

  July 1986

  61.95

  69.60

  4.5

  1.1

  May 1985–January 1986

  April 1987

  63.25

  73.50

  5.6

  2.1

  January 1986–September 1986

  April 1988

  65.90

  79.25

  7.8

  4.2

  September 1986–87

  April 1989

  69.80

  86.20

  8.8

  5.9

  September 1987–88

  April 1990

  75.10

  94.55

  9.7

  7.6

  September 1988–89

  April 1991

  83.25

  104.85

  9.5

  10.9

  September 1989–90

  April 1992

  86.70

  112.85

  7.6

  4.1

  September 1990–91

  April 1993

  89.80

  118.30

  4.8

  3.6

  September 1991–92

  April 1994

  92.10

  121.95

  2.5

  1.8

  September 1992–93

  April 1995

  94.10

  126.10

  3.4

  2.2

  September 1993–94

  April 1996

  97.75

  131.05

  2.8

  3.9

  September 1994–95

  April 1997

  99.80

  136.55

  4.2

  2.1

  September 1995–96

  April 1998

  103.40

  142.15

  4.1

  3.6

  September 1996–97

  April 1999

  106.70

  149.10

  4.9

  3.2

  September 1997–98

  Notes:

  1. The Retail Prices Index (all items) has been used as published by the Office for National Statistics.

  2. Average Earnings Index Whole Economy (Non Seasonally Adjusted) as published by the Office for National Statistics.

  3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.

  4. From April 1994 the basic rate of Retirement Pension has been increased by 50p on a single person and 70p on a pensioner couple to reflect VAT on fuel.

  5. The figures for November 1978 to November 1982 have been calculated using actual increases in Retail Prices Index rather than forecast increases.
  844
  in the month which determined the level of the state pension each year since 1979. [95678]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the tables.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases have been considered to date under the Periodic Inquiry into Disability Living Allowance; and of these, how many have resulted in(a) a higher assessment, (b) an unchanged assessment and (c) a lower assessment. [95477]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 25 October 1999:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many cases have been considered to date under the Periodic Enquiry into Disability Living Allowance; and of these, how many have resulted in (a) a higher assessment, (b) an unchanged assessment and (c) a lower assessment.
  Statistics for periodic enquiry are to be published on a quarterly basis. The first figures, which will show the position up to and including 30 September, are due for publication within the next two weeks. They, and all further Periodic Enquiry statistics, will be available in the House of Commons library.
  I hope this is helpful.

  The estimated annual cost of raising the state pension over inflation

  £million (1999 prices)

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  £3, £5

  RP only:

  Gross costs

  1,470

  1,480

  1,480

  1,490

  1,510

  1,520

  Net costs

  1,150

  1,160

  1,170

  1,190

  1,210

  1,230

  With linked benefits:

  Gross costs

  1,740

  1,750

  1,760

  1,780

  1,800

  1,810

  Net costs

  1,330

  1,350

  1,360

  1,380

  1,410

  1,430

  £5, £8:

  RP only:

  Gross costs

  2,410

  2,420

  2,430

  2,450

  2,470

  2,490

  Net costs

  1,880

  1,900

  1,920

  1,950

  1,990

  2,020

  With linked benefits:

  Gross costs

  2,860

  2,880

  2,900

  2,920

  2,950

  2,980

  Net costs

  2,190

  2,210

  2,240

  2,270

  2,310

  2,350

  £8, £11

  RP only:

  Gross costs

  3,660

  3,670

  3,690

  3,720

  3,760

  3,790

  Netcosts

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  With linked benefits:

  Gross costs

  4,360

  4,380

  4,420

  4,460

  4,510

  4,560

  Net costs

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. Gross costs have been calculated by the Government Actuary's Department. Net costs take account of means-tested benefit offsets using the 1999–2000 Policy Simulation Model based on the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey.

  2. It is not possible to provide net costs for the third option (£8-single, £11-couples) because they involve disproportionate increases for different categories of pension, which the Policy Simulation Model cannot distinguish between.

  3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 million and are in 1999 prices.

  4. Linked benefits include Widows Benefits and Incapacity Benefit.

  Changes to Regulations
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a list of all changes to Social Security regulations since May 1997, giving a brief summary of the effect of each change, the number of people affected, the cost or saving of each change and the average cost or gain to individuals as a result of each change; and if he will make a statement. [95266]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available has been placed in the Library.

  It is only possible to provide a list of subordinate legislation made by the Secretary of State for Social Security since 1 May 1997. Summaries of the legislation can be found in the explanatory note attached at the end of each piece of subordinate legislation which are also held in the Library.

  State Pension
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost in the next five years of raising the state pension over inflation by(a) £3, (b) £5 and (c) £8 for single claimants and (i) £5, (ii) £8 and (iii) £11 for couples. [95284]

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

HEALTH

  Overseas Treatment
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if there is any Government funding for medical treatment overseas using advanced techniques currently not available in the United Kingdom. [94639]

  Ms Stuart
  National Health Service legislation contains no general power allowing purchase of treatment outside the United Kingdom for UK residents. European Community law does permit referral of individual patients elsewhere within the European Economic Area for treatment. Exceptionally, a health authority can seek approval from the Department of Health for ex-gratia funding of treatment outside the European Economic Area provided the costs are met from within the authority's existing resources.

  Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in each year from 1994 to 1999 for Southport and Ormskirk Trust and Fazakerley Trust hospitals(a) how many people were on waiting lists and (b) what was the average waiting time for an operation involving (i) orthopaedic, (ii) heart, (iii) urology, (iv) carcinoma and (v) opthamology matters. [94591]

  Mr. Denham
  Table 1 shows the size of the waiting list at the end of March 1994 to 1999 for each provider site.

  Tables 2 and 3 show the average waiting time by selected hospital provider for the financial years 1994–95 to 1997–98 for the following areas:
  An operation involving the trauma and orthopaedic, urology and ophthalmology specialties.
  Heart operations.
  An operation involving a selected primary diagnosis of neoplasms (carcinoma).

  Table 1: Total number of patients waiting for elective admission at the end of March

  Aintree NHS Trust

  Southport and Formby Trust

  West Lancashire NHS Trust

  1993–94

  8,143

  3,135

  1,705

  1994–95

  8,951

  3,250

  1,999

  1995–96

  9,889

  3,792

  2,173

  1996–97

  10,251

  4,197

  2,411

  1997–98

  9,105

  4,122

  2,735

  1998–99

  8,458

  3,635

  2,332

  Table 2: Ordinary admissions and day cases combined: mean waiting time (days) for an operation involving selected specialities and selected hospital provider: NHS hospitals, England

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  West Lancashire Trust

  Southport and Formby NHS Trust

  1994–95

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  107.1

  151.4

  101.4

  Urology

  96.3

  93.5

  70.2

  Ophthamology

  96.5

  91.1

  119.4

  1995–96

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  103.5

  144.4

  136.0

  Urology

  100.0

  100.9

  73.1

  Ophthalmology

  81.9

  174.7

  144.2

  848

  Table 2: Ordinary admissions and day cases combined: mean waiting time (days) for an operation involving selected specialities and selected hospital provider: NHS hospitals, England

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  West Lancashire Trust

  Southport and Formby NHS Trust

  1996–971

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  95.5

  147.4

  154.9

  Urology

  114.2

  86.9

  88.3

  Ophthalmology

  52.7

  223.2

  130.6

  1997–981

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  131.0

  162.8

  196.8

  Urology

  93.4

  90.0

  48.2

  Ophthalmology

  37.1

  239.7

  164.0

  Table 3: Ordinary admissions and day cases combined: mean waiting time (days) for an operation involving neoplasms shown by selected hospital provider: NHS hospitals, England

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  West Lancashire Trust

  Southport and Formby NHS Trust

  1994–95

  63.9

  48.1

  40.4

  1995–96

  54.5

  43.3

  27.0

  1996–971

  63.0

  38.2

  29.7

  1997–981

  54.0

  38.6

  24.8

  1 Figures are provisional, no adjustments have yet been made for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data is ungrossed).

  Notes:

  ICD-9 codes 140–239: Neoplasms were used for 1994–95.

  ICD-10 codes C00-D48: Neoplasms were used for 1995–96 to 1996–97.

  Waiting time statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and waiting times for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment at a given point in time and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the waiting time as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)

  Eye Tests
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Sefton over the age of 65 years had their eyes tested in each year between 1995 and 1998. [94590]

  Mr. Hutton
  From information obtained on the age of patients from an annual, national sample survey of opticians' workload, we estimate that the following numbers of sight tests were carried out among the 54,400 people aged over 65 who we estimate are resident in Sefton.

  Number of sight tests

  1995–96

  21,000

  1996–97

  21,400

  1997–98

  21,900

  1998–99

  22,200

  Trust Funding
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding over and above base budgets
  849
  was received by Fazakerley Trust and Southport and Ormskirk Trust hospitals in each year from 1992 to 1999; and what specific projects were so funded. [94589]

  Mr. Denham
  The table gives details of the funding above base budgets and the projects funded for Aintree Hospitals National Health Service Trust (including Fazakerley Hospital), the former West Lancashire NHS

  Developments funded above base budgets 1992/93–1997/98 for Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust and the predecessor NHS Trusts of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust

  £000

  Total

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  C.P.N. Posts—Mental Health

  46

  46

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Community M.H. Team

  160

  —

  —

  100

  —

  —

  60

  —

  Link Nursing—Mental Health

  101

  —

  —

  101

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stoddart Nursing—Mental Health

  100

  —

  —

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  Primary Care Team—Mental Health

  136

  —

  —

  —

  136

  —

  —

  —

  Liverpool Investment—Mental Health

  385

  —

  —

  —

  385

  —

  —

  —

  Mental Health Intensive Care and Security

  230

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  230

  —

  Mental Health Intensive Home Support

  186

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  115

  71

  EMI Consultant—Mental Health

  165

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  142

  23

  New Community Mental Health Team (Sefton)

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  60

  Activity Workers (Stoddart House)—Mental Health

  59

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  59

  All Other Mental Health Service Developments

  307

  —

  —

  —

  69

  104

  48

  86

  Open Access

  63

  —

  63

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Consultant

  100

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  A.E.D. Nursing

  57

  —

  —

  —

  57

  —

  —

  —

  A.E.D. Physician

  65

  —

  —

  —

  65

  —

  —

  —

  Anaesthetic Task Force

  62

  —

  —

  —

  62

  —

  —

  —

  3rd Consultant

  62

  —

  —

  —

  62

  —

  —

  —

  Cardiac Rehabilitation

  85

  —

  —

  —

  85

  —

  —

  —

  3rd M.R.I. Session

  40

  —

  —

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  Chair in Rehabilitation

  67

  —

  —

  —

  67

  —

  —

  Consultant Rheumatologist

  156

  —

  —

  —

  51

  105

  —

  —

  High Dependency Unit

  761

  —

  —

  —

  —

  410

  314

  37

  Final H.A. Pick-up of Palliative Care Nursing

  53

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  53

  —

  Palliative Care Consultant

  58

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  58

  —

  Vascular Surgeon

  88

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  88

  —

  All Other Service Developments

  749

  15

  —

  221

  250

  86

  146

  31

  Waiting List Initiatives

  1,645

  397

  —

  151

  77

  —

  1,020

  —

  Additional Activity

  1,672

  —

  —

  —

  1,058

  —

  614

  —

  Total

  7,718

  458

  163

  573

  2,564

  705

  2,888

  367

  Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust

  Former West Lancashire NHS Trust

  Resource Management Initiative

  674

  225

  309

  100

  —

  —

  —

  40

  ENT

  158

  158

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Activity increase

  302

  52

  —

  —

  250

  —

  —

  —

  Waiting List Initiative

  309

  —

  309

  294

  306

  123

  143

  313

  Obstetric and Gynaecologist consultant

  60

  —

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  A&E Consultant

  60

  —

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  CT Scanner costs

  140

  —

  —

  140

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ophthalmology

  100

  —

  —

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Consultant Gastroenterologist

  62

  —

  —

  62

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Winter Pressures/Emergency Medical Admissions

  694

  —

  —

  92

  37

  90

  185

  290

  Consultant Dermatologist

  57

  —

  —

  57

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Consultant Haematologist

  57

  —

  —

  57

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cardiologist

  60

  —

  —

  —

  60

  —

  —

  —

  Cardiology Out-Patients

  44

  —

  —

  —

  —

  44

  —

  —

  Admissions

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  55

  All Other Service Developments

  —

  26

  30

  13

  91

  20

  31

  101

  Former Southport and Formby NHS Trust

  Waiting List

  3,215

  481

  722

  199

  398

  100

  465

  850

  Winter Pressures

  637

  —

  20

  60

  26

  97

  98

  336

  Spinal Injuries

  40

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  MRI Scanning

  84

  —

  84

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  GUM

  64

  —

  64

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dermatology

  83

  —

  83

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pressures

  211

  —

  —

  —

  —

  211

  —

  —

  Emergency Medical Admissions

  150

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  150

  Consultant Microbiology

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  40

  All Other Service Developments

  404

  —

  166

  115

  63

  —

  —

  60

  Total

  7,760

  942

  1,947

  1,289

  1,231

  685

  922

  2,235

  850
  Trust (acute services only) and the former Southport and Formby NHS Trust for each year from 1992–93 to 1998–99.

  The information provided is not kept centrally and was obtained from Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust and Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust. Further details may be obtained from the trusts if required.

  Young Disabled People
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to collect information on the long-term care needs of younger disabled people. [93829]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has recently introduced a new collection—the Resources, Assessment and Packages of Care (RAP) Project—which will provide information on the numbers of disabled people aged 18–64 assessed by social services and the services identified as being required to meet their needs as a result of the assessment. The data are not broken down further by age. The report of the first "Dress Rehearsal" for the RAP Project has just been published. Copies are available in the Library.

  The Department also collects information on the numbers of younger disabled people in residential or nursing care and the residential and nursing care market provision. Information is also available on the numbers of younger disabled people who receive different forms of day and domiciliary care. Again, this information is available for the 18–64 age group, but it is not possible to break these figures down further by age.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how NHS Direct will be funded once the pilot funding has been discontinued; and if he will make a statement; [94892]

  (2) if primary care groups and primary care trusts will acquire budgetary responsibilities for NHS Direct once the current pilot funding is discontinued. [94895]

  Ms Stuart
  NHS Direct is currently funded through a central budget. The National Health Service Executive Headquarters and NHS Executive Regional Offices will continue to have budgetary responsibilities for NHS Direct for the foreseeable future.

  Airlines (Emergency Medical Equipment)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice he plans to offer commercial airlines in respect of the equipment they routinely carry against the possibility of medical emergencies; [94893]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the equipment carried by commercial aircraft for use in medical emergencies. [94894]

  Ms Stuart
  Following informal discussions with the Department, the Medical Directors of the Association of European Airlines are reviewing current provision of emergency equipment and training on aircraft with the European Resuscitation Council. This will take account of what the Civil Aviation Authority already set out, the updated requirements of the EC harmonised Joint Airline Regulations covering commercial airlines, recommendations from the Aerospace Medical Association and ongoing international work. We will consider the expert advice when it is ready and discuss what action may be needed with Ministerial colleagues in other government departments and with the industry.

  Surgical Operating Departments
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to establish a scheme of statutory registration for surgical operating department practitioners. [95234]

  Mr. Hutton
  Under powers provided by the Health Act 1999, we are reviewing the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960. As part of that review, consideration is being given to the regulation of health professions which are not currently state registered, including operating department practitioners. The aim will be to provide for an NHS which is modern, reliable and fully responsive to patient needs. There will be full consultation before a final decision is taken.

  Community Prescribing
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the second part of the Crown review on community prescribing to be published. [95245]

  Yvette Cooper
  The final report of the Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines was published for consultation and comment on 8 March. We are currently giving detailed consideration on how best to take forward the Report's recommendations in the light of all comments.

  NHS Trusts (Capital Charges)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the capital charges on health service buildings and lands payable by NHS trusts. [95244]

  Mr. Denham
  All the land and buildings in the National Health Service estate were re-valued by the Valuation Office Agency in an exercise completed by 31 June 1999. The resulting valuations will be brought to account in NHS trusts' financial statements at 31 March 2000 and will consequently determine the amount of capital charges payable by NHS trusts in the financial year 2000–01.

  Estimates of capital charges payable in 2000–01 were received from NHS trusts by the NHS Executive in August 1999. These estimates inform the process of allocating funding to health authorities for 2000–01 such that the NHS trusts sector is fully funded for capital charges thus estimated.

  Carers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many carers' assessments have been carried out under the Carers Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [95334]

  Mr. Hutton
  Using information provided from the first dress rehearsal of the Referrals, Assessments and Packages of Care Project, which not all local authorities in England completed, we have been able to extrapolate an indicative number of carers' assessments carried out under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 for the period 1 January 1999 to 31 March 1999. This indicative figure is 62,384. No earlier data are available centrally.

  St. Dunstan's
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons St. Dunstan's recent application for Government funding was rejected. [95911]

  Mr. Hutton
  St. Dunstan's has submitted an application under the current round (2000–01) for section 64 grants. No decision has yet been made. It is expected that Ministers will make their decisions early in 2000.

  Under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, the Department has powers to fund voluntary organisations in England whose activities support the Department's policy objectives relating to health and social services. St. Dunstan's is eligible, as are all registered charities, to apply under the scheme.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional sums for treating coronary heart disease will be allocated to the Morecambe Bay Health Authority in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [95483]

  Mr. Hutton
  Plans for allocating the additional £50 million to help the National Health Service increase numbers of heart operations over the next two years, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 18 October, have yet to be finalised.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to reply to the Question tabled for answer on 16 July on winter pressures (91791). [95811]

  Mr. Denham
  I shall let my hon. Friend have a reply to his earlier Question as soon as possible.

  Human Tissue Act 1961
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the provisions of the Human Tissue Act 1961 to require coroners to consult relatives before removing body organs; and if he will make a statement. [95571]

  Mr. Hutton
  In view of the concerns raised about the removal and retention of organs at post mortem, we have asked the Chief Medical Officer to conduct an investigation. This investigation will look at what has happened in the country generally and at the implications for the National Health Service. Any recommendations relating to coronial practice emerging from the CMO's investigation, the Bristol Inquiry, or other local reviews will receive full consideration.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce the incidence of violence against social workers; and if he will make a statement. [95730]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 750.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to receive the report from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence regarding the benefits to sufferers of multiple sclerosis of being prescribed Beta Interferon; and if he will make a statement. [95560]

  Mr. Denham
  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 about the outcome of the consultation in the near future

  It will be for NICE to determine its timetable for the appraisal of technologies once they are referred by the Government.

  Response Times Targets
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received over the response times targets for Category B and Category C calls; what discussions he has had with Community Health Councils over these response times; what plans he has to review the times; and if he will make a statement. [95565]

  Ms Stuart
  My noble Friend the Baroness Hayman and I have recently replied to Gloucestershire Community Health Council on the subject of Category C calls and officials have written directly to a number of Community Health Councils setting out Government policy in this area.

  Ambulance response times are reviewed annually and published in a Statistical Bulletin. We have asked ambulance services to submit proposals for pilot studies looking at alternative ways of dealing with less urgent non-life threatening 999 calls. Several services are already piloting such projects, however careful monitoring and evaluation is needed to ensure patients receive appropriate clinical care.

  Health Inequality
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of current levels of health inequalities in England. [93175]

  Yvette Cooper
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) commissioned an Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health, under Sir Donald Acheson, whose report was published in November 1998. This report contained an assessment of current levels of health inequalities in England.

  Our new health strategy, "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation", sets out the main measures of success we shall be using. We shall shortly be publishing a Technical Supplement which will outline in more detail the types of information that will be collated nationally and locally.

  Published alongside the health strategy was "Reducing Health Inequalities: An Action report" which sets out the action being taken across Government—and through partnerships between local and regional organisations—to reduce health inequalities.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further improvements he plans to make to the quality and provision of mental health services. [93176]

  Mr. Hutton
  Our plans for improving mental health services were set out last year in "Modernising Mental Health Services". This made clear that improvements would be delivered through the implementation of the National Service Framework for Mental Health, reviewing mental health legislation and through new investment and reprioritisation of existing resources.

  We published the National Service Framework on 30 September which sets out detailed standards, service models and milestones for measuring improvements in services. Implementation of the National Service Framework will be subject to rigorous performance management.

  We have made clear our commitment to investing new resources in mental health services over this and the next two years to help health and social services reshape mental health services.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  EU Regulations
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the Government's current position in relation to the European Commission proposal to adopt the amended Brussels Convention and the new draft Rome II Convention, pursuant to Article 65 of the Amsterdam Treaty; and if a regulatory impact assessment of the costs and benefits to small and medium sized enterprises of the implementation of this proposed EU regulation has been undertaken. [95174]

  Mr. Lock
  Pursuant to the Protocol to the Treaty of Rome governing the special position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in relation to measures adopted under the Title IV of that treaty, the Government is not yet required to decide whether the United Kingdom should opt-in to the negotiations on the recent proposal for a regulation to replace the 1968 Brussels convention. This decision must be taken before 8 December 1999.

  No proposal for a regulation has yet been made in relation to the draft Rome II Convention which will establish choice of law rules in relation to non-contractual matters; negotiations on this proposed agreement are still at an early stage. There will be proper consultation on it at the appropriate time.

  No regulatory impact assessment of the costs and benefits to small and medium sized enterprises of the implementation of the proposed regulation to replace the Brussels Convention has been undertaken. Such an assessment was not considered appropriate in this case.

  Competition Law (QCs)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he has examined the effect of EU competition law, with particular reference to articles 52 and 85, in relation to the operation of the Queen's Counsel system. [95083]
  856
  Mr. Lock
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is satisfied that the operation of appointments of Queen's Counsel is consistent with the Treaty provisions mentioned.

  Robert Hamill
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the inquest into the death of Robert Hamill will be held. [95358]

  Mr. Lock
  The holding of an inquest into the death of Robert Hamill is a matter for the Coroner for the District in which Mr. Hamill died. The Coroner has indicated that the inquest will be held on a date to be fixed in the New Year.

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the constitution of the Public Trust Office; who are its members and officers; to whom it is accountable; how it calculates its charges; and if he will make a statement. [95575]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Public Trust Office was established as an executive agency on 1 July 1994. Its purpose is to ensure the effective management of private assets and financial affairs entrusted to its care. This includes the administration of private trusts, the supervision or management of the financial affairs of mentally incapable persons and the care of funds paid into court.

  The responsible minister is the Lord Chancellor. The head of the agency is the Chief Executive who holds the statutory offices of Public Trustee and Accountant General of the Supreme Court. The Public Trust Office employs around 580 staff.

  The Chief Executive is responsible for decisions relating to the day to day management of the Public Trust Office and is directly accountable to the Lord Chancellor for the effective and efficient management of the Public Trust Office.

  The Public Trustee is required by statute to cover the cost of work related to the administration of trusts. Fees are fixed by the Treasury and sanctioned by the Lord Chancellor.

  In relation to mental health work, the Public Trust Office charges a fee calculated against annual income after certain deductions e.g. non-taxable social security benefits.

  The Court Funds Office recovers its costs out of income from investments which are managed by the National Investments and Loans Office in accordance with the provisions of Section 39(2)(b) of the Administration of Justice Act 1982.

  Hereford Crown Court
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor has to review the(a) site and (b) operation of Hereford Crown Court; and if he will make a statement. [95933]
  857
  Jane Kennedy
  The lease on the current court building will expire on 31 December 2001. A review will be necessary in advance of that date to determine how the court should operate in future. At this stage, it is too early to judge whether changes to the site or operation of the court will be required.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93688]

  Dr. Reid
  The spending on official publications by my Department and its predecessor, The Scottish Office, since May 1997, which includes the costs incurred by the Department in publishing, preparation and purchase of copies for official use was £225,802. These costs exclude the cost of publications produced for internal use. 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.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ecstasy
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many(a) women and (b) men aged 16 to 25 years died as a direct result of ecstasy overdose in 1998–99. [95871]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jonathan Shaw, dated 26 October 1999:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on how many (a) women and (b) men aged 16 to 25 years died as a direct result of ecstasy overdose in 1998–99.
  In 1997, the latest year for which data are available, there were five drug-related deaths among men aged 16 to 25 years in which ecstasy was mentioned on the death certificate. No deaths associated with ecstasy were recorded among women in this age-group in 1997.

  Neighbourhood Renewal
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress she has made in implementing the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. [94214]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government will publish the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal for consultation in Spring 2000. It will set out a proposed approach for dealing with England's most deprived neighbourhoods.

  The strategy will aim to bridge the gap between the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest; and to deliver on four key outcome targets in deprived neighbourhoods: more jobs, less crime and better health and educational achievement.
  858
  The Social Exclusion Unit has set up 18 Policy Action Teams to drive forward the work to develop the strategy, focusing on key problem issues. These teams bring together civil servants from across Whitehall and outside experts. But the strategy will also need to draw on other work, particularly on ensuring that mainstream public services are enabled to do their job in deprived areas.

  Next Steps Agencies
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will list for each of the Next Steps agencies (1) the number of civil servants employed in Scotland; [95281]

  (2) (a) the total wage bill and (b) the wage bill for staff based in Scotland. [95282]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  This is a matter for which the Scottish Executive is responsible.

WALES

  Wages Growth
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the average percentage growth in wages in Wales in 1997 and 1998 respectively. [94873]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Figures for the percentage increase in average gross weekly earnings of full time employees, on adult rates in Wales for 1997 and 1998 are set out in the following table:

  Percentage

  April 1996 to April 1997

  5.3

  April 1997 to April 1998

  4.1

  April 1998 to April 1999

  3.2

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey, Office for National Statistics

  GDP
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the percentage GDP growth in Wales in 1997 and 1998. [94875]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There is no official estimate for GDP growth in Wales.

  Departmental Title
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the title of his Department. [96245]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  With the agreement of the Prime Minister, my Department is known as "Wales Office (Office of the Secretary of State for Wales)".

  The name is designed to address the new, post-devolution, role of my post in Government. It is important that it is clear that I do not retain responsibility for matters which are devolved to the National Assembly for Wales. The name reflects the responsibilities I have for representing Wales in Parliament and in the UK Government. At the same time it points to my role in

  859
  Wales—that is promoting Government policies and making sure that a wide constituency of interest in Wales are able to make their views known directly to the UK Government.

  In Cardiff, I have an office in the National Assembly for Wales building; to avoid confusion my Department will be known there as "The Office of the Secretary of State for Wales".

  World Wide Web
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to secure a Wales Identifier on the World Wide Web. [95159]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Wales Office has already secured such an identity on the World Wide Web at: http://www.ossw.wales.gov.uk.

  Calf Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what role he played with regard to negotiating with the European Commission about the acceptance of the calf scheme proposed by the National Assembly for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [95777]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  It is for the UK Government to put any proposals for a calf-processing scheme to the Commission, and for the National Assembly for Wales to develop any proposals for such a scheme in Wales. I have every confidence in the way the Assembly contributed to the informal discussions which MAFF and UKRep held with the Commission on the proposal. I have been in close contact throughout with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and with the First Secretary and Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development of the National Assembly for Wales.

  ACP Countries: Regional Economic Partnership Agreements
  ACP Countries: Regional Economic Partnership Agreements
  ACP Countries: Sugar Accords
  ACP Countries: Sugar Accords
  The Mall: Parking Spaces
  The Mall: Parking Spaces
  Tate Modern: Admissions Policy
  Tate Modern: Admissions Policy
  Peers' Expenses
  Peers' Expenses
  Military Vehicles: Convoys
  Military Vehicles: Convoys
  Bosnia
  Bosnia
  Defence Evaluation Research Agency
  Defence Evaluation Research Agency
  Falkland Islands Garrison
  Falkland Islands Garrison
  WTO Negotiations and Developing Countries
  WTO Negotiations and Developing Countries
  Bioethics: International Committee Meetings
  Bioethics: International Committee Meetings
  Malaria
  Malaria
  Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
  Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
  Statutory Instruments
  Statutory Instruments
  Human Rights Act 1998
  Human Rights Act 1998
  Parliamentary Commissioner Appointment Procedures
  Parliamentary Commissioner Appointment Procedures
  Devolved Assemblies: Members' Correspondence with Ministers
  Devolved Assemblies: Members' Correspondence with Ministers
  International Conventions and the UK
  International Conventions and the UK
  Iraq: Oil for Food Programme
  Iraq: Oil for Food Programme
  Iraq: New UN Resolution
  Iraq: New UN Resolution
  Iraq: Papal Visit
  Iraq: Papal Visit
  Firearms
  Firearms
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Immigration Act Detainees
  Live Sheep Export
  Live Sheep Export
  Pets: Quarantine Requirement
  Pets: Quarantine Requirement
  Sand Eel Total Allowable Catches
  Sand Eel Total Allowable Catches
  Drift Net and T Net Fishing Licences
  Drift Net and T Net Fishing Licences
  Salmon and Sea Trout Catches
  Salmon and Sea Trout Catches
  Seals: Fish Consumption
  Seals: Fish Consumption
  Atlantic Salmon Catches
  Atlantic Salmon Catches