Written Answers of 27 October 1999

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what data he has collated on National Lottery ticket sales by(a) constituency and (b) social class. [95533]

  Kate Hoey
  Information on National Lottery ticket sales by constituency is not available. Ticket sales are only broken down on a geographical basis by television region. Average weekly spend on the Saturday and Wednesday draws between July 1998 and April 1999 is shown in the following table, which was provided by the Lottery operator, Camelot Group plc.

  TV Region

  Average weekly spend by those participating (£)

  Average percentage participating

  LWT Carlton

  3.55

  44

  Meridian/South

  3.44

  48

  Anglia

  3.08

  50

  West Country

  3.09

  49

  Wales and West

  3.23

  51

  Central

  3.11

  50

  Granada

  3.20

  48

  Yorkshire

  3.37

  55

  Tyne Tees

  3.45

  63

  Scottish

  3.26

  52

  Ulster

  3.00

  43

  Total

  3.29

  49

  £ billion

  Good cause

  Low forecast

  Medium forecast

  High forecast

  Charities

  1.88

  1.91

  1.97

  Heritage

  1.89

  1.92

  1.99

  Arts

  1.85

  1.88

  1.94

  Sports

  1.88

  1.91

  1.98

  Millennium Commission (including interest)

  2.019

  2.019

  2.019

  New Opportunities Fund

  1.16

  1.22

  1.36

  Interest for the period 1 October 1999 to 30 September 2001

  0.34

  0.35

  0.38

  Total (including interest)

  11.02

  11.21

  11.64

  The income data for the individual Good Causes (except the Millennium Commission) exclude interest for the period from 1 October 1999 to the end of the Licence. It is not possible to calculate the future allocation of interest between the Good Causes, because this will depend on the rate at which the Distributors draw income from the NLDF. The estimated total interest for all the Good Causes from 1 October 1999 to the end of the Licence is shown separately.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidelines he gives to the
  862
  Tickets sales by social class as shown in the following table, also provided by Camelot.

  percentage

  Social class

  Saturday game

  Wednesday game

  AB

  21

  20

  C1

  25

  25

  C2

  26

  27

  DE

  28

  28

  Note:

  No breakdown is available for instants sales.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will provide an estimate of moneys he anticipates will be received by each of the good causes up until the end of the current lottery contract; how much has been received by each good cause to date; and if he will make a statement. [95275]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: By 30 September 1999 the total income (including interest) to the Good Causes from the National Lottery was as follows:

  £ billion

  Good cause

  Lottery income received (including interest)

  Charities

  1.48

  Heritage

  1.50

  Arts

  1.44

  Sports

  1.48

  Millennium Commission

  1.66

  New Opportunities Fund

  0.63

  Total

  8.19

  The forecast income for the Good Causes to the end of the current Licence has been estimated using three different scenarios:

  Television Licensing Authority regarding the purchasing of licences part-way through a calendar month; and if he will make a statement. [95711]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has issued no such guidelines. Since 1991, the BBC has had statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system and Television Licensing carries out the day to day administration as agent for the Corporation. However, I understand that the practice of issuing new licences to expire 12 months from the end of the month preceding that in which they are issued follows previous Home Office practice.

  Public Bodies (Vacancies)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out the current vacancies on non-governmental public bodies sponsored by his Department, together with the dates on which the vacancies arose and when they were advertised. [95154]

  Vacancy from

  Body

  Role description

  30 September 1999

  British Library

  Trustee

  16 June 1999

  Public Lending Right Committee

  Trustee

  30 September 1999

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Trustee

  30 September 1999

  Independent Television Commission

  Deputy-Chairman

  17 August 1999

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  15 August 1999

  Radio Authority

  2 Members

  30 June 1999

  National Film and Television School

  Governor

  8 February 1999

  English Tourism Council

  Member

  27 May 1999

  New Opportunities Fund

  Member

  30 September 1999

  Horniman Museum

  Trustee

  5 December 1998

  Imperial War Museum

  Trustee

  12 January 1999

  Geffrye Museum

  Trustee

  20 January 1999

  Museum of London

  Governor

  29 November 1998

  Museum of London

  Governor

  30 June 1998

  Museum of London

  Governor

  31 March 1999

  National Museum and Galleries on Merseyside

  2 Trustees

  7 June 1998

  Royal Armouries

  Trustee

  15 July 1998

  Royal Armouries

  Trustee

  25 February 1999

  Royal Armouries

  Trustee

  3 April 1999

  Tate Gallery

  Trustee

  19 May 1999

  Wallace Collection

  Trustee

  30 September 1999

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  3 Trustees

  3 August 1999

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  18 September 1999

  English Sports Council

  2 Members

  8 March 1998

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  8 June 1998

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  31 March 1999

  Advisory Committee for Historic Wrecks

  2 Members

  1 October 1999

  Theatres Trust

  Trustee

  5 April 1999

  Theatres Trust

  2 Trustees

  9 October 1999

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Trustee

  Note:

  These are the vacancies which are in the process of being filled

  National Museum of Pop
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to support further the National Museum of Pop in Sheffield. [95756]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I regret that the National Centre for Popular Music is in difficulty. This is an exciting venture designed to celebrate the world's rich heritage of popular music. I understand that the NCPM is working with all interested parties, including the Arts Council of England, Yorkshire Arts, English Partnerships and Sheffield City Council, to arrive at a solution to the Centre's difficulties.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to visit the National Museum of Pop in Sheffield. [95470]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has at present no plans to visit the National Centre for Popular Music in Sheffield.

  World Cup
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the European Commission officials who were given World Cup tickets at the time of
  864
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The information is listed. For reasons of proportionality, it is my Department's policy only to consider advertising for posts which are of widespread public interest and/or with annual remuneration of above £10,000. The majority of appointments to my Department's public bodies do not fall within this definition.

  that event; if these officials were involved in assessing the fine on the football authorities imposed by the Commission; and if he will make a statement. [95498]

  Kate Hoey
  My Department does not hold information on the distribution of tickets for the 1998 World Cup Finals to European Commission officials. That is a matter for the organisers of the 1998 World Cup Finals and the European Commission.

  Tourism
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many holidays were taken in the United Kingdom by British residents in(a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998. [95436]

  Janet Anderson
  In 1996 UK residents took 64.8 million holidays within the United Kingdom. By 1997 this figure had risen by 6 million to 70.8 million, an increase of 9 per cent. However, in 1998 the number of holidays taken had declined by 5.7 million to 65.1 million, a decrease of 9 per cent.

  Local Libraries
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those local
  865
  authorities to which, within the last year, he has made written representations over their plans to reduce local library services. [95130]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: My Department has been involved in detailed discussions with 10 authorities about major changes to their library services, including service reductions. It is our policy at this stage not to name or list the authorities concerned. Our experience is that there is more chance of finding acceptable resolutions if this policy is followed, and indeed this has happened in several cases already.

  Television Advertising (Children)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is regarding television advertising to children; and if he will make a statement. [95924]

  Janet Anderson
  Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, it is the duty of the Independent Television Commission to draw up and maintain a code covering advertising on television. Appendix 1 of the Commission's Code of Advertising Standards and Practice includes detailed regulations which ensure that television advertisements aimed at children do not mislead or exploit or encourage unsafe or dangerous behaviour. The regulations also prohibit the advertising of certain types of product during childrens' programmes. The Code was revised last year following consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, the television and advertising industries, viewer and listener groups and other bodies.

  Trafalgar Square
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people are estimated to have celebrated the New Year in 1999 in Trafalgar Square; and what the capacity of Trafalgar Square for celebrating the New Millennium will be if proposals to create an ice skating rink there go ahead. [95927]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Approximately 90,000 people attended the New Year's Eve celebration in Trafalgar Square in 1999 and it is anticipated that this number will be exceeded on New Year's Eve this year. The proposed ice rink will be removed from the Square before New Year's Eve for public safety reasons.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Low Fat Diet
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee if a low fat diet is to be available in the canteens and restaurants in the House; and what medical advice has been sought on this subject. [94932]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The House of Commons Refreshment Department is committed to a policy of encouraging "healthy eating" throughout all its cafeterias and dining rooms, ensuring that customers are given a sufficiently wide choice of foods to be able to modify and regulate their own diet. Regular promotions are held in conjunction with the
  866
  House of Commons Occupational Health Service to help educate customers and to assist them in making healthier food choices.

  The availability of low fat foods is an important part of this approach to the promotion of a balanced diet, and the Refreshment Department has for several years adapted its recipes and cooking methods to make use of healthier alternatives wherever possible. A "healthy eating" dish is publicised on daily cafeteria and dining room menus, in addition to which fish is offered on most menus and can generally be served without sauce or added fat. Skimmed and semi-skimmed milk is available throughout the Department, as are butterless vegetables, lean meats, un-dressed salads and reduced fat dressings, low fat yoghurts and sandwiches, and a wide range of fruit and vegetables. In addition there is usually a vegetarian option in all outlets which tends to be more healthy and lower in fat.

  The Department aims to ensure that adequate choice is available for customers wishing to follow a low fat diet and plans to continue to develop its policy of encouraging a rounded approach to healthy eating and a balanced diet.

  In fulfilling this policy, the Refreshment Department liaises closely with the medical and lay staff of the House of Commons Occupational Health Service, as well as with staff of the Gymnasium. Many senior managers and chefs of the Department have received some formal education or training in nutrition and dietetics, but further advice and guidance on specific issues is taken from external dieticians, the Health Education Authority or other professional bodies.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Gender Impact Analysis
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives and policies have been subjected to a gender impact analysis in his Department. [94497]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  As an employer we monitor the impact on women of our recruitment, appraisal and promotion processes. To help women balance the demands of work and home, we have a range of policies including support for childcare, career breaks of up to five years and a policy that all posts (with very few exceptions) are available for part-time working and job-sharing.

  We are continuing to make use of consultations, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women. Specific examples of these include the recent consultation of various women's organisations on smoking in taxis and the development of a public transport gender audit. We are also requiring the inclusion of policy appraisal statements in each Ministerial policy submission. Other initiatives include the requirement to promote social inclusion (including meeting the transport needs of women and other social groups) in the Department's assessment of local authorities' provisional Local Transport Plans.
  867
  Our policies are subject to evaluation and will pick up differential impacts on specific groups, particularly where they are disadvantaged. Some policies do have intentional differential gender impacts; for example, the priority afforded to pregnant women and lone parent households (the majority of which are headed by women) in the allocation of council housing.

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [94851]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

  Railway Vandalism
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of offenders who committed vandalism causing train accidents in 1998–99 are being prosecuted; and what action he is taking to ensure that train operators and Railtrack provide adequate security. [95172]

  Mr. Hill
  The Health and Safety Executive reported that in 1997–98 there were 1,098 reported railway accidents caused by malicious action, including 512 incidences of damage to the cab driver's window. The figures provided by the British Transport Police for the same year show that they dealt with 6,419 reported incidences of 'stone throwing' or 'Line of Route' offences, such as obstructing the line, of which 718 were either charged or cautioned, or no crime was found to be committed.

  Private tenancies (excluding rent free) by Government Office region

  Thousand

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  North East

  78

  66

  81

  74

  85

  North West (including Merseyside)

  202

  202

  250

  262

  246

  Yorks & Humber

  169

  176

  158

  201

  185

  East Midlands

  155

  150

  132

  152

  138

  West Midlands

  135

  176

  149

  131

  158

  East

  182

  205

  194

  220

  210

  London

  408

  478

  445

  442

  408

  South East

  350

  353

  400

  320

  352

  South West

  273

  222

  247

  245

  232

  England

  1,952

  2,028

  2,056

  2,047

  2,015

  Notes:

  1. Each private tenancy corresponds to a separate agreement by which a tenant or tenants rent their accommodation from their landlord.

  2. Excludes rent free tenancies, but includes those where whole rent is met by Housing Benefit.

  Artificial Reefs
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if his Department plans to investigate the environmental impact of building artificial reefs to create surfing waves around Britain's coast; [95929]
  868
  Train operating companies are expected to follow the crime prevention strategies in our guidance 'Personal Security on Public Transport—Guidelines for Operators', including measures such as CCTV, improved lighting and the availability of trained staff. My Department also encourages train operators to join the 'Secure Station' and 'Secured Car Park' schemes where they apply for accreditation by meeting agreed standards on crime prevention measures.

  Federal Express
  Mr. MacGregor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what concessions he obtained from the United States Government in return for the rights recently given to Federal Express to deliver freight from Prestwick Airport to third countries. [95331]

  Mr. Prescott
  In granting fifth freedom rights from Prestwick to US cargo carriers, we have said to the US Government that we would expect it to give favourable consideration to equivalent applications for extra-bilateral rights to UK carriers. Although United Kingdom airlines will not benefit directly from the granting of these rights at Prestwick, there will be significant economic benefits accruing to the region. In the longer run, UK airlines and airports will gain when we have achieved our wider goal, which is the liberalisation of the overall market.

  Private Sector Renting
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the numbers of private sector rooms for rent in each standard region for the last five years for which figures are available. [94884]

  Mr. Mullin
  The term 'private sector rooms' is open to interpretation and so the following table shows estimates from the Survey of English Housing of the number of private tenancies in each Government Office region.

  (2) what investigation his Department has carried out to assess the impact on the surrounding coastline of creating an artificial reef off the coast at Bournemouth. [95930]

  Mr. Mullin
  No assessments have been made because no firm proposals have been submitted. More than one permission would be required. Constructing an artificial reef to create surfing waves would require prior written
  869
  consent from this Department to ensure that danger or obstruction to navigation was not likely to result. Such works would also require a licence from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. They would take full account of effects on the marine environment.

  Under 18-year-olds
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the number of residents under 18 years of age at 30 June 1996, as used in the local government finance settlement, in each local authority area in England. [95734]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Registrar General's estimates of the number of residents under 18 years of age at 30 June 1996 were used in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 local government finance settlements. The Office for National Statistics published revised population estimates for 1996 on 27 August 1998. These were used in the 1999–2000 settlement.

  The following table details the estimates of the number of residents under 18 years of age for each relevant local authority as used in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 local government finance settlements.

  Population aged 0 to 17 as used in

  Local authority

  1998–99 SSAs

  1999–2000 SSAs

  Cornwall

  103,602

  103,602

  Cumbria

  106,625

  106,625

  Gloucestershire

  124,095

  124,095

  Hertfordshire

  235,936

  235,936

  Lincolnshire

  133,032

  133,032

  Norfolk

  163,488

  163,488

  Northamptonshire

  146,515

  146,515

  Northumberland

  68,080

  68,080

  Oxfordshire

  139,581

  139,581

  Somerset

  108,202

  108,202

  Suffolk

  151,628

  151,628

  Surrey

  230,697

  230,697

  Warwickshire

  111,008

  111,008

  West Sussex

  157,715

  157,715

  North Yorkshire

  121,597

  121,318

  Bedfordshire

  86,655

  86,655

  Buckinghamshire

  111,123

  111,123

  Derbyshire

  159,579

  159,579

  Dorset

  78,579

  78,579

  Durham

  114,946

  114,946

  East Sussex

  103,390

  103,390

  Hampshire

  281,077

  281,077

  Leicestershire

  134,380

  134,380

  Staffordshire

  181,698

  181,698

  Wiltshire

  95,900

  95,900

  Cambridgeshire

  120,210

  120,210

  Cheshire

  150,256

  150,256

  Devon

  142,841

  142,841

  Essex

  286,972

  286,972

  Kent

  299,256

  299,256

  Lancashire

  264,045

  264,045

  Nottinghamshire

  166,322

  166,322

  Shropshire

  60,515

  60,515

  Worcestershire

  119,717

  119,717

  Isles of Scilly

  475

  475

  Barking and Dagenham

  39,393

  39,393

  Barnet

  71,862

  71,862

  Bexley

  50,937

  50,937

  Brent

  59,524

  59,524

  Bromley

  62,205

  62,205

  Croydon

  78,345

  78,345

  Ealing

  68,773

  68,773

  Enfield

  61,898

  61,898

  Haringey

  49,363

  49,363

  Harrow

  49,286

  49,286

  870

  Population aged 0 to 17 as used in

  Local authority

  1998–99 SSAs

  1999–2000 SSAs

  Havering

  50,739

  50,739

  Hillingdon

  56,353

  56,353

  Hounslow

  48,678

  48,678

  Kingston upon Thames

  29,694

  29,694

  Merton

  39,751

  39,751

  Newham

  68,438

  68,438

  Redbridge

  54,334

  54,334

  Richmond upon Thames

  35,623

  35,623

  Sutton

  39,836

  39,836

  Waltham Forest

  53,855

  53,855

  Camden

  35,973

  35,973

  Greenwich

  54,062

  54,062

  Hackney

  50,741

  50,741

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  29,060

  29,060

  Islington

  38,964

  38,964

  Kensington and Chelsea

  27,165

  27,165

  Lambeth

  61,263

  61,263

  Lewisham

  57,319

  57,319

  Southwark

  56,327

  56,327

  Tower Hamlets

  50,629

  50,629

  Wandsworth

  49,496

  49,496

  Westminster

  32,790

  32,790

  City of London

  669

  669

  Bolton

  64,578

  64,578

  Bury

  42,824

  42,824

  Manchester

  113,070

  113,070

  Oldham

  56,249

  56,249

  Rochdale

  53,544

  53,544

  Salford

  53,818

  53,818

  Stockport

  65,700

  65,700

  Tameside

  53,303

  53,303

  Trafford

  50,669

  50,669

  Wigan

  71,929

  71,929

  Knowsley

  41,999

  41,999

  Liverpool

  112,094

  112,094

  St. Helens

  41,008

  41,008

  Sefton

  65,177

  65,177

  Wirral

  77,447

  77,447

  Barnsley

  52,055

  52,055

  Doncaster

  70,259

  70,259

  Rotherham

  60,695

  60,695

  Sheffield

  113,028

  113,028

  Gateshead

  44,106

  44,106

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  62,028

  62,028

  North Tyneside

  42,814

  42,814

  South Tyneside

  36,816

  36,816

  Sunderland

  71,104

  71,104

  Birmingham

  263,776

  263,776

  Coventry

  75,274

  75,274

  Dudley

  69,925

  69,925

  Sandwell

  70,768

  70,768

  Solihull

  46,772

  46,772

  Walsall

  63,567

  63,567

  Wolverhampton

  59,925

  59,925

  Bradford

  127,643

  127,643

  Calderdale

  45,755

  45,755

  Kirlees

  94,008

  94,008

  Leeds

  164,436

  164,436

  Wakefield

  74,414

  74,414

  Isle of Wight Council

  25,758

  25,758

  Bath and North East Somerset

  33,843

  33,843

  Bristol

  87,918

  87,918

  South Gloucestershire

  54,024

  54,024

  North Somerset

  39,568

  39,568

  Hartlepool

  22,780

  22,780

  Middlesbrough

  38,190

  38,190

  Redcar and Cleveland

  34,169

  34,169

  Stockton-on-Tees

  45,143

  45,143

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  66,904

  66,930

  Kingston upon Hull

  65,210

  65,212

  North East Lincolnshire

  39,284

  39,285

  North Lincolnshire

  35,570

  35,492

  York

  36,988

  37,248

  Luton

  49,669

  49,669

  Milton Keynes

  52,697

  52,697

  Derby

  55,091

  55,091

  Bournemouth

  29,692

  29,692

  871

  Population aged 0 to 17 as used in

  Local authority

  1998–99 SSAs

  1999–2000 SSAs

  Poole

  30,071

  30,071

  Darlington

  23,594

  23,594

  Brighton and Hove

  47,164

  47,164

  Portsmouth

  40,616

  40,616

  Southampton

  47,314

  47,314

  Leicester

  75,859

  75,859

  Rutland

  8,336

  8,336

  Stoke-on-Trent

  58,456

  58,456

  Swindon

  41,532

  41,532

  Bracknell Forest

  27,619

  27,619

  West Berkshire

  34,860

  34,860

  Reading

  32,100

  32,100

  Slough

  28,243

  28,243

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  31,373

  31,373

  Wokingham

  34,473

  34,473

  Peterborough

  40,405

  40,405

  Halton

  32,475

  32,475

  Warrington

  44,381

  44,381

  Plymouth

  57,836

  57,836

  Torbay

  24,924

  24,924

  Southend-on-Sea

  37,016

  37,016

  Thurrock

  32,305

  32,305

  Herefordshire

  36,666

  36,666

  Medway

  59,727

  59,727

  Blackburn and Darwen

  38,648

  38,648

  Blackpool

  30,862

  30,862

  Nottingham

  68,314

  68,314

  Telford and Wrekin

  36,724

  36,724

  Water Industry
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received and what research he has commissioned on the likely effect of the periodic review of water prices in England and Wales on those employed(a) directly and (b) indirectly within the water industry; and if he will make a statement; [95553]

  (2) what representations he has received and what research his Department has (a) evaluated and (b) commissioned, on the implications of the loss of further jobs in the water industry in England and Wales for (i) safety, (ii) customer service standards, (iii) continuity of supply and (iv) environmental standards; and if he will make a statement; [95554]

  (3) what discussions he has held with (a) the Director General of Ofwat and (b) other organisations over likely job losses in the water industry in England and Wales as a result of the periodic review of water prices; and if he will make a statement. [95555]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department has received representations about possible job losses in the water industry, from some water companies, from Water UK, from employees of water companies and from the union, UNISON. My Department has not undertaken or commissioned research on employment in the water industry, nor discussed this with the Office of Water Services.

  The examination of the water industry's costs and efficiency assumptions is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. He has a statutory duty to secure that water companies properly carry out their functions and are able to finance them. These functions must be carried out in full compliance with all legal requirements, including drinking water quality (regulated
  872
  by the Drinking Water Inspectorate), health and safety (regulated by the Health and Safety Executive), environmental standards (regulated by the Environment Agency) and customer service and continuity of supply (regulated by the Director General himself). In conducting his periodic review of water price limits the Director General is expecting companies to improve on efficiency savings that they have already achieved. It will be for water and sewerage undertakers to ensure that they maintain the necessary staff and other resources to meet these obligations in full.

  The Government believe that it is possible to deliver substantial quality improvements and reductions in customers' bills, for the benefit of consumers. The environmental and water quality improvement programmes will create significant new employment opportunities.

  MPG6
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6, Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England; and if he will make a statement. [95453]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Review of the Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England has commenced and it is expected that a paper on the main issues will be published for public consultation early in the New Year. Following consideration of the responses, a revised draft of the guidance will be published for consultation later in 2000.

  Housing (Voluntary Transfers)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many housing units are currently the subject of proposals for large-scale voluntary transfers. [95914]

  Mr. Mullin
  Seventeen local authorities on the 1999–2000 Housing Transfer Programme are proposing, subject to the approval of tenants, to transfer 112,432 housing units in this financial year. Details are set out in the table.

  Local authority

  Number of units

  Boston BC

  5,015

  Burnley BC

  5,354

  Coventry CC

  20,479

  Elmbridge DC

  5,022

  Huntingdonshire DC

  7,134

  Manchester CC

  3,336

  Newcastle-under-Lyme DC

  10,042

  North Devon DC

  3,399

  Restormel BC

  3,781

  LB Richmond

  8,780

  Tameside MBC

  16,959

  Test Valley DC

  5,789

  Tynedale DC

  3,731

  Weymouth and Portland DC

  3,526

  Wyre Forest DC

  6,440

  LB Hackney

  2,394

  LB Tower Hamlets

  1,251

  Total

  112,432

  873
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many housing units were the subject of large-scale voluntary transfers in each of the last three years. [95912]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Housing Transfer Programme currently runs from 1 April each year until 31 March the following year. In 1996–97, 22,248 housing units were transferred. In 1997–98, 32,982 units were transferred, and 73,900 units transferred in 1998–99. Details are set out in the table:

  Local authority

  Number of units

  1996–97

  Stratford District Council

  6,003

  West Wilts DC

  1,769

  Cotswold DC

  4,282

  South Staffs DC

  5,273

  Lichfield DC

  4,921

  Total

  22,248

  1997–98

  South Oxfordshire DC

  5,018

  Eden DC

  1,510

  LB Lambeth1

  515

  LB Bexley

  8,215

  Congleton DC

  4,061

  Oldham DC1

  642

  Liverpool CC1

  493

  LB Merton1

  1,018

  LB Tower Hamlets1

  1,852

  Kerner DC

  3,732

  LB Hackney1

  951

  LB Brent1

  1,481

  Basildon DC1

  708

  West Somerset DC

  1,869

  Stoke-on-Trent1

  917

  Total

  32,982

  1998–99

  Tewkesbury DC

  3,066

  Rother DC

  3,058

  LB Lambeth1

  681

  LB Tower Hamlets1

  2,431

  Wirral DC1

  1,082

  Tameside MBC1

  901

  West Devon BC

  1,446

  South Somerset DC

  8,883

  East Lindsey DC

  5,102

  Liverpool CC1

  646

  Manchester CC

  1,030

  LB Hackney1

  1,084

  South Hams DC

  3,096

  LB Hammersmith and Fulham1

  668

  LB Hackney1

  1,000

  Telford and Wrekin DC

  13,081

  LB Enfield

  1,194

  Worthing DC

  2,525

  Bath and North East Somerset

  9,887

  Manchester CC1

  6,667

  LB Greenwich1

  1,280

  LB Hackney1

  661

  Allerdale DC

  3,704

  Allerdale DC1

  727

  Total

  73,900

  1 Denotes a transfer facilitated with grant from the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund.

  Thames Transport
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what action he is taking to ensure that London River Services and the Port of London Authority honour the contracts which they entered into with Thames riverboat operators under the Partners in Progress scheme; [95481]

  (2) what powers he has to enforce sanctions against London River Services and the Port of London Authority should they fail to honour the contracts which they entered into with Thames riverboat operators under the Partners in Progress scheme. [95480]

  Mr. Hill
  As part of the Government's Thames 2000 initiative to revitalise passenger transport on the Thames, London River Services (LRS) took over key central London piers from the Port of London Authority (PLA) on 1 April this year. LRS has been in discussion with Thames riverboat operators about the arrangements to transfer the licence agreements reached with the PLA to LRS.

  LRS hope to be able to reach agreements with all the Thames riverboat operators on the transfer of licences. Indeed, the majority of operators have now signed new LRS licences. However, I am aware that some operators are still in negotiation with LRS about contractual arrangements, and I understand that the possibility of legal proceedings has been raised. In view of this it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current status of the proposal to give Railtrack plc infrastructural control of the sub-surface lines of London Underground; and when he expects an agreement to be made. [95992]

  Mr. Hill
  Railtrack and London Underground are continuing to work together to explore the options for linking the sub-surface Underground lines with the national rail network in a Public Private Partnership.

  Subject to the outcome of the discussions currently underway, Railtrack would submit a priced bid for the sub-surface railway PPP contract and the integration schemes next year. As with the two deep tube PPPs, no bid will be entertained that does not contribute significantly to Tube safety.

  London Underground
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers the Mayor for London will have to alter the terms of the proposed public-private partnership for London Underground Ltd. [95998]

  Mr. Hill
  The Mayor and Transport for London will take over PPP contracts designed to secure the efficient maintenance and improvement of the Tube network. These will be contractually binding, but they will have built into them flexibility for the Mayor to make adjustments over time, to deliver changing performance requirements. The Mayor, through Transport for London, will have the necessary controls to ensure that the Tube plays its full part in a properly integrated strategy for
  875
  transport in London. Fares, ticketing, service levels and the operation of stations and trains will be the responsibility of the Mayor.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies he has undertaken into the operation of public/private partnerships in other countries similar to that proposed for London Underground Ltd. [95997]

  Mr. Hill
  Public private partnership is an area in which the UK is leading the way. The London Underground PPP is a bespoke arrangement to cater expressly for the needs of our Underground.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many extra District Line trains were run each day during the closure of the Circle Line service. [95994]

  Mr. Hill
  This is an operational matter for London Underground. However, I understand that two extra District Line trains ran each peak period during the closure of the Circle Line service. Demand in out-of-peak hours did not require the additional services.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Maintenance
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of absent parents who are liable to pay child maintenance following an assessment by the Child Support Agency but who do not do so; and if he will estimate the number of these who are currently in receipt of(a) income support/jobseekers allowance or (b) a disability benefit. [94697]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 26 October 1999:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of non-resident parents (NRPs) who do not pay child maintenance following an assessment by the Child Support Agency. You also asked how many of these non-resident parents are in receipt of Income Support(IS)/Job Seekers Allowance Income Based (JSAIB) or a Disability Benefit.
  The most recent figures available show that at the end of May 1999 there were 863,960 NRPs with a full maintenance assessment and that 98,620 (11.4%) were known to be paying nothing at all. Included in this latter figure are 1,520 individuals on an Incapacity/Disability Benefit. As recipients of IS/JSAIB have nil maintenance liability, they will not therefore be included in category of payers or non-payers. A contribution to maintenance may however be payable and may be deducted at source by the Benefits Agency.
  When an NRP refuses to cooperate with the Agency in calculating a maintenance assessment we may impose a punitive Interim Maintenance Assessment (IMA). This may be for a much higher amount than would otherwise be due and is intended to encourage the NRP to provide the information needed. At the end of May there were 78,340 IMAs in force with 45,560 NRPs not making any payment. The very lack of information that led to the IMA prevents us the knowing the precise number in receipt of Incapacity/Disability Benefit though we are aware of 240 such cases.
  876
  The Department's Analytical Services Division produces a CSA Quarterly Summary of Statistics that is available in the House of Commons Library and you may find the information it contains of further interest.
  I am very keen to improve compliance levels and to this end CSA has entered into partnership with Deloitte Touche. Working together, we will develop a strategy to increase the number of maintenance payments made on time and reduce the build up of arrears. The Agency will introduce effective compliance and enforcement procedures that will get rid of the 'soft touch' image it has acquired with some people. Furthermore, appropriate earlier contact with NRPs, by telephone, letter or face to face will encourage natural compliance. These measures will generate improvements in the short term and contribute to a sound base for achieving maximum benefit from the Child Support Reforms.
  I hope this is helpful.

  State Pension
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost of reinstating the link with earnings for the state pension from 1 October. [95425]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: Social Security benefits are uprated in April each year.

  The net costs of uprating the basic state pension in line with the average earnings index from 1 April 2000

  Million (1999–2000 prices)

  Year

  Excluding linked benefits

  Including linked benefits

  2000–01

  730

  850

  2001–02

  1,040

  1,210

  2002–03

  1,510

  1,750

  2003–04

  2,060

  2,390

  2004–05

  2,610

  3,040

  Notes:

  1. As annual costs are not constant over time the first five years are shown.

  2. Costs are in 1999–2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  3. Net costs are estimated using gross costs provided by the Government Actuary's Department, together with income-related benefit offsets produced by the Policy Simulation Model and PENSIM in the Department for Social Security. Overseas cases are included.

  4. Costings assume the Minimum Income Guarantee continues to be uprated in line with earnings. No allowance is made for introduction of the State Second Pension or the measures in the Welfare Reform Bill.

  Discretionary Social Fund
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he intends to make to the Discretionary Social Fund. [96567]

  Angela Eagle
  As a consequence of the Decision Making and Appeals provisions contained in the Social Security Act 1998, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be making changes to the Social Fund directions and guidance. These will come into effect on 29 November 1999. Also included is a range of other minor improvements, the need for which has been identified in the course of routine monitoring. Details of these changes have been placed in the Library.

  I am also pleased to announce that the Social Fund guide will be made available on the DSS internet site from 29 November.

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [94844]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer from my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply from the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency to his letter of 1 September regarding a constituent, ref: 15499. [94919]

  Angela Eagle
  A reply was issued to my hon. Friend on 22 October 1999.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [94847]

  Mr. Straw
  Yes. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, my right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam), on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

  Travel Documents
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for travel documents have been waiting for more than six months. [94795]

  Mrs. Roche
  There are approximately 3,000 travel document applications awaiting consideration which were received over six months ago. In recent weeks, there has been a substantial increase in staff numbers in the Travel Document Section of the Integrated Casework Directorate in order to process increasing volumes of new applications as well as older cases from the backlog.

  This, combined with streamlined working practices, has resulted in dramatic increases in output from averages of 120 per week during August to well over 700 last week.

  Corporate Killing
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to implement the 1996 recommendations of the Law Commission on the issue of corporate killing. [94821]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are well aware of the weaknesses in the current law on corporate manslaughter. An interdepartmental working group 878
  of officials, which includes a member of the Law Commission, is currently considering the recommendations made in the Law Commission's report Number 237, "Legislating the Criminal Code: Involuntary Manslaughter".

  We expect to receive the conclusions of the interdepartmental working group within the next few weeks and will then consider the way forward.

  HMP Liverpool
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the investigation into allegations of bullying in relation to nursing staff at HMP Liverpool will be completed; and to whom it will be made available. [95948]

  Mr. Boateng
  The report of the investigation into allegations that nursing staff at Liverpool prison had been the victims of bullying and harassment from other staff has been completed. None of the allegations were substantiated. However, the report makes a number of recommendations to improve the management of the health care centre in the future. The area manager is considering these recommendations and is determined to ensure that nothing along the lines alleged could happen undetected at Liverpool prison.

  The report is an internal document and contains information and unsubstantiated allegations which could cause further distress to individuals named in it if it was made public. However, the governor is making it available to the Board of Visitors at Liverpool prison. The investigating officer has discussed the contents of the report with the family of Robert Price, the former nurse whose death prompted the investigation. The Coroner recently recorded a verdict of suicide. Managers will arrange to discuss the report with any of the other members of staff involved who request it.

  Pellet Guns
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what controls are available and how often they have been exercised in the last five years over the(a) manufacture, (b) sale, (c) possession and (d) use of ball-bearing pellet guns. [95367]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There are two basic categories of guns designed to fire small ball-bearings (BB guns).

  The first is the ball-bearing repeater pistol. These guns usually have a muzzle energy of less than one joule. Under the definition of "firearm" given in section 57 of the Firearms Act 1968, guns with a muzzle energy as low as this are not classed as firearms because they are not lethal and are incapable of inflicting more than trivial injury. As such, they do not come under the control of the Firearms Acts.

  The second category consists of BB rifles. These are air rifles which are capable of firing ball-bearings as well as the more normal waisted pellet. Being low-powered airguns, there is no requirement for them to be held on a firearm certificate but in all other respects they come under the control of the Firearms Acts.
  879
  There are no controls under the Firearms Acts on the manufacture of low-powered airguns but their sale to, possession and use by young people is controlled by the Acts, as is the use of such weapons by adults.

  For the purposes of the legislation, airguns capable of firing ball-bearings are classed simply as "air weapons". For this reason, it is not possible to distinguish between

  Offence

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Carrying a loaded air weapon in a public place

  506

  614

  511

  575

  540

  Person under 14 having an air weapon

  92

  95

  92

  82

  60

  Person under 17 having an air weapon in a public place

  448

  361

  462

  396

  297

  The figures relating to other offences under the firearms legislation cover the misuse of all types of firearms. It is not possible to separate out those convictions relating to air weapons except at disproportionate cost.

  Police Funding
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he intends to make to the police funding formula following the report into the sparsity element of the formula. [95781]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We are considering the findings of the research report on the cost of policing in rural areas. We intend to announce soon details of how the police funding formula will operate in relation to next year's finance settlement.

  Farm and Country Watch Schemes
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support his Department provides to farm and country watch schemes; how many such schemes are currently in place; and if he will make a statement. [95778]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government recognise that people in rural communities have different policing needs from those who live in urban areas, although they suffer from most of the same sorts of crime as urban areas. Rural communities can also suffer the twin problem of the lack of an obvious police presence and longer response times to emergency calls.

  That is why the partnership approach between the police and the local community is the most effective means of tackling crime in rural areas. We encourage farm and country watch schemes as means by which members of the public can help themselves and the police to engage in a positive way in the fight against crime.

  As farm and country watch schemes are run in conjunction with local police forces, the Home Office does not keep records of such schemes.

  Police Resource Implications
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the resource implications for the police service of(a) a ban on hunting with hounds and (b) the trialing of GM crops; and if he will make a statement. [95779]
  880
  convictions for offences in which guns firing ball-bearings were used and those involving guns capable of firing only the conventional waisted pellet.

  The table gives the number of convictions for the most common airgun offences for the five years between 1993 and 1997 (the last year for which figures are available).

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Most police forces can, from time to time, face unexpected demands on their resources. We would normally expect forces to meet the additional costs from within their existing budgets or from their contingency reserves.

  CCTV
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of his Department's planned expenditure on closed-circuit television schemes will be targeted on rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [95780]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the first round of the Crime Reduction Programme Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) initiative, Crime Reduction Partnerships in England and Wales have been invited to prepare final proposals on 376 bids for new and extended CCTV schemes with a potential capital cost of £68 million. The main priorities for the first round of the initiative have been to tackle vehicle crime and serious crime problems in housing areas, but shortlisted schemes to the value of over £1.5 million are specifically directed at rural crime. Final decisions will be announced later in the year.

  The priorities for future rounds of the initiative have not yet been set, and increasing the emphasis on rural crime is one of the options that will be considered.

  Prisons (Visitors)
  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(a) the number of occasions in 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 to date that visitors have been caught trying to smuggle illegal drugs, (b) the number of such visitors in 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 who have been banned from further visits as a result of their actions, (c) the number of such visitors in each year who have been charged with a criminal offence as a result of drug smuggling, (d) the number of such visitors in each year who have been prosecuted in court and (e) the number of such visitors in each year who have been convicted. [94905]

  Mr. Boateng
  The total number of visitors arrested for drug smuggling and the breakdown for individual prisons is given in the table. From 1 April-30 June 1999, a total of 387 visitors were banned. The number of visitors banned by individual prisons is not collated centrally. Figures for the number of visitors subsequently charged, prosecuted and/or convicted are not recorded by the Prison Service.
  881

  Number of visitors arrested

  Prison

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Acklington

  18

  13

  8

  Albany

  2

  0

  0

  Aldington

  3

  1

  0

  Altcourse

  2

  9

  3

  Ashwell

  6

  6

  3

  Askham Grange

  0

  0

  0

  Aylesbury

  1

  4

  2

  Bedford

  7

  19

  6

  Belmarsh

  1

  5

  1

  Birmingham

  2

  13

  6

  Blakenhurst

  24

  25

  21

  Blantyre House

  0

  0

  0

  Blundeston

  13

  11

  2

  Brinsford

  3

  2

  0

  Bristol

  7

  22

  6

  Brixton

  3

  3

  0

  Brockhill

  3

  8

  2

  Buckley Hall

  8

  6

  0

  Bullingdon

  4

  23

  11

  Bullwood Hall

  0

  0

  2

  Camp Hill

  5

  5

  3

  Canterbury

  15

  5

  1

  Cardiff

  54

  40

  29

  Castington

  4

  9

  5

  Channings Wood

  7

  8

  2

  Chelmsford

  8

  7

  1

  Coldingley

  1

  1

  0

  Cookham Wood

  2

  1

  2

  Dartmoor

  7

  3

  2

  Deerbolt

  3

  3

  2

  Doncaster

  24

  28

  1

  Dorchester

  3

  1

  2

  Dover

  2

  2

  0

  Down view

  1

  1

  0

  Drake Hall

  0

  0

  0

  Durham

  16

  22

  7

  East Sutton Park

  0

  0

  1

  Eastwood Park

  0

  1

  0

  Elmley

  24

  19

  5

  Erlestoke

  10

  5

  1

  Everthorpe

  8

  3

  3

  Exeter

  8

  21

  6

  Featherstone

  5

  5

  2

  Feltham

  114

  48

  2

  Ford

  0

  0

  0

  Foston Hall

  0

  0

  0

  Frankland

  6

  6

  1

  Full Sutton

  4

  10

  3

  Garth

  30

  9

  6

  Gartree

  1

  3

  0

  Glen Parva

  3

  6

  4

  Gloucester

  5

  7

  1

  Grendon/Spring Hill

  1

  1

  0

  Guys Marsh

  3

  5

  0

  Haslar

  0

  0

  0

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  0

  Haverigg

  16

  6

  2

  Hewell Grange

  0

  0

  0

  Highdown

  2

  1

  2

  Highpoint

  19

  17

  6

  Hindley

  0

  0

  0

  Hollesley Bay

  1

  0

  1

  Holloway

  20

  15

  8

  Holme House

  42

  22

  6

  Hull

  15

  11

  5

  Huntercombe

  0

  1

  0

  Kingston

  0

  0

  0

  Kirkham

  3

  0

  2

  Kirklevington Grange

  0

  0

  0

  Lancaster Castle

  4

  2

  5

  Lancaster Farms

  22

  15

  3

  Latchmere House

  0

  0

  0

  Leeds

  39

  31

  17

  882

  Number of visitors arrested

  Prison

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Leicester

  12

  3

  2

  Lewes

  18

  6

  5

  Leyhill

  0

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  11

  9

  6

  Lindholme

  5

  8

  3

  Littlehey

  4

  9

  10

  Liverpool

  4

  2

  2

  Long Lartin

  5

  7

  4

  Low Newton

  2

  8

  6

  Lowdham Grange

  0

  9

  5

  Maidstone

  6

  6

  1

  Manchester

  71

  79

  39

  Moorland

  16

  19

  3

  Morton Hall

  0

  0

  0

  The Mount

  11

  3

  5

  Newhall

  0

  0

  0

  North Sea Camp

  0

  1

  0

  Northallerton

  11

  3

  1

  Norwich

  21

  19

  14

  Nottingham

  14

  15

  0

  Onley

  10

  8

  1

  Parc

  6

  23

  12

  Parkhurst

  8

  1

  1

  Pentonville

  13

  25

  9

  Portland

  2

  2

  1

  Prescoed/Usk

  2

  2

  0

  Preston

  9

  3

  6

  Ranby

  11

  2

  4

  Reading

  5

  9

  1

  Risley

  17

  18

  5

  Rochester

  1

  1

  0

  Send

  0

  0

  0

  Shepton Mallet

  1

  0

  0

  Shrewsbury

  5

  12

  4

  Stafford

  19

  30

  5

  Standford Hill

  0

  0

  0

  Stocken

  3

  7

  0

  Stoke Heath

  2

  2

  2

  Styal

  2

  1

  3

  Sudbury

  0

  0

  0

  Swaleside

  10

  18

  5

  Swansea

  9

  11

  4

  Swinfen Hall

  1

  11

  9

  Thorn Cross

  0

  1

  0

  Verne

  4

  12

  5

  Wakefield

  2

  1

  0

  Wandsworth

  7

  14

  8

  Wayland

  6

  12

  9

  Wealstun

  2

  5

  0

  Weare

  2

  1

  0

  Wellinborough

  6

  11

  1

  Werrington

  0

  0

  0

  Wetherby

  0

  1

  0

  Wharton

  0

  0

  0

  Whitemoor

  2

  10

  5

  Winchester

  1

  0

  0

  Wolds

  17

  10

  5

  Woodhill

  21

  7

  3

  Wormwood Scrubs

  27

  7

  0

  Wymott

  2

  3

  0

  Total

  1,1 10

  1,063

  436

  1Year to date

  Bail
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the proportion of persons granted bail who subsequently returned to court for breaching their bail conditions in the year 1998–99. [95550]
  883
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of persons granted bail who are returned to court for breaching bail conditions. Information is available on those granted bail who fail to appear for trial; the most recent figures are published in "Criminal statistics England and Wales 1997".

  At magistrates courts in 1997, out of 549,900 bailed defendants, 64,600 (11 per cent.) failed to appear for trial; and 44,200 defendants (68 per cent. of those who failed to appear) were proceeded against for failing to surrender to bail.

  At the Crown court in 1997, out of 72,000 bailed defendants, 5,400 (8 per cent.) failed to appear for trial. Bench warrants were issued against 4,000 defendants (74 per cent. of those failing to appear).

  Research undertaken in 1996 to provide a detailed picture of the extent and nature of offending on bail, particularly in relation to police conditional bail, found that 9 per cent. of those given conditional bail by courts in parts of Northumbria and Greater Manchester were detected in breach.

  Voucher System
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussion his Department has held with(a) the retail trade and (b) other appropriate agencies in relation to the new voucher system set out in the Asylum and Immigration Bill; and if he will make a statement. [95685]

  Mrs. Roche
  A seminar about the proposed voucher system, at which many of the major retail groups were represented, was held in June. Officials have also had discussions separately with some of the retail groups and with security printing companies, various banks, other Government Departments and local authorities. Meetings were also held recently with the asylum authorities in Berlin, where they have had experience of asylum seekers being issued with vouchers with which to obtain essential living needs since 1993.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has held with member authorities of the Local Government Association outside London in relation to the dispersal of asylum seekers from London; and if he will make a statement. [95687]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Asylum Support Project Team has been working very closely with the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government for the past 12 months, concerning the new asylum support arrangements and in particular the new dispersal schemes. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary wrote jointly with Sir Jeremy Beecham to the leaders of all local authorities in England in November 1998 encouraging them to participate in a voluntary dispersal scheme. Since then, officials have issued consultation documents and held discussions with a variety of local authorities around the country. These discussions continue and further meetings are scheduled.
  884
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what numbers are proposed for the new agreed dispersal programme for asylum seekers in each local authority area in the north-east. [95878]

  Mrs. Roche
  No firm decisions have yet been made on the number of asylum seekers to be sent to any given region within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many placements in the north-east of England have been made under the Refugee Allocations Project; how many have been allocated to each local authority area; and what the costs of such allocation have been. [95877]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Refugee Arrivals Project assists about 75 newly arrived asylum seekers, a month to access private rented accommodation in the north-east of England. Most of the accommodation is situated in the Newcastle local authority area, and it is that authority which pays the housing benefit entitlement to the landlords. The other costs involved are the transport costs from London to the north-east and the payments of income support by the Benefits Agency. No records of these costs are kept by the Home Office.

  Dyfed-Powys Police Authority
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed by the Dyfed-Powys Police Authority on 1 April 1997, 1998 and 1999. [95792]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on police numbers is collected at the end of March and September. The figures for the period requested are set out in the table.

  Total officer strength

  31 March 1997

  1,005

  31 March 1998

  1,002

  31 March 1999

  1,026

  Licensing Laws
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the licensing laws for restaurants after 11 pm. [95928]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 8 October, we published a consultation paper seeking views on proposals to allow restaurants to serve alcohol with meals after 11 pm without needing to apply for a supper hour certificate or provide entertainment. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library.

  Police Cells (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the provision of police cells in rural areas. [95765]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is an operational matter for Chief Constables to determine the number and location of police cells and stations. Chief Constables are best placed to judge these matters, in consultation with the local community where appropriate. It would not be right for Ministers to intervene in operation decisions.

  Departmental Twinning
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [93997]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him 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.

  Anti-social Behaviour Orders
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been(a) applied for and (b) granted. [95700]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the number of Orders made is not held centrally, but we are aware of six Orders which have been made since 1 April 1999. We are not aware of any Orders applied for which were not granted.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the costs incurred to date by(a) police authorities and (b) local authorities in setting up procedures aimed towards the obtaining of anti-social behaviour orders. [95450]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 lays down no specific procedures which must be followed when considering applying for an anti-social order, other than that the police and local authority must consult each other. Where there is behaviour which is giving rise to concern, both agencies are already likely to be in touch with each other. Information about the cost of any additional consultation, or any other procedures which the police or local authority decide to establish, is not available centrally.

  Road Traffic Law Enforcement
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that new technologies are utilised and developed by all road traffic law enforcement agencies. [94507]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  New advances in technology are being regularly introduced for police use. The Home Office has responsibility for approving technological devices for road traffic law enforcement by the police. The Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) has a programme of work on road policing, to support all United Kingdom police forces and road traffic law enforcement agencies, specifically the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Highways Agency, and the Government Office for London. PSDB do this by providing technical, operational and policy support as well as experimental research and development of technology applicable to traffic law enforcement and road safety.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has an established sub-committee, ACPO (Traffic Enforcement Technology), whose prime function is to
  886
  assess the usefulness of the new technologies being developed by manufacturers. The police must be satisfied that any new device is a genuine technical advance in helping law enforcement. All devices must also be tested rigorously by PSDB or the Forensic Science Service to ensure that evidence provided by the device is accurate and will give reliable evidence.

  Council of Ministers (Action Plan)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what documents were presented to Parliament relating to the Action Plan adopted by the Council of Ministers of the European Union on 3 December 1998 concerning implementation of the provisions in the European treaties now in force for the development of an area of freedom, security and justice; to what Parliamentary procedures they were subject; and if he will make a statement on the future implementation of this plan. [94364]

  Mrs. Roche
  In addition to the Action Plan itself (12028/1/98 REV 1), the following documents were presented to Parliament in accordance with the current arrangements for Parliamentary scrutiny as amended in November 1998:Commission Communication "Towards an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice" (10787/98), and Presidency paper for the Europol Working Group on Implementation of the Treaty of Amsterdam and Action Plan of the Council and the Commission on how best to implement the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam establishing an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice with a view of Europol (6245/99).

  Further implementation of the Action Plan will be carried forward in the light of the Presidency Conclusions from the Tampere European Council on 15 and 16 October.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Boarding Schools
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many boarders there were in each of the boarding schools(a) five years ago and (b) in this academic year. [94376]

  Mr. McFall
  The figures for the academic year 1999–2000 are not yet available.

  The numbers of boarders in 1998–99 and in 1993–94 is included in the following table:

  Grant-aided schools

  Preparatory departments

  Secondary departments

  1993–94

  1998–99

  1993–94

  1998–99

  Campbell College

  11

  2

  94

  47

  Methodist College

  9

  3

  162

  137

  Victoria College

  1

  3

  47

  37

  Hunterhouse College

  7

  5

  78

  54

  Portora Royal

  1—

  1—

  15

  0

  Coleraine Academical Institution

  1—

  1—

  78

  5

  Dominican Portstewart

  1—

  1—

  33

  0

  Friends' School Lisburn

  0

  0

  44

  44

  St. Colman's Newry

  1—

  1—

  53

  47

  Royal School Dungannon

  3

  0

  36

  29

  Royal School Armagh

  0

  2

  66

  54

  St. Patrick's Armagh

  1—

  1—

  72

  41

  Coleraine High School

  1—

  1—

  34

  0

  1 Not applicable

  887

  Independent schools

  1993–94

  1998–99

  Glencraig

  48

  43

  Rockport

  25

  20

  Road Schemes (Carryduff)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present volume of traffic on the Saintfield road near its junction with Buckhill road; what is the maximum volume of traffic which is acceptable at this location; what is the estimated increase in volume of traffic if all present planning applications for housing developments in the Carryduff area were approved; what plans there are to improve the Saintfield road between Buckhill road and Carryduff; what area plans are proposed for the Carryduff area; and if he will make a statement. [94549]

  Mr. McFall
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to Mr. G. P Fraser of the Roads Service. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from G. P. Fraser to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 25 October 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked our Chief Executive to respond to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question about, inter alia, the present volume of traffic on a section of Saintfield Road, Belfast and associated issues. In the absence of our Chief Executive, I am replying.
  It is assumed that your question relates to the volume of traffic on Saintfield Road near its junction with Beechill Road and not Buckhill Road as stated in the question. The latest traffic figures available for this location relate to surveys carried out in 1998. These show that the 2-way average 24-hour flow on Saintfield Road is approximately 30,000 vehicles at the Ivanhoe Inn with a peak hour 2-way flow of 2,700 vehicles.
  As regards the maximum acceptable volume of traffic at this location. I should explain that there are many factors that have an influencing effect on road capacity and it is not possible to quote an 'acceptable' maximum volume of traffic for any particular road. For most urban roads, it is the junctions that act as the constraint on traffic capacity rather than the road links between them. However, the theoretical design flow capacity for a 4-lane undivided carriageway, such as Saintfield Road, is 1,700 vehicles per hour in each direction. On this basis, current traffic flow on this section of Saintfield Road is below the theoretical design capacity.
  You also asked what is the estimated increase in volume of traffic if all present planning application for housing developments in the Carryduff area were approved. At present we are not in a position to determine the estimated increase in traffic generated by proposed developments in the area as the developers for the major applications have not yet completed Transportation Impact Assessments for their respective developments.
  As to plans to improve Saintfield Road between Beechill Road and Carryduff, Roads Service has no proposals at present to carry out any major road improvements on this section of road. We are, however, currently introducing "Quality Bus" measures in the Saintfield Road corridor between Carryduff and Belfast. These measures include bus lanes, bus stop infrastructure, improved traffic signal control and traffic management arrangements. The introduction of a "Park and Ride" site in the corridor is also being pursued.
  Finally, you asked what area plans are proposed for the Carryduff area. Colleagues from the Department's Planning Service have advised me that the Carryduff area will be included in the proposed
  888
  Belfast Metropolitan Plan which will encompass the district council areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Newtownabbey and North Down.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Road Schemes (Ards Peninsula)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a proposal for a bridge across Strangford Lough was last considered by the Department for the Environment; what is the estimated cost of such a bridge; what is the present planned investment in roads in the Ards Peninsula over the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [94720]

  Mr. McFall
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its Chief Executive Mr. C. James. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from C. James to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 22 October 1999:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to respond to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question about the provision of a bridge across Strangford Lough and planned investment in roads in the Ards Peninsula over the next 10 years.
  The Department of the Environment considered the proposal to construct a bridge across Strangford Lough as recently as September 1999 following a request from a local interest group. The span across the lough between Portaferry and Strangford measures approximately 0.6 miles and the cost of constructing a bridge at this location is estimated to be in the region of £25M-£30M, depending on detailed design requirements. The Department considers that such an investment would not represent value for money compared to other higher priority road schemes which are required across Northern Ireland.
  As regards planned investment in roads in the Ards Peninsula over the next 10 years, approximately £180K is scheduled to be spent on minor road improvements during the 2-year period 2000/01–2001/02. The level of funding for future road programmes over the next 10 years is unknown, but assuming it is maintained at current levels, some £0.9M will be spent on minor road works in the Ards Peninsula over that period. While the Department's 5-year Major Road Works Programme 1999/2000–2003/04 does not include any schemes in the Ards Peninsula, the 6-15 year Forward Planning Programme includes 4 schemes in Newtownards (total value approximately £5.2M). This programme is, however, currently under review and, even if these schemes are retained, the timing of their implementation will depend on the availability of funding.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Pupil Statistics
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils were enrolled(a) in this academic year and (b) five years ago in (i) each of the primary schools and (ii) each of the secondary and grammar schools in the constituency of Strangford. [94375]

  Mr. McFall
  The figures for the 1999–2000 academic year are not yet available. The information for 1998–99 and 1993–94 is included in the following table:

  Strangford

  1993–94

  1998–99

  Primary Schools1

  Abbey PS

  523

  588

  Alexander Dickson PS

  213

  209

  Andrews Memorial PS

  511

  493

  Ballycloughan PS

  73

  67

  Ballykeigle PS

  66

  49

  Ballywalter PS

  141

  170

  889

  Strangford

  1993–94

  1998–99

  Brooklands PS

  537

  679

  Carrickmannon PS

  75

  90

  Carrowdore PS

  137

  128

  Carryduff PS

  279

  274

  Castle Gardens PS

  441

  388

  Comber PS

  412

  389

  Darragh Cross PS

  68

  91

  Derryboy PS

  73

  73

  Dundonald PS

  563

  605

  Greyabbey PS

  71

  69

  Killinchy PS

  238

  218

  Killyleagh PS

  154

  118

  Kircubbin PS

  58

  90

  Kirkistown PS

  53

  64

  Londonderry PS

  292

  322

  Loughries PS

  93

  85

  Moneyrea PS

  134

  146

  Newtownards Model PS

  365

  398

  O'Neill Memorial PS

  41

  33

  Portaferry Integrated PS

  44

  55

  Portavogie PS

  157

  134

  Regent House School Prep. Department

  172

  160

  St. Finians PS

  194

  124

  St. Joseph's PS

  475

  739

  St. Mary's PS (Portaferry)

  313

  261

  St. Mary's PS (Killyleagh)

  175

  139

  St. Mary's PS (Comber)

  33

  28

  St. Mary's PS (Ballygowan)

  66

  48

  St. Mary's PS (Kirkcubbin)

  225

  195

  St. Patrick's PS

  91

  108

  Victoria PS

  556

  581

  Victoria PS (Ballyhalbert)

  100

  101

  West Winds PS

  203

  206

  Secondary Schools

  Comber High School

  460

  448

  Dundonald High School

  637

  634

  Glastry High School

  554

  579

  Lagan College

  849

  966

  Movilla High School

  752

  895

  Saintfield High School

  299

  341

  St. Columba's High School

  363

  306

  Grammar Schools

  Regent House Schools

  1,428

  1,434

  1Figures include reception and nursery pupils

  Police Stations
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Chief Constable of the RUC has to close police stations in Northern Ireland within the next three months. [95340]

  Mr. Ingram
  None.

  21-gun Salutes
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors underlay the decision to look at alternative venues to Parliament building, Stormont for traditional 21-gun salutes to mark royal anniversaries; and if he will make a statement. [95342]

  Mr. Ingram
  Gun salutes are fired by the Army to honour various anniversaries connected with members of the Royal family. As the Crown and Armed Forces remain excepted (i.e. non-devolved) matters under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, it is felt that it might be more appropriate for future salutes to be fired at a location other than Stormont, which is effectively transferred to the 890
  Northern Ireland Assembly under the Act. Alternative locations are being considered but no final decisions have yet been taken.

DEFENCE

  BVRAAM Programme
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department started discussions with the United States Government regarding the Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile capability; when these discussions are expected to be concluded; with which section of the United States Department of Defense his Department is holding these discussions; and whether his Department is holding discussions with other United States Departments regarding this matter. [93864]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Discussions with the United States Government regarding the UK's Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) programme commenced after the receipt of the Raytheon Systems Ltd. (RSL) bids in May 1998. These discussions will continue until the BVRAAM competition concludes around the end of the year. Discussions have been held with the US Air Force Departments of Acquisition, International Affairs, and Armaments Co-operation in Washington D.C. and with the Air to Air Joint Systems Program Office at the US Air Force Base Eglin, Florida. The MOD is not currently involved in discussions with any other US Government Departments regarding this matter.

  UN-designated Standing Reserves
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units will replace UN-designated standing reserves when those units are otherwise deployed. [95410]

  Mr. Hoon
  The UK does not earmark specific forces for UN peacekeeping operations, and therefore the issue of replacing UN-designated units on deployment does not arise. We updated our declaration of forces potentially available to the UN in June in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU makes clear that declared forces may not be available at the time of a UN request because of other commitments.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Indonesian pilots and instructors are currently receiving training in the UK, (b) UK personnel are in Indonesia (i) to train Hawk pilots and (ii) to service Hawk aircraft; and what is the cost of the training and servicing. [95338]

  Mr. Spellar
  No Indonesia pilots or instructors are currently receiving training on Hawk in the UK, and no UK service personnel are in Indonesia to train pilots or service aircraft.

  Rapier Missiles
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the security implications are to the United Kingdom of the manufacture of components of the Rapier missile system being undertaken outside the United Kingdom; [95344]
  891
  (2) what the value to Turkey will be of work undertaken there in respect of co-production of Rapier Mk 2 missiles for the Turkish Army and the Turkish Air Force Command and for the British Army and the RAF. [95343]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The value of work to be undertaken in Turkey for the Turkish and British Rapier missile procurement programmes is around £30 million. There are no security implications concerning the manufacture of these components outside the United Kingdom. The technology involved is not sensitive and the prime contractor, Matra BAe Dynamics, is responsible for meeting the MOD's contractual specification and for ensuring continuity of supply.

  Challenger Tanks
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Challenger 1 MBTs are to be sold to the Jordanian army; [95373]

  (2) what is the value of the Challenger 1 MBTs to be sold to Jordan. [95345]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  As part of its support for King Abdullah of Jordan on his accession to the throne, and in response to a request from His Majesty, the Government announced in March that we had agreed to supply Jordan with Challenger 1 Main Battle Tanks as they come out of service with the British Army over the next few years. Up to 288 Challenger Is will be supplied.

  The Challenger is currently in service with the British Army have a current average book value of £750K each but, on leaving service, that value will reduce to zero. The tanks will therefore be supplied to Jordan at no cost. However, agreement has been reached with Jordan that the Jordanian Government will meet the MOD's additional costs arising out of the Challenger 1 transfer programme.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Strategic Environmental Assessment examining the impact of the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review to be published; if the Assessment team has been authorised to make recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [95522]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is still subject to consultation within MOD and with external Statutory Bodies, it is hoped that the final document will be available early next year. Its work is being taken forward within the methodology agreed with Statutory Bodies and will inform decision-making on the Strategic Defence Review outcomes.

  Vehicle Movements
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason two tank transporters were stationary on the A303(T) near Winterbourne Stoke on 15 October; how long it was before they were moved; and what assistance was(a) sought and (b) given by the Wiltshire constabulary. [95805]
  892
  Mr. Spellar
  At around 1700 hours on 15 October a single empty Scammell Crusader tank transporter travelling east on the A303 towards Stonehenge broke down due to engine failure. The civilian and MOD police were informed shortly afterwards and I understand that civilian police assistance arrived at around 1800 hours. The civilian police directed traffic at the scene of the incident. Due to the volume of traffic, the recovery vehicles, a Scammel Commander and a Seddon Atkinson tractor and trailer, did not arrive until around 1900 hours, and the broken down tank transporter was removed at around 1930 hours.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of a return journey between RAF Honnington and Salisbury Plain training area by one low loader vehicle carrying equipment for use by the Joint NBC regiment. [95803]

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

  Operation Abbott
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of Operation Abbott. [95804]

  Mr. Spellar
  The cost to date of the operation to clear buried wartime ordnance at Winterbourne Gunner carried out between November 1998 and July 1999, Operation ABBOTT, is some £500,000. This amount relates to the clearance operation, compensation paid to freehold and tenant farmers for loss of harvest and payments made to DERA Porton Down. Negotiations continue with DERA Porton Down over the cost of disposal of the remaining items. The final cost of the operation will not be known until the disposal programme, scheduled to finish in the financial year 2002–03, has been completed.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications he has had or plans to have with the new Secretary General of NATO in respect of the concerns expressed by the Chairman of the United Nations Balkan Environment task force over NATO co-operation with the task force on the use of depleted uranium shells by allied forces during the Kosovo conflict. [95635]

  Mr. Hoon
  None. The North Atlantic Council does not discuss the deployment of specific munitions by individual member states. However, my hon. Friend may wish to note that depleted uranium-based ammunition was not used by UK forces during the Kosovo campaign.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to evaluate the study sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, published on 19 October, into the possible role played by exposure to pyriostigmine bromide in the causation of Gulf War Syndrome. [95631]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has already undertaken a preliminary assessment of the RAND review of the scientific literature on pyridostigmine bromide (PB), as it pertains to Gulf War illnesses. The report does not present
  893
  any new research on PB and does not imply that PB is necessarily a causal factor in Gulf veterans' illnesses, only that the possibility cannot be dismissed. We will now be studying this large and comprehensive report in detail.

  The report calls for more substantial research into the effects of PB. MOD is currently funding research into possible interactions between PB and the vaccines given to UK troops in the Gulf (initial results show no untoward health effects). We are also conducting a neuromuscular symptoms study (one of the areas specifically mentioned in the RAND paper). The MOD welcomes new proposals for research into Gulf veterans' illnesses and would look favourably on any proposals recommended by the Medical Research Council who act as our independent assessors and advisers.

  Naval Recruiting and Training Agency
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for 1999–2000. [96021]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following Key Targets have been set for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for 1999–2000:

  Key Target 1:

  To deliver personnel to the trained strength (or to other training organisations) within 5 per cent. variance from the tasked requirement.

  Key Target 2:

  To obtain 95 per cent. satisfactory assessments from the employers of NRTA trainees.

  Key Target 3:

  To maintain success rates of 95 per cent. in Career Training and 97 per cent. in examined Pre-joining training.

  Key Target 4:

  To reduce the variance between RNR Trained Strength and Trained Requirement to 39 per cent.

  Key Target 5:

  To retain tasked capacity while operating NRTA within its 1999–2000 cash allocation.

  Key Target 6:

  To achieve net benefits of £8.1m in FY 1999–2000 from the partnering arrangement with Flagship Training Limited.

  Departmental Controls
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the defence procurement contracts with value of greater than £5 million for each year since 1995 and (b) the companies involved in each of these contracts. [95351]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Army Regiments
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current location in the United Kingdom of each army regiment; the number of service and support personnel at each such site; and the total wage bill for each such site in the last year for which figures are available. [95276]
  894
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Japanese Prisoners of War
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make ex-gratia payments to former prisoners of war who were held captive by the Japanese in the Second World War; and if he will make a statement. [95573]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: There are no plans to make an ex-gratia payment to former Japanese prisoners of war. The Government's emphasis is on providing support to those who are in current need, through health services, pensions and war pensions as appropriate.

  Departmental Property Sales
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all former buildings of his Department or land sold since 7 May 1997, and the sale price for each. [95283]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Gurkha Pensions
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the examination of Gurkha pensions and gratuities; and if he will make a statement. [96019]

  Mr. Spellar
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in the House this afternoon, gratuities payable in respect of death attributable to service for Gurkhas will be brought into line with those of their British counterparts. The new payments take effect from 26 May this year and so will apply to the widow of Staff Sgt Balaram Rai killed in Kosovo in June.

  The announcement is the result of the first stage in our examination of Gurkha pensions and gratuities. The increase remains firmly within the conditions set out in the 1947 Tri-Partite Agreement between India, Nepal and the UK and follows increases that have been implemented recently by the Indian Government. To take account of the fact that the UK is the home base for British Gurkhas I have introduced a UK element to substitute for the Indian State Government payments which are variable throughout India. This will bring payments for all deaths attributable to service up to British Army rates.

  We are also looking at Gurkha pensions, still within the context of the Tri-Partite Agreement, and I hope to report on this by the end of the year.

  Soldiers (Minimum Age Limit)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current minimum age for soldiers of the British Army to be sent into armed combat; and what plans he has to alter this limit. [96260]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 22 October 1998,Official Report, column 1161, my predecessor announced that Service personnel would no longer be deployed on operations if

  895
  under 17 years of age, although in practice most personnel will be well over 17 prior to their being deployed. Personnel under 18 years of age are not deployed on UN peacekeeping operations, at the request of the UN. Both 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.

TREASURY

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the monetary value of the poverty line for a family with two children aged under 11 years which is consistent with his estimate of the number of children taken out of poverty by the working families tax credit; and what is the rate of Income Support for a family of this size and composition. [94694]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For the analysis behind the estimate that around 800,000 children will be lifted out of poverty by recent Budget measures, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the former Economic Secretary on 14 April 1999,Official Report, column 244. Latest statistics on household incomes (covering 1997–98) can be found in "Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 1997–98" and current rates of Income Support are published in "Social Security Statistics 1999", both published by the Department for Social Security. The Government have also increased the personal allowance for children under 11 on Income Support by £4.70 from this October, and announced a further increase of at least £1.05 from next April.

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [94840]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave her on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

  National Changeover Plan
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the organisations represented on each working group in respect of the national changeover plan; [95301]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress to date, by each working group, on the Outline National Changeover plan. [95302]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Outline National Changeover plan identified the next steps in changeover planning. These are being taken forward in a number of working groups, which include representatives from the following organisations:

  British Bankers Association

  Association of British Insurers

  Building Societies Association

  Utilities

  British Licensed Retailers Association

  Association of Payment Clearing Services

  896

  Association of Unit Trust Investment Funds

  Financial Services Authority

  Consumers' Association

  Local Authority Coordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards

  British Shops and Stores Association

  Mail Order Traders Association

  British Hospitality Association

  Food and Drink Federation

  Royal National Institute for the Blind

  Royal National Institute for the Deaf

  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority

  Age Concern England

  Mencap

  Local Government Association

  Central Office of Information

  British Retail Consortium

  Citizens Advice Bureau

  Confederation of Indian Industries

  British Chambers of Commerce

  Confederation of British Industry

  The Royal Mint

  Bank of England

  Consumers in Europe Group

  The Post Office

  Automatic Vending Association of Britain Securicor

  Securitas

  National Federation of Retail Newsagents

  Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales

  International Primary Markets Association

  International Petroleum Exchange

  International Underwriters Association

  International Swaps and Derivatives Association

  International Securities Markets Association

  London Investment Bankers Association

  LIFFE

  Lloyds of London

  London Stock Exchange

  City Law Society

  Fund Managers Association

  National Association of Pension Funds

  London Clearing Houses

  Financial Services Authority

  Association of Investment Trust Companies

  Association of Corporate Treasurers

  CHAPS Clearing Co.

  CRESTCO

  Finance and Leasing Association

  Financial Law Panel

  Futures and Options Association

  Gilt Edged Market Makers Association.

  Euro
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the nature of the circumstances whereby the Bank of England will be required by the European Central Bank to prosecute
  897
  breach of copyright of euro banknotes, with reference to ECB/1999/3 (1999/656/EC); what manner of appeal is permitted; and what part he played in the discussions leading to the decision. [95400]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Guideline of the European Central Bank (ECB) on certain provisions regarding euro banknotes (ECB/1999/3 and 1999/656/EC) is addressed to the national central banks of participating member states. As such, it does not apply to the Bank of England, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not involved in the adoption of the Guideline by the ECB Governing Council.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the cost in terms of lost revenue of exempting trades under £5,000 from stamp duty on share transactions. [95090]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The 1999 Budget forecast of revenue from stamp duty on transactions in shares and other securities is £3.3 billion in 2000–01.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the cost in terms of lost revenue of reducing the rate of stamp duty on share transactions to(a) 0.4 per cent., (b) 0.3 per cent., (c) 0.2 per cent., (d) 0.1 per cent. and (e) 0.003 per cent. [95091]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The 1999 Budget forecast of revenue from stamp duty on transactions in shares and other securities is £3.3 billion in 2000–01. The estimated costs of reducing the rate of duty from the current 0.5 per cent. are given in the table. These estimates take account of the impact the relevant changes would be expected to have on the value of share transactions.

  £ billion

  Reducing the rate of duty on share transactions to

  Estimated cost

  (a) 0.4 per cent.

  0.6

  (b) 0.3 per cent.

  1.2

  (c) 0.2 per cent.

  1.8

  (d) 0.1 per cent.

  2.5

  (e) 0.003 per cent.

  3.3

  Exchange Rate
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his Department's latest estimates for the real effective exchange rate on a monthly basis since May 1997, taking into account relative inflation and United Kingdom trade-weighted movements in other exchange rates. [95638]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Neither the Treasury nor the Office for National Statistics publishes monthly estimates of the real effective exchange rate. However, the OECD produce monthly estimates in their publication "Main Economic Indicators", with the latest estimates summarised on page 36 of the September 1999 Edition.

  Pensions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public service widows currently receive a pension based on(a) one half of their husband's pension entitlement and (b) one-third of that entitlement. [95516]
  898
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The major public service pension schemes do not hold information disaggregated on this basis, with the exception of the Teachers' Pension Scheme which can identify some 3,500 widows receiving a pension at one half rate; 60 at one third rate; and 31,700 receiving a widow's pension at the rate of some other fraction of their husband's pension. A widow's pension at a rate of between half and one third would result if the scheme member's service straddled the point at which public service pension schemes raised the rate of widow's pension from one third to one half, in 1972, and the member did not pay the maximum additional contributions fully to upgrade the entitlement in respect of previous service.

  ISAs
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his most recent estimate of the number of people who have taken out both a mini and a maxi ISA. [95519]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The Inland Revenue holds no data to enable it to make estimates of this kind.

WALES

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Treasury Ministers in relation to the operation of the Barnett Formula as regards Wales. [94082]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have not had any discussions with Treasury Ministers regarding the operation of the Barnett Formula for Wales, as a sound framework is already in place.

  Cross-border Environmental Management
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the liaison between his office, the National Assembly and the Welsh region of the Environment Agency on issues which affect Welsh-English cross-border environmental management issues. [94084]

  Mr. Hanson
  I have regular discussions with Assembly Secretaries and with Government Colleagues.

  NHS Technical and Scientific Staff
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health about pay, recruitment and retention of qualified technical and scientific staff in the NHS in Wales. [94085]

  Mr. Hanson
  I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Health on these issues. When considering the annual pay settlements for NHS staff, the pay review bodies will take evidence from the Assembly along with the Department of Health and other devolved administrations.

  Welsh Assembly (Funding)
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the total amount of funding allocated to the National Assembly for Wales. [94086]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have received a number of representations about this matter, including in particular about the need for funding to permit Wales to take advantage of its access to funds under Objective 1.

  Fundholding (Abolition)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Department of Health concerning the impact of the abolition of fundholding on waiting lists in English health authority areas adjacent to the Welsh border. [94087]

  Mr. Hanson
  None.

  Ministerial Staff
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the staffing of his office in(a) Cardiff and (b) London. [94089]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  At present I have just over 30 staff. All except my special adviser, and my legal adviser are based in London.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the Department of Trade and Industry following the publication of the new Assisted Areas map in Wales. [94091]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  None. The Assisted Areas map published on 15 July 1999 constituted the Government's proposals to the European Commission. It is the European Commission which must approve the map and the matter is now with the Commission for a decision.

  Policing (Millennium)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Executive on policing needs over the millennium period. [94092]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I understand that there have been liaison meetings between the National Assembly for Wales and local service providers, including the police services, in the interests of co-ordinating activities at the local level.

  However, I have not had any discussions with the National Assembly for Wales on policing needs over the millennium period. Police issues are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, and millennium preparations in Wales are the responsibility of the National Assembly.

  EU (Welsh Interests)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the UKRep regarding the presentation of Welsh interests to the European Commission. [94093]
  900
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I plan to visit Brussels and meet senior UKRep officials shortly to discuss a range of issues. The UK Government remain responsible for relations with the European Union but wishes to involve the Assembly as fully as possible in decision-making on EU matters which touch on devolved areas. The concordat between the UK Government and the National Assembly for Wales on co-ordination of European Union policy issues, published earlier this month, sets out the framework for ensuring that the Assembly's interests are adequately represented.

  Health and Education
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the responsibilities of his Department in relation to(a) health and (b) education. [94094]

  Mr. Hanson
  The Secretary of State has been in consultation with the Assembly on aspects of Health and Education policy affecting Wales, which may be the subject of primary legislation in the near future.

  Flood Control
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what negotiations he has had on measures to improve flood control in mid-Wales this winter. [94095]

  Mr. Hanson
  None. This is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Universities (Grants)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the DfEE to ensure that Welsh universities receive a greater share of grants from UK research councils. [94096]

  Mr. Hanson
  None. I am aware of measures being undertaken by the National Assembly for Wales to address this situation.

  Poverty
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about UK Government actions to tackle poverty in Wales. [94097]

  Mr. Hanson
  I regularly discuss this issue with colleagues and the appropriate Assembly Secretary to ensure that we are working together to reduce poverty in Wales.

  Block Grant
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received during the past three months with regard to the adequacy of the block grant provided for the National Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [94098]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I have received a number of representations on this subject over the last three months, including in particular the need for Wales to have adequate funding to take advantage of its access to Objective 1 grants.

  Match Funding
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the First Secretary of the National Assembly with regard to providing match funding for European structural funds for Wales. [94099]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I meet the Assembly First Secretary on a weekly basis to discuss a range of issues.

  Post-16 Education and Training
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that Welsh interests are advanced in any future reorganisation of post-16 education and training following the recent Government White Paper. [94100]

  Mr. Hanson
  The recent Government White Paper, "Learning to Succeed", put forward proposals for reorganisation of post-16 education and training in England.

  The Welsh Office issued its own consultation paper which drew on work done by the Education and Training Action Group, which was set up by Welsh Office Ministers.

  Any primary legislation brought forward to effect reorganisation as recommended in these papers will take account of Welsh interests.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on measures to help the young unemployed in Wales. [94101]

  Mr. Hanson
  I met my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities, earlier this month and we discussed a range of issues in relation to the Government's Welfare to Work agenda in Wales.

  Funding Programmes
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provisions he intends to make to ensure that funding for European structural fund programmes in Wales is additional to funding allocated to the National Assembly for Wales under the Barnett Formula. [94102]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Welsh Block currently has provision for European Structural Funds.

  Next year's Spending Review is designed to review the Government's overall expenditure plans. The Treasury has agreed to consider on their merits representations from the National Assembly for Wales about the public spending implications of Objective 1 status for West Wales and the Valleys as part of the 2000 Review. I will be fully involved in those discussions.

  Reserved Powers
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a guide for the public on the reserved powers relevant to Welsh matters; and how they are dealt with in the House. [94088]
  902
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  A Guidance Note is being prepared and will soon be placed in the Library.

  Child Abuse Tribunal
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the report of the North Wales Child Abuse Tribunal of Inquiry. [96415]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Tribunal's report has been delivered to my Department this afternoon. We will now consider the report and set in hand arrangements for its printing and presentation to Parliament at the earliest opportunity. At the same time I will present an executive summary of the document which is still in preparation by the Tribunal. I will present this summary in Welsh and in English. I expect all this work to be completed by January and I do not plan to make any further statement on the report and its findings until then.

  Road Infrastructure
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions concerning studies carried out into the impact of investment in road infrastructure in England upon the economy of Wales. [94078]

  Mr. Hanson
  None. I understand that Assembly officials are in direct contact with their DETR counterparts.

  Sea Fishing
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the division of responsibilities between the National Assembly and the Welsh Office for sea fishing issues. [94083]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The National Assembly for Wales is responsible for all matters pertaining to the sea fishing industry for up to 12 miles from the Welsh coast line. The UK Government have powers from 12 miles to the British fisheries limit of 200 miles.

  Cardiff International Airport
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the potential for Cardiff International Airport to attract additional traffic from passengers living in South West England. [94090]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  None. This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

HEALTH

  Cancer Statistics
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress has been made by regional cancer registries in submitting 1997 information to the Office for National Statistics; and if he will make a statement; [94060]

  (2) what steps he has taken to prevent future backlogs of submissions by regional cancer registries to the Office for National Statistics; and if he will make a statement; [94061]
  903
  (3) if he will list the regional cancer registries, indicating the latest year they have submitted data to the Office for National Statistics; and if he will make a statement. [94063]

  Yvette Cooper
  The latest year for which cancer registries in England have submitted complete data (as compared to the number of registrations in previous years) are:

  Year

  Registries

  1997

  East Anglia, South and West (Winchester), Oxford, Trent and West Midlands

  1996

  South and West (Bristol)

  1994

  Yorkshire, North Western

  1993

  Thames, Northern, Merseyside and Cheshire

  For 1997 data, five registries have submitted substantially complete data, two have submitted some data and four have submitted no data.

  We are concerned to promote more timely submission of cancer registration data. In February 1999, we commissioned Professor Charles Gillis of the Department of Public Health, University of Glasgow to review the cancer registration system in England and Wales and to make recommendations for improvement. His final report is expected early in the New Year and is expected to make recommendations to improve timeliness and quality of published cancer statistics.

  Cancer Care Action Group
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Cancer Care Action Group has met; at each meeting what new best practice and joint working projects were established; and if he will make a statement. [94066]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Cancer Care Action Group (CCAG) was established to bring together the leading cancer voluntary organisations with the National Health Service Executive. It advises and makes recommendations to the National Cancer Forum on key issues on developments in cancer and palliative care policy at a national level and the implications for voluntary sector organisations, and represents those with cancer and their carers in so doing.

  The CCAG has met twice so far, on 27 January 1999 and on 29 September 1999.

  The CCAG has been consulted on the development of the New Opportunities Fund initiative for palliative care. It was also consulted on the cancer information strategy and as a result of this, CancerBacup and Macmillan Cancer Relief have joined the Departmental Steering Group which is developing the strategy.

  Following the first meeting the National Council of Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services undertook to co-ordinate a project to scope the training and education provided by voluntary organisations. The findings were considered at the second meeting and it was agreed that they offered a good basis for considering further developments in this area.

  NHS Pay Review Bodies
  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current membership is of the NHS pay review bodies. [96271]

  Mr. Denham
  The current membership is as follows:

  Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration

  Chairman—Mr. Brandon Gough—First appointed 1999—Reappointed 1996 reappointed for further 2 years 1999;

  Mr. David Penton—First appointed 1994—Reappointed 1997 until 2000;

  Mr. Christopher King CBE—First appointed 1996—Reappointed 1999 until 2002;

  Mrs. Carol Hui—First appointed 1996—Reappointed 1999 until 2002;

  Professor Sheila McLean—First appointed 1998–2001;

  Mrs. Matti Alderson—First appointed 1998–2001;

  Mr. Alan Hawksworth—First appointed 1999–2002;

  Dr. Gareth Jones—First appointed 1999–2002.

  Review Body on Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine

  Chairman Professor Clive Booth—First appointed 1998–2001;

  Mr. Clive Monks OBE—First appointed 1998–2001;

  Mr. Jim Bartlett—First appointed 1998–2001;

  Mr. Mike Malone-Lee CB—First appointed 1998–2001;

  Mrs. Sheila Gleig—First appointed 1994—Reappointed 1997 until 2000;

  Professor Pauline Weetman—First appointed 1999–2002;

  Mrs. Marlene Davies—First appointed 1999–2002;

  Mrs. Urmila Banerjee—First appointed 1999–2002.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [94845]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I 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.

  Objective 2 Funding
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he received from the Welsh Assembly on Objective 2 funding for Wales. [95741]

  Mr. Caborn
  The proposals for the Objective 2 map were prepared having regard to advice from the Assembly First Secretary and the Assembly Economic and Development Secretary. Their concern was to ensure, within a total population coverage agreed for Wales of 270, 000, that the best balance was struck between coverage of disadvantaged urban areas and rural areas.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which areas were identified in the submission by the Welsh Assembly for Objective 2 funding in Wales. [95742]
  905
  Mr. Caborn
  The proposed Objective 2 map envisages coverage in Wales of parts of Powys, Newport and Cardiff. These proposals took account of advice from the Assembly First Secretary and the Assembly Economic and Development Secretary.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the deadline for amendments to the draft map of areas of Objective 2 funding in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [95739]

  Mr. Caborn
  The UK proposals for Objective 2 coverage have been submitted to the European Commission, and these are now the subject of discussion with the Commission. We hope to have agreement on the proposals by the end of this year.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were used to allocate Objective 2 funding to areas of Wales. [95740]

  Mr. Caborn
  The criteria that the Government used are set out in the document URN99/1021 "The Government's proposals for new Objective 2 areas", copies of which were sent to all hon. Members.

  The criteria were based on levels of unemployment, in combination with measures of high dependency on industry or agriculture and a decline in those sectors. For urban areas, an index of local deprivation was used.

  Textile Industry
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent steps he is taking to(a) promote and (b) safeguard the future of the UK textile industry. [95790]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government work closely with the textiles industry on a number of key areas, including trade policy, education and training, exporting and industrial sponsorship.

  On the latter, the Department of Trade & Industry's Textile, Clothing and Footwear Unit is dedicated to assisting these industries to compete effectively. The Unit is currently funding over 20 projects targeting specific areas for future development, including product innovation, design, marketing, benchmarking and the development of supply chain partnerships.

  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for competitiveness met with the industry-led Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group on 13 October 1999 to discuss with them progress on the development of a national strategy for the industry.

  Departmental Twinning
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [94019]

  Mr. Byers
  [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.

  Mirror Group
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the report into the circumstances of the Mirror Group flotation, following the appointment of inspectors in June 1992. [95520]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The inspection is being conducted by independent inspectors.

  They are still carrying out their work and consequentially they have yet to report to me.

  Company Regulations
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the regulations which a company manufacturing refrigerators and employing 1,500 people has to comply with. [95921]

  Ms Hewitt
  The regulations applying to a refrigerator manufacturer, employing 1,500 people, include those deriving from company law, taxation, health and safety, land planing requirements and environmental legislation.

  Regulatory information relating to the operational aspects of all types and size of business will be available through the Direct Access Government (DAG) INTERNET web site, which is currently being updated and will be relaunched as part of the Small Business Service.

  The Government announced a tougher approach to regulatory control in the Modernising Government White Paper in March, with the aim of eliminating unnecessary regulation and minimising the burdens that necessary regulations impose.

  Telephone Dialling Codes
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates his Department has made of the adjustment costs associated with the planned change in telephone dialling codes; and what proposals his Department has to assist charitable organisations which face exceptional costs in making the change. [95640]

  Ms Hewitt
  The administration of the National Numbering Scheme is a matter for Oftel. Oftel has not carried out any specific research into the adjustment costs associated with the planned changes to telephone codes. The changes to geographic codes have been made in response to the views of consumers and businesses following "Phoneday" in 1995 in order to meet additional demand for numbers. In order to minimise the costs to businesses, Oftel has given long periods of notice of changes and put in place parallel running for old and new numbers and "changed number announcements". This enables businesses to plan for the future.

  This Department has no proposals to assist charitable organisations with their exceptional costs in making the change. Grants may in certain circumstances be awarded to bodies in the health sector under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, through a scheme administered by the Department of Health.

  Droit de Suite
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the effect on the London art market of introducing Droit de Suite. [95133]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: An independent assessment of the potential risk carried out earlier this year concluded that, business could be lost to markets where droit de suite is not applied and that, by 2005, sales of works covered by droit de suite could fall by as much as 78 per cent., from £280 million to £61 million, resulting in lost earnings of £57 million per annum; and total sales could fall by £750 million or 23 per cent. (due to vendors unwillingness to spilt lots), putting many jobs at risk.

  Former Paymaster General
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria will determine whether the report in preparation on the business affairs of the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) will be published. [95557]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 25 October 1999]: The criteria which determine whether information from an inquiry is made public are the nature of the case itself and other considerations such as the applicable law and commercial confidentiality. Subject to these constraints, I would wish to be as open as possible on these matters.

  National Export Strategy
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the National Export Strategy. [95465]

  Mr. Caborn
  I hope to make a statement shortly.

  Minimum Wage
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will break down the number of employers who have been reported by minimum wage inspectors for paying less than the national minimum wage by(a) region and (b) firm size. [95949]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  National Minimum Wage compliance officers have dealt with over 3,000 cases of suspected underpayment of the national minimum wage. The latest available figures of complaints by region and by employer size is provided in the following tables. These data and other information on enforcement activity will be included in the Government evidence to the Low Pay Commission which we will publish shortly.

  Complaints received by region. April-September 1999

  Region

  Complaints

  Percentage

  Scotland

  204

  7

  N. Ireland

  46

  2

  Wales

  88

  3

  North East

  114

  4

  Yorkshire

  310

  11

  North West

  211

  7

  Merseyside

  29

  1

  W. Midlands

  202

  7

  E. Midlands

  183

  6

  Eastern England

  120

  4

  908

  Complaints received by region, April-September 1999

  Region

  Complaints

  Percentage

  London

  79

  3

  South East

  178

  6

  South West

  162

  6

  Not known

  922

  32

  Total

  2,848

  100

  Notes:

  1. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  2. The reason for the large number of complaints that appear to have no geographical region is that anonymous calls cannot be identified by Government Office regions since precise addresses are not taken: the complaints are simply dealt with by the nearest IR compliance team.

  Source

  Inland Revenue

  Analysis of employer size for complaints cleared, April-August 1999

  Number

  Percentage (rounded)

  1 to 10

  320

  46

  11 to 100

  291

  42

  101+

  78

  11

  Total

  689

  100

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress there has been in discussions with industry regarding the impact of the Climate Change Levy. [95953]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government have had extensive discussions with industry about the impact of climate change levy, which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement on 9 March 1999,Official Report, columns 173–90.

  The Government have made clear that they wish to design the levy in a way which maximises its environmental benefit while seeking to protect competitiveness. They have been concerned to develop the best possible understanding of business's perspective in discussions over recent months, in order to inform their decision on the levy for the Finance Bill 2000.

  The Government have said that they recognise the special circumstances of energy intensive sectors of business in this context including their energy usage and exposure to international competition. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) has been leading the discussions with a number of key trade associations representing energy intensive sectors to develop negotiated agreement. Under these agreements, sectors which are to be subject to Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control regulation would earn significantly reduced rates of the climate change levy in return for commitments to targets for energy efficiency and/or emissions reduction. The DETR has been conducting detailed negotiations with an initial ten trade associations. Some initial offers of targets have now been made. The period for these discussions has been extended from mid-October to 20 December in order to give the trade associations more opportunity to consult their members.

  Gas-powered Electricity Generation
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications to construct gas-powered electricity generating plants are awaiting consent. [95813]

  Mr. Caborn
  Currently there are 35 proposals involving gas-firing before the Department (a mixture of CCGT, CHP and other) awaiting a decision. Decisions on these will be taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled 'Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee' (Cm 4071), and announced in due course.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Over 50s)
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal for the over 50s. [96391]

  Ms Jowell
  The New Deal 50plus has been introduced this week in the following nine areas of the country: Durham; Dorset; Oxfordshire; Black Country; North Derbyshire; Manchester—City Pride; Hull; North East Wales; and, Edinburgh, East and Midlothian. The programme will be introduced throughout the UK in Spring 2000.

  Basic Skills Agency
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to undertake a review of the Basic Skills Agency. [96392]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Government have a policy of conducting five-yearly reviews of all non-departmental public bodies. As the Government are the major contributor to the funding of the Basic Skills Agency, we believe that the Agency should be subject to comparable

  £ million

  Expenditure1

  Programme

  1998–99 Allocation

  Amount

  Percentage

  Carry forward

  New Deal for young people

  534

  189

  35

  345

  New Deal for long term unemployed

  114

  12

  10

  102

  New Deal for lone parents2

  17

  17

  100

  0

  New Deal for disabled2

  5

  2

  40

  3

  Totals

  670

  220

  33

  3450

  1 Expenditure excludes a total of £82 million spent out of existing Departmental provision

  2 New Deals for lone parents and the disabled are programmes operating jointly between the DfEE and DSS and figures given are those for DfEE only

  3 £103 million of which was returned to the windfall tax reserve

  To some extent, underspends resulted from the timing of submission by contractors of their invoices for services provided to the New Deal. In addition, the numbers of people entering New Deal programmes were lower than had earlier been projected on the basis of the Government's unemployment assumption at the time.
  910
  review procedures. Since the last review of the Agency was in 1994, the Department has commissioned a new review of the Agency.

  I am placing in the Library a copy of a letter to Sir Claus Moser, Chairman of the Basic Skills Agency, setting out further details of the review, including its terms of reference.

  Age Diversity in Employment
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment (June 1999) on reducing age discrimination in the workplace. [95950]

  Ms Jowell
  The Code was launched barely four months ago and it is therefore too soon to make a full assessment of its impact on age discrimination in the workplace.

  The effectiveness of the Code is being evaluated through a large-scale research project looking in detail at its impact on employer policies, attitudes and practices. Specific topics to be covered include recruitment, selection, promotion, training, redundancy and retirement. The results of the evaluation will be published in early 2001.

  Windfall Tax (New Deal)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what amount and percentage of the proceeds of the windfall tax allocated in the 1998 Budget report [HC620] to(a) the New Deal for 18–24 year-olds, (b) the New Deal for the long-term unemployed, (c) the New Deal for lone parents and (d) the New Deal for the sick and disabled, for expenditure during the 1998–99 financial year were (i) spent during that year and (ii) carried forward for future years, giving reasons for any underspend. [95086]

  Ms Jowell
  The table shows the amount of windfall tax set out in the 1998 Budget Report allocated to the Department for Education and Employment, for the New Deal programmes shown, in 1998–99 together with expenditure and carry forward.

  Finally, the success of the New Deal for young people itself contributed to underspends.

  The programme aims to help as many young people as possible to leave its Gateway for jobs. The original planning assumption was that 60 per cent. would need to

  911
  move on from the New Deal Gateway into one of the four options. The Gateway performed much better in 1998–99 and some 55 per cent. of entrants were leaving New Deal without needing to move first into an option. Fewer young people into options has the effect of reducing expenditure on option provision, allowances and Follow-Through.

  Expenditure on the New Deal is, of course, planned over the Parliament as a whole and unspent resources in any single year are available for spending on the New Deal in future years.

CABINET OFFICE

  Gender Impact Analysis
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which Government policies have been subject to gender impact analysis; and if the gender impact analyses are publicly available. [94504]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are committed to ensuring their policies are fair and inclusive, of high quality and flexible. This aim is contained in guidance (published 1998) which helps Departments consider the impact of their policies on women and other groups, and is a cornerstone of the Modernising Government White Paper. It is for individual departments to consider how to make use of this guidance. There is no formal requirement to carry out a gender impact assessment for every policy or regulation, and the absence of a separate document does not mean that gender impact was ignored during policy making.

  The Women's Unit in the Cabinet Office is working with the Home Office, and Department for Education and Employment to produce more comprehensive guidance for departments on equality impact assessment—to sit within the consolidated guidance described. In addition the Women's Unit is developing a framework for gender impact assessment.

  The Government have introduced a wide range of policies clearly designed to meet the concerns, priorities and circumstances of women. These include the National Minimum Wage, Working Families Tax Credit and the Childcare Tax Credit, Sure Start and the National Childcare Strategy, the New Deal for Lone Parents and increases in Child Benefit. These measures help women make real choices in their lives.

  Fight the Fog Campaign
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on developments since April 1998 in the Fight the Fog Campaign. [95293]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  "Fight the Fog" is an internal management initiative within the European Commission. I wish it every success.

  Further information on the initiative can be obtained on the Commission's website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/sdt/en/ftfog/index.htm.

  EU Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to her predecessor's answer of 27 July 912
  1999, Official Report, columns 155-56, concerning EU working groups, for what reasons he did not make a statement at that stage. [95418]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Secretary on 27 July 1999,Official Report, columns 155–56. My right hon. Friend the then Minister for the Cabinet Office did not make a separate statement as this Answer contained all the relevant information.

  Property Advisers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate have(a) paid and (b) been contracted to pay to (i) S. J. Berwin and (ii) DTZ Debenham Thorpe since 2 May 1997. [94901]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. Member and I will ensure a copy of the letter is placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. David Lidington, dated October 1999:
  The Minister of State, Cabinet Office has asked me, as Chief Executive of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate to respond to your question about the level of the Agency's payments to S J Berwin and DTZ Debenham Thorpe since May 1997.
  PACE do not, and never have, employed S J Berwin in any capacity, therefore the question of payment does not arise.
  DTZ Debenham Thorpe have held a Management Commission with PACE since 1997 and have also received a number of smaller Commissions since that time. PACE has paid DTZ a total of £3,215,036.00 since May 1997. Work is normally ordered on a call-off basis and as a consequence there are no significant payments contracted in future, other than the current work in progress, which amounts to approximately £50k.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the members of the Board of the Property Advisers to the Civil Service and the annual remuneration each board member receives. [94902]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The current members of the management board of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) their salary and accrued pension (in £5,000 bands) and pensions increase for the last complete year (in £2,500 bands), is set out in the table:

  £000

  Salary (including performance pay)

  Total accrued pension at 60 at 31 March 1999

  Pension increase (net of inflation)

  Chief Executive

  Mr. John Locke

  175–80

  5–10

  0–2.5

  Directors

  Mr. Barry Redfern

  55–60

  10–15

  0–2.5

  Mr. Arnold Butler

  55–60

  10–15

  0–2.5

  Mr. John Hathaway

  55–60

  15–20

  0–2.5

  Mr. Jay Jayasundara

  45–50

  5–10

  0–2.5

  1 The Chief Executive's salary shown does not include performance-related pay. He is entitled to an annual performance bonus of up to 10 per cent, of basic salary, but the bonus payable in the current year has yet to be determined.

  913
  Further information on PACE's activities and its performance during the last financial year will be provided in PACE's Annual Report and Account 1998–99, which is due to be published shortly. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps she has taken to promote policy appraisal for equal treatment; if she will promulgate a checklist for strategic policy making; and if she will place a copy of the checklist in the Library. [95371]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Guidelines on policy appraisal for equal treatment were published jointly by the Home Office, Department for Education and Employment and the Women's Unit in the Cabinet Office in November 1998. These were circulated to all departments to ensure that the effects of any policy changes on all groups within society are considered at the earliest stage of policy development.

  On 2 August 1999 the Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit launched an IT-based checklist for policy makers on the Cabinet Office website. Among other things the checklist provides up to date information and advice in taking account of a range of issues including gender, ethnicity, disability and age in advice to Ministers. It also provides advice and contact points on statutory requirements, for example the Human Rights Act, good practice in consultation and other impact assessment tools like regulatory impact assessment. Policy makers are advised to use the checklist at the beginning of the policy formulation process, as part of their on-going work and in evaluation.

  The checklist is IT-based to help ensure that it is kept up to date and is accessible to a wide range of users. It is available on the Cabinet Office website at http.//www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/1999/checklist/intro.htm

  A copy of the checklist is available from the Libraries of the House.

  Government Car and Despatch Agency
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to review the Government Car and Despatch Agency. [96390]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The first review of the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) is due to be completed by the end of March 2000. I have decided that the Cabinet Office should now begin work on this review.

  The review will consider the options for the future delivery of the Government Car and Inter Despatch mail services, taking account of the lessons of the Agency's past performance. The options are: continued agency status, contracting out, market testing, merger with another organisation, privatisation and abolition. Each option will be considered on its merits, and the preferred option will be the one that offers best value for money, taking into account the interests of the customers and staff of the Agency, and security issues.
  914
  Implementation of the review's recommendations and revision of the Framework Document (if appropriate) will follow.

  Anyone who wishes to contribute to the review of GCDA should contact David Smith at the Cabinet Office Agencies Unit, Room 206, Ashley House, 2 Monck Street, London SW1P 2BQ (Tel: 020–7-276–2758/Fax: 020–7-276–2739/ e-mail: dsmith@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk) by 31 January 2000.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [94850]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning staff hours in connection with the Working Time Directive. [95402]

  Mr. Battle
  Ministers have regular meetings with staff representatives. Working hours have been discussed at such meetings. The staff of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are committed to advancing British interests overseas. The outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review is enabling the Department for the first time in years to recruit the staff it needs to meet its objectives, and to fill the gaps which have been a major cause of long hours.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on measures taken to prevent the arrival in Indonesia of Hawk aircraft in line with the common position of the European Council of 16 September. [95249]

  Mr. Battle
  Following the adoption of the common position of the European Council of 16 September which imposed an immediate arms embargo and suspension of military cooperation with Indonesia, no Hawk aircraft have been exported from the UK. None will be exported while the embargo is in place.

  East Timor
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) the Indonesian Government and (b) the UN regarding the return of East Timorese people held in camps in West Timor. [95241]

  Mr. Battle
  We are deeply anxious at the plight of the many thousands of East Timorese refugees in West Timor and elsewhere in Indonesia. Those wishing to return should be free to do so at the earliest opportunity. We have made it clear to the Indonesian Government that we
  915
  expect them to ensure the safety and security of the refugees. I raised this with former President Habibie on 8 September. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this with the then Indonesian Foreign Minister Alatas in New York on 22 September. And my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wrote to the then President Habibie to reinforce our concerns. We welcome the news that several hundred returnees per day are being repatriated from West to East Timor by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). But there is an urgency to get the refugees moving in much larger numbers. To this end, we are providing financial support and working closely with UNHCR who have established an office in West Timor. We continue to assist the United Nations with this urgent task.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in East Timor. [95432]

  Mr. Battle
  We welcomed Indonesia's decision on 20 October to reverse its claim on East Timor and look forward to welcoming East Timor as the newest member of the community of democratic nations. In the meantime we remain deeply anxious at the plight of the many thousands of East Timorese refugees in West Timor and elsewhere in Indonesia. We have made it clear to the Indonesian Government that we expect them to ensure the safety and security of the refugees. I raised this with the then President Habibie on 8 September. Over 18,000 East Timorese have so far been repatriated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), but there is an urgency to get the refugees moving in much larger numbers. To this end, we are providing financial support and working closely with UNHCR who have established an office in West Timor. We have also fully supported international efforts to ensure that those guilty of human rights abuses in East Timor are brought to justice. We co-sponsored the resolution adopted on 27 September at the Special Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights which called for an International Commission of Enquiry to be set up. The Commission is to provide the UN with its conclusions by 31 December.

  European Commission
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is the Government's policy that the President of the European Commission should be granted the authority to appoint, dismiss, and reshuffle commissioners. [95214]

  Mr. Vaz
  We support the process of reform in the new Commission. This is necessary following the events which led to the resignation of the Commission earlier this year. Next year's IGC is likely to consider Treaty provisions on appointment and dismissal of Commissioners.

  EU Treaties
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of granting the European Commission the authority to draft new European Union treaties. [94900]
  916
  Mr. Vaz
  The Treaty sets out the Commission's role with respect to intergovernmental conferences. The Commission may make proposals to the IGC, but decisions are taken by the member states. We see no reason to change this.

  Tunisia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government take to ensure that financial aid to Tunisia under the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement is not used to fund the Tunisian state security apparatus. [95094]

  Mr. Vaz
  Financial aid under the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement is administered by the European Commission which is responsible for ensuring that these funds are used to further the goals of the Agreement: the establishment of an area of peace and stability; shared prosperity; and partnership in human, social and cultural affairs. We monitor the use of these funds through our membership of the Med Committee established under the Agreement.

  Consular Matters
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on plans to change arrangements for dealing with representations from hon. Members on consular matters. [94915]

  Mr. Vaz
  I t is the practice of hon. Members wishing to raise consular matters with the Foreign Secretary to write to him or to a Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, is responsible for consular matters. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

  Responsibility for representations on visa matters rests with me. I am currently reviewing the procedures for dealing with representations concerning visas. The objective will be to provide an efficient system to enable hon. Members to assist their constituents. All correspondence should in the first instance be sent to the Migration and Visa Correspondence Unit at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1 Palace Street, (Room 4.3.5) London, SW1 5HE.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange a comprehensive investigation into the complaints made by Mr. Mike Bingham, a resident at Stanley in the Falkland Islands as requested in his letter of 9 October in relation to the Governor's action in suspending Mr. Bingham's residency on 28 May 1998, and associated matters relating to his residency; and if he will make a statement. [95330]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government are aware of the allegations made by Mr. Bingham against the Falkland Islands Government. We have consulted the Governor of the Falkland Islands who has investigated the matter thoroughly. We have no grounds to believe that there has been maladministration on the part of the Falkland Islands Government or the Royal Falkland Islands Police in their dealings with Mr. Bingham. Some of the matters raised
  917
  by Mr. Bingham are between himself and his former employer, Falklands Conservation, which is entirely independent of the Falkland Islands Government.

  Mr. Bingham already has a Residence Permit, valid until September 2000. It is his application for a Permanent Residence Permit which is under review. This process has been complicated by the various legal difficulties to which Mr. Bingham has been subject. The Governor is satisfied that the Falkland Islands Executive Council has handled the consideration of Mr. Bingham's applications for permanent residence status properly and impartially.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the UK will ratify the statute of the International Criminal Court. [95476]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 26 October 1999,Official Report, column 805.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report those countries which have (a) signed and (b) ratified the International Criminal Court Treaty. [95420]

  Mr. Hain
  Eighty-nine States have signed the Intentional Criminal Court Statute: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Eritrea, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic), Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Samoa, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Four States have ratified the Statute: Italy, San Marino, Senegal and Trinidad and Tobago.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom Government intend to ratify the International Criminal Court Treaty. [95421]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 26 October 1999,Official Report, column 805.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United States Government on their failure to sign the International Criminal Court Treaty. [95422]

  Mr. Hain
  The Secretary of State has frequently raised the International Criminal Court in contacts with the United States Government. In his talks with Mrs. Albright on 21 September in New York, he again urged the United States to sign the Statute.
  918
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with the President of China during his visit to the United Kingdom on China's position concerning the International Criminal Court Treaty. [95423]

  Mr. Battle
  The issue was not specifically raised during the visit. The Chinese Government are well aware of our strong position on the International Criminal Court.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chief Executive of Pakistan concerning (i) the restoration of democratic Government and (ii) his plans for those persons under house arrest. [95789]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has called for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan. He has also called on the new regime to respect the safety and legal rights of those arrested. The British High Commissioner in Islamabad reinforced these points on 15 October when he called on General Musharraf.

  China
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if during the visit to the United Kingdom by the President of China he raised with the President(a) the use of capital punishment in China and (b) the Chinese policy on compulsory abortion; and what replies he received. [95424]

  Mr. Battle
  The use of capital punishment figures prominently in the human rights dialogues with the Chinese which we hold both bilaterally and with the EU. The Chinese Government are in no doubt about our strong opposition to the use of the death penalty. We have regularly raised our concerns about China's population policy in the EU and the bilateral human rights dialogues, and at higher levels. We believe that coercion has no place in family planning and our bilateral aid programme does not include funding for population programmes.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary was able to discuss human rights in China with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Tang Jiaxuan, when they met on 20 October, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also raised human rights issues with President Jiang on 21 October. Specific issues, including capital punishment and the Chinese birth control policy, are also addressed through the regular high level human rights dialogue between us, which we remain convinced is the best way to secure progress over the longer term.

  Business Ambassadors
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Ambassadors for British Business are held accountable for their duties. [95308]

  Mr. Battle
  The Ambassadors for British Business are asked to make a portion of their time available to the Ambassador for British Business scheme when travelling overseas on company business. This is entirely voluntary
  919
  and the Ambassadors for British Business receive no remuneration. There are no fixed duties and no obligation to undertake engagements.

  Minurso Mission
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor), of 26 July 1999,Official Report, column 143, what was the previous United Kingdom commitment to Minurso (a) in manpower and (b) financially; and at what level the decision not to recommit was made. [95417]

  Mr. Hain
  From September 1991 until September 1993, the UK contributed 15 military observers, including the Chief of Staff to Minurso. The cost of this deployment was approximately £1,148,080.

  Since the establishment of the mission, the UK has been liable for its share of UN assessed contributions. In the financial year 1998–99, the UK paid £2,359,371 in assessed contributions for Minurso.

  The Government fully support the UN's efforts to bring peace to the region. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon) made clear in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) on 26 July 1999, we are unable to consider re-committing manpower to Minurso at this time due to heavy commitments elsewhere.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Intervention Board
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what key performance targets Ministers have set the Intervention Board for 1999–2000. [96526]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  In agreement with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Minister for Rural Affairs, Scotland and the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Wales, I have set the following targets for 1999–2000:

  Target

  Percentage of claims processed within deadlines

  99.0%

  Percentage of claims process correctly

  98.5%

  Cumulative running cost efficiency gains

  2.5%

  Improvement in index of productivity

  4.0%

  Ratio of disallowance to EAGGF funds handled

  0.40%

  New value for money savings in procurement of goods and services

  7.0%

  Yield: cost ratio of anti-fraud activities

  3.0:1.0

  Percentage of invoices paid within deadlines

  98.5%

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is(a) the range and (b) the average hourly rate of charge for official veterinary surgeons employed in abattoirs. [R] [90384]
  920
  Ms Quin
  The current hourly rates for Official Veterinary Surgeons employed in abattoirs range from £25.01 to £106.18 and the average hourly rate is currently £40.76. This range reflects the results of the tendering exercise undertaken in 1997.

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list his Department's spending on official publications since May 1997. [93680]

  Mr. Morley
  Central expenditure on the production and printing of official publications, since May 1997 totals £1.5 million. Information about publications bought for official use and those produced for internal use only is not held centrally.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the titles of the in-house publications and newsletters which were produced for the staff of his Department, excluding non-departmental public bodies and agencies, in the last five years, specifying the dates on which each title was first produced, the frequency with which each title is produced and the current secrecy classification of each title. [93854]

  Mr. Morley
  In house publication and newsletters produced for the staff in MAFF on a regular basis are as follows:The MAFF Bulletin; the Department's staff magazine having been published monthly from April 1957 to August 1999. It has now been replaced by a new monthly magazine called "Landscape".
  Infrastructure Support and Information Services (ISIS); a newsletter produced by the Departments Information and Technology Division and has been published on a bi-monthly basis for the last four years.
  LIT (Library, Information and Translations) UPDATE; a quarterly newsletter produced by the Departments Library and Translation Service. It was first published four years ago.
  Building and Estates Management (BEMD) Newsletters. Published periodically since June 1996.
  IIP (Investors in People) Newsletter. A monthly newsletter first published in December 1998.
  "FINRAB"; a newsletter from the Finance Planning and Resources Group commenced publication in August 1999 on a monthly basis.
  Offices Notices; these inform staff about operational matters and have been published in a weekly journal since April 1985. Prior to that date notices were circulated individually.
  Not included are numerous other publications produced on a one off basis.

  EU Sugar Regime
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what account is being taken of the needs of the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in relation to the reform of the EU sugar regime. [94135]

  Ms Quin
  My Department has consulted the full range of UK sugar interests, including the ACP London Group, for views on the forthcoming reform of the EU sugar regime. Responses to this exercise will help the Government formulate their line in time for next year's negotiations. Meanwhile we would strongly encourage the
  921
  ACP to make their views known in Brussels to enable the Commission to take them into account as it draws up its reform proposals.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to make a submission to the European Commission on the EU sugar regime; and if he will make a statement. [94136]

  Ms Quin
  The EU sugar regime is due for review next year. We have consulted UK sugar interests on their views in preparation for the forthcoming negotiations. At this stage we have no plans to make a submission to the European Commission. We expect them to come forward with proposals for sugar reform early in the new year.

  Badgers
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is the Government's intention to remove all badgers in the proactive areas of the badger culling trials. [93740]

  Ms Quin
  The Government neither intend nor expect to remove all badgers in the proactive areas of the badger culling trial. Given the operational constraints deliberately imposed on welfare grounds—principally restricting the method of capture to cage trapping, and limiting the capture period—the Independent Scientific Group established that around 80 per cent. of the badgers in an area could be captured. In other words, one fifth of the badger population would be expected to remain in place. The statistical experts in the Scientific Group have designed the trial specifically to take account of such factors, and are satisfied that the results it yields will be robust.

  Export Promotion
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many of his Department's staff have been dedicated to export promotion in each of the past five financial years; what were his Department's budgets for export promotion for each of the past five financial years; and if he will make a statement; [94607]

  (2) what further measures he proposes to take to promote food and agricultural exports; and if he will make a statement. [94608]

  Ms Quin
  Over the past five financial years my department has directly deployed 35 staff on dedicated export promotion related activity. The overall budget for each of these years (including the MAFF contribution to Food From Britain) was:

  Year

  £ million

  1994–95

  6

  1995–96

  7.1

  1996–97

  6.7

  1997–98

  6.3

  1998–99

  6.9

  The Ministry will continue to play its full role in government export promotion activities in conjunction with the overall aims and strategies of British Trade International. This will be undertaken both by staff within
  922
  the Ministry and by other bodies such as Food From Britain, Meat and Livestock Commission, and Home Grown Cereals Authority.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what volume of imports from the United States, for the latest year for which figures are available, came in the form of(a) raw potatoes, (b) processed potatoes, including powder and (c) potatoes present in finished products destined for human consumption. [94466]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 October 1999]: Imports of processed potatoes from the United States are given in the following table. There were no recorded imports of raw potatoes and imports of potatoes present in finished products are not separately identifiable.

  Imports of potatoes from the USA in 1998

  Processed potatoes1

  Thousand tonnes

  6.1

  Raw equivalent (thousand tonnes)

  9.6

  1Includes prepared, frozen, canned, crisped and dehydrated.

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [94856]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999,Official Report, column 682.

  Fisheries (Grant Aid)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of his decision to cut fisheries grant aid on inbound fisheries with particular reference to(a) salmon in the Test and Itchen and (b) sea trout in rivers in the south. [94897]

  Mr. Morley
  The planned reduction in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency to fund its work on salmon and freshwater fisheries in England will come into effect in 2001–02. It will be for the Environment Agency to determine its spending priorities for that year in the light of the fall in grant-in-aid. Until it has done this it is not possible to assess the impact of the reduction on individual rivers.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review his decision to cut fisheries grant aid; and if he will make a statement. [94896]

  Mr. Morley
  The planned reduction in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency to fund its work on salmon and freshwater fisheries in England is one of a number of economies made to keep MAFF's expenditure within the limits set by the Comprehensive Spending Review. The reduction will come into effect in 2001–02, and will be reviewed as part of the forthcoming review of Government spending that will determine expenditure plans for the period starting in 2002–03.

  Morocco (Fisheries)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his position regarding the renegotiation of a fisheries agreement with Morocco; what is the estimated cost of the deal; how many(a) United Kingdom and (b) other EU vessels will be affected; and if he will make a statement. [95294]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK will be aiming to ensure that any new agreement that can be negotiated with Morocco offers value for money, contains costs, promotes sustainable stock management and is coherent with developmental policies for Morocco. We would not expect the cost to be more than the cost of the existing agreement (125m euros p.a.).

  Around 500 vessels from Spain, Portugal, France and Greece fish in Moroccan waters under the current agreement. No UK vessels are affected.

  Ragwort Infestation
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to counteract ragwort infestation. [95317]

  Mr. Morley
  MAFF has policy responsibility for control of injurious weeds, of which ragwort is one, under the Weeds Act 1959. Under its provisions, MAFF may investigate complaints from any occupiers of agricultural land who consider that their land is threatened by ragwort spreading from land nearby. It seeks to resolve disputes between neighbours about control of injurious weeds primarily through persuasion and good advice.

  However, where such approaches are ineffective, the Weeds Act empowers MAFF to give occupiers of land formal written notice requiring them to take control measures. If they fail to do so MAFF may enter onto the land with an accompanying agricultural contractor, carry out the controls, and then recover the costs of the work, as a debt due to the Department.

  In the case of any persistent offenders, MAFF will continue to give careful consideration to bringing a prosecution under the Act. However, past experience has been that use of the powers of entry and recovery of reasonable costs incurred in taking direct weeds control action is sufficiently effective.

  There has been some doubt about the policy for enforcement of the Weeds Act where land is used to graze horses and is threatened by ragwort growing nearby. Each complaint about injurious weeds will be dealt with on its own merits. However, MAFF has policy responsibility for farmland and for farmed animals, rather than animals kept for non-agricultural businesses or for recreation. MAFF will not normally investigate complaints about weeds threatening land used for horses, ponies or donkeys. Higher priority will be given to protecting farm livestock.

  MAFF supported the Country Landowners Association national awareness campaign to help eradicate ragwort, which came to an end during August. That campaign helped horse owners understand what they can do to protect their own animals, as well as their neighbours' from this poisonous weed.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what advice he has received concerning the Dutch permission for sale in the Netherlands of genetically modified raddicio rosso, containing an antibiotic marker gene; [94866]

  (2) what steps he is taking to prevent the importation to the United Kingdom of genetically modified raddicio rosso recently licensed in the Netherlands. [94867]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 October 1999]: The Dutch authorities have confirmed that, contrary to recent reports, they have not granted permission for the sale of genetically modified raddicio rosso in the Netherlands. Applications for approval for the commercial planting and food use of this crop within the Community are still being scrutinised by the EC Commission and member states and no conclusions have yet been reached.

  Pollution Prevention and Control
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with farmers about the likely cost to them of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Measure; what representations he has made to the EU about the potential impact on British farmers of this measure; and if he will make a statement. [95714]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: The National Pig Association raised this issue with the Minister when he and I met them on 5 October; we have also received representations from farming organisations in the context of the Review of Regulatory Burdens on Agriculture announced on 9 September. The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive was adopted by the Environment Council in 1996. Its implementation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also responsible for approving charges set by the Environment Agency to meet its costs in enforcing the relevant regulations. My officials are in contact with him about these charges which will be consistent with the Government's better regulation principles and take full account of the circumstances of industries which have not previously been subject to Integrated Pollution Control regulations.

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he is making to the EU regarding the review of the EU Transport Initiative with respect to the transportation of live animals; what representations he has made to the French Government over the Eid-el-nabin festival; and if he will make a statement. [95576]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 26 October 1999]: The Commission is obliged, under the terms of Directive 91/628 on the protection of animals during transit, to bring forward a report during 1999 to enable the Council of Ministers to review the terms of the Directive. We consider it regrettable that there is as yet no sign of this happening, as we consider that the review will be an important opportunity to press for improvements to the rules in this area.
  925
  We deplore the flagrant infringements of EU animal welfare rules and appalling acts of cruelty which take place when sheep are slaughtered at the annual festival outside Paris and which—commendably—have been highlighted by animal welfare organisations. We look to the French government to enforce the law and to the Commission to fulfil its responsibility to make sure that this is done.

  We have pressed the Commission and the French government on both these matters, and will continue to do so until suitable action is forthcoming.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg on 26 October; and if he will make a statement. [96192]

  Mr. Morley
  The Fisheries Council met in Luxembourg on 26 October. I represented the UK together with John Home Robertson, Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs in the Scottish Executive.

  The Council had extensive discussions on two draft regulations. The first, revising the market regime for fish and aquaculture products, and the second, reforming the structural funds in the fisheries sector in the context of Agenda 2000. I stressed that the fishing sector needed to be economically, as well as biologically, sustainable and that this needed to be reflected in the market and structural measures to be applied. It did not make sense to sustain excessive capacity in relation to the available fish stocks; and import arrangements needed to be adjusted to meet the actual market circumstances. The Council will resume discussion on both proposals at its next meeting on 22 November.

  The Commission reported that it hoped to take up contacts with Morocco shortly to begin negotiations on a successor agreement to the current EC-Morocco Agreement which expires on 30 November. The Commission also introduced the findings of an independent study it had commissioned on the costs and benefits of third country fisheries agreements which will now be examined in detail. There was an initial discussion of a draft Council regulation on improving the dialogue with the industry. This was remitted for further examination.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Stipendiary Magistrates
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the number of stipendiary magistrates. [95471]

  Jane Kennedy
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor recently consulted on a proposal to increase the present ceiling of 50 provincial stipendiary magistrates. After considering the responses received to the consultation, the Lord Chancellor proposes to seek parliamentary approval to an increase in the ceiling to 56.

  Mr. Matins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the jurisdiction of the stipendiary bench. [95473]
  926
  Jane Kennedy
  I have no plans to increase the jurisdiction of the stipendiary bench.

  Derbyshire Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the annual estimated manning costs of Derbyshire's magistrates courts will be in the three years immediately after the completion of the Private Finance Initiative for the county's courts; and what were their running costs on the same basis in 1996, 1997 and 1998. [95482]

  Jane Kennedy
  Cleaning and care-taking costs for the three years mentioned are 1996–97—£114,461; 1997–98—£116,656; 1998–99—£123,572. The cost of providing security cover is separately provided by the private sector: 1996–97—£86,500; 1997–98—£92,595; 1998–99—£105,037. These costs include cash carrying duties that cannot be separated from guard duties. No information on the likely costs under the PFI project will be available until bids in response to the Invitation to Tender are received and evaluated during December. Any decision to transfer staff to the private sector will be made on a value for money basis.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the latest estimated cost of the investigation and preparation of the Private Finance Initiative for property connected with Derbyshire magistrates courts. [95527]

  Jane Kennedy
  The latest estimated cost of advisers and the local authority management fees for the investigation and preparation of the Private Finance Initiative project involving Derbyshire magistrates courts is £673,582. Costs have increased because work has been undertaken to establish the feasibility of bringing back in to use a listed building as a magistrates court.

  Office for the Supervision of Solicitors
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors. [95451]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor wrote to the President of the Law Society on 23 July. The letter set targets for the Law Society to achieve; these are that the number of unresolved cases on the Office's books should be down to 6,000 by 31 December 2000; and following this, 90 per cent. of cases should be dealt with within three months of receipt and 100 per cent. within five months. For the three months to date the backlog has been reduced by 1,700 cases ahead of target. I am encouraged with the progress that the Office has made towards reducing the backlog of complaints. I do recognise, however, that there is a long way to go for the Office to reach the targets set by the Lord Chancellor.

  Hague Convention on Child Abduction
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what response the Government have made to the recent request from the Secretariat for the Hague Convention on Child Abduction for an increase in funding from states who are parties to the Convention. [95479]
  927
  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor met the Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law in The Hague on 22 October. This issue was not raised. As and when a request of this nature is made it will receive due consideration.

  Equal Opportunities
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he(a) has established and (b) published a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [94864]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Government are committed to ensuring their policies are fair and inclusive, and focus on public service users, not providers. This aim is contained in guidance (published in 1998) which helps Departments consider the impact of their policies on gender, ethnicity and disability. In addition to considering impact the guidance encourages consultation with women's groups and others where appropriate and action to deal with any differential impact if this appears appropriate. My Department applies the principles enshrined in the guidance in developing its policies. For example in developing the Community Legal Service (CLS), a wide variety of views is being canvassed. For the CLS website we are investigating how access can be facilitated for people with disabilities or who do not use English as a first language. In developing the Quality Mark for 928
  services to be provided by CLS members, we have consulted bodies representative of the interests of ethnic minority groups and of people with disabilities. Indeed bodies such as the Commission for Racial Equality and DIAL UK are members of the Task Force charged with progressing this development.

  Witness Summons Fee
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the intended use is for the funds raised from new witness summons fee of £30. [95531]

  Jane Kennedy
  The fee is intended to recover the cost associated with the service for which the fee is paid. This includes not only the work involved with the issue of the witness summons but also the extra time at the trial likely to result from the witness giving evidence.

  Mentally Incapacitated Adults
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Government will publish its proposals for making decisions on behalf of mentally incapacitated adults. [96525]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor has today issued a Policy Statement, "Making Decisions" which sets out the Government's proposals. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mentally Incapacitated Adults: Decisions
  Mentally Incapacitated Adults: Decisions
  Basic Skills Agency
  Basic Skills Agency
  Government IT Projects
  Government IT Projects
  British Council: Chairman's Remuneration
  British Council: Chairman's Remuneration
  Special Operations Executive: Release of Wartime Records
  Special Operations Executive: Release of Wartime Records
  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Visits to RUC Headquarters
  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: Visits to RUC Headquarters
  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME: CMO's Review
  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME: CMO's Review
  Gulf War Personnel: Adverse Reactions to Vaccines
  Gulf War Personnel: Adverse Reactions to Vaccines
  Gurkha Pensions and Gratuities
  Gurkha Pensions and Gratuities
  Young Homeless People in Rural Areas
  Young Homeless People in Rural Areas
  Coalfield Communities: Regeneration Measures
  Coalfield Communities: Regeneration Measures