Written Answers of 7 April 2000

DEFENCE

  Lightweight Mobile Artillery
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System; and if he will make a statement. [117495]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 3 April 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to hon. Member.

  Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 7 April 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence which asked about the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System (LIMAWS) programme will form a lightweight artillery capability for our rapid reaction forces, and is planned to consist of lightweight towed 155mm howitzer, lightweight rocket launcher, and a lightweight weapon locating radar. Both the weapon locating radar and the rocket launcher programmes are at the early concept phase of the smart procurement cycle. However, as part of our initial consideration of the rocket launcher programme, we invited tenders in January for a study to examine the technical risks to the development of a lightweight launch platform. The results of this study will inform the more detailed assessment phase in due course. We are currently examining options for the weapon locating radar, and intend to commence a formal assessment phase shortly. The gun programme is more advanced, and the United Kingdom continues to work closely with the United States on its lightweight 155mm howitzer development programme, the contract for which is with BAE Systems RO Defence. The information generated from this will assist in deciding the way forward on this element of the programme.

  Cyprus Memorial
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish a memorial to the British servicemen killed during the Cyprus emergency in the 1950s; and if he will make a statement. [117937]

  Dr. Moonie
  It has been a long-standing policy of successive Governments that the cost of memorials is not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscription. For this reason, my Department has no plans to erect a memorial to those British Service personnel who were killed during the Cyprus Emergency of the 1950s. However, should it be the case that the necessary funds were to be raised from public subscription or private donation, my Department would be happy to provide representation at any dedication ceremony which might take place.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Capitation Allowance
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average capitation allowance is for(a) secondary school pupils and (b) pupils at city technology colleges. [117647]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The average cost of a place in a maintained secondary school in England based on 1999–2000 Local Schools Budget figures was £2,917. This figure includes delegated funding and associated LEA costs. The estimated average amount per pupil delegated to schools, through the Individual Schools Budget and devolved Standards Fund, was £2,403.

  The city of technology college (CTC) average recurrent grant unit cost for the 1999–2000 academic year is £3,502. This figure includes funding for some services which LEAs provide to maintained schools but CTCs have to provide for themselves.

  As CTC funding does not have the same coverage as the LEA Local Schools Budget and is on an academic year basis these unit cost figures are not directly comparable.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Holding Centres
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's Seventh Annual report as Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres. [118647]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have today arranged for copies of Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's Annual Report for 1999 to be placed in the Library.

  Sir Louis has welcomed the closure of Castlereagh holding centre on 31 December 1999; and the Government and the Chief Constable remain committed to the closure of the Strand Road and Gough Barracks holding centres as soon as practicable.

  I welcome Sir Louis' Report and will respond as soon as I have had the opportunity to consider its content carefully.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Bilateral Air Service Agreements
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to the US Government about(a) the fly American policy, (b) cabotage and (c) ownership of US carriers, in the context of bilateral air service agreements. [117617]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government have consistently pressed for cabotage rights and the amendment of US policies on ownership and control of US carriers and 'Fly America' in bilateral talks with the US Government.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the total cost of special advisers employed in his Department in each of the years(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and what is his forecast for the current year; [114400]

  (2) how many special advisers have been employed in his Department in each of the years (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and what is his forecast for the current year. [114399]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 13 March 2000]In the financial year 1996-97, the cost of special advisers in the former Departments of Environment and Transport was £161,563.

  The costs for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have been:

  £

  1997–98

  131,668

  1998–99

  143,957

  1999–2000

  163,231

  There were three full-time and two part-time special advisers in the former Departments of Environment and Transport and there are three full-time and two part-time special advisers in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. One of these full-time advisers is specifically allocated to the Secretary of State in his role as Deputy Prime Minister. There are no plans to increase the number of special advisers.

  Light Pollution
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to replace the lighting on major roads with less light pollutant systems. [117089]

  Mr. Hill
  The Secretary of State has set the Highways Agency the objective of minimising the impact of the trunk road network on the natural and built environment.

  With respect to light pollution, all new lighting is of the less polluting type. The HA is replacing existing lighting with less polluting systems when renewal is due or in association with other improvement works. Replacement in advance of this could not be justified in terms of cost or disruption to motorists.

  Housing Improvement Projects
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what housing improvement projects are being financed by his Department in the Greater London area; and if he will list the boroughs where these projects are. [117407]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government are financing a wide range of housing improvement projects through programmes in London boroughs.

  London's Housing Investment Programme allocation for 2000–01 consists of a £613 million package of capital resources. All London boroughs have received an
  606W
  allocation which they may use for repairs to their own stock or for increasing supply. The Department does not hold details of individual projects.

  In 2000–01 we are providing almost £48 million for schemes under the Estate Action programme in Brent, Ealing, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Westminster. Housing Action Trust schemes in Brent, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest are also being financed by the Government this year in the sum of £40 million. These are listed in the tables.

  Estate Action schemes 1999–2005

  Borough

  Estate Action schemes

  Year scheme ends

  Brent

  St. Raphaels

  2000–01

  Ealing

  Golf Links

  2000–01

  Greenwich

  Glyndon

  2000–01

  Hackney

  Holly St.

  2001–02

  New Kingshold

  2001–02

  Nightingale

  2002–03

  Hammersmith

  White City

  2000–01

  Haringey

  Broadwater Farm III

  2001–02

  Northumberland Park

  2000–01

  Islington

  Harvist

  2000–01

  Lambeth

  Angell Town

  2003–04

  Myatts Field North

  2000–01

  Penwith Manor II

  2001–02

  Stockwell Park II

  2004–05

  Thorlands

  2001–02

  Lewisham

  Evelyn

  2001–02

  Milton Court

  2001–02

  Pepys

  2000–02

  Tower Hamlets

  Barkentine Estate III

  2000–01

  Wellington

  2001–02

  Waltham Forest

  Priory Court

  2000–01

  Westminster

  Lisson Green

  2002–03

  Mozart

  2000–01

  Housing Action Trusts

  Borough

  Housing Action Trust scheme

  Year scheme ends

  Brent

  Stonebridge HAT

  2005–06

  Tower Hamlets

  Tower Hamlets HAT

  2004–05

  Waltham Forest

  Waltham Forest HAT

  2002–03

  A number of Single Regeneration Budget schemes in London also have housing improvement projects. Details of these are not readily available by borough.

  Urban White Paper
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to release his Urban White Paper. [117767]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  When it is ready.

  Trunk Road Network
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (1) the 10 largest conurbations in England not linked to the trunk road network; [117596]

  (2) the criteria used for determining which roads are (a) trunked and (b) de-trunked; and if he will make a statement. [117597]

  Mr. Hill
  The trunk road network constituting a national system of routes for through traffic was defined under the Trunk Roads Acts of 1936 and 1946. The network has altered over the years as new roads, including motorways, have superseded parts of the network which have in consequence been de-trunked. The Secretary of State is required to keep the trunk road network under review. In developing our integrated transport policies set out in the White Paper "A New Deal For Transport" (Cm 3950) we concluded that there were a number of existing trunk roads which mainly served local and regional traffic, that would be more appropriately managed by the local highway authorities to ensure integrated local transport and land use planning. We identified a core network of nationally important trunk roads in England taking the following factors into account:linking main centres of population and economic activity;
  accessing major ports, airports and rail intermodal terminals;
  joining peripheral regions to the centre;
  providing key cross-border links to Scotland and Wales;
  classification as part of the UK Trans-European Road Network.

  It is considered that this core network serves to provide for the needs of through traffic to all significant urban areas in England. It is proposed to de-trunk the non-core routes.

  The 10 largest urban areas by population that are presently more than three miles distant from a trunk road are listed in the table.

  Urban area

  Population (1991 census)

  1. Bournemouth

  358,321

  2. Southend

  266,749

  3. Aldershot

  231,194

  4. Mansfield

  154,966

  5. Thanet

  116,745

  6. Basildon

  102,913

  7. Torbay

  102,576

  8. Hartlepool

  87,310

  9. Weston-Super-Mare

  71,451

  10. Harrogate

  66,178

  Single Vehicle Approval Limits
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the single vehicle approval limits have been lifted; and what the schedule is for their total abolition. [117558]

  Mr. Hill
  The limits for the "Very Low Volume" part of the scheme have not been lifted other than for equivalent single approvals granted by other member states of the European Economic Area. I am currently reviewing the schedule for their complete removal.

  Invasive Species
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will meet Plantlife to discuss its proposals to prevent the spread of invasive species; and if he will make a statement. [117587]

  Mr. Mullin
  My Department welcomes the work carried out by Plantlife identifying the problems caused by nonnative invasive plant species. Next year, my Department plans to carry out a review of the effectiveness of current policies concerning non-native species which threaten native biodiversity. A meeting between myself and representatives from Plantlife could be arranged at the start of this review process.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what progress he has made towards meeting the target for combined heat and power by the end of 2000; [117765]

  (2) what is the current capacity for a combined heat and power plant in the United Kingdom; and whether the 5 GWe target for combined heat and power by the end of this year is likely to be met. [117764]

  Mr. Meacher
  Good progress is being made in the growth of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in the UK.

  There are currently over 4GW of CHP installed in the UK on nearly 1400 sites, providing around 6 per cent. of electricity generated in the UK. The interim 5GW target for CHP is likely to be achieved next year. Meanwhile, the Government have announced their new target of at least 10GW by 2010 and are actively working toward this.

  A draft CHP strategy, including a range of measures to achieve the new target will be issued shortly. These measures will include exemption of good quality CHP from the Climate Change Levy and a new CHP Club.

  Pedestrian Protection Directive
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress his Department has made with the publication of the European Directive on Pedestrian Protection; and what assessment he has made of the effect of its provisions on reducing road casualties. [117777]

  Mr. Hill
  We are currently awaiting the opportunity to examine the details of a European Commission proposal for a pedestrian protection Directive. We had expected the Commission to put forward their draft proposal in mid-March, and we were disappointed when this proved not to be possible. We are now urging the Commission to bring forward their proposal at the earliest opportunity.

  New Houses (South-east)
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses his Department expects to be built in the South-East and East Anglia regions in(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [117786]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planned levels of housing provision for these years is already set out in development plans. Proposed changes to the draft Regional Planning
  609W
  Guidance for the South-East and East Anglia were published on 27 March and are now subject to consultation. Final RPG is likely to be in place in autumn 2000, following which local authorities will consider the need to review their development plans. Whether, and when, they need to make changes to their plans will depend on the rate of provision in existing plans, the period the plan covers and the revised rate of provision for their area for the future. For the South-East, the latter will be determined by the distribution of the total, on which I am consulting local authorities through SERPLAN.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he had with South-east county council leaders before deciding that housing targets for the South-east would be set on a five yearly basis. [117793]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The intention to introduce a "plan, monitor and manage" approach to planning for housing at the regional level was announced in "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cmnd 3885) in February 1998. It has since been the subject of wide discussion and was reflected in the consultation draft of Planning Policy Guidance note 11 (Regional Planning) published in February 1999. Under this approach, the annual average rate of housing provision set out in the draft changes to the Regional Planning Guidance for the South-east is on-going but subject to monitoring and review at least every five years, and sooner if necessary. I am currently consulting local authorities, through SERPLAN, on the proposed changes to the draft RPG.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what forecast his Department has made of the effect on car traffic in the south-east in terms of mileage of journeys undertaken of the building of 215,000 additional dwellings by 2005. [117790]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It is not possible to provide a reliable forecast. The housing needs in the south-east region outside of London derive in very large part from the needs of the people who are already in the region and those migrating into it from London. Any forecast of the additional car journeys generated by an additional 215,000 dwellings to cater for these needs would have to take account of the additional journeys generated by separate rather than shared households. Our policy is for development to be located as far as possible within existing urban areas, with more mixed use development and using sites which have ready and convenient access on foot, by cycle and public transport, thereby reducing the dependency on car travel. The net effect could be a reduction in additional car journeys compared with what would otherwise be the case.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what forecast his Department has made of the effect on total water consumption in the south-east of the building of an additional 215,000 dwellings in the south-east by2005. [117791]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The housing needs in the south-east region outside of London derive in very large part from the needs of the people who are already in the region 610W
  and those migrating into it from London. Any forecast of water consumption associated with an additional 215,000 dwellings would need to take account of the additional consumption generated by households living separately rather than sharing accommodation while allowing for improved water conservation measures in new development. In view of the uncertainties involved my Department has made no forecast. However, draft Regional Planning Guidance for the south-east (RPG9) emphasises that local planning authorities need to take water resources into account when identifying land for development or redevelopment, working closely with the Environment Agency and the water industry.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Department estimates to be the available brownfield land for development in the south-east; and what proportion of this he expects to be available for housing development. [117785]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Provisional estimates from the National Land Use Database were published in the DETR/Government Statistical Service Press Notice of 20 May 1999 and reflect returns made for 1998. They show the total amount of previously developed land reported by local authorities and how much of this was allocated in plans, had planning permission for housing or was judged suitable for housing by local authorities. The estimates do not show how much of the land was available for development. They are a snapshot and take no account of the future supply of previously developed land or changes to planning policy introduced by the new Planning Policy Guidance note 3 on Housing. The relevant estimates for the SERPLAN (including London) region are 15,730 hectares of previously developed land of which 9,320 hectares (59 per cent.) were judged suitable for housing.

  Planning
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 7 March 2000,Official Report, column 865, on planning, what number and density of dwellings was used in the calculations underlying his conclusion that his new housing targets would use no more land than the SERPLAN proposals. [117796]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Evidence submitted by SERPLAN at the public examination into the draft Regional Planning Guidance for the South-East indicated that for sites in progress or not started the average density of housing development was 26 dwellings per hectare (dph). Planning Policy Guidance note 3 (Housing) makes clear that local authorities should avoid planning for developments of less than 30 dph and encourage developments between 30 and 50 dph. It is also our policy to maximise the contribution that conversions can make to the dwelling stock. If local authorities in the South-East follow the guidance in PPG3, it will be possible for them to achieve the average annual rate of provision of 43,000 dwellings per annum without taking more land than implied by the SERPLAN total of 36,000 dwellings per annum.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are in place for inspection of farm-scale trials and other trials of genetically-modified crops to ensure that licence conditions are observed. [118302]

  Mr. Meacher
  We carry out each year a thorough programme of inspections of trials to ensure that crops are being grown in accordance with the consents granted by the Secretary of State. Inspectors are fully trained and qualified in a relevant discipline. If the inspections show that a consent is not being followed, appropriate enforcement action is taken. This can include a formal instruction to remedy, revocation of consent, a prohibition notice or in some cases prosecution. Inspectors pay particular attention to new or inexperienced consent holders and those who have had previous noncompliance problems.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how often each site in which GM crops are grown will be inspected. [118301]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have recently reviewed the inspection and enforcement regime and under new arrangements we will be able to provide a larger team of inspectors than has been available in the past. This will ensure we can improve further our capacity to ensure compliance with release consents and underpin confidence in the regulatory process.

  Our inspectors will visit every GMO release site during the growing season and supply inspection reports for each in a format ready for the Department's website. In addition, inspectors will conduct up to 20 audits of consent holders to ensure that they have effective lines of supervision of staff running the GM field trials and that GM material is disposed of safely in line with the consent.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he will ensure that the specified separation distances for GM crops are observed (a) during the current planting season and (b) in future years. [118303]

  Mr. Meacher
  Inspectors are asked to examine separation distances when visiting trial sites and take any necessary remedial action if this aspect of the release consent has not been properly followed. Our comprehensive inspection programme for this year and future years will ensure that requirements for separation distances are rigorously enforced.

HEALTH

  Specialist Treatments
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what timetable has been agreed for the establishment of service agreements for financing referrals for specialist neurology treatments; [116464]
  612W
  (2) what funding mechanisms are available to cover referrals of patients for specialist treatments not as yet included in service agreements. [116463]

  Mr. Denham
  Specialist treatments offered by National Health Service trusts to populations within their host regions are in most cases already incorporated in service agreements. Regional directors have been asked to ensure that service agreements are reached during 2000–01 for any pan regional specialist treatments, including some specialist neurology treatments, that are not yet covered by a service agreement.

  Any specialist treatment not yet included in a service agreement will be covered by the out of area treatments mechanism.

  NHS Staff
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what form the recent survey for assessing the views of people working in the NHS took. [116948]

  Mr. Denham
  All National Health Service employers are required under the NHS human resources framework, "Working Together", to have conducted an annual staff attitude survey by April 2000.

  The NHS Executive has issued guidance for NHS employers on good practice in designing, administering and acting upon the results of employee opinion surveys. It describes core areas which all NHS employers should cover in their surveys, but it does not prescribe a particular survey which all NHS employers must use.

  There are no current plans to develop a core employee opinion survey for use by all NHS employers.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra resources have been allocated to support the meeting of the new target of referring patients suspected of suffering from prostate cancer to a specialist within two weeks. [116984]

  Yvette Cooper
  By the end of 2000, patients in England with a suspected cancer will be able to see a specialist within two weeks of their general practitioner deciding they need to be seen urgently and requesting an appointment. To support implementation of this standard we have made £10 million available for each of the financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01. We are also making an additional £30 million available for each of the next two financial years to further support the two week standard and the modernisation of cancer services.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will increase Government funding for research into prostate cancer to the level of Government funding for research into breast cancer. [99893]

  Yvette Cooper
  Government funding for research is provided through a number of routes.
  613W
  The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the main agency through which the Government support research on the causes and treatment of disease. The MRC receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Department of Health funds research to support policy development in health and social care, and to support effective practice in the NHS. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the MRC and charities that takes place in the NHS.

  The latest figures available for annual Government expenditure (Department of Health/NHS, MRC and other Government Departments—principally devolved Health Departments) on breast cancer and prostate cancer are £9.33 million and £1.55 million respectively. These figures underestimate the total Government research and development expenditure in these areas, as detailed estimates of NHS support funding are not collected routinely.

  Since 1997, the Government have committed an extra £800,000 to new research projects on prostate cancer, through the Medical Research Council and through the Department of Health. The Department has actively sought to support such work in prostate cancer, and has not rejected any high quality proposals for work in this area.

  The Department recently announced £1 million additional new funding for this financial year for urgent research studies into prostate cancer as a mark of its concern over this disease.

  Following the seminar last year at No. 10, a "Cancer Research Funders' Forum" has been established to help improve the co-ordination of cancer research in the United Kingdom. It is being run by the MRC and includes DH representatives and the major cancer research charities. At the Department's request, the Forum considered the issue of prostate cancer at its first meeting on 10 January. They agreed to set up an expert group on prostate cancer, which will identify gaps in current research and suggest ways of filling them. The expert group met for the first time on 25 February, and expects to report within months.

  We have appointed a National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, who will spearhead our concerted drive on cancer. He will work in partnership with doctors, nurses, general practitioners, other health professionals and the voluntary sector to improve prevention and modernise cancer services to help ensure equitable access to high quality cancer care. This will include a close interest in the development and progression of research.

  Meningitis Vaccination
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what considerations were taken into account by his Department in deciding the scope and quantity of the information prepared and distributed by local health trusts to parents prior to the administration to children of vaccinations to combat meningitis. [116978]
  614W
  Yvette Cooper
  Before public information materials on the new meningococcal Group C conjugate vaccine and the immunisation programme were produced, the Heath Education Authority (HEA) conducted research into what the public and health professionals felt the materials should contain. Focus groups, representing a cross section of the community, were convened and asked what information they wanted and who should get the information. They stated that the leaflet should give information on what meningitis is, what the new vaccine protects against, safety and efficacy, contraindications, the programme and its implementation and the need to continue to be aware and alert to the signs and symptoms of meningitis. The leaflet for parents covers these issues and received strong support from the focus groups; plans for its widespread distribution were also endorsed.

  About 11 million copies of the parents' leaflet have been printed and it has been mailed to general practitioner surgeries, pharmacies and schools for every parent to receive and also made widely available through high street pharmacies and post offices. The leaflet is available in Welsh and 11 other languages and has been awarded the Plain English Crystal Mark. In addition, a fact sheet on the immunisation programme and the vaccine, which can be freely copied and made available, was sent to 30,000 health professionals and both the HEA's and Department of Health's websites include detailed information.

  Smoking
  Ms Church
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in each of the last five years by the NHS on smoking cessation treatments. [117032]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not held centrally. Our White Paper "Smoking Kills" announced on 10 December 1998 the first ever national NHS smoking cessation programme, with advice and support for adults wanting to quit including one week's supply of nicotine replacement therapy free of charge for smokers entitled to free prescriptions. £10 million was allocated to health action zones for 1999–2000 to set up smoking cessation services and £16 million has been allocated for these services to be extended across England in 2000–01.

  Waiting Lists (Essex)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the inpatient hospital waiting list target for Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust for the year ending 31 March. [116841]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 30 March 2000]: Trust targets are agreed locally with the relevant health authorities.

  GP Budgets (Durham)
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the amount of under-spend in the budgets of general practitioners in Durham in each of the last five years. [117212]

  Mr. Denham
  County Durham Health Authority has reported underspends as set out in the table.
  615W

  £000

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  General Medical Services Cash Limited

  535.7

  1.206.2

  1,274.7

  1,451.5

  General Medical Services Non Cash Limited

  Prescribing

  0.5

  79.6

  946.6

  500.0

  Others

  (259.0)

  57.9

  (344.4)

  (620.0)

  Total

  (258.5)

  1,375

  602.2

  1—

  General Practitioner

  Fundholding:

  Hospital and Community

  (363.0)

  (371.0)

  (894.0)

  3.0

  Health Services:

  Prescribing

  561.0

  896.0

  2,658.0

  1—

  Management Allowance

  319.0

  254.0

  (75.0)

  1—

  Total

  517.0

  779.0

  1,689.0

  3.0

  1Indicates there are no figures available

  Notes:

  1. 1999–2000 is a forecast outturn position.

  2. Figures in brackets show overspend.

  3. Prescribing figures for 1999–2000 are now cash limited.

  4. County Durham Health Authority was established in 1996–97. Previously the area was covered by three separate authorities for which data are not available.

  Source:

  County Durham Health Authority

  Abortion
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the audit of NHS and independent sector abortion services carried out by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; and if he will make a statement on the measures he proposes to take on the results of the audit; [117682]

  (2) when the next audit of abortion services will be carried out. [117683]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists will publish the final audit report later this year. This audit provides valuable data that will assist those carrying out audits locally and will also inform discussions on the sexual health strategy about future audit of services.

  Works of Art
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on(a) the upkeep and (b) the purchase of works of art in his Department for each financial year since 1992. [117473]

  Mr. Denham
  The hon. Member is referred to the answer provided by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on behalf of this and other Departments.

  In addition to works of art on loan from the Government Art Collection, the Department spent £1,000 on purchasing framed prints as part of two refurbishment projects in 1995. No other funds have been spent on the purchase or upkeep of works of art since 1992.

  Student Nurses
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student nurses were employed in the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority area on 1 March. [117408]
  616W
  Mr. Denham
  Student nurses undertaking training programmes are recruited by the local university, which holds an education contract with a consortium of National Health Service employers. This consortium includes health authorities and trusts. The joint faculty of health of Kingston University and St. George's Medical School holds an education contract with the South-West London and Epsom Education Consortium. Included within the membership of the consortium is the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority.

  Student nurses are not employed by either NHS trusts or health authorities. They receive a bursary and are students like any other student attending a programme of study at a university. The number of nursing students undertaking a three year programme of study at the faculty currently numbers 1,073.

  Salmonella
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of salmonella were reported during 1999 in the United Kingdom. [117409]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information on the numbers of cases of Salmonellosis within England and Wales is collected by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). Information on data for Northern Ireland and Scotland should normally be sought from their respective administrations.

  However, in a recent paper to the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food from the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre of the PHLS, the figures for the United Kingdom as a whole were given.

  In 1999 in the United Kingdom, there were 19,798 (provisional data) cases of Salmonellosis.

  Health Budgets (Buckinghamshire)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the estimated(a) deficits and (b) surpluses of Buckinghamshire Health Authority and NHS Trusts in Buckinghamshire at 31 March. [116557]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 4 April 2000]The table shows the financial position of Buckinghamshire Health Authority and National Health Service trusts in Buckinghamshire at September 1999. This is the latest available published data.

  £000

  Organisation

  1999–2000 Forecast

  Buckinghamshire Health Authority

  1,171

  Aylesbury Vale Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  0

  Milton Keynes Community NHS Trust

  -50

  Milton Keynes General NHS Trust

  -123

  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust

  0

  Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust

  -309

  Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust

  15

  Total

  704

  Note:
  An extra allocation to the NHS of £134 million was announced by Secretary of State for Health on 21 December 1999; £90 million of this has been allocated to health authorities in 1999–2000—to help meet the additional costs of generic drugs. Buckinghamshire Health Authority's share of this additional money was £974,000. The remaining £44 million will be allocated, as required, to meet the cost of clinical negligence claims.

  The Q2 (September) 1999–2000 Forecasts were prepared before the additional allocations were announced. As a consequence the forecasts do not take account of the additional allocations.

  Neonatal Hearing Screening
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to make an announcement on the implementation of universal neonatal hearing screening following the recommendations by the National Screening Committee. [117609]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 6 April 2000]:I expect to receive the United Kingdom National Screening Committee's proposals on implementing a universal neonatal hearing screening programme shortly. These will include details of the organisational and human resource implications of the proposed changes. I will make an announcement in due course.

  NHS Spending (South East)
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the change to levels of NHS spending in the South-East as a result of his Budget announcements. [116634]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 April 2000]: In his Budget speech, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an additional £2 billion for the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, including the confirmation of moneys from tobacco.

  As part of the immediate allocation of £600 million for the NHS England, the South-East Region of the NHS Executive will receive an additional £107 million.
  618W
  The new resources will put local hospital and general practitioner services on to a sound financial footing. They will help to put in place new high quality intermediate care services to provide a bridge between hospital and home for older people, helping the NHS better prepare for winter. The extra funding will also help to action recommendations by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to tackle the postcode lottery of care. The extra resources will help to further reduce waiting times.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time from GP referral is for(a) hearing aids, (b) bath rails and (c) artificial limbs (i) in Blackpool Community Health Services NHS Trust, (ii) in North-West Lancashire Health Authority and (iii) nationally. [117831]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 April 2000]: Data are not available nationally on the specific areas requested. However, Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services National Health Service Trust and North-West Lancashire Health Authority (NWLHA) have provided the following information:
  (a) the average waiting time in NWLHA for hearing aids is 11.5 weeks;
  (b) the average waiting time for bath rails is 19.5 weeks;
  (c) the average waiting time for artificial limbs is four weeks.

  Nits
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent(a) guidelines to local education authorities and (b) advice to parents his Department has issued about the control of nits. [117965]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 6 April 2000]: A new leaflet on the prevention and treatment of nits (head lice) has been launched, copies of which are widely available to parents through primary health care teams. Guidance is also available to local education authorities by accessing the "Wired for Health" website. The teachers' magazine "Spectrum", which circulates within education authorities and schools, recently featured guidance on head lice control and the new leaflet.

  Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussion he had with(a) representatives of Surrey and Sussex NHS trust, (b) East Surrey health authority and (c) other parties prior to the announcement that the Chief Executive of Surrey and Sussex NHS trust was leaving; and if he will make a statement. [118256]

  Ms Stuart
  The resignation of the chief executive is a matter for the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust Board.

  The regional office of the National Health Service Executive will provide support to the trust until a new appointment has been made.

  NHS Staff (East Surrey)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on current levels of(a) nursing and (b) cleaning staff at East Surrey hospital. [118255]
  619W
  Ms Stuart
  The latest available levels of nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff at Surrey and Sussex National Health Service Trust is given in the table.

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff within Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, as at 30 September 1998

  Whole time equivalent

  Numbers(headcount)

  All Nursing, Midwifery and Health visiting staff

  1,240

  1,670

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  2. Figures exclude learners and agency staff

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  The East Surrey health authority is responsible for ensuring that the quality of care for those being treated at East Surrey hospital is satisfactory. The Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust is looking at ways of improving the recruitment and retention of nursing staff in line with national recruitment and retention strategy.

  The number of whole time equivalent ancillary staff (which covers cleaning staff) is 269. The number of vacancies at March 2000 was 30.

  New guidelines to ensure cleanliness on hospital wards—"Standards for Environmental Cleanliness in Hospitals"—will be issued to all National Health Service trusts shortly which complement the new framework for managing hospital acquired infection. The progress of NHS hospitals at meeting the new framework will be independently assessed locally by auditors, and nationally by the Commission for Health Improvement and the Audit Commission.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will give a substantive answer to the question from the right hon. Member for Birkenhead on the birth weight of babies, tabled on 12 January (Ref. 105430). [118230]

  Yvette Cooper
  I replied to my right hon. Friend on 5 April.

  Dispensing
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to meet representatives of the Dispensing Doctors' Association and the Pharmaceutical Society to discuss dispensing arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [117861]

  Ms Stuart
  The bodies which represent pharmacies and dispensing doctors on National Health Service matters are the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. My noble Friend Lord Hunt of King's Health met representatives of both bodies on 21 December 1999 to discuss dispensing arrangements in rural areas.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Exports (Uganda and Zimbabwe)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those arms and items of military equipment which were approved for export to Uganda and Zimbabwe in each of the years 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [117983]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 6 April 2000]: Details of export licensing decisions between 1 January and 31 December 1998 were set out in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in November 1999; copies are in the Library of the House.

  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated. Between 1 January 1999 and 28 March 2000, three Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and no Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Uganda of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  SIELs issued between 1 January 1999 and 28 March 2000 covering the export to Uganda of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML2

  1

  ML3

  1

  ML6

  1

  PL503

  1

  Between 1 January 1999 and 28 March 2000,22 SIELs and six OIELs were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Zimbabwe of goods on the Military List.

  Individual Licences issued between 1 January 1999 and 28 March2000 covering the export to Zimbabwe of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML1

  5

  1

  ML2

  6

  1

  ML3

  1

  0

  ML5

  0

  1

  ML6

  2

  1

  MLIO

  7

  0

  ML11

  0

  2

  PL5002

  0

  1

  PL5018

  1

  2

  The seven SIELs covering goods with the rating ML10 were issued on 24 February 2000 for the export of Hawk spares, as noted in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Hain) to my hon. Friend the Member for

  621W
  Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 718W. These decisions were taken in line with the policy set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 9 February 2000, Official Report, columns 184–85W.

  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict. This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08.

  In addition, Uganda and Zimbabwe are permitted destinations on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List; copies of all Open General Export Licences are routinely placed in the Library of the House.

  BAe Systems
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what rate of return the Government expects to receive on the proposed loan to BAe Systems to develop the A3XX super jumbo jet, including the(a) applicable royalty rate and (b) interest rate; [118263]

  (2) if he will provide the repayment schedule of the proposed loan to BAe Systems. [118261]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The detailed terms of the launch investment provided to BAe Systems for the A3XX are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information was supplied to the United States Government under the 1992 Civil Aircraft Agreement in respect of the £530 million proposed loan to BAe Systems. [118262]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We have provided to the European Commission all the information required by the 1992 Agreement. It is for the Commission to transmit this to the United States Government.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Government's launch aid criteria for the proposed loan to BAe Systems. [118258]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  Any applicant for launch investment must demonstrate that the project is technically and commercially viable; that Government investment is essential for the project to proceed in the UK on the scale and in the timescale specified in the application; and that the Government will recoup the investment with a fair share of reward for the risks they have borne. The applicant also has to prove that the investment will bring a significant strategic benefit to the UK that would not otherwise be available.

  A3XX Project
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he took to establish whether private finance would be available for development of the A3XX project; and what reasons were given for its not being forthcoming. [118259]
  622W
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  As part of the assessment of the BAe Systems application for launch investment, my Department received independent advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). In their report, PWC looked at the case for Government investment in the A3XX, including the other alternatives open to BAe Systems. Although the details of the report are commercially confidential, the conclusion was that, in the absence of launch investment from the UK Government, BAe Systems would not undertake the A3XX work in the UK. This would have had a major impact on the UK civil aerospace industry, and would have put in jeopardy the tens of thousands of UK jobs which currently depend on Airbus work.

  Rachel Sylvester
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if(a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department briefed Rachel Sylvester of the Daily Telegraph on the contents of the Competition Commission report on car pricing. [117613]

  Dr. Howells
  No. Neither I, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State or my ministerial colleagues nor my officials did so.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if(a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department met Rachel Sylvester on (i) Monday 27 March and (ii) during the week beginning 20 March. [117614]

  Dr. Howells
  I met Rachel Sylvester on 27 March. The contents of the Competition Commission's report on new cars was not discussed. No other Ministers or officials met Ms Sylvester on the dates mentioned.

  Car Pricing
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has ordered an internal inquiry into the leak of the contents of the Competition Commission report on car pricing to the Daily Telegraph. [117615]

  Dr. Howells
  No. The article was speculation and I propose to treat it as such.

  Land Rover
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with potential buyers of Land Rover on the pension rights of former employees. [117692]

  Mr. Byers
  This issue has been raised with both BMW and Ford who are the potential purchasers.

  Personal Computers
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will call upon the Office of Fair Trading to publish the research underlying the Office of Fair Trading's definition of the home personal computer market; [117320]

  (2) if he will refer exclusive supply arrangements in the market for home personal computers to the Competition Commission; [117323]
  623W
  (3) what is his definition of the market for home personal computers in relation to the review of this market undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading in 1999. [117327]

  Dr. Howells
  Under UK competition law in the first instance it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and possible abuses of a dominant position. The Director General of Fair Trading has recently investigated the market for home personal computers and concluded that no individual retailer or manufacturer has market power in the home PC market, market entry to retailing is relatively easy and there is no evidence that supra-normal profits are being made.

  It is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to set out the research behind the reasons for its decision. They are looking at ways of increasing transparency in merger decisions. I welcome that. I am today placing a copy of the OFT' s press notice of 28 October 1999 announcing its conclusions in the Library of the House.

  Meetings (Washington)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings he held with members and officials of the United States Government during his visit to Washington on 10 to 12 September 1998; and if he will list the date of each meeting, the location of each meeting and the names of the US officials and members who took part in each meeting. [117060]

  Mr. Byers
  I did not visit Washington on the dates mentioned.

  Packaging Waste
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect on competition in the packaging waste compliance market of the volume discount structure applied to statutory registration fees for packaging waste compliance schemes. [117947]

  Ms Hewitt
  The registration fee structure for packaging waste compliance schemes is currently under review, and the effect on competition is among the issues being looked at. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions plans to conduct a consultation exercise on the fee structure shortly.

  Diamond Synchrotron
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2000,Official Report, column 277W, if, at the time when he took his initial decision to site the new synchrotron at Daresbury, he had been informed of the French Government's view, expressed in October 1999, that it should be sited in Oxfordshire. [117978]

  Mr. Byers
  Yes.

  Computers
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what effect the announcement by 3COM that they are to quit the high-end networking market will have on Government Departments' existing and planned computer systems. [R] [117624]
  624W
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 4 April 2000]: The Department of Trade and Industry's IT networking facilities are provided by Unitas (a consortium of ICL and CMG) under a Public Private Partnership. My officials have reviewed the 3Com announcement with Unitas and have confirmed that 3Com equipment is not currently used in the Department's network infrastructure and therefore no impact on the Department's IT systems is anticipated.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department will answer the letters of 7 September 1999, 13 October 1999, 24 November 1999, 22 December 1999 and 1 February 2000, from the hon. Member for Ashford, concerning regulations under the Employment Agencies Act 1973; and if he will make a statement. [118394]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My Department has no record of any such correspondence being received at the time. The hon. Gentleman provided copies on 6 April and I will now ensure this correspondence is dealt with promptly.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the Structural Fund Objective 2 areas. [118088]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Wigan (Mr. Turner) on 5 April 2000,Official Report, columns 480–81W.

  Unigate
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely impact on farmers' incomes of the proposed takeover of Unigate's milk production facility by Dairy Crest; and if he will make a statement. [118213]

  Dr. Howells
  On 6 April, I announced that I had decided not to refer Dairy Crest's proposed acquisition of the liquid milk and cheese business of Unigate to the Competition Commission for investigation.

  My decision was in accordance with the independent advice of the Director General of Fair Trading who advised me that the merger did not raise competition concerns which would warrant reference to the Competition Commission under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  The DGFT consulted widely before offering me his advice. I considered it very carefully, and was persuaded that the merger will not have an adverse effect on competition. While the merger will lead to increased concentration in the market for the procurement of raw milk, the parties will continue to face significant competition from alternative purchasers. Farmers and raw milk marketing groups will still have a good choice of customer.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museums and Galleries
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which museums and galleries in London provide free admission to pensioners. [117839]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  As of 1 April 2000, all the national Museums and Galleries in London sponsored by my Department, with the exception of the Cabinet War Rooms and HMS Belfast, provide free admission to the over 60s. As for other Museums and Galleries in London, practice varies from institution to institution.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations(a) he, (b) his Ministers or (c) his officials have received from Councillor Ricky Rogers concerning the ACT Parker plan to remove the A303 (T) from the Stonehenge World Heritage Site; and if he will make a statement. [118233]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  No such representations have been received by my Department at either ministerial or official level.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Conditional Fees
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the extension of conditional fees. [118212]

  Mr. Lock
  On 1 April, sections 27, 29 and 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 were commenced by the Access to Justice Act (Commencement No. 3; Transitional Provision and Savings) Order 2000 (2000/774). On the same day, the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2000 (2000/823), the Conditional Fee Agreements Regulations

  Helpline

  Telephone number(s)

  Number of people working on the helpline

  Cost to run on a monthly basis (£)

  Benefit Enquiry Line1

  0800 882200

  149

  163,000

  Textphone0800 243355

  CSA National Enquiry Line2

  0845 7133 133

  85

  95,726

  Child Benefit Enquiry Line3

  08701 555540

  over 300

  288,207

  Minimum Income Guarantee4

  0800 0281111

  69

  49,818

  War Pensions Helpline5

  01253 858858

  23

  27,818

  Winter Fuel Helpline6

  08459 151515

  up to 70

  570,000 per year

  1 Staffing figures include part-time staff and equates to 132.8 full-time staff.

  2 Staffing includes casual and part-time and equates to 79.4 full-time staff. Average monthly cost as at February 2000.

  3 Staffing figure includes part-time staff.

  4 This Helpline opened on 29 March 2000. The running costs are based only on average staffing costs for 69 staff.

  5 Running costs do not include accommodation, as this is not available. The staffing and running costs also cover internal DSS callers.

  6 This Helpline is seasonal with a maximum of 70 at peak times of the year when casual staff are employed. The costs, therefore, vary considerably according to the time of year. They also include the Helpdesk which is for internal DSS callers.

  Notes:

  1. Overseas Telephone Liaison is just a switchboard; they do not give advice.

  2. Pensions Direct (0191 203 0203) is a Teleservice not a Helpline. They take change of circumstances over the phone. They do not offer general advice.

  3. Working Family Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit Helplines are now the responsibility of the Inland Revenue.

  4. Disability Living Allowance (main number 08457 123456/textphone 08457 224433) is a Teleservice not a Helpline.

  626W
  2000 (2000/692) and the Access to Justice (Membership Organisations) Regulations 2000 (2000/693) came into effect together with the Access to Justice Act (Transitional Provision) Order 2000 (2000/900) relating to existing agreements. Rules of Court providing guidance on the recovery of success fees, disclosure of the success fee, information to be provided to clients, and other issues will be published after Easter and come into force shortly after that.

  The reformed scheme for conditional fees will make access to justice more affordable to more people who wish to assert their legal rights, will encourage the early settlement of disputes and will protect consumers of legal services. In particular it will make sure that damages awarded to people winning cases are not significantly reduced by having to pay their solicitors' success fees, or the cost of litigation insurance. It will make the use of conditional fee agreements and insurance suitable for defendants or those who are not claiming money, or only modest sums, by making the costs involved recoverable from the losing party. It will also enable membership organisations, such as trade unions which provide legal services to members and their families, to recover a sum for legal costs to reflect the provision of legal help for members and their families. Making success fees, and insurance premiums recoverable for everybody is a major improvement in access to justice.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Helplines
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the telephone numbers are for each of the help lines run by his Department; how many people work on each helpline; and how much each helpline has cost to run on a monthly basis. [117714]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 2 April 2000]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Fraud
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in each of the last five years how many national insurance numbers and accounts there were where a fraud was detected. [117704]

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

  Since it was established in 1997, the Identity Fraud Unit has confirmed and recorded 1,314 false National Insurance numbers and accounts.

  Title

  Date of publication

  Benefit Review

  (Income Support and Unemployment Benefit) Report on Methodology and Findings

  July 1995

  Retirement Pension—Final Report

  March 1996

  Invalid Care Allowance—Report on Main Study

  July 1996

  Disability Living Allowance—Report on Main Study

  February 1997

  Income Support—(Second Exercise) Report on Methodology and Findings

  July 1997

  The Review of Child Benefit and Child Benefit (Lone Parent) 1996/97—Report on Methodology and Findings

  July 1998

  Fraud and Error in Claims to Jobseeker's Allowance (Contributory)1

  October 1998

  The Results of Six Months of Area Benefit Review Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income—Based)1

  November 2000

  The Results of the Area Benefit Review from April 1998 to March 1999 and Measurements for the Public Service Agreement Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance1

  January 2000

  1 These reports were published by the Government Statistical Service, the remainder were Departmental publications.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out for each counter-fraud programme funded by his Department and its agencies in the last five years(a) the annual cost and savings and (b) the cost and savings since the programme began. [118207]

  Mr. Rooker
  Measures to stop and prevent fraud and error are all aimed at reducing the rate of overpayment. Their overall effect can be measured by reviewing representative samples of cases in payment, as we do to track progress towards meeting our Public Service Agreement fraud target. It is not possible, however, to give a precise figure for the separate contribution made by each individual initiative because, for example, several initiatives may be directed towards addressing a single goal.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each region the number of(a) outstanding claims for Disability Living Allowance and (b) staff employed at each medical centre; and how many applicants he estimates will not have their claim resolved before the expiry date of their existing entitlement. [117592]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is in the tables.

  Outstanding claims for Disability Living Allowance for each Disability Benefit Centre and the Central Disability Benefits Unit at Blackpool

  Location

  New claims outstanding

  Renewal claims outstanding

  Edinburgh

  3,178

  43

  Newcastle

  4,020

  67

  Leeds

  6,156

  57

  Manchester

  3,387

  34

  628W
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of cases of(a) confirmed fraud, (b) high suspicion fraud and (c) low suspicion fraud for each benefit his Department administers in each of the last five years. [118206]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is contained in the following reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Outstanding claims for Disability Living Allowance for each Disability Benefit Centre and the Central Disability Benefits Unit at Blackpool

  Location

  New claims outstanding

  Renewal claims outstanding

  Bootle

  4,637

  45

  Midlands

  13,749

  179

  Bristol

  5,103

  148

  Wales

  3,513

  59

  Wembley

  10,128

  83

  Sutton

  10,060

  228

  Glasgow

  3,793

  76

  Disability Benefits Unit

  46

  45,319

  Total

  67,770

  46,338

  Notes:

  1. Figures are given for both new claims and renewal claims outstanding at 31 March 2000

  2. At 31 March 2000 there were 2,903 applicants whose renewal claim had not been resolved by the date that their existing entitlement expired

  Breakdown of the number of staff employed in each centre

  Location

  Number of staff

  Newcastle

  67

  Leeds

  95

  Edinburgh

  58

  Glasgow

  67

  Bootle

  80

  Manchester

  71

  Warbreck

  16

  Birmingham

  63

  Bristol

  76

  Wales

  95

  Wembley

  107

  Sutton

  84

  Nottingham

  74

  Note:

  SEMA are contracted by the DSS to provide medical services

  Benefit Interviews
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what powers he uses to compel claimants of(a) Income Support and (b) Jobseeker's Allowance, whose claim is selected for inspection by the area benefit review to give an interview to a Benefits Agency review officer; [118276]

  (2) what proportion of those claimants of (a) Income Support, (b) Jobseeker's Allowance and (c) Housing Benefit whose claim was selected for inspection by the area benefit review refused to give an interview to the Benefits Agency review officer in each of the last three years. [118210]

  Angela Eagle
  There is no specific power to compel a person to give an interview to an Area Benefit Review Officer. However, under Claims and Payments Regulations 7 and 8 a person who claims Income Support is required to supply the Department with information in connection with their claim and to attend interviews if so requested. There are equivalent provisions in Regulations 23 and 24 of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations. The Department has no record of any benefit claimant having refused to be interviewed under the Area Benefit Review programme.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many local authorities have been inspected for the Area Benefit Review of housing benefit. [118211]

  Angela Eagle
  The Area Benefit Review is a continuous monthly rolling programme of measurement in which 195 local authorities are participating. As at 29 February, sample cases had been selected from a total of 175 local authorities since the start of the project. Sample cases will be selected from the remaining local authorities as the rolling programme continues.

  Remote Access Terminals
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many local authorities have installed remote access terminals in the last five years. [118209]

  Angela Eagle
  The Remote Access Terminal implementation programme started in August 1998. There are currently 392 local authorities with at least one Remote Access Terminal (RAT) installed, and 427 terminals in use.

  In this financial year we plan to install a RAT into 14 of the 17 local authorities currently without one.

  Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for his Department to become a member of the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System; and if he will make a statement. [118205]

  Mr. Rooker
  This Department is an associate member of the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System (CIFAS). Staff involved in the investigation of organised fraud receive information from CIFAS and attend regional quarterly meetings.

  Family Statistics
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many divorced or separated women(a) have and (b) have not received from their ex-husbands or husbands their full CSA-assessed entitlement in the most recent year for which figures are available. [117528]

  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 Faith Boardman to Mr. Gerald Howarth, dated 6 April 2000:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  The latest published Child Support statistics show that in the quarter to November 1999 there are a total of 346,500 cases where maintenance is arranged and collected through the Agency. Of these 162,900 parents with care receive their full maintenance, 79,800 receive partial maintenance and 103,800 receive no maintenance.
  155,100 have a full maintenance assessment made by the Agency with the liability paid through a private agreement between the Parent With Care and the Non-Resident Parent. In these cases full compliance is assumed.
  Therefore, 318,000 of parents with care receive their full maintenance award through either the Agency's collection service or a private agreement. A further 79,800 receive partial maintenance.
  A total of 445,000 live cases are assessed at nil liability. A percentage of Non-Resident Parents assessed at nil liability who claim Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance (income-based) may be required to make a contribution to maintenance.
  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 hope this is helpful.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Embassies
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many political party events have been held in British Embassies since 1 May 1997. [115340]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  It is established policy that Government property should not generally be used for party activities. We have no record of any such event being held at a British Embassy in the period since 1 May 1997.

  British Embassies do, of course, assist and advise MPs, Members of the devolved assemblies and MEPs, as appropriate.

  Europe Road show
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the "Your Britain, Your Europe", road show; and if he will make a statement. [117335]

  Mr. Vaz
  There have been several parliamentary questions about the purpose, funding and itinerary of the "Your Britain, Your Europe" road show. Some members of the public and the Democracy Movement have written to me asking the same questions.
  631W
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the contribution of the "Your Britain, Your Europe", road show to his Department's performance target of increasing public support for EU activities. [117334]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is impossible to measure precisely the contribution that last year's "Your Britain, Your Europe" road show made to our performance target to increase public support for our EU activities. But I am confident that the event helped to inform the public better about the Government's EU policy and to stimulate debate about the benefits of our membership of the EU.

  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs were incurred by the Your Britain, Your Europe, road show on(a) travel and (b) publicity and promotional material. [117322]

  Mr. Vaz
  Travel costs were approximately £15,295. The bill for design of the road show logo and printing of publicity materials came to £6,162.

  Former EU Commissioners
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the commissioners from the former European Commission are in receipt of EU allowances. [117312]

  Mr. Vaz
  Details of pay and allowances for both serving and former Commissioners are set out in Regulation number 422/67/EEC. A copy of this is available in the Library of the House and on the internet at http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/lif/dat/1967/en—367/R0422.html

  Arms Exports (Azerbaijan)
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UK will continue to uphold the OSCE embargo on the export of weapons and military equipment to Azerbaijan. [118646]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK remains committed to the OSCE arms embargo against both Azerbaijan and Armenia, which the UK interprets as covering all goods and technology controlled under entries in Part III of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (commonly known as the military list).

  We have recently approved the export of 60 protective vests for demining operations to Azerbaijan. These will be used by the United Nations Development Programme during humanitarian land mine clearance operations. While the grant of this licence constitutes an exception to the UK's interpretation of the scope of the embargo, it is in no way inconsistent with the purpose of the embargo and our continuing commitment to uphold it. It also reflects the determination of the Government to eliminate the scourge of land mines.

  HOME DEPARTMENT
  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20001

  Camberwell

  80,902

  151,767

  101,582

  168,512

  88,911

  38,536

  Walworth

  239,546

  244,126

  281,200

  265,272

  260,652

  167,572

  Peckham

  225,157

  353,337

  310,582

  350,333

  301,601

  142,366

  Rotherhithe

  178,522

  426,663

  81,135

  66,910

  107,672

  41,359

  Southwark

  392,504

  334,247

  354,665

  327,201

  299,317

  115,746

  Tower Bridge

  153,142

  247,566

  105,650

  103,901

  77,480

  37,412

  East Dulwich

  144,414

  144,420

  165,915

  217,071

  188,978

  91,912

  1 Expenditure only up to November 1999

  MBDB
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the synthetic drug MBDB. [118072]
  632W
  Mr. Boateng
  N-Methyl-a-ethyl-3, 4-methylendioxy phenethylamine (MBDB) is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as a Class A drug. It is covered by the definition for ring-substituted Phenethylamines in Schedule 2, Part 1 paragraph 1 (c) of the Act.

  Euro (Counterfeiting)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the agreement reached at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March to introduce an EU-wide minimum prison sentence for counterfeiting the euro; what plans he has to implement that decision; what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds; and if he will make a statement; [118075]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the framework decision on the protection of the euro against counterfeiting discussed at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March; [118068]

  (3) what were the accompanying measures aimed at supporting the objectives of the framework decision in respect of the criminal sanctions against counterfeiting of the euro, announced by Commissioner Vitorino at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March; [118069]

  (4) what plans Her Majesty's Government have to make it a criminal offence in (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland to counterfeit the euro; and if he will make a statement. [118078]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am placing in the Library a copy of the draft framework decision as deposited for Scrutiny.

  Article 6(2) of the draft framework decision provides that offences of fraudulent making, shall be
  punishable by terms of imprisonment, the maximum being not less than eight years.
  The maximum term of imprisonment already provided for these offences under existing United Kingdom legislation is 10 years. Article 6 of the framework decision will not, therefore, require new legislation or result in any additional costs. In all parts of the United Kingdom it is already a criminal offence to counterfeit any currency which is customarily used as money, including the euro.

  The Commission has indicated that it plans to bring forward a number of accompanying measures aimed at supporting the objectives of the framework decision in the area of judicial co-operation, exchange of information and training. The Commission hopes to make a formal proposal to this effect during the Portuguese Presidency.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount has been spent under the National Changeover Plan in connection with measures to combat the counterfeiting of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [118076]

  Mr. Boateng
  Measures to combat the counterfeiting of the euro do not come within the scope of the National Changeover Plan.

  Criminal Investigations
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Government's policy is on the adoption of a legally binding instrument for setting up joint investigative teams to conduct criminal investigations in one or more member states of the EU. [118070]

  Mr. Boateng
  As the deployment of joint investigation teams is currently permitted under United Kingdom law, we do not require the adoption of a legally binding instrument to allow the setting up of joint investigative teams. However, some of our European Union partners have problems with this type of co-operation in the absence of such an instrument. The Government therefore support the initiative as a welcome extension of our co-operative ability. The adoption of a joint instrument will not affect the existing arrangements concerning joint investigation teams that are currently used on a regular basis by United Kingdom law enforcement authorities such as the police service and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. The Government do not consider that the initiative should in any way detract from the need to agree the existing draft European Union Mutual Assistance Convention which itself contains a provision on joint investigation teams.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to ask each local authority in England and Wales to provide him with a regular report on the number of asylum seekers registered with that local authority; and if he will make a statement; [118238]

  (2) what is his estimate of the cost to his Department of asking each local authority in England and Wales how many asylum seekers are registered with that authority. [118237]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Home Office launched an exercise last year to ascertain from local authorities exactly how many asylum seekers they were supporting, together with the status of those asylum seekers, and where they are being accommodated. Further checks are required on much of the information so far submitted. We estimate that it will cost around £44,000 to complete the exercise in full. The information requested will be available once it is completed.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement in full the new support arrangements for asylum seekers under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; what discussions he has had with local authorities and regional consortiums regarding the current partial implementation; what representations he has received from them; and if he will make a statement. [118293]

  Mrs. Roche
  It is our intention to implement further stages of the new support arrangements as soon as possible, hopefully bringing all the remaining new asylum applicants onto it over the course of the next six months.

  I and my officials have received many representations from local authorities concerning the dispersal of asylum seekers, in response to proposals which we published last year as part of our consultation process.
  634W
  The National Asylum Support Service has also been in extensive consultation with the Local Government Association and regional local authority consortiums about the operation of both the interim dispersal scheme and the main dispersal scheme.

  Organised Crime
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the action plan on organised crime which was discussed at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 27 March. [118071]

  Mr. Boateng
  Two papers on organised crime were adopted at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union on 27 March. Those were "The Prevention and Control of Organised Crime: A European Union Strategy for the Beginning of the New Millennium (CRIMORG 36, reference 6611/00)" and "The Draft European Action Plan on common action for the Russian Federation on combating organised crime (CRIMORG 39, reference 6698/00)". Copies of these documents have been placed in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on asylum case L304287 about which the hon. Member for Aylesbury has written to his Department. [118073]

  Mrs. Roche
  This application has been decided and the applicant has been notified accordingly. The Integrated Casework Directorate wrote to the hon. Member on 6 April about the case.

  Alternative Voting
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the companies that have been contracted to provide advice and services to local authorities in connection with the pilot projects for alternative voting to be conducted at the May 2000 local elections under section 10 of the Representation of the People Act 2000, indicating, for each local authority, the nature of the advice and services to be provided by each company and the cost to public funds. [118239].

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Local authorities which made applications under section 10 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 to run pilot schemes were asked to estimate the likely additional costs (or savings) which these schemes would involve. They were not asked whether any additional costs would arise from payments to contracting companies, but I am aware that of the three local authorities which are piloting electronic voting, Bury and Salford will be using technology supplied by Trilogy Information Systems Ltd. and Stratford on Avon will be using the Nedap Powervote System.

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons subject to an antisocial behaviour order have committed a criminal offence that(a) did and (b) did not constitute a breach of the order; what offences were committed; and if he will make a statement; [118081]
  635W
  (2) how many antisocial behaviour orders have been breached; what measures have been taken in respect of each breach; and if he will make a statement.[118080]

  Mr. Straw
  Information is not available which identifies those who have committed a criminal offence, other than a breach of an antisocial behaviour order, as the subject of such an order.

  Provisional 1999 court data identifying defendants proceeded against for the offence of "breach of an anti-behaviour order" since the order was introduced in April 1999 will be available this summer, with provisional data for the first quarter of 2000 available in the autumn. The data will not identify the circumstances of the breach. The breach of an antisocial behaviour order is an arrestable criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.

  Regional Crime Reduction Directors
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many regional crime reduction directors have been appointed in total; when each director was appointed; what the pay scale is for regional crime reduction directors; and what is the total additional(a) cost to date and (b) projected cost to public funds of the appointment of regional crime reduction directors. [118082]

  Mr. Straw
  The recruitment of regional crime reduction directors is still in train but the appointment of nine directors in England, and a tenth post in Wales is expected to be made over the next three months. The salary range for the posts is £40,000–£60,000 and starting salary will depend upon relevant skills and experience. The main cost to date has been the placing of advertisements in the national press and consultancy costs for organising the processing and sifting of the applications: these amount to £46,000. The directors will be located in the existing Government Offices for the Regions or in offices for the National Assembly for Wales. In addition to the salary costs, the accommodation, Information Technology, secretarial support and other overhead costs would be about £300,000 in a full year.

  Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the progress reports submitted by crime and disorder reduction partnerships referred to on page 10 of the Government's Crime Reduction Strategy. [118083]

  Mr. Straw
  The 376 crime and disorder reduction partnerships in England and Wales have been asked to provide progress reports on their first year in operation and their proposals for the year ahead. We will be assessing those reports and preparing a summary, which we will place in the Library.

  Home Detention Curfew Scheme
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the success rate is of the Home Detention Curfew scheme; how the success rate is determined; if it is determined with reference to re-offending after completion of the scheme; and if he will make a statement.[118084]

  Mr. Straw
  The success rate for Home Detention Curfew (HDC) has been consistently over 90 per cent. since the scheme began. It is calculated by dividing the number of prisoners who successfully complete their HDC period by the total number placed on HDC.

  Information about curfewees re-offending after completion of the scheme is not held centrally. The HDC period concludes at the point at which the prisoner would otherwise have been released from prison. Offending after this period is, therefore, not a factor in defining the success rate. One purpose of the HDC is to secure a better transition between custody and the community for those offenders for whom HDC is deemed appropriate.

  The definition of successful completion is a curfewee who completes the curfew period of his licence and who does not breach the conditions of the curfew; can be monitored electronically for the duration of the curfew period; does not present a risk of serious harm to the public; and is not notified to the Prison Service as having been charged with an offence or having breached any requirement of probation supervision.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the period between the commencement of the Home Detention Curfew scheme on 28 January 1999 and 31 March 2000, inclusive,(a) the total number of prisoners who were released on the scheme, (b) the number of prisoners convicted of each specific offence who were released, on the scheme, including a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners normally classified under the categories (i) other homicide and attempted homicide, (ii) other violence against the person, (iii) drug offences, (iv) assaults, (v) other theft and (vi) other motoring offences, (c) the average sentence (i) received and (ii) served for each specific offence prior to release, (d) the average period spent on the scheme in respect of the prisoners convicted of each specific offence, (e) the number of prisoners released who (i) breached the conditions of the curfew, (ii) disappeared and were recaptured, (iii) disappeared and remain unlawfully at large and (iv) had their licences revoked, (f) the reasons why prisoners released on the scheme had their licences revoked, (g) the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme while on the scheme and (h) the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme who committed an offence similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted; and if he will make a statement. [117986]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 6 April 2000]: As of 31 March 2000, a total of 18,736 prisoners had been released on Home Detention Curfew since the scheme commenced on 28 January 1999.
  637W
  The original offences committed by prisoners released under the scheme during that period, the number of prisoners convicted of each specific offence, the average sentence received and served for those offences, and the average period spent on the scheme in respect of the prisoners convicted of each specific offence, are shown in table 1. The data are taken from the Prison Service's Inmate Information System based on the data recorded by each prison. The table provides as detailed a breakdown of offences as is possible from central records.

  As of 31 March 2000, 661 prisoners place on the Home Detention Curfew scheme had breached the conditions of the curfew.

  On 31 March, there were 42 curfewees who remained unlawfully at large. This represents less than five per cent. of the total number of revocations. In the vast majority of cases, when a curfewee's licence is revoked, he or she can expect to be quickly apprehended and returned to custody. While the priority to be given to pursuing individual cases will be an operational matter for local police forces, Home Office Circular 1/1999 made clear that Home Detention Curfew recalls should be regarded as "urgent action" cases. In addition, the National Identification Service at New Scotland yard issues "The Police Gazette" weekly to all police forces, including details of curfewees who are unlawfully at large. When curfewees are apprehended following a period unlawfully at large, they are required to serve the period of time outstanding at the point their licence was revoked.

  Table 1: HDC discharges by offence type-28 January 1999 to 31 March 2000

  Offence type

  Number of prisoners

  Average sentence (month)

  Average served (month)

  Average on scheme (month)

  Total

  18,736

  14.3

  5.6

  1.5

  Manslaughter

  49

  33.5

  15.0

  1.9

  Other homicide and attempted homicide

  158

  23.0

  9.9

  1.8

  Attempted murder

  5

  25.8

  11.0

  1.9

  Making threats to kill

  32

  19.9

  8.4

  1.8

  Conspire, aid, incite murder

  1

  42.0

  19.1

  1.9

  Death by reckless driving

  120

  23.6

  10.2

  1.9

  Wounding

  2,373

  15.8

  6.3

  1.6

  Wounding (inflicting GBH)

  1,455

  19.7

  8.1

  1.8

  Assault occasioning ABH

  867

  9.3

  3.3

  1.3

  Assault with intent to cause GBH

  51

  14.6

  5.9

  1.5

  Assaults

  472

  7.3

  2.5

  1.1

  Assault with intent to resist arrest

  8

  5.9

  2.0

  1.0

  Other assault

  359

  8.2

  2.9

  1.2

  Obstruct/resist constable

  8

  5.9

  2.0

  1.0

  Assault on police officer

  97

  4.5

  1.4

  0.9

  Cruelty to children

  22

  14.4

  5.9

  1.3

  Other violence against the person

  245

  15.6

  6.3

  1.6

  Cause explosion, place explosive

  2

  33.0

  15.0

  1.5

  Possess firearms with intent

  138

  19.0

  7.9

  1.7

  Possess offensive weapon

  87

  11.1

  4.2

  1.4

  Other violence against the person

  18

  9.3

  3.4

  1.4

  638W
  As of 31 March 2000, 897 curfewees had their licences revoked, using the powers available to the Secretary of State under Sections 38A(1) and 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The reasons why licences were revoked were:
  for breach of the curfew;
  because the curfewee's whereabouts could no longer be electronically monitored;
  because it was necessary to protect the public from serious harm; and
  because the curfewee had committed an offence or breached any requirement of probation supervision.

  Curfewees who are charged with new offences may also be recalled on any of the preceding grounds depending on the circumstances of the case.

  As of 31 March 2000, the Prison Service had received notifications of 190 curfewees who had been charged with an offence committed while subject to the Home Detention Curfew scheme. A breakdown of the offences with which the curfewees were charged is shown in table 2. This breakdown has been prepared from information supplied by police forces and drawn from the Police National Computer. Further analysis of re-offending by those subject to Home Detention Curfew, including the procedures for notification of further charges to the Prison Service by the police, is currently underway as part of a long term evaluation of the scheme.

  Of the 190 curfewees charged with a further offence, a manual check of Prison Service records shows that in 74 cases, the curfewees have been charged with offences similar in nature to their original offence. A breakdown of these offences is in table 3.
  639W

  Table 1: HDC discharges by offence type—28 January 1999 to 31 March 2000

  Offence type

  Number of prisoners

  Average sentence (month)

  Average served (month)

  Average on scheme (month)

  Buggery

  1

  6.0

  1.6

  1.4

  Indecent assault

  17

  11.6

  4.4

  1.4

  Unlawful sexual intercourse

  1

  6.0

  1.2

  1.9

  Abduction

  1

  36.0

  17.3

  1.2

  Bigamy

  10

  7.5

  2.5

  1.2

  Burglary

  1,779

  19.3

  7.3

  1.8

  Robbery

  757

  26.0

  11.3

  1.9

  Taking and driving away

  221

  10.0

  3.8

  1.3

  Other theft

  1,724

  11.1

  4.1

  1.4

  Handling stolen goods

  584

  13.5

  5.2

  1.6

  Fraud

  1,544

  13.0

  5.0

  1.6

  Forgery

  80

  11.3

  4.2

  1.4

  Drugs offences

  3,063

  20.2

  8.4

  1.7

  Production

  108

  15.3

  6.1

  1.6

  Supply

  1,021

  21.8

  9.2

  1.7

  Possession with intent

  1,288

  20.1

  8.4

  1.7

  Possession

  414

  15.7

  6.3

  1.6

  Unlawful import/export

  196

  24.9

  10.9

  1.8

  Other drugs offences

  36

  13.8

  5.2

  1.7

  Arson

  120

  22.9

  9.8

  1.8

  Criminal damage

  85

  12.4

  4.8

  1.4

  In charge of driving under the influence of drink or drugs

  643

  4.4

  1.3

  0.9

  Reckless driving

  314

  8.9

  3.1

  1.4

  Other motoring offences

  1,307

  4.6

  1.4

  0.9

  Drunkenness

  68

  4.8

  1.4

  0.9

  Blackmail

  56

  20.1

  8.3

  1.7

  Kidnapping

  28

  19.0

  7.8

  1.8

  Affray

  489

  9.5

  3.4

  1.4

  Violent disorder

  212

  14.0

  5.4

  1.7

  Perjury/libel/pervert the course of justice

  282

  9.9

  3.6

  1.4

  Threat/disorderly behaviour

  84

  8.6

  3.1

  1.2

  Breach of Court Order

  198

  9.2

  2.9

  1.8

  Other offences

  1,034

  12.4

  4.7

  1.6

  Offence not recorded

  715

  11.6

  4.4

  1.4

  Table 2: Offences with which curfewees charged

  Offence type

  Number

  Burglary, robbery, theft and theft from shops (including taking without consent/taking and driving away)

  67

  Assault (including wounding)

  31

  Driving and Traffic Offences

  20

  Drug Offences

  15

  Breach of the peace (including Drunk and Disorderly and Affray)

  14

  Handling Stolen Goods/Deception

  10

  Criminal Damage

  11

  Threatening Behaviour (including threats to kill)

  9

  Possession of an offensive weapon

  3

  Breach of court injunction or Restraining Order

  3

  Rape

  2

  Harassment

  1

  Going Equipped

  1

  False Imprisonment

  1

  Arson

  1

  Indecent Exposure

  1

  Total

  190

  Note:

  The table excludes those where, following initial notification, the Prison Service was informed that the charges had been withdrawn. Where a curfewee was charged with more than one offence, they appear in the table next to the most serious offence. See note to table 3.
  640W

  Table 3: Offences with which curfewees charged similar to their original offence

  Offence type

  Number

  Burglary

  20

  Theft

  16

  Driving/motoring offences

  12

  Assault

  9

  Drug offences

  5

  Deception

  3

  Wounding

  3

  Robbery

  2

  Breach of probation order

  1

  Threats to kill

  1

  False imprisonment

  1

  Affray

  1

  Total

  74

  Note:

  This table includes charges which, in cases where there was more than one charge, were not necessarily the most serious charge. See Note to table 2.

  Consultants
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultancy contracts the Smith Group has entered into with his Department since May 1997. [116775]
  641W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [pursuant to the reply, 30 March 2000, c. 215–16W]: The Smith Group is reporting to the Home Office on a consultancy study to examine the technical and costs implications of interception at Internet Service Providers. The Smith Group is also reporting to the Home Office on some technical aspects of the proposed Government Technical Assistance Centre which will be responsible for complex processing (including decryption) of intercept produce. However, these consultancy studies are not funded by the Home Office. The costs are being met by the intercepting agencies using a joint budget for the strategic development of the interception capability.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Gelatine
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that gelatine(a) as part of a food product and (b) as a separate ingredient imported into the United Kingdom is (i) produced by manufacturers certified according to ISO 9000 international standard, and (ii) has not been contaminated with brain, spinal cord and ocular tissues of cattle (A) born, (B) reared and (C) finished in countries where incidents of BSE have been reported; [117009]

  (2)what guidance he gives to consumers seeking to obtain gelatine, (a) as part of a food product and (b) as a separate ingredient, that is free of BSE infectivity; [117026]

  (3)what steps he is taking to ensure that gelatine (a) as part of a food product and (b) as a separate ingredient imported into the United Kingdom (i) has not been produced using hides from cattle that have shown signs of neurological diseases and (ii) is produced using bones and hides from countries (1) with no incidence of BSE and (2) which meet the OIE standards; [117010]

  (4)what steps he is taking to ensure that gelatine (a) as part of a food product and (b) as a separate ingredient, imported into the United Kingdom is (i) free of BSE and (ii) accurately labelled with the country of origin and production.[117003]

  Metropolitan Police Service
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the revenue cost of(a) Rotherhithe, (b) Tower Bridge, (c) Southwark, (d) Walworth, (e) Camberwell, (f) Peckham and (g) East Dulwich police stations in each year for the years 1990–91 to 1999–2000. [113822]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [pursuant to his reply, 13 March 2000, c. 94W]: The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that the figures requested for the financial year 1994–95 are not held centrally. The revised revenue costs for each of the police stations within Southwark Divisions from 1994–95 to date are given in the table.

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 30 March 2000]: There is a legal ban on the use of bovine raw materials of UK-origin to make gelatine for use in food. My Department carries out regular inspections of gelatine manufacturers in the UK to ensure compliance with the requirements.

  There is no EU requirement for gelatine manufacturers to be certified according to the ISO 9000 standard, which is an audit standard to provide quality assurance guarantees.

  In line with OIE guidelines, the Specified Risk Material Order 1997 requires imported gelatine and related products intended for human or animal consumption and which may come from countries with a significant risk of BSE, to be accompanied by official veterinary certification confirming that they do not contain and were not derived from Specified Risk Material. These import controls will remain in place until EU SRM controls are agreed.

  In addition, imported bovine hides and skins which have not been pickled limed or tanned must be derived from animals which have passed ante- and post-mortem examinations and showed no signs of serious diseases communicable to man or animals. All such imports must be accompanied by veterinary health certification in accordance with EU requirements.

  Food labelling rules, which are agreed at EU level, require prepacked foods to carry an ingredients list. These generally require gelatine to be listed as an ingredient.