Written Answers of 1 February 2000

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will take measures to ensure that the composition of the staff of the proposed Policing Board, Northern Ireland Office Police Division and Office of Police Ombudsman are broadly reflective of the population of Northern Ireland as a whole; [107814]

  (2) when he intends to report on the role of district policing partnerships in Belfast; and what representations he has received on this matter; [107806]

  (3) pursuant to his oral statement of 19 January 2000, Official Report, columns 845–48, when he will appoint the Oversight Commissioner; and if he will set out the person specification and job description for the Oversight Commissioner; [107810]

  (4) who he plans will be responsible for the periodic review of progress towards a routinely unarmed police service in Northern Ireland recommended by the Patten report; how often these reviews will take place; and if their findings will be laid before the House; [107811]

  (5) if he will outline the criteria by which the Policing Board will make a decision on the badge for the proposed Police Service for Northern Ireland; and if he will ensure that proposals be made public; [107809]

  (6) what plans he has to develop a tenure policy for police officers; and if he will ensure that officers involved in security work are included in it. [107813]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State made a statement in the House on 19 January 2000,Official Report, columns 845–48, setting out the Government's response to the Patten Report. The Government are considering a number of detailed issues in relation to the Report and will make its decisions clear in due course.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that the proposed policing board will possess the power to call upon the chief constable to retire in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness, subject to the approval of the secretary of state. [107805]

  Year

  Handgun

  Shotgun

  Air weapon

  Rifle

  Machine gun

  Other

  Imitation/replica firearms

  1989–90

  772

  90

  17

  142

  28

  231

  58

  1990–91

  797

  107

  8

  122

  38

  86

  51

  1991–92

  861

  105

  8

  169

  28

  60

  44

  1992–93

  1,035

  126

  15

  148

  28

  12

  57

  486W
  Mr. Ingram
  The Government accept the recommendations of the Patten report that the Policing Board should, with the Secretary of State's approval, be able to call upon the chief constable to retire in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met members of the Northern Ireland Police Federation to discuss his plans to reform the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [107614]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met with members of the Northern Ireland Police Federation on Tuesday 11 January 2000 to discuss the Patten report.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish a public register of interests and associations for the police in Northern Ireland which will include currently serving officers. [107816]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. The Patten report does not recommend a public register.

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105796]

  Mr. Mandelson
  NIO has a well established policy on smoking in the workplace which was first introduced in 1991 and a complete ban on smoking, apart from designated smoking rooms, has been in operation in all NIO premises since 1995. The policy has been supported through participation in the annual no-smoking day campaign and various health awareness events where professional and medical advice and information has been made available to encourage staff who smoke to give it up. The Department also intends to participate in the Quit Year 2000 initiative which has just been launched by the Ulster Cancer Foundation.

  The Department is currently participating in a detailed Health Survey of all its staff which will identify the mental and physical health of our staff including basic data on smoking habits which will be used to plan future employee well-being activity.

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many crimes were committed in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years in which legally-held(a) shotguns, (b).22 rifles, (c).22 handguns, (d) fullbore handguns and (e) fullbore rifles were used by (i) their legal owners and (ii) others. [106065]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Chief Constable has advised me that the information about the ownership of the firearms used in criminal activity is not readily available and obtaining it would incur disproportionate cost. The table, however, shows the number of offences involving the use of firearms, and the type of firearm used over the last 10 years.
  487W

  Year

  Handgun

  Shotgun

  Air weapon

  Rifle

  Machine gun

  Other

  Imitation/replica firearms

  1993–94

  905

  86

  10

  166

  39

  31

  67

  1994–95

  570

  80

  14

  73

  41

  34

  53

  1995–96

  438

  60

  28

  11

  4

  7

  57

  1996–97

  475

  92

  39

  23

  6

  9

  50

  1997–98

  610

  72

  65

  17

  10

  35

  56

  1998–991 (old rules)

  506

  87

  69

  23

  2

  23

  45

  1998–991 (new rules)

  510

  92

  211

  23

  2

  44

  47

  1 On 1 April 1998 the Home Office introduced a new counting system under which crime is recorded. The new rules figures can not be directly compared to previous years.

  Intelligence Activity
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he had to draw up a code of practice on covert law enforcement techniques and other intelligence activity overseen by a complaints tribunal; [107804]

  (2) what plans he has to appoint a covert policing commissioner to regulate the activities of Special Branch and other intelligence activity. [107807]

  Mr. Ingram
  The recommendations about covert law enforcement made by the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland will be implemented by forthcoming legislation. The legislation will require the publication of Codes of Practice on covert law enforcement techniques which will apply on a UK-wide basis.

  Union Flag
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review the existing practice on the display of the Union Flag from(a) police premises and (b) other public buildings. [107817]

  Schools given specialist status since May 1997

  School

  Parliamentary constituency

  Arts Colleges

  Bishopshalt School

  Uxbridge

  Blatchington Mill School and Sixth Form College

  Hove

  Brentwood Ursuline Convent School

  Brentwood and Ongar

  Bridgewater County High School

  Warrington South

  Bridgewater Hall School

  North East Milton Keynes

  Castle Hills Community School

  Gainsborough

  Charles Edward Brooke High School

  Vauxhall

  Chestnut Grove School

  Tooting

  Churchfields School

  South Swindon

  Cotham Grammar School

  Bristol West

  Egerton Park High School

  Denton and Reddish

  Egglescliffe School

  Stockton South

  English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College

  Hartlepool

  Estover Community College1

  Plymouth Devonport

  Lipson Community College1

  Plymouth Sutton

  Fox Hollies School1

  Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath

  Queensbridge School1

  Birmingham Selly Oak

  Fred Longworth High School

  Worsley

  Greenfield Comprehensive School

  Sedgefield

  Greenlands High School

  Blackpool North and Fleetwood

  488W
  Mr. Ingram
  Regarding the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I refer him to the answer I gave him earlier today on questions regarding this subject. On the second part, I will not be reviewing the flying of flags on public buildings in Northern Ireland under my authority. Other public buildings in Northern Ireland, following devolution on 2 December 1999, now fall within the responsibility of the devolved administration.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Specialist Schools
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the value of additional private sector money levered in for educational use through the specialist school regime since May 1997. [106994]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The value of additional private sector money raised through the Specialist Schools programme since May 1997 is approximately £25,000,000.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools given specialist status since May 1997, and the parliamentary constituencies in which they are located. [106995]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is provided in the following table.
  489W

  Schools given specialist status since May 1997

  School

  Parliamentary constituency

  Guthlaxton College

  Harborough

  Heathfield Community School

  Taunton

  Icknield High School

  Luton North

  Intake High School

  Leeds West

  John Masefield High School

  Leominster

  Kidbrooke School1

  Greenwich and Woolwich

  Thomas Tallis School1

  Greenwich and Woolwich

  Kings School, The

  Wolverhampton South West

  Lindsey School, The

  Cleethorpes

  Lord Lawson of Beamish School

  Blaydon

  Newall Green High School

  Wythenshawe and Sale East

  North Kesteven School

  Sleaford and North Hykeham

  North Leamington School

  Warwick and Leamington

  Rawlins Community College

  Loughborough

  Sharnbrook Upper School and Community College

  North East Bedfordshire

  Sir William Ramsey School

  Chesham and Amersham

  Somervale School

  Wansdyke

  South Axholme School

  Brigg and Goole

  Springwood High School

  North West Norfolk

  St. John Fisher Catholic High School

  Harrogate and Knaresborough

  St. Laurence School

  Westbury

  St. Marylebone School (The)

  Cities of London and Westminster

  St. Paul's Way Community School

  Poplar and Canning Town

  St. Peter's School

  Bournemouth East

  Thomas Tallis School

  Greenwich and Woolwich

  Thornden School

  Romsey

  Wheatley Park School

  Henley

  Language Colleges

  Ashcombe School

  Mole Valley

  Clevedon Community School

  Woodspring

  Colfox School

  West Dorset

  Didcot Girls' High School

  Wantage

  Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School

  Islington South and Finsbury

  FitzWimarc School, The

  Rayleigh

  Harwich School, The

  Harwich

  Haydon School

  Ruislip—Northwood

  Hele's School

  South West Devon

  Highcliffe School

  Christchurch

  Hockerill Anglo European School

  Hertford and Stortford

  Holt School, The

  Wokingham

  Holy Family RC School, The

  Sunderland South

  Hummersknott School

  Darlington

  Ian Ramsey CE School

  Stockton South

  Imberhorne School

  Mid Sussex

  Impington Village College

  South East Cambridgeshire

  Judgemeadow Community College

  Leicester East

  King Edward VII School

  Sheffield Hallam

  Kingsthorpe Upper School

  Northampton North

  Little Lever School

  Bolton South East

  Lord Grey School

  Milton Keynes South West

  Montsaye School

  Kettering

  Mountbatten School, The1

  Romsey

  Romsey School, The1

  Romsey

  Northgate High School

  Ipswich

  Notre Dame High School

  Norwich South

  Oulder Hill Community School

  Rochdale

  Our Lady's Convent High School

  Hackney North and Stoke Newington

  Park View Community School

  North Durham

  Penrice School

  Truro and St. Austell

  Prince Henry's Grammar School

  Leeds North West

  Ryton Comprehensive School

  Blaydon

  Saint George's CofE School

  Gravesham

  Shireland High School

  Warley

  Sir Thomas Rich's School

  Gloucester

  St. Bede's RC Comprehensive School

  North West Durham

  St. Clement Danes School

  Chesham and Amersham

  St. Mary's RC High School

  Chesterfield

  St. Wilfrid's RC High School and VI Form College

  Hemsworth

  490W 491W

  Schools given specialist status since May 1997

  School

  Parliamentary constituency

  Tile Hill Wood School

  Coventry North West

  Trinity School

  Carlisle

  Weald of Kent Grammar School

  Tonbridge and Malling

  Wirrall Grammar School for Girls

  Wirral South

  Sports Colleges

  Abraham Guest High School

  Makerfield

  Angley School

  Maidstone and The Weald

  Angmering School

  Arundel and the South Downs

  Arrow Vale High School

  Redditch

  Ashton on Mersey School

  Altrincham and Sale West

  Benfield School

  Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend

  Biddick School

  Gateshead East and Washington West

  Bishop Challoner RC School

  Birmingham Selly Oak

  Boston Spa Comprehensive School

  Elmet

  Brookfield High School

  Knowsley North and Sefton East

  Callington School

  South East Cornwall

  Chesterfield High School

  Crosby

  Colne School

  North Essex

  Davenant Foundation School

  Epping Forest

  Deanes School (The)

  Castle Point

  Droitwich Spa School

  Mid Worcestershire

  Durham Gilesgate

  City of Durham

  Ernest Bevin School

  Tooting

  Failsworth School

  Ashton under Lyne

  Featherstone High School

  Ealing Southall

  Hailsham Community College

  Wealden

  Haydon Bridge High School

  Hexham

  Ivybridge Community College

  South West Devon

  King Alfred's School

  Wantage

  King Edward VII High School

  North West Norfolk

  Kingdown Community School

  Westbury

  Lancaster School

  Leicester South

  Langdon School

  East Ham

  Leon School

  Milton Keynes South West

  Manor School (The)

  Mansfield

  Newsome High School

  Huddersfield

  Northfield School

  Stockton North

  Oldfield School

  Bath

  Park House School

  Newbury

  Penryn Community School

  Falmouth and Camborne

  Poltair Community School

  Truro and St. Austell

  Priory School

  Barnsley Central

  Rawmarch Comprehensive School

  Wentworth

  Roade School

  Northampton South

  Shaftesbury School

  North Dorset

  Southfields Community College

  Putney

  St. Benedict's Catholic High School

  Cheltenham

  St. Edmund's Girls' School

  Salisbury

  St. Joseph's RC High School

  Bolton West

  St. Mary's Comprehensive School

  Pudsey

  Thorpe St. Andrew School

  Norwich North

  Walford High School

  Ealing North

  Westcroft Special School

  Wolverhampton North East

  Whickham Comprehensive School

  Blaydon

  Whitefield School

  Finchley and Golders Green

  William Parker School

  Hastings and Rye

  Wood Green High School

  West Bromwich West

  Write Robinson School

  Manchester Gorton

  Wye Valley School (The)

  Beaconsfield

  Technology Colleges

  Abbey Hill School1

  Stockton North

  Beaumont Hill School1

  Darlington

  Ailwyn Community School1

  North West Cambridgeshire

  Ramsey Abbey School1

  North West Cambridgeshire

  Alcester High School

  Stratford-on-Avon

  Allertonshire School1

  Richmond (Yorks)

  Northallerton College1

  Richmond (Yorks)

  492W 493W

  Schools given specialist status since May 1997

  School

  Parliamentary constituency

  Ashby Grammar School

  North West Leicestershire

  Ashfield School

  Ashfield

  Aston Manor School1

  Birmingham Ladywood

  Heartlands High Secondary School1

  Birmingham Ladywood

  Babington Community College

  Leicester West

  Balcarras School

  Cheltenham

  Bedlingtonshire Community High School

  Wansbeck

  Benjamin Britten High School

  Waveney

  Beverley High School

  Beverley and Holderness

  Bicester Community College

  Banbury

  Birchwood High School

  Hertford and Stortford

  Bishop Hereford's Bluecoat School

  Hereford

  Bishop Luffa School

  Chichester

  Brine Leas County High School

  Crewe and Nantwich

  Broughton Hall High School

  Liverpool Wavertree

  Bury St. Edmunds County Upper School

  Bury St. Edmunds

  Castleford High School

  Pontefract Castleford

  Chase High School, The

  West Worcestershire

  Clapton School for Girls

  Hackney North and Stoke Newington

  Cleeve School

  Tewkesbury

  Clough Hall Technology School

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  Cockshut Hill School

  Birmingham Yardley

  Court Fields Community School

  Taunton

  Crispin School

  Wells

  Crosshill Special School1

  Blackburn

  Queen's Park High School1

  Blackburn

  Davison CoE High School

  East Worthing and Shoreham

  Dene Magna Community School

  Forest of Dean

  Dorcan Comprehensive School

  North Swindon

  Downend Comprehensive School

  Kingswood

  Duchess's Community High School, The

  Berwick-upon-Tweed

  Edenham High School

  Croydon Central

  Fakenham High School and College

  North Norfolk

  Foxhills School

  Scunthorpe

  George Farmer School, The

  South Holland and the Deepings

  Gordano School

  Woodspring

  Grangefield School

  Stockton South

  Great Cornard Upper School

  South Suffolk

  Great Yarmouth High School

  Great Yarmouth

  Guilsborough School

  Kettering

  Haggerston School

  Hackney South and Shoreditch

  Hampstead School

  Hampstead and Highgate

  Hartsdown School

  North Thanet

  Hayesfield School

  Bath

  Hazelwick School

  Crawley

  Heaton Manor School

  Newcastle upon Tyne East

  Henbury High School

  Macclesfield

  Hereford School, The 1

  Great Grimsby

  Western School1

  Great Grimsby

  Highams Park School

  Chingford and Woodford Green

  John F. Kennedy RC School

  Hemel Hempstead

  Joseph Leckie School

  Walsall South

  Joseph Rowntree School

  Vale of York

  King Edward VII Upper School

  Rutland and Melton

  King James's School

  Harrogate and Knaresborough

  Kirk Hallam Community Technology College

  Erewash

  Ladymead Community School

  Taunton

  Launceston College

  North Cornwall

  Longbenton Community College

  North Tyneside

  Lutterworth Grammar School

  Blaby

  Lytham St. Annes School

  Fylde

  Manor College of Technology

  Hartlepool

  Millom School

  Copeland

  Moor End Technology College

  Colne Valley

  Norton Hill School

  Wansdyke

  494W 495W

  Schools given specialist status since May 1997

  School

  Parliamentary constituency

  Parkside Comprehensive School1

  Plymouth Devonport

  Tamarside Community College1

  Plymouth Devonport

  Parliament Hill School

  Hampstead and Highgate

  Parmiter's School

  Watford

  Plessington Catholic High School

  Birkenhead

  Priory Community School A Technology College

  Weston-super-Mare

  Queen Elizabeth's Community College

  Tiverton and Honiton

  Queensmead School

  Ruislip-Northwood

  Rainford High School

  St. Helens North

  Reepham High School

  Mid Norfolk

  Ribblesdale County High School

  Ribble Valley

  Richard Lander School

  Truro and St. Austell

  Ridings High School

  Northavon

  Ripon College

  Skipton and Ripon

  Rivington and Blackrod High School

  Chorley

  Robert Manning School, The

  Grantham and Stamford

  Robert Smyth School

  Harborough

  Shoeburyness Community High School

  Rochford and Southend East

  South Bromsgrove High School

  Bromsgrove

  Southam School

  Stratford-on-Avon

  Southfield Technology College

  Workington

  Southlands High School

  Chorley

  Spennymoor School1

  Bishop Auckland

  Tudhoe Grange Comprehensive1

  Bishop Auckland

  Speedwell School

  Kingswood

  Sponne School

  Daventry

  St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School

  Eccles

  St. Augustine's Catholic College

  Westbury

  St. Birinus School

  Wantage

  St. John's School and Community College

  Devizes

  St. Leonard's RC Comprehensive School

  City of Durham

  St. Marks's Catholic School

  Brentford and Isleworth

  St. Matthews RC High School

  Manchester Blackley

  St. Anthony's Girls' School

  Sunderland South

  Stanley School

  North Durham

  Steyning Grammar School

  Arundel and South Downs

  Tewkesbury School

  Tewkesbury

  Thomas Alleyne's School

  Burton

  Trinity School, The

  Warwick and Leamington

  Varndean School

  Brighton Pavilion

  Wade Deacon High School

  Halton

  Walker School

  Newcastle upon Tyne East

  Warwick School, The

  Reigate

  Washington School

  Houghton and Washington East

  Washwood Heath School

  Birmingham Hodge Hill

  Weald School, The

  Horsham

  West Craven High School

  Pendle

  Westfield School

  South Dorset

  Westleigh High School

  Leigh

  Whitstone Community School

  Wells

  Winifred Holtby School

  Kingston upon Hull East

  Woodham Comprehensive School

  Sedgefield

  Woolwich Polytechnic Boys School

  Greenwich and Woolwich

  Wyvern Community School, The

  Eastleigh

  1 Joint designations

  Disability Rights Commission for Wales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultation took place between himself and the National Assembly for Wales on the appointment of the Disability Rights Commission for Wales. [107015]

  Ms Hodge
  My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and his officials have been consulted at every stage of the recruitment process 496W
  to appoint a Commissioner with special knowledge of Wales to the Disability Rights Commission.

  Summer Camps
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement, including the cost, on his proposal that all 16-year-olds should attend summer camps. [107495]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) on 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 389W.
  497W

  Science Teachers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many recruits for the teaching of(a) Physics, (b) Chemistry and (c) Biology in secondary schools were recruited into initial teacher training courses in each of the last five years. [107176]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are no national data available for secondary initial teacher training courses in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Data are available for secondary initial teacher training Science courses. Recruitment to Science for England over the last five years is given in the table.

  Year

  Number

  1995–96

  2,794

  1996–97

  2,937

  1997–98

  2,789

  1998–99

  2,279

  1999–2000

  2,353

  Source:

  TTA Survey of ITT Providers

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Physics teacher trainees he expects to be in his target figure for recruitment into initial teacher training courses for Science teaching in secondary schools in(a) 2000–01 (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [107180]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are no secondary initial teacher training targets for Physics. Physics is included in the secondary target for Science. The DfEE secondary initial teacher training target for Science in England for 2000–01 is 2,690. Indicative targets for 2001–02 and 2002–03 are also 2,690.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the impact on schools' budgets of the use by parents of mobile phone numbers as a point of contact for school staff. [107610]

  Jacqui Smith
  We have made no such estimate. It is for individual schools to determine, and agree with parents, the most cost-effective way of contacting parents in particular circumstances.

  School Transport
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what statutory requirement applies to the provision of transport for children to their nearest state school; and what obligation there is for local education authorities to fund such transport(a) from the nearest bus stop to the school and (b) from the child's home to the bus stop. [107568]

  Jacqui Smith
  Local Education Authorities must provide free transport for a pupil of compulsory school age who attends his or her nearest suitable school, if it is beyond statutory walking distance from the child's home. These distances are two miles for pupils aged under eight, and three miles for those aged eight and over. If these criteria are not met, a Local Education Authority must still decide whether free transport is necessary, taking 498W
  account of a pupil's age, the possible routes he or she might take to school, and a parent's wish for denominational education where the parent adheres to the denomination of the school. Free transport may be provided from the child's home or from a bus stop convenient to the pupil's home.

  Teachers' Review Body
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the report of the School Teachers' Review Body. [108105]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The 2000 report of the School Teachers' Review Body has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. This is an historic pay round, centred on modernising the pay system for the entire teaching profession. I am grateful to the Chair and members of the Review Body for their important work.

  I asked the School Teachers' Review Body to ensure that, in making its recommendations, six key considerations were taken into account:
  the strategy for modernising the teaching profession set out in the Green Paper "Teachers: meeting the challenge of change" (this strategy was similarly set out in the Green Paper "The BEST for Teaching and Learning in Wales);
  the need to minimise additional burden on head teachers and line managers, while ensuring effective implementation of the new arrangements to reward excellence in schools;
  specific items of non-pay expenditure for delivering a high quality education service should not be diverted to fund a pay settlement;
  firm three year plans for my Department's Expenditure Limit and for all local authorities set by the Comprehensive Spending Review, from which we must fund all service improvements and pay settlements, and similar constraints in Wales;
  the Government's inflation target, which requires responsibility in all pay settlements;
  the need for schools to recruit, retain and motivate sufficient teachers, deputy headteachers and headteachers of the required quality.

  I have considered the report carefully against these considerations and am satisfied that they are met. I have decided to accept the Review Body's main recommendations. They are in line with the Government's prudent and disciplined approach to public spending and its commitment to deliver high quality public services and low inflation.

  My proposals, which include minor modifications of the STRB recommendations where indicated, are as follows:

  General Pay Increase
  with effect from 1 April 2000 the values of the pay spines for qualified classroom teachers, Advanced Skills Teachers, heads and deputies, and the pay scale for unqualified teachers, should be increased by 3.3 per cent;
  also with effect from 1 April 2000, London allowances other than the inner London Supplement should be increased by 3.3 per cent.
  499W
  Pay reform: classroom teachers
  The existing pay spine will be replaced by a new pay spine and an upper pay range:

  Pay spine
  the pay spine will comprise nine full salary points (half points are to be abolished;
  teachers with a second class honours degree or better should be entitled to one point for qualifications, and the relevant body should have the discretion to award additional points on the pay spine for relevant experience outside teaching;
  teachers should receive a point on the pay spine for each year of service subject to the discretion of the relevant body to discount unsatisfactory service on the same basis as applies under the existing pay system;
  a teacher whose performance is exceptionally good in a particular year should, at the discretion of the relevant body, be awarded two points on the pay spine for that year of service;
  points awarded on the pay spine should become a permanent entitlement for the teacher concerned;

  Upper pay range
  the upper pay range will comprise five salary points;
  teachers at the top of the pay spine who apply to cross the threshold to the new upper pay range and are assessed as meeting national performance standards being developed by the Government will be placed on the first point of that range, which will be £2,000 above point nine on the pay spine;
  further progression on the upper pay range will be at the discretion of the relevant body to recognise substantial and sustained performance and contribution to the school as a teacher. Points should not be awarded annually other than in exceptional circumstances, and normally at least two years should elapse between crossing the threshold and being awarded the next point above the threshold uplift. I propose that the first such points should be available in September 2002;
  once awarded, the first point on the upper pay range will be a consolidated addition to pay and transferable if the teacher moves to another school (the STRB will consider the status of subsequent pay points in their next report);

  Management allowances
  the existing system of responsibility points will be replaced by a range of four management allowances;
  management allowances should be awarded at the discretion of the relevant body to teachers who undertake clearly defined and significant management tasks additional to their normal duties as classroom teachers. I will consult further on the way such management allowances should be defined in the light of information about the way responsibility points are used at present;
  management allowances may be awarded while a teacher is holding a particular post or on a short-term basis at the discretion of the relevant body;

  Recruitment and retention allowances:
  the existing system of recruitment and retention points will be replaced by a range of three recruitment and retention allowances;
  the first or second allowance should be awarded at the discretion of the relevant body to teachers in schools generally; a third allowance could additionally be used in inner London, and in schools in special measures, to help ease particular recruitment and retention problems;
  the STRB has recommended that as an alternative to using recruitment and retention allowances as a normal salary enhancement in areas covered by the DfEE's "Excellence in Cities" initiative, the relevant body should also have discretion to use an annual allowance wholly or in part in the form of a lump sum payment subject to satisfactory completion of service in the year concerned. Where lump sums are paid they will not be covered by the normal presumption that teachers' pay and allowances are consolidated and pensionable. I have accepted this recommendation with the modification that the
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  recommended discretion should be available for use by all relevant bodies rather than just those in Excellence in Cities areas.

  Special educational needs
  the existing system of special needs points will be replaced by two levels of allowance which should be awarded on the same basis as the existing points.

  The reformed pay structure for qualified classroom teachers should be introduced on the following basis:
  the new structure will be introduced with effect from 1 September 2000, from which date the existing system should cease to exist;
  appropriate assimilation arrangements will be drawn up in consultation with interested parties, based on the principle that no teacher should be worse off unless there has been a change in relevant circumstances;
  discretionary points and the mandatory special needs point awarded under the existing system should normally be expected to be converted into an appropriate allowance under the new system, but half points and excellence points should be protected on an individual basis; and
  discretionary points and the mandatory special needs point awarded under the existing system should not be offset against the threshold uplift.

  Advanced Skills Teachers
  The separate pay spine for Advanced Skills Teachers should be retained and their possible inclusion in strategic school leadership arrangements should be at the discretion of the governing body.

  Leadership Group
  The relevant body, having determined the pay of the head, must determine the pay of other leadership group members with effect from 1 September 2000 on the following basis:
  the relevant body must determine an appropriate five point individual salary range on the leadership pay spine for each member of the group other than the head;
  salary ranges must be positioned between the individual school range adopted for the head and the salary level of teachers immediately below the leadership group. Assimilation must ensure that no one is worse off as a result of the introduction of the new arrangements; and
  subsequent movement within the individual salary range must reflect performance as for heads under the arrangements introduced with effect from 1 September 1999.
  The maxima for the range of points for each of the eight school groups for heads will be raised by two points, and the top of the pay spine extended accordingly, with effect from 1 September 2000.
  To provide relevant bodies with additional flexibility for the initial setting of pay ranges for leadership group members, the existing rule which restricts the circumstances under which a head's individual school range can be reopened must be waived temporarily.
  Acceptance of these recommendations is subject to two modifications: first, senior teachers and deputies joining the leadership group should normally assimilate to the nearest point above their existing salary, except where the relevant body judges a higher point is appropriate to ensure that the pay ranges at the school properly reflect the relative responsibilities of jobholders; and secondly, that at the point of assimilation deputies should be on a higher point on the leadership spine than senior teachers in the same school who are not deputies.
  I propose to consult on the basis that leadership group members who are not heads should have the same professional duties as deputy heads, save that those who are senior teachers rather than deputies should not be required to undertake the professional duties of the head in the head's absence.

  Special School Heads
  With effect from 1 September 2000, the existing interim basis on which special schools are assigned to a school group for the purposes of determining the pay of the head will be replaced

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  by a new formula which links job weight with pupil numbers and teaching and non-teaching staff numbers. Once the school is assigned to a group, the pay arrangements for the head should be the same as for the head of mainstream schools. The group for hospital schools will be determined on an individual basis, but the pay arrangements must otherwise be the same as for schools generally.

  School Performance Award scheme
  Governing bodies of schools in receipt of an award under the proposed School Performance Award scheme will be able to distribute some or all of it on the advice of the head in the form of non-consolidated, non-pensionable bonuses to staff.

  Fast Track Teachers
  The STRB has recommended that teachers on proposed fast-track programmes should have an additional spine point up to the proposed performance threshold, and that such teachers should not be subject to the working time limits that apply to classroom teachers generally. I propose to accept this STRB recommendation with the modification that the additional spine point should be available only to newly qualified teachers who join the fast-track. Other serving teachers below the threshold who join the fast track will benefit from double jumping of experience points so should receive an extra point anyway.

  Existing Pay Allowances and Safeguarding

  Out of school learning
  The existing scope for relevant bodies to make discretionary payments to classroom teachers who participate in out-of-school activities will be maintained but heads, deputies, other leadership group teachers, Advanced Skills Teachers and fast-track teachers will not be eligible for such payments.

  In-service training
  The existing scope for relevant bodies to make discretionary payments to teachers and deputy heads who undertake in-service training will be maintained and cover leadership group teachers other than the head but not fast-track teachers.

  Acting duties
  The existing discretionary scope for relevant bodies to pay acting allowances to classroom teachers who are assigned and carry out the duties of a head or deputy, but who have not been appointed as acting heads or deputies, will be maintained and cover teachers who are assigned and carry out the duties of other leadership group members.

  Social Priority Allowance and Inner London Supplement
  The existing basis for safeguarding residual entitlements to the SPA and ILS will be maintained.

  1993 pay restructuring
  I will take account of residual entitlements arising from the 1993 restructuring of teachers' pay when consulting interested parties on the appropriate basis for assimilation to the proposed new pay structure from 1 September 2000.

  General safeguarding
  I will also consult interested parties about the continued basis for general safeguarding with reference back to the STRB as appropriate.

  Financial implications

  The full cost of the settlement in 2000–01 will arise from the 3.3 per cent. increase in teachers' pay spines and allowances from 1 April 2000, and from the reforms of the qualified teachers' pay system and other changes consequent on previous restructuring which will come into effect from 1 September 2000. The cost of the April increase in 2000–01 will be £420 million in England and Wales. This will be affordable within the resources available to local authorities. In England, Education Standard Spending will rise by £1,103 million (5.4 per cent.) in 2000–01 compared with 1999–2000. Local authorities in England will also benefit in 2000–01 from increased spending power of £90 million resulting
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  from rescheduling of increased employers' contributions to teachers' pensions, and a general increase in Revenue Support Grant of £35 million. In addition to the allocation through the Revenue Support Grant, I have confirmed today that I have identified an additional £50 million from my Department's budget which will be available to schools in England, paid as a Special Grant to ensure that there are additional resources available to meet the challenging standards agenda and the new basic pay increase.

  In Wales, following decisions by the National Assembly, local authorities will be able to increase spending on education by £75 million in 2000–01, compared with 1999–2000.

  Additional specific funding will support the costs of the reform of the qualified teachers' pay system from September 2000. This will take the form of a new Special Grant in England and specific extra allocations to local authorities in Wales.

  In the initial years of the new pay system, the Government will make additional funds available in England to support extra costs incurred by schools as follows:
  a Special Grant, established under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, which will fund fully the threshold salary uplift of £2,000 payable from September 2000 for every full-time-equivalent teacher moving to the upper pay range in the current year. There will be no quota on threshold successes. All eligible teachers who apply and are assessed as meeting the national standards will move to the upper pay range. This grant will operate until at least March 2002;
  a one-off payment of £2,000 from the same Special Grant for every full-time-equivalent classroom teacher appointed directly to the new leadership group in academic year 2000–01. This payment will help support the additional salary costs of teachers joining the leadership group; it will be for schools to decide on a case-by-case basis what pay point on the leadership pay spine would be appropriate taking into account the nature of the post. These payments will be available for academic year 2000–01 only. Thereafter, the additional resources will be included in the local authority funding system and schools' delegated budgets in the normal way.

  In addition, the Government will in England make a specified amount of extra resource available for the same period of time as the threshold grant to support the costs to schools of high-performing heads, deputies and Advanced Skills Teachers progressing up their individual pay ranges from September 2000. This will help ensure that excellent achievement among these teachers is recognised and rewarded more consistently—an issue to which the Review Body has drawn attention in paragraph 147 of the current report. The DfEE will consult stakeholders on the operation of this funding, including the most appropriate mechanism for distributing these funds.

  In Wales, funding for the pay consequences of teachers' pay restructuring will be made as additional increases to local authorities to enable them to meet the costs of the various elements. The National Assembly is providing an additional £14.5 million in 2000–01, bringing the overall increase in local authorities' spending power in 2000–01 to £91 million. The National Assembly has been consulting on the arrangements for distribution of those additional amounts.
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  Taking account of this funding, the additional costs arising within Education Standard Spending from 1 September 2000 are estimated as £7.5 million in respect of the assimilation of classroom teachers to the new pay system and of restructuring the pay of special school heads. Other assimilation costs may arise depending on local decisions by schools; the Review Body is therefore unable to estimate the overall level of such costs.

  Next Steps

  I am grateful to the Review Body for recommending a general increase at a level which is fair and which can be implemented without staging. I hope teachers will welcome the fact that they will receive their pay increase in full on 1 April this year. I will now initiate consultation with the teacher associations, the employer organisations and other interested parties, as required under section 2(1) of the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Act 1991, before I make provision by order for teachers' pay and conditions in 2000–01.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to take on further consultants and service providers for intervention work in local education authorities. [108317]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We will shortly be advertising for organisations interested in providing consultancy support and delivering education services in the event of intervention in local education authorities. This will include extending the remit of the work undertaken by consultants to provide a wide range of general management consultancy and advice. Advertisements will appear in the national press and specialist press from 2 February.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the percentage of children with moderate learning difficulties who are fully included in education in mainstream schools in each local education authority in England; and if he will make a statement. [107672]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information by specific types of learning difficulty is not collected centrally.

  However, in January 1999, returns of the Annual Schools' Census showed that, in England, 59 per cent. of all pupils with statements of SEN were being educated in mainstream schools.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the inclusion of children with moderate learning difficulties in mainstream schools. [107671]

  Jacqui Smith
  Promoting the inclusion of children with learning difficulties within mainstream schools, where parents want it and appropriate support can be provided, is a cornerstone of the Government's special educational needs strategy. The education of children with special needs is a key challenge for the nation, and critical to the creation of a fully inclusive society. There are strong educational, as well as social and moral, grounds for educating pupils with special needs or disabilities with their peers.
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  The SEN/Disability Rights Bill—which will be introduced later this session—will strengthen the right to a mainstream place for pupils with special needs. Where parents want a mainstream setting for their child our policy is to try to provide it. Equally, when parents want a specialist setting for their child it is important that their wishes are respected. Our approach has been practical, not dogmatic. We are advocating inclusion by choice and have underlined that there remains a continuing and vital role for special schools. The key objective must be to safeguard the interests of all children and to ensure that they achieve to their full potential.

  Unemployment Statistics
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of those who leave the unemployment pool based on the claimant count reapply for benefit within 12 months of securing employment by region. [107229]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 1 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to answer your parliamentary question about the proportion of those leaving the claimant and finding work who rejoin within 12 months. Following are estimates based on the 5% sample cohort of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance.
  Of those leaving the claimant count during 1998 and known to have found work as the reason for ceasing their claim, the proportions of these who started another claim within 12 months of ceasing their original claim, were as follows.

  Government Office Region

  Percentage

  North East

  45

  North West

  38

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  42

  East Midlands

  37

  West Midlands

  35

  Eastern

  35

  London

  28

  South East

  33

  South West

  36

  Wales

  40

  Scotland

  43

  Northern Ireland

  31

  United Kingdom

  37

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Hunting
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which members of the inquiry team chaired by Lord Burns investigating hunting have been members of a pro-field sports organisation; [106954]

  (2) which of the members of the inquiry team into hunting, chaired by Lord Burns, have made a (a) financial and (b) in kind contribution to a pro-field sports organisation (i) event and (ii) hunt; [106955]
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  (3) which members of the inquiry team chaired by Lord Burns benefited (a) from hospitality given by a pro-field sports organisation, (b) from income from a pro-field sports organisations either as (i) an employee consultant and (ii) a paid advocate and (c) from other financial benefits from such organisations before they were appointed to the inquiry; [106958]

  (4) which members of the inquiry team chaired by Lord Burns into hunting have (a) presided over, (b) been commissioned by and (c) worked for an organisation with affiliation to a (i) pro-field sports organisation and (ii) hunt; [106956]

  (5) which of the members of the inquiry team chaired by Lord Burns into hunting have (a) taken part in and (b) attended a hunt as a subscribing member, supporter or follower; and when and where they did so. [106957]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: Inquiries with the Secretariat of the inquiry informs me that none of the members of the inquiry team has made a financial or in-kind contribution to a pro-field sports organisation, event or hunt. Nor have any of the inquiry team been members of a pro-field sports organisation.

  With one exception, none of the members of the inquiry team has attended a hunt in any capacity. As part of research into hunting Professor Winter was present to observe a hunt on two occasions in 1991–92. The published research, "Economic and Social Aspects of Deer Hunting on Exmoor and the Quantocks", was funded by the National Trust. As a child, Professor Winter was taken to hunts on about half a dozen occasions.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) of 9 December 1999, Official Report, column 617W, announcing the membership of the inquiry, gave details of Dr. Edwards' and Professor Michael Winter's association with the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. Professor Marsh is a Governor of the College. None of them has had any connection with the beagle pack, which is owned and managed by a Trust (separate from the College) and available to students through a College Student Union Club.

  In 1993, the Royal Agricultural College received a small grant from the Standing Conference on Countryside Sports to carry out research into the implications of pheasant shooting.

  Local Authority

  Number of wards

  Application to pilot

  Amber Valley BC

  Whole authority

  1. Electronic voting

  Whole authority

  2. Extend entitlement to postal voting

  Birmingham MBC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Blackburn with Darwen BC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Blackpool BC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Bolton MBC

  3 wards

  1. All postal voting

  2. Weekend voting

  Broxbourne BC

  12 wards

  Electronic counting

  Bury MBC

  1 ward

  1. Electronic voting

  Whole authority

  2. Early voting

  Chester CC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Coventry CC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Doncaster MBC

  1 ward

  All postal voting

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  Professor Sir John Marsh was Director of the Centre for Agricultural Strategy, which, like the Royal Agricultural College, attended meetings of the Standing Conference on Countryside Sports.

  Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior was commissioned by the British Field Sports Society to carry out an evaluation of the report on deer hunting, "The Behavioural and Physiological Effects of Culling Red Deer", by Professor Patrick Bateson, together with other evidence. Lord Soulsby received expenses, but no payment, for this work.

  The Secretariat informs me that Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, Professor Sir John Marsh and Professor Winter received refreshments when attending meetings organised by the Countryside Alliance and, in Professor Marsh's and Professor Winter's case, by the Standing Conference on Countryside Sports. We are informed that neither they nor the other members of the Inquiry team have received any income or other financial benefits from any pro-hunt organisation.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is satisfied that the Committee of Inquiry will provide an objective view on the issues before the Committee.

  Local Election Pilot Schemes
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what applications he has received from local authorities wanting to run pilot schemes at local elections in May. [108275]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We hope that the Representation of the People Bill will receive Royal Assent in time to allow the first pilot schemes of innovative electoral procedures to be run at local elections in May.

  Clause 10(11) of the Bill allows for applications to be submitted before the Bill receives Royal Assent.

  44 local authorities have submitted applications to run 64 pilot schemes.

  Of these, 21 involve early voting, 14 involve all postal ballots, eight involve electronic voting or counting, seven involve changes to the absent vote arrangements, six involve weekend voting, four involve a mobile ballot box, two involve an extension to polling hours, one involves voter notification, one involves a freepost facility. Details are set out in the table.

  My officials will notify local authorities by 14 February whether my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary would be minded to approve their applications should the Bill receive Royal Assent in time for schemes to be run in May.
  507W

  Local Authority

  Number of wards

  Application to pilot

  Eastleigh BC

  15 wards

  1. Extension of entitlement to postal vote

  2. Saturday voting

  Gateshead MBC

  2 wards

  All postal voting

  Gloucester CC

  3 wards

  Extension of entitlement to postal vote

  Halton BC

  2 wards

  Early voting

  Ipswich BC

  2 wards

  All postal voting

  Kingston upon Hull CC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Knowsley MBC

  3 wards

  Early voting

  Leeds CC

  Whole authority

  Extend hours of polling

  Manchester CC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Milton Keynes

  3 wards

  1. All postal voting

  14 wards

  2. Extend entitlement to postal vote

  Whole authority

  3. Electronic counting

  Mole Valley DC

  Whole authority

  Extend hours of polling

  North Hertfordshire DC

  16 wards

  1. Saturday voting

  2. Early voting

  3. Change to absent vote arrangements

  Norwich CC

  2 wards

  1. All postal ballots

  2 wards

  2. Voting on Sunday (using different hours)

  Whole authority

  3. Early voting

  Whole authority

  4. Mobile polling stations

  Pendle DC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Plymouth CC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Redditch BC

  9 wards

  Early voting

  Salford MDC

  1 ward

  1. All postal voting

  2 wards

  2. Electronic voting

  Solihul MBC

  1 ward

  All postal voting

  St. Helens MBC

  6 wards

  Early voting

  Stevenage BC

  2 wards

  All postal voting

  Stoke CC

  Whole authority

  Early voting

  Stratford on Avon DC

  18 wards

  Electronic voting

  Sunderland CC

  8 wards

  1. Mobile voting

  Whole authority

  2. Early voting

  Swindon BC

  4 wards

  All postal voting

  Telford and Wrekin

  2 wards

  Early voting

  Three Rivers DC

  Whole authority

  1. All postal voting

  2. Early voting

  3. Electronic counting

  Thurrock C

  3 wards

  All postal voting

  Trafford MBC

  2 wards

  Change to absent vote arrangements

  Wakefield MDC

  Whole authority

  Weekend voting

  Warrington BC

  22 wards

  Electronic voting

  Watford BC

  Whole authority

  1. Freepost arrangements as in parliamentary elections

  2. Weekend voting

  3. Early voting

  4. Mobile ballot box

  5. Voter notification

  6. Proxy voting deadline extension

  Wigan MBC

  3 wards

  All postal voting

  Windsor and Maidenhead RB

  2 wards

  Mobile polling facility

  Wirral

  1 ward

  All postal voting

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of his Department's staff were(a) registered disabled, (b) women, (c) from ethnic minorities and (d) from (i) independent, (ii) grammar and (iii) other schools in (1) 1970, (2) 1979, (3) 1989 and (4) 1999. [106763]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The percentage of permanent staff recorded centrally as having a disability in the Home Office, including the Prison Service, was 0.6 per cent. on 1 April 1999. Detailed figures were given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 21 December 1999,Official Report, columns 473–74W.

  The recorded percentage of female permanent staff in the Home Office, excluding the Prison Service, was 51.8 per cent. on 1 April 1999. The recorded percentage
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  of female staff in the Prison Service was 26.5 per cent. on 21 December 1999. Detailed figures were given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mrs. Cryer) by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary on 12 January 2000, Official Report, columns 176–77W.

  The percentage of permanent staff of ethnic minority origin recorded centrally as being in the Home Office, including the Prison Service, was 5.0 per cent. on 1 April 1999. Detailed figures were also given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 20 December 1999, Official Report, columns 367W–68W.

  Detailed disability, ethnicity, and gender breakdowns for 1970, 1979, and 1989 are not available except at disproportionate cost. The available published staffing figures may be found in Civil Service Statistics, a copy of which is in the Library.
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  Information on the schools attended by civil servants is not recorded centrally and therefore is not available for the periods requested except at disproportionate cost.

  Mike Tyson
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he discussed with the Prime Minister or his Office the matter of whether to allow Mr. Mike Tyson into the UK before announcing his decision. [106650]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: It is the normal convention under this and previous Governments that discussions that take place between Ministers are not disclosed.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Data Protection Registrar on the Data Protection (conditions under paragraph 3 of Part II of Schedule 1) Order 1999; and if he will make a statement. [107067]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In the course of consultations during the preparation of the Order, the Data Protection Registrar indicated her preference for it to include a requirement for data controllers to record the third party source of information processed subject to its terms, but that she was otherwise content with its provisions requiring them to provide data subjects with information and to record the decision-making process in cases where disclosure of information where a notice has been received from an individual would involve disproportionate effort. In considering the provisions of the Order, we concluded that a third party recording requirement would impose a burden on business disproportionate to any data protection benefits which it might yield.

  State Visits
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to meet the Metropolitan police in advance of events with security requirements similar to those of a State Visit. [107116]

  Notifiable offences 1 recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used, by type of weapon and degree of injury, Great Britain, 1994 to 1998

  Total number

  Fatal injury Of which firearm legally held or certificate not required

  Other injury

  No injury

  Total

  Handguns

  1994

  28

  —

  298

  2,833

  3,159

  1995

  40

  1

  271

  3,083

  3,394

  1996

  49

  20

  269

  3,215

  3,533

  1997

  44

  1

  284

  2,468

  2,796

  1998

  29

  —

  230

  2,418

  2,677

  Other firearms 2

  1994

  9

  3

  2,092

  8,310

  10,411

  1995

  11

  2

  1,994

  8,633

  10,638

  1996

  4

  —

  1,956

  9,009

  10,969

  1997

  4

  2

  1,831

  8,322

  10,157

  1998

  9

  —

  2,245

  9,042

  11,296

  510W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Liaison between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Metropolitan police normally takes place prior to State Visits or similar events involving overseas visitors. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will be considering whether the Home Office should also contribute to such discussions.

  Firearms
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total number of criminal incidents in which shotguns were used in the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland, which resulted in(a) unlawful death, (b) unlawful wounding and (c) no physical injury, and in each category showing the total number of incidents in which a licensed weapon was used by a person with legal access to that weapon, for 1994 to 1999; [107054]

  (2) how many criminal incidents involving illegally modified shotguns resulting in (a) unlawful death, (b) unlawful wounding and (c) no physical injury there were in Great Britain in each year since 1994, separately identifying the number of incidents in which a licensed weapon was used by a person with legal access to that weapon; [107112]

  (3) what was the total number of criminal incidents in which (a) firearms, excluding revolvers and automatic pistols, and (b) (i) revolvers and (ii) automatic pistols were used in the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland, and which resulted in (1) unlawful death, (2) unlawful wounding and (3) no physical injury, in each category showing the total number of incidents in which a licensed weapon was used by a person with legal access to that weapon, for 1994 to 1999. [107059]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The table relates to Great Britain and provides the readily available information. 'Handguns' include pistols/revolvers, no further breakdown being available in the statistics collected centrally. 'Other firearms' includes all other firearms except shotguns (ie rifles, air weapons, imitations, 'supposed' and 'other' firearms). Fatal and other injuries involve weapons being fired and, for England and Wales only, being used as a blunt instrument. Only in cases of fatal injury (ie homicide) is the legal status of the firearms collected centrally and this is shown in cases where the weapon was known to be legally held.

  Figures for 1999 are not yet available.
  511W

  Notifiable offences 1 recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used, by type of weapon and degree of injury, Great Britain, 1994 to 1998

  Total number

  Fatal injury Of which firearm legally held or certificate not required

  Other injury

  No injury

  Total

  Sawn off shotguns

  1994

  14

  1

  53

  529

  596

  1995

  10

  —

  50

  419

  479

  1996

  7

  —

  30

  368

  405

  1997

  5

  —

  12

  266

  283

  1998

  7

  1

  28

  290

  325

  Long barrelled shotguns

  1994

  24

  7

  106

  659

  789

  1995

  20

  6

  81

  543

  644

  1996

  14

  4

  71

  534

  619

  1997

  12

  1

  47

  302

  361

  1998

  6

  1

  38

  314

  358

  1 Crimes and offences in Scotland

  2 Rifles, air weapons, imitations, 'supposed' and 'other' firearms

  Source:

  Home Office, Crime and Criminal Justice Unit and Scottish Executive, Justice Statistics Unit

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) revolvers, (b) automatic pistols, (c) other firearms and (d) shotguns have been obtained from (i) civilian registered owners, (ii) public bodies and (iii) owners who are unregistered or illegally in possession of such a weapon since 1997. [107113]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on the source of firearms is not collected centrally.

  Radio Communications Project
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the proposals made by John Jarvis in a letter to him of 19 November 1999 for provision of the requirements of the Public Sector Radio Communications Project; and if he will make a statement. [107409]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Mr. Jarvis wrote jointly to me and to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 19 November with a proposal for an alternative to the Public Safety Radio Communications Project (PSRCP). Officials at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will shortly be advising Mr. Jarvis that his proposed approach would not meet the user specification for the PSRCP.

  The PSRCP will provide the police with new, state-of-the-art radio communications using the most suitable available standard, Trans European Trunked Radio (TETRA). This standard will, unlike Mr. Jarvis's proposed solution, provide a common platform for voice and data communication services.

  As I announced in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope) on 13 January 2000, Official Report, column 214W, we have invited the
  512W
  chosen service provider, British Telecom plc, to proceed with the necessary preparatory work in the expectation that a contract will be signed shortly.

  Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. [107386]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government keep the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 under review to combat changes in drug misuse patterns, and currently have plans to bring 36 ecstasy-type substances (phenethylamine derivatives) under the control of Schedule 2 to the Act. When this change is made, guidance will be issued, for example to the police, courts and British Medical Association.

  We are also currently considering whether further guidance is needed in respect of Section 8 of the Act, under which it is an offence for the occupier or manager of any premises knowingly to suffer or permit the premises to be used for the producing or supplying of a controlled drug.

  Sexual Abuse
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases were reported to the police alleging sexual abuse in the last year for which figures are available in(a) South Yorkshire and (b) the United Kingdom; how many cases progressed to a court hearing in (a) and (b); and how many in each category resulted in a conviction. [107519]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of alleged sexual abuse cases reported to the police is not available. The total number of sexual offences recorded by the police, and the number of prosecutions and convictions for sexual offences for South Yorkshire, and England and Wales, are as follows.
  513W

  South Yorkshire

  England and Wales

  Number of sexual offences recorded in year ended June 1999

  676

  37,104

  Number of prosecutions for sexual offences in year ended June 19991

  143

  7,726

  Number of convictions2 for sexual offences in year ended June 19991

  109

  4,375

  1 Includes provisional figures

  2 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences

  It should be noted that as the recorded crime figures relate to offences, and the number of prosecutions and convictions relate to offenders, the two types of data cannot be directly compared.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for sexual abuse of children under the age of 10 years there were in the last year for which figures are available, in(a) South Yorkshire and (b) the United Kingdom. [107520]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is not available centrally.

  The Home Office Court Proceedings Database does not hold information about the characteristics of individual cases (in this instance the age of a victim) apart from those that are evident from the description of the offence with which the defendant has been charged.

  Police Vehicles (Accidents)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what number and percentage of police vehicles involved in accidents while responding to an emergency or otherwise in pursuit were(a) motorway patrol vehicles, (b) armed response vehicles and (c) other police vehicles for each year since 1995. [107399]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information available centrally does not include the categories of vehicles requested. But a Home Office study of deaths and serious injuries resulting from police vehicle accidents which was published in 1997 contains this table giving the sorts of police vehicles involved in 1990–93:

  Table 17: Role of the police vehicles involved in fatal/serious injury Police Vehicle Accidents: 1990–1993

  Number

  Percentage

  Traffic

  215

  27.5

  Area/response

  116

  14.9

  Beat patrol

  321

  41.2

  Criminal Investigation Department(CID) Divisional

  40

  5.1

  CID Central

  11

  1.4

  Surveillance

  13

  1.7

  Protection

  4

  0.5

  Territorial Support Group

  3

  0.4

  Police Support Unit

  4

  0.5

  Dog

  22

  2.8

  Other

  31

  4.0

  Total

  780

  100.0

  Note:

  Figures in Table 17 exclude 64 cases where the information was no longer available at the time of the research

  ORBIS Computer System
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the ORBIS computer system for the administration of firearms was installed by 514W
  the Metropolitan Police; what was the cost of the installation; what was the cost of the system in the last financial year for which figures are available; what is the contract cost in the current financial year; and for what time period was the initial contract and with what options. [107402]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District tells me that the installation of the ORBIS computer system was completed and accepted by the Metropolitan Police on 15 October 1999. The cost of installation, inclusive of computer hardware and software costs and the salaries of the Metropolitan police staff involved, totalled £265,000. The only costs for the system have been incurred in the current financial year and, inclusive of the first year's maintenance, amount to £114,350. The contract is for two years initially, renewable thereafter by payment of the appropriate support costs.

  Research (Primates)
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many primates were used in research in the United Kingdom in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [107595]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information on the use of animals in scientific procedures is published each year in the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals (Great Britain). Tables 1, 18d and 18e refer to the numbers of primates used by type and also provide information on the primary purpose of the procedure. In 1997, the total number of primates used was 3,908. In 1998, the total was 3,655. There were no primates used in Northern Ireland in 1997 and 1998.

  Firearms (Compensation)
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many compensation payments are outstanding under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement. [108066]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  As at 27 January, there were just 748 claims outstanding under the firearms compensation schemes. Of these, 643 claims were ones in which payment offers have been made to the claimants concerned but have yet to be accepted.

  Prisons (Illegal Drugs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of the monitoring of illegal drugs in prisons for each of the last three years. [106562]

  Mr. Boateng
  The table shows expenditure on mandatory drug testing in prisons for each of the last three years, excluding staff costs which are not collected.
  515W

  Expenditure on mandatory drug testing in prisons

  Year

  £

  1997–98

  1,599,137

  1998–99

  1,550,254

  1999–20001

  1,252,357

  1 Year to date figure for April to December 1999

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999,Official Report, column 373W, on departmental research contracts, if he will place a copy of the standard research contract in use by his Department in the Library. [107097]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A copy of the standard research contract used by the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate has been placed in the Library. The document is currently being reviewed and an updated version will be placed in the Library once available. There is no standard contract in the case of scientific research due to the unique nature of each contract let.

  Police Recruits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many bids have been received for funding for extra police recruits under year one of the Crime Fighting Fund; if he will list the amount of money and number of officers requested in each bid and in total; and if he will make a statement; [107956]

  (2) how many additional police recruits he estimates are to be funded in response to bids from police forces for funds from year one of the Crime Fighting Fund; and if he will make a statement. [107957]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Forty three forces have bid for a total of 2,908 officers under year one of the Crime Fighting Fund Recruitment Scheme. Details are set out in the table. Based on the costs set out in the Bidding Guidelines, which were issued for forces and a copy placed in the Library on 2 December 1999, funding for 2,908 officers would total more than £96 million. We are currently assessing the bids against the criteria set out in the Guidelines and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, will be announcing the results shortly.

  Crime fighting fund—bids for year one 2000–01

  Force

  Number bid for

  Funding if bids met in full Home Office calculation £

  Avon and Somerset

  65

  2,112,500

  Bedfordshire

  34

  1,105,000

  Cambridgeshire

  43

  1,397,500

  Cheshire

  25

  812,500

  City of London

  16

  562,080

  Cleveland

  34

  1,105,000

  Cumbria

  20

  650,000

  Derbyshire

  100

  3,250,000

  Devon and Cornwall

  70

  2,275,000

  Dorset

  30

  975,000

  Durham

  21

  682,500

  Dyfed Powys

  50

  1,625,000

  Essex

  44

  1,430,000

  Gloucestershire

  30

  975,000

  Greater Manchester

  334

  10,855,000

  Gwent

  34

  1,105,000

  Hampshire

  40

  1,300,000

  Hertfordshire

  16

  520,000

  516W

  Crime fighting fund—bids for year one 2000–01

  Force

  Number bid for

  Funding if bids met in full Home Office calculation £

  Humberside

  85

  2,762,500

  Kent

  60

  1,950,000

  Lancashire

  51

  1,657,500

  Leicestershire

  60

  1,950,000

  Lincolnshire

  20

  650,000

  Merseyside

  120

  3,900,000

  Metropolitan

  600

  21,078,000

  Norfolk

  35

  1,137,500

  North Wales

  25

  812,500

  North Yorkshire

  17

  552,500

  Northamptonshire

  51

  1,657,500

  Northumbria

  60

  1,950,000

  Nottinghamshire

  40

  1,300,000

  South Wales

  30

  975,000

  South Yorkshire

  50

  1,625,000

  Staffordshire

  34

  1,105,000

  Suffolk

  39

  1,267,500

  Surrey

  60

  1,950,000

  Sussex

  45

  1,462,500

  Thames Valley

  120

  3,900,000

  Warwickshire

  34

  1,105,000

  West Mercia

  36

  1,170,000

  West Midlands

  160

  5,200,000

  West Yorkshire

  60

  1,950,000

  Wiltshire

  10

  325,000

  Total

  2,908

  96,130,080

  Press Releases
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Press releases his Department issued in each year from 1995 to 1999. [107955]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information for my Department is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1995

  308

  1996

  404

  1997

  386

  1998

  524

  1999

  450

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that local authorities should from 1 April, take over financial responsibility for asylum seekers disposed to their areas before that date; and if he will make a statement. [108042]

  Mrs. Roche
  Asylum seekers who claim asylum and support after 1 April will make their claim for support from the National Asylum Support Service in the Home Office. It will be the responsibility of the National Asylum Support Service to determine eligibility for support and to identify a suitable support package. Where local authorities provide accommodation and support for these asylum seekers, it will be under contract to the National Asylum Support Service.

  Asylum seekers who claimed asylum and support prior to 1 April will continue to be supported under the existing arrangements.
  517W
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of places which will be needed to accommodate asylum seekers under the new arrangements, due to come into force on 1 April; and what progress he has made towards achieving that target. [108043]

  Mrs. Roche
  In the financial year 2000–01, we are planning on the basis that 35,000 will require full accommodation support. The remainder will either seek support to meet their essential living needs only or will not seek support.

  We issued an invitation to tender to a number of accommodation providers. Negotiations are still proceeding. Contracts are expected to be awarded towards the end of February. In parallel, we are in discussion with local government with a view to them providing a substantial amount of the accommodation requirements.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham will receive a reply to his letters of 20 September and of 10 November 1999 regarding the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [107960]

  Mrs. Roche
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 1 February 2000. I am very sorry for the delay.

  Animal Experiments
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals hold a Home Office licence to experiment on animals. [107459]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The most recent figures available are for December 1999. There were 14,777 live personal licences, issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, in Great Britain.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many institutions hold a licence to experiment on animals which covers students who may not be required individually to hold a licence while performing their studies. [107460]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the Certificate of Designation for an institution does not license individuals. Anyone performing a regulated procedure on a live animal must hold a personal licence in accordance with the 1986 Act. The procedure must be applied as part of a programme of work specified in a project licence which authorises the application of that procedure.

  Currently, there are 60 project licences for the use of animals in education and training, held mostly by university employees. In each case, a licence has been granted for an educational objective which cannot be realistically taught by alternative methods. Some procedures are demonstrated by the tutor rather than conducted by the students themselves.

  Spray Paints
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict further the sale of spray paints. [107461]
  518W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government are concerned about the damaging effects of graffiti on neighbourhoods and there are substantial penalties available under the Criminal Damage Act 1971: where the criminal damage is more than £2,000, the maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment for those aged 18 or over, and up to two years detention in a Young Offenders Institution for those aged 15–17. However, within the maximum limit sentencing is a matter for the courts to decide in the light of all the circumstances of the case.

  The police already have the power to arrest anyone whom they reasonably suspect has committed or is about to commit the offence of criminal damage. Where vandals are found in possession of a paint spray can with the intention of damaging property or already having done so, the criminal law can he brought to bear. We do not have any plans, therefore, to legislate specifically against the sale or carrying of spray paints but, of course, the matter will be kept under review.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those councils which have(a) sought and (b) had meetings with him or his ministerial colleagues in the last three months in order to make representations about their standard spending assessment allocation. [106817]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We consulted local authorities on our proposals for the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2000–01 on 25 November 1999. We made it clear that, given the degree of stability we introduced into the settlement this year, we would not invite local authorities to hold meetings with Ministers during consultation on our proposals. During this period we received written requests for meetings from or on behalf of eight local authorities. These were:

  Surrey County Council

  London Borough of Merton

  Poole District Council

  Reigate and Banstead District Council

  Shropshire County Council

  South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

  Leicester City Council.

  No Minister from this Department met those authorities to discuss their representations. I did however have separate meetings during that period with the representatives of county councils, district councils and metropolitan district councils on 21 December at the suggestion of the Local Government Association. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions also met with the Association of London Government on 10 January and the Local Government Association on 13 January. All representations, whether made in writing or at meetings, were fully considered in reaching final decisions on the settlement.
  519W

  RAF East Camp
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in considering the planning issues arising from the RAF East Camp site proposed development in Mill Hill; and when he will announce his decision. [107285]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  This is a complex case and it was necessary to re-open the public inquiry in September 1999. The Inspector's supplementary report was received on 22 October 1999 and the Secretary of State's consideration of this case is at an advanced stage. His decision will be issued shortly.

  Recycling
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the recycling of materials produced by his Department. [107388]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My Department's policy is to promote recycling of office waste. Our target is to recover 40 per cent. of total office waste, with at least 25 per cent. coming from recycling or composting, in 2000–01 and to continue to increase the amount recovered and recycled by 10 per cent. each year to achieve 70 per cent. recovery or recycling in 2003–04.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish tables showing the levels achieved by each local authority in relation to the percentage of household rubbish recycled. [107959]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have placed a list in the House of Commons Library setting out ranges of household recycling rates for local authorities in England and Wales based on data from the 1997–98 Municipal Waste Survey.

  Aircraft Accidents
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a table showing the airlines operating out of and having scheduled flights to the UK and the number of crashes of planes of each airline broken down in terms of(a) crashes per one million passengers carried, (b) crashes per 10,000 take offs and landings and (c) crashes per one million miles travelled, occurring in the last year. [107530]

  Mr. Mullin
  As aircraft accidents are very rare events, statistics in this format serve no useful purpose and are not used by either the Department or the Civil Aviation Authority. For UK registered aircraft, the CAA use an accident rate per million hours flown averaged over three years as a performance indicator. These figures are published in the CAA's annual report. In addition, the CAA has carried out a review of fatal accidents by world regions. The results of this review were published in CAP 681 "Global Fatal Accident Review 1980–96". Copies of both documents are already in the Library.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Her Majesty's Government have received the report prepared for the 520W
  Irish Government on the radiological and environmental implications of the disposal in the Irish Sea of radioactive waste arising from United Kingdom sources, published in January 2000. [107511]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has received a copy of the report prepared by the Irish Task Force on the Dumping of Radioactive Material in the Maritime Area.

  The Irish report supports the findings of the UK National Radiological Protection Board's report "Assessment of the Radiological Implications of Dumping in Beaufort's Dyke and Other Coastal Waters from the 1950s" (November 1997). It concludes that the potential radiation doses from the dumped material are well below those considered significant for radiological protection purposes.

  Korean Airlines Crash
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the depleted uranium weights that were on board the Korean Airlines plane that crashed outside Stansted Airport in January. [107447]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 122W.

  Mortgage Rates
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the standard national rate on mortgages set by local authorities; and if he will change the way the rate is set to bring it closer to commercial interest rates. [108037]

  Mr. Mullin
  The standard national rate of interest on local authority mortgages is declared from time to time by the Secretary of State in accordance with Schedule 16 to the Housing Act 1985, taking into account prevailing building society interest rates. The current standard national rate is 6.51 per cent. There are no current plans for changes to the way in which the standard national rate is calculated.

  Private Rented Property
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact on his policy of the Spath-Holme Judgment of 20 January regarding rent increases in private rented property. [107632]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: We are giving careful consideration to the implications of the Court of Appeal's decision to quash the Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999. We remain committed to protecting tenants from excessive increases in fair rents. We intend to petition another place seeking permission to appeal the Court's decision.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what percentage the average local authority social services budget exceeds the corresponding SSA element. [107986]
  521W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The average local authority social services budget exceeds its corresponding SSA for 1999–2000 by 10.9 per cent.

  Property Insurers
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require insurance companies to insist on minimum standards of maintenance and repair of leased properties they insure. [107732]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have no plans to do so. An insurance company could only enforce such standards by refusing to pay any claim where minimum standards had not been met. This would not help leaseholders. Where landlords are responsible for maintaining property but fail to do so properly, leaseholders should consider asking a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to appoint a new manager for the building.

  However, we are considering options for regulating managers of residential leasehold property as part of our wider leasehold reform package. Such arrangements could be used to tackle poor management standards and to ensure that leasehold property is properly maintained.

  Parish and Town Councils
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the role of parish and town councils. [107307]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Parish councils are an essential part of the structure of local democracy in our country and they will continue to play a key role in many of our towns and villages. Modern and dynamic parish councils have a real part to play in the democratic constitution of this country.

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999,Official Report, column 338W, on departmental research contracts, if he will place in the Library a copy of the standard research contract in use by his Department. [107098]

  Mr. Mullin
  As requested, a copy of the standard research contract conditions in use by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons. Minor variations are made to the contract conditions from time to time.

  Local Authority Pension Funds
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish tables showing the amounts of income lost to each local authority pension fund since budget changes to dividend tax credits. [107958]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Information on any loss of income by individual local authority pension funds due to budget changes to dividend tax credits is not available centrally.
  522W

  West Sussex County Council
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his assessment of the permanent annual increase in costs accruing to West Sussex County Council resulting from recent changes in the rules for the taxation of investments. [107872]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Information to assess the financial effect of changes in the rules for the taxation of individual local authority investments is not available centrally.

  Driving Test
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on the theory element of the driving test; how many such representations were from national organisations; and what plans he has to ensure that all eligible members of the public have equal access to a theory test. [107456]

  Mr. Hill
  Since October 1999, one Parliamentary Question has been asked about the driving theory test—I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 November 1999,Official Report, column 601W—and we have answered five letters. One letter was from a driving instructor association, and one from a road safety organisation. As part of our social inclusion agenda, we make every effort to ensure that all candidates have their needs accommodated. Test centres have been furbished to meet the needs of the physically disabled. Candidates normally select their answers by touching the screen, but help is available where required. Audio support using headphones is provided in English and Welsh, and in 14 other languages. The test is available with British Sign Language. Candidates with special needs are allowed up to double the normal time to complete the test.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what allowances the Driving Standards Agency makes for people with dyslexia to take the theory test during a driving test. [107455]

  Mr. Hill
  Since 4 January, the driving theory test has been delivered using a touch screen computer system. This has significant benefits for dyslexic candidates, who can use earphones to listen to an English language voice-over reading the questions and answer options. Dyslexic candidates are allowed up to double the normal time to complete the test.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will reply to the letter of 6 July 1999 from the hon. Member for South Suffolk; [108044]

  (2) when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member from South Suffolk of 12 January. [108045]

  Mr. Hill
  I replied to the hon. Member on Monday 31 January. I have supplied a copy for ease of reference.
  523W

  Waste Incinerators
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the circumstances in which planning inquiries may be held on proposals to build waste incinerators, and the rights of objectors to such proposals to have a public inquiry. [108320]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The building of a waste incinerator requires planning permission, for which an application must be made to the local planning authority. Where a local planning authority refuses an application for planning permission, grants it subject to conditions or fails to determine it within eight weeks, the person applying for permission may appeal. The appeal may be dealt with by public inquiry or hearing, although most are dealt with by written representations. An inquiry is likely to be held in the very small proportion of cases where my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State considers it necessary to call in a planning application to determine it himself, instead of leaving it to the planning authority.

  My right hon. Friend's policy on call-ins was stated in a written answer by my predecessor on 16 June 1999, Official Report, column 138W and this remains the position. He will be very selective about calling in planning applications. He will, in general, only take this step if planning issues of more than local importance are involved. Such cases may include, for example, those which in his opinion:

  may conflict with national policies;

  could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality;

  give rise to substantial regional or national controversy;

  raise significant architectural and urban design issues; or

  may involve the interests of national security or of foreign Governments.

  However each case will continue to be considered on its individual merits.

  Objectors to planning applications, including those for waste incinerators, do not have a right to a planning inquiry into their objections. However, they may put their objections to the local planning authority considering the application to which they are opposed, and the authority must have regard to their objections in reaching its decision. Similarly, where an appeal has been lodged against a refusal to an application, objectors may put their points to the inspector, either in writing or, where an inquiry or hearing is held, in person.

  Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will appoint a new chairman of the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee. [108366]

  Mr. Hill
  I have today announced the appointment of Stewart Francis as the new Chairman of the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee.

  LTS Trains Ltd.
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there is a further exemption order for the fleet of new trains to be introduced 524W
  into service by LTS Trains Ltd. in respect of any of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [108367]

  Mr. Hill
  As my predecessor explained in her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 26 May 1999,Official Report, column 174W, following an application by LTS Rail Ltd., an Order relating to the exemption of Class 357 trains was laid in Parliament. The Order subsequently came into force on 18 June 1999.

  We have received a further application from LTS Trains Ltd. relating to Class 357 trains. This seeks to revoke the original Order and replace it with a new Order to extend the original exemptions to additional vehicles and add new exemptions. This has been discussed with our statutory advisers the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

  An exemption Order relating to the exemption of the Class 357 trains has been laid in Parliament today. Copies are available from the Library.

  These further exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that their introduction will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people.

  Government Panel on Sustainable Development
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the response to the Government Panel on Sustainable Development's fifth annual report will be published. [108414]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am pleased to announce that the Government's Response to the Fifth Annual Report of the Government Panel on Sustainable Development has been published, and that we have been able to respond positively to the Panel's recommendations. The Panel is a valuable source of advice for Government in the achievement of sustainable development. I wish to express my gratitude to the Convenor of the Panel, Sir Crispin Tickell, and his colleagues for their continued commitment to helping to identify new sustainable ways of enhancing the quality of life and prosperity for everyone.

  Examples where the Government has been able to respond positively to the Panel's recommendations are:
  on sustainable development and employment: we are forging links between employment and sustainable development, through the National Skills Agenda and the Environment Task Force option under the New Deal;
  on environmental issues and European Union: the Prime Minister's Step Change Initiative is encouraging closer co-operation in environment policy issues. The Government's continued support for the Cardiff principles is also key to achieving effective integration of sustainable development in policy making;
  on land use legislation: we have introduced new draft Planning Policy Guidance demonstrating the Government's commitment to developing positive policies to deliver sustainable development;
  also the forthcoming Urban and Rural White Papers will underline our commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment, and building sustainable communities to foster an inclusive society;
  finally, on the international front, we continue our efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity.

  I am placing copies of the response in the Library.
  525W

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Zimbabwe
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many arms export licence applications for Zimbabwe her Department has examined for each month since August 1997. [106986]

  Clare Short
  Since August 1997, my Department has examined, for each month, for Zimbabwe the following numbers of applications for Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) concerning the export of goods listed as subject to control in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, usually known as the military list:

  August 1997: None

  September 1997: 2 SIELs

  October 1997: 4 SIELs

  November 1997: 4 SIELs

  December 1997: 4 SIELs, 2 OIELs

  January 1998: 2 SIELs, 2 OIELs

  February 1998: 4 SIELs, 1 OIEL

  March 1998: 5 SIELs, 4 OIELs

  April 1998: 4 SIELs, 5 OIELs

  May 1998: 5 SIELs, 2 OIELs

  June 1998: 1 SIEL, 4 OIELs

  July 1998: 2 SIELs, 7 OIELs

  August 1998: 2 SIELs, 4 OIELs

  September 1998: 4 SIELs, 2 OIELs

  October 1998: 3 SIELs, 4 OIELs

  November 1998: 3 OIELs

  December 1998: 1 SIEL, 3 OIELs

  January 1999: 1 SIEL, 5 OIELs

  February 1999: 1 SIEL, 5 OIELs

  March 1999: 4 OIELs

  April 1999: 2 SIELs, 7 OIELs

  May 1999: 3 SIELs

  June 1999: 7 SIELs

  July 1999: 4 SIELs, 2 OIELs

  August 1999: 1 SIEL, 3 OIELs

  September 1999: 3 OIELs

  October 1999: 1 SIEL, 3 OIELs

  November 1999: 1 OIEL

  December 1999: None

  January 2000: 1 SIEL, 4 OIELs.

  Serbia (Humanitarian Aid)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on providing humanitarian aid to towns in Serbia under political control of parties in opposition to the Government. [105362]

  Clare Short
  My Department's policy on humanitarian assistance is to target the most needy on the basis of verified assessments and full accountability, and not on the basis of political allegiance. We believe it is important that any assistance to Serbia as elsewhere should be based on a proper and reliable assessment of needs, that implementing partners should be carefully selected with an emphasis on reliability, and that scrupulous attention should be paid to accountability and transparency.
  526W

  Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, columns 337–38W, on departmental research contracts, if she will (a) state total expenditure on research let by her Department since May 1997 and (b) list the titles of all research contracts let by her Department during 1999 and costing £20,000 or more, stating what is the value of each contract, and in each case whether the contract included (i) departmental veto over publication of the research results, (ii) departmental control over the date of publication of the research and (iii) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments; and if she will place a copy of the standard research contract in use by her Department in the Library. [107105]

  Clare Short
  The best estimate of total expenditure on research remains as stated in my answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, columns 337–38W. No figures are yet available for this financial year.

  I have arranged for a list of research projects over £20,000 let in 1999 to be placed in the Library of the House. This covers 254 projects with a total value of nearly £54 million. The list is not necessarily exhaustive (because research contracts are let by several units in DFID) but shows the overwhelming majority of contracts let during that period.

  It also remains the case that the Department's contracts do not provide for departmental veto over publication of research results (except, rarely, where intellectual property rights might otherwise be infringed) or for control over the date of publication of the research. There is no requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments.

  I have also arranged for a version of the research contract used by DFID to be placed in the Library of the House. There are slight variations in this contract where it has been tailored to meet the particular needs of different research funding units in the Department.

DEFENCE

  Turn-around Times
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average turn-around time to full serviceability in the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 for(a) Tornado GR1/4, (b) Tornado F3, (c) Harrier, (d) Jaguar, (e) Nimrod, (g) Sentry, (h) Tristar, (i) Puma, (j) Sea King and (k) Chinook which had been allocated to undergo (i) servicing at 1 Line, (ii) servicing at 2 Line and (iii) servicing at 3/4 Line. [107280]

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

  Tornado
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many replacement engines are available for the Tornado aircraft. [107049]
  527W
  Mr. Spellar
  As at Thursday 27 January 2000, there were 30 spare engines available to support the RAF Tornado fleet.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Consultation
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by his Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; who was consulted and by what means; how responses were analysed; how and in what form the results were transmitted to those responsible for the consultation; how the results of the consultation were published; and what analysis has been carried out of the extent and nature of policy changes resulting from the consultation. [106293]

  Dr. Reid
  During the last five years the numbers of public consultations undertaken by the Scottish Office and in relation to which the Departmental Library hold public files were as follows:

  Year

  Number of public consultations

  19991

  78

  1998

  107

  1997

  76

  1996

  112

  1995

  86

  1 to 30 June 1999

  Detailed information in the form requested by my hon. Friend is either not available or could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which projects relating to his Department that appeared in the Private Finance Panel's list of 29 November 1995(a) have been completed, (b) are still pending, (c) have been dropped and (d) are being pursued by means other than a public private partnership. [105879]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 118W.

  Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999,Official Report, column 386W, on departmental research contacts, if he will (a) state the total expenditure on research let by his Department since May 1997 and (b) list the titles of all research contracts let by his Department for the financial year 1998–99 and costing £20,000 or more, stating what was the value of each contract, and in each case whether the contract included (i) departmental veto over publication of the research results, (ii) departmental control over the date of publication of the research and (iii) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments. [107101]

  Dr. Reid
  Information about individual research contracts could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  528W

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Broadcasting
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the regulatory environment for broadcasting in the United Kingdom. [105956]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government's assessment of the regulatory environment for broadcasting in the United Kingdom was set out in the joint DCMS/DTI Green Paper "Regulating Communications—approaching convergence in the information age" and, in the light of responses, our conclusions were published in June last year as "Regulating Communications: The Way Ahead". But it is now clear that a more fundamental reassessment is needed. I shall shortly be announcing how this is to be taken forward.

  Staff Bonuses
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies spent in total on extra bonuses above usual payments for staff working over the New Year period; what were the(a) maximum and (b) minimum bonuses paid; how many people received the (i) maximum and (ii) minimum payments; and if he will make a statement. [104500]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  DCMS and Royal Parks Agency would have difficulty in identifying the actual amounts spent or the maximum and minimum payments made to staff working over the new year period from other overtime payments. The pay information for non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally. The information required could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Only a small number of DCMS and Royal Parks Agency staff were required to work over this period.

  World Class Performance Programme
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the sports eligible for the World Class Performance Programme. [107654]

  Kate Hoey
  These activities are as follows:

  Aikido

  American football

  Angling

  Archery

  Arm wrestling

  Association football

  Athletics

  Aussie rules

  Badminton

  Ballooning

  Baseball

  Basketball

  Baton twirling

  Bicycle polo

  Billiards and Snooker

  529W

  Bobsleigh

  Boccia

  Bowls

  Boxing

  Camogie

  Canoeing

  Caving

  Chinese martial arts

  Cricket

  Croquet

  Crossbow

  Curling

  Cycling

  Disability sports

  Dragon boat racing

  Equestrian

  Fencing

  Fives

  Flying

  Gaelic football

  Gliding

  Golf

  Gymnastics

  Handball

  Hang-gliding and Paragliding

  Highland games

  Hockey

  Horse racing

  Hovering

  Hurling

  Ice hockey

  Ice skating

  Jet skiing

  Ju jitsu

  Judo

  Kabaddi

  Karate

  Kendo

  Korfball

  Lacrosse

  Lawn tennis

  Life saving

  Luge

  Modern pentathlon

  Motor cycling

  Motor sport

  Mountaineering

  Movement, dance, exercise and fitness

  Netball

  Orienteering

  Parachuting

  Petanque

  Polo

  Pony trekking

  Pool

  Quoits

  Racketball

  Rackets

  Racquetball

  530W

  Rambling

  Real Tennis

  Roller hockey

  Roller skating

  Rounders

  Rowing

  Rugby league

  Rugby union

  Sailing/Yachting

  Sand/land yachting

  Shinty

  Shooting

  Skateboarding

  Skiing

  Skipping

  Snowboarding

  Softball

  Sombo wrestling

  Squash

  Street/skater hockey

  Sub-aqua

  Surf life saving

  Surfing

  Swimming

  Table tennis

  Taekwondo

  Tang soo do

  Tenpin bowling

  Trampolining

  Triathlon

  Tug of war

  Unihoc

  Volleyball

  Water skiing

  Weightlifting

  Wrestling

  Yoga.

  Lottery Grants (Shrewsbury)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the total amount of National Lottery grant awarded to organisations in Shrewsbury and Atcham in each year since the National Lottery's inception; and if he will make a statement. [107259]

  Kate Hoey
  The value of National Lottery awards to organisations based in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency for each year since 1995 (the first year in which awards were made) is shown in the following table. The figures are taken from my Department's National Lottery awards database, using information supplied by the National Lottery distributing bodies.

  £

  Value of awards to Shrewsbury and Atcham

  1995

  808,571

  1996

  1,610,447

  1997

  1,238,685

  1998

  3,053,478

  1999

  3,198,489

  531W

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Staff Bonuses
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies spent in total on extra bonuses above usual payments for staff working over the new year period; what are the(a) maximum and (b) minimum bonuses paid; how many people received the (i) maximum and (ii) minimum payments; and if he will make a statement. [104490]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested for the headquarters Department is not yet available; I will provide a fuller response within the next few weeks.

  I have asked the Chief Executives of the Department's agencies to respond directly.

  The information in respect of the Department's associated public bodies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 1 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your question about extra bonus payments for Insolvency Service staff who worked over the New Year period.
  The Service has not yet made any New Year bonus payments: I am in the process of approving 9 payments of £300 (gross) each.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 1 February 2000:
  I am responding on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service to your question about payments to staff over the New Year. I can confirm that no extra bonuses, above usual payments to staff working over the New Year period, were paid by the Employment Tribunals Service.

  Letter from David Hendon to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 1 February 2000:
  The Radiocommunications Agency adopted the DTI scheme of £65 for work between one and six hours subject to an upper limit of £130. 13 staff qualified under this scheme with 5 of these receiving the higher rate.
  The Agency also has a Special Bonus Scheme (representing 0.4% of its total Pay budget) to reward exceptional performance in demanding circumstances and 5 staff will receive £500 under that scheme.

  Letter from Alison Brimelow to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 1 February 2000:
  The Patent Office paid a total of £41,000 in special payments to key staff over the New Year period. This represented payments to 41 individuals of £1,000 each. All staff received the same amount. They were required to undertake final confidence testing of systems, prepare the systems for normal operations, and carry out any remedial work required between 31 December 1999 and 4 January 2000.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 1 February 2000:
  I have been asked to reply to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on Agency bonuses paid over the New Year period. The information you require for Companies House is as follows:

  Extra bonuses paid over the 1999/2000 New Year Period

  Total amount paid: £28,200

  Maximum bonus payment: £550

  Minimum bonus payment: £50

  No. receiving maximum payment: 31

  No. receiving minimum payment: 1

  532W
  Other staff received payments between the maximum and minimum, typically £250–£300, to make up the remainder of the total of £28,200.

  Alstom
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met the management of Alstom. [106676]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry last met the senior management of Alstom on 4 February last year. Officials in my Department are in regular contact with the company.

  Power Industry
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the extent of the United Kingdom's capacity for manufacturing related to the power industry. [106675]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The following table gives figures for value added and other relevant data. The statistics cover the products in Standard Industrial Classifications 28.30 (manufacture of steam generators), part of 29.11 (manufacture of turbines and parts thereof), 3.10 (manufacture of electric motors, generators and transformers) and 31.20 (manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatus). 1997 is the latest year for which complete figures are available.

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Gross value added at factor cost (£ million)

  3,084

  2,898

  2,973

  Sales and work done (£ million)

  7,400

  7,213

  7,331

  Exports (£ million)

  3,542

  3,998

  4,388

  Imports (£ million)

  3,474

  3,926

  4,020

  UK market (£ million)

  7,332

  7,141

  6,963

  Employment (thousand)

  120

  109

  106

  Notes:

  1. Gross value added, sales and employment for turbines (as part of SIC29.11) are an estimate only, based on individual product data.

  2. Trade data for turbines (as part of 29.11) is calculated on a slightly different basis using individual product data.

  Source:

  ONS

  UK Competitiveness Indicators
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors underlay the conclusions contained in his report, UK Competitiveness Indicators 1999, that United Kingdom consumers show more inertia and are generally less demanding than in other countries with similar income levels; and if he will make a statement. [106520]

  Dr. Howells
  Our White Paper "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" (Cm 4410) sets out how knowledgeable and assertive consumers can spur businesses to compete and innovate, thereby leading to better quality and lower prices. The White Paper contains a series of policies to drive this virtuous circle between consumer demand and business performance. The competitiveness indicators will provide a means of tracking our success vis a vis our leading competitors.
  533W

  Nuclear Materials (Safeguards)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2000,Official Report, columns 487–88W, on nuclear materials, if he will set out, in each of the 20 cases of advance notification, the quantity and type of nuclear material, including its isotopic composition, involved; and if he will indicate for what reason nuclear materials from the unsafeguarded military stockpile were not used for the functions set out. [107267]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 27 January 2000]: As I indicated in my answer on 19 January 2000, Official Report, columns 487–88W, a study bringing together data on these and other withdrawals from safeguards is being conducted. More information on withdrawals from safeguards will be provided later in the year when that study has been completed.

  The withdrawals described in my previous answer comprised small quantities of material for use in instrument calibration or radiation detectors, or as analytical tracers or radiological shielding. There are no facilities outside safeguards which manufacture material in such quantities and forms from the military stockpile. Defence establishment requirements for these commercially available specialist materials are currently met by purchase from civil operators.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many permanent withdrawals of nuclear material from safeguards have taken place since the Tripartite UK-Euratom-IAEA Voluntary Safeguards Agreement came into force; and to what purpose material permanently withdrawn was put. [107498]

  Dr. Howells
  As I indicated in my answer on 19 January 2000,Official Report, columns 487–88W, a study bringing together data on these and other withdrawals from safeguards is being conducted. I expect to be able to provide more information on withdrawals from safeguards later in the year when that study has been completed.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to initiate negotiations with the European Commission, Euratom and the International Atomic Energy Agency towards the deletion of Article 14 of the Tripartite Safeguards Agreement of August 1978. [107500]

  Dr. Howells
  No. Government policy on future withdrawals of nuclear material from safeguards was described in the White Paper published in July 1998 to announce the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR).

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2000,Official Report, column 487W, on nuclear materials safeguards, if he will set out (a) the number of facility attachments, (b) the number of particular safeguards provisions and (c) the material balance areas existing at each of the plants respectively from which nuclear materials were withdrawn from safeguards. [107512]

  Dr. Howells
  European Commission particular safeguards provisions (PSPs) exist for the National Physical Laboratory, Nycomed Amersham, and RSL Equipment Ltd., but have yet to be finalised for UKAEA Harwell and Centronics Ltd. None of the plants has been 534W
  designated by the IAEA for routine safeguards inspection under the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement (INFCIRC/263) and so no facility attachments exist for them. Disclosure of detailed information on nuclear material accountancy arrangements, including on Material Balance Areas (MBAs), would harm national security and would not be in the public interest.

  Car Insurance Market
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment he has made of the extent of competition in the UK car insurance market; and if he will make a statement. [107400]

  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. I am not aware of any ongoing investigation into the car insurance market by the Office of Fair Trading.

  If my hon. Friend has any evidence that competition in the market is not working he should draw it to the attention of the DGFT.

  Bankruptcy
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the last three years, how many bankrupt people who appointed the Official Receiver to act on their behalf as trustee were transferred to a private trustee; and after what periods. [107438]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 January 2000]: The number of bankruptcy orders made and the number of cases transferred to Insolvency Practitioners in the years 1997–98,1998–99 and in the nine months to 31 December 1999 is as follows:

  Period

  New cases

  Cases transferred

  1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998

  19,713

  5,811

  1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999

  20,508

  6,013

  1 April 1999 to 31 December 1999

  15,812

  4,838

  The age of cases transferred is not recorded centrally and could only be ascertained at disproportionate cost. However the great majority of cases are transferred as a result of an Insolvency Practitioner being appointed trustee by the Secretary of State on the application of the Official Receiver. Statistics are maintained centrally regarding the age of cases where such applications are made as to whether they are less than or more than five months old. Those statistics show that there is an almost equal split between the two categories.

  Street Lighting
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he will take to ensure that competition in electricity connections for street lighting columns can proceed quickly; and if he will make a statement. [107582]
  535W
  Dr. Howells
  The Director General of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) will shortly be publishing a paper setting out his proposals for increasing competition in electricity connections. This paper will also address the specific issue of developing competition in electricity connections for street lighting columns.

  Cabling (Licences)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it a requirement for the granting of licences to companies for the laying of cables that they share cable trenches with other companies; and if he will make a statement. [107604]

  Ms Hewitt
  There are no plans to introduce a requirement to share trenches within the scope of Telecommunications Act 1984 licences. While trench sharing between two or more operators often occurs, circumstances of timing and routing make this impractical as a requirement. However, the licences currently issued require operators to explore the possibility of using existing ducts or conduits and the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 places a duty on the highway authorities to co-ordinate the execution of works in the highway.

  Additionally the Department has written at both Ministerial and official level to all telecommunications operators with code powers reminding them of their obligation to explore duct sharing and encouraging them to consider trench sharing as a means of reducing unnecessary digging. We have also drawn operators' attention to a new private sector initiative to encourage dig co-ordination.

  Recycling
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy on the recycling of materials produced by his Department. [107859]

  Dr. Howells
  At present this Department has schemes in place to recycle all paper, toner cartridges and tin cans. The Department regularly reviews the scope for recycling other materials.

  European Southern Observatory
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the authorities of the European Southern Observatory and Governments of nations participating in the European Southern Observatory about United Kingdom involvement in the project. [106370]

  Ms Hewitt
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor my noble Friend the Minister for Science have had any discussions with the authorities of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), or with Governments of ESO member states about UK participation in ESO.

  Any potential future UK membership of, or involvement with, ESO would be funded by the science vote through the budget of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). Senior officials from PPARC have had initial exploratory discussions with ESO officials about potential UK involvement with ESO, but this has not led to any specific recommendations for Ministerial consideration.
  536W

  Renewable Energy Sources
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what conclusions have been reached in response to the public consultation on Government policy for renewable sources of energy. [108365]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Renewable sources of energy are an essential element of the Government's Climate Change Programme. They are set to make an increasingly important contribution to the provision of secure, diverse and sustainable energy supplies. Renewable sources of energy will become increasingly important in the new millennium as electricity consumption increases and existing nuclear generating capacity is retired. For all these reasons the Government are committed to increasing the contribution from renewable sources of energy to the UK's energy supplies.

  The Government believe that our objective for the renewables industry can best be achieved within the framework of a competitive market. This will give the industry the greatest opportunity for technological innovation and the optimisation of efficiency so that the most cost-effective renewables can be brought forward. In order for this to be achieved the Government intend to give a clear signal to the industry that we are targeting a 10 per cent. share of electricity supply to be provided from renewable sources.

  Key elements of our strategy to achieve the policy aim will be:
  a new Renewables Obligation on all electricity suppliers;
  exemption of electricity and heat from renewables from the Climate Change Levy;
  an expanded support programme for new and renewable energy including research, development, demonstration and dissemination; and,
  development of a regional strategic approach and targets for renewable energy.

  The Renewables Obligation will enable us to make progress towards a target of generating 10 per cent. of our electricity from renewable sources by 2010. Clearly hitting this higher target may, at least in the medium term, mean slightly higher costs to consumers and the acceptability of those higher costs must be fully considered. The necessary legislative powers will be taken in the Utilities Bill which the Government introduced on 20 January. The Renewables Obligation and the associated Renewables (Scotland) Obligation will be an obligation on all licensed suppliers to supply a specified proportion of their electricity supplies from renewable sources of energy. Any additional cost of supplying electricity from renewables will be met by suppliers and may be passed onto their customers. There will be no new levy for these arrangements. The Renewables Obligation will be imposed by a Statutory Instrument that will contain the detailed requirements. The Government expect to require all suppliers to obtain a specified proportion of their electricity from renewables rising year by year to achieve the 2010 target. I shall be consulting the industry, as well as electricity consumers, on the costs of achieving the precise obligation (and the rate of progress towards the overall target and price cap) in advance of the enabling Order being laid before Parliament later this year.
  537W
  It will be essential to ensure that commercially viable projects already contracted under the NFFO and SRO arrangements continue to attract and retain project finance so that the UK stays on track to source 5 per cent. of its electricity from renewables by 2003. Accordingly, transitional arrangements are being developed by the contracting parties. The Utilities Bill will give powers for secondary legislation to be developed to facilitate this process. The Bill includes powers to continue the operation of the current sections 32 and 33 of the Electricity Act 1989 (relating to NFFO and SRO Orders and the Fossil Fuel Levy) and these measures may be amended to adjust to the new arrangements as necessary.

  The renewables industry has made great strides in recent years. It has reduced the costs of the more mature renewable technologies over the last decade to the point where they are rapidly becoming competitive with other energy sources in the UK. The Government hope that the industry can rise to the challenge of the new policy by meeting the proposed targets at an acceptable cost that will not have a major impact on electricity prices. We will be consulting on what increase would be acceptable to consumers in order to promote renewables, but have in mind an increase of 1–2 per cent. in electricity prices by 2010, in return for which there will be real benefits to society from lower greenhouse gas emissions and a more diverse energy supply. This new approach to bringing forward renewables works with the grain of other developments in the electricity supply market. These other changes that the Government and the Regulator are taking forward should more than offset any increase arising from our support for renewables, so electricity prices should continue to fall in real terms over the coming years.

  In addition, the Government's new policy will provide a positive strategic approach to planning for renewable energy from the regional level downwards to facilitate its development while continuing to protect the countryside. The Government are therefore proposing that regional renewable energy assessments should set the framework for a more strategic land-use planning approach at regional level, itself providing the framework for local authorities' development plans and decisions on individual energy projects.

  This is an exciting time for the renewables industry, and an opportunity for it to move from being a fledgling industry to becoming a mainstream business activity. This policy offers good business opportunities in the home market, which will provide a good base for developing exports. Most importantly, it will make an important contribution to the protection of our environment, while contributing to diversity and security of energy supplies.

  I have published today "New and Renewable Energy—Prospects for the 21st Century—Conclusions in Response to the Public Consultation", to coincide with the introduction of the Utilities Bill. This is an initial policy statement to inform discussion of the powers in the Bill to introduce a Renewables Obligation on electricity suppliers. I am also planning to provide a full report containing the proposed programme for renewables later in the year after further discussion with interested parties in the light of this document.
  538W

WALES

  Child Abuse Inquiry
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish the report of the North Wales Child Abuse Inquiry. [108321]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The printing and translation arrangements for this report are drawing to completion and I intend to present the report and make a statement to the House in the week beginning 14 February.

  Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 370W on departmental research contracts, if he will (a) state the total expenditure on research contracts let by his Department since May 1997 and (b) list the titles of all research contracts let by his Department during 1999 costing £20,000 or more, stating the value of each contract, and in each case whether the contract included (i) departmental veto over publication of the research results, (ii) departmental control over the date of publication of the research and (iii) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments; and if he will place a copy of the standard research contract currently in use by his Department in the Library. [107092]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As I indicated in the answer I gave on 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 370W, the term 'research' covers a wide range of activities. The information requested is not held centrally by my Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kosovo
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his most recent estimate of the number of Serbs who have been ethnically cleansed from Kosovo since June 1999. [107483]

  Mr. Vaz
  Protection of the Kosovo Serbs and other minorities is a top priority for KFOR and UNMIK. KFOR devotes around half of its resources at present to maintaining a presence in minority areas. In the UK-led sector, there are KFOR soldiers present in Serb towns and villages, as well as soldiers deployed to protect individual homes and farms. KFOR conducts patrols and escorts individuals to school and to work. In September 1999 UNMIK and Mr. Kouchner estimated 97,000 Serbs remain in Kosovo from a pre-war population of around 200,000. Since then there have been population movements in both directions of similar size.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on KLA involvement in terrorism and drug running. [107523]

  Mr. Vaz
  The KLA was demilitarised in September 1999 in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1244 and has ceased to exist. The UN Mission in Kosovo
  539W
  and the NATO-led Kosovo force monitor individuals and armed groups for any illegal activity and pay particular attention to tackling violence and drug trafficking.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current strength of and support for the KLA in Kosovo. [107524]

  Mr. Vaz
  The KLA was demilitarised in September 1999, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1244 and has ceased to exist. Recent opinion polls indicate that the PPDK (Democratic Progress Party of Kosovo), the political party formed by the former commander of the KLA, Hashism Thaqi, has about 29 per cent. support and its leader about 15 per cent. We are committed to early democratic elections in Kosovo.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the levels of(a) rape, (b) murder, (c) torture and (d) intimidation of Serb civilians in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [107525]

  Mr. Vaz
  There were 430 reported murders and 180 kidnappings in Kosovo in the period between KFOR's deployment there on 12 June and 25 December last year. We do not have a breakdown of these figures by ethnic origin but of the 383 murders reported up to mid-November, 139 were Serbs, 145 Albanians and 99 of unknown ethnic origin. UNMIK and KFOR are putting substantial resources into protecting ethnic minorities. Currently over 50 per cent. of KFOR troops are on minority protection duties, providing a permanent presence in Serb towns, villages, neighbourhoods and individual houses. KFOR's presence has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of reported major offences from over 300 in the last week of June to fewer than 50 in the last week of November. There are no figures available for the other crimes.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British soldiers are involved in full-time protection of Serb civilians in Pristina from attacks by Albanians. [107522]

  Mr. Vaz
  Some 3,500 British soldiers are deployed with KFOR in Kosovo, of whom some 2,300 are serving in Pristina. KFOR currently devotes about half of its resources to protecting Serbs and other minorities.

  Visitor Visas
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions are taking place with the Home Office regarding the restarting of the appeals against refusal of visitors visas. [107353]

  Mr. Vaz
  Discussions are taking place with the Home Office about the proposed new appeal right for family visitors, with a view to implementation later this year.

  Colonel Gaddafi
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by the Government to Mr. Prodi on his decision to invite Colonel Gaddafi to visit Brussels; and if he was aware of the proposal to invite Colonel Gaddafi to visit Brussels before it was made. [107367]
  540W
  Mr. Vaz
  The questions of a visit to Brussels came up in an unscheduled telephone conversation between Prodi and Gaddafi in December. We were not informed in advance of this conversation and no formal invitation was made. Following a Libyan suggestion in January that Gaddafi was to make a visit, we made clear to the Commission that such a visit would be premature until Libya had confirmed that it accepted the Barcelona Declaration and the acquis of the Barcelona Process unconditionally and in full. A visit to Brussels could only then be considered.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the extension of co-decision as it relates to the Intergovernmental Conference discussions. [107363]

  Mr. Vaz
  We will shortly publish a White Paper covering all aspects of institutional reform. This will set out our position on the possible extension of the codecision procedure.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Portuguese Presidency regarding an extension of the agenda for the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference. [107358]

  Mr. Vaz
  We are in regular contact with the Portuguese Presidency on all aspects of the IGC.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet representatives of the Portuguese Presidency to discuss the Intergovernmental Conference. [107366]

  Mr. Vaz
  We are in regular contact with the Portuguese Presidency about the IGC. I will next meet my Portuguese counterpart, Sexias da Costa, on 8 February.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the extension of the powers of the President of the European Commission. [107359]

  Mr. Vaz
  We will shortly publish a White Paper on the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference. This will cover all aspects of the IGC, including the possibility of extending the powers of the President of the European Commission.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on extension of the provisions for flexibility in the Amsterdam Treaty. [107360]

  Mr. Vaz
  We will shortly publish a White Paper on all aspects of the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference. This will set out our policy on flexibility.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will publish his White Paper on the Intergovernmental Conference. [107362]

  Mr. Vaz
  We intend to publish the White Paper in the week beginning 7 February.
  541W

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his statement of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 669, whether border controls, defence, taxation, social security, own resources and Treaty amendments represent a definitive list of issues in which he will not countenance an extension of qualified majority voting at the IGC. [107397]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have long made it clear that we will not support the extension of QMV to areas of key national interest. Border controls, defence, taxation, social security, own resources and Treaty change are examples of such areas.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the level of the blocking minority threshold for votes in the EU Council of Ministers. [107348]

  Mr. Vaz
  The threshold for a blocking minority has for many years been set at around 30 per cent. of the votes. The Government's view is that this sets about the right balance between ease with which legislation can be passed or blocked.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 670, what is his policy on extension of qualified majority voting to all areas which are currently the subject of dispute between Spain and the UK in respect of their application to Gibraltar. [107398]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have made it clear on a number of occasions that we will consider the extension of qualified majority voting on a case by case basis. Where it is in Britain's interests we will support it. But in key areas of national interest we shall insist on retaining unanimity.

  Charter of Fundamental Rights
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights into the EU Treaties; and if he will make a statement. [107364]

  Mr. Vaz
  We believe that a Charter which sets out rights already enjoyed by EU citizens in a clear and accessible way will help to deepen and strengthen the culture of rights and responsibilities at all levels across the EU. We consider that these objectives can best be met if the Charter is drafted as a declaratory document, identifying and complementing existing legal instruments on fundamental rights. We do not therefore favour the Charter's incorporation into the Treaties.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in(a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Estonia, (e) Slovenia and (f) Cyprus with respect to the accession negotiations, and the timetable for accession to the EU; and if he will make a statement. [107349]
  542W
  Mr. Vaz
  Whenever my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary meets his counterparts from Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia, he discusses accession negotiations with them. When he met them in December in the margins of the Helsinki European Council, he noted that their countries have been making good progress in their preparation for accession. He emphasised that the UK wants the applicant states to join the European Union as soon as they are able to meet the obligations of membership. It is too soon to say when this will be.

  European Resolutions
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed(a) amendment 14 to resolution B5-0308/1999, (b) resolution A5-0058/1999 and (c) resolution B5-0327/1999 with representatives of the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [107368]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not held discussions with MEPs on these resolutions.

  Counter-terrorism (USA)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Twigg) of 19 January 2000,Official Report, column 477W, if he will place in the Library a copy of the US Senate testimony on counter-terrorism to which he refers. [107830]

  Mr. Battle
  I placed a copy in the Libraries of the House today, Tuesday 1 February.

  Commonwealth Institute
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Commonwealth Institute's relationship with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office [108184]

  Mr. Hain
  The Commonwealth Institute ceased to be a Non-Departmental Public Body under the direction of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31 December 1999. This was a Commonwealth Institute initiative. Its new status is that of an independent charity, in the form of a company limited by guarantee. I am arranging for copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the new body to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Under the terms of its agreement with the Commonwealth Institute, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is investing £8.055 million in a severance package in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. The funding will restore and develop the building, support new programmes and provide the Institute with financial stability while its plans take effect.

  This development means that the Imperial Institute Act 1925 and the Commonwealth Institute Act 1958 need to be repealed, and we shall be seeking that this be done as soon as possible.

  I wish the Institute well as it becomes a pan-Commonwealth agency dedicated to promoting the Commonwealth.
  543W

  GCHQ
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the compensation schemes for the 14 trade unionists dismissed from GCHQ. [108189]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I can announce that I have today laid before Parliament the two schemes that will put into effect the compensation of the 14 former GCHQ employees for their loss of pension rights. Details of the two schemes will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make arrangements for the hon. Member for North Cornwall to visit GCHQ Morwenstow and receive a briefing on that station's purpose and performance. [107866]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  GCHQ would be delighted to make arrangements for the hon. Member, as constituency MP, to visit its outstation at Morwenstow to receive an unclassified briefing and to meet members of staff there.

  Details of the station's purpose and performance are classified. The hon. Member will be aware that, as part of GCHQ, the Morwenstow outstation is subject to the scrutiny of the Intelligence and Security Committee, the members of which have access to classified material concerning GCHQ and its outstations under the Intelligence Services Act 1994.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 20 December concerning a constituent. [107852]

  Mr. Vaz
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 29 January about this case.

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to discuss the French ban on United Kingdom beef with the French Foreign Minister. [107357]

  Mr. Vaz
  The European Commission began legal proceedings against France's illegal ban on British beef on 4 January. This is now a matter between the Commission and the French Government, though my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary maintains a regular dialogue with the French Foreign Minister, M. Hubert Vedrine, to discuss a range of bilateral issues, such as the beef ban.

PRIME MINISTER

  EU Defence
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Prime Minister if, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 537W, on European Defence, if he will place Mr. Liddle's speaking notes in the Library. [107052]
  544W
  The Prime Minister
  I am advised that Mr. Liddle used brief speaking notes. They are not a comprehensive record. It would therefore not be appropriate for them to be placed in the Library of the House.

  British-Irish Council
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to seek the consent of other parties to the Agreement on the joint ministerial Committee of the British-Irish Council to publishing the names of those who attend meetings. [107125]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Dr. Godman) on 19 January 2000,Official Report, columns 472–73W.

  European Integration
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last had discussions with the Prime Minister of Portugal on European integration. [107504]

  The Prime Minister
  I last spoke to Prime Minister Guterres of Portugal at a private dinner in Lisbon on 7 January. We discussed a range of international and EU issues, in particular Portuguese Presidency priorities.

  Colonel Gaddafi
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has made to the EU Commission on Mr. Prodi's official invitation to Colonel Gaddafi to visit Brussels. [107502]

  The Prime Minister
  Mr. Prodi has spoken to Colonel Gaddafi on the telephone about a possible visit, but has made it clear that the next step in the development of EU/Libya relations is for Libya to accept the Barcelona acquis without conditions. The United Kingdom has made the same point in discussion of this matter with Libya and EU Partners. The question of high level visits to Brussels could only then be considered.

  Balkans
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he is taking as a result of his conversations in London with the Prime Minister of Montenegro on(a) lifting sanctions against Serbia, (b) restoring river traffic on the Danube and (c) pollution caused by NATO military action. [107761]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: My meeting with President Djukanovic focused on the prospects for stability in the Balkans. I made clear Her Majesty's Government's support for President Djukanovic's programme of political and economic reform.

  Privy Council (Judicial Committee)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister who appoints judges to serve on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. [107626]
  545W
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: Only judges who are Privy Councillors may serve on the Judicial Committee and it is of course The Queen who appoints Privy Councillors on the recommendation of Her Ministers. The senior Law Lord decides which judges are invited to make up a particular Board of the Judicial Committee.

  Month/year

  Minister

  Purpose

  July 1997

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Bilateral consultations

  October 1997

  Myself

  Bilateral consultations

  November 1997

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Bilateral consultations

  March 1998

  President of the Board of Trade

  G8 Energy Ministerial

  July 1998

  Under-Secretary of State for International Development

  Bilateral consultations/Know-How-Fund co-operation

  July 1998

  Minister for Science, Energy and Industry

  Bilateral discussions/UK-Russia Science and Technology Committee

  September 1998

  Minister for Farming and the Food Industry, Lord Donoughue

  'Britain: Window for Business' exhibition

  September 1998

  Minister for Trade

  'Britain: Window for Business' exhibition

  September 1998

  Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Ms Quin)

  Bilateral consultations

  September 1998

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Baroness Symons)

  Bilateral consultations

  March 1999

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Bilateral consultations

  September 1999

  Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Hoon)

  Bilateral consultations

  October 1999

  Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Clarke)

  G8 Meeting of Justice and Interior Ministers

  Social Exclusion
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the expected date of publication of the report on deprived areas by the Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team. [108072]

  The Prime Minister
  The National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal will be published in the summer. In order to allow individuals and organisations as much opportunity as possible to contribute to its preparation, the Social Exclusion Unit will be publishing a consultation version of the strategy in the next few weeks, and then holding a wide range of consultation events and seminars around the country.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court Videolinks
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the companies which supply, provide and service secure videolink technology for use in British courts; and what arrangements are in place to prevent the interception of transmissions by third parties. [107871]

  Jane Kennedy
  Videolink technology is used occasionally in the Crown Court to enable witnesses to give evidence from abroad. The installation is arranged locally by the party whose witness is giving evidence in this way. No information is held centrally on the suppliers used or the arrangements put in place to prevent interception. A pilot is currently in place to provide a videolink between Strangeways Prison and the Crown Court in Manchester.
  546W

  Russia
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister which United Kingdom Ministers have visited the Russian Federation since 1 May 1997; and for what purpose. [107627]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: Details of visits are as follows:

  Departmental Targets
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made in relation to his Department's targets for increased efficiency in the Departmental Annual report. [108046]

  Mr. Lock
  The LCD's objectives and measurable efficiency and effectiveness targets are contained in a Public Service Agreement published in December 1998. Management systems put in place to monitor achievement of the targets commenced on 1 April 1999. Progress against each of the targets will be reported in the LCD Departmental Report 2000–01 to 2001–02 to be published in April 2000.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Decisions
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total number of claims in each of the last three years for(a) disability living allowance, (b) attendance allowance and (c) incapacity benefit; in each category, how many and what proportion of the total (i) were successful on the original application and (ii) resulted in an appeal; of those that were successful how many and what proportion of the total (1) were successful on appeal and (2) resulted in an appeal to the commissioners; and of those applications that resulted in an appeal to the Commissioners, how many and what proportion of the total were successful. [106671]

  Mr. Bayley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.
  547W

  Disability living allowance decisions on initial claims, reviews, and appeals

  1997

  1998

  19991

  Decisions on initial claims

  All decisions

  486,566

  391,583

  373,645

  Successful decisions

  220,228

  178,802

  176,371

  Proportion successful

  45%

  46%

  47%

  Reviews2, 3

  All decisions

  374,494

  319,501

  278,365

  Successful decisions4

  140,245

  108,842

  91,994

  Proportion successful

  37%

  34%

  33%

  Appeals

  All decisions

  35,696

  47,025

  49,857

  Successful decisions5

  19,335

  22,350

  24,051

  Proportion successful

  54%

  48%

  48%

  Attendance allowance decisions on initial claims, reviews, and appeals

  1997

  1998

  1999 1

  Decisions on initial claims

  All decisions

  425,903

  394,354

  381,378

  Successful decisions

  301,908

  291,353

  280,967

  Proportion successful

  71%

  74%

  74%

  Reviews2,3

  All decisions

  121,474

  102,520

  94,289

  Successful decisions4

  70,241

  57,999

  50,345

  Proportion successful

  58%

  57%

  53%

  Appeals

  All decisions

  5,215

  6,538

  6,066

  The numbers of claims for Incapacity Benefit (IB), awards and decisions relating to application of the incapacity tests

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Claims received by BA

  1,054,340

  1,062,817

  1,012,981

  930,002

  Disallowed at outset due to failing the contribution conditions

  382,443

  439,645

  435,095

  398,605

  IB awards commencing in the period1

  535,100

  495,560

  455,380

  409,980

  Examinations performed2

  434,617

  716,084

  615,324

  n/a

  Awards subsequently disallowed

  Disallowed following OOT test

  1,288

  2,170

  2,664

  2,750

  Disallowed following AWT

  66,367

  112,046

  104,339

  88,904

  Disallowed—non-return of questionnaire

  7,710

  9,134

  10,887

  10,578

  Disallowed—did not attend examination

  2,416

  6,652

  7,069

  8,687

  1 The sum of the IB awards and those disallowed at outset does not equal the number of IB claims, as this figure includes claims that are subsequently withdrawn and accident declarations (which are made in case a claim to benefit becomes necessary at a later date as a result of an industrial accident). It is not therefore possible to give proportional figures.

  2 Examinations performed includes Severe Disablement Allowance cases and cases where only National Insurance Credits are awarded.

  Source:

  Claims received—100 per cent. clerical count work.

  IB spells commencing—1 per cent. sample of claimants.

  Disallowance figures—100 per cent. count of the computer system.

  IB appeals and decisions (calendar years)

  1996

  1997

  1998

  A

  A

  B

  B

  Number of IB AWT appeals lodged

  55,813

  30,512

  37,405

  68,541

  Number of IB AWT appeals heard and decided

  37,740

  46,411

  5,551

  61,931

  Found in favour of appellant

  18,026

  20,301

  2,175

  25,107

  Proportion found in favour of appellant

  47%

  44%

  39%

  40%

  Original decision upheld

  1—

  1—

  3,342

  36,597

  Proportion where original decision upheld

  1—

  1—

  60%

  59%

  Number of IB appeals lodged (not AWT)2

  6,490

  3,097

  5,118

  11,259

  Number of IB appeals heard and decided (not AWT)2

  3,120

  4,133

  661

  6,801

  Found in favour of appellant (not AWT)2

  1,035

  1,182

  121

  1,732

  548W

  Attendance allowance decisions on initial claims, reviews, and appeals

  1997

  1998

  1999 1

  Successful decisions5

  3,003

  3,382

  2,899

  Proportion successful

  58%

  52%

  48%

  1 The figures for 1999 include reconsiderations and supercessions under the new system of decision making and appeals.

  2 Includes some cases where the initial decision was in a previous year.

  3 Figures relate both to awards made following review of unsuccessful initial or renewal claims, and to cases where the value of the award has increased as a result of the review.

  4 Figures relate both to awards made following an appeal against unsuccessful reviews, and to cases where the value of the award has increased as a result of the appeal.

  5 Successive decisions may be made in different years, so the figures for each stage of decision making are likely to relate to different caseloads.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division
  100 per cent. data.

  Entitlement to Incapacity Benefit is based on a person's incapacity provided they satisfy the National Insurance contribution conditions. An award of benefit is made from the outset if the contribution conditions are satisfied and there is acceptable medical evidence to support the claim. Subsequently, incapacity is assessed under the relevant medical test (either the Own Occupation Test (OOT) during the first 28 weeks of incapacity where the claimant has a recent work record or the All Work Test (AWT) after 28 weeks or from the start of the claim where the claimant has not recently worked). If the test is not satisfied, benefit is disallowed from that point.
  549W

  IB appeals and decisions (calendar years)

  1996

  1997

  1998

  A

  A

  B

  B

  Proportion found in favour of appellant

  33%

  29%

  18%

  25%

  Original decision upheld (not AWT)2

  1—

  1—

  438

  5,039

  Proportion where original decision upheld

  1—

  1—

  66%

  74%

  1 Information not available

  2 Includes OOT cases

  Note:

  1. The appeals lodged in a particular period may not necessarily go on to tribunal in the same time period.

  2. The figures provided are counts of each event in each time period.

  Source:

  A—100 per cent. extract from ITS computerised records.

  B—100 per cent. download from the Generic Appeals Processing System (GAPS) which replaced the earlier computer system in 1997.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state, for each of the last three years, and the present year to date, how many(a) applications for and (b) reviews of (i) disability living allowance, (ii) attendance allowance and (iii) incapacity benefit were (1) decided on paper and (2) decided after a medical examination; and how many in each category resulted in (x) continuation of benefit, (y) an increase in benefit and (z) withdrawal of benefit. [106685]

  Disability living allowance applications

  Decision and evidence used

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Decisions based on claim form

  83,886

  59,733

  46,637

  Decisions based on claim form in conjunction with an external medical practitioner's report

  171,719

  131,593

  146,078

  Awards based on claim form

  30,130

  23,843

  20,592

  Awards based on claim form in conjunction with an external medical practitioner's report

  77,005

  52,578

  61,079

  Attendance allowance applications

  Decision and evidence used

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Decisions based on claim form

  178,830

  160,700

  138,823

  Decisions based on claim form in conjunction with an external medical practitioner's report

  60,419

  45,675

  57,627

  Awards based on claim form

  131,242

  127,114

  114,222

  Awards based on claim form in conjunction with an external medical practitioner's report

  26,946

  18,133

  23,191

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 100 per cent. data

  Incapacity Benefit is awarded on the basis of medical evidence at the outset of a claim, provided the contribution conditions are satisfied, and continues to be paid subject to satisfaction of incapacity tests.

  There are two tests of incapacity, the Own Occupation Test (OOT), which applies for the first 28 weeks for people who had a regular occupation, and the All Work Test (AWT) which applies to all cases where incapacity lasts more than 28 weeks. The AWT may be reapplied periodically to ensure that the entitlement conditions continue to be met. Where, following the application of

  IB cases allowed and disallowed following application of medical control

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Benefit continued following referral to Medical Services1

  561,502

  840,679

  773,741

  740,067

  Disallowed following OOT test

  1,288

  2,170

  2,664

  2,750

  Disallowed following AWT

  66,367

  112,046

  104,339

  88,904

  Disallowed—non-return of questionnaire

  7,710

  9,134

  10,887

  10,578

  Disallowed—did not attend examination

  2,416

  6,652

  7,069

  8,687

  1 Includes cases where no medical examination was carried out and where benefit was allowed following medical examination.

  Note:

  From April 2000 the All Work Test will be replaced by the Personal Capability Assessment

  Source

  100 per cent. count of the computer system
  550W
  Mr. Bayley
  Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a non-contributory benefit available to severely disabled people aged under 65 on the basis of their care and mobility needs; Attendance Allowance (AA) is available to those over 65 with care needs.

  Information on the use of medical examinations in determining entitlement is available only for applications for benefit, and is in the tables.

  the relevant test, a person is found capable of work, the incapacity decision is reviewed and benefit will be disallowed. An unfavourable determination on incapacity is not made without the claimant being given the opportunity for a medical examination, except where they fail without good cause to respond to requests for information in relation to the All Work Test.

  Unfavourable determinations may be challenged on appeal and, since September 1999, may be reconsidered and revised where the claimant requests this within a specified time limit (one month). The available information is in the table.

  Benefits (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners he estimates will benefit from the minimum income guarantee uprating in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in the first year of its operation; and if he will make a statement. [107255]

  Mr. Rooker
  Based on the latest administrative data that the Department holds, it is estimated that over 2,000 pensioners in the constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham, and some 7,000 pensioners in the county of Shropshire will benefit from this April's increase to the minimum income guarantee.

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and quoted in thousands.

  2. Pensioners are defined as where the claimant, and/or partner is aged 60 or over.

  3. Sample size 5 per cent.

  4. Figures for 1998 are allocated by matching the postcode against the 1998 version 1 of the Postcode Directory, and 1999 figures by matching the postcode against the 1999 version 1 of the Postcode Directory.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries, August 1998 and August 1999.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of severely disabled children aged three and four who will benefit financially from the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in the first year of its operation; and if he will make a statement. [107254]

  Mr. Bayley
  This information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  In 2001–02 we estimate that approximately 7,000 severely disabled children aged three or four in Great Britain will become entitled to the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If the proportion of gainers in the areas requested were in line with the proportion of all DLA recipients in these areas, about 10 children would qualify in Shrewsbury and Atcham and about 50 in Shropshire.

  Automated Credit Transfer
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many benefit recipients have been paid twice as a result of recent errors in the automatic credit transfer system; how much was overpaid; what was the cost of the steps taken to recover the overpayment; how much has so far been repaid; and if he will make a statement. [107636]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of benefit payments is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 31 January 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked Peter Mathison to respond to your recent question asking how many benefit recipients have been paid twice as a result of recent errors in the automatic credit transfer system; how much was overpaid, what was the cost of the steps
  552W
  taken to recover the overpayment; how much has so far been repaid; and if he will make a statement. As he is unavailable due to annual leave I am replying.
  A computer processing problem resulted in a batch of Income Support payments paid by Automated Credit Transfer being duplicated. 112,000 Income Support customers received duplicate payments amounting to £10.5m. The payments were made into customers' bank accounts on 18 January. The duplicate payments made represent a very small proportion of the total number of Income Support payments the Agency makes each year.
  Our aim is to protect the public purse and seek recovery when able to do so. Steps have been taken to account separately for the recovery of these duplicate payments and the Benefits Agency's Central Recovery Group (CRG) were asked to co-ordinate the recovery. Customers were notified of the problem by letter on 24 January and given details of how to repay the duplicate payment. Letter were issued to 109,663 customers. Letters were not issued where we had been informed the customer has since died or where the amount paid was less than £5.
  The Central Recovery Group has set up dedicated phone lines to receive phone calls from customers who needed to speak to somebody about how to pay the money back. Customers can also contact their local benefit offices for advise and guidance.
  Although customers have been asked to make repayment to the Central Recovery Group, customers may chose to make repayment at their local office. Although no specific information has yet been collected, Central Recovery Group estimate that in the last two days they have already received about 28,000 replies. The 3,000 opened today contained £157,000 in repayments. The vast majority of callers have also indicated a willingness to repay. This indicates a positive outlook for recovery from customers.
  No estimate is yet available as to the extra costs incurred in recovering the overpaid benefit.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 541W, on departmental research contracts, if he will place a copy of the standard research contract in use by his Department in the Library. [107096]

  Mr. Rooker
  A copy of the standard Department of Social Security research contract has been placed in the Library.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will issue guidance to local benefit offices concerning the manner in which winter fuel payments are to be processed. [107853]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Dr. Brand) on 24 January 2000,Official Report, column 81W.

  New Deal (Lone Parents)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether single parents with a degree qualification can qualify for the New Deal for Lone Parents. [107462]

  Angela Eagle
  All lone parents on Income Support are eligible to join the voluntary New Deal for Lone Parents.
  553W
  Since October 1998, when the New Deal for Lone Parents was launched nationwide, over 104,000 lone parents have attended interviews, 89 per cent. of these have decided to participate and over 28,000 have obtained jobs.

  Benefit Payment Methods
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 572W, on benefit payment methods, what assumptions about the number of people who will opt to have benefits paid directly into a bank account rather than at a post office underlay his forecast of annual savings; and if he will make a statement. [107786]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 17 January 2000,Official Report, column 333W.

  Fraud Inquiry
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the cost of the inquiry was into organised benefit fraud by John Scampion. [108041]

  Mr. Rooker
  Funding of £85,000 was allocated to the review of organised fraud. The final costs of this exercise are not yet known.

  Gardening Leave
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many officials in his Department are on gardening leave. [108055]

  Mr. Rooker
  The terms and conditions of the Department do not include a provision for gardening leave. We would interpret the term as applying to staff who have no current assignment and are in receipt of full pay and are not required to attend for work. The Department currently has no staff whose absence falls within this interpretation.

CABINET OFFICE

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to reduce the number of non-departmental public bodies. [106731]

  Mr. Stringer
  The number of non-departmental public bodies has fallen by 6 per cent. since 1997 and now stands at 1,057. This information is published in Public Bodies 1999, copies of which are available from the Libraries of the House. The Government will continue to ensure that the number of non-departmental public bodies is monitored and kept under control.

  Civil Service (Political Activities)
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to her answer of 18 January 2000,Official Report, column 394W, if she will review the operation of the Servants of the Crown (Parliamentary, European Parliamentary and Northern Ireland Assembly
  554W
  Candidature) Order 1987, to allow for an extension of the Civil Service grades who can take part in all political activities. [106324]

  Mr. Stringer
  Consideration is being given to a possible amendment to the Servants of the Crown (Parliamentary, European Parliamentary, National Assembly for Wales, New Northern Ireland Assembly and Scottish Parliament Candidature) Order 1999 to allow Departments greater flexibility in the definition of the "politically free" group.

HEALTH

  Cosmetic Surgery
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the regulation of private cosmetic surgery. [106252]

  Ms Stuart
  We have received a number of representations about the need to regulate more effectively premises where cosmetic surgery and laser treatment for cosmetic purposes are provided.

  We recognise that greater assurance for the public is needed about the safety and quality of the treatment being provided in this area. We therefore intend to introduce improved regulation of independent healthcare services, including premises where cosmetic surgery is performed, medical treatment is provided under anaesthesia or sedation, and where certain laser treatment is provided. These measures are included in the provisions of our Care Standards Bill. Our aim is to achieve more effective regulation to assure the quality of private cosmetic surgery, the adequacy of information for patients and would-be patients, the safety of the technology and equipment used, including laser treatment, and the effectiveness of complaints procedures when things do go wrong. We are confident that this will provide the enhanced safeguards and assurance of standards in private cosmetic surgery.

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to publish its guidance on the use of beta interferon in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. [106253]

  Mr. Denham
  The work programme for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) was announced on 4 November 1999. The timing of the appraisal is a matter for NICE to determine subject to wider discussion with stakeholders. I understand the results of NICE's deliberations on beta interferon will be available in late summer this year.

  Ovarian Cancer
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department provides for ovarian cancer research. [106255]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government spent approximately over £1 million in 1998–99 on directly commissioned research projects relating to ovarian cancer.
  555W
  The Department also supports research in the National Health Service funded by research councils and charities. It is estimated that over £1 million of this is supporting ovarian cancer research.

  The Medical Research Council has been working with a number of cancer charities to set up a major study of screening on ovarian cancer. An announcement will be made shortly.

  NHS Direct
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of NHS Direct in meeting patient needs. [106256]

  Ms Stuart
  NHS Direct has proved to be very effective in meeting patients' needs. Sheffield University's independent interim evaluation of the first three NHS Direct pilot sites found that overall 97 per cent. of callers surveyed were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received. Out of those callers triaged by a nurse, nurses advise two out of three callers to a more appropriate setting of care than the caller said they would otherwise have used.

  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact to date on access to health care of the NHS Direct service. [106263]

  Ms Stuart
  NHS Direct is improving access to health care by advising callers which part of the NHS to contact. NHS Direct nurses advise two out of three callers to use a more appropriate setting of care than the caller said they would otherwise have used. One in three callers are advised how to look after themselves at home. Over the holiday period, NHS Direct handled over 200,000 calls: if NHS Direct had not been available, many of these callers would have contacted other NHS services, including accident and emergency departments and the ambulance services at a time when these services were very hard pressed.

  Cancer Services
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of the programme to ensure that patients with cancer do not have to wait to see a specialist. [106257]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are ending long waits for outpatient appointments. By the end of 2000 we will have put the necessary arrangements in place to enable patients with suspected cancer referred urgently by their GP to be seen by a specialist within two weeks.

  Vibration White Finger
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of vibration white finger treated by the NHS in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [106258]
  556W
  Mr. Denham
  The incidence of vibration white finger (VWF) treated by the National Health Service is not recorded. Hospital admissions for VWF will be included in those people having 'cervical sympathectomy', the surgical procedure to treat it. These figures were:

  1993: 391

  1994: 379

  1995: 467

  1996: 487

  1997: 301.

  Recent research by the Medical Research Council estimates that 242,000 adults in Britain suffer from cold-induced finger blanching as a result of exposure to hand-arm vibration at work.

  Flu Outbreak
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the impact of the recent flu outbreak on the NHS. [106259]

  Yvette Cooper
  The incidence of flu, along with other acute respiratory illness, has put very real pressure on NHS services this winter, but the NHS is dealing with these pressures. The peaks in demand are being managed better than previously, with NHS staff—in both primary care and the hospitals sector—working well to manage the current pressures.

  Waiting Times (Operations)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in waiting times for hospital operations in the last three months. [106260]

  Mr. Denham
  Waiting times fell in the last three months for which data are available. Since August 1999 the average length of time patients were waiting for inpatient treatment has fallen from about 13 weeks to about 12 weeks in November 1999.

  A and E Departments
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he is making in improving hospitals accident and emergency departments. [106261]

  Ms Stuart
  Last year, we announced a £115 million programme to modernise and upgrade all accident and emergency departments which needed it. Of the 244 schemes planned, over a quarter (27.5 per cent.) have now been completed. About half of the schemes will be finished by April, and some 80 per cent. by July.

  Lichfield Victoria and Hammerwich Hospitals
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future provision of services currently available at the Lichfield Victoria Hospital and the Hammerwich Hospital in South Staffordshire. [106262]

  Yvette Cooper
  The hon. Member will be aware that South Staffordshire Health Authority is currently undertaking a wide ranging strategic review of services. I understand that the Health Authority is still working-up proposals, and as such it would not be possible for me to
  557W
  comment at this time on the future provision of services at Lichfield Victoria Hospital and the Hammerwich Hospital.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he is making with the development of primary care groups. [106264]

  Mr. Denham
  481 Primary Care Groups began on 1 April 1999 and are making excellent progress in bringing GPs, nurses, health professionals and social services together to deliver better services for their local population. 68 Primary Care Groups have also made applications to gain Primary Care Trust status this year and I have recently announced the first 17 to start from 1 April 2000.

  Dementia
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop services for people suffering from dementia. [106265]

  Mr. Hutton
  Improving mental health services in the National Health Service is a priority for this Government. The Department also works closely with organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society, Dementia Relief Trust and the Dementia Services Development Centres who provide advice and support to users, their carers and those developing local services.

  The work for the National Service Framework for Older People covers mental health including dementia. We expect to be publishing the National Service Framework later this year.

  Nurses (Recruitment and Retention)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the recruitment and retention of nurses. [106266]

  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to help the National Health Service recruit the extra nurses it needs to deliver modern and dependable care.

  Last month (January), we announced an above inflation pay award of 3.4 per cent. for all nurses, with additional increases for experienced staff nurses of 7.8 per cent.

  As a result of last year's national recruitment campaign, over 5,000 nurses are returning to the NHS, and applications for nursing degree courses are up by 24 per cent.

  I am pleased to tell my hon. Friend that we will be launching this year's national recruitment campaign on 28 February. The campaign will include high profile TV and press advertising, and will target those areas of the country with the most pressing vacancies.

  The Government are also making progress on modernising services and modernising employment practice in the NHS to retain nurses. Through our national nursing strategy, "Making a Difference", the NHS is developing flexible and family friendly working practices; extending and improving investment in lifelong learning and professional development, and tackling violence and racism in the workplace.
  558W

  General Practitioners
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that GPs receive continuing professional development. [106267]

  Mr. Denham
  Continuing professional development (CPD) in general practice is important. Learning must be lifelong and cannot cease at the end of formal training. To provide the best possible service to their patients general practitioners should keep up to date with advances in patient care and continually review and improve their knowledge, skills and abilities. We will be issuing a paper on CPD in primary care, building on the many examples of good work already being done by GPs and extending these principles to all primary care staff.

  Out-of-area Treatment
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding the operation of the out-of-area treatment scheme. [106268]

  Mr. Denham
  Extra Contractual Referrals (ECRs) were part of the unfair "two tier" internal market, and were abolished on 31 March 1999. They have been replaced by new arrangements for commissioning services—long term service agreements, specialised service agreements and out-of-area treatments.

  Following the introduction of the new commissioning arrangements on 1 April 1999, the National Health Service Executive has received a small number of representations regarding the out-of-area treatment scheme. We are, of course, keeping the arrangements under review.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the target time set by his Department within which a trust should receive payment for treatments given under the out-of-area treatment scheme. [106272]

  Mr. Denham
  Under the Out-of-area treatment (OAT) arrangements, each National Health Service trust has a main commissioner. The main commissioner health authority is funded for OATs through an annual non-recurrent adjustment to allocations. NHS trusts should be paid by their main commissioners in line with the profile agreed locally.

  NHS Spending
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what total spending in the NHS will be in the current financial year; and what estimate he has made of the level in(a) 2006 and (b) 2007. [106269]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1999–2000 total gross National Health Service expenditure in England is forecast to be £43,049 million.

  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the House on 19 January 2000, Official Report, columns 835–42, if we continue to manage the economy properly we will be able to sustain increases in the National Health Service funding which will bring us up to the European average.
  559W

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the take-up of free eye tests for pensioners and the results of such tests. [106270]

  Mr. Hutton
  Since April 1999, when we extended eligibility for National Health Service sight tests to everyone aged 60 or over, some 50,000 more people have been undergoing these tests each week. We estimate that some five per cent. of those tested are referred for investigation of suspected eye disease.

  Health Spending
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what increase in UK health spending would be required to raise it to the European Union average. [106271]

  Mr. Denham
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the House on 19 January 2000,Official Report, columns 835–42, if we continue to manage the economy properly we will be able to sustain increases in the National Health Service funding which will bring us up to the European average.

  Midwifery (North Essex)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide additional funds to the North Essex health authority to enable team midwifery groups to be provided throughout the authority's area. [106273]

  Yvette Cooper
  North Essex Health Authority is in the process of reviewing its maternity services strategy for the whole of its area, with key stakeholders and users. There will be no changes made to existing maternity services until this strategy has been agreed. Any proposed changes to existing provision will be the subject of a full and open consultation.

  The 2000–01 unified allocation for North Essex Health Authority is £544.95 million, representing a cash increase of £34.15 million (6.68 per cent). It is for health authorities, in partnership with NHS trusts, primary care groups, local authorities and local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and modernising services. The significant additional resources available will help them in this.

  Head Lice
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spends each year on drugs to treat head lice. [106274]

  Mr. Denham
  The net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed in the community for the treatment of head lice in each of the past five years, for which information is available, was as follows:

  Net ingredient cost of prescription items for head lice treatments (England)

  Year

  £000

  1994

  3,107.3

  1995

  4,785.3

  1996

  7,538.4

  560W

  Net ingredient cost of prescription items for head lice treatments (England)

  Year

  £000

  1997

  8,165.9

  1998

  6,352.3

  Data are not collected centrally for treatments dispensed in hospital.

  Waiting Lists (Consultants)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of consultants to discuss targets for reducing waiting lists. [106275]

  Mr. Denham
  Ministers in the Department regularly visit the health service and talk to consultants and other professionals on a wide range of topics, including waiting lists.

  Southend and Thameside Community Care Trusts
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the merger of the Southend and Thameside Community Care Trusts. [106276]

  Mr. Denham
  Southend Community National Health Service Trust and Thameside Community NHS Trust will merge from 1 April 2000 following a period of statutory consultation which ended on 31 August 1999.

  The benefits of merger of the two trusts are significant. Equity, efficiency and access to services should all be improved. Elimination of organisational barriers will provide a platform from which clinical services can be developed. Thus best practice can more easily and quickly be implemented in respect of integration of mental health and other services in community settings. Management should be better placed to liaise effectively with stakeholders within and outside the NHS. The new structure will also improve local flexibility to make future changes easier, as primary care groups and Primary Care Trusts mature and take on additional roles. In addition, savings from reduced management costs can be reinvested in direct patient care.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in the immunisation programme using the new meningitis vaccine. [106277]

  Yvette Cooper
  The introduction of the new meningitis C vaccine is progressing very well. Immunisation for 15 to 17-year-olds is largely completed, babies have been receiving the vaccine since November and we are on target to offer the vaccine to everyone aged under 18 by the end of the year.

  NICE
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. [106250]
  561W
  Mr. Denham
  NICE will secure a more rapid uptake of cost-effective innovations, eliminate the lottery of care, and help the NHS deliver the best possible patient care with the resources available. NICE's initial work programme was announced in November. Interim guidance on Relenza has already been issued. Appraisal guidance on hip implants, extraction of wisdom teeth, taxanes for breast and ovarian cancer, coronary artery stents, and new diagnostic techniques for cervical cancer will follow over the next three months or so. The first compilation of general practitioner referral guidelines will be published in April.

  Older Carers
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people aged over 65 years were acting as carers for relatives under the age of 50 in(a) 1998, (b) 1988 and (c) 1978; and what are the projected figures for 2008. [104509]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is not available for the years nor the age groups requested.

  The 1995 General Household Survey (GHS) indicates that there are around 1 million people in Great Britain who are aged 65 and over and acting as a carer. The number of carers aged over 65 who are caring for people of different age groups can not be estimated accurately, because of small sample sizes. However, the GHS found that less than 0.5 per cent. of the total population aged 16 or more, were aged 65 and over and caring for a relative aged under 65.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people aged over 65 years were acting as carers for relatives over the age of 70 years in(a) 1998, (b) 1988 and (c) 1978; and what is the projected figure for 2008. [104508]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is not available for the years nor the age groups requested.

  Centre

  0+

  0-

  A+

  A-

  B+

  B-

  AB+

  AB-

  Total

  Registered donors 1998–99

  Brentwood

  79,286

  18,973

  75,275

  17,347

  16,431

  3,564

  6,664

  1,517

  219,057

  North London

  70,775

  15,989

  61,033

  13,179

  16,384

  3,160

  6,165

  1,355

  188,040

  South Thames

  87,236

  21,485

  81,116

  18,486

  18,601

  4,065

  7,194

  1,601

  239,784

  London and South East

  237,297

  56,447

  217,424

  49,012

  51,416

  10,789

  20,023

  4,473

  646,881

  Birmingham

  59,258

  16,051

  53,751

  12,657

  11,389

  2,631

  5,440

  1,038

  162,215

  Bristol

  92,116

  23,898

  85,780

  20,245

  18,170

  4,242

  7,933

  1,651

  254,035

  Southampton

  42,318

  10,943

  40,675

  9,561

  8,321

  1,989

  3,862

  796

  118,465

  Midlands and South West

  193,692

  50,892

  180,206

  42,463

  37,880

  8,862

  17,235

  3,485

  534,715

  Sheffield

  54,430

  13,988

  51,871

  12,819

  10,561

  2,627

  5,046

  1,143

  152,485

  Leeds

  43,902

  10,727

  39,068

  9,383

  9,106

  2,066

  3,541

  817

  118,610

  Manchester

  108,620

  26,407

  89,763

  21,409

  21,035

  4,777

  7,348

  1,685

  281,044

  Newcastle

  42,854

  11,406

  35,037

  8,834

  8,484

  2,169

  3,443

  882

  113,109

  North

  249,806

  62,528

  215,739

  52,445

  49,186

  11,639

  19,378

  4,527

  665,248

  Donations collected 1998–99

  Brentwood

  104,786

  25,371

  98,291

  22,688

  21,212

  4,666

  8,101

  1,918

  287,033

  North London

  94,119

  22,019

  78,298

  17,211

  20,526

  4,073

  7,288

  1,602

  245,137

  South Thames

  117,518

  29,626

  106,718

  24,831

  23,940

  5,462

  8,188

  2,019

  318,302

  London and South East

  316,423

  77,017

  283,307

  64,730

  65,678

  14,200

  23,577

  5,540

  850,472

  562W
  The 1995 General Household Survey (GHS) indicates that there are around 1 million people in Great Britain who are aged 65 and over and acting as a carer. The number of carers aged over 65 who are caring for people of different age groups cannot be estimated accurately, because of small sample sizes. However, a rough estimate would indicate that around 500,000 people aged 65 and over were caring for relatives aged 75 and over.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a list of intensive care beds in each NHS hospital in England and Wales on(a) 31 March 1999 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available. [104774]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The information has been placed in the Library. Information for Wales is a matter for its Administration.

  Blood Donors
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many blood donors there were in each NHS region broken down by blood type; and how much blood was donated in each of the last five years. [106932]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the number of donors, their blood types, and on the number of donations, is collected by National Blood Authority blood centre rather than by National Health Service region.

  The number of donors and their blood groups, and donations collected, are set out in the table for each blood centre in 1998–99, the last year for which figures are available. For each of the last five years, the donor and donation figures for England are given.

  The figures on the number of donors registered over the five year period are variable because the National Blood Authority records were reviewed and updated before transfer to a new national computer system in 1998, to remove duplicate and obsolete entries.
  563W

  Centre

  0+

  0-

  A+

  A-

  B+

  B-

  AB+

  AB-

  Total

  Birmingham

  96,479

  27,550

  85,754

  20,264

  17,660

  4,138

  4,831

  1,426

  258,102

  Bristol

  108,014

  29,862

  97,568

  23,717

  19,659

  4,811

  5,254

  1,534

  290,419

  Southampton

  54,255

  15,360

  49,584

  11,664

  9,927

  2,407

  2,816

  831

  146,844

  Midlands and South West

  258,748

  72,772

  232,905

  55,646

  47,247

  11,356

  12,901

  3,791

  695,365

  Sheffield

  88,863

  22,714

  81,682

  20,443

  17,002

  4,158

  4,566

  1,233

  240,661

  Leeds

  59,344

  14,667

  51,853

  12,640

  12,080

  2,751

  4,311

  1,003

  158,650

  Manchester

  116,788

  29,449

  95,874

  23,262

  22,152

  5,128

  6,981

  1,594

  301,227

  Newcastle

  57,598

  15,521

  47,033

  11,967

  10,757

  2,817

  3,605

  949

  150,247

  North

  322,594

  82,351

  276,442

  68,312

  61,991

  14,853

  19,463

  4,779

  850,785

  Registered/Collected—England

  Year

  Active donors

  1994–95

  2,221,883

  1995–96

  2,225,565

  1996–97

  1,906,637

  1997–98

  1,914,351

  1998–99

  1,846,844

  Donations

  1994–95

  2,255,102

  1995–96

  2,329.767

  1996–97

  2,355,551

  1997–98

  2,389,028

  1998–99

  2,396,622

  Cerebral Palsy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on research into cerebral palsy in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [107060]

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

  The Medical Research Council (MRC)—which receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry—funds medical research as part of the Government's funding of the science and engineering base.

  It is the main agency through which the Government support research on the causes and treatment of disease.

  The Department funds research and development to support its work on policy development and evaluation in health and social care. The Department also manages the National Health Service research and development levy which is used to support research and development of relevance to the National Health Service in hospitals, general practice and other health care settings, and to fund the NHS research and development programme.

  During 1998–99 the MRC spent £58 million on neurosciences and mental health research.

  This research portfolio covers a wide range of areas in basic research that underpin the understanding of diseases and dysfunction of the brain, including cerebral palsy.

  The national NHS research and development programme has funded a number of projects on cerebral palsy at a total cost of £619,579. Expenditure for this work over the last five years is as follows.
  564W

  £

  1995–96

  40,314

  1996–97

  129,454

  1997–98

  129,454

  1998–99

  171,339

  1999–2000

  101,658

  Management of much of the research supported by the NHS research and development levy is devolved and details of expenditure at project level are not held centrally by the Department. For example, the Department provides support funds to allow work funded by others such as the Research Councils and charities to be conducted within the NHS. Local research projects may also be funded through NHS regional offices. The total spend on cerebral palsy research will therefore be greater than that shown for the national NHS research and development programme above.

  The Department also funds the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at Oxford, whose programme includes work on cerebral palsy.

  Project details of work directly funded by the Department or supported through the NHS research and development levy can be found on the National Research Register (NRR). This is available in the Library and most medical libraries on CD-ROM and on the Internet: http://www.doh.gov.uk/nrr.htm. The NRR lists a considerable number of projects related to cerebral palsy.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the impact of private practice in the same NHS unit or specialty on the waiting list and waiting time for treatment; [107391]

  (2) what action he has taken in relation to Recommendation 15 of the Health Committee report, "Public Expenditure on Health Services: Waiting Lists" (Session 1990/91: page xxiv); and if he will make a statement. [107392]

  Ms Stuart
  We have made no assessment of the impact of private practice on waiting lists and times for treatment in the same National Health Service unit or specialty.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish, for each of the next 12 months, the week in which he expects to announce the latest(a) in-patient waiting list figures and (b) out-patient waiting list figures. [107301]
  565W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: The in-patient waiting list statistics for the end of December 1999 and out-patient waiting times statistics for the third quarter of 1999–2000 will be published during the week commencing 14 February 2000. Publication dates for later months will be published, as usual, one month prior in the Office for National Statistics' "Updates".

  NHS Consultants (Private Practice)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the average time spent on private practice by NHS consultants. [107390]

  Ms Stuart
  The vast majority of our consultants work hard for the National Health Service and more than fulfil their contractual commitments.

  We are currently negotiating a new modern contract for consultants with the Central Consultants and Specialists Committee of the British Medical Association. We want to see better, more robust job planning arrangements,

  Major capital schemes—approved since May 1997

  £ million

  PFI schemes

  NHSRO

  Approximate capital

  PFI schemes reached financial close with work started on site:

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  SE

  94

  Carlisle Hospitals NHS Trust

  N&Y

  65

  South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust

  SE

  45

  Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trust

  East

  144

  North Durham Health Care NHS Trust

  N&Y

  61

  Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  Lond

  93

  Calderdale Healthcare NHS Trust

  N&Y

  65

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  NW

  66

  Bromley Healthcare NHS Trust

  Lond

  118

  Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

  Lond

  54

  Worcester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  WM

  87

  Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust

  WM

  64

  South Durham Healthcare NHS Trust

  N&Y

  41

  South Tees Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  N&Y

  122

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  SW

  96

  Kings Healthcare NHS Trust

  Lond

  64

  Total PFI schemes reached financial close with work started on site (16)

  1,277

  PFI schemes approved but not yet started on site:

  Wave 1a schemes

  University College London Hospitals NHS Trust

  Lond

  274

  St. Georges Hospital NHS Trust

  Lond

  44

  Baits and The London NHS Trust

  Lond

  462

  Total London

  780

  2nd wave schemes prioritised

  Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust and Manchester Children's Hospital NHS Trust

  NW

  250

  Dudley Priority Hospitals NHS Trust

  WM

  68

  West Berkshire Priority Care NHS Trust

  SE

  29

  Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust

  N&Y

  124

  Walsgrave Hospitals NHS Trust and Coventry Healthcare NHS Trust

  WM

  181

  West Middlesex University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Lond

  33

  Total 2nd wave schemes prioritised

  685

  Total April 1998 Announcement

  1,465

  3rd wave schemes prioritised1,2

  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust

  N&Y

  125

  The Radcliffe Infirmary NHS Trust

  SE

  71

  Havering Hospitals NHS Trust

  Lond

  148

  Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  SE

  75

  Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Healthcare NHS Trust

  NW

  52

  Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS trust

  Trent

  177

  Total 3rd wave scheme prioritised

  648

  Total PFI

  3,390

  566W
  supported by regular appraisal, to ensure that consultants' undoubted energies are focused clearly on delivering key service goals and priorities, providing patients with the high quality care that they need and expect, increasing productivity where it is needed most and cutting waiting lists.

  Private Finance Initiative (Hospitals)
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those hospitals planned to be built under the private finance initiative indicating how many projects have been completed. [107434]

  Mr. Denham
  A list of all 31 major private finance initiative schemes is in the table. It shows schemes that have reached financial close and work has started on site, and schemes that have been given the go-ahead and are working towards financial close. The first three major acute PFI schemes, at Carlisle, Dartford and Gravesham and South Buckinghamshire will become operational in 2000.
  567W

  Major capital schemes—approved since May 1997

  £ million

  PFI schemes

  NHSRO

  Approximate capital

  Publicly funded schemes:

  Publicly funded schemes with work started on site

  Rochdale Health Care NHS trust

  NW

  24

  Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospital NHS Trust

  SE

  74

  Central Sheffield University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Trent

  24

  Guys and St. Thomas' NHS Trust

  Lond

  50

  Total

  172

  Publicly funded schemes approved but not started on site

  Royal Hull Hospitals NHS Trust

  N&Y

  20

  Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust

  SW

  25

  Total

  45

  Total Publicly Funded

  217

  Total major capital investment given go ahead

  3,607

  1 For schemes still in early stages of development, estimates are based on highest costed option

  2 Figures may not sum due to rounding

  Note:

  The capital values of PFI schemes are approximate and defined as:

  Total Capital Cost to the Private Sector includes the costs of land, construction, equipment and professional fees but excludes VAT, rolled up interest and financing costs such as bank arrangement fees, bank due diligence fees, banks' lawyers fees and third party equity costs. As PFI procures a service rather than the underlying asset, capital values shown are necessarily estimates.

  Summary:

  All schemes
  Since 1 May 1997, 37 major hospital developments, worth over £3.1 billion have been given the go ahead.

  PFI schemes
  31 major hospital developments worth over £2.9 billion have been given approval to proceed under the Private Finance Initiative since 1 May 1997, 16 of which, worth almost £1.3 billion have already signed final contracts and begun building. Of these 16, three are scheduled to become operational in 2000.

  Publicly funded schemes
  The go ahead has also been given to six publicly funded schemes worth almost £220 million, with work on site already started at four of these.

  Piped Oxygen
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports he has received on the benefits of having piped oxygen in acute wards in terms of patient care and nursing staff productivity. [107417]

  Ms Stuart
  No central reports are available on the benefits of having piped oxygen in acute wards in terms of patient care and nursing staff productivity. Experience shows that piped oxygen is beneficial in terms of improved patient care, providing a safe, cost effective and productive service.

  NHS Hospitals (Training)
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many doctors currently working in the private health sector were trained in NHS hospitals; [107432]

  (2) how many people in professions allied to medicine currently working in the private health sector were trained in NHS hospitals; [107429]

  (3) how many nurses currently working in the private health sector were trained in NHS hospitals. [107428]
  568W
  Ms Stuart
  Data on the source of health professionals qualifications working in the private sector are not collected centrally. However, the great majority of United Kingdom trained health professionals working in the private health sector will have received their professional education and training within or associated with the National Health Service.

  Bio-medical Scientists
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bio-medical scientists are employed by the West Sussex Health Authority; and what is the Authority's establishment for bio-medical scientists. [107874]

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

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): all pathology scientists within West Sussex Health Authority, as at 30 September 1998

  Total pathology scientists

  Whole-time equivalent

  5

  Numbers (headcount)

  5

  Notes:

  1. "Pathology Scientists" include Biomedical Scientists, Immunologists, Clinical Cytogenetics, Chemical Pathologists, Haematologists etc.

  2. "Pathology Scientists" can not be broken down in any more detail to reveal Biomedical Scientist numbers.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Breast Cancer
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women with suspected breast cancer waited to see a consultant for(a) two, (b) three, (c) four, (d) five, (e) six, (f) seven and (g) eight weeks in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if he will

  569W
  provide this information in respect of the age groups (i) under 29, (ii) 30 to 49, (iii) 50 to 64, (iv) 65 to 74, (v) 75 to 84 and (vi) 85 years and over. [105067]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested. In the three months ending 30 September 1999, 95 per cent. of patients with suspected breast cancer were seen for their first outpatient appointment within two weeks of their GP deciding they should be referred urgently and the National Health Service trust receiving the referral within 24 hours.

  Community Hospital (Lymington)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce a decision on the proposed private finance initiative scheme for a new community hospital for Lymington. [107264]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: Negotiations between Southampton Community Health Services National Health Service Trust and its private sector partner on the proposed private finance initiative scheme for a new community hospital for Lymington are continuing. We hope these will be completed shortly, allowing an announcement to be made shortly after.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Country of Origin Labelling
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action the Government are taking to curb misleading country of origin labelling on food products. [108318]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Following consultation of the food industry and enforcement authorities I issued today revised guidance notes on origin labelling to ensure that consumers are not misled about the true origin of the food they buy. A copy of the guidance notes has been placed in the Library of both Houses.

  Red Tape Review
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce his responses to the Red Tape Review reports on the Meat Industry, IACS and Inspections, and the Intervention System. [108319]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Further to my replies of 13 December 1999,Official Report, column 89W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Dr. Naysmith), and to my hon. Friends the Members for Wirral, South (Mr. Chapman) and for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Mrs. Lawrence), 21 December 1999, Official Report, columns 572–73W, welcoming the three reports prepared as key parts of the review of regulatory burdens on agriculture, I am today placing in the Library of the House action plans which set out the Government's responses to the 107 recommendations in the reports. We have accepted 98 of the 107 recommendations. We shall be giving six recommendations further consideration, and will do so as rapidly as possible. Of the 98 recommendations we have accepted, we shall be pursuing 23 in Brussels to seek changes in the basic legal provisions.
  570W

  Over-30-month Scheme
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the criteria by which the Intervention Board awards slaughter contracts under the over-30-month scheme. [102918]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 16 December 1999]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 25 January 2000, Official Report, column 183W.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the items in the National Assets Register sold by his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies since 15 February 1999, stating in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total amount raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [104479]

  Mr. Morley
  Some £16,744,388 has accrued to my Department, its agencies and associated non-departmental public bodies from sales of surplus assets disposed of since 15 February 1999.

  A summary of individual assets and groups of assets sold or otherwise disposed of by my Department and its associated bodies since February 1999 is contained in the following tables. The table headings reflect the categories reported in the National Asset Register.

  Categories where no disposals have taken place have been omitted.

  More detailed information (such as types of computer, descriptions of individual vehicles) is held by the Department but would be expensive to compile.

  Since the National Asset Register was published in November 1997, a total of £29,374,183 has been realised from disposals of such assets.

  The Department remains committed to the early identification of surplus assets and their disposal on terms favourable to the public purse.

  1. Property
  The Ministry has disposed of the sites listed since 15 February 1999, and realised £14,450,100 to date. A further £1,850,000 is payable to MAFF in 2000–01 arising from these sales. Individual figures for each item are held by my Department but have not been reported here for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
  A number of surplus properties remain. Action is in hand to dispose of these at best value to the Department.

  1A. Freehold Property—HQ and Regional Offices
  Berkeley Towers, Nantwich Road, Crewe

  1B. Freehold Property—Laboratories
  Central Science Laboratory, London Road, Slough
  CSL National Bees Unit, Luddington, Stratford upon Avon (2 plots)

  1C. Freehold Property—Farms etc.
  Efford EHS, Lymington, Hants. (part)
  Marsh Cottages, Rosemaund, Preston Wynne, Hereford
  1 Marsh Cottages, Rosemaund, Preston Wynne, Hereford
  9 Great North Road, Chawston, BedsHurstborne Common, Andover, Hants.
  571W
  1D. Freehold Property—Buffer Depots
  Former RAF station, Strubby, Alford, Lincs.
  Gravel Pit, Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Herts.
  Towy Avenue, Llandovery, Dyfed

  2B. Historic Leasehold Property—Laboratories
  Olantigh Road, Wye, Ashford, Kent

  3A. Long Leasehold Property—Laboratories
  CSL Colney Lane, Norwich.

  5A. Information Technology—Equipment (Servers, Pcs)

  Description

  Number disposed of

  Sales receipts (£)

  MAFF

  104

  0

  PSD

  69

  0

  MHS

  1—

  0

  CSL

  78

  0

  VMD

  1—

  0

  VLA

  3

  0

  CEFAS

  1—

  0

  FRCA

  1—

  0

  Total

  > 254

  0

  1 Where number of units are not stated, the information is available but due to changes in local accounting systems could only be retrieved at significant cost.

  Notes:

  As a consequence of technical obsolescence, IT disposals tend to have no resale value. The Department and its Agencies seek to maximise the use of existing technology where possible, and only dispose of IT equipment when it can ńo longer meet the Department's needs.

  The Department has incurred some additional expense to dispose safely of PCBs and Monitors but this cost is not readily distinguishable from other expenditure on waste disposal.

  5B. Information Technology—Main Systems
  Version 9.3.7 of the "ORACLE Financials" Resource Accounting and Management Information System has been superseded by version 10.7. The earlier version has been retained for accessing archived data. PSD upgraded their SUN Accounts system in March 1999. Although there was no cash benefit from the disposal of the old system and associated equipment, the Agency received a trade-in value of £20,000 against the cost of the upgrade.
  Some non-critical software systems were capitalised on MAFF and Agency Accounts where material external costs had been incurred. These had no residual value, were not Millennium compliant, and have been written off from the accounts.

  6. Office Equipment

  Description

  Numbers disposed of

  Sales receipts (£)

  MAFF

  25

  2,350

  PSD

  —

  —

  MHS

  —

  —

  CSL

  1

  0

  VMD

  —

  —

  VLA

  —

  —

  CEFAS

  —

  —

  FRCA

  —

  —

  Total

  26

  2,350

  7. Scientific and Laboratory Equipment

  Description

  Numbers disposed of

  Sales receipts (£)

  MAFF

  —

  —

  PSD

  —

  —

  MHS

  —

  —

  CSL

  62

  0

  572W

  7. Scientific and Laboratory Equipment

  Description

  Numbers disposed of

  Sales receipts (£)

  VMD

  —

  —

  VLA

  78

  14,668

  CEFAS

  —

  —

  FRCA

  —

  —

  Total

  140

  14,668

  8. Furniture and Fittings
  Small amounts of furniture and fittings have been disposed of when dilapidated, but with no resale value.

  9. Vehicles

  Description

  Numbers disposed of

  Sales receipts (£)

  MAFF

  49

  137,316

  PSD

  —

  —

  MHS

  7

  32,240

  CSL

  21

  64,720

  VMD

  —

  —

  VLA

  7

  7,015

  CEFAS

  18

  14,547

  FRCA

  6

  14,033

  Total

  108

  269,871

  12. Non-Departmental Public Bodies
  Covent Garden Market Authority
  No items have been sold since 15 February 1999, though plant and equipment with a book value of £3,069 was disposed of with no cash benefit.
  Total sales since 1997 = £2,359.

  Food from Britain
  No assets have been disposed of since 15 February 1999.
  Total sales since 1997 = £30,302

  Horticulture Research International
  No assets have been disposed of since 15 February 1999. There have been no sales receipts for registered assets since 1997.

  Meat and Livestock Commission
  Sales of surplus assets since 15 February 1999:

  IT Equipment: £3,000

  Vehicles: £122,000

  Total Sales since 1997 = £474,000.

  Sea Fish Industry Authority
  The following items have been sold since 15 February 1999:

  Office equipment: £1,478

  IT Equipment: £251

  Vehicles: £950

  Disposals with no cash benefit—1 portacabin.

  Total sales since 1997 = £15,988.

  Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  The following items have been sold since 15 February 1999:

  Scientific and Laboratory Equipment: £1,170

  Vehicles: £10,900

  Total sales since 1997 = £24,326.

  West Devon Meats
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to compensate farmers who
  573W
  incur extra transport costs as a result of the withdrawal of the contract with West Devon Meats to slaughter cattle under the over thirty months scheme. [101912]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 December 1999]: There are no plans to provide such compensation. Neither was such compensation paid at the time of the previous tender. It is the responsibility of the producers to transport their Over Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) animals from the farm to the point of slaughter. The Government's responsibility is to ensure that there is a sufficient number of access points into the scheme, and that they are well distributed having regard to the main production areas. The outcome of the tender for OTMS slaughtering services, together with the unchanged network of 170 markets registered to collect OTMS cattle (10 of which are in Devon), fully meet these requirements.

  EU Leader Plus Programme
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the United Kingdom's share of the EU Leader Plus programme; which member states receive more funding under the programme than the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [105663]

  Mr. Morley
  The United Kingdom's share of the EU Leader Plus Community Initiative is 106 million euro out of 2,020 million euro for the period 2000–06. The Member States receiving more funding than the United Kingdom are Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. The European Commission have said that allocations to Member States were based on allocations under previous programmes and objective criteria such as population in rural areas, utilised agricultural area and population density.

  Sugar
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of ensuring that future arrangements provide a sufficient supply of imported raw sugar to maintain the basic level of cane refining. [105491]

  Ms Quin
  The UK attaches considerable importance to the maintenance of adequate raw sugar supplies to the cane refining industry, which produces about half of our sugar. We therefore need to keep this consideration firmly in mind in forthcoming discussions about the EU sugar regime, and preferential access for cane sugar.

  Pig Sector
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the investigations of his meat trader adviser in respect of the pig sector; and when his findings will be published. [106865]

  Ms Quin
  The meat trade adviser is in contact with all the major British retail and catering groups and has had several useful meetings with key industry organisations on the issue of misleading labelling of pigmeat products. Progress is being made and labels are being changed. Although not produced in a form which can readily be published, the meat trade adviser's findings are made known as he discusses his progress regularly with the National Pig Association and other industry bodies.
  574W
  New guidelines on less ambiguous country of origin labelling will shortly be issued to Trading Standards Officers by my Department's Food Labelling and Standards Division.

  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in establishing a state aid scheme for the pig sector in agreement with the EU. [105139]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: The European Commission has made clear in correspondence and at meetings that it will not sanction any scheme which fails to meet the rules. The rules preclude the payment of operating aids, i.e. subsidies that are simply aimed at improving the producer's position in the market. However, we continue to consider possible ways forward in consultation with industry representatives.

  Regulation
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which interested organisations besides the NFU he has contacted concerning the level and costs of regulation affecting farming in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other member states in the last 12 months. [106868]

  Ms Quin
  The Department consults all interested organisations on regulatory proposals for which it is responsible as a matter of course. Further, a wide range of interested organisations responded to our open invitation to identify regulatory burdens on agriculture as part of the review launched in September 1999. The three Red Tape working groups we set up between them consulted over 300 organisations; the full lists of consultees are appended to their reports available in the Library of the House.

  Consultation with organisations in other Member States is a matter for national authorities. However, we maintain regular contact with Commissioner Fischler and European ministerial colleagues.

  New Forest Draghounds
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who has the authority to grant the New Forest Draghounds a licence to operate in the New Forest. [106993]

  Mr. Morley
  The Forestry Commission has authority to grant licences for activities on the Crown Lands of the New Forest.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many press releases have been published by his Department since 1995. [106991]

  Mr. Morley
  The number of press releases published by MAFF since 1995 are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1995

  540

  1996

  491

  1997

  467

  1998

  553

  1999

  571

  Rodenticides
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to monitor the incidence of(a) rodenticide levels in higher food-chain wildlife and (b) resistance in rats to rodenticides; and if he will make a statement. [106661]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 25 January 2000]: The Wildlife Incidents Investigation Scheme collects reports of wildlife deaths that may have been caused by rodenticides or other pesticides. All incidents accepted into the Scheme are investigated and the pesticide involved, if any, identified. The results of investigations may be used in a review of the pesticide approval and in enforcement action. In 1998, 49 cases were found to involve anticoagulant rodenticides.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' latest English House Condition Survey, published on 5 January, showed generally low levels of rodent infestation. Separate work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on levels of resistance to anticoagulant rodenticides in rats on farms showed that there is not a general problem.

  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also carries out research to identify issues affecting the development and spread of resistance and the risk to non-target wildlife species arising from the use of rodenticides.

  Departmental Employment
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people are employed by his Department; and what was the equivalent figure five years ago. [106989]

  Mr. Morley
  On 1 October 1994, there were 10,793 staff working in my Department and its agencies.

  On 1 October 1999 (the latest information available) there were 9,782 staff working in MAFF and its agencies undertaking broadly comparable functions. In addition, there are 1,482 staff working for the Meat Hygiene Service who undertake functions which were the responsibility of local authorities in 1994. These figures are expressed in Full Time Equivalent terms. (Total = 11,264 staff).

  Intervention Board
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he has received the PricewaterhouseCoopers' report which includes a review of the Agricultural Intervention Board; and if he will make a statement; [107044]

  (2) when he plans to announce his decision on the future of the Agricultural Intervention Board. [107045]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Minister has received PricewaterhouseCoopers' report on CAP Scheme Administration in England.

  The report considers the current arrangements for administration of CAP schemes against the background of the Modernising Government agenda, and focuses in particular on the scope for improving service delivery to claimants and making best use of IT developments. It
  576W
  recommends that the CAP scheme payment functions of MAFF in England and of the Intervention Board in the UK should be merged to create a new CAP administration organisation supported by a single state of the art IT system.

  My right hon. Friend is now considering these recommendations. Any radical reorganisation of CAP administration will be considered in the context of the Spending Review 2000. Decisions on the future of the Intervention Board will be taken in conjunction with the devolved administrations, since the Board reports to Agriculture Ministers in all four parts of the United Kingdom.

  Fanning (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much Government funding was given to farmers in Shropshire in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999; and if he will make a statement. [107167]

  Ms Quin
  Total subsidies paid to farmers in Shropshire by MAFF during 1998 amounted to £43,588,045. These include national and EU funding. Farmers also benefit from expenditure on market support measures, although this is not paid directly to them.

  Figures for 1999 are not yet available.

  Pigmeat
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what checks are introduced on imported pigmeat which is processed and sold in pre-packed form. [107107]

  Ms Quin
  All meat and meat products, including processed and pre-packed pigmeat, imported from third countries are subject to veterinary inspection at designated Border Inspection Posts. All consignments are subject to documentary and identity checks and at least 20 per cent. of consignments are subject to physical checks. These checks are to ensure that conditions of import have been complied with and that the products have remained in a satisfactory condition during transport.

  Meat and meat products originating in all EU member states, including the UK, are subject to strict hygiene rules laid down in EU law. Among other things, this sets out the licensing, structural and supervision requirements to be applied in all meat plants before they can be approved for trade with other member states. Member states to which meat and meat products may be dispatched are permitted to carry out random checks at destination but these are limited by virtue of the fact that there are no certification or pre-notification requirements for most consignments.

  Ensuring that all member states comply with their Community obligations in properly implementing and applying EU hygiene rules is the responsibility of the European Commission, whose Food and Veterinary Office carries out regular programmes of inspection visits to all member states. Their reports are considered by the Standing Veterinary Committee in Brussels, and, if necessary, the Commission will take infraction proceedings against member states whose arrangements are considered inadequate.
  577W

  Forestry
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what acreage of forestry land is under cultivation in the United Kingdom. [107292]

  Mr. Morley
  There are 2.66 million hectares of woodland in the United Kingdom.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review the way in which his Department communicates with the Agricultural Section of the National Assembly for Wales, with regard to information emanating from the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [107230]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 27 January 2000]: This Department is committed to providing all the devolved administrations with full and comprehensive details, as early as possible, of all developments and initiatives within the framework of the European Union which may be relevant to them. The devolved administrations are also committed to informing this Department of any direct approaches they receive from the Commission on new policy initiatives. These arrangements are reflected in the draft bilateral Concordat between MAFF and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales. Similar working arrangements were in place between officials in MAFF and the Welsh Office Agriculture Department before devolution. If a need to revise the practices is identified and agreed, the Concordat can be amended at any time.

  Fishing Quotas
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect on stocks of cod of the cut in the North Sea quota. [107476]

  Mr. Morley
  The total allowable catch (TAC) of 81,000 tonnes agreed for 2,000 takes account of scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) that the stock is currently outside safe biological limits and that fishing mortality should be reduced to prevent further decline in the Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) in the short term. The ICES advice indicates that the maximum catch limit agreed provides a high probability that the SSB will increase to above the precautionary reference level of 150,000 tonnes over the next few years.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the effect on stocks of coley of the quota cuts of the last five years. [107475]

  Mr. Morley
  The table shows the total allowable catches (TACs) for North Sea and West of Scotland saithe (coley) over the last five years.

  Tonnes

  North Sea

  West of Scotland

  1996

  111,000

  13,000

  1997

  115,000

  12,000

  1998

  97,000

  10,900

  1999

  110,000

  7,500

  2000

  85,000

  7,000

  578W
  It can be seen that the North Sea TAC has moved up and down, while the West of Scotland TAC has steadily declined, reflecting scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea on the state of the stock. The reductions agreed for 2000 take account of advice from ICES that the combined saithe stock is outside safe biological limits and that fishing mortality should be reduced to prevent further decline in the Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) in the short term. The reduced TACs will help ensure that the SSB increases to more sustainable levels over the medium term.

  Fisheries Aid
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact the cut in fisheries grant-in-aid in West Sussex will have on sea trout runs in the Western Rother, Arun and Adur rivers. [107873]

  Mr. Morley
  It is for the Environment Agency to determine its spending priorities for 2001–02 in the light of the planned £1.5 million reduction in Grant-in-Aid in England. It is not possible for me to predict how the cut is likely to affect sea trout runs in the West Sussex area.

TREASURY

  Official Visits
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his visit to Rome in October 1997 was an official visit; and what consequent declaration he made relating to gifts and hospitality to his Permanent Secretary. [107637]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: I travelled to Rome in October 1997—at no cost to public funds—both for a private visit and to meet the Italian Finance Minister, Mr. Carlo Ciampi. In line with the requirements of the Ministerial Code no declaration to the Permanent Secretary was necessary.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the yield from tapering away child benefit in the hands of the highest earner in a couple according to the thresholds and tapering mechanism envisaged for child tax credits. [103146]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government have introduced child tax credits in the WFTC and will introduce a separate children's tax credit from April 2001. The two credits have very different withdrawal mechanisms and without a clearer guide as to which should be applied it is not possible to answer the question.

  VAT (Labour-intensive Industry)
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans to apply the EU proposal to offer VAT relief to labour intensive industries in the UK with special reference to the equestrian industry. [107389]
  579W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The EC Directive which provides for an optional, experimental, reduced rate of VAT applies only to a narrow range of labour intensive services. The Chancellor has no plans for its application to the equestrian industry.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of lowering the working-hours requirement for receipt of the working families tax credit from 16 hours to 10 hours for parents who have at least one child aged under five years for(a) both parents and (b) one parent. [107404]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Reliable estimates for the cost of lowering the working hours requirement for receipt of the Working Families' Tax Credit from 16 hours to 10 hours for parents with at least one child aged under five years are not available.

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with other EU countries on the problem of tobacco smuggling in Europe. [107497]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The problems of tax fraud and international criminality, including tobacco smuggling, are matters regularly included in discussions which I and other members of the Government have with counterparts in other EU member states. These are underpinned by frequent operational and other contacts between officials in both the UK and other member states, together with the Anti-Fraud Unit of the European Commission.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent reports he has received on the extent of(a) Mafia and (b) other criminal organisations' involvement in tobacco smuggling in Europe and on the centres of control and operation. [107499]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Treasury Ministers receive regular reports on tax fraud activity affecting a variety of sectors including tobacco. Some of this information is in the form of confidential and operationally sensitive advice, some is contained in published documents. A recent document in the latter category is the 1998 European Commission "Annual Report on the Fight Against Fraud" published on 19 November 1999, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Income Tax Revenue
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income tax revenue was derived from income in excess of(a) £35,000, (b) £50,000, (c) £75,000, and (d) £100,000 in the last financial year. [107394]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The amounts of income tax liable from people with total incomes in excess of £35,000, £50,000, £75,000 and £100,000 in 1998–99 are £36.6 billion, £27.3 billion, £19.2 billion and £15.1 billion respectively.

  These estimates are based on the 1997–98 survey of personal incomes projected to 1998–99 consistent with November 1999 Pre-Budget Report assumptions.
  580W
  Mr. St.Aubyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income tax revenue derived from(a) lower rate receipts, (b) basic rate receipts and (c) higher rate receipts in the last financial year. [107393]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In 1998–99, total income tax liabilities are estimated to be around £89 billion before allowances given as tax deductions at a fixed rate (such as the married couples allowance) and £85.5 billion after these allowances. Lower rate, basic rate and higher rate liabilities, before the aforementioned allowances are estimated to be £22.8 billion, £41.0 billion and £25.3 billion respectively.

  These estimates are based on the 1997–98 survey of personal incomes projected to 1999–2000 consistent with November 1999 Pre-Budget Report assumptions.

  Dwellings (VAT)
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the most recent 10 years for which figures are available(a) the numbers of dwellings upon which repairs were carried out occasioning a VAT payment, (b) the yield from such payments in each year and (c) the average value of the work carried out. [107754]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Statistics on dwellings on which repairs have been carried out and on the VAT relating to such repairs are not directly available.

  Based on data published in Housing and Construction Statistics 1988–98, VAT charged in 1998 in respect of repairs, maintenance and improvements carried out by contractors on private sector housing in Great Britain is estimated at £1.7 billion. It is not possible to identify repairs separately.

  Fees
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised and will be raised from each of these fees from 1989–90 to 2004–05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure. [107976]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 January 2000,Official Report, column 265W.

  VAT
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what legal advice he has received on reducing VAT on repairs to historic buildings. [107926]

  Dawn Primarolo
  EC law does not permit a reduced rate of VAT for repairs to historic buildings. A recent Directive made provision for a short term experimental reduced rate for renovation and repairs of private housing, which could therefore cover some historic buildings.

  Departmental Accommodation
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for each of the Treasury buildings in London, how many rooms are set aside for(a) ethnic minority religious use, (b) pregnant women and (c) smokers. [107529]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  (a) None.
  581W
  (b) Pregnant women have use of two rooms in the Parliament Street office and one room at Allington Towers.

  (c) Smoking is largely restricted to dedicated ventilated smoking room (four smoking rooms in Parliament and three smoking rooms at Allington Towers) and is not permitted in common areas, with the exception of an area of the Staff Restaurant.

  Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1999,Official Report, column 300W, on research contracts, if he will state the total expenditure on research let by his Department since May 1997 and list the titles of all research contracts let by his Department during 1999 and costing £20,000 or more, stating the value of each contract, and in each case whether the contract included (i) departmental veto over publication of the research
  582W
  results, (ii) departmental control over the date of publication of the research and (iii) a requirement that the final research results incorporate departmental amendments; and if he will place a copy of the standard research contract currently in use by his Department in the Library. [107037]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16 December 1999,Official Report, column 300W.

  Invest to Save
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have for a successor programme to Invest to Save. [108047]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The future of the Invest to Save Budget (ISB) will be considered in the 2000 Spending Review and decisions announced as part of the Government's spending plans for the period 2001–02 to 2003–04.

  Deaths in Police Custody: Proceedings
  Deaths in Police Custody: Proceedings
  Hedgerows
  Hedgerows
  Lead Shot Restriction: Enforcement of Regulations
  Lead Shot Restriction: Enforcement of Regulations
  Lead Shot Restriction, Scotland and Wales
  Lead Shot Restriction, Scotland and Wales
  London Underground: Performance Targets
  London Underground: Performance Targets
  Commercial Pilots: Age Limit
  Commercial Pilots: Age Limit
  Train Operating Companies: Response to Complaint
  Train Operating Companies: Response to Complaint
  Touting by Unlicensed Taxi Drivers
  Touting by Unlicensed Taxi Drivers
  Mobile Phone Use on Public Transport
  Mobile Phone Use on Public Transport
  Heathrow: Take-off Statistics
  Heathrow: Take-off Statistics
  Visual Arts: Support for Contemporary Work
  Visual Arts: Support for Contemporary Work
  Youth Unemployment
  Youth Unemployment
  Short-term Working Groups
  Short-term Working Groups
  Knowledge Network System
  Knowledge Network System
  Apiculture Council, 24 and 25 January
  Apiculture Council, 24 and 25 January
  Pig Offal Exports
  Pig Offal Exports
  Organophosphorus Sheep Dips
  Organophosphorus Sheep Dips
  Brittany: Pesticide Levels in Drinking Water
  Brittany: Pesticide Levels in Drinking Water
  Northern Ireland Act 1998: Section 75 Designations
  Northern Ireland Act 1998: Section 75 Designations
  Garda Siochana and RUC: Members' Religious Affiliations
  Garda Siochana and RUC: Members' Religious Affiliations
  Irish Population: Religious Affiliations
  Irish Population: Religious Affiliations
  Côte d'Ivoire: Coup
  Côte d'Ivoire: Coup
  Commonwealth Institute
  Commonwealth Institute
  GCHQ: Compensation to Former Employees
  GCHQ: Compensation to Former Employees
  DSS Staff: Assistance to Scottish and Welsh Administrations
  DSS Staff: Assistance to Scottish and Welsh Administrations
  EU Member States: Human Rights and Armed Forces Discipline
  EU Member States: Human Rights and Armed Forces Discipline
  Chinook Fleet: Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders
  Chinook Fleet: Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders
  Armed Forces: Premature Voluntary Retirement Applications
  Armed Forces: Premature Voluntary Retirement Applications
  Defence Medical Services: Medical Consultants
  Defence Medical Services: Medical Consultants
  Mr Mike Tyson's Entourage: Leave to Enter UK
  Mr Mike Tyson's Entourage: Leave to Enter UK
  General Pinochet
  General Pinochet
  Police Officers: Injuries
  Police Officers: Injuries
  Local Elections: Pilot Schemes
  Local Elections: Pilot Schemes