Written Answers of 11 February 2000

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Departmental Functions (Food)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required of domestic producers. [109786]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My Department's caterers are required to comply with all legal requirements and relevant regulations governing the procurement and preparation of food and related activities.

  Rough Sleepers
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in reducing rough sleeping in London since he last published an estimate of numbers. [110298]

  Ms Armstrong
  The most recent evidence on the number of people sleeping rough in London comes from single night street counts carried out in 11 boroughs on the night of 20 January 2000 (27 January in Lambeth).

  We have previously estimated that as at June 1999 there were 635 people sleeping rough in Greater London. Using the January 2000 counts to update that figure where possible, our best estimate is that there were 420 people sleeping rough in Greater London as at January 2000.

  Vehicle Emissions
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to complete his evaluation of the pilot programme under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emission) (Fixed Penalties) Regulations, which was completed in February 1999. [107351]

  Mr. Hill
  The Motorists' Forum, representing a range of interested parties including motor manufacturers and motoring organisations, has been invited to consider the experience of the pilot programme of roadside vehicle emission checks, and the work undertaken to date by the Cleaner Vehicle Task Force. A further announcement will be made in due course.

  Road Accidents (Yeovil)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the accident blackspots on roads within the Yeovil constituency for each year since 1995, with the date and details of each accident that has occurred on them; and if he will list the date and location of road accident fatalities in the area since 1995. [108745]
  302W
  Mr. Hill
  The assessment of local accident blackspots is a matter for the relevant highway authorities in an area. However, data on road accident fatalities are available and the dates and locations of those in the Yeovil local authority area from 1995–1998 are listed in the table.

  Date

  Road number

  Junction with

  Number of fatalities

  3 August 1995

  A30

  A357

  1

  25 June 1995

  A30

  Unclassified

  1

  16 September 1995

  A30

  1

  20 April 1996

  A30

  Unclassified

  1

  13 May 1996

  A30

  Unclassified

  1

  22 January 1996

  A30

  1

  29 March 1996

  A30

  1

  6 June 1996

  A30

  1

  2 May 1998

  A30

  2

  27 January 1998

  A30

  1

  19 December 1998

  A30

  1

  31 March 1995

  A303

  1

  31 March 1995

  A303

  Unclassified

  3

  18 September 1995

  A303

  1

  27 October 1995

  A303

  1

  8 March 1995

  A303

  Unclassified

  1

  25 February 1996

  A303

  Unclassified

  1

  12 April 1996

  A303

  1

  28 January 1998

  A303

  Unclassified

  1

  2 December 1998

  A303

  1

  23 December 1998

  A303

  1

  21 August 1998

  A303

  5

  12 April 1995

  A356

  1

  1 November 1997

  A356

  1

  14 October 1996

  A358

  Unclassified

  1

  5 June 1996

  A358

  1

  9 June 1997

  A358

  1

  17 August 1997

  A358

  1

  22 September 1997

  A358

  1

  7 November 1997

  A358

  1

  10 October 1996

  A359

  1

  7 June 1997

  A359

  Unclassified

  1

  23 April 1998

  A359

  A303

  1

  10 August 1996

  A372

  2

  23 August 1996

  A378

  Unclassified

  2

  22 March 1996

  B3153

  1

  20 June 1996

  B3165

  1

  13 April 1998

  B3165

  1

  16 October 1995

  Unclassified

  1

  28 April 1995

  Unclassified

  Unclassified

  1

  18 August 1995

  Unclassified

  1

  14 December 1995

  Unclassified

  Unclassified

  1

  15 June 1995

  Unclassified

  1

  22 November 1996

  Unclassified

  1

  12 January 1996

  Unclassified

  1

  19 September 1996

  Unclassified

  Unclassified

  1

  7 December 1996

  Unclassified

  Unclassified

  1

  18 January 96

  Unclassified

  1

  1 September 1996

  Unclassified

  1

  22 November 1996

  Unclassified

  1

  12 April 1997

  Unclassified

  Unclassified

  1

  27 November 1997

  Unclassified

  Unclassified

  1

  31 January 1998

  Unclassified

  1

  28 January 1998

  Unclassified

  Unclassified

  1

  23 November 1998

  Unclassified

  1

  Tram System
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the cost of the Croydon tram system; and how much was provided by the Government. [108728]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government contributed £125 million grant towards the estimated capital costs of £200 million for the construction of Tramlink in recognition of the system's non-user benefits. Tramtrack Croydon Ltd., the consortium
  303W
  of private sector companies responsible for designing, building and operating Tramlink, have raised the remainder of the cost and will run the system without public subsidy.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent repairs and maintenance to equipment used by National Air Traffic Control Ltd. will be determined by (a) need and (b) cost; and if he will make a statement. [108528]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 8 February 2000]: All equipment operated by NATS is subject to safety case analysis and approval by the Safety Regulation Group. Repairs and maintenance are, therefore, undertaken primarily on the basis of need. NATS does, however, have an obligation to ensure that it obtains the best price at all times for such services.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many meetings she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs since 1 January. [109193]

  Clare Short
  I have had no formal meetings, apart from the Cabinet Committee, but many informal meetings with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs since 1 January.

  Overseas Employees
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many were employed by her Department in offices overseas on(a) 1 May 1997 and (b) 1 February 2000. [109194]

  Clare Short
  Eighty-nine UK-appointed staff were working in the Overseas Offices of the Overseas Development Administration as at 1 January 1997 (the closest date to 1 May 1997 for which figures are available). The figure for 1 January 2000 (the latest date available) is 132 staff.

  Figures for staff appointed in-country were not collected centrally in 1997. The figure for staff appointed locally by the Department's Overseas Offices on 1 January 2000 was 314.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning the resumption of direct development aid to Pakistan. [109195]

  Clare Short
  We frequently discuss our policy on Pakistan with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office colleagues, which is aimed at helping secure firm commitment to action by the Pakistani administration on poverty reduction—requiring early transition to democracy, better economic management and measures to tackle corruption. We have made it clear to the 304W
  administration that, given satisfactory assurances, we should be ready to consider supporting them in pursuing fundamental reform. Meanwhile, our assistance to the poor continues through non-governmental channels.

  Departmental Functions (Food)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required of domestic producers. [109777]

  Clare Short
  All food served at departmental official functions is obtained from our caterer's list of approved suppliers, all of whom meet the standards of production required of UK domestic producers.

  Aid Recipients
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the countries which receive British bilateral aid whose Governments are not elected by way of universal suffrage. [109203]

  Clare Short
  Information on universal suffrage is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Countries receiving UK bilateral assistance and not explicitly described as having universal adult suffrage (from The International Directory of Government 1999)

  Afghanistan

  Albania

  Angola

  Azerbaijan

  Bhutan

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  British Virgin Islands

  Brunei

  Burma

  Cayman Islands

  Chile

  China

  Comoros

  Congo

  Congo (Democratic Republic)

  Cuba

  Ecuador

  Eritrea

  Ethiopia

  Gambia

  Georgia

  Gibraltar

  Hong Kong

  Indonesia

  Iraq

  Kazakhstan

  Korea ROK (South)

  Moldova

  Nepal

  Nigeria

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Rwanda

  Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo)

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  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Somalia

  Sri Lanka

  St. Helena and Dependencies

  States of ex-Yugoslavia

  Sudan

  Swaziland

  Tajikistan

  Thailand

  Togo

  Tunisia

  Turkmenistan

  Turkey

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  Uganda

  Uzbekistan

  West Bank and Gaza

  Windward Islands

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what representations her Department made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the decision to ban Export Credits Guarantee Department cover for arms sales to the world's 62 poorest countries; [109196]

  £000

  Country/project title

  Start date

  Total commitment

  Expenditures in 1999/2000

  Bangladesh

  Marie Stopes Clinic Society Reproductive Health Care

  September 1995

  4,063

  577

  Fourth Population and Health: NGO Support Project

  February 1997

  7,300

  24

  Bangladesh Rural Advisory Committee (BRAC) Reproductive Health and Disease Control Project

  March 1997

  4,200

  854

  Support for Health and population for the Less Advanced (SHAPLA)

  March 1999

  25,000

  2,500

  Social Marketing of Contraceptives

  September 1998

  1,970

  2

  Bolivia

  Esperanza: adolescent pregnancy prevention project

  July 1996

  108

  15

  Adolescent Reproductive health project

  September 1996

  303

  49

  Pilot Plan Vida—municipal level reproductive health services

  October 1997

  1,023

  146

  Burkina Faso

  Improving Reproductive Health in Rural Areas

  May 1998

  231

  25

  Cambodia

  Social Marketing of Contraceptives

  January 1995

  2,050

  4

  Social Marketing of Contraceptives II

  November 1999

  60

  1

  Colombia

  Adolescent Reproductive Health

  May 1998

  168

  26

  Ethiopia

  Sexual and Reproductive Health and Skills Training For Youth

  April 1996

  201

  45

  Gambia, The

  Health Education Family Spacing project

  April 1995

  54

  8

  Ghana

  Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion Services For Youth

  April 1997

  171

  27

  Health Sector Investment 1

  August 1997

  28,627

  3,432

  Adolescent Reproductive Health Project

  July 1999

  130

  20

  Guatemala

  Strengthening of Family Planning Services in Mayan Communities

  April 1995

  479

  75

  306W
  (2) what recent discussions she had with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding the decision to ban 62 of the world's poorest countries from receiving Export Credits Guarantee Department cover for arms sales. [109197]

  Clare Short
  As part of the on-going Review of the Export Credits Guarantee Department's Mission and Status, the scope of the productive expenditure initiative is being considered, and my Department is contributing actively to that work. A copy of our Department's position paper on the role of ECGD, which was submitted to the Review in December 1999, has been placed in the Library of the House, with a copy of the supporting consultancy study.

  Birth Control Projects
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list(a) the number and (b) aggregate costs of each birth control project funded by her Department. [109202]

  Clare Short
  In line with the principles agreed at the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development, we support programmes to improve the full breadth of reproductive health for people. This includes enabling people to choose whether and when to have children through voluntary family planning. The following table lists currently active projects and programmes which, wholly or in part, provide for family planning services or commodities.
  307W

  £000

  Country/project title

  Start date

  Total commitment

  Expenditure in 1999/2000

  India

  Orissa Health and Family Welfare Project Phase II

  March 1991

  24,150

  1

  Reproductive Health Education Training Centre

  October 1994

  357

  36

  Promotion of Family Planning Through Peoples Participation

  April 1995

  436

  76

  Improving Sexual Health Among Lorry Drivers

  April 1995

  567

  40

  West Bengal Sexual Health

  December 1995

  3,962

  314

  Women's Empowerment and Reproductive Health Initiative

  April 1996

  125

  27

  Community Based Social Marketing

  May 1996

  439

  2

  West Bengal Reproductive Health

  November 1996

  1,748

  161

  Reproductive Health Orissa

  January 1997

  4,998

  404

  Orissa: Social marketing Population Services International (PSI)

  March 1997

  1,690

  104

  Kenya

  Kenya Family Health Project

  January 1993

  11,645

  793

  Kibwezi Rural Health Scheme Women's Productive and Reproductive Health

  April 1995

  348

  47

  Income Generating Activities as an Entry Point for Women's Health

  April 1995

  191

  20

  Expanding Family Planning Service Delivery Through Market Day Midwives

  September 1996

  399

  73

  Family Planning Interim Support

  November 1996

  3,503

  26

  Social Marketing of condoms—Population Services International

  May 1998

  1,367

  8

  Malawi

  Contraceptive Supply Reproductive Health

  May 1993

  709

  1

  Reproductive Health Project

  September 1994

  11,012

  2,331

  Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme (SERFS) (FA)

  November 1999

  31,373

  0

  SERFS Technical Assistance

  February 1999

  3,000

  92

  Mozambique

  Maternal and Child Health And Reproductive Health

  April 1997

  495

  85

  Reproductive Health

  April 1999

  405

  79

  Social Marketing of condoms—Population Services International

  November 1999

  1,380

  1

  Myanmar

  Mandalay Community Health and Community Based Rehabilitation Project

  April 1996

  55

  6

  Nepal

  Nepal Reproductive Health Programme

  August 1997

  2,383

  630

  Nepal Health and Population Programme

  August 1999

  500

  103

  Niger

  Zinder Reproductive Health

  April 1997

  500

  96

  Nigeria

  Population and Reproduction Health Work Programme 1995–98

  April 1995

  1,187

  87

  Promoting Reproductive Health

  October 1995

  316

  9

  Integrated Modern Reproductive Health and Family Planning Services

  April 1997

  245

  26

  Community Groups Working in Sexual Health

  May 1998

  338

  58

  Social Marketing of Contraceptives

  October 1998

  14,000

  2,572

  Pakistan

  World Bank Family Health Project

  August 1993

  14

  130

  Family Planning community based Information Education and Communication

  April 1994

  433

  31

  Community Based Family Planning Project

  August 1994

  1,380

  265

  Family Planning Association and Pakistan Audio Visual Vans

  October 1994

  210

  2

  Family Planning and Mother and Reproductive Health Project—Phase 2

  April 1995

  324

  33

  Family Planning Association of Pakistan Doorsteps Project

  September 1995

  517

  44

  Private Sector Population Project

  November 1995

  7,040

  1,341

  World Bank 2nd Family Health Project (Punjab/Baluchistan)

  February 1997

  8,500

  1,468

  Social Marketing of Condoms

  July 1999

  2,386

  1,658

  Peru

  Multi-Sectoral Population Programme

  April 1996

  2,016

  637

  CARE: Consolidation of Multi-sectoral Population Programme

  April 1997

  160

  22

  Philippines

  Static And Mobile Outreach services

  April 1995

  530

  57

  Russian Federation

  Samara Reproductive Health Service Delivery

  September 1997

  186

  72

  308W

  309W

  £000

  Country/project title

  Start date

  Total commitment

  Expenditure in 1999/2000

  South Africa

  Condom Social Marketing For HIV/AIDS Prevention

  June 1995

  3,770

  690

  Johannesburg Reproductive Health

  August 1995

  830

  148

  Community Based RH services for young people

  February 1996

  279

  39

  Southern Africa

  Labour Support

  March 1999

  58

  36

  Sri Lanka

  Maternal and Child Health and Reproductive Health

  October 1995

  1,129

  236

  Sudan

  Reproductive health/family planning

  May 1998

  500

  85

  Tanzania

  Family Planning Services and Supply

  August 1996

  3,692

  89

  Family Planning Services and Supply 2

  August 1996

  421

  89

  Ininga Youth Centre Project

  April 1997

  178

  16

  Health Sector Development1

  July 1999

  45,000

  1,100

  Uganda

  Uganda Family Health Project

  October 1994

  3,369

  610

  Family Planning Supply

  December 1994

  1,953

  178

  Kumi District Health Project

  January 1996

  1,474

  429

  Kumi District Health Project

  February 1997

  2,484

  315

  Family Health Project

  February 1997

  6,546

  1,204

  Reproductive Health Project

  April 1997

  475

  94

  Empowering Girls and Young Women Family Life Education Awareness

  April 1997

  132

  24

  Kawempe Primary Health Care Project

  August 1997

  587

  74

  Condom supply project

  February 1998

  234

  3

  Family Health Project

  December 1998

  45

  19

  Expansion Of Family Planning Reproductive Health Care

  April 1999

  474

  82

  Zambia

  Zambia—Health and Population Sector Aid Package (ZHPSA)1

  April 1994

  20,419

  1,607

  Zambia Health SWAP1

  January 1998

  100

  1

  Anti Aids Project

  October 1998

  26

  12

  Zimbabwe

  Family Planning Project

  April 1995

  230

  31

  Social Marketing of Contraceptives

  October 1996

  1,811

  291

  Meeting Healthcare Needs of Undeserved Populations

  October 1998

  302

  35

  Adolescent Reproductive Health

  June 1999

  500

  371

  Non-country specific

  Promotion of Safe Motherhood—Population Services International

  December 1997

  2,500

  1,000

  Evaluation of community participation approaches

  August 1999

  40

  40

  UNFPA Core Grant 1999

  —

  Annual

  15,000

  IPPF Core Grant 1999

  —

  Annual

  5,500

  Total

  323,215

  51,346

  1 Health sector-wide support programmes. These may include support for family planning

  Departmental Staff
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in the last five years, what proportion of women employees in (i) her Department, and (ii) executive agencies under the control of her Department, (a) returned to work after childbirth, (b) returned to work after childbirth before the end of maternity leave, indicating the (i) time-range and (ii) mean time, (c) returned to work after childbirth on reduced working hours, indicating the average hours worked and (d) returned to work after childbirth full-time and subsequently reduced their hours. [109235]
  310W
  Clare Short
  I am unable to provide an answer to this question as the information is not held in an easily extractable form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to the Department.

TREASURY

  Remploy
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Remploy products his Department has purchased in the last three years. [109938]
  311W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We have no record of any contract or payment to Remploy during the last three years.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each constituency the number and percentage of adults in full-time work who received a wage increase in April 1999 as a consequence of the introduction of the national minimum wage. [109686]

  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 John Kidgell to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 1 February 2000:
  The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question regarding the number of full-time adults who received a wage increase in April 1999 as a consequence of the introduction of the national minimum wage. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
  Estimates on the number of adults who received a wage increase as a consequence of the national minimum wage are not available since the ONS does not capture information on why or when pay increases are awarded.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Land Mines
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assistance his Department is giving to the development of new technology for the clearance of anti-personnel land mines; [108592]

  (2) what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of methods currently in use for anti-personnel land mines clearance; [108596]

  (3) what research and development work has been funded by his Department since May 1997 into anti-personnel land mines clearance devices. [108593]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 10 February 2000,Official Report, column 244W, and the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 8 February 2000, Official Report, column 91W.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet representatives from Edinburgh University to discuss the funding of the Dervish anti-personnel land mines clearance project. [108595]

  Dr. Howells
  I have no such plans. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 91W.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received concerning the Dervish anti-personnel land mines clearance project. [108594]
  312W
  Dr. Howells
  Any such representations received in this Department would be passed to the Ministry of Defence or the Department for International Development.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department has taken to enforce the conditions of telecommunications licences that operators provide details of the expected locations of all telecommunications apparatus before giving notice of the installation of any apparatus in a particular planning authority area; what penalties are applicable when this condition is breached; and if he will list the instances in which this condition has been broken in each of the last five years, by each operator. [108501]

  Ms Hewitt
  Enforcement in relation to these conditions is a matter for local planning authorities. Failure to pre-notify expected locations of apparatus to the local planning authority would deprive the operator of permitted development rights under Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 and would subject him to normal planning law. The local planning authority would then be responsible for taking action under normal planning enforcement procedures. Remedies could include a requirement to remove the apparatus concerned. As this is a matter for planning authorities, DTI does not receive details of breaches.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who is responsible for monitoring the level of power densities produced by telecommunications masts; what proportion of masts were checked in 1999; and if he will list by operator the masts found to produce power densities in excess of the limits set by the NRPB in each of the last three years. [108496]

  Ms Hewitt
  The responsibility for monitoring the level of power densities produced by telecommunications masts rests with the operators of the masts in accordance with their duties under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. The Health and Safety Executive requires operators to prevent access by members of the public to areas, usually within a couple of metres of the antennae, where power densities may exceed NRPB guidelines.

  The Radiocommunications Agency will investigate complaints about emissions from telecommunications masts, though the cost of any report on a particular site must be borne by the complainant. To my knowledge, no mast has been found where members of the public are exposed above NRPB guideline limits. No information is held on the proportion of masts checked in 1999.

  E-commerce
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to assess the energy and environmental implications of the development of e-commerce and greater use of teleworking and video conferencing. [108686]

  Ms Hewitt
  As I announced last week, my Department, with the DETR, is supporting a year long inquiry into the environmental and social impacts of the development of e-commerce. This project, called "Digital Futures", will
  313W
  be managed by Forum for the Future and has the support of business as well as Government. It will report in early 2001.

  The Government continue to develop and keep under review their information about the nature of energy consumption and projections of future energy demand, taking into account a range of social and economic trends, including e-commerce, teleworking and video conferencing.

  Regeneration Partnership Programme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those local authorities or partnership schemes which have recently been awarded support under the RECITE-II regeneration partnership programme, giving the size of each award and the main focus of the scheme supported. [108687]

  Mr. Caborn
  RECITE II is a Community Initiative run by the European Commission. The programme is aimed at encouraging and promoting co-operation between regional and local authorities.

  A table showing the projects which have been awarded support and the size of each project grant is being placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Departmental Secondments
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were seconded from the private sector to his Department from(a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the companies from which staff have been seconded. [109070]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 February 2000]: From the information that is held centrally within the Department, the details we have on inward secondments are as follows:

  1 May 1997–30 April 1998

  Number of secondments—63

  Company names

  The Export Association

  North Cape (Scotland) Ltd.

  Bank of Ireland

  Rover Group Ltd.

  Reyrolle Projects Ltd.

  Grant Thornton

  Drinks Marketing Consortium

  European Gas Turbines—GEC Alstrom

  Ericsson Ltd.

  Prince Associates

  British Telecom plc (x2)

  Littlejohn Frazer

  The Institute of Export (x2)

  Arthur Andersen (x2)

  Deloitte and Touche

  NHS Supplies

  British Nuclear Fuel plc

  Herbert Smith

  Mobil

  Hyder plc

  EPSRC

  PricewaterhouseCoopers (x2)

  314W

  ERTL Europe Ltd.

  BT International Business

  Nuclear Electric plc

  Frank Roberts and Sons Ltd.

  Barclays Bank plc

  Silver Altman

  Guinness Brewing Worldwide Ltd.

  Pricewaterhouse Coopers

  Anglian Water International UK

  Hambros Bank Ltd.

  General Accident/CGU Insurance

  Beaumont Colson Ltd.

  AWE plc

  Epinet Communications plc

  Matra Marconi Space

  Barclays Bank plc

  Reuters Ltd.

  Lee and Allen Consulting plc

  CERN

  HSBC Holdings plc

  University of Greenwich

  Toyoboshi UK Ltd.

  Westcountry Development Corporation

  Hydro Technologies Ltd.

  Crown Agents Overseas Government and Administration

  ICI Chemicals and Polymers Ltd.

  Cable and Wireless plc

  GEC Marconi Avionics Ltd.

  Cookstown Enterprise Centre Ltd.

  Sonic Communications

  Unipart International

  Natural Animal Feeds Ltd.

  Russo-British Chamber of Commerce

  Eschmann Brothers and Walsh Ltd.

  The Hosiery Manufacturing Company Ltd.

  Delamore Associates Ltd.

  Lockstair Ltd.

  1 May 1998–30 April 1999

  Number of secondments—55

  Company names

  The British Petroleum Company plc (x2)

  British-Israel Chamber of Commerce

  Matheson and Company Ltd.

  Lloyds TSB Group plc

  The Hosiery Manufacturing Company Ltd.

  ICL (x2)

  East European Trade Council

  British Aerospace plc

  British Telecom plc (x2)

  British Marine Equipment Council Ltd.

  E. A. Technology Ltd.

  Slaughter and May

  Glaxo Wellcome Research and Development

  Knight Piesold Ltd. (x2)

  AEA Technology plc (x3)

  EPSRC

  PWR (Electrical Supplies) Ltd.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc

  Hewlett-Packard Ltd.

  East Europe Trade Council

  Enterprise Ayrshire

  Herbert Smith

  British Consulate General Osaka

  Polish Social and Cultural Association Ltd.

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  Moody Cashmere Ltd.

  Abercairn of Scotland Ltd.

  Grant Thornton

  Financial Service Authority

  GK Communications Group Ltd.

  British American Tobacco Company

  Aspen Waite Chartered Accountants

  ICI Group

  Masters International (UK) Ltd.

  GKN Westland Helicopters

  Gardenex

  British Aerospace Aviation

  Trade Development Ltd.

  ACO Technologies plc

  Independent Power Corporation plc

  Freeman Rich Chartered Accountants

  SMMT Ltd.

  Ernst and Young Services Ltd.

  Reuters Ltd.

  Elizabeth Emanuel Enterprises Ltd.

  East European Trade Council

  Simmons and Simmons

  Oracle Corporation UK Ltd.

  Brown and Root AOC

  LGC Ltd.

  1 May 1999–8 February 2000

  Number of secondments—47

  Company names

  Rover Group Ltd.

  Moy Park Ltd.

  Robson Rhodes

  The Building Centre Ltd.

  Newbrook Engineering Company Ltd.

  Medical Research Council

  Mott MacDonald Group Ltd.

  Darwin Instruments Ltd.

  MacAlister Elliott and Partners Ltd.

  The Beaver Housing Society Ltd.

  GKN plc

  William Santus and Company Ltd.

  The Wellcome Trust

  Knight Peisold Ltd.

  PricewaterhouseCoopers

  The Export Association

  Proactive Associates Ltd.

  British Telecom plc (x2)

  Reuters Ltd.

  West India Committee

  David Stanley Associates Ltd.

  Mivan Ltd.

  Natwest Group

  Shaw Trust Ltd.

  Astrazeneca (x2)

  British Nuclear Fuels plc

  Black Isle Consultants Ltd.

  Unipath Ltd.

  The Symphony Group plc

  Binnie Black and Veatch Ltd.

  John Laing International Ltd.

  Simmons and Simmons

  Shell UK Exploration and Production

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  Grant Thornton

  ONE North East

  BHP Petroleum Ltd.

  Phoenix Timber Group plc

  Biwater International Ltd.

  Gardenex

  Linklaters and Alliance

  Middle East Association

  Science Systems (Space) Ltd.

  Trades Union Congress

  KCA Drilling Ltd.

  Imperial Chemical Industries plc.

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if all regulatory proposals relating to the introduction of stakeholder pension schemes will be scrutinised by the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service to ensure that they are(a) easy to understand, (b) easy to comply with and (c) difficult to evade. [107921]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's approach is to regulate only where it is necessary to achieve the desired effect. An important aim is to minimise the burden that would be placed on small firms. Therefore, the Chief Executive of the Small Business Service will be consulted by Government Departments on all regulatory proposals that affect small firms. The process of making regulations easy to understand, easy to comply with and difficult to avoid will, of course, include the proposals relating to the introduction of stakeholder pension schemes.

  Waste Tyres
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many waste tyres were produced in the United Kingdom in the last year; and by what means they were disposed of. [109685]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Used Tyre Working Group, a joint Government/Industry initiative established to consider used tyre disposal issues, estimated that around 465,000 tonnes of tyres were disposed of in 1998. Of this total, it is estimated that value was recovered from approximately 330,000 tonnes. The table provides a breakdown:

  Tonnes

  Exports of used casings

  35,000

  Re-used as part-worn tyres

  29,000

  Other reuse (silage clamps, dock fenders, etc.)

  20,000

  Retreaded tyres

  86,000

  Materials recovery

  49,000

  Energy recovery

  84,500

  Landfill engineering

  25,500

  It is estimated that a significant proportion of the outstanding balance of some 135,000 tonnes was disposed of in landfill, either in whole or shredded form or as automotive shredder residue.

  The Used Tyre Working Group is currently in the process of collecting used tyre disposal statistics for 1999.
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  The EU Landfill Directive will ban the disposal of almost all tyres to landfill during 2006, requiring the development of further tyre recovery facilities to handle those tyres that would otherwise have gone to landfill. The Government will continue to work closely with industry on this issue.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Service
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he is setting for the employment of women in the operational fire service. [110283]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am today announcing targets for the recruitment, retention and career progression of women in the fire service. By 2009, the Government expect 15 per cent. of the operational fire service (whole-time and retained firefighters and their officers) in England and Wales to be women and for them to remain in the service and be promoted at the same rate as their male colleagues.

  At present, the number of women in the whole-time operational fire service is only 1 per cent. A recent report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services has conformed that there is no possible justification for such low numbers. The target is deliberately challenging and will require brigades to take steps to encourage a more open inclusive culture and to revise procedures and practices which the Chief Inspector's thematic review found to be potentially discriminatory.

  Parole Board
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to review the work of the Parole Board. [110302]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Parole Board is an executive Non-Departmental Public Body, established on 1 July 1996. The Government are committed to regular review of Non-Departmental Public Bodies, and have decided to conduct a review of the Board during the current year. The review will incorporate the requirements of the 'Quinquennial Review' process. The review will also look at the scope for improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the Parole Board and the wider parole process (for both determinate and life sentenced prisoners).

  Number of offenders fined 1 and average fine given at all courts by type of offence, England and Wales, 1988–98

  Indictable

  Summary non-motoring

  Summary motoring

  Total all offences

  Year

  Number fined

  Average fine (£)

  Number fined

  Average fine (£)

  Number fined

  Average fine (£)

  Number fined

  Average fine (£)

  18882

  151,716

  110

  406,042

  62

  690,575

  85

  1,248,333

  81

  19892

  135,403

  123

  406,857

  68

  685,560

  102

  1,227,820

  93

  19902

  134,662

  150

  397,720

  72

  660,332

  113

  1,192,714

  103

  19912

  118,672

  129

  382,119

  74

  665,773

  111

  1,166,564

  101

  19922

  109,074

  133

  400,323

  78

  674,445

  110

  1,183,842

  101

  1993

  102,926

  134

  382,256

  102

  606,302

  149

  1,091,484

  131

  19942

  98,195

  148

  380,826

  98

  576,223

  160

  1,055,244

  137

  19952

  89,424

  157

  328,652

  103

  578,639

  166

  996,715

  145

  19962

  84,617

  184

  402,697

  103

  585,710

  161

  1,073,024

  141

  1997

  88,035

  192

  327,312

  104

  583,325

  163

  998,672

  146

  1998

  94,592

  185

  367,901

  105

  598,250

  162

  1,060,743

  144

  1 Based on the number of offenders fined for their principal offence where the main or only disposal was a fine.

  2 Known shortfall in the number of proceedings in magistrates courts for these years.

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  The review has the following terms of reference:

  Within the context of a required Quinquennial Review of Parole Board functions, and the requirements of Better Quality Services and the Civil Service modernisation programme:
  to identify the key issues facing the parole and lifer review processes and the Parole Board over the next five years; and
  as part of the Quinquennial Review programme, to consider whether the functions of the Parole Board continue to be required, and, if so, whether a Non Departmental Public Body is the best option for delivery.
  to recommend changes to the parole and lifer processes which ensure that:
  existing procedures are made as efficient and effective as possible;
  new casework is dealt with efficiently and effectively and that demanding performance targets and measures are established with clear plans for delivery stated;
  wider developments, including advancements in information technology, are integrated successfully into the parole and lifer review processes.
  to recommend necessary changes to the Parole Board's status, organisation, structure and funding.

  Either-way Offences
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the current either-way criminal offences; and if he will make a statement. [109879]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  There is no readily available list of triable either-way offences. Appendix 4 of the annual Command Paper "Criminal Statistics England and Wales" lists just over 370 triable either-way offence codes which are used for statistical purposes. Each code may cover more than one offence and these codes cover approximately 700 offences. Other triable either-way offences are grouped together under one 'ad hoc' code. Copies of the Command Paper are available in the Library.

  Fines
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fines for criminal offences were issued in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; what was the average fine(a) for each category of offence and (b) overall; and if he will make a statement. [109880]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is given in the following table.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public service agreement commitments made by his department since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [109882]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office Public Sector Agreement, together with those for the Criminal Justice System and Action against Illegal Drugs which also include targets for the Home Office and the services for which it is responsible, were published in the White Paper "Public Services for the Future: Modernisation, Reform, Accountability" in January 1999.

  Performance Targets
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many performance targets have been set by his Department, agencies and non departmental public bodies since May 1997 on(a) prisons policy, (b) police policy, (c) fire and emergency planning policy, (d) probation policy, (e) immigration, asylum and nationality policy, (f) constitutional policy, (g) reducing crime, (h) the prevention of terrorism and the reduction of organised and international crime, (i) sentencing, (j) youth justice policy, (k) crime prevention policy, (l) policy relating to victims and witnesses and (m) community and voluntary sector policy; how many of those targets have been (i) amended, (ii) revoked and (iii) achieved since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [109881]

  Mr. Straw
  Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, key performance targets were published in the White Paper "Modernisation, Reform, Accountability" in January 1999. Those to be delivered by the Home Office and the services for which it is responsible were detailed within the Home Office, Public Service Agreement (PSA) as well as the Public Service Agreements for the Criminal Justice System and Action against Illegal Drugs. These targets, together with other key targets and milestones for the Home Office, were brought together within the 1999–2000 Business Plan for the Home Office, a copy of which I have placed in the Library.

  These targets and milestones are based on outcomes required rather than functional inputs. The Business Plan, therefore, groups them according to the published Aims of the Home Office. These are as follows:
  Aim 1: Reduction in crime, particularly youth crime, and in the fear of crime; and the maintenance of public safety and good order—38 targets or milestones.
  Aim 2: Delivery of justice through effective and efficient investigation, prosecution, trial and sentencing, and through support for victims—42 targets or milestones.
  Aim 3: Prevention of terrorism, reduction in other organised and international crime, and protection against threats to national security—22 targets or milestones.
  Aim 4: Effective execution of the sentences of the courts so as to reduce re-offending and protect the public—30 targets or milestones.
  Aim 5: Helping to build, under a modernised constitution, a fair and prosperous society, in which every one has a stake, and in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced—33 targets or milestones.
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  Aim 6: Regulation of entry to and settlement in the United Kingdom in the interests of social stability and economic growth, and facilitation of travel by United Kingdom citizens—32 targets or milestones.
  Aim 7: Reduction in the incidence of fire and related death, injury and damage, and ensuring the safety of the public through civil protection—23 targets or milestones.

  In addition, 64 targets or milestones were separately identified within the Business Plan for the support directorates of the Home Office.

  Performance against each of the Business Plan targets will be reported in the Home Office Annual Report which will be published in April 2000.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority applicants for criminal injuries compensation on the pre-statutory scheme are being required by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board to pay the compensation to a trust, with any balance repayable on the applicant's death; at what levels of compensation cases are affected by this policy decision; how many cases have been caught by this policy decision; what is the total amount of compensation involved; and if he will make a statement. [109370]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The 1990 criminal injuries compensation scheme gives the Board discretion to make special arrangements for the administration of a compensation award, including the establishment of a trust. The exercise of that discretion in individual cases is a matter for the Board, not Ministers. I understand from the Board that it operates no rigid policy in this area, but exercises its discretion on the facts of each case. I understand also that the Board does not keep statistics in the form requested.

  Crime Prevention (Oxfordshire)
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives are in place in Oxfordshire for(a) support for victims and (b) prevention of racial harassment and violence. [109124]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 9 February 2000]: Comprehensive information on these subjects is not readily available. However, the National Association of Victim Support Schemes (NAVSS) is represented in Oxfordshire by a county scheme, providing voluntary support for victims of crime. The scheme is administered at local level within the county with branch offices at Banbury, Oxford and Didcot/Wallingford. Home Office funding has recently been approved for Victim Support to develop a witness support service at magistrates courts in the country.

  Local police initiatives in Oxford with the lesbian and gay community have raised reporting levels of homophobic and 'hate-crimes' with the establishment of informal community support networks for victims.

  As regards tackling racial harassment and violence, all police areas in the county now have dedicated Community and Race Relations officer to work closely with external bodies and communities. The Oxford Multi-Agency Approach to Racial Harassment has existed in Oxford for over 10 years at a senior officer and caseworker level, acting as a third-party and referral agency for victims of

  321W
  racial harassment and violence. Through local private support and Single Regeneration Budget funding, this group has been expanded to become Agencies Acting Together, Tackling Racial Harassment in Oxfordshire.

  Later this month, Oxfordshire Race Equality Council will be organising a conference entitled 'Stephen Lawrence—One Year On' which will bring together leaders from Police, Education, Health, Courts, the Crown Prosecution Service and voluntary organisations, and will draw up a set of specific actions to be achieved within the next 12 months. The focus will be on the 70 recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, and will culminate in the public signing of a joint declaration to fight racism in Oxfordshire.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the financial year 1998–99 the number and total value of contracts let by his Department with external consultants and advisers that have(a) been put out to competitive tender, (b) not been put out to competitive tender and (c) been let on a non-commercial basis, stating in each case the names of the individuals or organisations that have carried out the work. [109063]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 8 February 2000]: The information requested is not immediately available in the form requested. I am arranging for the information to be collated and will write to the hon. Member when it is available.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much in total it has cost London authorities to support asylum seekers from the time when benefit was withdrawn to 31 January. [108796]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Home Office assumed responsibility for the budget for supporting asylum seekers in April 1999. This includes reimbursing costs, within unit cost and overall cash limits, incurred by local authorities for supporting asylum seekers under the National Assistance Act 1948 and the Children Acts. Responsibility for reimbursing local authorities by grant in respect of supporting asylum seekers previously rested with the Department of Health.

  Information on the total cost of supporting asylum seekers through local authorities for the period in question is currently not available. But the Department of Health made grant payments to London boroughs of £66 million in 1997–98 and £161 million in 1998–99 in respect of costs incurred in supporting asylum seekers. The figure for 1996–97 is not available in the form requested and the figure for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 January 2000 is not yet known.

  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated total expenditure by London authorities on asylum seekers in 2000; and how much of this expenditure will not be covered by Government grants. [108795]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Home Office assumed responsibility for the budget for the costs of supporting asylum seekers in April 1999 and has a provisional allocation of 322W
  £300 million for support for the financial year 2000–01. Estimates for the costs expected to be incurred in 2000–01 are currently under review.

  Those costs are sensitive to a range of factors, including the number of asylum applications, the speed of processing and take up rates. For the London authorities, in respect of which an estimate of total expenditure on asylum seekers in 2000 is not available, a further factor will be the extent to which asylum seekers are dispersed to other locations.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Departmental Functions (Food)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required of domestic producers. [109770]

  Mr. Ingram
  All catering contracts the NIO awards include a clause to ensure they conform to current legislative standards.

  Police
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers currently serving in the RUC Criminal Investigation Department have served on the force(a) less than five years, (b) more than five and less than 10 years, (c) more than 10 years and less than 15 years and (d) more than 15 years. [107820]

  Mr. Ingram
  At 1 February 2000, there were two officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department with less than five years' service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary: 43 officers with more than five years' but less than 10 years' service; 119 officers with more than 10 years' but less than 15 years' service; and 645 officers with more than 15 years' service.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers currently serving in the RUC Special Branch have served on the force(a) less than five years, (b) more than five and less than 10 years, (c) more than 10 and less than 15 years, (d) more than 15 years. [107821]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 1 February 2000, there were no officers attached to Special Branch with less than 5 years' service in the Royal Ulster Constabulary; 18 officers with more than 5 years' but less than 10 years' service; 74 officers with more than 10 years' but less than 15 years' service; and 592 officers with more than 15 years' service.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for the financial year 1998–99(a) the number and (b) the total value of contracts let by his Department with external consultants and advisers that (i) were put out to competitive tender, (ii) were not put out to competitive tender and (iii) were

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  let on a non-commercial basis, stating in each case the names of the individuals or organisations that have carried out the work. [109266]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 February 2000]: The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Outsourcing (Company Credit Ratings)
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the credit rating of companies seeking to tender for services provided by his Department is checked before the contract is awarded. [107743]

  Mr. Rooker
  For DSS contracts the financial viability of prospective suppliers is always checked. This is usually conducted at a pre-qualification stage and before companies are formally invited to submit an offer. On most occasions companies are required to provide three years accounts. This information is professionally appraised in consideration of the expected value and relative risk of the contract.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how often the credit rating of companies supplying services to his Department is checked. [107747]

  Mr. Rooker
  Once a contract has been let, it is not usual practice to conduct detailed reappraisals of financial information on suppliers unless there is reason to believe that the financial standing of a supplier has changed significantly since the contract was let.

  Child Support
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give(a) the target time between receipt of an application for support from the Child Support Agency and the serving of papers on the absent parent and (b) the actual average time for this process in the most recent year for which the information is available. [109181]

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

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Tom Levitt, dated 10 February 2000:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  You ask about the target time for the serving of papers on a non-resident parent following an application for child maintenance. The serving of papers has been taken to mean either the initial contact with a non-resident parent or the taking of enforcement action. In view of this I have covered both of these aspects in my reply.
  When a parent with care makes an application for child support, a maintenance enquiry form is issued to the non-resident parent named on the application form. This is to establish the non-resident parent's financial and domestic circumstances. There is no target time for this procedure as much depends on the information provided by the parent with care and whether tracing the non-resident parent is necessary.
  Although there is no target for the issue of a maintenance enquiry form the Secretary of State has set the Agency a target time for clearing 65% of maintenance applications within 20 weeks. This is a challenging target to which the Agency only achieved 50% (December 1999), however this can be viewed against a 25% increase of applications made during the last three months of 1999.
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  We continually strive to meet all targets set by the Secretary of State.
  Once an assessment is made and payment is received it is passed to the parent with care within 10 working days of receipt in 98.6% of cases.
  The Agency's policy is that, if necessary, it should use the powers given by Parliament to enforce payment of child maintenance. Where normal collection arrangements fail and arrears accrue, the Agency will take firm and prompt enforcement action if the non-resident parent does not make an acceptable offer to pay. There is no target time for this action to be taken as each case is considered on its merits and the Agency will take account of the likely effect of enforcement action on the welfare of any children involved. The benefit to the child of payment being made may also be a deciding factor.
  Under provision of the Child Support Act 1995 the Agency has been able to arrange for liability orders granted by magistrates' courts to be entered in the County Court Register of Judgements. This register is used extensively by credit reference agencies when establishing an individual's creditworthiness. Entries in the register may result in credit being refused, a particular deterrent for self employed Non-Resident Parents. In the last reporting year, April 1998 to March 1999, the Agency applied for 3,968 liability orders.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many parents in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland who are in receipt of lone parent premium receive payment of child benefit by way of order book; and of those how many are in receipt of income support; [109112]

  (2) how many people in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland receive payment of child benefit by way of order book; and of those how many are in receipt of (i) job seeker's allowance, (ii) invalidity benefit and (iii) income support. [109113]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Alasdair Morgan, dated 10 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about how many parents in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland who are in receipt of lone parent premium receive payment of child benefit by way of order book; and of those how many are in receipt of income support, and how many people in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland receive payment of child benefit by way of order book; and of those how many are in receipt of (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) invalidity benefit and (c) income support.
  Due to the differing formats for storing data it is not possible to supply all the information as requested.
  I am able to advise that the number of people in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) who are in receipt of Child Benefit (Lone Parent) by way of order book totals 747,000 of which 81,000 live in Scotland.
  The number of people receiving Child Benefit (Lone Parent) who also receive Income Support is unknown. However, the number of people in receipt of Income Support as lone parents and are also in receipt of Child Benefit total 926,000 in Great Britain of which 87,000 live in Scotland.
  The number of people in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) who receive payment of Child Benefit by way of order book totals 4,489,000, of which 410,000 live in Scotland. Details of the number of those who are also in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or Invalidity Benefit or Income Support are not available.

  325W
  Information on Incapacity Benefit assessments which include an increase for a child is not available by receipt of Child Benefit.
  However, the total number of Income Support recipients with Child Benefit in Great Britain, totals 1,217,000, of which 117,000 live in Scotland.
  The total number of Jobseeker's Allowance recipients with Child Benefit in Great Britain totals 138,000, of which 10,000 live in Scotland.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Automated Credit Transfer
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 333W, on automated credit transfer, if he will break down his estimate of the £400 million per year anticipated savings from paying benefits and pensions directly into bank accounts rather than through post offices to show the proportion of these savings which result from (a) reduced payments to post offices, (b) reduced paper and printing costs and (c) other sources; and if he will make a statement. [109481]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is not appropriate to give a full breakdown of how the overall savings figure is calculated as part of the costs are commercially confidential between the Benefits Agency and its suppliers.

  PO rewards scheme claims

  October 1995 to 31 March 1996

  1 April 1996 to 30 March 1997

  31 March 1997 to 29 March 1998

  30 March 1998 to 28 March 1999

  29 March 1999 to 26 December 1999

  Number of claims accepted

  23,397

  53,156

  54,021

  49,396

  39,378

  Value of IoPs (OBs and giros) impounded on accepted claims

  £11,463,664.27

  £28,034,410.40

  £29,694,440.67

  £27,894,642.61

  £24,163,044.65

  Rejected

  3,671

  6,078

  6,095

  7,994

  6,795

  Value of IoPs (OBs and giros) impounded on rejected claims

  £1,725,840.33

  £2,697,306.93

  £2,877,367.61

  £4,113,746.71

  £3,631,145.92

  Total value of IoPs (OBs and giros) impounded

  £13,189,504.60

  £30,731,717.33

  £32,571,808.28

  £32,008,389.32

  £27,794,190.57

  Pensions
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much pensioners would have received this year if the award had been related to earnings rather than inflation; and what weekly increase they would have received this year. [109590]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is in the table.

  Amount of basic retirement pension payable to pensioners if increased bu earnings for April 2000

  £

  Amount of basic retirement pension

  Weekly increase

  Single pensioner

  69.75

  3.00

  Married couple

  111.50

  4.80

  Notes:

  1. Average earnings index whole economy (non seasonally adjusted) as published by the Office of National Statistics.

  2. The rate has been calculated assuming 100 per cent, entitlement to basic retirement pension.

  Basic State Pension
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to increase the 25 pence age addition on the basic state pension awarded to those aged 80 years; and if he will make a statement. [109599]

  Fraud
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of benefit fraud were identified by post offices and sub-post offices each year since 1990; in how many of these cases a compensation payment has been made to post offices as a reward for reducing fraud; and if he will make a statement. [109480]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Benefits Agency does not maintain records on the number of cases of benefit fraud identified by post offices and sub-post offices since 1990. However, aggregated statistics on applications, payments and rejections since the introduction of the Post Office Rewards Scheme are detailed in the table. These figures do not include instances of fraud prevention by post office staff in compliance with their normal contractual obligations.

  Post Office staff are required to make contractually agreed security checks before the encashment of order books and girocheques. One of the initiatives to combat fraud at the point of encashment is the Post Office Reward Scheme, which offers financial incentives to Post Office staff who impound instruments of payment beyond their contractual requirement. This scheme was introduced nationally in October 1995. Post Office staff can be paid a reward of £10.00 (£25.00 in exceptional cases).

  Mr. Rooker
  We have no plans to increase the 25 pence age addition on the basic state pension to those over aged 80 or over. Our priority has been to help the poorest pensioners and to help all pensioner households with the fuel bills that are most difficult to pay.

  We have recently announced that in addition to raising the state pension we are increasing the Minimum Income Guarantee for pensioners in line with earnings. With Winter Fuel Payments, changes to VAT on fuel, the Minimum Income Guarantee and introducing free TV licences, the oldest, poorest pensioners will gain over £500 a year.

HEALTH

  Pseudomonas
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of pseudomonas have reported to his Department in each of the last five years in each health authority in England and Wales; [105882]

  (2) how many hospitals have notified his Department of problems relating to pseudomonas in each of the last five years; [105883]
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  (3) how many people have died as a result of pseudomonas contracted (a) in NHS hospitals and (b) elsewhere in each of the last five years; [105884]

  (4) what guidance he gives hospitals on pseudomonas; and if he will make a statement; [105885]

  (5) what guidance he has issued to health authorities and hospital trusts on combating pseudomonas on NHS premises. [105886]

  Yvette Cooper
  Pseudomonas species can cause infections of the urinary tract, chest and blood stream. The most relevant data available centrally about cases of pseudomonas are those for bactaermia (blood infections) caused by pseudomonas species as reported by National Health Service laboratories to the Public Health Laboratory Service. Information for the years 1995–99 by NHS regions is given in the following table. Information on NHS hopital inpatient activity is available from

  Laboratory reports of bacteraemias caused by Psuedomonas—1995 to 1999

  Health region

  Organism

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Grand total

  Eastern

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  74

  96

  92

  97

  97

  456

  Pseudomonas SP

  15

  15

  37

  31

  51

  149

  Total

  89

  111

  129

  128

  148

  605

  London

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  197

  216

  204

  189

  201

  1,007

  Pseudomonas SP

  24

  32

  26

  48

  48

  178

  Total

  221

  248

  230

  237

  249

  1,185

  North West

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  151

  139

  173

  174

  162

  799

  Pseudomonas SP

  13

  25

  41

  57

  45

  181

  Total

  164

  164

  214

  231

  207

  980

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  159

  165

  112

  165

  192

  793

  Pseudomonas SP

  38

  38

  29

  27

  41

  173

  Total

  197

  203

  141

  192

  233

  966

  South East

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  234

  232

  217

  214

  198

  1,095

  Pseudomonas SP

  23

  24

  22

  28

  24

  121

  Total

  257

  256

  239

  242

  222

  1,216

  South West

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  116

  133

  173

  130

  128

  680

  Pseudomonas SP

  13

  12

  16

  20

  21

  82

  Total

  129

  145

  189

  150

  149

  762

  Trent

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  90

  119

  164

  137

  202

  712

  Pseudomonas SP

  25

  30

  24

  22

  38

  139

  Total

  115

  149

  188

  159

  240

  851

  Wales

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  42

  93

  88

  95

  96

  414

  Pseudomonas SP

  7

  22

  23

  20

  33

  105

  Total

  49

  115

  111

  115

  129

  519

  West Midlands

  Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

  105

  108

  161

  175

  167

  716

  Pseudomonas SP

  17

  31

  50

  95

  62

  255

  Total

  122

  139

  211

  270

  229

  971

  Grand total

  1,343

  1,530

  1,652

  1,724

  1,806

  8,055

  Meningitis
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the second stage of the meningitis C vaccination programme for one to five-year-olds will commence. [105892]
  328W
  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). This data includes admissions to hospital with pseudomonas but not those cases contracted within hospitals.

  Pseudomonas do not have a distinct code within the International Classification of Diseases used for encoding death registration data at the Office for National Statistics. There are therefore no centrally-held statistics on deaths from this cause.

  All NHS trusts should have an infection control team which has primary responsibility for, and reports to the chief executive on, all aspects of surveillance, prevention and control of infection, including pseudomonas. A range of initiatives are underway to strengthen hospital infection control arrangements, including issue of comprehensive new standards to the NHS on 22 November 1999 as part of the National Controls Assurance launch. Acute NHS trusts must assess themselves against these standards by March 2000. Compliance will be monitored by the Commission for Health Improvement and the Audit Commission.

  Yvette Cooper
  Roll-out of the meningococcal Group immunisation programme is dependent on satisfactory vaccine supply. Those children at highest risk of meningococcal disease are being offered immunisation first. The "catch-up" programme to immunise all children under the age of two years began this month and is planned to be completed by the end of March.
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  Immunisation of other children under five years will commence as quickly as vaccine supplies become available. Parents will be told when their children are to be called for immunisation. All children and young people under 18 should have been offered vaccine by the end of 2000.

  Kosovo
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the UK National Radiological Protection Board has given to travellers to Kosovo. [106928]

  Yvette Cooper
  The National Radiological Protection Board has given the following advice to travellers to Kosovo in an information sheet issued in July 1999 on Depleted Uranium:"People visiting or working in Kosovo, for example press and relief agencies, should seek advice from appropriate authorities on the disposition of damaged vehicles or areas of DU contamination and avoid disturbing these areas. If access to potentially contaminated areas is deemed essential, then advice should be sought from the Ministry of Defence or the Foreign Office on any protective measures required."

  This information may be found on the NRPB's website.

  Breast Cancer Screening
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of women in the age brackets(a) 18 to 30, (b) 30 to 40, (c) 40 to 50, (d) 50 to 65 and (e) 65 years and over were routinely offered screening for breast cancer on a call and recall basis in each of the last five years; [106997]

  (2) what is the survival rate for women whose breast cancer is discovered (a) through breast screening on a call and recall basis and (b) by other means; [106998]

  (3) how many women aged (a) 18 to 30, (b) 30 to 40, (c) 40 to 50, (d) 50 to 65 and (e) 65 years and over (i) died from breast cancer in each of the last five years and (ii) were screened for breast cancer on a call and recall basis in each of the last five years. [106996]

  Yvette Cooper
  The number of women who died from breast cancer in the last five years is shown in the table:

  Deaths from cancer of the female breast 1, years of occurrence, England and Wales

  Age group

  20–292

  30–39

  40–49

  50–64

  65+

  Total

  1993

  33

  321

  1,229

  3,273

  8,172

  13,028

  1994

  29

  372

  1,227

  3,204

  7,998

  12,830

  1995

  30

  332

  1,199

  3,153

  7,829

  12,543

  1996

  24

  340

  1,153

  2,946

  7,716

  12,179

  1997

  25

  359

  1,032

  2,985

  7,579

  11,980

  1998

  26

  320

  1,020

  3,021

  7,372

  11,759

  1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 174.

  2 There were no deaths from female breast cancer at ages 18 and 19 in the years in question.

  Information about women screened is available for the target age group for the National Heath Service breast screening programme, which is 50 to 64. Some women over the age of 65 continue to be called for screening under the programme, for example to follow up questions raised by a previous mammogram. Information about those women screened on a call and recall basis in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
  330W

  Thousand

  Number of women screened

  Age 50–64

  65 and over

  1993–94

  929.7

  1—

  1994–95

  952.8

  12.9

  1995–96

  949.7

  14.4

  1996–97

  982.0

  16.8

  1997–98

  1,030.7

  23.2

  1 Not available

  Source:

  KC62, Statistics Division SD2B

  Similarly, information about women invited for screening is available for the target age group and those recalled after the age of 65. Information about those women invited for screening on a call and recall basis in each of the last five years is shown in the table. The screening programme operates on a three-year cycle, and these figures represent one third of the eligible population in each year.

  Thousand

  Number of women invited for screening on a call and recall basis

  Age 50–64

  65 and over

  1993–94

  1—

  1—

  1994–95

  1,231.7

  17.7

  1995–96

  1,245.8

  20.1

  1996–97

  1,300.6

  23.4

  1997–98

  1.366.9

  31.9

  1 Not available

  Source:

  KC62, Statistics Division SD2B

  An audit of screen detected breast cancers for the year of screening April 1997 to March 1998, published jointly by the NHS breast screening programme and the British Association of Surgical Oncology in April 1999, reported that the five-year breast cancer survival rate for women screened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 1992–93 was 92.5 per cent. Comparable data are not available for women whose cancers are detected in other ways.

  DTP Boosters
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the production and availability of DTP boosters. [107510]

  Yvette Cooper
  Diphtheria, tetanus (DT) vaccine rather than diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine is used as a booster in the United Kingdom immunisation programme. DT has been in short supply due to the inability of Medeva, one of the two UK licensed sources, to supply contracted vaccine. A third manufacturer, Behring, has now obtained a product licence for its DT vaccine to be used in the UK and the first batches are due for release at the end of February 2000. This should give the UK enough stock to allow GPs and clinics to catch up on any deferred appointments for immunisation.

  Fluoride
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the advice given by the World Health Organisation on the addition of fluoride to the water supply. [107728]
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  Yvette Cooper
  Recommendation 7 on page 35 of the World Health Organisation Technical Report Series 846 "Fluorides and Oral Health: Report of a WHO Expert Committee on Oral Health Status and Fluoride Use" (1994) is that:"Community water fluoridation is safe and cost-effective and should be introduced and maintained wherever it is socially acceptable and feasible. The optimum water fluoride concentration will normally be within the range 0.5–1.0 mg/l."

  We will have regard to the World Health Organisation's views in developing policy in this area following the results of the review of fluoridation being undertaken by the University of York.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proportion of ingested fluoride that is retained in the body of a healthy adult. [107612]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Department has not undertaken any such assessment. One recent review (United States National Research Council "Health effects of ingested fluoride" 1993) noted that"Approximately 75–90 per cent. of the fluoride ingested each day is absorbed from the alimentary tract. Of the fluoride absorbed by the young or middle-aged adult each day, approximately 50 per cent. will be associated with calcified tissues within 24 hours and the remainder will be excreted in urine".

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has received on the relationship between incidence of Down's syndrome and the fluoridation of water. [107611]

  Yvette Cooper
  The independent expert advisory Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment considered fluoride in 1987, 1990 and 1995 and advised that"there is sufficient evidence from the available data to conclude that the consumption of fluoridated water would not constitute a mutagenic hazard to man through the induction of heritable abnormalities in the germ cells."

  This implies that there is no biological basis for suspecting any relationship between fluoridation and the incidence of Down's syndrome. Epidemiological studies by Rapaport in the 1950s claimed to have shown an association, but were flawed and not supported by later epidemiological studies by others. An evaluation of the epidemiological studies will form part of the expert scientific review of fluoride and health in progress at the National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York.

  Selenium
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has for publicising the value of selenium in the diet in reducing incidence of cancer. [107662]

  Yvette Cooper
  Selenium is an essential trace element which is particularly important in protecting the body against oxidative damage of the cells. Such damage is linked to diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It is therefore hypothesised that increasing selenium in the diet may decrease the risk of cancer.

  The influence of diet and nutrition on the incidence of cancer was considered by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy in its 1998 report
  332W
  entitled "Nutritional Aspects of the Development of Cancer"' which stated that there was not enough evidence to reach conclusions for any specific links between selenium in the diet and cancer. We are funding research into the role of antioxidants, including selenium, in health and disease.

  We have made reduction in death rates from cancer one of our four headline targets in our health strategy "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation". Action towards this target includes promoting a healthy and balanced diet, that is one which is varied and rich in cereals, fruit and vegetables.
  1 Department of Health. "Nutritional Aspects of the Development of Cancer". London: The Station Office, 1998. (Report on Health and Social Subjects, No. 48).

  Primary Care Trusts
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what obligation he has placed on primary care trusts which wish to change their governance arrangements in a manner that departs from the guidance recently issued by his Department to consult with(a) users and (b) staff likely to be employed by the such trusts and their representatives. [107668]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: The membership structure of each primary care trust is set out in its establishment order and must be in accordance with the Primary Care Trust (Membership, Procedure and Administration Arrangements) Regulations 2000. The Primary Care Trusts (Consultation on Establishment, Dissolution and Transfer of Staff) Regulations 1999 provide that before an establishment order is amended so as to alter the membership of the trust then the health authority must consult the trust concerned. There is however no obligation under the regulations to consult users or staff. This mirrors the existing situation for NHS trusts.

  None the less, the Primary Care Trusts (Consultation on Establishment, Dissolution and Transfer of Staff) Regulations 1999 set out the consultation requirements which must be complied with before an order establishing a PCT is made. The regulations state that the health authority within whose area the primary care trust is to be established must consult, among others, the local community health council, bodies that represent health care professionals, any voluntary organisations that represent patients or their private carers, and any other persons considered appropriate. Also Health Service Circular 1999/167, "PCTs: the Application Process", stated that those to be consulted on proposals for PCTs should include, among others, trade unions, and other staff or professional representative groups.

  Hospital Admissions (Children)
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under the age of 16 years were admitted to hospital as a result of severe unintentional injury resulting in a stay longer than three days for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99, (i) in absolute terms and (ii) expressed as a rate per thousand people. [108347]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Hospital Episode Statistics database indicates that, in 1997–98, 10,457 children under the age of 16 were admitted to hospital as a result of an
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  unintentional injury that resulted in a stay longer than three days. This translates into a rate per thousand people of 1.04. Figures for 1998–99 are not yet available.

  Fiscal Measures (Foods)
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of fiscal measures to encourage or discourage the purchase of certain foods, with particular reference to those containing a high proportion of saturated fatty acids. [109101]

  Yvette Cooper
  The White Paper "Our Healthier Nation" recognised that unhealthy diets are a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke and for some cancers. Therefore, everyone can reduce the risk by reducing their intakes of fat and saturated fatty acids, increasing carbohydrate intakes and increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables.

  The theory that selected fiscal measures would have a significant effect on saturated fatty acid intakes of particular population groups is still unproven. It depends on basic assumptions about the strength of relationships between prices and purchases which would require much further testing before their validity could be accepted and further investigations justified.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the advantages of general screening of men over a certain age for prostate cancer; and if he will make a statement. [109120]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 8 February 2000]: The National Screening Committee, which advises the United Kingdom Health Departments about changes to screening policy, advised Ministers in 1997 that screening for prostate cancer, with current techniques for diagnosis and treatment, showed no evidence of benefit and could cause considerable harm. A report from the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment, published in January 1999, stated that mass screening for prostate cancer does not fulfil the ethical requirements and principles to avoid harm and do good. We have asked the Programme Director for the National Screening Committee, the National Cancer Director and the Director of Research and Development to keep this under active review.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a pay review body for ancillary staff in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [108901]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 8 February 2000]: "Agenda for Change" set out proposals for modernising National Health Service pay which included placing staff on one of three pay spines: one for doctors and dentists covered by the Doctors and Dentists Review Body, one for staff covered by the Nursing and Professions Allied to Medicine Pay Review Body and one for other staff. Confidential talks are continuing with NHS Unions about which staff groups may join an expanded NPRB without changing its fundamentally professional nature. The "Joint Framework of Principles and Agreed Statement on the
  334W
  Way Forward" proposes that a single pay negotiation council be established to negotiate pay uplifts for groups not covered by the Pay Review Bodies.

  MRSA
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many outbreaks of MRSA have been reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service in each(a) month and (b) year of the last three years; what information is collected by the PHLS of the number of patients affected; and if he will establish central records of each patient affected by MRSA. [109017]

  Yvette Cooper
  [holding answer 9 February 2000]: MRSA is the antibiotic resistant form of 'Staphylococcus aureus', a bacterium which is carried harmlessly on the skin by at least a third of the population. About 80 per cent. of people who acquire MRSA similarly carry it harmlessly on the skin and do not suffer from any infection. Neither the number of hospitals recording MRSA outbreaks nor the total number of patients in National Health Service hospitals who have MRSA are recorded centrally. The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) compiles aggregate data on numbers of incidents of MRSA which are voluntarily reported by NHS trusts. The available data on the incidents of MRSA are given in the table. We are working with PHLS on improving surveillance systems so as to provide more complete data on MRSA. This includes reviewing the Nosocomial Infection National Surveillance Scheme in order to increase the numbers of hospitals which participate.

  Incidents of1 MRSA in England and Wales 1994–1998

  Year

  Total

  1997

  22,364

  1998

  31,597

  1999

  1,310

  1 An incident is three or more patients infected or colonised by the same strain of MRSA in the same month from the same hospital.

  2 The figures for 1997 and 1998 reflect the new NHS.

  3 The criteria for submission of isolates for specialist tests were revised in December 1997.

  NHS Doctors
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of doctors who will qualify and join the NHS in each of the next five years. [109258]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: The forecast output from medical schools in any one year cannot be accurately predicted.

  Although most undergraduate medical courses are five years in length, some last for six years and many students on five-year courses delay their year of qualification by studying for an intercalated Honours degree. In addition, from 1999, some graduates will be admitted to shorter four-year medical degrees.

  The latest figures from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, show that in July 1999 3,097 doctors qualified from English medical schools. The medical school intake figures from the last five years suggest that by July 2004 the output from medical schools will have increased by some 10 to 15 per cent. above the 1999 position.

  NHS Professional Staff
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the numbers of doctors who will leave the NHS in each of the next five years before reaching the age of retirement; [109259]

  (2) if he will estimate the number of (a) nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and (b) NHS staff who are members of professions allied to medicine who will leave the NHS over the next five years before reaching the age of retirement. [109261]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: Information on the numbers of doctors, nurses, midwives and health visitors and the professions allied to medicine likely to leave the National Health Service before reaching the age of retirement is not available centrally and is a matter for National Health Service trusts.

  Private Practice
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Chief Medical Officer's proposals for appraising doctors, set out in "Supporting Doctors, Protecting Patients", will(a) involve examination of the amount of private practice carried out by doctors and (b) make NHS employers responsible for monitoring the amount of private work carried out by consultants. [109884]

  Ms Stuart
  The aim of appraisal is a positive one; to help a doctor develop and progress as a health professional. In the National Health Service the appraisal process will include consideration of the achievement of the doctor's contractual obligations.

  It is for employers and employees to agree the balance between consultants' private and NHS work. Consultants' responsibilities for the clinical care of their NHS patients must come first.

  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility NHS employers have for monitoring consultants' private practice. [109883]

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

  NHS terms and conditions of service requires hospital consultants and the general manager responsible for the management of their contract to agree a job plan for the performance of duties under their contract of employment.

  A whole time consultant is permitted to have private practice earnings of up to 10 per cent. of their gross NHS salary. If asked by their employer, they must provide fully audited accounts showing their gross income from private practice. If their private practice income exceeds 10 per cent. of their NHS salary in two consecutive years, they have the option of a maximum part-time contract, which means that the consultant foregoes one eleventh of whole time salary, in return for the removal of the restrictions on private practice earnings. However whether on a whole time or maximum part time contract there is a clear contractual obligation to devote substantially the whole of their professional time to their NHS duties.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Correspondence
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter from the Right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed dated 23 September, relating to the non-availability of the meningitis vaccination in Berwick-upon-Tweed in September. [107288]

  Yvette Cooper
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health replied to the right hon. Member on 2 February 2000.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Departmental Functions (Food)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required of domestic producers. [109779]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  All food served at my Department's official functions is provided by contractors who meet the standards of production required of domestic producers.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 14 December 1999,Official Report, column 131W, concerning contracts with Dome sponsors, if all documentation has now been signed; what outstanding matters remain to be resolved; and if he will make a statement. [104601]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 13 January 2000]: Seven contracts were outstanding at 14 December and reported to the House in my reply to the hon. Member of that date. Four of these contracts have now been signed and three remain to be signed at 10 February—Boots, Mars Confectionary and BSkyB. While NMEC had hoped that they would all have been completed at this stage, one or two matters of detail remain subject to discussion between the respective parties. The company has every confidence that the contracts will be signed.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Pakistan
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken since 12 October 1999 to restrain or restrict the export to Pakistan of military or dual-use goods for which a valid licence is in force. [106648]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: In view of the changed circumstances in Pakistan following the coup, case by case consideration of new licence applications for military or dual-use goods has taken time to process under our own strict criteria and the EU Code of Conduct. No new licences have been approved since 12 October. However, some exporters with valid licences agreed before then may have completed deliveries under these licences.
  337W
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning the sale of British arms to Pakistan. [108879]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 8 February 2000]: We receive representations from a number of individuals and organisations about arms sales to many countries, including Pakistan. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 20 January 2000, Official Report, column 578W.

  Angola
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Angola. [109340]

  Mr. Hain
  Although Angolan government forces appear to be in the ascendency Savimbi undoubtedly retains the capacity to wage a prolonged guerrilla war. We do not believe military action will bring a satisfactory resolution to the conflict. Only a political solution will bring a lasting peace. But Savimbi's word cannot be trusted. We urge UNITA to replace Savimbi as leader. With a different leadership UNITA can be part of a negotiated settlement and be as much part of the solution as it has been part of the problem.

  We strongly support UN sanctions against UNITA and the work of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee. We are encouraging UN member states to ensure tighter implementation of all sanctions. We are also keen to make humanitarian assistance available to all Angolans.

  We are concerned at allegations that oil revenues may be being diverted for corrupt purposes. I raised this with President dos Santos when I met him in New York on 24 January. It is in Angola's long term interest to spend her oil revenue on building up her skills base, rehabilitation and infrastructure.

  Departmental Secondees
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were seconded from the private sector to his Department in(a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the companies from which staff have been seconded. [109289]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 9 February 2000]: My department has an active Interchange Programme with the private sector. The Modernising Government White Paper has committed us to increasing this activity.

  Details of staff seconded from the Private Sector to the FCO including British Trade International are as follows:

  (a) May 1997 to April 1998

  Number of secondees: 23
  Organisations: AMEC; Bank of England (2); BP Amoco (2); China British Trade Group; Civil Aviation Authority; European Investment Bank; HSBC; Halcrow, Independent Consultants (2); Keele University (2); Rolls-Royce; Levit Bernstein Associates, Midland Bank, National Westminster Bank; Price WaterhouseCoopers; Quantel; Standard Chartered Bank (2).
  338W
  (b) May 1998 to April 1999

  Number of secondees: 20
  Organisations: BBC; BNFL, Bank of England; BP Amoco (2); Brown and Root; China British Trade Group; Civil Aviation Authority; Coopers and Lybrand; European Investment Bank; Gifford and Partners; Greater London Enterprise; Hyder; Independent Consultant; MTL Instruments Group; Mouchel; Moscow Narodny Bank; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Standard Chartered Bank; Taylor Woodrow;

  (c) May 1999 to date

  Number of secondees: 26
  Organisations: AEA; Argo Interactive; BNFL (2); BP Amoco (2); Baker Hughes International; Barrow International; Barclys; CBI (2); China British Trade Group; Civil Aviation Authority; Electric Switch; European Investment Bank; Independent Consultants (4); Linklaters & Alliance, MTL Instruments Group; Ove Arup; PriceWaterhouseCoopers; Rolls-Royce; Standard Chartered Bank; Wirea Sussex.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Jobseekers
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the procedures undertaken when a jobseeker fails to attend the fortnightly review of their jobsearch at their local jobcentre; and if he will make a statement. [107857]

  Ms Jowell
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Alasdair Morgan, dated February 2000:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply direct to your question about what plans he has to review the procedures undertaken when a jobseeker fails to attend the fortnightly review of their job search at their local Jobcentre. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Jobseekers are required to attend their local Jobcentre each fortnight in order to show that they are continuing to satisfy the conditions for receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance. If a jobseeker fails to attend an interview they have five days to show what is termed "good cause" for not attending. If they fail to show good cause within the five day limit their claim is terminated. If a jobseeker fails to attend their interview but subsequently attends within five days, they are asked to provide their reasons for the failure to attend in writing. Their reasons are then sent to an Employment Services Decision Maker who, after obtaining any further information they may require, makes a decision as to whether the jobseeker had good cause for their failure to attend the interview.
  These procedures were amended slightly in October 1999 to give staff in our Jobcentres the facility to treat some circumstances as straightforward and not to have to refer the case to a Decision Maker. This new procedure will be evaluated later in the year, but there are no other plans in place to review the overall procedures.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Departmental Expenditure Limit
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if there are proposals to amend the Departmental Expenditure Limit and gross running costs limit for 1999–2000. [110299]
  339W
  Mr. Wills
  Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates for Class I, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services and Vote 3 (the Employment Service), the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) for 1999–2000 (excluding Welfare to Work) will be increased by £268,380,000 from £15,792,190,000 to £16,060,570,000.

  This overall increase is made up of DEL increases on Votes 1 and 5 (Sure Start) of £330,887,000 and £1,000 respectively, decreases to DEL on Votes 3 and 4 (Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England) of £21,758,000 and £5,000,000 respectively and a decrease of £35,750,000 in non-Voted expenditure. As a result, the Voted element of the Departmental Expenditure Limit (excluding Welfare to Work) will be increased by £304,130,000 from £14,547,638,000 to £14,851,768,000 and the non-Voted element will be reduced by £35,750,000 from £1,244,552,000 to £1,208,802,000.

  The changes in Vote 1 are the result of the take up of £282,114,000 of the end-year flexibility entitlement announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 27 July 1999, Official Report, column 393W; a net switch from non-Voted credit approvals of £15,750,000; transfers of £5,000,000 from Class I, Vote 4 (OFSTED) towards teaching materials for Thinking Skills, Early Years Learning and Education Action zones, of £1,000,000 to Class IV, Vote 1 (Home Office) as a contribution to the Youth Inclusion Programme, of £653,000 from the Northern Ireland Departments for changes in the funding of Oxbridge colleges, of £2,000,000 to Class XI, Vote 1 (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) for the Dance and Drama Interim Funding Scheme, of £442,000 to Class XII, Vote 1 (Department of Social Security—central Government administered social security benefits and other payments) in respect of severe hardship payments to those young people who would normally be receiving Bridging Allowance, of £95,000 to Class VI, Vote 1 (Ministry of Defence—operational and support costs, logistic services and systems procurement and research) in respect of MOD Modern Apprentices, of £180,000 to the Scottish Executive in connection with educational qualifications, of £32,000 from Class XVII, Vote 1 (Property Advisers to the Civil Estate) in respect of Qualifications and Curriculum Authority premises, of £60,000 to Class II, Vote 2 (Department of Health administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England) as a contribution to the staffing costs of the Teenage Pregnancy Implementation Unit, of £200,000 to the National Assembly for Wales for fees charged by external bodies, of £12,260,000 from Class I, Vote 3 (the Employment Service) for Employment zones, external reprographic services, and ONE marketing and policy; of £945,000 to Class 1, Vote 3 for salary costs of surplus staff and travel costs incurred by a member of the ES; and the draw down of £20,000,000 from the Department's non-Voted Departmental Unallocated provision (DUP).

  The Employment Service provision has decreased by the net transfer of £11,315,000 to Class 1, Vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services) to cover work on Employment zones now undertaken by DfEE and the marketing of ONE, and the net transfer of £10,443,000 to Class XII, Vote 3
  340W
  (Department of Social Security: administration) for costs associated with ONE JSA related activities and to cover work on Employment zones now undertaken by DSS.

  The Departmental running costs limit (excluding Welfare to Work) will be decreased by £10,294,000 from £1,060,748,000 to £1,050,454,000 as a result of the transfer of £9,062,000 to the DSS, of £60,000 to the Department of Health, the net movement of £1,497,000 out of running costs into programme provision and an increase of £325,000 on the EU PHARE twinning project offset by matching receipts. The Supplementary estimates also include a net transfer of £740,000 of running costs from Vote 1 to Vote 3 which does not affect the running costs limit.

  The Department's Welfare to Work provision is being increased by £1,454,000 from £1,388,373,000 to £1,389,827,000. The increase is made up of changes on Votes 1 and 3 of £276,000 and £1,178,000 respectively. The change on Vote 1 is as the result of the take up of £241,000 of end-year flexibility, and a transfer of £35,000 of running costs from Vote 3. The change on Vote 3 is as a result of the take up of £1,000,000 end-year flexibility for New Deal Partners; the transfer of £213,000 from Class XII, Vote 3 (Department of Social Security: administration) for New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal for 50 plus; and the transfer of £35,000 to Vote 1 for New Deal for Disabled People pilots.

  The Departmental Welfare to Work running costs limit will be increased by £1,575,000 from £162,321,000 to £163,896,000 as a result of the take up of £1,030,000 of end-year flexibility, the movement of £340,000 from programme money into running costs and a net transfer of £205,000 form Vote 3 to the Department of Social Security.

  The increases are the result of transfers or will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  New Deal (Personal Advisers)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown of the number of persons who have been taken on by the Employment Service as personal advisers on the new deal from each of the new deal schemes; and at what cost. [109284]

  Ms Jowell
  From April 1998 to February 2000, the Employment Service has not recruited anyone into the organisation to work as a New Deal personal adviser through the New Deal schemes. Employment Service New Deal employees are recruited to work in the administrative grades (Pay Bands 8 and 9). Personal advisers in the Employment Service are employed at a higher level which reflects the complexities and nature of their role.

  Leeds LEA
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding was allocated to Leeds Local Education Authority in the
  341W
  financial years 1996–97 to 1999–2000 for (a) reduction in infant class sizes, for revenue and capital costs, (b) national grid for learning, (c) literacy, (d) numeracy, (e) books for schools, (f) truancy and behaviour measures, (g) school security, (h) improving school effectiveness, (i) excellence

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–100

  Infant class size—capital

  n/a

  n/a

  235,000

  725,000

  Infant class size—revenue

  n/a

  n/a

  500,000

  1,369,000

  National grid for learning1

  n/a

  n/a

  1,700,000

  1,350,000

  Literacy1,3

  n/a

  210,000

  767,842

  789,389

  Numeracy 1,4

  n/a

  n/a

  16,600

  750,990

  Other literacy and numeracy1,5

  n/a

  n/a

  307,906

  712,356

  Books for schools1

  n/a

  301,144

  332,983

  665,965

  Truancy and Behaviour1

  106,000

  506,200

  604,500

  946,025

  School security1

  n/a

  300,500

  300,783

  305,986

  School effectiveness1,6

  1,978,500

  1,932,000

  2,158,116

  3,282,818

  Excellence in cities7

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2,036,852

  New deal for schools8

  n/a

  1,402,000

  1,909,000

  4,112,000

  Voluntary aided capital

  163,000

  376,000

  315,000

  1,089,000

  Energy efficiency

  n/a

  n/a

  220,000

  n/a

  Education SSA9

  252,509,000

  263,321,000

  278,662,000

  292,441,000

  Music1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  245,000

  1 GEST/Standard fund includes both central and local government contributions. 1990–2000 allocations not yet final.

  2 Allocated through a programme account, not GEST.

  3 Literacy includes the summer school and key stage 3 intervention programmes.

  4 Numeracy includes the summer school programme.

  5 Other literacy and numeracy includes year 6 booster classes and playing for success. Expenditure on each subject is for local decision and therefore it can not be disaggregated.

  6 School effectiveness grant became school improvement grant from 1999–2000.

  7 Excellence in cities funding is broken down into £47,630 start up costs, £1,363,727 learning mentors and learning support units and £625,495 for gifted and talented children (excludes other national programmes such as beacon and specialist schools).

  8 The new deal capital figures represent the LEA's total allocation announced in each year—in some cases, these may be spent over several years.

  9 To aid comparability, the education SSA figure for 1997–98 has had nursery voucher funding added. The SSA figure excluding nursery voucher funding was £254 million

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have left the New Deal for long-term unemployed people aged 25 and over for jobs lasting less than 13 weeks but have been included in the number leaving for sustained employment as a result of not having returned to jobseeker's allowance. [105700]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 18 January 2000]: We define sustained jobs as those where the employee does not return to claim jobseeker's allowance (JSA) within 13 weeks. If they do return to JSA we drop them from the sustained jobs figure. Using this definition, under the New Deal for long term unemployed people aged 25 or over, 25,240 have found sustained employment. We are not at present able to measure how many, if any, will have left these jobs within 13 weeks and chosen not to claim JSA.

DEFENCE

  Tornado Aircraft
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the changes made to the Tornado GR/1 midlife upgrade programme initiated by MLU93. [107463]
  342W
  in cities, (j) New Deal for Schools, (k) voluntary aided schools capital grant, (1) energy efficiency, (m) education standard spending assessment and (n) music. [109047]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is as follows:

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 1 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked what changes have been made to the Tornado GR/1 midlife upgrade programme initiated by MLU93. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The MLU93 programme includes the following changes to the Tornado GR/1 aircraft:

  Upgraded avionics & weapons control software

  Night Vision Goggles (NVG)

  Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR)

  Mil Std 1760 Weapons Databus

  Mil Std 1553 Avionics Databus

  Global Positioning System (GPS)

  Covert Radar Altimeter (CRA)

  A new wide angle Head up Display (HUD)

  A new Front Cockpit Digital Map

  TIALD integration

  Laser-guided munitions

  Defensive Aids Sub System

  In addition, the wiring changes (databuses) and software enabled later integration of a wide range of advanced weapons. Indeed, the MLU programme now comprises further advanced systems, including Hands on Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), Havequick II

  343W
  (electronically protected radios), Identification Friend or Foe Mk 12 and the fleet-wide fit of the Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designator (TIALD).
  The number of aircraft to be upgraded was however reduced from 161 to 142 and the Terrain Referenced Navigation system was removed from the original programme.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado GR/1s have been successfully upgraded to GR/4; how many are in upgrade servicing; how many are awaiting upgrade; and what is the estimated completion date of the upgrade programme. [107465]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 1 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked how many Tornado GR1s have been successfully upgraded to GR4; how many are in upgrade servicing; how many are awaiting upgrade; and what is the estimated completion date of the upgrade. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Fifty Tornado GR1s have been successfully upgraded to GR4 standard, twenty-one are currently in upgrade servicing and a further seventy-one aircraft are awaiting upgrade. The Tornado MLU programme is due to be completed in February 2003.
  Incremental acquisition is a key component of the Tornado MLU programme. For instance, the first 24 aircraft delivered to the RAF were equipped to an initial standard, but have also been fitted to receive further planned upgrades. From aircraft 25 Identification Friend or Foe Mark 12 system and electronically protected radios are being fitted and from aircraft number 61 the full clearance for the Paveway III Laser Guided Bomb, a new Laser Initial Navigation System, Global Positioning System and a Ground Proximity Warning system are added.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total estimated cost per unit of the Tornado GR/1 midlife upgrade programme, including development and production. [107464]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 1 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked what the total estimated cost per unit of the Tornado GR1 midlife upgrade programme is, including development and production. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The estimated unit cost of the Tornado GR1 midlife update programme, including development and production, at current prices, is £6.8m.

  TIALD System
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) total estimated cost and (b) unit cost of the TIALD system included in the Tornado MLU programme specifying in each case the proportion of costs incurred by (i) development and (ii) production; and if he will make a statement. [107547]
  344W
  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 2 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked for details of the total estimated cost and unit cost of the TIALD system included in the Tornado MLU programme specifying in each case the proportion of cost incurred by development and production. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Integration of the TIALD system onto Tornado GR4 is but one element of the MLU93 firm price contract placed with PANAVIA (industrial consortium comprising BAE, DASA and Alenia) via the Tornado tri-national project office in 1994. Within the total contract value we are not able to identify the costs specifically associated with TIALD integration, a task which is essentially software
  integration and involving minimal production cost. The TIALD pods used on Tornado are common to a number of different aircraft types including Harrier GR7, Harrier T10, Tornado GR1 and Tornado GR4; and were procured as part of a separate equipment programme. A total of 23 pods have been procured at a total development cost of £23m and a production cost per pod of £1.7m (both at 1999 prices).

  Fuel Allocations
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours per year were provided for in RAF fuel allocations for(a) Tornado GR1/4, (b) Tornado F3, (c) Harrier, (d) Jaguar, (e) Nimrod, (f) Sentry, (g) Tristar, (h) Puma, (i) Sea King and (j) Chinook in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [107550]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 2 February 2000]: The requested information is in the following table which shows projected flying hours made at the beginning of each year by the squadrons concerned. The fuel allocation is then based on these projections, not the other way round.

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Tornado GR1/4

  33,303

  33,623

  33,716

  33,615

  28,756

  Tornado F3

  32,183

  30,440

  31,049

  30,343

  25,694

  Harrier

  16,157

  16,688

  17,588

  17,870

  15,895

  Jaguar

  14,037

  13,839

  13,911

  13,735

  13,413

  Nimrod

  14,298

  13,759

  15,339

  13,313

  12,936

  Sentry

  4,446

  4,446

  4,446

  4,446

  4,446

  Tristar

  9,456

  9,456

  9,456

  9,560

  9,560

  Puma

  12,987

  14,103

  15,128

  16,523

  15,450

  Sea King

  11,013

  12,051

  12,622

  12,093

  10,859

  Chinook

  9,970

  11,881

  12,199

  14,323

  12,617

  Totals

  157,850

  160,286

  165,454

  165,821

  149,626

  The reduction in projected hours in the fast jet categories in 1999–2000 reflects the net reduction of 36 aircraft as a result of SDR.

  Land Mine Clearance
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what technology his Department is developing to assist in the clearance of anti-personnel land mines; [108630]
  345W
  (2) what research and development work has been funded by his Department since May 1997 into antipersonnel land mines clearance devices. [108631]

  Dr. Moonie
  Since May 1997 my Department has conducted research into the following mine detection technologies for military purposes:

  Ground penetrating radar

  Polarised thermal imaging

  Metal detection

  Quadruple resonance

  Ultra-wide band radar

  Ultra-wide bank synthetic aperture radar

  Research is also being conducted on the following technologies for the neutralisation of mines for military purposes:

  Projectile attack

  Shaped charge attack

  Lasers

  Pyrotechnic torch

  Disruptors

  Mechanical extraction.

  RN exercises—cancelled or nil participation

  Serial

  Name

  Reason

  Dates

  National/ International

  1

  Open Spirit

  Ship re-deployed to NATO Standing Force (Mine Countermeasure Force North) to ensure that the ship originally allocated to MCM Force did not breach harmony guidelines following additional tasking

  August 1999

  International

  2

  Sandy Coast 991

  Ship allocated was involved in ordnance clearance operations in Adriatic under NATO auspices. The opertation was extended which precluded her participation in Sandy Coast

  September 1999

  International

  3

  Falcon Nut1

  Ship re-deployed with Amphibious Task Group to Mediterranean in order to achieve a more cohesive force package

  October 1999

  International

  4

  Flotex

  In year Budget Management Measure

  November 1999

  International

  5

  Cadence Brake

  In year Budget Management Measure

  November 1999

  National

  6

  Squadex 45/99

  The opportunity arose to operate with French carrier which was considered to provide greater training benefits

  November 1999

  International

  7

  Aswex 2000

  In year Budget Management Measure

  January 2000

  National

  8

  RM Winter Deployment

  In year Budget Management Measure

  January 2000

  National

  1 UK units allocated to NATO participated but there was no direct UK involvement

  HQ land command exercises—cancelled or nil participation

  Serial

  Name

  Reason

  Dates

  National/ International

  1

  Med Man 2/99

  No suitable unit available1

  June-July 1999

  National

  2

  Lion Sun 4/99

  Kosovo Ops

  April-May 1999

  National

  3

  Lion Sun 7/99

  Kosovo Ops

  May-June 1999

  National

  4

  Lion Sun 8/99

  Kosovo Ops

  June-July 1999

  National

  5

  Lion Sun 10/99

  Kosovo Ops

  July-August 1999

  National

  6

  Lion Sun 14/99

  Kosovo Ops

  October-November 1999

  National

  7

  Lion Sun 15/99

  Kosovo Ops

  November-December 1999

  National

  8

  Stoney Run/Mill Race

  Kosovo Ops

  May-October 1999

  International

  9

  Glow-Worm/Rattlesnake

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  International

  10

  Larksong/Foxtrot

  Kosovo Ops

  May-October 1999

  International

  11

  Courageous Bat

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  International

  12

  Devils Hat

  Kosovo Ops

  May 1999

  National

  13

  Cygnet Vine

  Lack of Air Transport Fleet support (involved in Kosovo Ops)

  May 1999

  National

  14

  Cygnet Spear

  Lack of Air Transport Fleet support (involved in Kosovo Ops)

  April 1999

  National

  15

  Ardent Ground

  Kosovo Ops

  May 1999

  International

  16

  Arrcade Guard

  Kosovo Ops

  March 1999

  International

  17

  Arrcade Fusion

  Kosovo Ops

  October-November 1999

  International

  18

  Comd Ops Recce

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  National

  19

  Log Study Period

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  National

  20

  Adventure Exchange

  Kosovo Ops

  September-October 1999

  International

  1 The exercise was cancelled in the planning stages because a suitable unit could not be identified that had undertaken pre BATUS (British Army Training Unit Suffield) training on Challenger II.

  346W
  We are also conducting research toward a vehicle-based route clearance system; the removal of anti-personnel land mines might be an aspiration for a later enhancement of this system.

  The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency have recently developed a pyrotechnic torch, commercially known as the Fireant, to destroy anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines once they have been located. This is currently being trialled on operations.

  Military Exercises
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military exercises that have been cancelled in the last 12 months, stating in each case the reason for cancellation and whether it was a national or international exercise. [109187]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is set out in the tables. The lists do not include international exercises where UK forces were to have participated but which were cancelled by other nations.
  347W

  RAF exercises—cancelled or nil participation

  Serial

  Name

  Reason

  Dates

  National/ International

  1

  Brilliant Foil

  Kosovo Ops

  April 1999

  International

  2

  Distant Thunder

  Kosovo Ops

  May 1999

  International

  3

  Tridente

  Kosovo Ops

  May-June 1999

  International

  4

  Maple Flag

  Kosovo Ops

  May-June 1999

  International

  5

  JMC 99/2

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  International

  6

  Roving Sands

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  International

  7

  Central Enterprise

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  International

  8

  Crown Eagle

  Kosovo Ops

  June 1999

  International

  9

  TLP 99/4

  Kosovo Ops

  June-July 1999

  International

  10

  Nam

  Kosovo Ops

  September 1999

  International

  11

  Ample Train

  Kosovo Ops

  September 1999

  International

  12

  Western Vortex

  Kosovo Ops

  April-October 1999

  National

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the (a) number and (b) value of contracts let by his Department since May 1997 to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. [109306]

  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Integrated Project Teams
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from industry are currently (a) leading and (b) are members of integrated project teams; and if he will make a statement. [109694]

  Dr. Moonie
  The principle of involving industry within Integrated Project Teams has become a reality. Two candidates from industry successfully competed for and are now leading Integrated Project Teams. Industry membership of IPTs takes a variety of forms depending on individual project circumstances and the stage of each project in the acquisition cycle. Industrial membership is growing as new IPTs are progressively established, and industry is already represented as an integral part of many high profile IPTs. A key feature of the standard IPT transition process is the 'industry day', used to initiate closer participation with industry. The level of industry representation in IPTs will be assessed following completion of the current transition phase.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many integrated project teams cover single projects; and if he will make a statement. [109695]

  Dr. Moonie
  Of the 135 Integrated Project Teams, 41 are regarded as managing single projects.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many integrated teams have been created to date; how many it is intended to create; and if he will make a statement. [109698]

  Dr. Moonie
  On 14 February 2000, the final 18 Integrated Project Teams will commence their roll out, bringing the total number of IPTs to 135. This constitutes the final phase of the Smart Procurement programme to move to an IPT-based structure. In the future, I anticipate new IPTs will be formed as a result of further restructuring in the Defence Logistics Organisation and through the normal process of project conception.
  348W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many procurement projects are to be covered by integrated teams; and if he will make a statement. [109697]

  Dr. Moonie
  The intent is that all Defence equipment projects, covering platforms, systems and sub-systems will be managed throughout their lives by Integrated Project Teams. 135 such teams are currently identified to manage a population of over 1,000 individual projects, from those currently in the initial procurement phase, as well as those already in-service.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many integrated teams cover clusters of more than one project; and if he will make a statement. [109696]

  Dr. Moonie
  Of the 135 Integrated Project Teams, 94 have responsibilities for more than one project.

  Smart Procurement
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the target for cost reduction on the year-by-year defence equipment procurement budget to be achieved as a result of the Smart Procurement Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [109699]

  Dr. Moonie
  We are on track to deliver the £2 billion of reductions in spending on defence equipment procurement that we aimed to achieve on the merit of the Smart Procurement Initiative. These savings are not set out as a target for year by year reduction, as expenditure profiles may vary on individual projects, but are assessed as the sum of reductions made in successive planning rounds, for the 10 years from 1998–99 to 2007–08.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the time needed for the Smart Procurement initiative to be understood, and implemented within his Department; and if he will make a statement. [109692]

  Dr. Moonie
  The implementation phase of the Smart Procurement Initiative concludes on 1 April 2000, when the main structural changes will be complete. A recent survey across much of the Department and defence industry has shown that the case for Smart Procurement has been made, and that it is understood and accepted. There can be no reversion to the old ways of doing business. We will continue to reinforce the message to sustain the momentum of the initiative as the tangible benefits come to fruition.
  349W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place to ensure that the proprietary information and expertise of competitors in defence procurement projects are protected under the Smart Procurement initiative; and if he will make a statement. [109691]

  Dr. Moonie
  In order that the maximum value can be obtained from Smart Procurement, we are looking to industry to be full participants in open discussion with the Department. The maintenance of confidentiality in respect of commercially sensitive and proprietary information has always been fundamental to the defence procurement relationship. The introduction of Smart Procurement has not changed this principle, and we continue to restrict the disclosure of such information, except where a contractor has specifically approved release.

  Practical working arrangements are necessary to allow contractors to conduct dialogue within the acquisition teams in a framework which encourages the generation of ideas without disclosing commercially sensitive or proprietary information to competitors. The measures taken to protect such information vary according to circumstances, but can include formal Confidentiality Agreements or limiting the number of individuals having access to sensitive information, drawing from existing codes of practice as appropriate.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how co-operation with industry after contract signature under Smart Procurement differs from post-signature supplier co-operation under the previous procurement system; and if he will make a statement. [109693]

  Dr. Moonie
  Prior to the Smart Procurement Initiative our relationships with suppliers did not always maximise opportunities for joint approaches to problem solving, and arms-length interaction could hamper fully effective communications. One of the key elements of Smart Procurement is an improved relationship with industry, under which we seek to derive maximum benefit from better working practices and shared objectives. We are promoting a culture of greater openness and trust: a "no surprise" culture where co-operation, consultation and the sharing of data will facilitate success. Following contract signature therefore, and in the context of this more open approach, the MOD and industry will remain jointly focused on the delivery of the defence equipment capability to agreed performance parameters, within cost and on time.

  There is no conflict between robust contracting and mutually beneficial team working.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Northavon dated 26 February 1999, acknowledged on 5 March 1999 (Ref. 00964/1999), relating to nursery provision at his Department's establishment at Abbey Wood. [109532]

  Dr. Moonie
  I have replied today.

  Nancekuke
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the letter of 8 February from the Chief Executive of DERA to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, whether records of personnel who worked at Nancekuke in the 1960s and 1970s are held at Llangennech. [109595]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 31 January 2000,Official Report, columns 412–13W.

  Food Sourcing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding the sourcing from within the United Kingdom of meat for the armed forces. [R] [109813]

  Dr. Moonie
  Over the past two years, officials in my Department have had regular discussions with their counterparts at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in order to ensure that all opportunities to source British meat for the Armed Forces at competitive prices are explored. One outcome of these discussions has been that MOD secured access to stocks of British intervention beef, with the result that 100 per cent. of beef for the Armed Forces in the UK is currently of British origin.

  Courts-Martial (Royal Navy)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of courts-martial for Royal Navy ratings in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998 and (d) 1999. [107868]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 1 February 2000]: The information requested is as follows:

  1996: 44

  1997: 56

  1998: 52

  1999: 49.

  Aircraft Maintenance
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of maintenance man-hours per flying hour for (a) Tornado GR1/4, (b) Tornado F3, (c) Harrier, (d) Jaguar, (e) Nimrod, (f) Sentry, (g) Tristar, (h) Puma, (i) Sea King and (j) Chinook in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [107549]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 2 February 2000]: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  RAF Pilots
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of training an RAF pilot to operational standard. [108101]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 2 February 2000]: The cost of training RAF pilots varies according to the aircraft to be flown and the individual. However, in recent years

  351W
  it has cost approximately £2.8 million to train a fast jet pilot, £2.4 million to train the pilot of a transport or other multi-engined aircraft and £1.1 million to train a helicopter pilot.

  Imphal Barracks
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the manning figures were for Building 107 352W
  of Imphal Barracks, York, in (a) April 1981 and (b) April 1994; and what are the projected figures for April 2001. [109445]

  Mr. Spellar
  Records are not held of manning figures for Building 107 of Imphal Barracks for April 1981 and April 1994. A total of 332 staff are expected to occupy the building by April 2001.