Written Answers of 14 February 2000

CABINET OFFICE

  Corporate IT Strategy
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made towards achieving the target of publishing a Corporate IT Strategy by March. [110300]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  As part of our Modernising Governing commitment to publish a Corporate IT Strategy in March, we have published a draft of the strategy for comment on the Information Age Government website at www.iagchampions.gov.uk and have placed copies in the Libraries of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parades Commission
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of the individuals involved in undertaking the review of the Parades Commission. [110049]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. This was an internal review carried out by officials of the Northern Ireland Office.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a list of individuals and organisations who(a) have been invited to make submissions, (b) have made written submissions and (c) have made oral submissions to the review of the Parades Commission. [110048]

  Mr. Ingram
  We invited, through a press release, comments from anyone who felt they had a contribution to make. It is not Government practice to publish lists of contributors.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons he is to conduct a second review of the Parades Commission. [110042]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no plans to conduct any review of the Parades Commission other than that announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam) on 8 October last year.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the report of the review of the Parades Commission; and if he will make a statement. [110047]

  Mr. Ingram
  In accordance with the undertaking given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Marjorie Mowlam), the Secretary of State will make an announcement on the outcome of the review. There are no plans to publish the report.
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  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the current review of the Parades Commission will be completed prior to the appointment of new members and a new Chairman to the Commission. [110046]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will simultaneously announce the outcome of both the review and the competitions to appoint new members and a new Chairman to the Commission later in the week.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Local Transport Plans
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the costs incurred by each local authority in England in preparing provisional local transport plans. [109700]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The move to a five-year planning cycle will produce administrative savings for local authorities (by offering greater certainty of future funding and removing the need to prepare plans annually). The wider public participation, more effective partnership working and better monitoring associated with local transport plans will lead to some additional costs, but we have no information on which to base an estimate of their scale.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 January 2000,Official Report, column 278W, on driving licences, if he will state (a) what details, confirmed by the Immigration and Nationality Department are accepted as identification for driving licence application purposes and (b) in what form such confirmation would be acceptable. [108007]

  Mr. Hill
  My officials have recently reached agreement with the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) on a scheme under which original documents (passports or birth certificates) held by them will be returned for a limited period on request to those awaiting processing to allow them to make an application to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for a driving licence.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if when an application for a driving licence is made by someone whose papers are awaiting processing by the Immigration Service, DVLA will consider accepting as proof of identity the standard acknowledgement letter issued by the Immigration Service. [108431]

  Mr. Hill
  DVLA was advised by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) in August last year that Standard Acknowledgement Letters are not evidence of identity and should not be accepted in support of an application for a driving licence.
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  DVLA and IND have recently reached agreement on a scheme under which original identity documents held by the Immigration Service will be returned for a limited period to those awaiting processing so that an application for a driving licence can be made to DVLA.

  Workplace Car Parking Charges (West Midlands)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to(a) encourage less frequent use of cars and (b) allow local authorities to levy workplace car parking charges, in the west midlands. [109565]

  Mr. Hill
  Our integrated transport White Paper, "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", set out a new approach to meeting local transport needs and reducing dependency on the car by improving alternative modes of transport and providing greater transport choice.

  The Transport Bill currently before Parliament will enable local authorities to levy a charge on workplace parking to tackle traffic congestion as part of a Local Transport Plan. Local authorities in the West Midlands, with the exception of Coventry and Solihull, have joined our Charging Development Partnership and are actively considering a workplace parking levy scheme.

  Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with other EU Ministers about exchanging information on good practice regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement. [110005]

  Mr. Meacher
  EU Environment Ministers regularly discuss the importance of introducing effective national, co-ordinated and Community level policies and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In October 1999, the Council agreed that it was essential for further common and co-ordinated policies and measures to be implemented rapidly and asked the Commission to put forward a priority list as early as possible in 2000. Discussion on any new measures proposed will be informed by best practice in Member States.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have taken place within the Council of Ministers regarding meeting the legally-binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions by 2010; and if he will make a statement. [110006]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Council regularly discusses climate change issues and restates its determination to delivering the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to which the European Community and its Member States are committed under the Kyoto Protocol.

  The revised Council Decision on monitoring emissions of greenhouse gases requires the Commission to prepare annual assessments of the progress of the Community and its Member States towards delivering the Kyoto targets and to report to the Council and the European Parliament. The Commission is due to produce its first report in October, providing an opportunity for further Council discussion.

  Road Haulage Forum
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the names of the members of the Road Haulage Forum with the names of the organisations and regions they represent; and if he will make a statement. [110112]

  Mr. Hill
  The Road Haulage Forum was established in March 1999. Its current membership is:

  Members

  Minister for Transport

  The right hon. Lord Macdonald of Tradeston CBE

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, DETR

  Lord Whitty

  Minister of State, DTI

  Patricia Hewitt MP

  Financial Secretary to the Treasury

  Stephen Timms MP

  Freight Transport Association

  Lawrence Christensen CBE (President) David Green (Director General)

  Road Haulage Association

  John Bridge OBE (Chairman)

  Transport and General Workers' Union

  Danny Bryan, Ron Webb (National Secretaries)

  Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

  Christopher Macgowan (Chief Executive)

  Independent Members

  Stuart Archbold (of Archbold Freightage, Leeds) John Harvey CBE (of Tibbett and Britten, Enfield)

  The Director General of the Road Haulage Association is also a member of the Forum, but this post is currently vacant.

  Euratom
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the consultation document on the regulatory changes required to implement the Basic Safety Standards Directive 96/29/ on Euratom. [110303]

  Mr. Meacher
  After consultation with interested parties last year, I have today published the proposals on the regulatory changes required to implement aspects of the Basic Safety Standards Directive 96/29/Euratom concerned with the control of radioactive waste. The proposals involve the minimum of change to the existing regulatory framework under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (RSA 93) and fulfil the Government's commitment that implementation of the Directive would not lead to a weakening of existing controls. Copies of the document, entitled "The Proposals for the Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 and the Radioactive Substances (Basic Safety Standards) (England and Wales) Direction 2000" can now be found in the Library.

  The proposed Regulations made under Section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 will provide controls on the disposal of certain types of old clocks and watches using radioactive luminising material, which are currently

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  exempt from regulation. The proposed Direction to the Environment Agency made under Section 40 of the Environment Act 1995 will put a number of their existing administrative practices, in discharging their duties under RSA 93, into legally binding obligations.

  Parallel measures are to be taken in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which will be the subject of separate consultations in due course.

  Council Tax Band

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Band A

  437.95

  457.72

  489.43

  541.91

  585.04

  Band B

  510.94

  534.01

  571.00

  632.22

  682.55

  Band C

  583.93

  610.29

  652.57

  722.54

  780.05

  Band D

  656.92

  686.58

  734.14

  812.86

  877.56

  Band E

  802.90

  839.15

  897.28

  993.50

  1,072.57

  Band F

  948.88

  991.73

  1,060.42

  1,174.13

  1,267.59

  Band G

  1,094.87

  1,144.30

  1,223.57

  1,354.77

  1,462.60

  Band H

  1,313.84

  1,373.16

  1,468.28

  1,625.72

  1,755.12

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the council tax payable in Amber Valley for bands A-H for the last five years. [110077]

  Council Tax Band

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Band A

  437.03

  453.27

  487.78

  539.31

  581.71

  Band B

  509.86

  528.81

  569.08

  629.20

  678.67

  Band C

  582.70

  604.36

  650.37

  719.08

  775.62

  Band D

  655.54

  679.90

  731.67

  808.97

  872.57

  Band E

  801.22

  830.99

  894.26

  988.74

  1,066.47

  Band F

  946.89

  982.08

  1,056.86

  1,168.51

  1,260.38

  Band G

  1,092.57

  1,133.17

  1,219.45

  1,348.28

  1,454.28

  Band H

  1,311.08

  1,359.80

  1,463.34

  1,617.94

  1,745.14

  Paper and Timber Products
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source. [110187]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The FSC label is accepted by buyers as demonstrating that timber and timber products have come from sustainably managed sources. However, it is not practicable to require that all paper and timber products purchased by the Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council because this might discriminate against any equally valid schemes and therefore be against public procurement rules. It might also result in us failing to meet our full requirements as currently only a tiny percentage of timber products are FSC certified. This is why DETR's Greening Operations policy statement suggests that evidence of sustainability might take the form of a certificate issued under a credible, preferably independent, verification scheme; or other documents which demonstrate the operation of an environmental management system incorporating forest management criteria that conform with internationally recognised principles such as the Helsinki Guidelines.

  Council Tax (Derbyshire)
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the council tax payable in the area of Derbyshire Dales District Council for bands A-H for the last five years. [110078]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The table shows the gross council tax liability on properties in the bands A-H over the last five years.

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The table shows the gross council tax liability on properties in the bands A-H over the last five years.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110186]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Among the key aims of DETR's Greening Operations policy statement are: to conserve resources and minimise waste by reducing our reliance on virgin materials and ensuring that any products derived from wildlife—such as paper and timber—are from sustainable sources and comply with EU and international trading rules such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The Department's policy statement also requires the purchase of 100 per cent. recycled paper for non-specialist use comprising at least 80 per cent. genuine post consumer waste with any virgin pulp coming from sustainably managed woodlands. It also promotes the purchase of sustainably produced timber and timber products by, for example, requiring buyers to specify in orders and contracts that:"suppliers provide documentary evidence (which has been, or if necessary can be, independently verified) that the timber has been lawfully obtained from forests and plantations which are managed to sustain their biodiversity, productivity and vitality, and to prevent harm to other ecosystems and any indigenous or forest-dependent people".

  More guidance is given to buyers on these and other options in DETR's Green Guide for Buyers which is readily available on the Internet. The Department

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  monitors its performance on these and other aspects of its operations and publishes an annual report showing progress made. It has also set up an inter-departmental buyers' timber group to raise awareness and promote best practice across Government.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne of 19 July, 1 September, 6 October, 3 November, 30 November, 4 January and 8 February relating to Mrs. Antonia Skielharn, a constituent. [109960]

  Mr. Hill
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State replied to the hon. Member for Broxbourne's letters on 10 February, expressing his apologies for the delay in so doing.

  Fishing Vessel Accidents
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will issue the Government's response to the consultation paper entitled "Fishing Vessel Accidents and the Recovery of those Lost at Sea", published on 23 July 1998; and if he will make a statement. [109567]

  Mr. Hill
  The analysis of the responses to the consultation paper was published on 9 February 1999. The Government's response to the paper has been delayed because we are awaiting the results of Roger Clarke's investigation into why no search was made for the fishing trawler Gaul, following her disappearance in 1974. Mr. Clarke's investigation examines a number of issues raised in the consultation paper and we wish to take his findings into account before we issue the response.

  Marine Freight Facilities Grant
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the allocations made under the marine freight facilities grant over the last five years, (b) their amount and (c) to whom the awards were made. [109566]

  Mr. Hill
  Inland Waterway Freight Facilities Grants awarded under section 36 of the Transport Act 1981 and section 140 of the Railways Act 1993 over the past five years are:

  Year

  Grants awarded

  £

  1995

  —

  —

  1996

  Medway Shipping Ltd.

  71,563

  1997

  J. J. Prior (Transport) Ltd.

  105,210

  1998

  RMC (London) Ltd.

  118,500

  Aram Resources plc

  1,057,900

  Bayford & Co.

  223,790

  1999

  K. D. Marine (UK) Ltd.

  126,000

  J. R. Rix & Sons Ltd.

  884,917

  Baldwins Industrial Services Ltd.

  1,500,000

  Pioneer Willment/

  38,828

  Medway Bulk Powders

  46,693

  Waterflow Transport Systems

  9,785

  RMC (London) Ltd.

  1,105,811

  Barking Stone Ltd.

  3,636,316

  Waste Oil Services Ltd./

  20,752

  T. & S. Rix Ltd.

  100,746

  360W
  Interest in grant for inland waterway schemes has historically been low. However, recent publicity drives by my Department have resulted in an increased interest in moving freight by inland waterway.

  We intend to consult on the details of a scheme to extend to freight grants regime to coastal and short sea shipping.

  Highways Agency
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Highways Agency will publish its annual report and accounts for 1998–99. [110403]

  Mr. Hill
  The Highways Agency annual report and accounts 1998–99 will be published tomorrow by the Stationery Office and copies placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies will also be available from the Vote Office for Members.

  Energy-efficient Lighting
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he intends to take to ensure that those non-profit organisations which currently benefit from the Energy Saving Trust's successful lightswitch scheme will be assisted by the proposed climate change levy energy efficiency fund in order that they can install energy efficient lighting. [108720]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have invited comments on the scope of the proposed energy efficiency fund through our document "Consultation on Energy Efficiency Measures Under the Climate Change Levy Package". The consultation period closed on 4 February.

  Following evaluation of the responses, it is anticipated that the Chancellor will make further announcements in the 2000 Budget.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tonnes of carbon equivalent were released into the environment as a result of the use by the UK industry of (a) kerosene and (b) gas oil in the last year for which figures are available. [108713]

  Mr. Hill
  The last available figures are in the 1997 National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. In 1997 the combustion of kerosene in UK industry generated 2,473 kilotonnes of carbon equivalent, while the combustion of gas oil in UK industry generated 10,472 kilotonnes of carbon equivalent. The UK total emission was 684,510 kilotonnes of carbon equivalent.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the contribution to UK emissions of pollutants covered by the air quality strategy by the industrial use of (a) kerosene and (b) gas oil. [108714]
  361W
  Mr. Hill
  The contribution to UK emissions of pollutants covered by the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the industrial use of (a) kerosene and (b) gas oil is set out in the table.

  Pollutant

  Kerosene

  Gas oil

  UK total

  Carbon monoxide (thousand tonnes per year)

  0.13

  18.33

  5,090

  Nitrogen oxides (thousand tonnes per year)

  2.22

  50.77

  1,835

  Lead (tonnes per year)

  0.05

  0.64

  1,308

  Particulate matter less than 10 micron diameter (thousand tonnes per year)

  0.01

  1.79

  184

  Sulphur dioxide (thousand tonnes per year)

  0.47

  8.95

  1,660

  Volatile organic compounds1 (thousand tonnes per year)

  0.07

  6.54

  2,130

  Benzene (thousand tonnes per year)

  0.00

  0.13

  38

  1 Volatile organic compounds are not an Air Quality Strategy pollutant, but are precursors of ozone

  No figures are available for emissions of 1,3 butadiene from these sources, but they are expected to be small relative to other sources and in absolute terms.

  The figures are from the 1997 National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory. It can be viewed on the internet at http://www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual

  DVLA
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will write to the hon. Member for Doncaster, Central about the results of his investigation into the supplying by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of drivers' names and addresses to wheel clamping companies. [107304]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 7 February 2000]: The Agency has conducted a review of the circumstances in which vehicle keeper details can be released from the register. This has identified a number of areas where a tighter interpretation might be applied to the regulations providing for the release of information, including certain aspects of car parking enforcement. In view of the sensitivities of the issues further legal advice has been sought. Once this has been considered, I will write to my hon. Friend.

  HFC Emissions
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take into account the HFC emissions forecasts contained in the 1998 United Nations Environment Programme report in his own forecasts for United Kingdom emissions of HFCs to be included in the Government's revised Climate Change Strategy. [109330]

  Mr. Meacher
  In 1998 the United Nations Environment Programme published a report relevant to HFC use globally and this has been taken into account in developing the UK projections of HFC emissions.

  Tax Discs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the DVLA to prosecute drivers who are found to have no tax disc on their cars; and if he will make a statement. [109368]

  Mr. Hill
  Where vehicles are used or kept unlicensed on the public road, the detection is carried out by police and traffic wardens, who pass offence reports to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for enforcement action.

  Last year, DVLA took successful action against 475,000 evaders, bringing in £57.9 million in fines and penalties from out of court settlements or prosecution. A further 125,000 evaders or potential evaders relicensed their vehicles as a direct result of this enforcement activity, bringing in a further £15 million which would not otherwise have been paid. There are indications that for the first time the level of VED evasion is starting to fall.

  We have significantly increased the number of joint DVLA/police campaigns against VED evaders. In addition the scheme to wheelclamp and impound unlicensed vehicles is now operating nationwide. A new pilot scheme to use automated number plate readers to detect and deter VED evaders will start this summer.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what restrictions there are on sitting councillors serving on regional development agencies. [109436]

  Ms Armstrong
  Although RDA boards are business led, they also need the effective involvement of local government. To that end, appointments to four of the twelve board positions are made from local councillors in the region. In order to maintain this balance, where the four positions reserved for councillors are already filled, sitting councillors will not normally be appointed to posts reserved for the business sector and other groups active in the region. There are no other restrictions.

  Repetitive Strain Injury
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will (a) list the publicly funded studies into repetitive strain injury published in the last 10 years and (b) place such reports in the Library. [109299]

  Mr. Meacher
  The following studies of upper limb disorders (the preferred term for the group of conditions that includes "repetitive strain injury"), funded by the Health and Safety Executive, have been published in the last 10 years:

  Title/subject

  Publication details

  Work related upper limb pain syndromes: origins and management. Contractor: Birmingham University

  Report (Harrington et al, 1996) has not been formally published, however copies have been available in HSE Information Centres since 1997.

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  Title/subject

  Publication details

  Decision aids for the medical assessment of WRULDs. Contractor: Aberdeen University

  Conference paper published: Sinclair D. T., Graves R. J., Watt M., Ratcliffe B., Doherty S. Feasibility of developing a decision aid for initial medical assessment of ULDs. In S. A. Robertson ed., Contemporary Ergonomics 1997, (Taylor and Francis, London).

  Development and evaluation of aids for initial medical assessment of upper limb disorders. Contractor: Aberdeen University

  Conference paper published: Sinclair D. T., Jamieson D. W., Graves R. J., et al. Evaluation of a decision support aid for upper limb disorders in general practice. In M. A. Hanson, E. J. Lovesy and S. A. Robertson, ed., Contemporary Ergonomics 1999, (Taylor and Francis, London).

  Surveillance case definitions for upper limb pain syndromes. Contractor: Birmingham University

  Paper published: Harrington J. M., Carter J. T., Birrell L., Gompertz D. Surveillance case definitions for work related upper limb pain syndromes. In Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 55(4) 264–271. April 1998.

  Epidemiological and ergonomic study of occupational factors associated with symptoms of upper limb disorders in keyboard operators. Contractor: Institute of Occupational Medicine

  Report published by the Institute of Occupational Medicine, October 1999.

  I am placing copies in the Library.

  In addition, a number of studies were published during the period on musculoskeletal disorders generally, and on display screen equipment work. Those relevant to upper limb disorders include:

  Title/subject

  Publication details

  Musculoskeletal disorders in supermarket cashiers. Contractor: HSE/Health and safety Laboratory

  Report published by HSE Books, 1998

  Display screen equipment health problems. Contractor: Systems Concepts

  Published as HSE Contract Research Report No. 198/1998.

  Musculoskeletal disorders among users of floor cleaning machines. Contractor: Surrey University

  Published as HSE Contract Research Report No. 215/1999.

  R55.053 Evaluating exposure to risk of musculoskeletal disorders: A practical tool. Contractor: Surrey University

  Published as HSE Contract Reserch Report No. 251/1999.

  M4 Corridor Study
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what 364W
  progress has been made on the M4 corridor study; and when he will make an announcement on the outcome of the study. [109688]

  Mr. Hill
  Consultants will be appointed in February 2000, with an announcement on the outcome due in late 2001.

  Council Rents (Wakefield)
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the impact on council house rental levels in Wakefield of the negative housing subsidy regime. [109768]

  Mr. Mullin
  Wakefield Metropolitan District Council is not affected by negative housing subsidy.

PRIME MINISTER

  Post Offices
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Prime Minister further to his statement on 4 February 2000, that the Government intend to promote the installation of cash machines at rural post offices, how franchises for these will be awarded; and what estimate he has made of the cost per transaction for the use of such machines. [109377]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: Decisions on the installation of cash machines at post offices are an operational and commercial matter for the Post Office. They are currently in the process of assessing all existing post office outlets for the suitability of a cash machine. Cost estimates are a commercial issue for the Post Office in conjunction with its partners and are currently being developed.

  EU Defence
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2000,Official Report, column 5W, for what reason he is not prepared to place a synopsis of Mr. Liddle's speech in the Library. [109511]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to my previous answers.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Smoking Policy
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105795]

  Dr. Reid
  In my Department, smoking is permitted in designated areas. Advice and guidance is available to any staff who wish to give up smoking.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  North-east Regional Investment Fund
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the regional investment fund for the north-east has been temporarily closed for applications; and if he will make a statement. [108506]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 7 February 2000]: The Regional Investment Fund for the north-east has not yet been opened. Preparations are underway for the launch of the fund in March 2000.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if enterprises in (a) the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, (b) Tweedmouth, and (c) Spittal will be eligible to apply to the regional investment fund for the north-east. [108504]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 7 February 2000]: The north-east regional investment fund has been supported by European funding as part of the region's Objective 2 Programme for 1997–99. As the Berwick-upon-Tweed area did not have Objective 2 status under this programme, enterprises in that part of the region can not qualify for assistance. However, the area will enjoy Objective 2 status under the Programme for 2000–06. It will be for the north-east regional partnership to determine whether a similar project should be included in the new Programme.

  British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) international and (b) national quality assurance standards British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. have received from independent accreditation agencies; when each of these standards was awarded; which plants or processes were awarded these standards; which accreditation agencies awarded the standards; which accreditations have now lapsed; when and at which plants; and under which standards corrective action is currently being implemented. [109334]

  Mrs. Liddell
  These are matters for BNFL. I have asked the Company Secretary of BNFL to write to my hon. Friend with the information he requires and will arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received a copy of the report by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd. on British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.'s MOX demonstration facility; and if he will place a copy of that report in the Library. [109337]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have not received a copy of the report. This is a matter between BNFL and Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what modifications BNFL is planning to make to the MOX Demonstration Facility as a result of recommendations made by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Ltd.; what will be the cost of those modifications; and if any of these modifications will also be required in the Sellafield MOX Plant. [109335]
  366W
  Mrs. Liddell
  I understand that BNFL are implementing a programme of remedial action which will be verified by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance in further visits. The details are a matter between BNFL and Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received regarding the falsification and manipulation of fuel quality control data in respect of BNFL MOX fuel supplied to Switzerland; and if he will make a statement. [106711]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 1 February 2000]: I understand from BNFL that, since the falsification of quality control data relating to Japanese fuel was discovered, BNFL have investigated all quality data for MOX fuel supplied to Switzerland. A data anomaly affecting one lot of fuel pellets supplied in February 1997 was identified but a further investigation by BNFL and its customers concluded that the fuel met the required specification.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the national minimum wage in(a) Coventry, South, (b) the west midlands and (c) the United Kingdom. [109553]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We asked the independent Low Pay Commission to report on the impact of the introduction of the minimum wage and the Commission's report, with the Government's response, will be published shortly. Definitive estimates of the number of people who had benefited from the national minimum wage are not yet available. But the latest Office for National Statistics figures indicate that at least 700,000 employees in the United Kingdom, 70,000 of them in the west midlands, had already had their pay raised above the national minimum wage rates in spring last year. However, these data were gathered before the full effect of the new law had been felt (March-May 1999).

  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the level of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [109576]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I have made no decision on future changes to the level of the national minimum wage. The Government have always made it clear that there would be no automatic uprating mechanism for the national minimum wage. Any future changes to the national minimum wage rates will be made sensibly, taking account of the prevailing economic circumstances and feedback on the effects of the new law since April 1999. The Low Pay Commission's second report, which the Government will publish shortly, considers its impact in great detail.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many representations he has received in the last 12 months asking him to uprate the minimum wage annually in April. [109687]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  We have received 11 representations in the past year requesting that the national minimum wage be uprated annually in April.

  Gas Industry
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage the regulator to examine the gas industry in the north-west. [109577]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have no plans to do so but, under the terms of the Gas Act 1996, the Director General for Gas Supply may investigate any matter that is drawn to his attention by those with interests in the matter.

  Vibration White Finger
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when a medical test centre for Vibration White Finger will be established to meet the needs of ex-miners in north Staffordshire. [109922]

  Mrs. Liddell
  A Vibration White Finger test centre will be established in Hanley on 1 March 2000.

  Gas-powered Generating Stations
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made, in mega watts and kilowatt hours, of the amount of gas-powered electricity generating capacity which has not been proceeded with as a result of the introduction of the moratorium on the approval of licences for new gas-powered generating stations. [109359]

  Mrs. Liddell
  15 proposals amounting to some 6 GW of new gas-fired capacity have been refused clearance under the stricter consents policy. It is not possible to say for certain how many of these proposals would have proceeded to construction had consent been granted, nor how much electricity would have been generated by them.

  If all the proposals had proceeded to development and expected to reach 80 per cent. load factor, then they would have produced some 42,000 million kilowatt hours per year once they reached full operation. This is about the maximum output these proposals could have produced.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidelines have been given to officials regarding the issuing of export licences for defence equipment to Pakistan. [109731]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain) on 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 578W.

  Polish Coal
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken to stop the dumping of Polish coal on the UK market; and if he will make a statement. [109020]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The UK coal industry have made representations to the Government about the imports of Polish coal at prices that appear to be below the cost of production.
  368W
  Trade relations with third countries such as Poland fall within the competence of the European Communities. The Government have written to the Commission highlighting the difficulties being experienced by the UK coal industry due to Polish coal imports and urging them to address this problem.

  In this regard the Government are exploring with the European Commission as a matter of urgency whether there is any possibility of resolving this issue through the EU-Poland Europe Agreement.

  In addition to this, Ministers and officials have emphasised to the Polish Administration the importance that we place on having a fair and competitive market for coal in the UK.

  It is the European Commission's responsibility to investigate allegations of unfair dumping or subsidy. The Government are urging the European Commission to investigate any complaints from the UK industry as rapidly as possible.

  Coalfields Enterprise Fund
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the establishment of the Coalfields Enterprise Fund. [108730]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I have been asked to reply. The Coalfields Task Force Report "Making the Difference" set out a programme of actions to combat the deprivation now faced by the coalfield communities. One of the recommendations was the creation of a fund to provide loans and equity investment to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with high growth potential in the coalfields.

  On 1 December 1998, at a Coalfields Conference in Peterlee, County Durham, the Deputy Prime Minister agreed to this recommendation and set aside £15 million to invest in the Coalfields Enterprise Fund.

  The development of the Fund, by English Partnerships on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is well advanced and the target is for the Fund to be operational in the spring.

  Wireless Telegraphy Deregulation
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the economic impact on business associated with(a) the Deregulation (Wireless Telegraphy) Order 1996 (S.I., 1996, No. 1864) and (b) the Contracting Out (Functions in Relation to the Management of Crown Lands) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 215). [108807]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 7 February 2000]: I have been asked to reply in view of my Department's responsibility for the two statutory instruments in question. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 27 January 2000, Official Report, columns 301–02W, the 1996 Order was estimated to have saved TV dealers £10,000 a year each. The impact on business in general of the 1998 Order has not been estimated, but will have been negligible; the benefits to Exchequer funding by grant-in-aid is however estimated to be a saving of £7 million per year.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Solicitor-General if the CPS will advertise all temporary acting-up posts of more than four weeks duration. [109374]

  The Solicitor-General
  On 31 January 2000 the Employment Tribunal promulgated its decision on the remedy in the case of Bamieh v. Crown Prosecution Service (Case number 2202655/98). The Tribunal recommended that with effect from one month after the promulgation of its decision and for a period of 12 months, all temporary acting-up posts as Prosecution Team Leader of more than four weeks' duration (i.e. not simply covering on holidays) should be advertised by the CPS by notice or circular letter to all staff who might be qualified as candidates. The CPS is considering how this recommendation should be met.

  In the meantime, absences of more than three months will be covered by temporary promotion arrangements in which expressions of interest will be sought from staff in response to details circulated by management. A panel will be convened to decide who should be appointed.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the decision in the case of Bamieh v. Crown Prosecution Service (Case No. 2202655/98) in the Employment Tribunal, on 31 January. [109375]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Tribunal decided that Ms Bamieh was entitled to compensation totalling £38,358.22 for the loss of opportunity for promotion, injury to feelings (including an element of aggravated damages) and interest. Arrangements are in hand for the payment to be made.

  The Tribunal also recommended that with effect from one month after promulgation of this decision and for a period of 12 months, all temporary acting-up posts as Prosecution Team Leader of more than four weeks' duration (i.e. not simply covering on holidays) should be advertised by the CPS by notice or circular letter to all staff who might be qualified as candidates.

  A revised CPS temporary promotion procedure came into effect on 31 January 2000. The CPS is considering how the Tribunal's recommendation can be met and whether further changes to that procedure should be made.

DEFENCE

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what will be the total cost to his Department of redundancy and associated entitlement moneys paid to servicemen from the Non-Regular Permanent Staff of the Territorial Army made redundant under the terms of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement; [101921]

  (2) how many members of the Non-Regular Permanent Staff of the Territorial Army are due to be made redundant under the terms of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement. [101922]
  370W
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 December 1999]: A total of 449 Non-Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS) posts have been removed from the Territorial Army as a result of the Strategic Defence Review. Some incumbents of these posts will be found other jobs but the sizeable remainder will regrettably be made redundant. As at 1 February, 321 NRPS have been made redundant at a total cost of approximately £8.8 million. The total redundancy bill will only be known when all those affected have left because payments are calculated on an individual basis, depending on length of service and rate of pay on discharge.

  Aircraft
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Nimrod aircraft are(a) serviceable and (b) unserviceable; [107047]

  (2) how many Tornado aircraft are (a) serviceable and (b) unserviceable. [107048]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is set out in the table. This represents a snapshot in time at 8 a.m. on 26 January.

  Tornado

  Tornado F3

  Nimrod MR2

  Number of aircraft allocated to front-line1

  119

  86

  23

  Serviceable2

  94

  79

  16

  Undergoing servicing at 2nd line

  25

  7

  3

  Undergoing servicing at 3rd/4th line

  6

  11

  4

  Undergoing upgrade

  48

  16

  5

  Aircraft on trials

  1

  1

  0

  Fleet size

  174

  114

  28

  1 The allocation to front-line units is made up of all aircraft which are serviceable or are at 1st or 2nd line maintenance (and 3rd and 4th line maintenance for the Nimrod) as this servicing work is undertaken at the station. RAF fleet size is made up by totalling all aircraft.

  2 Includes aircraft that are undergoing 1st line servicing.

  The operational serviceability of front-line aircraft fluctuates each day according to the maintenance that is required. 1st line servicing tasks are those which can generally be rectified in a matter of hours. 2nd line servicing tends to be scheduled servicing and can take a number of weeks. In many cases aircraft can be recovered earlier if required for operations. Some of the aircraft in 3rd/4th line maintenance and undergoing upgrade to improve their overall capability could be made available operationally in the event of a major crisis requiring the deployment of large numbers of aircraft.

  TIALD System
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado GR/4's have a fully operational TIALD system; what percentage of the GR/4 fleet this represents; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the TIALD system; and if he will make a statement. [107546]

  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.
  371W
  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 GR4s have a fully operational TIALD system; what percentage of the GR4 fleet this represents; and what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the TIALD system. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  TIALD is a fully operational and very effective system fitted to a proportion of the Tornado GR 1 fleet. Technical problems have delayed completion of the integration of TIALD onto GR4 aircraft but full operational clearance is expected to be achieved in late 2000.

  Imphal Barracks
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the cost of the works for making safe The Keep, Imphal Barracks. [109443]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Keep is currently unoccupied, although some basement rooms are used for storage. It is safe for the light foot traffic that the building is restricted to, and therefore needs no additional work other than routine maintenance. As for the cost of maintaining the building, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 7 February 2000,Official Report, column 29W.

  Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the feasibility study carried out on behalf of his Department for the provision of married quarters at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn. [110043]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 February 2000,Official Report, column 164W, to the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady).

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish details of the contract awarded to Waldwin Ltd. under the PFI scheme for the provision of married quarters at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn. [110044]

  Dr. Moonie
  The contract for the provision of married quarters at Lisburn has not yet been signed.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to sell off land within Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn for (a) public and (b) private housing development. [110045]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are no plans to sell off land within Thiepval Barracks for public or private housing development.

  Altcar Rifle Range
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Territorial Army Voluntary Reserve rifle range at Altcar is Crown property. [106450]

  Dr. Moonie
  The West Lancashire Territorial Association purchased Altcar Ranges in July 1912. The Reserve Forces are considered an integral part of MOD, therefore the land owned and occupied by TAVRA and used for military purposes is regarded as Crown land.

  Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which member states, associate member states, associate partner states and observer states of the Western European Union are parties to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. [109760]

  Mr. Hoon
  None.

  Computers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2000,Official Report, column 590W, on computers, what type of classified information was accessed by his Department's staff in each hacking incident; and what grades or type of staff would normally have access to this information. [109458]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: Internal hacking incidents are categorised into eight different types of misuse and the classification of the information involved may not be relevant to the type of incident. During the past two years, none of the internal hacking incidents involved the theft or disclosure of classified information. Access to classified information is determined by the post held by the staff member and also on a need to know basis. The grade of the staff member is not relevant.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2000,Official Report, column 590W, on computers, what action has been taken to reduce the number of internal incursions into computer files containing classified information. [109457]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: My Department is continuously reviewing, and seeking ways to improve, both the procedural and electronic security of its systems. Electronic measures include the identification and authentication of users and audit of user activities. Before any IT system is allowed to operate it must obtain a security approval known as accreditation. All MOD staff are required to read and agree to comply with the Security Operating System for the system that they will use.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2000,Official Report, column 590W, on computers, how many of his Department's staff have been disciplined for hacking incidents; and what disciplinary action was taken in each case. [109456]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: The incident recording system in use for the past five years does not carry details of disciplinary action taken. The recording system has however recently been modified to record when disciplinary action has been initiated but not the precise details of that action.

  Accommodation (Royal Navy)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of cost-efficiency comparisons between conventional build and PFI contracts for the planned junior ratings accommodation in HMS Nelson [109475]
  373W
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: I have not yet received advice on any rebuild of junior ratings single living accommodation in HMS Nelson.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the standard of accommodation provided for junior ratings and other ranks in Her Majesty's Royal Naval Shore Establishments in the retention of these personnel in the Royal Navy. [109473]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: We are conscious that dissatisfaction with living accommodation may have an effect on retention and so we have in place a programme of improvements to single living accommodation for all service personnel, including naval ratings.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the condition and fitness for purpose of accommodation provided for junior ratings in each of Her Majesty's Royal Naval Shore Establishments. [109500]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: The Strategic Defence Review recognised that the Armed Forces' single living accommodation estate should be improved. As a result, all junior naval ratings single living accommodation has been assessed against a common standard in order to determine what improvements are needed and in what order of priority the improvements should be addressed.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a new accommodation project for junior ratings at HMS Nelson was first approved; and when contracts for construction, operation and maintenance will be let. [109476]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]The junior ratings single living accommodation forms part of the establishment of HMS Nelson, which incorporates a number of wider functions as a Fleet Accommodation Centre. My Department is currently undertaking a study into the means of delivery of a number of functions in HMS Nelson, including the junior ratings accommodation. The further prospect of a wider PFI within the Naval Base as a whole is also a consideration. I have yet to receive advice on this work and no decisions have been taken.

  South Atlantic
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which warships are currently deployed in the South Atlantic; and what plans he has to replace them at the end of their tour of duty. [109865]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Type 23 Frigate HMS Somerset is currently returning from the South Atlantic via the West African coast. Her replacement as the Falkland Islands Guardship is the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Southampton, which will arrive in Falkland Islands waters shortly.

  The ice patrol ship HMS Endurance and the Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Dumbarton Castle are currently deployed in the South Atlantic. HMS Endurance will return to the UK at the end of the austral summer, as is normal practice, and will redeploy to the South Atlantic
  374W
  in austral summer 2000–01. HMS Dumbarton Castle is scheduled to remain in the South Atlantic until 2001 when she will be relieved by her sister ship HMS Leeds Castle.

  Naval Manpower (South Atlantic)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of naval manpower is deployed in the South Atlantic. [109863]

  Mr. Spellar
  The proportion of naval manpower currently deployed in the South Atlantic represents less than 1 per cent. of the Naval Service Trained Strength.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total annual cost is of maintaining and manning the Falkland Islands military base. [109862]

  Mr. Spellar
  The cost to the Ministry of Defence of the Falkland Islands Garrison in financial year 1999–2000 is expected to be approximately £73 million.

  This figure relates to the costs incurred by the Commander British Forces Falkland Islands only. It does not include the costs of the RAF airbridge to the Falkland Islands, nor the cost of naval deployments to the South Atlantic. These costs fall to other budgets and are not separately identified.

  Lloyd's Register
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact the new Lloyd's Register rules will have on the readiness and functioning of Royal Navy ships; and if he will make a statement. [109674]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence has operated Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ships in an appropriate Lloyd's Register Class for many years with no significant impact on the required readiness and functioning of these ships. The new Lloyd's Naval Ship Rules, developed in full consultation with the Ministry of Defence, provide planned and monitored standards for Royal Navy warships that will ensure availability, functionality and sustained readiness. Care has been taken to ensure that Lloyd's Rules are at least as effective as current MOD Naval Standards.

  Nepal
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was to his Department of participating in the multinational peacekeeping exercise in January 2000 in Nepal; which units took part and for how long; and if he will make a statement. [109800]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department did not participate directly in Exercise Shanti Prayas, the South Asian multinational peacekeeping exercise held in Nepal from 16 to 30 January 2000.

  However, at the invitation of the Nepalese Army, the Ministry of Defence sent two observers to part of the exercise at an additional cost of around £500.

  Austria (Bilateral Meetings)
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many bilateral meetings were held between his Department and its Austrian counterpart in each of the last five years; and what was discussed at each meeting since May 1997. [109874]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since 1995 the following senior-level bilateral meetings were held between representatives of the Ministry of Defence and its Austrian counterpart:

  Year

  Number of meetings

  1995

  2

  1996

  0

  1997

  5

  1998

  3

  1999

  0

  In addition, a number of low-level or informal meetings will have been held but details of such meetings are not held centrally. Discussions will have covered a wide range of issues of defence co-operation.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of profit his Department permits contractors to make on non-competitive contracts; and if he will make a statement. [109967]

  Dr. Moonie
  The level of profit included in prices negotiated for non-competitive government contracts is calculated in accordance with the Government Profit Formula. Copies of the Reports on the Annual Reviews and triennial General Reviews of the Government Profit Formula for Non-Competitive Contracts, produced by the Review Board for Government Contracts (a non-departmental public body), are available in the Library of the House. These advise on the appropriate calculation of profit on non-competitive contracts for the year in which the contract is priced.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-competitive contracts, to what aggregate value, were let during the last year for which records are available; and if he will make a statement. [109966]

  Dr. Moonie
  The total number of contracts placed by the Ministry of Defence during Financial Year 1998–99 was 55,496, of which 8,616 were non-competitive. The total value of the contracts was £7.09 billion, of which the non-competitive element was worth £2.3 billion. These figures exclude Local Purchase Orders, the average value of which is less than £500.

  Making the best use of competition at prime and sub-contract level, is the MOD's preferred means of supplier selection, for achieving value for money in the delivery of defence capability. Where competition is not practicable, or is dispensed with on value for money grounds, contract placement is normally accompanied by price agreement at the outset.

  Procurement (Capability Working Groups)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of capability working groups in the defence procurement system. [109968]
  376W
  Dr. Moonie
  Capability working groups are being established as part of our Smart Procurement reforms. Such groups bring together key stakeholders to develop the broad strategy for the capability area concerned, and to assess options to meet capability gaps. The groups thus inform and support the work of the Defence Procurement Agency teams responsible for managing equipment projects.

  Service Discipline
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for each country where HM forces are deployed (a) the nature of the deployment, (b) the numbers deployed, by service, and (c) the numbers of civil servants, their dependants and the civilian dependants of service personnel who may be tried under the service discipline Acts. [110009]

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

  Declaration of Principles
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Declaration of Principles he signed with the US Secretary for Defense on 5 February. [109732]

  Mr. Hoon
  A copy of the UK/US Declaration of Principles has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Challenger 2
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money, and over what time scale, he intends to save by purchasing a new track for Challenger 2; and if he will make a statement. [109734]

  Dr. Moonie
  The whole-life costs of all weapons systems are being examined as part of the Department's Smart Procurement initiative. Challenger 2, which only entered service in June 1998, is no exception. It is too early to say with absolute accuracy what savings will be achieved from on-going studies into the running costs of the vehicle.

  TRACER
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the recent changes to the US Army budget plan will have on the TRACER/Future Scout and Cavalry System; and if he will make a statement. [109733]

  Dr. Moonie
  The UK and USA have entered into a joint Project Definition phase for TRACER/FSCS under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding. This commits both nations to an equal share of the cost of this stage of the project. There is no commitment, by either nation, to proceed beyond the Project Definition phase and, therefore, no agreement to fund any further development beyond this stage. The UK contribution to the cost of the collaborative Project Definition contracts for TRACER is some £90 million. My officials are in close touch with their US counterparts over the TRACER/FSCS programme.

  Armed Forces Legal Branches
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the official establishments of each of the armed forces legal branches. [110007]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Navy does not have a legal branch but there are 21 established legal posts. The establishments of the Army and Royal Air Force legal branches are 100 and 37 respectively.

  Royal Military Police
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are (a) the official establishment figures for the Royal Military Police, (b) the current manpower and (c) forecast manpower levels for the next three years. [110008]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 1 February 2000, the RMP currently has 1,961 serving personnel and has a manpower planning target of 2,007. The current manpower planning target is not expected to change significantly in the next three years. That target includes the small number of posts that will be needed to meet the provisions of the Armed Forces Discipline Bill.

  Smart Procurement
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what stage in the Smart Procurement process the defence industry will become involved; what impact such involvement will have on the policy of competitive procurement; and if he will make a statement. [109690]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: Under Smart Procurement, the industry is involved in procurement projects from the outset. However, the nature and level of its involvement will vary according to the stage of the project, from initial studies, procurement, through-life support and disposal. This does not affect MOD policy on competition. Making the best use of competition at prime and sub-contract level remains the MOD's preferred means of supplier selection for defence requirements and achieving value for money. Industry understands this principle.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the President of the Council how many parliamentary questions have been tabled by right hon. and hon. Members, pursuing delays on the part of Government departments in replying to correspondence since May 1997; and if she will indicate how many were tabled by(a) Conservative, (b) Labour and (c) other hon. Members. [110079]

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

  Responsibility for replying to parliamentary questions and correspondence from hon. Members lies with the relevant Minister.

  HEALTH

    Departmental Press Releases
    Mr. Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many press releases were issued by his Department in each year since 1995. [105915]

    Yvette Cooper
    The information requested is in the table, which represents all press releases issued by the Department's press office for the period 1995 to 1999. The Department's press office issues press releases on behalf of the Medical Devices Agency, Medicines Control Agency, National Health Service Pensions Agency, National Health Service Estates and some non-departmental public bodies.

    Year

    Total

    1995

    588

    1996

    366

    1997

    406

    1998

    556

    1999

    742

    BCG Vaccination
    Mr. Pickles
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 2000,Official Report, column 143W, how much of the new money for support of health authorities dealing with meningococcal Group C was a transfer of money from under-used resources in the BCG vaccination programme. [105902]

    Yvette Cooper
    The £9 million being made available to health authorities to support the meningococcal Group C immunisation programme referred to in my Answer of 11 January is new money and has not come from the BCG programme. Funding for the meningococcal Group C immunisation programme has come from a separate source to that used to fund the BCG immunisation programme.

    Mr. Pickles
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 January 2000, Official Report, column 143W, how the resources allocated to the BCG vaccination programme are being used. [105903]

    Yvette Cooper
    Funding for the central purchase of BCG vaccine remains available for when vaccine supplies are reinstated. The redeployment of the health workers, especially school nurses, involved in delivering BCG vaccine, is a matter for individual health authorities and trusts but we are aware that some of these staff are currently involved in the meningococcal Group C immunisation programme in schools.

    Death Rates
    Mr. Dobbin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the death rate from (a) cancer and (b) coronary heart disease among people aged under 75 years by 2010. [106159]

    Yvette Cooper
    The "Saving Lives-Our Healthier Nation" White Paper was published in July last year and set targets to reduce death rates from cancer by at least a fifth and from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke and related diseases by at least two fifths in those under
    379W
    75 by 2010. This requires policies on primary prevention, early detection and treatment and the White Paper recommends a partnership between Government, local players and individuals. Since then the National Priorities Guidance to the National Health Service has identified cancer and heart disease as key priorities, a National Cancer Director has been appointed and the National Service Framework on CHD will be published shortly.

    Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia
    Ms Oona King
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much public money was allocated to research to find a cure for sickle cell and thalassaemia in each of the last 10 years. [106195]

    Yvette Cooper
    Government expenditure on directly commissioned research projects on sickle cell disease and thalassaemia since 1994–95 is as follows:

    1994–95: £550,000

    1995–96: £964,000

    1996–97: £988,000

    1997–98: £930,000

    1998–99: £884,000

    Figures for the total spend in previous years is not available.

    Most of this support has been provided through the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is the main agency through which the Government support research into the causes and treatment of disease. The MRC receives most of its income via grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

    Project funding from the Department and the Department for International Development is also included in the figures.

    In addition to directly commissioned projects, the Department of Health supports research in the NHS funded by research councils and charities. It is not possible to estimate exactly how much is spent on sickle cell research, but three London Hospitals alone estimate that they are spending £450,000 per annum of Department funding on research related to sickle cell and thalassaemia. A detailed breakdown for the last 10 years is not available as research spending is devolved for much of the period. Details of projects can be found on the National Research Register which is available in most medical libraries on CD Rom and on the internet: http:/www.doh.gov.uk/nrr.htm. The NRR contains a number of projects relating to sickle cell and thalassaemia.

    We also make considerable investment in genetics and gene therapy research which will inform sickle cell and thalassaemia.

    The MRC has been actively seeking opportunities to strengthen sickle cell research in the United Kingdom.

    MRSA
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to instruct NHS trusts to notify the Public Health Laboratory of cases of MRSA. [106755]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Report on Resistance to Antibiotics by the Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology drew attention, among other things, to 380W
    proposals that National Health Service laboratories should be asked to report causative organisms such as MRSA to the Public Health Laboratory Service. In response, the Government accepted the need to increase the effectiveness of laboratory reporting. This could include the reporting of organisms such as MRSA. An overall Communicable Disease Strategy is now being developed by a working group chaired by the Chief Medical Officer.

    Notifiable Diseases
    Dr. Cable
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are employed by his Department in designating diseases as notifiable diseases. [106754]

    Yvette Cooper
    The precise term "notifiable disease" is defined in section 10 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 as being one of five specific diseases. Regulation 3 and Schedule 1 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Regulations 1988 list further diseases "which are required to be notified". The first criterion which determines that a disease is required to be notified is that it is subject to the International Health Regulations. If not in those Regulations, the criteria would depend on expert assessment of the impact of the disease.

    This statutory notification applies to registered medical practitioners and not to diagnostic laboratories, and to diseases rather than to causative organisms.

    Radiation (Sellafield)
    Mr. Livsey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what figures were used to represent concentrations of uranium in air in the calculations of radiation doses from plutonium to the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of people aged up to 25 years resident in the village of Seascale in Cumbria, which were supplied by the National Radiological Protection Board to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment; [106816]

    (2) what figures were used to represent concentrations of plutonium in air in the calculation of radiation doses from plutonium to the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of people aged up to 25 years resident in the village of Seascale in Cumbria, which was supplied by the National Radiological Protection Board to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment; [106811]

    (3) what (a) theoretical modelling of plutonium concentrations and (b) post mortem measurements of plutonium were used in the calculation of radiation doses from plutonium to the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of people aged up to 25 years resident in the village of Seascale in Cumbria, which was supplied by the National Radiological Protection Board to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment; [106815]

    (4) what (a) theoretical modelling of uranium concentrations and (b) post mortem measurements of uranium were used in the calculation of radiation doses from uranium to the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of people aged up to 25 years resident in the village of Seascale in Cumbria, which was supplied by the National Radiological Protection Board to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment; [106810]
    381W
    (5) what figure was used to represent the mass of the tissue considered to be the target organ in the calculation of radiation doses from plutonium to the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of people aged up to 25 years resident in the village of Seascale in Cumbria, which was supplied by the National Radiological Protection Board to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment; [106814]

    (6) what air intake particles were used as the basis for the calculation of radiation doses from plutonium to the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of people aged up to 25 years resident in the village of Seascale in Cumbria, which was supplied by the National Radiological Protection Board to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment; [106812]

    (7) what figures were used to represent the radioactivity of (a) plutonium, (b) uranium and (c) other man-made isotopes, incorporated within the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of people aged up to 25 years resident in the village of Seascale in Cumbria, in the calculation of doses from plutonium to the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes of those people which was supplied by the National Radiological Protection Board to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment. [106813]

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

    Drugs and Alcohol (Women)
    Laura Moffatt
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specialist services are available for (a) women with children and (b) other women who are drug and alcohol misusers. [107126]

    Yvette Cooper
    The information requested is not collected centrally. However, lists of agencies offering a range of specialist services for women with children and other women who are drug and alcohol misusers are available in directories published by the Standing Conference On Drug Abuse and Alcohol Concern.

    Haemorrhoid Treatment
    Mr. Maclean
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for haemorrhoids in the NHS in 1970, 1980, 1990 and 1998. [107489]

    Mr. Denham
    The information available is set out in the table. It shows the number of cases treated in hospital, either as ordinary admission or day cases. Figures for each year were collected on a slightly different basis and are not therefore directly comparable.

    Year

    Number

    1970

    England and Wales

    24,609

    1980

    England

    20,100

    1990–91

    England

    28,727

    1997–981

    England

    38,133

    1 Figures for 1997–98 are provisional and no adjustments have been made for shortfalls in data

    Sources:

    1970 and 1980 Hospital Inpatient Enquiry

    1990–91 and 1997–98 Hospital Episode statistics

    Cancer Operations
    Mr. Maclean
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS cancer operations have been cancelled since 1 November 1999. [107491]

    Yvette Cooper
    We do not collect data on cancelled operations by specialty. Quarterly reports of figures for all cancelled operations in England, which arise on the day a patient was due to come into hospital, or after they have been admitted, are available in the Library.

    Irish Community
    Mr. McDonnell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to (a) identify and (b) address the specific health needs of the Irish community in Britain. [107585]

    Yvette Cooper
    The 1999 Health Survey for England focused on the health of ethnic minorities (including Irish people) and its report will be published later this year. The 2001 Census includes questions on health and will for the first time ask for and separately classify those people who describe themselves as of Irish ethnic origin. The "Saving lives—Our Healthier Nation" White Paper, published last year has inequalities in health as one of its main themes and will address the needs of all the population including Irish people.

    Credit Ratings
    Mr. Pickles
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often the credit rating of companies supplying services to his Department is checked. [107746]

    Yvette Cooper
    Where companies supplying services to the Department are awarded contracts as a result of a formal tender exercise, Departmental guidelines require all such companies to be assessed as to their financial viability prior to the award. In some instances this will include a credit rating check. The Department does not, as a matter of routine, carry out financial assessments or credit rating checks either on small value contracts or on its existing suppliers except as part of another tender exercise.

    Mr. Pickles
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the credit rating of companies seeking to tender for services provided by his Department is checked before the contract is awarded. [107744]

    Yvette Cooper
    Departmental guidelines require short-listed companies, seeking to tender for services provided by the Department, to be assessed for financial viability prior to the award of any contract. In some cases this will include a credit rating check.

    Mouth Cancer
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of treating mouth cancers in each of the past five years; and if he will a statement. [107619]

    Yvette Cooper
    This information is currently unavailable. Work is, however, under way to develop a system for collecting treatment cost data for oncology services, including mouth cancers. It is hoped that these data will become available next year.

    Nurse Vacancies
    Mr. Brake
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for nurses there are (a) in the NHS, (b) St. Helier Hospital and (c) for each national heath trust in the country. [107927]

    Mr. Denham
    The Department's "Recruitment, Retention and vacancies Survey" showed that in National Health Service trusts in England there were 16,190 whole time equivalent (wte) nursing and midwifery posts vacant on 31 March 1999. The St. Helier Trust reported a total of 70 wte vacancies. As St. Helier Hospital is part of this trust, separate figures are not available. Total vacancy figures for all trusts in England have been placed in the Library.

    Cervical Smears
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to his answer of 10 January 2000,Official Report, column 54W, on cervical smears (1) if he will take into account the information on the effectiveness of the Neopath/Tripath Autopap system in the USA and Europe in making his decision on introducing it in this country; [108150]

    (2) if, for the testing and introduction of the Neopath/Tripath Autopap machine for cervical screening tests, he will prioritise areas which have particular shortages of trained staff or long delays in their cervical screening programme. [108149]

    Yvette Cooper
    We welcome any new technology that would improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the cervical screening programme. However, before any technology is introduced, we must be sure that it is safe and effective, and that quality standards can be maintained.

    The Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening (ACCS) held preliminary discussions on the Tripath Autopap system (previously Neopath Autopap system) as part of a wider discussion on automated screening procedures at their meeting in June 1999. The ACCS advised that further evaluation was necessary. An evaluation is underway, partly funded by the National Health Service cervical screening programme, and a report is expected later in the year. Information on the effectiveness of the system in the United States of America and Europe will be taken into account. Decisions on the introduction of this new technology will be taken if and when it is proved to be effective.

    Harold Shipman
    Mr. Gardiner
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of patients of Dr. Harold Shipman whose deaths were considered suspicious by the internal investigation conducted by Manchester Health Authority; and how many of these were women. [108298]

    Mr. Denham
    The investigation of alleged crimes is a matter for the police.

    The internal inquiry conducted by West Pennine Health Authority focused on existing monitoring arrangements available to a health authority, and not on the specific circumstances of individual cases.
    384W
    I understand that, at the time that West Pennine undertook its review of monitoring arrangements, the police were investigating the deaths of some 129 people who had been patients of Dr. Shipman, some of which were suspicious. Charges of murder were brought in respect of 15 of these patients, all of whom were women.

    Research Contracts
    Dr. Harris
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1999,Official Report, column 565W, what restrictions were placed on contractors carrying out research projects funded by his Department in 1999 in respect of them discussing their findings with journalists (a) before and (b) after publication. [108196]

    Yvette Cooper
    Copies of model contracts for the Department's policy research programme and the National Health Service research and development programme are in the Library.

    The Department actively encourages contractors to publish the findings of research which it has funded.

    In common with most research funders, the Department actively discourages the discussion of research findings with journalists prior to adequate peer review: in many areas-publication in a scientific journal is a key part of the peer review process.

    No restrictions are placed on researchers after publication. Again in common with most other funders, the Department asks researchers to work closely with its press office.

    Influenza
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of intensive care beds have been taken up with influenza and influenza-related illnesses each month for the last 10 years. [108165]

    Yvette Cooper
    The information requested is not available centrally.

    Tuberculosis
    Mr. Waterson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new cases of tuberculosis have been recorded in the United Kingdom in the last year. [108332]

    Yvette Cooper
    The total number of newly notified cases of tuberculosis in the United Kingdom in 1999 is 6,757. This figure is provisional and uncorrected. Correction usually results in a reduction in the provisional figure.

    Sources:

    1. Public Health Laboratory Service, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) for England and Wales

    2. CDSC(NI) for Northern Ireland

    3. Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health for Scotland).

    Mr. Waterson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to prevent an increase of tuberculosis in the United Kingdom. [108331]
    385W
    Yvette Cooper
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 19 October 1999,Official Report, columns 468–69W.

    Recycling
    Mr. Dobbin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on the recycling of material produced by his Department. [108473]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Department fully supports the Green Ministers' target for Government Departments of recovering a minimum of 40 per cent. of total office waste, with at least 25 per cent. coming from recycling or composting, in 2000–01. This target has recently been incorporated into the Department's environmental strategy and a waste audit has recently been commissioned to review our recycling schemes to ensure the target is met.

    Our associate bodies are being asked to support the Department's environmental strategy and adopt the Green Ministers' target.

    In-patient Statistics
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of in-patients are aged over (a) 65, (b) 70, (c) 75 and (d) 80 years. [108161]

    Mr. Denham
    The table shows numbers of admissions by age and are expressed as a proportion of all admissions in NHS hospitals in England for the financial year 1997–98.

    Number of admissions shown by age and expressed as a proportion of all admissions in NHS hospitals, England, 1997–98.

    Age group (years)

    Admissions

    Proportion of all admissions

    Over 65

    3,061,773

    29.3

    Over 70

    2,393,274

    22.9

    Over 75

    1,679,226

    16.0

    Over 80

    1,003,300

    9.6

    All ages

    10,463,971

    100.0

    The information is extracted from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) system. HES contains details of patients admitted to, and treated in, NHS hospitals in England.

    The HES data shown are the number of admissions to hospital. It is not yet possible to count each individual patient once and once only.

    Figures for 1997–98 are provisional as no adjustments have yet been made for missing records or invalid/unknown diagnoses.

    Patient Records
    Dr. Iddon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health in (1) what circumstances health authorities may gain access to patient records held by general practitioners without compromising confidentiality; [108611]
    386W
    (2) if he will examine ways of preventing doctors retrospectively changing the computer records of patients. [108612]

    Mr. Denham
    Under their terms of service, general practitioners are currently required to"keep adequate records of the illnesses and treatment of his patients on forms supplied to him for the purpose by the HA"
    and to
    "forward such records to the HA on request as soon as possible".

    It is generally accepted that patients who disclose information to a doctor do so on the understanding that information may be used by the National Health Service to monitor and improve the standards of care through research, clinical audit and the maintaining of registers. We have said that we intend to press ahead with the proposals for mandatory clinical audit in the Chief Medical Officer's consultation paper "Supporting Doctors, Protecting Patients", and that clinical governance will apply to all doctors. This will introduce accountability, promote high care standards, and ensure that an individual doctor's pattern of practice is not hidden.

    Medical records are also routinely referred to by designated health authority staff for Post Payment Verification purposes, using a process agreed with Local Medical Committees so as not to contravene patient confidentiality.

    It is essential that computer-based records must have a robust audit trail so that any changes to, or deletions from, the medical record are fully recorded so that it is always possible to re-create the record in the form in which it would originally have appeared.

    The Department has published minimum standards to which general practice computer systems should conform and these include a detailed requirement for such an audit trail. These requirements are periodically reviewed to keep pace with changing technology and the latest version was published in October 1999.

    Hepatitis B
    Dr. Iddon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a national immunisation programme for hepatitis B, with particular reference to intravenous drug users. [108610]

    Yvette Cooper
    The Department has had a policy of immunisation against hepatitis B since 1988 for those who are at increased risk of infection. We have made available additional funds for key objectives in its anti-drugs strategy, one of which is to enable health authorities to increase hepatitis B immunisation of drug misusers.

    Waiting Times
    Ms Oona King
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the average waiting times for out-patient appointments for East London and the City Health Authority in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [108441]
    387W
    Mr. Denham
    The average waiting times for outpatients' appointments in East London and the City Health Authority for the years requested are shown in the table:

    Year

    Average Outpatient Wait (weeks)

    1997–98

    8.95

    1998–99

    8.72

    Miscarriages
    Audrey Wise
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) miscarriages occurred in pregnancies of at least 13 and less than 24 completed weeks of gestation in England and (b) women (i) who were admitted to hospital and (ii) cared for by a general practitioner without admission to hospital following such miscarriages in each of the last 10 years. [108680]

    Yvette Cooper
    There are no reliable data held by the Department about the number of miscarriages where care was provided by a general practitioner. Information about the number of women requiring hospital treatment for miscarriages is available from the Hospital Episode Statistics but not by period of gestation. The latest information for the number of women diagnosed as receiving hospital care for miscarriage from 1989–90 to 1997–98 are in the table.

    Year

    Number of miscarriages

    1989–90

    48,500

    1990–91

    50,600

    1991–92

    53,100

    1992–93

    52,400

    1993–94

    51,300

    1994–95

    48,700

    1995–96

    43,900

    1996–97

    44,500

    1997–98

    141,800

    1 Provisional

    Source:

    Hospital Episode Statistics

    The information in the table is obtained from the Hospital Episodes Statistics system. The data are ungrossed and therefore have not been adjusted to allow for missing, incomplete or inaccurate records.

    Data extracted were those with the diagnosis code 003 (ICD-10) Spontaneous Abortion.

    Births
    Audrey Wise
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the number of births in hospitals in England which were (a) spontaneous, (b) by Caesarean section, (c) by forceps, (d) by vacuum extraction and (e) otherwise, broken down by social class of the babies' fathers for births which were (i) within marriage and (ii) outside marriage and registered jointly by both parents and (iii) outside marriage registered by the mother alone; [108679]

    (2) what was the number of births in hospitals in England which were (a) spontaneous, (b) by Caesarean section, (c) by forceps, (d) by vacuum extraction and
    388W
    (e) otherwise, broken down by social class of the babies' mothers, in the most recent year for which the information is available. [108678]

    Yvette Cooper
    The information requested is not available in the form requested. The numbers of births by type of delivery are collected by the Department on the Hospital Episode Statistics system. The numbers of births by social class of father and mother, and inside/outside marriage including sole registration are collected by the Office for National Statistics through the birth registration system. These two systems are not linked and the information requested cannot be provided.

    The latest statistics on births by social class of father and type of registration (inside/outside marriage) for England and Wales for 1998, published by the Office for National Statistics, is contained in the Series FM1 volumes Birth statistics. Copies are in the Library.

    The latest information on the number of maternities by method of delivery are preliminary estimates for 1997–98 and are in the table.

    Method of delivery

    Percentage

    Number (thousand)

    Spontaneous

    71

    412

    Caesarean

    17

    99

    Forceps

    4

    23

    Vacuum extraction

    6

    35

    Other (including breach)

    2

    12

    Total maternities

    100

    580

    Source:

    Hospital Episode Statistics (Maternity) and the Office for National Statistics

    Audrey Wise
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of births of babies born to residents of England weighing (a) under 1,000g, (b) 1,000–1,499g, (c) 1,500–2,499g and (d) 2,500g and over, who have been diagnosed as having cerebral palsy by the age of (i) two years and (ii) five years in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [108677]

    Yvette Cooper
    There are no centrally collected data on the numbers of children in England with cerebral palsy. We are aware however that the risk of cerebral palsy among babies born weighing less than 1,500 grammes is 70 times higher than among babies weighing 2,500 grammes or more at birth.

    New Variant CJD
    Mrs. Mahon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what help he is giving to those caring for the victims of New Variant CJD; and if he will make a statement. [108751]

    Yvette Cooper
    I refer my hon. Friend to the statements made by my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, lichen (Mr. Denham), the Minister of State in the adjournment debate on the care of variant CJD (vCJD) patients which took place in Westminster Hall on 1 December 1999,Official Report, columns 109–16WH, in which he set out the measures in place or planned to improve the care provided for new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease patients.

    Fluoridation
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 20 January 2000,Official Report, column 584W, when he expects the expert scientific review of fluoride and health to be completed. [108988]

    Yvette Cooper
    The review is expected to be complete in the spring.

    Diabetics
    Mr. Robertson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide needles for use by diabetics free of charge; and if he will make a statement. [108715]

    Mr. Denham
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 9 February 2000,Official Report, column 199W.

    Infectious Diseases (Immunisation)
    Mr. Ian Stewart
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will reprint the booklet, "Immunisation against Infectious Disease"; and if he will ensure that the booklet is made available at clinics to parents who request it. [109030]

    Yvette Cooper
    "Immunisation against Infectious Disease" is published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office (ISBN 011321815X), priced at £6.95. Parents can ask to see a copy of the book at their doctor's surgery. Copies of the current edition are still available to any member of the public wishing to buy one. A new edition is expected within the next year.

    Child Labour
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to propose changes in child labour legislation; and if he will make a statement. [109492]

    Mr. Hutton
    The report on the review of child employment legislation, completed last year, is being considered with ministerial colleagues in all interested Departments. We expect to agree a way forward in the near future.

    Care Leavers
    Mr. Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children left local authority care at 16 years of age or older with at least one GCSE or GNVQ qualification in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [110080]

    Mr. Hutton
    The information requested is not available for the specified years. Figures on the educational qualifications of children aged 16 or over who left local authority care during the year ending 31 March 2000 will be published for the first time in autumn 2000.

    Wheelchairs
    Mr. Oaten
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) manual and (b) powered wheelchairs were purchased by the NHS in each of the last four years. [109962]
    390W
    Mr. Hutton
    The information requested is not collected. However, estimates based on the numbers of wheelchairs issued by the National Health Service wheelchair service in the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1998–99 have been made, as follows:

    Year

    Manual wheelchair

    Powered wheelchair

    1995–96

    83,632

    5,000

    1996–97

    81,607

    5,068

    1997–98

    75,090

    6,268

    No information is available for 1997–98.

    The figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 were obtained from information compiled by the Government Statistical Service giving the total number of wheelchairs issued. The figures for 1998–99 were obtained from a NHS Supplies exercise requesting data from trusts regarding wheelchair purchases and issues.

    Nurses
    Mr. Oaten
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the purchasing of equipment to nurses employed in the NHS whose salary is paid for by a commercial organisation. [109961]

    Mr. Denham
    The Department expects all staff, when purchasing on behalf of the National Health Service, to adhere to existing guidelines published in January 1993—Standards of business conduct for NHS staff (Health Service Guidance (93)5), copies of which are available in the Library.

    Consultation has recently taken place on updated guidance which we expect to be available shortly.

    Asset Sales
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 January 2000,Official Report, column 332W, on asset sales, if he will list those capital assets valued at more than £1 million that his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies plan to sell in the current financial year. [110004]

    Yvette Cooper
    Information on individual sales of assets disposed of by the Department, its agencies and associated public bodies is not held centrally.

    For the Department's civil estate, the only disposal valued at more than £1 million expected to realise in 1999–2000 is the administrative transfer to the Home Office of the former youth treatment centre at St. Charles, Brentwood.

  EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

    School Leavers (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough)
    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of school leavers went into(a) further education and (b) vocational training, and what percentage of each group went on to

    391W
    higher education in (i) Cambridge, (ii) Peterborough and (iii) Cambridgeshire in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [109537]

    Mr. Wicks
    We are committed to a step change in participation and attainment rates for all 16 and 17-year-olds. The Learning and Skills Bill sets out reforms in post-16 education and training which we believe will make a significant impact. We have recently announced details of our new coherent and comprehensive advice, guidance, information and support service for all 13 to 19-year-olds, whatever their needs and circumstances—the Connexions Service.

    The table shows for those years for which data are available the proportion of 16-year-olds entering FE in Cambridgeshire LEA, and entering FE and Government Supported vocational training in Greater Peterborough TEC. Data on school leavers destinations for Cambridge and Peterborough, or on the proportion leaving FE or Government Supported vocational training for HE, are not available.

    Participation of 16-year-olds in Further Education and Training in Cambridgeshire LEA and Greater Peterborough TEC

    Percentage of age group

    Education

    Full-time FE

    Part-time education1

    Cambridgeshire LEA

    1988–89

    27

    16

    1989–90

    29

    14

    1990–91

    32

    11

    1991–92

    37

    7

    1992–93

    40

    6

    1993–94

    41

    5

    1994–952 (a)

    39

    6

    1994–952 (b)

    38

    8

    1995–96

    39

    5

    1996–97

    41

    6

    1997–98

    38

    7

    Education and Training

    Full-time FE

    Government supported training

    Part-time education1

    Greater Peterborough

    1994–95

    25

    10

    5

    1995–96

    23

    9

    3

    1996–97

    24

    8

    4

    1997–98

    30

    9

    5

    1 Part-time education is almost entirely in colleges of further education.

    2 Column (a) includes FESR data for November 1994 and column (b) ISR data. 1995–96 onwards includes ISR data.

    Source:

    Statistical Bulletins: Participation in education and training by young people aged 16 and 17 in each local area and region, England, 1988–89 to 1997–98.

    Sure Start
    Judy Mallaber
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when invitations will be issued to submit bids for the next round of Sure Start programmes. [109796]

    Yvette Cooper
    I have been asked to reply.
    392W
    Ministers are hoping to announce the next round of Sure Start in early summer. It is expected that the updated version of the Index of Local Deprivation will be a key tool in informing the selection of areas, and this is due for publication in late spring.

    Student Incomes
    Mr. Hilary Benn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the average income of full-time students in higher education in England in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms for each year since 1979. [109352]

    Mr. Wicks
    The available data from the Student Income and Expenditure Surveys for 1988–89, 1992–93 and 1995–96 are as follows. Income covers both public and private sources and includes grants, loans, parental contributions, earnings and other sources. Survey results for 1998–99 are currently being analysed and will be available later in the year.

    Estimated average income (including loans) for students aged under 26

    £

    Year

    Cash terms

    1988–89 prices1

    1988–89

    3,031

    3,031

    1992–93

    3,464

    2,747

    1995–96

    4,575

    3,347

    1 Adjusted using RPI excluding mortgage interest

    Source:

    C. Callendar and E. Kempson, "Student Finances", PSI, 1996

    Medical School Places
    Mr. Jon Owen Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the number of medical school places for doctors in England and Wales for the last five years and the projected numbers for the next five years. [108801]

    Mr. Wicks
    The available information is as follows:

    Medical shool places in England and Wales

    Number

    Actual

    1994–95

    3,778

    1995–96

    3,778

    1996–97

    3,686

    1997–98

    3,784

    1998–99

    3,804

    Projected

    1999–2000

    4,115

    2000–01

    4,425

    2001–02

    4,741

    2002–03

    4,759

    2003–04

    4,787

    The increase in the number of places reflects the recommendation of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee.

    Dental School Places
    Mr. Jon Owen Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the number
    393W
    of dental school places in England and Wales for each of the last five years and the projected number for the next five years. [108800]

    Mr. Wicks
    There have been 660 dental school places in England and Wales since 1994–95. There are no plans to change this number. Information is listed in the following table.

    Dental school places in England and Wales

    Number

    Actual

    1994–95

    660

    1995–96

    660

    1996–97

    660

    1997–98

    660

    1998–99

    660

    Projected

    1999–2000

    660

    2000–01

    660

    2001–02

    660

    2002–03

    660

    2003–04

    660

    University Tuition Fees
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the cost of abolishing university tuition fees in England and Wales, for each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [108865]

    Average size of classes taught by one teacher by age band in maintained secondary schools1 in the parliamentary constituency of Witney, and England, 1996–99 (position as at January)

    Witney Ages2

    England Ages2

    Mainly under 14s

    Mainly under 14 and 15

    16 or older

    Total

    Mainly under 14s

    Mainly under 14 and 15

    16 or older

    Total

    1999

    Average class size

    25.5

    20.7

    10.2

    21.3

    25.1

    21.7

    10.5

    21.7

    Number of classes

    130

    106

    43

    279

    61,085

    46,891

    18,615

    126,591

    Number of pupils

    3,320

    2,190

    440

    5,950

    1,532,646

    1,016,561

    195,247

    2,744,454

    1998

    Average class size

    25.0

    21.2

    9.9

    21.1

    24.9

    21.6

    10.7

    21.6

    Number of classes

    131

    103

    46

    280

    59,836

    46,936

    18,433

    125,205

    Number of pupils

    3,273

    2,185

    457

    5,915

    1,488,715

    1,013,579

    197,077

    2,699,371

    1997

    Average class size

    24.5

    21.9

    10.3

    21.1

    24.7

    21.6

    10.8

    21.5

    Number of classes

    135

    103

    50

    288

    59,160

    46,784

    18,093

    124,037

    Number of pupils

    3,305

    2,253

    517

    6,075

    1,460,685

    1,011,036

    194,560

    2,666,281

    1 Excludes middle schools

    2 Ages as at the start of the academic year (August 31)

    New Deal
    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the (a) New Deal for Lone Parents programme and (b) New Deal for Disabled People programme. [108514]

    Ms Hodge
    [holding answer 7 February 2000]: The New Deal for Lone Parents programme is working well. Since October 1998, 112,570 lone parents have attended an initial
    394W
    Mr. Wicks
    We estimate that the cash cost of abolishing fees would be £110 million in 2001–02. The full economic cost, taking account of lower loan repayments in future years (on a resource accounting and budgeting basis), would be £270 million as the assessed contribution towards students' tuition fees would instead be taken into account in determining the level of student loan a student could apply for. Both costs are in current day prices. Figures beyond the end of the current CSR period would depend on student numbers on which decisions have not yet been made.

    Class Sizes (Witney)
    Mr. Woodward
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class sizes were for (a) 11, (b) 10, (c) 9, (d) 8, (e) 7, (f) 12, (g) 13, (h) 14, (i) 15, (j) 16, and (k) 17 year olds in each school in the Witney constituency over the past three years; and what were the national averages in the same period. [109093]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    Information on class sizes for individual schools is not normally published. Where individual school information is published, as in the School Performance tables, the information is first checked with the schools concerned.

    The available information on class sizes in the parliamentary constituency of Witney, and in England, is shown in the table. In Witney parliamentary constituency, the large majority of classes in maintained primary schools involve mixed year groups so these have also been shown for completeness.

    interview with a personal adviser and 89 per cent. of those parents have agreed to participate further. At the end of November 1999, 32,710 had found jobs.

    The New Deal for Disabled People is still in the pilot stage and continues to make encouraging progress. Since the pilots began in autumn 1998, 13,539 people on incapacity benefits have attended initial interview or applied for innovative schemes, around two out of three participated further, and as a result 1,911 have found jobs.

    395W
    An interim evaluation report was published in December 1999, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. We are actively considering the way forward.

    Educational Qualifications
    Mr. Trickett
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the residents of (a) Wakefield District and (b) Hemsworth constituency have degree-level educational qualifications. [109055]

    Mr. Wicks
    The available published data from the 1991 Census of Population show that the proportion of people aged 18 and over with higher education qualifications was 13.3 per cent. in Wakefield, and 10.3 per cent. in Hemsworth. A higher education qualification is defined as any academic, professional or vocational qualification above A-level standard. The published census data do not separately identify persons who have degree-level qualifications. Similar data will be available when the results of the 2001 Census are published.

    University Staff
    Dr. Gibson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the numbers of academic staff leaving British universities for posts abroad in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [109022]

    Mr. Wicks
    The available data are given in the table. There has always been some academic recruitment across national boundaries and the numbers for the most recent years represent only around 5 per cent. of all staff who leave the higher education sector.

    Full-time, wholly institutionally financed academic staff leaving higher education institutions to take up posts abroad

    Staff leaving to take up employment abroad1

    Former UFC2 funded universities in GB Calendar year:

    1989

    3183

    1990

    3192

    1991

    3184

    1992

    3200

    1993

    3183

    All HE institutions in the UK Academic year:

    1994–95

    4170

    1995–96

    4268

    1996–97

    4303

    1997–98

    4290

    1998–99

    4294

    1 Includes employment in HE institutions, research institutes, and other overseas employment.

    2 Universities Funding Council.

    3 Including staff who left for study abroad.

    4 Excluding staff who did not give details of their destination.

    Mature Students
    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of mature students (a) entering and (b) graduating from higher education in each of the last five years. [108516]
    396W
    Mr. Wicks
    [holding answer 7 February 2000]: The latest available data are given in the tables. Mature students are defined as postgraduates aged 25 and over and undergraduates aged 21 and over. 1997 entrant numbers may have been inflated because entrants were influenced by the knowledge that fees would be introduced with effect from 1998. Comparable data for entrants and graduates in 1999–2000 will be published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency in April 2000 and February 2001 respectively.

    Information published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), covering full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses only, shows that the number of applicants (young and mature combined) accepted for entry increased by 1.5 per cent. between autumn 1998 and autumn 1999.

    Entrants1 to higher education institutions in the United Kingdom by age2

    Thousand

    Aged under 25

    25 and over

    Total

    Postgraduates

    1994–95

    54.6

    118.2

    172.8

    1995–96

    57.6

    123.3

    180.9

    1996–97

    56.7

    115.9

    172.7

    1997–98

    56.6

    124.3

    180.9

    1998–99

    59.5

    129.9

    189.4

    Undergraduates

    1994–95

    247.4

    256.7

    504.1

    1995–96

    255.7

    283.0

    538.7

    1996–97

    259.8

    282.1

    541.9

    1997–98

    277.3

    276.4

    553.7

    1998–99

    276.8

    272.7

    549.5

    1 Full-time and part-time

    2 Ages as at 31 August in each academic year

    Graduates1 from higher education institutions in the United Kingdom by age2

    Thousand

    Aged under 25

    25 and over

    Total

    Postgraduates

    1994–95

    26.7

    63.6

    90.3

    1995–96

    29.9

    75.5

    105.5

    1996–97

    30.7

    78.7

    109.3

    1997–98

    32.4

    81.9

    114.3

    1998–99

    32.9

    82.7

    115.6

    Undergraduates

    1994–95

    73.3

    223.7

    297.0

    1995–96

    75.0

    235.8

    310.8

    1996–97

    76.5

    240.9

    317.5

    1997–98

    77.6

    245.0

    322.6

    1998–99

    82.8

    248.5

    331.3

    1 Full-time and part-time

    2 Ages as at August in each academic year

    University Degrees
    Dr. Gibson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he monitors the variability in criteria used in awarding degrees in UK universities; and if he will make a statement. [109029]

    Mr. Wicks
    Each institution with degree awarding powers is responsible for the quality and standards of the degrees it awards. The Quality Assurance Agency
    397W
    assesses the quality of provision in its subject reviews and the rigour of the quality mechanisms in the institutions in its institutional reviews.

    The Quality Assurance Agency has published, for consultation, draft subject benchmark statements setting out expectations of student attainment at honours degree level in 22 subject areas. A further 20 such statements will be published by 2001. The Agency is developing the qualifications framework proposed in the Dearing Report, and will publish proposals shortly. These reference points will be used by the Agency in the reviews it carries out.

    Departmental Contracts
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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 advisors 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. [109068]

    Mr. Wicks
    [holding answer 8 February 2000]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

    Further Education Colleges
    Mr. Chaytor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the role of further education colleges in supporting new curriculum developments in vocational education for 14 to 16-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [107971]

    Mr. Wicks
    [holding answer 9 February 2000]: The Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 allowed Further Education colleges to provide secondary education at key stage 4. In addition, regulations made under section 363 of the Education Act 1996 allow schools to disapply parts of the key stage 4 National Curriculum for certain pupils to enable them to spend more time on work-related learning.

    Many schools are now working in partnership with colleges and taking advantage of this flexibility to deliver work-related learning and vocational courses. For example, we have launched a programme to support local work-related learning projects. There are over 180 projects, and around two-thirds of these include school-college links. Such links can: help pupils acquire the skills and knowledge needed in employment; enable schools to enhance their curriculum with vocational options (G/NVQs and Key Skills); and make Further Education facilities and teaching expertise available to schools. Further measures are being introduced to promote work-related learning through college links with Fresh Start schools.

    The Department has commissioned the National Foundation for Education Research to carry out an evaluation of how the regulations are being used in practice. The evaluators will interview schools, FE colleges and others involved in delivering extended work-related learning and vocational courses. The final evaluation report is due at the end of 2000.

    Higher Education Staff
    Mr. Stephen Twigg
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will make a statement on ethnicity in employment patterns in the higher education sector; [109307]

    (2) what representations he has received concerning employment patterns in the higher education sector in the last 12 months. [109308]

    Mr. Wicks
    Ministers met the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality in October 1999 to discuss the Commission's report on ethnicity and employment in higher education. Most of the recommendations are for higher education institutions and their representative bodies. Ministers have asked the funding and representative bodies, who co-sponsored the report, to consider what more they can do to encourage institutions to make progress towards greater equality of opportunity for all groups of staff.

    Class Sizes (Key Stages)
    Mr. Breed
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the link between class sizes and overall pupil performance at Key Stages 1 to 4. [109806]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    The evidence, including from Ofsted, indicates that class size is most important at Key Stage 1. That is why we have pledged to reduce the size of infant classes. The pledge will ensure that all children benefit from infant classes of 30 or below, and will help to give young pupils the important start they need.

    Dartford West High School for Boys
    Dr. Stoate
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce his decision on the future of Dartford West High School for Boys; and if he will make a statement. [109552]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    My right hon. Friend expects to make a decision within the next couple of weeks.

    Age Discrimination
    Mr. Coaker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Government are taking to tackle age discrimination in employment against men between the ages of 60 and 65 years. [109684]

    Ms Hodge
    On 14 June 1999 we published a Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment, developed with key partners such as the TUC, CBI and Age Concern. It covers all aspects of employment, for men and women of all ages, including men aged between 60 and 65. It has sections covering recruitment, selection, training, development, redundancy and retirement, and provides detailed guidance and case studies to help employers to tackle age discrimination in their organisations. This is being backed by a publicity campaign and practical help for employers wanting to adopt the principles set out in the Code. The effectiveness of the Code is being evaluated through a large scale research project which looks in detail at employer policies and practices in recruitment
    399W
    and employment and the impact this has on age diversity in their work force. The results of the evaluation will be published early in 2001.

    Teachers' Pay
    Mr. Hesford
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much teachers will be able to earn once they have passed the performance pay threshold. [109681]

    Ms Estelle Morris
    Teachers who are successful at the threshold will receive a salary increase of £2,000, and will be placed on the new upper pay range. Teachers on point 9 of the pay scale and currently earning £23,193 will see their salary rise to £25,959 in September if they pass the threshold—a rise of 11.9 per cent. In future years, teachers who have passed the threshold will have opportunities to gain a further four points on the upper pay range, worth approximately £1,000 each. This could take their salary to over £30,000 for high performance in the classroom. Taking on additional responsibilities could take a teacher's salary to over £37,000.

    A-levels
    Mr. Breed
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of the population in (a) rural and (b) urban areas have at least two A-levels at grade E or above. [109753]

    Mr. Wicks
    Information from the Labour Force Survey indicates that, in 1998, 38.6 per cent. of economically active working age adults in urban areas in England had at least two A-levels at grades E or the equivalent, compared with 40.6 per cent. of economically active working age adults in rural areas.

    Remploy
    Mr. Rooney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many employees at Remploy were (a) able-bodied, (b) disabled and factory-based and (c) disabled and on Interwork, in each year since 1980. [109598]

    Ms Hodge
    The table shows the numbers of both disabled and non-disabled employees in both Remploy Factories and Interwork since 1980.

    Year

    Remploy non-disabled employees

    Remploy factory disabled employees

    Interwork disabled employees

    1980–81

    2,465

    8,179

    0

    1981–82

    2,409

    8,448

    0

    1982–83

    2,383

    8,742

    0

    1983–84

    2,397

    8,730

    0

    1984–85

    2,448

    8,915

    0

    1985–86

    2,368

    8,900

    0

    1986–87

    2,073

    8,944

    0

    1987–88

    1,955

    8,992

    0

    1988–89

    1,920

    8,740

    50

    1989–90

    1,952

    8,648

    90

    1990–91

    2,013

    8,423

    207

    1991–92

    1,740

    8,160

    431

    1992–93

    1,655

    7,933

    643

    1993–94

    1,575

    7,671

    983

    1994–95

    1,661

    7,434

    1,472

    1995–96

    1,629

    7,144

    2,190

    400W

    Year

    Remploy non-disabled employees

    Remploy factory disabled employees

    Interwork disabled employees

    1996–97

    1,568

    6,958

    2,704

    1997–98

    1,457

    6,898

    3,123

    1998–99

    1,402

    6,569

    3,563

    1999–2000

    1,264

    6,096

    4,173

    Supported Employment
    Mr. Rooney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total budget for supported employment expressed (a) in cash terms and (b) at December 1999 prices in each year since 1980. [109596]

    Ms Hodge
    [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The information is not available for years prior to 1989. The figures for 1989–90 onwards are as follows:

    Year

    Cash price (£)

    RPI

    December 1999 RPI

    (£)

    1989–90

    101,634,000

    117.4

    167.3

    144,832,779

    1990–91

    112,258,000

    128.7

    167.3

    145,926,678

    1991–92

    122,445,000

    134.8

    167.3

    151,966,235

    1992–93

    140,775,000

    139.1

    167.3

    169,314,576

    1993–94

    140,399,000

    141.5

    167.3

    165,998,252

    1994–95

    150,051,000

    145.3

    167.3

    172,770,353

    1995–96

    154,231,000

    150.1

    167.3

    171,904,372

    1996–97

    154,346,000

    153.7

    167.3

    168,003,161

    1997–98

    155,556,000

    158.8

    167.3

    163,882,360

    1998–99

    155,032,000

    163.8

    167.3

    158,344,650

  HOME DEPARTMENT

    Closed Circuit Television
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications he has received for portable(a) closed circuit and (b) open circuit TV units in the last year; and how many have secured grant aid from his Department. [108251]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Under the first round of the Crime Reduction Programme Closed Circuit Television Initiative, 45 proposals were solely for portable or mobile CCTV schemes, although many of the 748 outline applications received contained a mobile element. Applications for open circuit systems are outside the scope of the CCTV Initiative.

    So far, we have awarded £627,000 to seven proposals for mobile systems. A further 16 proposals for mobile schemes to a potential value of £2.3 million are currently under further consideration.

    Further bids for mobile systems can be submitted under the next phase of CCTV funding, details of which will be announced in the near future.

    Mr. Crausby
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications he has received for portable CCTV units in the past year; and how many have secured grant aid from the Home Office. [108273]
    401W
    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Under the first round of the Crime Reduction Programme Closed Circuit Television Initiative, 45 proposals were solely for portable or mobile CCTV schemes, although many of the 748 outline applications received contained a mobile element.

    So far, we have awarded £627,000 to seven proposals for mobile systems. A further 16 proposals for mobile schemes to a potential value of £2.3 million are currently under further consideration.

    Further bids for mobile systems can be submitted under the next phase of CCTV funding, details of which will be announced in the near future.

    Crime (Sussex)
    Mr. Waterson
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has in respect of fighting crime in Sussex; and if he will make a statement. [108252]

    Mr. Boateng
    The Government issued in November our strategy for reducing crime. One of the key elements in this is ensuring that the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships—in Sussex as elsewhere—perform to their maximum potential.

    Police (Surrey)
    Mr. Hawkins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide extra resources for Surrey police to reflect increases in crime and in their responsibilities. [108253]

    Mr. Boateng
    Funding for Surrey Police in 2000–01 will increase by 22.7 per cent. to £112.8 million. This large increase takes account of the expansion of the Surrey police area as a result of the boundary changes with the Metropolitan police in April. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 9 February the allocation of funding under the Crime Fighting Fund for the recruitment of extra police officers over and above the number that would otherwise have been recruited over three years. Surrey police will receive funding to enable in total 78 extra officers to be recruited.

    Community Beat Officers
    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies his Department has carried out into the effectiveness of community beat officers in preventing crime. [108254]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    While there has been no Home Office research solely addressing the effectiveness of community beat officers in preventing crime, research has demonstrated the important role that community beat officers can play in fighting crime, whether by identifying and tackling local crime problems, providing intelligence, or combating fear of crime. Further, the contribution of community beat officers will be an important factor in some of the projects being funded under the crime reduction programme.

    Unauthorised Camping
    Mr. Caplin
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in agreeing the operational guidelines with the Association of Chief Constables to deal with unauthorised camping. [108255]
    402W
    Mr. Straw
    Following consultation with the Government, revised operational guidelines on police powers to deal with unauthorised camping were approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers' Council on 28 April 1999 and issued to forces in early May. I have, however, commissioned a review of the joint Home Office/Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' guidance on managing unauthorised camping, in order to ensure that problems associated with these encampments are being tackled as effectively as possible.

    Dr. Iddon
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in agreeing the operational guidelines with the Association of Chief Constables to deal with unauthorised camping. [108261]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Following consultation with the Government, revised operational guidelines on police powers to deal with unauthorised camping were approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers' Council on 28 April 1999 and issued to forces in early May. We are, however, commissioning a review of the joint Home Office/Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' guidance on managing unauthorised camping, in order to ensure that problems associated with these encampments are being tackled as effectively as possible.

    Clandestine Immigrants
    Mr. Corbett
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many lorries have been stopped by the police which contained clandestine immigrants in the last six months. [108257]

    Mrs. Roche
    The police do not keep records of that information. However, I can tell my hon. Friend that the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's records show that 11,500 clandestine illegal entrants to the United Kingdom were identified between July and December 1999.

    Anti-social Behaviour Orders
    Mr. McWalter
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of councils have used their powers to impose anti-social behaviour orders. [108258]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Anti-social behaviour orders are imposed by the courts upon application by either the local authority or the police. Information about the number of orders which have been granted is not held centrally, but we believe that about 20–25 are currently in force, involving about 15 different areas.

    Prisons (School Links)
    Mr. Blizzard
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will support initiatives by which prisons develop links with schools. [108259]

    Mr. Boateng
    The new draft National Standards for prisoners under 18-years-old require prisons to develop links with the home education authority.

    The Prison Service is happy to co-operate with targeted crime reduction activities where these are developed with the police and others locally.

    Crime and Disorder
    Mr. MacShane
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Department for Education and Employment about ensuring that schools are fully involved in local partnerships to combat crime and disorder. [108260]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Schools are designated as bodies which must co-operate with partnerships in the development and implementation of local crime and disorder reduction strategies. One of the strands of the Crime Reduction Programme is an investment of £12 million in projects designed to combat truancy and exclusions.

    Prisoners
    Mr. Peter Bottomley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the amount of purposeful activity undertaken by prisoners. [108262]

    Mr. Boateng
    During the period April 1999 to December 1999 the average amount of purposeful activity undertaken by prisoners was 23.0 hours per prisoner per week.

    These data are provisional and subject to validation by prisons.

    Crime Reduction
    Mr. Kidney
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contribution neighbourhood watch schemes can make to his objective of crime reduction under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [108263]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Community involvement is essential if we are to achieve our aim of creating a safe, just and tolerant society. Neighbourhood Watch is a successful example of community involvement with around 155,000 schemes covering 5.5 million households. That is why the Government required the crime and disorder reduction partnerships to invite Neighbourhood Watch to participate in their work.

    Asylum Seekers
    Mr. Gordon Marsden
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what minimum arrangements for social, welfare and cultural support he will require from agencies and local authority consortia wishing to place asylum seekers before agreeing to their dispersal. [108264]

    Mrs. Roche
    Contracts with providers for accommodation specify that the provider will facilitate access for asylum seekers to health and education services. The need for wider social and welfare provision to be available will be taken into account in discussion with local authorities about appropriate cluster areas for asylum seekers.

    Voluntary sector bodies funded under Section 111 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 will be required to provide a range of services as part of the one stop services for asylum seekers envisaged under the new asylum support scheme.
    404W
    Miss Kirkbride
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to restrict the number of asylum seekers entering the United Kingdom. [108267]

    Mrs. Roche
    The Government will continue to honour their obligations under the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees to consider all applications for asylum made in the United Kingdom or at our ports. But we are taking tough measures to curb abuse of the asylum process. The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 introduces fundamental changes, including measures to discourage unfounded asylum applications, while continuing to provide protection for those who need it.

    Mr. Whittingdale
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the dispersal of asylum seekers. [108268]

    Mrs. Roche
    I and my officials have received numerous representations concerning the dispersal of asylum seekers, in response to proposals which we published last year as part of our consultation process. Some have been from voluntary bodies and local authorities by way of formal response to the original Asylum Seeker Support document published in March last year and to the consultation document on the regulations for the scheme published last November. Others have been received in the form of letters to Ministers from Members of Parliament, voluntary bodies and local authorities.

    The representations have been concerned with a range of matters including the minimum standards of accommodation to be provided to asylum seekers and access to legal representatives in dispersal areas.

    The National Asylum Support Service has also been in extensive talks with the Local Government Association about the operation of the dispersal scheme.

    Fiona Mactaggart
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time for applications from asylum seekers(a) with children and (b) without children to be decided in the last month for which figures are available. [108271]

    Mrs. Roche
    Of the total asylum decisions made in December 1999, the average length of time since the application had been made was 13 months. A breakdown for asylum seekers with and without children is not available in this format. Of families with children who applied for asylum in November 1999, most had a decision made on their application within two months.

    Immigration Advisers
    Mr. Love
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in curbing unscrupulous immigration advisers. [108265]

    Mrs. Roche
    Part V of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 makes provision for a scheme to regulate immigration advisers and service providers. Under the scheme the provision of immigration advice or services will be prohibited unless a person is registered with the Immigration Services Commissioner, authorised to practise by a designated professional body or exempt under the terms of the scheme.
    405W
    We are currently in the process of appointing the Immigration Services Commissioner who will lead the body to administer the scheme. Our aim is to have the regulatory body established and ready to receive applications for registration and exemption by 2 October 2000, with a view to full roll-out of the scheme by April 2001.

    Kosovo Refugees
    Mr. Lilley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to help return to their homes those refugees from Kosovo granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom during the conflict. [108266]

    Mrs. Roche
    All the evacuees under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Humanitarian Evacuation Programme (HEP) were given 12 months' exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom. We have made it clear that there will not be a general extension of leave for those granted exceptional leave under the Kosovan concession.

    Kosovans are expected to make arrangements to return to Kosovo once their current leave to remain expires.

    The voluntary return programme for Kosovans from the United Kingdom began on 26 July 1999 and is open to those who arrived under the HEP and as independent arrivals. The Government are also running an Explore and Prepare (E and P) scheme to enable heads of households and community leaders with exceptional leave here to return to Kosovo to make advance preparations for the permanent return of their families. To date 1,570 Kosovans have returned under these programmes (1,388 permanent returnees {1,092 HEP and 296 non-HEP} and 182 E and P returns {176 HEP and 6 non-HEP}).

    We have provided funds to the Refugee Council to publish a regular newsletter to keep Kosovans informed about the situation in Kosovo and have funded a voluntary returns office to provide help and information.

    Police (Costs)
    Mr. Fraser
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the annual cost of employing a police constable; and if he will make a statement. [108269]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    As at 19 March 1999, the annual cost of a police constable serving in a provincial force, based on average salary for the rank, is £35,081, inclusive of Earnings-Related National Insurance Contribution, notional pension costs and housing allowance.

    An officer serving in London will additionally receive London Allowance of £1,011 and London Weighting of £1,662.

    Racism
    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the efforts made by police forces to stamp out racism. [108270]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    "Race and the Criminal Justice System 1999" published on 9 December 1999 gives a comprehensive picture of how people from minority 406W
    ethnic backgrounds fare under the criminal justice system, including the police service. The key findings for 1998–99 include a substantial increase by 66 per cent. of the number of racist incidents recorded by the police; against a history of under-recording of racist incidents this appears to reflect improved recording practices by the police and the higher priority the service is giving to its response to racist crime. Black people were, on average, six times more likely than white people to be stopped and searched by the police. The Department has set in hand a wide-ranging programme of research to help broaden understanding of these powers and how their use can be improved. The report found under-representation of ethnic minorities in the police service as in other parts of the criminal justice system. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has set targets for forces on recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority officers and has published a 25 point action plan to help forces meet them.

    Her Majesty' s Chief Inspector of Constabulary's report of the inspection of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary directed should be carried out in response to recommendation 4 of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, was published on 10 January. The inspectors found significant progress within the MPS in their response to the community and race relations issues raised in the Inquiry's report, and while there were still areas to be addressed there were grounds for confidence that there would be significant improvements when the inspectors return in 12 months' time.

    My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary undertook during the debate on the report of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry last March that I would publish an annual report on progress of the implementation of the Action Plan I published in response to the Inquiry's report; my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will publish the first such report shortly.

    Crime (London)
    Mr. Casale
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in developing local partnerships against crime in London. [108272]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Partnerships were set up in all the London boroughs and the City of London, making 33 in all, as part of the work under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which places a statutory requirement on the boroughs to produce a joint strategy to reduce crime and disorder. The detail of these and the way in which they are being taken forward varies to some extent but they all actively engaged in the work against crime and disorder.

    Police Officer Recruitment
    Mr. Brady
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to increase the total number of police officers in England and Wales.
    [108274]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon), on 9 February 2000,Official Report, columns 172–74W.

    Trial by Jury
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to limit trial by jury. [108242]

    Mr. Straw
    We have already announced our intention to introduce in this House, as soon as possible, a Bill which will give the courts the power to determine which either-way cases should be tried in the Crown Court.

    Metropolitan Police
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the numbers of police officers in the Metropolitan police force. [108249]

    Mr. Straw
    It is for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to determine overall police numbers within the resources available.

    The strength of the Metropolitan Police fell by 2,060 officers between 1992 and 1998 under budgets set by the previous Administration. Numbers fell by a net 209 between March 1998 and September 1999.

    We announced on 9 February that the Metropolitan Police has been allocated funds from the Crime Fighting Fund for 2000–01 which will enable them to recruit and train 1,113 officers over and above the levels planned for financial years 2000–03. This includes 242 officers in the next financial year and the Commissioner tells me that in the light of this, he hopes to maintain police officer numbers at a constant level through 2000–01.

    Proposed five year crime reduction targets

    Percentage change

    Vehicle crime

    Burglary dwelling

    Robbery

    April 1998-March 1999

    October 1998-September 1999

    April 1998-March 1999

    October 1998-September 1999

    April 1998-March 1999

    October 1998-September 1999

    Avon and Somerset

    30

    28

    29

    26

    —

    —

    Bedfordshire

    30

    35

    20

    32

    —

    —

    Cambridgeshire

    29

    28

    29

    28

    —

    —

    Cheshire

    14

    9

    19

    14

    —

    —

    City of London

    10

    13

    18

    -3

    —

    —

    Cleveland

    30

    26

    20

    19

    —

    Cumbria

    41

    36

    22

    23

    —

    —

    Derbyshire

    33

    31

    30

    31

    —

    —

    Devon and Cornwall

    33

    31

    34

    31

    —

    —

    Dorset

    31

    27

    26

    21

    —

    —

    Durham

    35

    29

    20

    16

    —

    —

    Dyfed-Powys

    30

    24

    30

    19

    —

    —

    Essex1

    10

    10

    10

    10

    —

    —

    Gloucestershire

    25

    22

    25

    27

    —

    —

    Greater Manchester

    34

    33

    25

    19

    10

    15

    Gwent

    30

    30

    10

    14

    —

    —

    Hampshire

    27

    23

    17

    10

    —

    —

    Hertfordshire1

    14

    210

    14

    16

    —

    —

    Humberside

    32

    30

    23

    23

    —

    —

    Kent

    27

    16

    32

    26

    —

    —

    Lancashire

    30

    26

    34

    30

    —

    —

    Leicestershire

    34

    30

    30

    24

    —

    —

    Lincolnshire

    18

    17

    37

    40

    —

    —

    Merseyside

    30

    33

    12

    13

    10

    12

    Metropolitan Police1

    31

    35

    310

    310

    3,415

    3,415

    Norfolk

    14

    13

    18

    17

    —

    —

    North Wales

    28

    31

    26

    22

    —

    —

    North Yorkshire

    25

    20

    44

    47

    —

    —

    Northamptonshire

    32

    30

    24

    26

    —

    —

    Northumbria

    34

    29

    39

    33

    —

    —

    Nottinghamshire

    47

    44

    64

    63

    —

    —

    South Wales

    34

    35

    29

    27

    —

    —

    South Yorkshire

    30

    28

    34

    34

    —

    —

    Home Security
    Mr. Healey
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact of local initiatives to reduce domestic burglaries and improve home security. [108256]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    The Reducing Burglary Initiative, a major component of the Crime Reduction Programme, is expected to prevent 15,000 burglaries by 2002 and 25,000 burglaries in the longer term.

    In addition, the scheme to provide improved security to low-income pensioners should prevent 2,500 burglaries and, just as importantly, will reduce the fear of crime.

    Crime Reduction Targets
    Mr. Hope
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what crime reduction targets police authorities will be expected to set over the next five years under the Best Value regime. [110301]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    All police authorities and police forces have been told that statutory guidance under the Best Value regime (Section 5(7) of the Local Government Act 1999) will indicate that specific targets should be set by all police authorities for domestic burglary and for vehicle crime. In addition, five forces are being asked to set a target for robbery.

    The table shows the five-year targets for each force area, based on our latest information. It will be for each police authority to decide what targets should finally be set and published.
    409W

    Proposed five year crime reduction targets

    Percentage change

    Vehicle crime

    Burglary dwelling

    Robbery

    April 1998-March 1999

    October 1998-September 1999

    April 1998-March 1999

    October 1998-September 1999

    April 1998-March 1999

    October 1998-September 1999

    Staffordshire

    35

    33

    35

    29

    —

    —

    Suffolk

    10

    14

    0

    -4

    —

    —

    Surrey1

    14

    15

    11

    10

    —

    —

    Sussex

    20

    22

    37

    34

    —

    —

    Thames Valley

    30

    32

    40

    44

    —

    —

    Warwickshire

    15

    16

    20

    27

    —

    —

    West Mercia

    10

    7

    14

    13

    —

    —

    West Midlands

    30

    34

    23

    23

    34

    45

    West Yorkshire

    37

    34

    42

    40

    22

    23

    Wiltshire

    14

    18

    10

    11

    —

    —

    National figure5

    30

    29

    26

    24

    12

    19

    1 Contains areas affected by boundary changes from 1 April 2000

    2 Subject to verification

    3 Based on projected recorded crime from April 1999-March 2000

    4 Figure refers to street crime

    5 National figures subject to verification against police authorities' Best Value performance plans

    Criminal Records Bureau
    Jackie Ballard
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 January 2000, Official Report, column 362W, on the Criminal Records Bureau, if he will name the shortlisted bidders invited to take part in the technical design study for the Criminal Records Bureau. [109441]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Following evaluation of the six bids received, the following three bidders have been shortlisted and invited to take part in a technical design study:

    Capita Business Services

    PriceWaterhouseCoopers

    e.CRES, a consortium led by SERCO.

    Homicide Weapons
    Mr. Chaytor
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by type the weapons used in homicides in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which records are available. [109327]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    The following table gives the information requested in relation to firearms for England and Wales:

    Homicides initially recorded by the police in which a firearm was reported to have been used, by type of weapon, England and Wales, 1994–98

    1994

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    Shotgun:

    Long barrelled

    22

    18

    9

    12

    3

    Sawn Off

    14

    10

    8

    4

    7

    Handgun

    25

    39

    30

    39

    28

    Rifle

    5

    2

    —

    3

    4

    Air weapon

    —

    1

    —

    —

    —

    Other (including type not known)

    —

    —

    2

    1

    2

    Total

    66

    70

    49

    59

    44

    Information on other types of weapon used in homicides, such as sharp and blunt instruments, is published in Chapter 4 of Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, a copy of which is in the Library. (Figures on
    410W
    homicides by shooting contained in Chapter 4 will differ from the figures shown mainly because they are based on currently rather than initially recorded homicides).

    Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective Secretaries of State.

    Firearms Offences
    Mr. Chaytor
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of firearms offences in the UK in each of the last five years for which records are available. [109341]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    The following table gives the information requested for England and Wales:

    Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used, England and Wales 1994–98

    Number

    1994

    13,167

    1995

    13,434

    1996

    13,876

    1997

    12,410

    1998

    113,671

    1 Changes in the counting rules and coverage of recorded crime took place from 1 April 1998, and there may be some discontinuity in this figure

    Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the respective Secretaries of State.

    Murders
    Mr. Quentin Davies
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, on a comparable basis, the number of murders recorded in the United Kingdom in each of the past 30 years. [109364]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    The available information relates to initially recorded offences of homicide (murder, manslaughter and infanticide) in England and Wales and is given in the table. Those offences subsequently decided at court to be murder are also shown.
    411W

    Offences of homicide initially recorded by the police and those subsequently decided at court to be murder, England and Wales, 1969–1998

    Initially recorded homicides

    Offences decided at court to be murder

    1969

    395

    69

    1970

    396

    91

    1971

    459

    86

    1972

    480

    88

    1973

    465

    81

    1974

    599

    154

    1975

    508

    97

    1976

    565

    102

    1977

    484

    112

    1978

    535

    123

    1979

    629

    160

    1980

    621

    126

    1981

    556

    148

    1982

    618

    160

    1983

    552

    152

    1984

    619

    165

    1985

    625

    166

    1986

    660

    202

    1987

    686

    195

    1988

    645

    172

    1989

    626

    177

    1990

    662

    174

    1991

    725

    181

    1992

    681

    189

    1993

    675

    209

    1994

    727

    215

    1995

    753

    238

    1996

    680

    216

    1997–98

    748

    1—

    1998–99

    750

    1—

    1 Not applicable

    The initially recorded figure includes all homicides because when an offence is discovered and recorded by the police, it is not generally known whether an offence of murder, manslaughter or infanticide has been committed.

    Figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matter for the respective Secretaries of State.

    Corporate Liability
    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department has made on consideration of the inter-departmental working party report on corporate liability. [109371]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    We are continuing to consider the conclusions of the inter-departmental working group of officials which has been examining the recommendations made in the Law Commission's report no. 237 "Legislating the Criminal Code: Involuntary Manslaughter". The Law Commission's report included a recommendation that there should be a new offence of corporate killing.

    We are consulting our colleagues on how to take the matter forward and expect to publish our conclusions for consultation.

    Freemasons
    Mr. Kidney
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in England and Wales are freemasons. [109440]
    412W
    Mr. Charles Clarke
    There is no requirement for this information to be provided by police officers. Most forces in England and Wales are compiling statistics of freemasonry membership among officers and civilian staff from information provided on a voluntary basis, and the following figures are currently available for 26 forces. Of the 38,875 individuals who made returns, 417 indicated that they were freemasons.

    Security Industry
    Mr. Swayne
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to establish a private security industry authority. [109361]

    Mr. Charles Clarke
    Our White Paper, "The Government's Proposals for Regulation of the Private Security Industry in England and Wales", published last year set out plans to establish an authority to be responsible for maintaining and improving standards within the industry, and for licensing people employed in the industry. We intend to introduce legislation as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

    Interception of Communications
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long, on average, he has taken to scrutinise each warrant issued under the Interception of Communications Act 1985. [110041]

    Mr. Straw
    I consider very carefully each application for a warrant submitted to me under the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The average time taken for this scrutiny, depends on the complexity of the application. An average would not be meaningful. The Interception of Communications Commissioner, currently Lord Nolan, stated in his annual report for 1998 that he had found no case where I had issued or renewed a warrant without adequate justification.

    Correspondence
    Mr. Burns
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for West Chelmsford will receive substantive replies to his letters concerning his constituents (a) Mr. A. Camp, written on 2 September 1999, (b) Mr. Sobarten, written on 29 September 1999, (c) Mr. S. Tennant, written on 2 September 1999 and (d) Mr. J. M. Braouli, written on 4 August 1999. [109738]

    Mrs. Roche
    I wrote to the hon. Member about Mr. Camp's case on 11 February 2000. I wrote about Mr. Tennant's case on 10 November 1999 and 14 February 2000, and about Mr. Braouli's case on 14 February 2000. We have no record of correspondence from the hon. Member about Mr. Sobarten. I assume the hon. Member is referring to his letter of 29 December about Mr. Sisawo Jobarteh to which I replied on 14 February 2000. I am extremely sorry for the delays in replying.

    Mr. Paice
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire's letter on behalf of a constituent, Mrs. Anna Newton, which was acknowledged by his Office on 2 November 1999 (Reference 21142/99); and what steps he is taking to improve the timeliness of replies from his Office. [110140]
    413W
    Mrs. Roche
    I replied to the hon. Member on 14 February 2000.

    Every effort is made to provide timely answers to letters sent to Ministers. Unfortunately, as in the present case, delays sometimes occur. I have reminded my officials of the need to ensure that the required priority is given to dealing with ministerial correspondence.

    Somalia
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Somalia have entered the United Kingdom in each of the last five years, indicating the number who are (a) asylum seekers, (b) dependants seeking family reunion, and (c) visitors; and of those how many have been (i) accepted, (ii) informed and are appealing and (iii) refused and removed. [109489]

    Mrs. Roche
    The available information is given in the tables.

    Table 1: Admissions and refusals of nationals of Somalia 1995–99

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    19991

    Total admissions2

    5,720

    5,560

    4,490

    4,900

    1,460

    Of which:

    Visitors

    1,820

    1,470

    1,470

    1,780

    870

    Dependants3

    350

    280

    270

    390

    110

    Passengers refused and removed

    63

    76

    99

    190

    99

    1 January to June only.

    2 Persons, including port asylum seekers, given leave to enter. Excludes persons given temporary admission.

    3 Family members coming for settlement.

    Table 2: Asylum applications received in the United Kingdom (excluding dependants), initial decisions1 on applications, appeals and removals and voluntary departures2 of Somalia

    1995

    1996

    1997

    19983

    19993

    Applications received

    3,465

    1,780

    2,730

    4,685

    7,495

    Total decisions

    2,400

    3,835

    2,305

    2,805

    480

    Of which:

    Granted asylum

    10

    15

    985

    2,330

    20

    Not recognized as a refugee but granted ELR

    2,205

    3,580

    1,015

    375

    520

    Refused asylum and ELR

    185

    235

    305

    100

    40

    Appeals sent to the IAA (adjudicators)

    165

    110

    30

    15

    6—

    Removals and voluntary departure2,7

    20

    40

    50

    35

    6—

    1 Excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

    2 Includes voluntary departures up to and including notification of the decision on the asylum application for port applicants. Includes only those voluntary departures taking place after the initiation of enforcement action for in-country applicants.

    3 Provisional data.

    4 January to May only.

    5 Includes 15 cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre-1996 Act asylum backlog.

    6 Not available.

    7 1998 figure is estimated.

    Senator Pinochet
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which (a) Ministers, (b) officials,414W
    (c) lawyers and (d) foreign Governments information concerning the medical condition of General Pinochet has been made available. [110117]

    Mr. Straw
    I informed the House on 12 January 2000, Official Report, columns 277–78, of the conclusions of the medical report on Senator Pinochet which I had commissioned. I have passed a copy of the report to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department with responsibility for extradition matters, Lord Bassam, and another copy to my hon and learned Friend, the Solicitor-General. The report has also been copied to the Government's Chief Medical Officer; the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP); a member of the Treasury Solicitor's Department; and the separate sets of officials and Counsel advising the Solicitor-General, the DPP (in his capacity as domestic prosecuting authority) and me on this case. I sent a copy to Senator Pinochet's legal representatives on 11 January. I have not disclosed the report to any foreign Government.

    I have also received medical information, from Senator Pinochet's legal representatives when I was considering the first Authority To Proceed in the case in December 1998, and from the Embassy of Chile in 1999. I have made this material available within the Government on the same basis as the report I commissioned. The material from the Embassy of Chile was passed to me by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and therefore was also seen by officials advising on the case and in some cases by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers.

    Mr. Geraint Davies
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a decision in the case of Senator Pinochet. [106936]

    Mr. Straw
    I will do so as soon as possible, but not before the High Court gives judgment in the current judicial review proceedings. I propose to give notice to the parties to the case, on the day before I expect to make my decision, and will notify the parties and this House immediately when the decision has been taken. It also remains my intention to make a full oral statement to the House when I am clear that it is appropriate to do so.

    Terrorism Bill
    Ms Roseanna Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Executive, (b) Scottish bodies and (c) the Scottish Parliament regarding the impact of the Terrorism Bill on devolved areas of responsibility. [109563]

    Mr. Straw
    Under Section 30 and Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, responsibility for the special powers and other special provisions for dealing with terrorism is reserved. Six organisations representing Scottish interests offered responses to the Government consultation paper "Legislation Against Terrorism" and their views, along with those of all other contributors, were taken into account in preparing the Terrorism Bill, Officials from this Department have been in regular contact with officials from the Scottish Executive about the contents of the Terrorism Bill.
    415W
    I am regularly in touch with the First Minister and the Minister for Justice about a wide range of issues, and I greatly value the co-operative spirit in which these discussions take place.

    Race Relations (Amendment) Bill
    Ms Roseanna Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the legislation within the competence of the Scottish Parliament which falls to be amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Bill. [109564]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    The Race Relations (Amendment) Bill does not contain any provisions which are within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.

    Fire Service College
    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account has been taken of Scottish interests in drawing up the proposal to merge the Moreton and Manstone Fire Service establishments. [108430]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Stewart) on 20 December 1999,Official Report, columns 370–71W. Scottish fire service interests were fully consulted during the course of the Fire Service College Prior Options Review. We will continue to consult them in reaching decisions on the review's findings, including the further evaluation of the feasibility of the proposal to join up the activities of the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh and the Ministry of Defence Fire Services Central Training Establishment at Manston.

    Number of escapes

    Number proven assaults

    Prisoners agreeing compact after 14 days

    Mandatory drug testing

    Average daily unlock weekdays

    Purposeful activity

    Training average staff per annum

    1994–95

    Target

    1—

    1—

    90 per cent.

    1—

    12 hours

    24.9

    5.7 days

    Performance

    0

    71

    Not known

    1—

    13.1 hours

    20.0

    1—

    1995–96

    Target

    0

    Less than 80

    98 per cent.

    1—

    12 hours

    25.5

    5.7 days

    Performance

    0

    105

    Not known

    1—

    12.4 hours

    21.8

    1996–97

    Target

    0

    Less than 75

    98 per cent.

    1—

    212 hours

    226.5

    46 hours

    Performance

    1

    76

    Not known

    27.2 per cent.

    212.2 hours

    227.8

    39.5

    1997–98

    Target

    0

    Less than 75

    98 per cent.

    1—

    212 hours

    226.5

    46 hours

    Performance

    0

    47

    Not known

    18.2 per cent.

    212.25 hours

    229.6

    47.1

    1998–99

    Target

    0

    Less than 75

    98 per cent.

    20.0 per cent.

    212 hours

    226.5

    46 hours

    Performance

    0

    56

    Not known

    15.5 per cent

    212.3 hours

    232.5

    51.1

    1 Data not available

    2 Enhanced regime prisoners only

    Afghan Hijacking
    Mr. Gerald Howarth
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to date to public funds of the hijacking of the Ariana Airlines aircraft. [109819]

    Mr. Straw
    It is not possible to make an estimate at this stage.

    Mr. Gerald Howarth
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy not to entertain asylum applications from the hijackers of the Ariana Airlines aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the status of applications for asylum by hijackers who arrived in the UK during the last five years. [109818]

    Mr. Straw
    The United Kingdom is bound to entertain asylum applications made here under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a legally binding international agreement. However, we also have the clearest possible obligations in respect of the prevention and deterrence of hijacking and other international terrorism. We condemn all hijackings unequivocally. The United Nations Convention provides that those convicted of or suspected of being involved in certain criminal acts shall be exempt from its provisions.

    Asylum applications made by the Iraqi hijackers of the Sudanese Airbus in August 1996 remain under consideration.

    HMP Manchester
    Mr. Simon Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how HMP Manchester has performed against its Service Level Agreement and key performance indicators in each year of the Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [109885]

    Mr. Boateng
    The Manchester Service Level Agreement (SLA) commenced on 7 March 1994. The SLA was revised in August 1995 and October 1996. The information set out in the table outlines the target set by the SLA and the performance reached. SLA targets equate to national Key Performance Indicators.
    417W

    Average days of staff sickness

    Employment of women

    Employment of ethnic minorities

    Employment of registered disabled

    Expenditure

    1994–95

    Target

    less than 9

    Increase to 4.5 per cent. of total staff

    Increase to 4.5 per cent. of total staff

    Increase to 4.5 per cent. of total staff

    Lower than SLA price

    Performance

    15.2

    Not known

    Not known

    Not known

    Not known

    1995–96

    Target

    1—

    15 per cent.

    5 per cent.

    2 per cent.

    Lower than SLA price

    Performance

    12.4

    15.7 per cent.

    1.5 per cent.

    0 per cent.

    Not known

    1996–97

    Target

    1—

    10 per cent.

    5 per cent.

    2 per cent.

    Lower than SLA price

    Performance

    12.1

    15 per cent.

    2.1 per cent.

    0.1 per cent.

    Achieved

    1997–98

    Target

    1—

    15 per cent.

    5 per cent.

    2 per cent.

    Lower than SLA price

    Performance

    13.6

    18.3 per cent.

    2.1 per cent.

    0.1 per cent.

    Achieved

    1998–99

    Target

    1—

    20 per cent.

    5 per cent.

    0.5 per cent.

    Lower than SLA price

    Performance

    14.8

    19.5 per cent.

    2.2 per cent.

    0.2 per cent.

    Achieved

    1 Data not available

    2 Enhanced regime prisoners only

    Mr. Simon Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlay the decision to subject HMP Manchester to market testing; and if he will make a statement. [109886]

    Mr. Boateng
    The purpose of market testing Manchester prison is to drive up standards and obtain maximum value for money from the successful bidder.

    Mr. Simon Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the timetable for the competition for the operation of HMP Manchester; and if he will make a statement. [109887]

    Mr. Boateng
    The intended timetable for the market test of Manchester prison is for the Invitation To Tender to be issued by 30 March, the receipt of Best and Final Offers by 15 June and the selection of the preferred supplier by October.

    Prison Tenders
    Mr. Simon Hughes
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 2000,Official Report, columns 456–57W, on prison tenders, what conclusion was reached in respect of the application of the rules governing business appointments to the former Prison Service Director of Security; what advice was given by the Cabinet Office in relation to the former Director of Security; and if he will make a statement. [109888]

    Mr. Boateng
    The matter is still under consideration.

    Royal Parks (Trading Bill)
    Mr. Mackinlay
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the Metropolitan Police have used in the last 30 years, which are still in force and which replicate the powers contained in the Royal Parks (Trading) Bill in respect of highways and public areas adjacent to St. James's Park; and if he will make a statement. [109392]
    418W
    Mr. Charles Clarke
    The Metropolitan Police Commissioner tells me that the powers under which his officers deal with illegal traders operating in areas adjacent to St. James's Park are those contained in the City of Westminster Act 1999. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has informed me that the Royal Parks (Trading) Bill will provide the Royal Parks Constabulary and the Metropolitan police with similar powers in the Royal Parks.

    Curfews (Drugs Offences)
    Miss Widdecombe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department of those prisoners released to date under the home detention curfew scheme, how many convicted of drugs offences were convicted of (a) unlawful supply and (b) possession with intent to supply unlawfully, for each type of controlled drug; and what was the average sentence (i) received and (ii) served in each case. [109592]

    Mr. Boateng
    [holding answer 11 February 2000]: Of those prisoners released up to 7 February 2000 under the Home Detention Curfew scheme, 876 were convicted of drugs supply and 1,138 were convicted of drugs possession with intent to supply. Information is not held centrally about the type of controlled drug in respect of these convictions.

    The average sentence received for drugs supply was 21.7 months, and the average time spent in custody before release on Home Detention Curfew was 9.2 months. The average sentence received for possession with intent was 20.1 months, and the average time spent in custody before release on Home Detention Curfew was 8.4 months.

    Animal Experiments
    Dr. Tonge
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people holding his Department's licences to perform experiments on animals are employed in the NHS. [109519]
    419W
    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    The most recent figures available record 11 National Health Service (NHS) hospitals as holding Certificates of Designation under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 with a total of 307 personal licence holders at these hospitals.

    A further three Certificates of Designation are held by public health laboratories, with a total of 53 personal licence holders at these establishments.

    Our records are not held in a way which allows us to confirm whether these personal licence holders are employed in the NHS. Similarly, they do not show whether personal licence holders, working in other designated establishments, are NHS employees.

    Immigration Rules
    Miss Widdecombe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since 1 May 420W
    1997 he has used his powers to instruct immigration officers to disapply, and in respect of how many persons (a) any part of the immigration rules, (b) any of the restrictions in paragraph 320 of the immigration rules and (c) the restrictions in sub-paragraph 18 of paragraph 320 of the immigration rules. [107030]

    Mr. Straw
    [holding answer 27 January 2000]: Under paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 the power of the Secretary of State to give instructions to Immigration Officers is limited to instructions which are not inconsistent with the Immigration Rules. In addition, the Secretary of State may give advice to Immigration Officers which they would take into account when exercising their power to grant or refuse leave to enter outside the Immigration Rules. No record is kept of the number of occasions on which such instructions or advice are given and this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost, but I can personally recall only two occasions where I have given a specific instruction under paragraph 1(3).

  AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

    Research Contracts
    Dr. Harris
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 349W, what restrictions were placed on contractors carrying out research projects funded by his Department in 1999 in respect of them discussing their findings with journalists (a) before and (b) after publication. [108206]

    Ms Quin
    The Department's approach to the release of research information was set out in the reply to the hon. Member on 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 349W. This approach applies equally to discussion of findings with journalists both before and after publication of results.

    Beef Special Premium Scheme
    Mr. Sawford
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money was available for the United Kingdom from the European Union for the Beef Special Premium Scheme in each year from 1990. [108481]

    1993

    1994

    1995

    1996

    1997

    1998

    1999

    Anglia (Cambridge)

    154

    147

    142

    168

    163

    55

    120

    Northern (Carlisle)

    228

    62

    81

    144

    158

    108

    96

    East Midlands (Nottingham)

    319

    230

    243

    282

    263

    195

    138

    South East (Reading)

    448

    381

    303

    279

    279

    144

    128

    Wessex (Bristol)

    801

    411

    288

    275

    314

    168

    71

    North Mercia (Crewe)

    242

    205

    322

    530

    343

    222

    102

    South West (Exeter)

    120

    45

    93

    70

    75

    80

    131

    North East (Northallerton)

    370

    321

    359

    245

    296

    245

    168

    South Mercia (Worcester)

    266

    221

    163

    271

    220

    144

    150

    Totals

    2,948

    2,023

    1,994

    2,264

    2,111

    1,361

    1,104

    Baby Foods
    Ms Shipley
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will lower the advised sugar content included in his guidance on packaged baby food. [108584]

    Ms Quin
    MAFF has not issued advice on the sugar content of packaged baby foods as statutory controls are laid down in the Processed Cereal Based Foods and Baby Foods for Infants and Young Children Regulations 1997. These Regulations implement European rules and any amendments would need to be agreed at Community level.

    Farmer Incomes
    Mr. Waterson
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers have sources of income from part-time employment in addition to farming. [108782]

    Ms Quin
    For farmers and spouses on full-time farms in England, it is estimated that around 20 per cent. had income from employment or self-employment outside the farm in 1998–99.
    422W
    Ms Quin
    The Beef Special Premium Scheme was introduced in 1993. Payments are fully funded, but claims are restricted by a UK regional ceiling of 1,419,811 for bulls and first premium payment on steers; there is no ceiling on the second premium payment for steers. The payments made in the UK since the Scheme started are:

    Year

    £

    1993

    100,876,973

    1994

    129,572,732

    1995

    161,402,817

    1996

    179,175,135

    1997

    179,117,456

    1998

    169,699,784

    19991

    153,273,789

    1 Forecast

    Mr. Sawford
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many claims under the Beef Special Premium Scheme were rejected in each year from 1990 broken down by each Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regional office. [108482]

    Ms Quin
    The present Beef Special Premium Scheme was introduced in 1993. The table shows the information requested.

    Pigmeat
    Mr. Fabricant
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has requested meat-purchasing Government agencies to buy British pigmeat or only pigmeat produced to standards of animal welfare equivalent to those of the United Kingdom. [108733]

    Ms Quin
    In respect of pigmeat, we have sought to persuade public authorities that buying to British welfare and other standards (eg meat and bonemeal-free feed regimes) offers good value and meets the needs of their "customers". To back up this message, my right hon. Friend the Minister has written to a number of Government Departments and to local councils and health authorities in England to emphasise the importance of sourcing to British standards.

    Responses received so far (over 100) indicate that those public authorities who do not currently source to British standards are looking to change the specifications in their tendering procedures.

  FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

    Austria
    Mr. Hopkins
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement
    423W
    on the rise of the Freedom Party in Austria and its implications for Austria's relations with the United Kingdom. [109185]

    Mr. Vaz
    We have made very clear over the last two weeks our deep concern and distaste at the inclusion in the Austrian Government of a far-right party which appeals to xenophobia. We have welcomed the fact that the new Austrian Government have committed themselves to abiding by the common obligations and values of EU membership, to combating all forms of discrimination, and to dealing constructively with the country's Nazi past, but we will be watching them closely and judging them on whether they fulfil the commitments they have made.

    Mr. Lilley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under which provisions of the European Treaties the(a) Commission and (b) European Presidency are seeking to influence the composition of the Government of Austria. [109028]

    Mr. Vaz
    The Portuguese Government on behalf of 14 members of the EU have made clear our concern on developments in Austria. The European Commission has also voiced its concern. The measures agreed by the 14 partners were not decided upon and are not being implemented within the framework of the EU or EC treaties, and Austria will continue to participate in EU business. For our part, I have made clear our deep concern and distaste at the inclusion in the Austrian Government of a far-right party which appeals to xenophobia. We will be judging the new Austrian Government carefully on whether they fulfil the commitments they have made in their Declaration to abide by all common obligations and values of EU membership.

    Departmental Staff
    Ms Christine Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the last five years, what proportion of women employees in (i) his Department and (ii) executive agencies under the control of his 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. [109238]

    Mr. Hain
    The Department is committed to facilitating the early return to work of staff who take maternity leave. Flexible working arrangements are available for women who do not wish to return to work full-time after giving birth. The detailed information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

    Pakistan
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects on the armed forces in Pakistan of the recent suspension of British arms sales to Pakistan. [108905]

    Mr. Hain
    [holding answer 8 February 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 11 February 2000, Official Report, column 336W.

    Kosovo
    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom police officers have been deployed(a) in Pristina and (b) throughout Kosovo in the last 12 months. [109713]

    Mr. Hain
    [holding answer 11 February 2000]: In July 1999, five UK police officers transferred from the International Police Task Force in Bosnia to assist the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo with the establishment of a Police Headquarters in Pristina. Their mission finished at the end of October 1999.

    52 UK police officers were also members of six successive UK Scenes of Crime Teams, who were gathering forensic evidence from war graves throughout Kosovo over periods of three weeks at a time, from July to October last year.

    Since August 1999, 32 UK police officers have been in Vucitrn at the OSCE Police Training School. This number is shortly to rise to 40 officers.

    In addition, 60 RUC officers were deployed in early November 1999 to the UN International Police in Kosovo. Of these 60, 32 are based in Pristina, and the remaining 28 have been deployed to small towns in the British Sector surrounding Pristina.

    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Kosovo Albanian prisoners are detained in Serbia. [109717]

    Mr. Vaz
    [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The International Committee of the Red Cross, which is in regular contact with the Belgrade authorities, has visited a total of around 1,570 Kosovo Albanians currently detained in Serbia.

    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by(a) UNMIK, (b) the EU and (c) the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, to (i) secure the release of the Kosovo Albanian prisoners detained in Serbia and (ii) ameliorate the conditions of their detention. [109718]

    Mr. Vaz
    [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The International Committee of the Red Cross is in regular contact with the authorities in Belgrade about the situation of the Kosovo Albanians held in Serbia. We remain in close touch with the ICRC. Several hundred of those detained last year have been released in recent months. We hope that all those still being held are either released or have their cases processed quickly. It is unacceptable that people should be detained without trial for so long.

    General Pinochet
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the diplomatic messages to(a) Chile, (b) Spain, (c) France, (d) Belgium and (e) Switzerland concerning General Pinochet since 1 October 1998. [110116]

    Mr. Battle
    It is not possible to provide a fully comprehensive list without incurring disproportionate costs. However I assure my hon. Friend that the matter has been frequently raised.
    425W
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list meetings between(a) ministers, (b) embassy staff and (c) officials and representatives of the Governments of (i) Spain, (ii) Chile, (iii) France, (iv) Belgium and (v) Switzerland at which the subject of General Pinochet has been raised, since 1 October 1998. [110115]

    Mr. Battle
    It is not possible to provide a fully comprehensive list of all the meetings at which the subject of Senator Pinochet has been raised since 1 October 1998 without incurring disproportionate costs. The matter has, inevitably, been raised on innumerable occasions.

    Bahrain
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held by Her Majesty's Government's representatives with the Government of Bahrain concerning the restoration of the constitution; and if he will make a statement. [109485]

    Mr. Hain
    Although Bahrain's Parliament is suspended, the constitution remains in place. We take every opportunity to encourage the trend towards greater participation in the government of Bahrain. We welcome the Amirs' National Day statement in which he announced municipal elections with votes for women and expressed hopes that the Shura Council will develop in order to deepen popular participation in decision making.

    Somalia
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by United Kingdom representatives at the United Nations to promote a peace process in Somalia. [109486]

    Mr. Hain
    In recent years the UN Secretary-General has regularly reported to the Security Council on Somalia. After the most recent report in August last year, the UK representative repeated our full support for the Secretary-General's efforts to promote peace in Somalia and encouraged him to review the role of the UN in Somalia, including exploration of possible support for civil society as a means of increasing the chances of achieving a comprehensive and lasting settlement. The Security Council imposed a mandatory arms embargo in its Resolution 733 of 23 January 1992. We have consistently called for it to be properly enforced.

    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the backlog of outstanding cases of entry clearance applications for Somali nationals, broken down by the diplomatic posts which received them. [109490]

    Mr. Vaz
    Detailed information on the nationality of entry clearance applicants is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department is taking to assist peace processes in Somalia; and if he will make a statement. [109491]

    Mr. Hain
    Together with the rest of the international community, we have supported the efforts of regional and other interested states and regional organisations, including 426W
    the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Organisation of African Unity and the Arab League, to facilitate the peace process in Somalia.

    The President of IGAD, Djibouti President Ismael Omar Guelleh, is in the process of putting together new peace proposals. We welcome this initiative and look forward to seeing these proposals in detail, but the ultimate responsibility for achieving national reconciliation and for restoring peace in Somalia rests with the Somali people themselves.

    Iraq
    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Minister of State's oral statement of 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 29WH, on Iraq, if he will list the food sold by Iraq to Syria in 1999–2000. [110039]

    Mr. Hain
    We have reliable eyewitness reports from as early as 1998 of Iraqi foodstuffs including dates, honey, rice and cooking oil being exported to and sold in Syria. Some of the goods were clearly labelled as having been donated to Iraq by third countries. The concern of those governments for the well-being of the Iraqi people is not shared by the Iraqi regime.

    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Minister of State's oral statement of 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 30WH, what reports he has received from Christine Gosden about disease in the Basra area. [110087]

    Mr. Hain
    I met Christine Gosden on 26 November 1999 to discuss her findings about disease in northern Iraq, as a result of the murderous attacks on Halabja by Saddam Hussein' s forces. We did not discuss disease in the Basra area.

    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received since 1 January 1999 from(a) Iran, (b) Jordan, (c) Turkey, (d) Saudi Arabia and (e) the Gulf States about Iraq being a threat to regional peace. [110038]

    Mr. Hain
    The GCC, in the communiqué issued after its twentieth summit last year, renewed its call for the need for Iraq to prove its peaceful intentions in word and deed towards its neighbours. Contacts with other regional states confirm that they too remain concerned about the threat posed by Iraq.

    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Minister of State's oral statement of 8 February 2000,Official Report, column 31WH, on Iraq, what is the location of the vast regional wetland to which he refers. [110040]

    Mr. Hain
    In the early 1970s the southern marshes of Iraq covered 5,200 square km west of the Tigris river. Following concerted efforts by the Iraqi government to drain the wetland, including the construction of an east-west dam and a north-south canal, by 1993 very little standing water remained in the area. I have arranged for photographs of the area in 1972 and 1993 to be placed in the Library of the House.

    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Minister of State's oral statement of 8 February 2000,Official Report,

    427W
    column 29WH, on Iraq, if he will seek an explanation from the Iraqi Government of their reasons for the purchase of bank note counting machines. [110036]

    Mr. Haim
    No. The distribution plan for "oil for food" is drawn up by Iraq and approved by the UN Secretary-General. Iraq's last three distribution plans have included allocations for bank note counting machines. On each occasion the Secretary-General has refused to approve this allocation on the grounds that bank note counting machines are not consistent with the objectives of "oil for food".

    Lebanon
    Dr. Starkey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Israeli Government concerning their recent bombing of power stations in Lebanon. [109963]

    Mr. Hain
    We have raised our concerns about the escalation of violence in Lebanon with the Israeli government. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the April 1996 Understanding. These incidents confirm the urgent need for renewed efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace in the region, including implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 425.

    Angola
    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with oil companies operating in Angola about restricting oil revenues from funding the war and corrupt politicians. [109253]

    Mr. Hain
    I met London representatives of major oil companies active in Angola on 30 November. I made it clear that I was concerned that Angola's oil revenues should be used for the benefit of all the people of Angola. I am particularly concerned that such revenues contribute to enhancing the Angolan skill base and reconstructing her shattered infrastructure.

    I made the same point when I met President Dos Santos of Angola in New York on 24 January. I intend to reinforce it when I visit Angola, I hope in the first half of this year.

    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with De Beers to restrict the sale of Angolan diamonds that may be funding the purchase of armaments. [109254]

    Mr. Hain
    I and my officials are in regular touch with De Beers about the problems of the illicit diamond trade funding the UNITA movement in Angola. I welcomed De Beers' statement on 5 October 1999 that they would not buy diamonds from Angola beyond those they were contracted to from the Angolan Government, and I have asked for both their views and those of other diamond traders on how an effective certification scheme could be implemented to stop the sale of diamonds in breach of 428W
    UN sanctions. This statement should send a clear message to UNITA that the international community condemns their return to conflict.

    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the British Ambassador in Angola about stepping up sanctions against Angola. [109255]

    Mr. Hain
    I and my officials are in regular touch with the Ambassador in Luanda and her staff about all aspects of the current situation in Angola, including the need to ensure rigorous implementation of UN sanctions against the UNITA rebel movement and the identification of individual and corporate sanctions breakers. There are no sanctions targeted against the Government of Angola.

    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Ukrainian Government about restricting the supply of tanks and other arms to Angola; and what was the outcome. [109256]

    Mr. Hain
    UN Security Council Resolution 864 of 15 September 1993 imposed an embargo on the sale of arms and petroleum products to Angola except through specific entry points named by the Government of Angola. The aim of this was to prevent arms from reaching the UNITA rebel movement. Ukraine has made clear its commitment to increasing the effectiveness of UN sanctions. It is currently a member of the UN Security Council. We have been in regular touch with the Ukrainian authorities, both in London and Kiev, about the problems of equipment of Ukrainian origin reaching the UNITA rebel movement in Angola. Ukrainian Government sales of equipment to the Angolan Government are not covered by the UN sanctions against UNITA. I am sending a team of officials to Kiev between 14 and 17 March for detailed discussions with the Ukrainian authorities on how we can co-operate to prevent this.

    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what activities are being undertaken by the United Nations to bring about a political solution in Angola. [109257]

    Mr. Hain
    Between 1993 and 1998, the United Nations Security Council adopted a range of targeted sanctions against UNITA to reduce Savimbi's ability to rebuild his military capability and encourage him to return to the negotiating table. To ensure the sanctions are as effective as possible, UNSCR 1237 of 7 May 1999 established two expert panels to investigate reports of violations of the arms and oil embargoes, diamond ban and freeze on UNITA funds. They will submit their findings shortly, including recommendations on tightening implementation of these measures.

    On 15 October 1999 the Security Council adopted Resolution 1268 to establish a UN office in Angola (UNOA) to liaise with the political, military, police and other civilian authorities with a view to exploring effective measures for restoring peace, assisting the Angolan people in the areas of capacity building, humanitarian assistance, the promotion of human rights

    429W
    and co-ordinating other activities. And the Secretary-General has appointed Ibrahim Gambari as his special adviser on African issues, whose responsibilities include Angola. The UN has been working closely with the Government of Angola to agree the Status of Mission Agreement to establish UNOA as mandated by the Resolution. We expect the head of UNOA to be appointed in the near future.

  INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Locally Employed Staff (Wages)
    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her policy on paying her Department's employees overseas the British minimum wage. [106331]

    Clare Short
    DFID pays staff appointed in-country overseas according to good employer practice in the conditions prevailing in local labour markets. Pay rates are established by wage surveys among embassies, high commissions and major international companies and organisations. The UK minimum wage was set in relation to UK conditions and has no particular relevance in the overseas context—especially in those economies where inflation may be substantially greater than the low rates prevailing in Britain and where fluctuating exchange rates would make any sterling benchmark figure a continuously variable target.

    Mr. Streeter
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the salary is for her Department's locally employed staff in(a) Harare, (b) Dhaka, (c) Nairobi and (d) Jura. [106642]

    Clare Short
    The information requested is as follows:

    (a) Harare

    Z dollars

    Grande

    Minimum

    Maximum

    A3

    589,608

    1,075,704

    B1

    388,752

    702,648

    B2

    297,972

    529,572

    C1

    214,080

    412,872

    C2

    132,420

    269,220

    C3

    106,548

    178,872

    (b) Dhaka

    Taka

    Grade

    Minimum

    Maximum

    LE(E)

    555,120

    610,632

    LEII

    417,600

    506,640

    LEIII

    232,440

    310,980

    LEIV

    183,960

    246,600

    LEVb

    154,500

    —

    (c) Nairobi

    K shillings

    Grade

    Minimum

    Maximum

    SPSO

    2,051,424

    3,305,184

    PSO

    1,568,748

    2,446,788

    LEI

    1,049,472

    1,529,712

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    (c) Nairobi

    K shillings

    Grade

    Minimum

    Maximum

    LEII

    715,872

    1,151,352

    LEIII

    407,052

    819,492

    LEIV

    339,792

    606,312

    LEVa

    226,536

    375,936

    LEVb

    195,936

    295,056

    (d) DFID currently has no employees in Juba.

    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of her Department's locally employed staff in(a) Harare, (b) Dhaka and (c) Pretoria are paid below the British minimum wage. [106326]

    Clare Short
    My Department pays its staff appointed in country in accordance with good employer practice and the conditions prevailing in local labour markets. The UK minimum wage has no particular relevance in those contexts-especially in those economies where inflation may be substantially greater than the low rates prevailing in the UK. Because of the effect of fluctuating exchange rates, the figure requested cannot be determined in absolute terms. It may be estimated by applying the exchange rate prevailing at any point in time to the following data on annual salary rates and the number of hours worked per week:

    Grade

    Currency

    Minimum

    Maximum

    Number in grade

    Hours per week

    (a) Harare

    A3

    Z dollars

    589,608

    1,075,704

    1

    37.5

    B1

    Z dollars

    388,752

    702,648

    9

    37.5

    B2

    Z dollars

    297,972

    529,572

    12

    37.5

    C1

    Z dollars

    214,080

    412,872

    12

    37.5

    C2

    Z dollars

    132,420

    269,220

    4

    37.5

    C3

    Z dollars

    106,548

    178,872

    3

    38

    (b) Dhaka

    LE(E)

    Take

    555,120

    610,632

    2

    35

    LEI

    Taka

    417,600

    506,640

    3

    35

    LEII

    Taka

    232,440

    310,980

    8

    35

    LEIII

    Taka

    183,960

    246,600

    6

    35

    LEVb

    Taka

    154,500

    —

    2

    35

    (c) Pretoria

    B1

    Rand

    110,460

    171,360

    2

    36.5

    B2

    Rand

    72,590

    122,640

    14

    36.5

    C1

    Rand

    52,500

    81,445

    8

    36.5

    C2

    Rand

    34,500

    61,992

    5

    36.5

    Somalia
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects in Somalia supported by her Department as part of (a) multilateral and (b) bilateral projects; and if she will make a statement. [109487]

    Clare Short
    We do not have a bilateral aid programme to Somalia. Humanitarian projects currently funded by DFID are as follows:Action Centre La Faim: "Emergency Nutritional Intervention in Gedo and Bakool Regions" (£96,122)
    AMREF UK: "Luuq District Health Programme" (£288,735)
    World Vision: "Primary Health Care in Juba" (£281,703)
    World Vision: "Agricultural Rehabilitation Programme, Middle Juba" (£198,230)

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    In addition the following Civil Society Fund Projects are funded:
    Action Aid: "Pastoralism and Peace Building" (£440,896)
    Africa Educational Trust: "Educational Incentives—Girls/Young Ex-Militia Men" (£83,411)
    Africa Education Trust: "Organisation/Skills Training in Community Schools" (£51,660).

    There is currently one multilateral project funded by DFID: UNICEF "Supplementary Feeding Programme, Bardera" (£00,000). Britain also supports the work of other multilateral agencies in Somalia including the World Food Programme. In addition we are contributing £4.38 million as our contribution to a Euro 47m EC Rehabilitation Programme.

    We are monitoring the humanitarian situation in Somalia closely and will continue to respond to urgent needs as they arise. Many of the problems facing the Somali people are, directly or indirectly, the result of political instability. We believe the problems of Somalia as a whole must be resolved by the Somalis themselves and we fully support the current initiative of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote a peaceful solution.

    Child Employment
    Mr. Burden
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to help reduce the employment of child workers. [109333]

    Clare Short
    We are strongly committed to the elimination of child labour. We have actively supported the development of the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) new Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labour. We are providing core and project funding to ILO's International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).

    Activities to end child labour need to address the main cause—poverty. Parents do not let their children work in dangerous and exhausting industries by choice. Any sustainable solution will have to include alternative income-earning opportunities for poor families. However, in many places finding alternative forms of income is difficult. The best outcome for many children may be to combine work with education. This may be the first step in breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty.

    Much of our work is aimed at promoting economic growth, improving access to education and increasing job opportunities. We are also supporting a number of initiatives which focus specifically on child labourers and their families including significant programmes in both India and Pakistan and, through ILO, in Indonesia. We are developing a strategic approach to child labour in Asia which will look at key international, regional and national stakeholders with interests in or influence on child labour. These strategies are looking at not just child worker specific projects but also the need for special efforts in wider education, rural livelihoods and urban-based programmes, to include children who work. We hope through these projects to develop successful approaches
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    which can be replicated elsewhere. However, in the long term it is through a comprehensive process of sustainable development that change will come about.

    Pakistan
    Mr. Chaytor
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will give a breakdown of the humanitarian aid being directed through non-Governmental organisations to Pakistan in 1999–2000, listing for each project (a) the NGO concerned, (b) the recipient organisation, (c) the sum involved and (d) the purpose of the project. [109336]

    Clare Short
    As the information is lengthy, it has been placed in the Library.

    Angola
    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current situation in Angola concerning the need for humanitarian aid and the supply of such aid. [109251]

    Clare Short
    The UN estimate 3.7 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2000. Two million of these are internally displaced. The conflict has caused large numbers of others to move to neighbouring countries to escape the conflict. The humanitarian status of one third of the population, in inaccessible areas, remains unknown.

    The UK has committed about £7.5 million since the beginning of 1999 to international Non Governmental Organisations and UN Agencies. This includes US$6.2 million (some £3.8 million) for food aid through the World Food Programme. In addition, we contribute through our membership of the European Community.

    The United Kingdom has called on all concerned to help facilitate safe passage for humanitarian personnel and the delivery of emergency assistance in areas under their control.

    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to what extent the situation in Angola permits the provision of development aid as well as humanitarian aid; and if she will list the current provision of such aid. [109252]

    Clare Short
    The on-going civil war in Angola is a severe constraint to sustainable development. The quality of public expenditure and corruption are both serious concerns. Britain does not have a bilateral aid relationship with the Government of Angola. However, we provide humanitarian assistance to those in need and are also supporting the Luanda Urban Poverty Programme, which started in 1999, working through international Non Governmental Organisations to tackle the needs and priorities of the urban poor in Luanda.

  SOCIAL SECURITY

    Benefits Agency Doctors
    Mr. Dobbin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that (1) training
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    for Benefits Agency doctors draws attention to the need for sensitivity in their dealings with vulnerable claimants; [109032]

    (2) benefit claimants doctors receive appropriate training in the working of the benefit system. [109033]

    Mr. Bayley
    Training for Benefit Agency doctors is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

    Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Dobbin, dated 11 February 2000:
    The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about what plans he has to ensure that training for Benefits Agency doctors draws attention to the need for sensitivity in their dealings with vulnerable claimants, and that they receive appropriate training in the working of the benefit system.
    All examining doctors, employed by Sema Group and engaged by Nestor Disability Analysis (NDA), receive training in the Professional Standards of Medical Services. These standards include a requirement for doctors to be accessible, punctual, reliable, presentable, approachable, courteous, and friendly. Other specified standards include the requirement for the doctor to introduce him or herself to the person to be examined; to allow the claimant time to give their history, asking any questions in a non-adversarial manner; to explain the purpose of the examination; and to carry out the examination gently to avoid any unnecessary discomfort to the claimant.
    The Chief Medical Advisor to the Department is responsible for setting the standards which all doctors, undertaking medical examinations, must achieve, and approves all training material.
    The subject of professional standards is discussed during initial training and the standards are listed in full in the guidance notes that are given to each doctor. The training currently in place, ensures that all examining doctors are fully aware of the need for sensitivity whilst carrying out medical assessments on vulnerable claimants with disabilities.
    As part of their training doctors are made aware of how their role fits into the overall benefit process. However, they do not make decisions on benefit claims nor do they offer advice on the technical details of the benefit concerned, these are matters for the Benefits Agency Local Offices.
    I hope this is helpful.

    Fraud
    Mr. Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many members of BASIS's Business Development Team are(a) under investigation for suspected fraud and (b) not discharging duties for some other reason. [108960]

    Mr. Rooker
    This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

    Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 11 February 2000:
    The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many members of BASIS's Business Development Team are (a) under investigation for suspected fraud and (b) not discharging duties for some other reason.
    The Business Development Team provides a number of support services for the rest of BASIS and currently has 27 staff.
    All allegations and suspicions of fraud on the part of Benefits Agency (BA) staff are properly considered and fully investigated. Whilst some investigations do unearth irregularities on the part of the staff and result in various penalties for those involved, many establish that the individuals have acted with propriety and are not involved in inappropriate activities.
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    It is important that investigations of this kind remain confidential, not only to protect innocent staff, but also to avoid alerting fraudulent staff to the fact that their activities are being examined.
    I hope you will accept therefore that it would be inappropriate to provide you with any details of investigations of suspected fraud by BA staff that may currently be underway. Information on fraud detected on the part of BA staff is available in Her Majesties Treasury Return published in January 2000.
    There are no members of the BASIS's Business Development Team that we would regard as not discharging their duties.
    I hope this is helpful.

    Housing Benefit
    Mr. Colman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the 10(a) best and (b) worst performing local authorities in England in terms of (i) average time taken to process a claim for housing benefit and (ii) the number of housing benefit awards reviewed and subsequently found to be incorrect. [108984]

    Angela Eagle
    The information is not available.

    We aim to transform the delivery of Housing Benefit so that local authorities provide their communities with a faster, more accurate service which is more secure against fraud and error, and which provides value for money and takes account of the views and needs of clients. Best value performance indicators will target these key areas from this April. Local authorities will be required to set and meet challenging targets against the indicators and demonstrate that they are achieving continuous improvements in the standards of service they provide.

    Mr. Cox
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of housing benefit claimants who are(a) tenants of registered social landlords and (b) tenants of private landlords are affected by the four weeks in arrears rule; and what is the average weekly level of housing benefit paid to tenants in both of those groups. [109366]

    Angela Eagle
    The information is in the table.

    Housing Benefit recipients, tenants of registered social landlords and private landlords, Great Britain—May 1998

    Tenants of registered social landlords

    Tenants of private landlords

    All recipients

    840,000

    971,000

    Paid four weeks in arrears

    242,000

    352,000

    Proportion paid four weeks in arrears—percentage

    29

    36

    Average weekly amount of Housing Benefit

    £54.50

    £61.10

    Notes:

    1. Figures are the latest available.

    2. The number of recipients are rounded to the nearest thousand, proportions to the nearest whole per cent. and average amounts of benefit to the nearest ten pence.

    3. Recipients refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

    Source:

    Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries taken on the second Thursday in May 1998.

    Mr. Dobbin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made in the pilot local authorities taking part in the review of housing benefit procedures; and if he will make a statement. [109034]
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    Angela Eagle
    Local authorities are involved in a number of initiatives aimed at improving the administration and delivery of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, including several pilots. Through initiatives such as the pilot ONE service, local and central government are working together to streamline the operation of the benefit system and help clients move from welfare into work.

    A range of benefits for clients of working age, including Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, are assessed via a single point of contact as part of the ONE service. This offers an opportunity to move away from the duplication and inefficiency of the present system, with customers providing information only once. Clients take part in a work-focused interview where they receive in-depth, individual help from a personal adviser. This puts work, and helping people overcome barriers to work, at the heart of the benefit system.

    Twelve pilots are testing three variants of the ONE service over three years. The first four basic model pilots were launched on 28 June 1999. A further eight pilots, four assessing the use of call centre technology and four led by private and voluntary sector organisations, commenced on 29 November 1999.

    Fifty-six local authorities are working in partnership with the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service to trial this new way of working. Local authority involvement in ONE is important not only because of the authorities' responsibilities for delivery Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, but also because of their expertise in providing a wide range of local services and information. Local authorities have also provided valuable input to the design and development of the ONE service.

    While it is too early to measure the degree of success we have had in helping people move into sustainable employment, the improved level of customer service and the focus on individual needs have been well received by our clients.

    Benefit

    Rate since 1996

    Current rate April 1999

    Value at April 2000 if increased in line with prices since 19961

    IS/JSA Earnings Disregard2:

    Per person

    5

    5

    5.45

    Couple

    10

    10

    10.85

    Lone parent

    15

    15

    16.35

    HB/CTB Earnings Disregard2:

    Single person

    5

    5

    5.45

    Couple

    10

    10

    10.85

    Lone parent

    15

    15

    16.35

    Lone parent

    25

    25

    27.25

    Carer

    15

    15

    16.35

    HB/CTB/FC/DWA 2

    Child care disregard

    60

    70

    65.40

    Income Support Disregard2

    Regular charitable/voluntary payments

    20

    20

    21.80

    Verification Framework
    Mr. Cox
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what systems are in place to scrutinise the effectiveness of verification framework practices; and when the results of that scrutiny will be published. [109367]

    Angela Eagle
    We will use information from a range of sources to monitor the effectiveness of the Verification Framework (VF) in helping local authorities to improve accuracy and reduce fraud and error from entering the Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit system. We have monitored the live running of the VF from its launch and have already made several improvements to the VF in the light of operational experience to enable LAs to focus more on the outcomes that we require rather than specifying detailed process requirements.

    The information we will use includes: management information provided by individual local authorities on a quarterly basis; information and reports from representative groups and individuals; inspections made by the BFI and checking compliance with the VF through external auditors at the same time as the normal audit of administration subsidy.

    We have also commissioned an independent research company to conduct in depth research with local authorities to evaluate the implementation and operation of the Verification Framework. We plan to publish the findings in early 2001.

    We will continue to monitor the VF and will consider further improvements when we have analysed information from the range of sources available.

    Disregards
    Mr. Kidney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the capital and income disregards for the benefits for which his Department is responsible indicating(a) the increases in levels of disregard for each year since 1997 and (b) the increases that would have been required to match the rate of inflation since 1996. [108824]

    Mr. Bayley
    The information is in the table.
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    Benefit

    Rate since 1996

    Current rate April 1999

    Value at April 2000 if increased in line with prices since 19961

    Invalid Care Allowance Earnings Limit3

    50

    50

    55.20

    War Pension disregard for Income Related benefits2

    5

    10

    5.45

    10

    10

    10.85

    IS/JSA/HB/CTB 2:

    Income from a boarder

    20

    20

    21.80

    Disregard of income from a sub-tenant plus heating

    13.25

    13.25

    14.50

    Disregard of Training Bonus2

    200

    200

    217.95

    FC/DWA/HB/CTB2

    Income disregard as IS but also Maintenance disregard

    15

    15

    16.35

    Student Loan disregard for Income Related Benefits 2

    Student's Covenanted Income Benefit

    10

    10

    10.85

    Disregard for Income Related Benefits

    5

    5

    5.45

    IS/JSA 2:

    Amount for meals breakfast rate

    1.10

    1.10

    1.25

    Amount for meals other

    1.55

    1.55

    1.75

    IS:

    Personal Expenses for Clmt and partner, Polish Home, Ilford Park2

    17.35

    17.35

    18.95

    For Dependant child aged 18

    15.55

    15.55

    16.95

    JSA (Contribution-based) 2

    Occupational/Personal Pension Disregard

    50

    50

    54.50

    Pneumoconiosis, Byssinosis and Misc. Diseases Scheme Max. Death3

    300

    300

    331.10

    War Pensions Education Allowance2

    120

    120

    130.75

    SF Funeral Payments2 (one-off lump sum)

    1,000

    1,000

    1,089.80

    IS/FC2

    Capital Limits:

    Lower

    3,000

    3,000

    3,269.55

    Upper

    8,000

    8,000

    8,718.80

    Housing Benefit 2

    Capital Limits (Upper)

    16,000

    16,000

    17,437.60

    IS/HB for Residential Care and Nursing Homes 2

    Capital Limits:

    Upper

    16,000

    16,000

    17,437.60

    Lower

    10,000

    10,000

    10,898.55

    Community Charge Benefit/Council Tax Benefit 2

    Capital Limits (Upper)

    16,000

    16,000

    17,437.60

    Disability Working Allowance 2

    Capital Limits (Upper)

    16,000

    16,000

    17,437.60

    Child's Capital Limits2

    3,000

    3,000

    3,269.55

    Social Fund 2

    Capital Limits

    1,000

    1,000

    1,089.80

    1 The figures are rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating date.

    2 For income-related benefits the ROSSI index (Retail Prices Index less rent, local taxes and mortgage interest payments) as published by the Office for National Statistics.

    3 The Retail Prices Index (all items) as published by the Office for National Statistics.

    Simplification Project
    Mr. Cox
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the findings of the Simplification Project. [109365]

    Angela Eagle
    I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 9 February 2000,Official Report, column 210W.

    Data Protection
    Mr. Webb
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the implications of the Data Protection Act 1986 for his plans to issue combined forecasts of state and private pension entitlements. [109843]

    Mr. Rooker
    In developing our plans for combined pension forecasts we have considered carefully the data
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    protection implications and consulted the Data Protection Registrar.

    We intend to include a measure in the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill which will provide that details of State pension rights can be passed to employers and pension scheme providers unless individuals have indicated that they do not want such information disclosed. This measure will include safeguards to ensure that individual rights are properly protected while minimising the administrative burden on employers and pension providers of providing the new service.

    Stakeholder Pensions
    Mr. Webb
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to prevent sellers of stakeholder pensions from declining to make their products available to certain categories of employees. [109841]

    Mr. Rooker
    Stakeholder pension schemes set up under a trust will be able to restrict membership

    Number of appeals heard by the Independent Tribunal Service/Appeals Service during the period 1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999 and the number of those appeals which decided in the appellant's favour

    Period

    Number of appeals heard and decided

    Decided in appellant"a favour

    Proportion of successful appeals (%)

    1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999

    276,074

    96,450

    34.9

    Source:

    100 per cent. download of the Appeals Service Generic Appeals Processing System (GZPS).

    The limited information available for the period 1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998 is included in the following table.

    Period

    Number of appeals heard and decided

    Decided in appellant"a favour

    Proportion of successful appeals (%)

    1 May 1997 to 30 April 19981

    97,620

    30,985

    31.7

    1 July 1997 to 31 December 19972

    59,044

    18,787

    31.8

    1 Information obtained from GAPS system introduced at the end of 1997. Some cases processed before GAPS became operational, and not recorded on other systems, were input to GAPS.

    2This information has been obtained from clerically maintained quarterly statistical reports of Social Security Appeals Tribunals that were kept until the introduction of the GAPS system.

    Information about the amount of benefit arrears paid following appeals that found in favour of appellants is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    Correspondence
    Mr. Salmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to the letter of 5 November 1999 from the hon. member for Banff and Buchan regarding benefit payments and rural post offices. [110011]

    Mr. Rooker
    A reply was issued to the hon. Member on Friday 11 February.

    Winter Fuel Payments
    Mr. Gale
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when claim forms for the winter fuel payments will be made available. [109821]

    Angela Eagle
    The decision to extend the Winter Fuel Payment scheme to people aged 60 and over will mean that some of those who are newly eligible will need to
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    of a given trade or organisation. However, they will not be able to limit access using financial criteria. Details for alternative governance schemes are currently being developed and we will be making an announcement regarding them shortly.

    Appeals
    Mr. Gale
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals were heard by the Independent Tribunal Service and the Appeals Service in(a) May 1997 to April 1998 and (b) May 1998 to April 1999; how many of the appeals in each of the years were successful; what was the total amount paid in benefit arrears arising from those appeals for each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [109820]

    Angela Eagle
    The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

    An enhanced computer system that allows the Appeals Service to record appeals and produce statistical information became operational at the end of 1997.

    claim. It is therefore necessary to devise a claims process to enable these people to make their claims. The Benefits Agency are currently working on this and other operational issues to determine the best way to deliver the payments.

    There is no need for anyone who believes they may now be eligible for a payment to contact the Benefits Agency at present. A further announcement will be made as soon as we are ready to set out how people should claim.

  CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

    Music Library Services (North-West)
    Mr. Peter Ainsworth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with Manchester City Council on the provision of music library services in the north-west. [109320]
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    Mr. Chris Smith
    [holding answer 10 February 2000]: Officials in my Department have been in contact with their opposite numbers at Manchester City Council to discuss their proposed reorganisation of the Central Library and its effect on the Henry Watson Music Library. I understand that no final decisions have been taken by the Council but, under the proposals, the Henry Watson collection would remain intact.

    Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
    Mr. Peter Ainsworth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the Funding Agreement between his Department and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [110118]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    A copy of the Funding Agreement of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLAC) will be placed in the Library of the House, and will also be published on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website when it is concluded and available. Mainstream Funding begins to flow to MLAC in the next financial year.

    Funding Agreements
    Mr. Peter Ainsworth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the funding agreements between his Department and each of the non-departmental public bodies and national museums and galleries which are sponsored by the Department. [110109]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    Copies of the funding agreements between my Department and its non-departmental public bodies were placed in the Library of the House on 26 May 1999. They are also available on my Department's website—www.culture.gov.uk.

    Departmental Contracts
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the number and value of contracts let by his Department since May 1997 to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. [109451]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    [holding answer 10 February 2000]: My Department has let one contract specifically for such services at a value of £3,000 per annum.

    Burma (Olympic Games)
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to support measures to bar Burma from participating in this summer's Olympic Games; and if he will make a statement. [109804]

    Kate Hoey
    It is the responsibility of the International Olympic Committee and the Games organisers to set the rules for participation in the Olympics.

    Millennium Dome
    Mr. Peter Ainsworth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last visited the Millennium Dome. [109469]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    [holding answer 10 February 2000]: I attended the Dome Opening Celebration on 31 December 1999.

    New Millennium Experience Company
    Mr. Peter Ainsworth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the date by which all of the Dome's sponsors will have signed contracts with NMEC. [104432]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    [holding answer 13 January 2000]: Seven contracts were outstanding and reported to the House in my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 14 December 1999, Official Report, column 131W. 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 representative parties. The company has every confidence that the contracts will be signed.

    Mr. Peter Ainsworth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if(a) he and (b) other Millennium Commissioners, were consulted about the appointment of the new Chief Executive of the New Millennium Experience Company. [109471]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    [holding answer 10 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

    Subtitling
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent figures he has collated on the level of subtitling on(a) BBC1, (b) BBC2, (c) ITV, (d) Channel 4 and (e) Channel 5; and if he will make a statement. [106969]

    Janet Anderson
    It is for the BBC Governors to monitor the levels of subtitling on BBC services and the Independent Television Commission to monitor the levels of subtitling on ITV, GMTV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. The most recent information available from the BBC is that 63 per cent. of BBC1 and 53 per cent. of BBC2 is subtitled. The latest figures available from the ITC, published in the Commission's Annual Report 1998, is that the level of subtitling of programmes in that year was 61 per cent. on ITV; 42 per cent. on GMTV; 60 per cent. on Channel 4; and 27 per cent. on Channel 5.

    Public Service Broadcasting
    Mr. Peter Ainsworth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the EU Commission regarding the definition of public service broadcasting, with special reference to the system of public funding. [109321]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    [holding answer 10 February 2000]: Officials from my Department met officials from the Commission, Competition Directorate General, on 26 January. The purpose of this meeting was primarily to discuss the decision of the Commission on the matter of BBC 24 Hour News.

    Departmental Expenditure Limit
    Jane Griffiths
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if there are proposals to amend his Department's departmental expenditure limit and running costs limit for 1999–2000. [110379]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for Class XI, Vote 1, the DCMS Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) for 1999–2000 will be increased by £6,181,000 from £995,858,000 to £1,002,139,000.

    This is to provide for increased expenditure of £8,600,000, partly funded by draw down of £2,761,000 of Departmental Unallocated Provision, for meeting the settlement of final accounts on the completion of the St. Pancras building; a transfer of £2,000,000 from the Department for Education and Employment (Class I, Vote 1) for awards to dance and drama students; a transfer of £592,000 from the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Class III, Vote 1) for the maintenance of Marlborough House; increased expenditure of £400,000 on DCMS gross running costs offset by an increase in refunds of eligible deductible input VAT; and to provide for the receipts of £3,200,000 from the National Lottery operator's licence fees and from the National Lottery Distribution Fund to meet the administrative costs of the National Lottery Commission to be appropriated in aid of the Vote.

    The increases will be offset by transfers, savings or a charge on the DEL Reserve, and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

    Orchestras
    Mr. Hilary Benn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the grant-in-aid from public funds for orchestras for each year since 1990 in(a) cash terms and (b) real terms. [109730]

    Mr. Alan Howarth
    Grant-in-aid allocated by the Arts Council of England to the nine subsidised English orchestras is shown in the table.

    £

    Year

    Cash terms

    Real terms

    1990–91

    6,721,000

    8,657,066

    1991–92

    7,721,600

    9,365,191

    1992–93

    9,014,461

    10,583,086

    1993–94

    9,511,500

    10,877,744

    1994–95

    8,869,000

    10,000,112

    1995–96

    8,933,000

    9,789,374

    1996–97

    9,133,000

    9,696,255

    1997–98

    9,133,000

    9,431,020

    1998–99

    9,133,000

    9,133,000

    1999–2000

    9,902,880

    9,684,968

    Media Releases
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the average cost of issuing a media release from his Department in the last 12 months. [108892]

    Mr. Chris Smith
    [holding answer 8 February 2000]: DCMS Press Releases are distributed via the Central Office of Information (COI).
    444W
    In 1999 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport issued 315 press releases. The average cost of distributing a press release via the COI was £50.76, including post, fax, packing, copying, and stationery costs.

    DCMS, in common with all other Government Departments, also contribute to the upkeep of the Central Office of Information's electronic news distribution system. In 1999 that contribution, which is a standing charge and is not related to the number of press releases issued by the Department, totalled £15,862.52.

  TREASURY

    Cambridgeshire Statistics
    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the wards in(a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridge ranked by average earnings. [109533]

    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 Mrs. Helen Brinton, dated 14 February 2000:
    The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question regarding the average earnings of the wards in Peterborough and Cambridge. I am replying in Dr Holt's absence.
    The New Earnings Survey (NES) can only provide ward level earnings data based on where people work, rather than where they live. Additionally we can only provide data where we have a sufficiently large sample of employees, and have an acceptable level of accuracy.
    I have provided the only available data in the table below. These are based on the 1999 NES, the latest survey for which data are available.

    New earnings survey, April 1999 (GB)

    All full-time employees

    Average (£)

    Cambridge

    —

    Trumpington

    407.8

    Newnham

    377.4

    Notes:

    Employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence. Gross weekly earning (including overtime).

    The NES is based on a one per cent sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold and in particular those who work part-time.

    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the population in(a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridge are from ethnic minority groups. [109534]

    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 Pullinger to Mrs. Helen Brinton, dated 14 February 2000:
    The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the percentage of the population in Peterborough and Cambridge who are from ethnic minority groups. I am replying in Dr Holt's absence.
    445W

    The percentages of the resident population in ethnic groups other than 'White', from the 1991 Census are:

    Percentage

    Peterborough district

    7.42

    Cambridge district

    5.89

    These figures were published in Table 5 of the report 1991 Census Key Statistics for Local Authorities laid before Parliament in 1994. This report is available from the House of Commons Library.

    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many job vacancies currently exist in (a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridge. [109536]

    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 Pullinger to Mrs. Helen Brinton, dated February 2000:
    The Director of the Office for National Statistics has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on how many job vacancies currently exist in Peterborough and Cambridge. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
    In December 1999 the number of unfilled vacancies held by Jobcentres, unadjusted for seasonal patterns, was 1,317 in the Peterborough Jobcentre area and 920 in the Cambridge Jobcentre area. Jobcentre vacancies do not represent the total number of vacancies available in the economy. Latest estimates suggest that about a third of all vacancies nationally are notified to Jobcentres.

    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in (a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridge have been unemployed for longer than (i) six months, (ii) 12 months and (iii) 24 months. [109535]

    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 Pullinger to Mrs. Helen Brinton, dated February 2000:
    The Director of the Office for National Statistics has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of people in (a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridge who have been unemployed for longer than six months, twelve months and twenty four months. I am replying in Dr. Holt's absence.
    The ONS publish a monthly count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits. The claimant count consists of all people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance credits at Employment Service local offices. They must declare that they are out of work, capable of, available for and actively seeking work during the week in which the claim is made.
    The information requested is in the table below.

    Unadjusted claimant count by duration (computerised claims only) 1 December 1999

    PCA Peterborough2

    PCA Cambridge 2

    Over 6 months

    602

    584

    Over 12 months

    317

    330

    Over 24 months

    85

    151

    1 Claimant count flows are available for computerised claims only and do not include claims which are processed clerically, which make up about 1 per cent. of the total Claimant count.

    2 Parliamentary Constituency

    Rural Areas (GDP)
    Mr. Breed
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those of the 10 areas with the lowest gross domestic product per head of population which are rural areas. [109891]

    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 Pullinger to Mr. Colin Breed, dated 14 February 2000:
    The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on which of the 10 areas with the lowest gross domestic product (GDP) per head of population are rural.
    The ONS does not publish estimates of GDP per head specifically for rural areas. The most detailed estimates of GDP per head that ONS publishes are for UK NUTS-31 areas. These are based on local government administrative areas, which may cover both urban and rural communities.
    ONS last published estimates of GDP per head at the NUTS-3 level in October 1998, including estimates for 1996. The NUTS-3 areas with lowest GDP per head for 1996, presented in the form of an index where UK=100, are given in the attached table.
    1 All UK NUTS (Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics) areas were defined in an ONS News Release published in June 1998 (ONS(98)199—European Classification of UK Geographic Areas)

    NUTS-3 Area

    1996 GDP/head (UK=100)

    East Lothian and Midlothian

    56

    Sefton

    63

    Wirral

    63

    Central Valleys

    64

    West and South of Northern Ireland

    66

    Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham

    66

    South Nottinghamshire

    67

    East and West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond

    67

    Isle of Anglesey

    68

    Outer London—East and North East1

    69

    Outer Belfast1

    69

    Blackpool1

    69

    1 Ranked joint 10th

    Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
    Ms Drown
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which heavily indebted poor countries have produced poverty reduction strategy papers in partnership with the IMF and World bank; and which countries are in the process of developing such papers. [109528]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are to be national strategies, drawn up by the countries themselves, in consultation with civil society and the World Bank and IMF. Interim PRSPs have been produced by the three countries (Uganda, Bolivia and Mauritania) who recently reached decision point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative.

    Work is currently underway to produce PRSPs in the remaining countries currently in the HIPC process. The Department for International Development and NGOs are providing important technical assistance to countries in that regard. Many countries already have some form of poverty reduction strategy and it is clearly important to build on this to ensure the first principle of the new approach to poverty reduction, that of country ownership.

    Austria (Bilateral Meetings)
    Mr. Jim Murphy
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those previously planned meetings and their subject, between his Department and its Austrian counterpart which have been cancelled since the formation of the new Austrian Government. [109900]

    Miss Melanie Johnson
    A joint statement issued by Portugal, the current holder of the EU presidency, on 31 January 2000, stated that Austria's 14 member state partners in the EU"will not promote or accept any bilateral official contacts at political level with an Austrian Government integrating the FPO [Freedom Party]."

    No bilateral ministerial meetings were scheduled between the Chancellor and Austrian Ministers.

    Israel
    Dr. Starkey
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what action Her Majesty's Customs and Excise is taking to monitor products imported from Israel into Britain to ensure full compliance with (a) Article 38 and (b) other Articles of the Origin Rules Protocol of the EC Trade Agreement with Israel; [109543]

    (2) what investigations Her Majesty's Customs and Excise has conducted and what conclusions it has reached concerning products wholly or substantially processed in Israeli settlements in occupied territories which have been imported into the Community under the EC Trade Agreement with Israel in violation of (a) Article 38 and (b) other Articles of that Agreement's Origin Rules Protocol. [109541]

    Dawn Primarolo
    Following receipt of information indicating that products wholly or substantially processed in Israeli settlements in occupied territories may have been imported into the United Kingdom in violation of both Article 38 and the provisions of the Protocol on Rules of Origin of the EC Trade Agreement with Israel, Customs and Excise has examined a number of documents presented in the past in support of products entered for customs clearance as of Israeli origin. Scrutiny of those documents has failed to substantiate the alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Agreement. Customs and Excise is considering further options for checking the validity of such declarations.

    Worked Ivory seizures 1998 (UK)

    Item

    Number of items

    Country of export

    Country of origin

    Commercial or private

    Ivory and wood trinket box.

    1

    India

    India

    Private

    Ivory artefacts

    2

    —

    India

    Private

    Carved ivory

    1

    —

    —

    Private

    Carved ivory

    7

    —

    —

    Private

    Ivory egg

    1

    —

    South Africa

    Private

    Carved ivory

    1

    —

    Thailand

    Private

    Ivory pipes and cigarette holders

    20

    —

    Thailand

    Commercial

    Ivory jewellery

    10

    Ghana

    —

    Private

    Ivory carvings

    3

    —

    —

    Private

    Items of ivory jewellery

    7

    Holland

    —

    Private

    Ivory sculpture

    1

    —

    —

    Commercial

    Ivory statues

    3

    Australia

    —

    Private

    Ivory pieces

    66

    Zambia

    —

    Commercial

    Elephant ivory

    87

    Hong Kong

    —

    Commercial

    448W
    Dr. Starkey
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action Her Majesty's Customs and Excise is taking on violation by Israel of the Origin Rules Protocol of the EC Trade Agreement with Israel in respect of imports to Britain. [109542]

    Dawn Primarolo
    Customs and Excise is participating in a European Commission initiative to establish the true origin of goods which have been exported to the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade related matters between the European Community and the State of Israel.

    Personal Services (Tax Avoidance)
    Mr. Wigley
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the Chartered Institute of Taxation and from the Institute of Chartered Accountants, concerning his proposals for countering tax and national insurance contribution avoidance in the provision of personal services; and if he will make a statement. [109557]

    Dawn Primarolo
    Both organisations have played a full part in consultations on the proposals. Recently they have been consulted on draft guidance on the application of the employment status rules in typical consultancy situations. The guidance has now been published and can be found on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/ir35

    Ivory
    Angela Smith
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much elephant ivory was seized by HM Customs and Excise in the years (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 to date; and (i) where each shipment originated, (ii) where each shipment was destined, (iii) which shipments were (1) in transit through the United Kingdom and (2) had the United Kingdom as the final intended destination, and (iv) what indication in each of these was of whether the ivory was less than one year old when seized. [109574]

    Dawn Primarolo
    Customs seized 378 items of ivory in 1998 and 15 items of ivory in the first nine months of 1999. Figures for the latter part of 1999, and the first part of this year are not yet available. The following tables set out the number of individual items of ivory seized in each category for the years in question. Customs do not hold central statistics on the age of the ivory when seized, or the number of ivory items found illegally in transit through the United Kingdom, though items in transit would normally be seized.
    449W

    Worked Ivory seizures 1998 (UK)

    Item

    Number of items

    Country of export

    Country of origin

    Commercial or private

    Ivory jewellery

    3

    Ghana

    —

    Private

    Ivory figures

    2

    Singapore

    —

    Commercial

    Ivory pendants

    3

    Egypt

    —

    Private

    Ivory pendants

    3

    Egypt

    —

    Private

    Carved ivory elephants

    4

    Malawi

    —

    Private

    Carved ivory figure

    1

    Canada

    —

    Private

    Whale bone statue with ivory inserts

    1

    USA

    —

    Private

    Ivory bangle

    1

    India

    —

    Private

    Ivory jewellery

    18

    Mozambique

    —

    Private

    Ivory figures

    2

    USA

    —

    Private

    Ivory necklaces

    2

    India

    —

    Private

    Sitar-instrument containing ivory

    1

    India

    India

    Private

    Ivory elephant figure

    3

    —

    —

    Private

    Ivory figure

    4

    Malawi

    —

    Private

    Carved ivory

    17

    Ivory Coast

    —

    Commercial

    Ivory bracelet

    1

    —

    —

    Private

    Ivory picture

    1

    Ivory Coast

    —

    Private

    Worked ivory

    8

    —

    —

    Private

    Pianos with ivory keys

    24

    —

    —

    Private

    Ivory earrings

    4

    Germany

    —

    Private

    Ivory figures

    2

    Hong kong

    —

    Private

    Ivory ornament

    1

    USA

    —

    Private

    Ivory pendant

    1

    —

    Thailand

    Private

    Worked Ivory seizures 1999 (UK)

    Item:

    Number of items

    Country of export

    Country of origin

    Commercial or private

    Ivory necklace

    1

    Nigeria

    —

    Private

    Carved ivory tusks

    2

    Belgium

    —

    Private

    Knives with ivory inserts

    2

    South Africa

    South Africa

    Private

    Necklace with ivory

    1

    —

    —

    Private

    Carved whalebone statue with ivory inserts

    1

    USA

    —

    Private

    Carved ivory letter opener

    1

    Austria

    —

    Private

    Statues containing ivory

    2

    Jamaica

    —

    Private

    Ornament containing ivory

    1

    Egypt

    —

    Private

    Necklace with ivory beads

    1

    UK

    —

    Private

    Raw Ivory seizures 1998

    Item:

    Number of items

    Country of export

    Country of origin

    Commercial or private

    Ivory tusk

    1

    —

    South Africa

    Private

    Ivory tusk

    1

    —

    South Africa

    Private

    Ivory tusk

    1

    —

    South Africa

    Private

    Elephant ivory tusk

    2

    —

    Kenya

    Private

    Ivory

    2

    South Africa

    —

    Private

    Elephant tusk (loxodonta africana)

    1

    Zimbabwe

    —

    Private

    Ivory tusks

    2

    —

    —

    Private

    Ivory tusks

    3

    Gabon

    —

    Private

    Elephant ivory tusks

    1

    Congo

    —

    Private

    Ivory tusks

    4

    Nigeria

    —

    Private

    Ivory

    1

    Ghana

    —

    Private

    Ivory pieces

    12

    Zambia

    —

    Commercial

    Ivory

    4

    Kenya

    —

    Private

    Elephant tusks

    6

    —

    —

    Commercial

    Ivory pieces

    18

    Kenya

    —

    Private

    Elephant tusk

    1

    —

    —

    Private

    Ivory item

    1

    —

    —

    Private

    Raw Ivory seizures 1999

    Item:

    Number of items

    Country of export

    Country of origin

    Commercial or private

    Elephant tusk

    1

    France

    —

    Private

    Ivory tusk

    1

    —

    —

    Private

    Elephant tusk

    1

    —

    —

    Private

    450W

    Working Families Tax Credit
    Mr. Lilley
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people who have claimed Working Families' Tax Credit received it (a) in the wage earner's wage packet and (b) as a benefit via the Post Office. [109363]

    Dawn Primarolo
    The Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC) will become payable to employees by their employer along with their wages or salary from April 2000. Couples applying for WFTC are able to choose which partner applies for and receives their tax credit. From April 2000, if they opt for a partner who is self-employed, or not working, to receive the tax credit, they will be paid direct by the Inland Revenue.

    National Insurance
    Mr. Willetts
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many self-employed people have been unable to make their national insurance contributions due to the operating problems of the NIRS2 computer system. [109447]

    Dawn Primarolo
    The vast majority of 3.3 million self-employed people have been able to pay National Insurance Contributions without difficulty. The periodic collection of self-employed contributions, by monthly direct debit or quarterly billing arrangements, have been in place since March 1999.

    We have experienced some difficulties by new and current customers, under 5,000 people are currently affected and urgent action is being taken to resolve these cases.

    Health Expenditure
    Mr. St. Aubyn
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate by how much (a) tax and (b) public sector borrowing would have to rise in order to raise health expenditure to 8 per cent. of GDP on the assumption that no changes are made to other expenditure predictions outlined in the 1999 Budget report. [110111]

    Mr. Andrew Smith
    Decisions on NHS expenditure will be taken in the spending review.

    Mr. St. Aubyn
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate the Treasury has made of the consequences for inflation of a rise in NHS expenditure over five years to the EU average if funded by additional taxation. [110107]

    Mr. Andrew Smith
    It is the task of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee to set interest rates to ensure the Government's inflation target is met. Decisions on future NHS expenditure will be taken in the forthcoming Spending Review.

    Asset Sales
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 17 January 2000, Official Report, column 353W, on asset sales, if he will list the asset sales planned in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and
    (c) 2001–02 by (i) central Government, (ii) local government and (iii) public corporations; and if he will set out the method by which he calculated the estimates in his answer of 17 January. [110012]
    452W
    Mr. Andrew Smith
    Details of individual assets to be sold are not held centrally. The projections of aggregate receipts from asset sales given on 17 January are based on returns made by Departments.

    Training Allowance
    Mr. Colman
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the accuracy of the information given on the Inland Revenue web page on the training allowance for 16 and 17-year-olds. [110226]

    Dawn Primarolo
    The Inland Revenue makes strenuous efforts to ensure that the information on its website is as accurate and up to date as possible.

  LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

    Legal Aid Board
    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Government have to alter the current system of rewards to Legal Aid Board managers who process claims quickly. [110019]

    Mr. Lock
    The terms and conditions of the Legal Aid Board's staff are determined by the Board, with the approval of the Lord Chancellor and the consent of the Treasury.

    The current system of performance-related pay awards to Legal Aid Board staff is based upon a comprehensive appraisal of overall performance in terms of achievement of targets, standards and personal competency. The Government maintain a general overview of pay structures in non-departmental public bodies. There are no proposals at this time to alter the Board's current performance-related pay system.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action he plans to take to ensure transparency and public accountability in the workings of Legal Aid Board offices, with particular reference to the Reading Area Office. [110013]

    Mr. Lock
    As a non-departmental public body, the Legal Aid Board is required to comply with Government Accounting standards in its management of public funds. The Board provides information about its activities in its Annual Report and Accounts, which are laid before Parliament and published, and in accordance with the principles in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

    Members of the Board are appointed by the Lord Chancellor, and have responsibility for ensuring high standards of corporate governance, including openness.

    I am prepared to consider carefully and refer to the Board as appropriate any evidence of misconduct or breakdown of these arrangements at the Reading area office.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the ability of the current management of the Legal Aid Board, with particular reference to the Reading Area Office, to implement planned changes to legal services. [110014]
    453W
    Mr. Lock
    I have confidence in the ability of the current management of the Legal Aid Board to deliver the legal aid reforms successfully. My view is supported by the work of Mr. Victor Benjamin, who agreed in December 1998 to act as the Lord Chancellor's Independent Business Adviser on Legal Aid Reform. Mr. Benjamin was asked to form a view of the Board's ability to develop the managerial and strategic systems to implement the new arrangements and monitor them in the future. Mr. Benjamin visited a number of the Board's area offices, including Reading, and has expressed confidence in the ability of the Board to deliver the reformed scheme.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will invite past, present, temporary and permanent staff at the Reading Area Legal Aid Board office to comment anonymously about practices at the centre. [110016]

    Mr. Lock
    I am, of course, willing to listen to any concerns by past, present, temporary and permanent staff about allegations of impropriety at any of the Board's offices. Where such complaints give rise to matters of legitimate concern, I will ensure they are properly investigated within the constraints inherent in anonymous complaints. The Board has in place established procedures for staff to raise concerns regarding any illegal, improper or unethical behaviour within the Board. These procedures provide for concerns to be raised in confidence with the Board's Head of Internal Audit.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the measures in place at Legal Aid Board offices to prevent computer fraud and consequent abuse of public funds. [110018]

    Mr. Lock
    The Chief Executive of the Legal Aid Board, as Accounting Officer, is responsible for ensuring that an adequate control framework is in place to ensure that public funds are suitably protected from fraud and abuse. The Legal Aid Board's Annual Accounts, which are published in its Annual Report, contain a statement by the Accounting Officer giving assurance on the Board's system of internal financial control.

    Access to the Board's computer systems is controlled through the use of passwords, and a detailed auditable trail of all transactions undertaken is provided.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the Legal Aid Board's compliance with section 38 of the Legal Aid Act 1988. [110020]

    Mr. Lock
    Section 38 of the Legal Aid Act prevents disclosure of information concerning an application for legal aid to any unauthorised third party. On the information before me at present, I am satisfied that the Board takes its responsibilities seriously and is careful to comply with section 38.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will investigate the activities of the Reading area office and committee of the Legal Aid Board. [110001]

    Mr. Lock
    My hon. Friend has raised concerns about the operation of the Reading legal aid area office with me and my predecessor. The Board is responding to these concerns. If evidence of impropriety on the part of any 454W
    office of the Board came to light, the Lord Chancellor would, if appropriate, authorise an independent inspection of the Board's systems and activities and seek explanations from the Board where necessary.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures he plans to take to ensure the Legal Aid Board prevents double payments and payments to fraudulent and fictional clients. [110017]

    Mr. Lock
    The Board has in place controls to reduce the risk of duplicate or fraudulent payments being made. The Chief Executive's statement on internal financial control, which is informed by the ongoing work of the Board's internal and external auditors and executive managers, has provided assurance to the Government and Parliament that the procedures being operated give an adequate level of control over the Board's financial systems. The Government will remain vigilant to ensure that every reasonable step is taken to prevent double payments and payments to fraudulent and fictional clients.

    Mr. Salter
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will investigate reports that staff at the Reading Area Legal Aid Board office are required to make up missing details on legal aid application forms. [110015]

    Mr. Lock
    The Board's computer system provides a facility for the collection of a great deal of information, not all of which is essential for the purposes of assessing legal aid applications. Where supervisors are otherwise satisfied about the validity of an application or claim, and where the cost of obtaining any missing information could not be justified they may authorise certain information not to be entered. For example, in some cases where the client's date of birth is omitted from a form, staff may be authorised to enter a notional date on the computer, but only where this will not compromise proper control over legal aid expenditure.

    Rail Crash (Paddington)
    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has in relation to the Paddington rail crash inquiry, to include coroners' inquest powers in those of the inquiry therein, pursuant to the Access to Justice Act 1999. [109372]

    Jane Kennedy
    Section 71 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 came into force on 1 January. Under the new powers, once identification and pathological evidence have been dealt with, the Lord Chancellor will formally direct the coroner to adjourn the inquest and allow Lord Cullen to start his inquiry into the train crash.

    Conditional Fee Agreements
    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish the rules on the extension of conditional fee agreements due to come into effect on 1 April 2000,(a) in draft form and (b) in final form; what plans he has to consult with professional bodies on the rules in draft; and if he will make a statement. [109376]

    Mr. Lock
    The Government have already consulted professional bodies and others. We published our consultation paper "Conditional Fees: Sharing the Risks
    455W
    of Litigation" on 23 September 1999. The paper sought views on the regulations and rules of court required to give effect to its policy on conditional fee agreements. It received 91 responses. These included responses from consumer groups, the Civil Justice Council, the Association of District Judges, the Senior Costs Judge, the legal professional bodies (including those with a specialist interest in conditional fees such as the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers), the trade unions and their legal representatives, individual judges, practitioners and the insurance industry. On 1 February, in the light of responses to that consultation paper, the Government published a report entitled "The Government's Conclusions Following Consultation on Conditional Fees: Sharing the Costs of Litigation". The report announced the principles to be set out in regulations applying to conditional fee agreements. The report also contained recommendations to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee concerning the detailed guidance in rules of court governing the recovery of success fees under conditional fee agreements and premiums for after the event insurance policies. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The regulations giving effect to the changes announced in the report will be laid before Parliament in time for them to be approved and come into force on 1 April. The Rule Committee will, before making rules of court, consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

    Indemnity
    Mr. Dismore
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the indemnity principle in the light of the court decision in the case of Geraghty vs Awwad; and if he will make a statement. [109373]

    Mr. Lock
    The issue in Geraghty and Co.vs Awad Awwad was whether an oral agreement between a solicitor and client to charge a reduced fee if the case was lost and the normal charging rate if the case was won, was enforceable. The Court held that the agreement (at the time at which it was made) was unlawful and in breach of the Solicitor's Practice Rules 1990. Geraghty vs Awwad considered the position as it stood in 1993. Since then amendments have been made to the legislation and to the Solicitor's Practice Rules and further amendments will come into force on 1 April 2000 as a result of the commencement of section 27 of the Access to Justice Act. After 1 April 2000 agreements to work for no, or a lesser, fee if unsuccessful and a normal or higher fee if successful will be enforceable, provided they comply with the regulations currently being drafted.

    No consideration of the indemnity principle, relevant to the present position took place in Geraghty vs Awwad. The Government are conscious of the impact the indemnity principle can have on the recovery of costs, and had, prior to Geraghty vs Awwad, included a provision in the Access to Justice Act to amend section 51 of the Supreme Court Act 1991.

    Freemasons
    Mr. Kidney
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) magistrates and (b) judges in England and Wales are freemasons. [109439]
    456W
    Mr. Lock
    The latest provisional figures available for full-time and part-time judges and judicial office-holders and lay magistrates are given in the following table. These figures are subject to revision in the light of further analysis and changes in the composition of the judiciary.

    Professional Judiciary1

    Lay Magistracy2

    Masons

    268

    1,207

    Non-masons

    4,894

    20,308

    Not disclosed

    75

    597

    Not replied/not recorded

    470

    2,852

    Total

    5,707

    324,964

    1 Position for post-holders as at 30 September 1999. These figures include both responses to the voluntary questionnaire sent to serving office-holders in July 1998 and information provided on initial appointment.

    2 Position for post-holders as at 1 October 1998. These figures relate to the voluntary questionnaire.

    3 Excludes Justices of the Peace in the Duchy of Lancaster.

    Departmental Contracts
    Mr. Willis
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [109304]

    Mr. Lock
    The information requested is as follows:

    (a) the number of contracts is 10

    (b) the value of the contracts is £1,415,385.

    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's 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. [109064]

    Mr. Lock
    The information available is broken down in the table. In the time available the Public Records Office has only been able to provide the total number and value of the contracts let in each of the categories concerned.

    Departmental Contracts

    Department

    £

    (a) Contracts that have been competitively tendered: LCD

    Donaldsons

    12,484

    Pricewaterhousecoopers (x2)

    347,835

    Managing Agents

    71,384

    Professor Richard Susskind

    6,345

    CCTA (x2)

    4,673

    Amtec Consulting

    2,504

    Parity Solutions

    2,350

    Management Partners

    24,992

    Syntegra

    108,954

    Myriad

    60,657

    457W

    Departmental Contracts

    Department

    £

    University of Birmingham

    49,500

    NB Selection

    23,612

    RSSM Ltd.

    5,118

    KPMG

    94,599

    16 contracts

    815,007

    Court Service

    Widnells

    29,375

    RADAR

    15,334

    Wheelers

    34,803

    Digital

    4,911

    Myriad (x3)

    70,334

    CCTA

    6,766

    Professor Richard Susskind

    18,942

    PA Consulting

    32,101

    Information Initiatives Ltd. (x5)

    70,167

    CSL Group Ltd.

    577

    Inbucon Ltd.

    2,302

    AMTEC Consulting Ltd.

    9,400

    18 contracts

    295,012

    Land Registry

    Syntegra

    3,388

    Bailey Partnership

    801

    Memorex Telex

    1,064

    Tower Technology

    18,982

    Lewis Productions

    13,561

    Jeremy Coyle Associates

    93,096

    Opinion Research

    7,693

    Development Partnership (x2)

    3,007

    Business Enhancement

    907

    10 contracts

    142,499

    Public Trust Office

    CCTA

    1,973

    Eurotek

    11,171

    G-Cat (x2)

    28,125

    K2

    2,124

    Myriad (x2)

    167,917

    One Zero

    30,400

    Parity (Trident)

    16,296

    Siemens Nixdorf

    2,200

    Workgroup

    950

    11 contracts

    261,156

    Northern Ireland Court Service

    Bird and Bird

    166,000

    Price Waterhouse (x2)

    45,000

    Citex Bucknall Austin

    204,728

    CCTA

    8,249

    5 contracts

    423,977

    Public Records Office

    BDL

    CCTA (x2)

    Crane Davies

    Diane Bailey Associates

    Elan

    Fretwell Downing

    Hedra

    Kite

    Logica

    Magna Consulting

    Marketing Alliance

    MMT

    MR Group

    PC Docs

    PCL

    Security Systems

    17 contracts

    548,409

    458W

    Departmental Contracts

    Department

    £

    (b) Not been put out to competitive tender: LCD

    Demograph

    2,273

    George Willman

    5,525

    Iaonann Management Consultants

    3,513

    Civil Service College

    1,064

    Focus Quality Services

    4,200

    Woodward Lewis Assoc.

    2,186

    Zeldon Health Ltd. (x2)

    6,374

    University of Surrey

    6,000

    Professor Gareth Jones

    14,900

    Mr. Burn

    2,026

    MDA

    3,731

    Website

    5,288

    Lorien plc

    7,365

    Plontikoff & Woolfson

    2,937

    Sir Graham Hart

    5,850

    Liberty

    300

    17 contracts

    73,532

    Court Service

    Hengstler Flexitime Ltd.

    8,459

    Sapphire International Ltd.

    763

    Public Sector Software

    5,816

    Judd Consultancy Services

    7,500

    MLI Ltd.

    16,388

    BMRB International

    24,612

    6 contracts

    63,538

    Land Registry

    Syntegra

    1,673

    Tenet Systems

    118,314

    Dunstan Thomas

    30,017

    IBM UK Ltd.

    11,063

    Scan Optics

    595

    IRC Europe

    29,787

    Law Society Publishing

    12,500

    Plain English Campaign

    1,600

    Tannerton Ltd.

    3,568

    E Quality

    1,600

    Catering Price Index

    21,000

    Saville & Holdsworth

    5,069

    Breckenridge

    22,695

    Claire Lefevre

    4,945

    Jill Totty

    2,000

    Joh Manthorpe

    11,925

    16 contracts

    278,351

    Public Trust Office

    British Telecommunications

    99

    Colt

    750

    Edis

    11,228

    3 contracts

    12,077

    Northern Ireland Court Service

    Helm Corporation

    12,800

    1 contract

    12,800

    Public Records Office

    Crawley Services

    J Geddes

    TFPL

    3 contracts

    28,581

    (c) Non-commercial basis:

    Nil

    —

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