Written Answers of 22 February 2000

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Lobby Members
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received from members of the Lobby about the facilities available to them in the House. [109661]

  Mr. Tipping
  My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Chairman of the Lobby in her capacity as Chairman of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons.

  Modernisation
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on progress in modernisation of the House of Commons. [109662]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Forty seven of the 54 recommendations of the Modernisation Committee directed at Government have already been implemented. The House has adopted a range of measures to improve the scrutiny of legislation; Thursday sittings have been brought forward; the scrutiny of European business has been reformed and sittings in Westminster Hall have begun.

  Westminster Hall
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the President of the Council what assessment she has made of the experiment with sittings in Westminster Hall. [109663]

  Mr. Tipping
  Early indications suggest that Westminster Hall is providing a useful and popular forum for debate.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the President of the Council if the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons will assess the impact of sittings in Westminster Hall. [109665]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Modernisation Committee has already undertaken to do so.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Council when she will assess the experiment of sittings in Westminster Hall. [109666]

  Mrs. Beckett
  It is for the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons to assess the experiment of sittings in Westminster Hall and it has undertaken to do so before the end of the session.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make an assessment of the clarity of information provided to hon. Members in written parliamentary answers. [109664]
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  Mrs. Beckett
  Parliamentary answers are the responsibility of the Ministers who give them who will bear in mind the Resolution of 19 March 1997, and give accurate and truthful information to Parliament.

  Hereditary Peers
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the Committee has considered the matter of membership of All-Party Parliamentary Groups and of Associate Parliamentary Groups by those hereditary peers excluded from the House of Lords under the House of Lords Act 1999; and if she will make a statement. [111911]

  Mrs. Roe
  Over the past few months, the Committee has been considering a number of matters in connection with All-Party Parliamentary and Associate Parliamentary Groups, including membership of the groups by "excluded" hereditary peers. I am now able to announce a number of measures, which I am sure the hon. Member will find of interest.

  With respect to those hereditary peers excluded from the House of Lords Act, the Committee has agreed that:

  (i) for prospective groups, while excluded hereditary peers may be ordinary members of such groups, they may not be officers, nor should they be counted as one of the 20 "qualifying" Members of either House; and

  (ii) for existing approved groups, which may have excluded hereditary peers as officers or qualifying members:

  (a) if the peers concerned are retained as ordinary members of a group, and are allowed voting rights, then it should amend its title immediately to Associate Parliamentary Group, if not already so termed;

  (b) groups should elect new officers to replace excluded hereditary peers by 31 July 2000; and

  (c) groups should recruit replacement qualifying members, also by 31 July 2000.

  The Committee has also agreed:
  that the definition of "full member" of an All-Party Parliamentary or of an Associate Parliamentary Group means a member of a group who has voting rights;
  that before it can be accepted onto the Approved List, a prospective group must hold an inaugural meeting to elect its officers, and that the meeting must be advertised as such on the All-Party Notices; in addition, the Committee agreed that any elections of officers of an approved group must be advertised on the All-Party Notices; and that therefore the relevant point of the declaration, which prospective groups have to sign, will be amended to read "the group elects its honorary officers, who are all Members of either House, every 12 months; this, and any other election of officers, must be announced in advance on the All-Party Notices.";
  that a group must advise the Registry of Members' Interests of any change in the information contained in its Information Sheet and its Register entry within 28 days of such a change occurring; and an additional declaration will therefore be added to the application form, namely, "the group undertakes to notify the Registry of Members' Interests of any change that is required to its records (ie, its Register entry and its Information Sheet) within 28 days of such a change occurring; where there is no change to its records following an AGM, the group will sign and return its records as correct.";
  that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards may authorise checks to establish whether or not a group's records are correct, and may authorise the removal of a group from the Approved List if the group fails to comply with the rules; and

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  that groups will be required to keep a record of their meetings and those attending so that, if challenged, they can demonstrate that they have met at least three times per year and that there were never less than five Members of the Commons present at each meeting; the declaration will be changed accordingly to state "the group undertakes to keep a record of every meeting so that, if challenged, it can demonstrate that it has met at least three times a year (a year starts on the date of the group's last registered AGM, and ends exactly 12 months later; AGMs cannot be included in the total of three); and also that there are present at every meeting a minimum of five Commons members of the group, including at least one Commons officer".

  Finally, the Committee expressed concern over the proliferation of groups dealing with similar matters; it has therefore agreed, later in this Parliament, to re-examine the question of overlap between groups, and in particular to consider whether a formal policy on this matter should be adopted, in order to ease pressure on House facilities caused by such a proliferation.

  PDVN/Internet (Parliamentary Access)
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what progress has been made in modernising parliamentary access to the PDVN and the Internet. [109656]

  Mr. Allan
  Considerable progress has been made over recent years in providing Members and their staff with networked information services in Parliament. There is an ongoing process of modernising and improving the Parliamentary Data and Video Network and Parliament's access to the Internet. That modernisation process is an operational matter falling within the remit of the Head of the Parliamentary Communications Directorate. I have therefore asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Paper and Timber Products
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the President of the Council (1) what steps she has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by her Department come from a sustainable source; [110190]

  (2) if she will ensure that paper and timber products purchased by her Department are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from a sustainable source. [110191]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The stationery products used in my Department are purchased from suppliers who use recycled paper for everything except specialist use. My Department purchases few timber products (mainly furniture) but, when it does, the policy is that the timber concerned should have been sustainably harvested.

  As to the certification process provided by the Forest Stewardship Council, I refer to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes) on 14 February 2000, Official Report, column 357W.

WALES

  Departmental Staff
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provisions are made available to Departmental staff for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job-sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (1) child care allowances, (m) careers leave and (n) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [108840]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Civil Service as a whole is striving for an improved balance between work and family life. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on 15 February 2000,Official Report, column 519W.

  Provision for these matters is set out in the Terms and Conditions of Service Code, which for my Department are the same as the Terms and Conditions of Service for the National Assembly for Wales. A copy of this Code has been placed in the Library of the House.

  There are some exceptions. Annualised hours and term time working are not currently operated in my Department, and parental leave is not explicitly covered but falls within current special leave provision. The Code is currently being amended to take account of the provisions under the Employment Relations Act 1998.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what childcare provision was made available in the financial year 1998–99 for use by his departmental staff; what was the cost to parents of this childcare; and how many parents used the facilities. [108857]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 15 February 2000,Official Report, column 518W.

  The table shows the type of childcare provision in my Department; the number of parents who used it; and the cost to parents, for 1998–99.

  Type of childcare provision

  Nursery

  Holiday playscheme

  Number of places

  130

  250

  Cost to Welsh Office parents per day

  £19.00

  £8.00

  Cost of private places per day

  £22.00

  £12.00

  1All 30 places at the nursery were occupied.

  2The 50 places represent those occupied by a consortium including the Welsh Office and others, for example Employment Services. The playscheme operated in both the Easter and Summer holidays during which time 33 and 17 places were occupied respectively by children of Welsh Office staff.

  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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 (1) time-range and (2) mean time, (c) returned to work after childbirth on reduced working hours, indicating

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  the average hours worked and (d) returned to work after childbirth full-time and subsequently reduced their hours. [109233]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  From July 1994 to June 1999, 89 per cent. of those staff in the Welsh Office who took maternity leave had returned to work by the end of their provision within the Department's maternity scheme. From July 1999 to date, 100 per cent. of staff who have been on maternity leave in the Wales Office have returned to work

  The current provision is set out in the Leave and Attendance section of the National Assembly Terms and Conditions of Service Code, Chapter 5, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The remaining information is not held centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in his Department; and how many of them are(a) men and (b) women. [110683]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As at 1 April 1999, 55 members of the senior civil service were from ethnic minority background (1.7 per cent.).

  Information on ethnic origin in the Civil Service is collected on the understanding that it will be treated on a confidential basis. To protect the privacy of individual members of staff we do not disclose data relating to fewer than five people.

  My Department has fewer than five senior civil servants in total.

  Paper and Timber Products
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [110217]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes) on 14 February 2000,Official Report, column 357W. It is not practicable to require that all paper and timber products purchased by my 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.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that paper and timber products purchased by his Department come from a sustainable source. [110216]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  All potential suppliers are issued with "Selling to the Welsh Office—A Green Guide for Suppliers of Goods and Services to the Welsh Office". Following devolution, this guide now applies to my Department, the Wales Office.
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  The guide sets out what is expected from contractors who supply paper and timber products, among other things, and ensures that we operate a purchasing policy which gives full weight to environmental considerations in the procurement of all goods and services.

  The guide specifies that timber products should be supplied only from wood produced from sustainably managed forests. The current paper contract provides paper that is at least 80 per cent. post consumer waste, produced using Environmentally Chlorine Free pulp from sustainable forests.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens(a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110716]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  My Department does not own or tend any gardens.

  However, my Department has a Green Guide for suppliers of goods and services, to operate a purchasing policy which gives full weight to environmental considerations in the procurement of all goods and services. The horticultural policy is to use alternatives to peat such as bark chippings, coir, composts, green manuring, leaf mould, manures and seaweed based products.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  World Cup 2006
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when he expects to receive the full accounts of the FA (FIFA) World Cup 2006 bid for(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99 from the FA; and if he will make a statement; [104167]

  (2) if there is an upper limit on the amount of money Sport England has contributed and will contribute to the FA (FIFA) World Cup 2006 bid; [104166]

  (3) when he expects to publish the accounts of the Government's contribution to the FA (FIFA) World Cup 2006 bid. [104168]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 10 January 2000]: The bid to host the World Cup in 2006 is a bid by the Football Association, with the full backing of the Government and Sport England, who have allocated £3 million of Lottery funding for the bid. It is not a Lottery condition to require published accounts. However, Sport England monitors how the Lottery grant is spent.

  The remainder of the estimated £9 million which the bid will cost is being provided by the FA, the FA Premier League and by commercial sponsors. Reference to the bid is made in the FA' s 1998 general annual report and accounts, but any decision to publish detailed accounts for the 2006 bid is for the FA to make.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the monetary value of
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  National Lottery awards made in (a) rural and (b) urban areas in each of the years since the National Lottery was established. [110508]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions classifies rural areas as those local authorities where there is no settlement greater than 35,000. The table shows the monetary value of National Lottery awards made to local authorities in Great Britain in rural and other areas (that is Small Towns, Large Towns, Free Standing Cities, Conurbations and London) in each of the years since the National Lottery was established. This information is taken from the National Lottery Awards database which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributing bodies. The totals exclude Lottery awards not attributed by the distributing bodies to a particular local authority.

  £

  Amount awarded to rural areas

  Amount awarded to non-rural areas

  1995

  131,759,797

  822,929,475

  1996

  272,702,182

  1,352,526,177

  1997

  204,161,295

  2,116,096,616

  1998

  164,005,639

  1,045,100,364

  1999

  162,866,596

  703,373,321

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the number of grants made from the National Lottery was in(a) urban areas and (b) rural areas between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999. [110642]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions classifies rural areas as those local authorities where there is no settlement greater than 35,000. The total number of awards to local authorities in rural areas in Great Britain between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999, was 11,571. The number of awards to local authorities in other areas in Great Britain, (that is Small Towns, Large Towns, Free Standing Cities, Conurbations and London) between 1 May 1997 and 31 December

  £

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  UK Sport—World Class1 Performance Programme

  21,839,545

  17,129,000

  218,000,000

  Sport England—World Class Performance Programme

  27,366,285

  17,330,962

  3—

  Sport Scotland—Talented Athlete Programme

  1,694,338

  887,703

  3—

  Sport Scotland—Scotland Junior Groups

  150,349

  383,151

  3—

  Sports Council for Wales—Elite Cymru4

  634,781

  570,764

  2750,000

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland—Development Of Talented Individuals Programme

  422,584

  348,306

  3—

  1 UK Sport became a Lottery distributor in its own right from 1 July 1999. Before this time the Home Country Sports Councils were jointly responsible for funding World Class Performance on the basis of recommendations and advice of the UK Sports Council.

  2 Provisional figure.

  3 Information unavailable.

  4 The figure from Elite Cymru includes funding towards hosting major events.

  The following activities have received support to date under the world class performance programme which is administered by sport England and uk sport:

  Athletics

  Disability Athlctics

  Badminton

  Wheelchair Basketball

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  1999, was 26,198. This information is taken from the National Lottery Awards database which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributing bodies.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average size of grant was from the National Lottery in(a) urban areas and (b) rural areas between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999. [110643]

  Kate Hoey
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions classifies rural areas as those local authorities where there is no settlement greater than 35,000. The average size of award to local authorities in rural areas in Great Britain between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999, was £43,059. The average size of award to local authorities in other areas in Great Britain, (that is Small Towns, Large Towns, Free Standing Cities, Conurbations and London), between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 1999, was £115,406. This information is taken from the National Lottery Awards database which uses information supplied by the distributing bodies.

  Sport (Funding)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the amount of(a) World Class Performance, (b) World Class Potential and (c) World Class Start funding distributed by (i) UK Sport, (ii) Sport England, (iii) Sport Scotland, (iv) the Sports Council for Wales and (v) the Northern Ireland Sports Council in (x) 1998–99 and (y) 1999–2000, and the provisional figures for 2000–01; and if he will list the sports in receipt of World Class lottery funding and how much they received from each of the above bodies. [110028]

  Kate Hoey
  The World Class Performance Programme is administered by Sport England and UK Sport. World Class Potential and Start Programmes are administered solely by Sport England. A number of sports have submitted applications to Sport England under the Start and Potential Programmes which have been approved or approved in principle, but to date no payments have been made. Alternative programmes for the elite level sport are in place in the Home Countries. The sums awarded to elite sport appear in the following table:

  Bobsleigh

  Boccia

  Boxing

  Cycling

  Women's Cricket

  Canoeing

  Diving

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  Equestrian

  Goalball

  Gymnastics

  Ladies Golf

  Hockey

  Ice Skating

  Judo

  Karate

  Modern Pentathlon

  Netball

  Orienteering

  Rowing

  Rugby Football League

  Women's Rugby

  Wheelchair Rugby

  Skiing

  Sailing

  Speed Skating

  Squash

  Swimming

  Disability Swimming

  Paraplegic Shooting

  Disability Table Tennis

  Wheelchair Tennis

  Table Tennis

  Target Shooting

  Ten Pin Bowling

  Triathlon

  Trampolining

  Water Skiing

  Weightlifting.

  The information required for the latter part of the question is not held within my Department.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 3 February,Official Report, column 29W, on asset sales, if he will list the individual land and buildings sold by the Tate Gallery and the amount realised by each item. [111266]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The amount of £1,200,000 given in my previous answer derived from the sale of the Tate's former Gorst Road site in London. The land and the buildings were not sold individually, but as a single package. The buildings were subsequently demolished by the purchaser.

PRIME MINISTER

  Operation Horseshoe
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date he was first informed that Operation Horseshoe might be implemented in 1999; and by whom he was so informed. [108655]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the Foreign
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  Affairs Committee on 14 April 1999, we were aware that a spring offensive against the KLA had been planned before the start of the NATO airstrikes, and we knew from previous experience that it was likely to be accompanied by ethnic cleansing. Throughout the crisis, we received information from a variety of sources, some of them sensitive. Details of a plan called Operation Horseshoe were made public in a statement by the German Defence Minister on 9 April 1999.

  Lord Levy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what restrictions apply to the undertaking of private business by Lord Levy while acting as his personal envoy on visits overseas. [110242]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 February 2000]: Lord Levy does not conduct private business while travelling as my personal envoy. Lord Levy paid his own travel expenses. The FCO and Embassies provided practical support, the cost of which is not separately itemised.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the visits undertaken by Lord Levy as his personal envoy, indicating in each case the(a) dates, (b) destinations, (c) cost to public funds and (d) purpose of the visits. [110240]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 February 2000]: Lord Levy has made the following visits as my personal envoy:

  1999

  9–10 April: Syria

  5–7 June: Jordan

  7–10 June: Syria

  9–11 October: Oman

  11–2 October: Qatar

  12–14 October: Bahrain

  29 November-1 December: Syria

  2000

  2–3 February: Syria

  3 February: Lebanon.

  Lord Levy made calls in Egypt on 8 October 1999 en route for Oman, and on 3 February 2000 while returning from Lebanon.

  Lord Levy also frequently visits Israel in a personal capacity and has on occasions had discussions there in the furtherance of my support for the peace process.

  The purpose of Lord Levy's visits was to develop the United Kingdom's bilateral relationships with the countries visited, and to exchange views on key regional issues, including the Middle East Peace Process.

  Lord Levy paid his own travel expenses. The FCO and Embassies provided practical support, the cost of which is not separately itemised.

  PPS Guidelines
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines there are for Parliamentary Private Secretaries on discussing Government policy in public within their own constituencies. [111310]
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  The Prime Minister
  Guidance to Parliamentary Private Secretaries on their role and responsibilities is set out in paragraphs 44–46 of the Ministerial Code.

  Police (West Midlands)
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) when(a) his officials and (b) staff at 10 Downing Street were first informed that the matter of Transfer Technology grants was being referred to the West Midlands Police; [111628]

  (2) when he was first informed that the matter of Transfer Technology grants was being referred to the West Midlands Police. [111626]

  The Prime Minister
  In accordance with normal procedure, the No. 10 Press Office was informed on Thursday 3 February after my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had made his decision.

  I was informed after the Secretary of State had made his announcement.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will provide the basis for his oral statement of 16 February 2000,Official Report, column 947, that the Immigration Department is close to achieving 4,000 asylum decisions a month. [111522]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to him today by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), the Minister of State, Home Office,Official Report, column 815W.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in the Law Officers' Department; and how many of them are(a) men and (b) women. [110690]

  The Solicitor-General
  As at 1 April 1999, 55 members of the Senior Civil Service were from ethnic minority background (1.7 per cent.).

  Information on ethnic origin in the Civil Service is collected on the understanding that it will be treated on a confidential basis. To protect the privacy of individual members of staff, we do not disclose data relating to fewer than five people.

  The Law Officers' Departments (The Crown Prosecution Service, Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office) have four members of the SCS declared to be of ethnic minority background as at 1 April 1999.

  Racism (CPS)
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Solicitor-General what action has been taken by the Crown Prosecution Service to identify institutional racism in its employment of staff and in the carrying out of prosecution functions; and what action has been taken or proposed as a result. [111283]
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  The Solicitor-General
  The CPS is strongly committed to equality for all staff and has agreed a programme of action with the Commission for Racial Equality. As a result of this agreement, the CRE has suspended its decision to carry out an investigation of the CPS under the Race Relations Act 1976. As well as implementing action on training, development and selection, the CPS has commissioned Sylvia Denman CBE, a leading academic with a distinguished background in equality issues, to carry out a review of the Service.

  The terms of reference of the review will include investigating the processes, behaviour and attitudes present in the CPS to determine the extent to which race discrimination and institutional racism may exist in the Service nationally. Mrs. Denman will present her preliminary report towards the end of April 2000.

  The CPS last year set up an Equality Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive, with sub-groups on race and women. The Committee is responsible for driving through policy and action on equality in the CPS. It includes representatives from the Equal Opportunities Commission and NACRO. The CPS is implementing an Immediate action plan on race, which has been agreed with the CRE. An action plan for implementation of longer term initiatives drawn up by the sub-group on race will be presented to the Director's Board at the end of February.

  The CPS participated in a major research project on the ethnic monitoring of young offenders, conducted by Dr. Bonny Mhlanga of the University of Hull. Dr. Mhlanga's report was published in October 1999. The research project found no evidence of unfair discrimination by the CPS in its casework decisions against defendants from ethnic minorities, indicating that decision the CPS is performing its role as an independent prosecuting authority properly and effectively.

  Fast-tracking (Merseyside)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the fast tracking project in Merseyside. [111246]

  The Solicitor-General
  When I visited CPS Merseyside in September last year, I observed at first hand the efforts made by the CPS and other local agencies to reduce delay in the criminal justice system.

  The fast-tracking project at Knowsley Magistrates Court has been a great success, reducing the time from arrest to disposal in all youth cases. As a result, fast-tracking arrangements based on the pilot were implemented throughout Merseyside on 28 June 1999.

  In addition the CPS Area and its criminal justice partners on 1 November 1999 implemented the Narey measures to speed up justice in the magistrates courts for both youth and adult defendants. These and other changes that the criminal justice agencies are making should further reduce delay in the criminal justice system.

  The local inter-agency Trials Issue Group discussed the impact of Narey at its meeting on 21 January 2000. It was too early to make a proper assessment while some

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  pre-Narey cases remain in the court system. A full evaluation of Narey will take place at the Group's next meeting in April.

CABINET OFFICE

  Advertising Budgets
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the average cost of issuing a media release from her Department in 1999. [110270]

  Mr. Stringer
  The average cost of issuing a media release by this Department in 1999 was £131.00. Media releases are distributed electronically on the Department's behalf by the Central Office of Information.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps she is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens(a) owned and (b) tended by her Department; and if she will make a statement. [110729]

  Mr. Stringer
  The Cabinet Office does not use peat compost in its gardens.

  Draft Equality Bill
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will prepare a draft equality bill for consideration by Parliament. [111100]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  A number of Bills were announced for advanced drafting in the Queen's speech last year. The Government's legislative proposals for the 4th session will be announced in the Queen's speech later this year.

SCOTLAND

  Post Office
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to improve postal services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [109611]

  Dr. Reid
  The Government are committed to the modernisation of the postal service. Scotland, like the rest of the UK will benefit from the £480 million investment in the HORIZON project to computerise all post offices by 2001.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the effects which transferring pension payments from post offices to bank accounts will have on small post offices. [109625]

  Dr. Reid
  I am in contact with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer over a range of issues.

  This Government are committed to making a major investment in the Post Office and the maintenance of a nation-wide network of post offices. All people in receipt
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  of benefits, including pensions, will continue to have the choice of receiving payments in cash at their local post office.

  Higher Education
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the First Minister regarding higher education issues. [109613]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend meets the First Minister regularly to discuss a range of issues.

  Oil
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of oil fabrication in the highlands and islands. [109615]

  Mr. Wilson
  I am a member of Pilot, the successor body to the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force. It has set up a support group for the oil fabrication sector, involving government agencies and the industry. The group is charged with identifying the way forward, and ensuring that the skills base is maintained.

  Block Grant
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the mechanisms used for calculating the size of the block grant. [109616]

  Dr. Reid
  I have regular discussions with the Chancellor about a range of matters. The arrangements in place continue to provide a fair deal for Scotland within a United Kingdom framework and I have no plans to revise the underlying principles.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many enforcement cases there have been in Scotland in respect of the national minimum wage. [109618]

  Mr. Wilson
  As at the end of January 2000, the National Minimum Wage helpline had received 293 complaints about underpayment of the National Minimum Wage in Scotland. All complaints are followed up.

  Economy
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the state of the Scottish economy in the context of the forthcoming Budget. [109619]

  Dr. Reid
  I meet the Chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues about the Scottish economy.

  Scotland has benefited greatly from the Government's macroeconomic framework, which has achieved sound public finances while guaranteeing additional resources for priority areas such as health and education.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last discussed the Scottish economy with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. [109621]
  857W
  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend meets the Chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues about the Scottish economy.

  The Scottish economy continues to perform strongly. Output is expanding across all main sectors, and unemployment is low by historical and international standards.

  Scottish MPs
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussion he has had with the Prime Minister about reducing the number of hon. Members sitting in the House for Scottish constituencies. [109622]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the Prime Minister on a wide range of matters. However, the position on the number of Members sitting in this House for Scottish seats is set out in Section 86 of the Scotland Act 1998. This will be implemented by the Boundary Commission for Scotland in its next review, which is due to be submitted between December 2002 and December 2006.

  Media Officers
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many media officers are employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [109623]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department does not employ any media officers. It employs five Information Officers to advise Ministers on the presentation of Government policy and to explain Government policy to the media. Some of these officers have other duties within the Department.

  Export Promotion Services
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to ensure that Scottish companies continue to receive the full range of export promotion services. [109624]

  Mr. Wilson
  We work very closely with the Scottish Executive to ensure that Scottish companies are aware of the full range of UK wide support available from the Government as well as the support, tailored to the specific needs of Scottish business, from Scottish Trade International

  Last week I was in the Far East. This was part of my cabinet committee responsibilities but I was also spending time promoting Scottish companies and Scottish goods and services. Two weeks ago I led an 18 strong trade mission to Egypt organised by Scottish Trade International. Every week I am speaking to Scottish companies about how we can help them increase their exporting effort.

  I am very pleased that Scottish companies are continuing to increase their competitiveness in the international market place. Recent figures showed that Scottish manufactured exports had increased by 7.8 per cent. in real terms during the third quarter of 1999.

  Devolution
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the devolution settlement in Scotland. [109626]
  858W
  Dr. Reid
  The Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom Government and the devolved administrations which was published on 1 October 1999 provides for the operation of the devolution settlements to be kept under review by the Joint Ministerial Committee.

  Pig Industry
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about the Scottish pig industry. [109627]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have received a number of representations about the Scottish pig industry's difficulties. Most of the issues raised are now the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and are being pursued by the appropriate Ministers.

  Shipyards
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last visited shipyards on the River Clyde; and if he met both managers and trade union representatives to discuss matters relating to Her Majesty's Government's contracts for the construction of vessels. [109628]

  Dr. Reid
  My last visit to a shipyard on the River Clyde was on 14 January when I visited the Govan shipyard. I met both managers and trade-union representatives and we discussed a range of issues including Ministry of Defence contracts for the construction of vessels.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held with the First Minister on co-ordination of the Government's anti-drugs strategy in Scottish schools. [109629]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend discussed generally the co-ordination of the Government's anti-drugs strategy, a central component of which is education, at a meeting with the First Minister on 14 January. Both he and the First Minister have also recently had separate meetings with the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator, Mr. Keith Hellawell.

  New Deal
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the operation of the New Deal in Scotland. [109630]

  Mr. Wilson
  I am very pleased to say that the operation of New Deal in Scotland is proving very successful. We have reached the significant milestones of 20,000 young people now having gained jobs through the programme in Scotland, and the 10,000th employer signing up to participate in the programme.

  The latest published figures provide further hard evidence of the significant impact the New Deal is having in Scotland. Over 43,000 young people have benefited from the New Deal. By the end of November 1999, a total of 28,000 young people had entered jobs, work experience or training.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the number of Special Advisers employed by his Department. [109620]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department employs three Special Advisers to advise me on the development of government policy. One of the Special Advisers is unpaid and works part-time.

  Air Traffic Control, Prestwick
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the future of the Air Traffic Control Centre at Prestwick. [109609]

  Dr. Reid
  I welcome the announcement made by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport on 14 February 2000. The agreement between National Air Traffic Services Ltd. and Lockheed Martin for the provision of air traffic control systems for the New Scottish Centre ends any uncertainty about its future. The 530 jobs at Prestwick will be secured and the construction phase for the new centre will create about 700 jobs during the three-year construction phase, which will begin next year.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the impact of a single European currency on the Scottish economy. [109614]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend meets the Chancellor from time to time to discuss a range of issues about the Scottish economy.

  The policy on membership of the single currency was set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the House of Commons in October 1997. The determining factor underpinning any UK Government decision on membership of the single currency is whether the economic case for the UK joining is clear and unambiguous. The interests of the Scottish Economy will be an integral part of that process.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

  Legislation
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Advocate-General, pursuant to her oral answer of 25 January 2000,Official Report, column 137, if she will list the Bills introduced by the Scottish Parliament which she has considered to be (a) within and (b) outwith the legislative competence of the Parliament. [109631]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  Thus far, two Bills have been passed by the Scottish Parliament and I have not considered it necessary to refer either to the Judicial Committee. They are now the Mental Health (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Act 1999 and the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000.
  860W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General what Bills introduced by the Scottish Parliament she has considered to be(a) within and (b) outwith its legislative competence. [109635]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  Under section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998, when a Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament I have the power to refer it to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for a decision on whether it is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

  Thus far, two Bills have been passed by the Scottish Parliament, and I have not considered it necessary to refer either to the Judicial Committee. They are now the Mental Health (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Act 1999 and the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000.

  Devolution
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Advocate-General what subjects have been raised with her as devolution issues in the context of applications to Scottish criminal courts. [109634]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  Devolution issues raised by the defence in criminal cases have mainly focused on the right to a fair trial which is set out in Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Some of the principal matters raised include: the admissibility of evidence; delays in trials; the right to an "independent and impartial tribunal"; prejudicial pre-trial publicity; access to a solicitor; cases under the Road Traffic Acts; and legal aid questions. Devolution issues focusing on other Convention articles have also been raised but less frequently.

  Departmental Staff
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Advocate-General for Scotland what plans she has to increase the staffing of her Department. [109636]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  Staffing levels in the Office of the Solicitor to the Advocate-General and my Legal Secretariat are presently under review.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Charities
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995. [111907]

  Mr. Boateng
  A clear framework for charity accounting is important for the public's confidence in the integrity of charity. In general, the 1995 regulations have worked well. I am today publishing a consultation document about how to keep the regulations up to date. The proposed changes reflect the new exposure draft of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for accounting by charities, as well as proposals for some charities that follow other SORPs. I would welcome views by 30 April.

  I have arranged for copies of the consultation document to be placed in the Library.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of support will be provided under the new asylum seeker support arrangements. [111908]

  Mrs. Roche
  Subject to assessment on a case by case basis, the weekly levels of voucher support for asylum seekers under the new arrangements is given in the table:

  £

  Amount of voucher support

  Person aged 18–24

  28.95

  Person aged 25 or over

  36.54

  Couple

  57.37

  Lone parent

  36.54

  Child under 16

  26.60

  Child 16 or 17

  31.75

  These amounts will be given in the form of vouchers, £10 of which will be redeemable for cash per person per week.

  Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the first annual report of progress on the implementation of the Action Plan he published in March 1999 as the Government's response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report; and if he will make a statement. [111909]

  Mr. Straw
  I will publish the first annual report tomorrow. It will set out details of progress made on each of the areas covered by the recommendations of the Inquiry and will identify action still to be taken. It will show that there has been substantial progress across the criminal justice and education systems. But there is much more to be done and it is vital that all the public services covered by the Inquiry's report maintain their determination to deliver the highest standards of service to all members of society regardless of their race.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the measures police forces are taking to ensure that policies and practices formed in response to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report are being effectively implemented across all ranks. [111318]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will publish tomorrow the first Annual Report on progress on implementation of the Action Plan he published in March 1999 in response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report. This will give details of progress made within the police service to give effect to the Inquiry's recommendations. A key element in ensuring that forces turn policies into action on the ground is the new Ministerial Priority to increase trust and confidence in policing among minority ethnic communities which will provide clear measurement of forces' performance on race equality.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those police forces in England and Wales that are undertaking an examination 862W
  of their policies and practices to identify institutional racism as recommended by the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report; and if he will make a statement. [111317]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will publish tomorrow the first Annual Report on progress on implementation of the Action Plan he published in March 1999 in response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report. The Action Plan amounts to a comprehensive programme to tackle institutional racism and the annual report will give a detailed picture of the steps which the police service is taking to implement it.

  Under the "Dismantling the Barriers" Action Plan he launched in July 1999 to help forces meet the targets my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has set for the recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority officers, all forces are required to conduct full race relations/cultural audits which will include surveys across all staff to assess the perception of the treatment of ethnic minority officers and other diversity issues. The aim will be to identify all the elements of the organisational culture and their likely impact on policing a diverse society; and to assess the impact on the recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority staff.

  Youth Justice
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement nationally the youth justice provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which have been piloted; and if he will make a statement. [111906]

  Mr. Straw
  Pilots of most of the youth justice provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been operating in 10 areas since September 1998. They cover the operation of the multi-agency youth offending teams; the final warning scheme, which will replace cautioning for young offenders; and the reparation order, action plan order, child safety order and parenting order. The pilots have helped to identify good practice in delivering these measures and are being evaluated by a team from Sheffield, Hull and Swansea Universities. A copy of their most recent report, published in December, is in the Library. Building on the experience of the pilots, the Government have decided to implement the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 provisions for youth offending teams on 1 April 2000 and for the final warning scheme and four community-based orders on 1 June 2000.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of issue 2 of the Youth Justice Board's newsletter, "Preventing Youth Offending"; and how many copies have been(a) printed and (b) distributed. [111523]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The cost to the public funds of issue 2 of the Youth Justice Board's newsletter "Preventing Youth Offending' was £10,000. 11,000 copies were printed and 10,000 have so far been distributed. One of the Board's tasks is to provide information to professions and the public about the changes being made to the youth justice system. The newsletter is one means of providing that information.

  Global Cultural Diversity Congress
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about requests for additional funding for the Global Cultural Diversity Congress. [111905]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 11 January 2000, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) asked the Home Office for authority to provide funding to enable the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, in Cardiff on 20-23 March to go ahead as planned and subsequently asked for additional funding from the Home Office Vote. This international conference was being organised under the auspices of the CRE following decisions they made in 1998 but by a separate company limited by guarantee, Global Cultural Diversity Congress (GCDC) 2000 Ltd. At the time they first decided to proceed in 1998, it was made clear that the Government could not offer substantial financial support for the Conference.

  The Government have supported the aims of the Congress, which was a potentially important forum for serious debate about issues of race and diversity, and was widely welcomed by many with an interest in these issues both in this country and worldwide.

  In the light of the CRE request in January this year for Government funding, the Government thought it right to seek advice from independent consultants on the viability of the conference at this late stage, including from forensic accountants who examined the affairs of GCDC 2000 Ltd.

  The conclusions of the accountants' report raised serious questions about the quality of the management and financial controls in GCDC 2000 Ltd. as well as confirming that very significant additional funds, in the order of £1.5 million, would be required to enable the Congress to go ahead, not least because less than 500 tickets had been sold for a congress initially planned to attract 2,000.

  Given the report's findings, it would not be justifiable to use substantial public funds to support this event. Yesterday, the Directors of the company were advised of the report's findings and our decision. I understand that the Directors of GCDC 2000 Ltd. decided late yesterday to put the company into liquidation.

  The decision to set up GCDC 2000 Ltd. was a collective one of the Commissioners for Racial Equality, taken in September 1998. I have asked the incoming Chair of the CRE, Gurbux Singh, to consider urgently the lessons to be learned from all of this and to provide us with a report.

  Community Sentences
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate(a) the number of community sentences, (b) the number returned to court as a result of breach proceedings and (c) the number of breach proceedings (i) that were not proven and (ii) where the community sentence was revoked and the offender re-sentenced. [111491]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings Database, is given in the table.864W

  England and Wales: 1998

  000s

  Number

  Offenders given a community sentence1 for all offences

  149,400

  Proceedings for a breach of a community sentence1,2

  28,500

  of which:

  Sentence given for breach2

  28,100

  1 Includes probation, supervision, attendance centre, community service, combination and curfew orders.

  2 Statistics as to the proportion found not proven; and the proportion where the breached order is revoked and the offender resentenced are not recorded centrally.

  Hendon Police College
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the size of the training intake at Hendon Police College(a) for each of the last three months and (b) in January (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [111525]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is given in the table, provided by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police:

  Intake

  (a)

  November 1999

  94

  December 1999

  0

  January 2000

  101

  (b)

  83

  (i) January 1997

  83

  (ii) January 1998

  95

  (iii) January 1999

  147

  Note:

  Intakes are five weekly, so some months have no intake

  Jury Trial
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implications of the Government's proposals to abolish the right to elect trial by jury. [109646]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Giving the courts rather than defendants the power to decide whether either-way offences should be heard in the Crown Court would reduce delays and secure a more efficient system of justice. Our proposals would be to the benefit of the public, victims and witnesses, but would nevertheless protect the interests of the accused.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the experience of the trial without jury system in Scotland. [109649]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The main difference with the Scottish jury system is that there is no right for the accused to choose trial by jury. The decision on mode of trial is made by Crown Counsel on the recommendation of the procurator fiscal, who has a wide discretion. I am not aware that this has led to any unfairness to defendants in Scotland.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 20 most common triable either way offences in the past year; and if he will make a statement. [111321]

  Mr. Straw
  The information is given in the table.
  865W

  Most common triable either way offences 1

  Offence description

  Prosecutions

  1. Stealing from shops and stalls

  77,914

  2. Absconding by person released on bail

  45,495

  3. Assaults occasioning actual bodily harm

  38,020

  4. Ad hoc offences under the Theft Act 1968, section 1

  26,525

  5. Non-aggravated burglary in a dwelling

  25,512

  6. Having possession of cannabis

  24,395

  7. False statements by company directors

  21,184

  8. Non-aggravated burglary other than in a dwelling

  20,459

  9. Affray

  17,600

  10. Obtaining property by deception

  16,018

  11. Criminal damage excluding arson, endangering life and racial aggravation

  14,148

  12. Wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (inflicting bodily injury with or without weapon)

  7,158

  13. Possession of offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse

  7,141

  14. Stealing from motor vehicles

  6,728

  15. Stealing from the person of another

  6,256

  16. Where the vehicle was driven dangerously, where injury to any person or damage to any property was caused or damage was caused to the vehicle

  6,161

  17. Dangerous driving

  5,820

  18. Undertaking or assisting in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods or arranging to do so

  5,653

  19. Violent disorder

  5,337

  20. Having an article with a blade or point in a public place

  4,867

  1 Defined by number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates' courts in 1998

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any criminal offences related to arson are triable either-way; and if he will make a statement. [111323]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Under the Criminal Damage Act 1971, destruction or damage by fire is charged as arson and is triable either-way. If there is intent to endanger life or recklessness as to whether life would be endangered, the offence must be tried in the Crown Court.

  Royal Prerogative
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to bring the exercise of the Royal Prerogative under parliamentary scrutiny. [109655]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No. With very few exceptions, the Royal Prerogative is exercised only on the advice of Ministers. This provides accountability to Parliament for its exercise.

  Freepost Election Mailings
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the freepost election mailing in(a) the 1997 General Election, (b) the Scottish Parliament elections, (c) the Welsh Assembly elections and (d) the Northern Ireland Assembly elections; and what estimate he has made of cost of the freepost mailing he has authorised in the Watford local authority area election. [111521]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The costs to public funds of the free election mailings were as follows:

  Election

  Cost (£)

  1997 General Election

  117,770,103.80

  Scottish Parliament Elections

  24,629,603.05

  Welsh Assembly Elections

  22,243,929.14

  Northern Ireland Assembly Elections

  1,083,427.95

  1 At 1997 value

  2 Year at 1999 value

  866W
  The cost of any freepost facility offered to candidates standing for election to Watford Council would be met by the Council itself. The Council estimate that this would be in the region of £6,500.

  European Crime Convention
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the situation concerning negotiations on the draft European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. [111488]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The European Union Mutual Legal Assistance Convention has been under negotiation since 1996, and is intended to enhance existing arrangements for co-operation between member states' judicial and prosecuting authorities for the purposes of criminal investigations and proceedings. The negotiations have been complicated, and, throughout, the Scrutiny Committees of both Houses have been kept fully informed of progress. Although a number of specific provisions have cleared scrutiny, the Convention itself remains subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.

  Work has continued to agree outstanding matters, and I understand that the opinion of the European Parliament on the draft text has now been issued, and is to be considered.

  At the meeting of Council on 2–3 December 1999, Ministers agreed that at the Council meeting on 27 March 2000, an attempt should be made to complete work on the Convention. My officials will remain in contact with the scrutiny committees.

  Secure Training Centres
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list incidents that have occurred and been reported at(a) Medway, (b) Rainsbrook and (c) Hassockfield secure training centres since each facility opened; on what occasions contract failures have occurred at each facility; and what financial penalties have been incurred by the operators. [110455]
  867W
  Mr. Boateng
  The secure training centre at Medway opened on 17 April 1998, Rainsbrook opened on 1 July 1999 and Hassockfield opened on 17 September 1999.

  The total number of incidents which have occurred and been reported since each facility opened are 1,513 at Medway; 497 at Rainsbrook and 612 at Hassockfield. These reportable incidents cover any occurrence which disturbs the normal operation of any part of the centre and range from a trainee refusing to go to his bedroom or do his chores, to acts of concerted indiscipline.

  The contracts set out the performance measurements applying to specified services to be delivered by the Contractor, and the performance penalty points to be incurred for failure to deliver each of these services. If the Contractor reaches a specified level of performance penalty points, further points result in reductions in the payments made to the Contractor up to a maximum of 5 per cent. of the contract price in any year. The number of occasions on which performance points have been awarded for each contract is as follows:

  Medway—175;

  Rainsbrook—8; and

  Hassockfield—29.

  A full list of reported incidents and of contract failures can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The contracts additionally provide for financial penalties to be imposed for failure by the Contractor to meet the scheduled opening date and for any subsequent non-availability of trainee places. To date, financial penalties of £663,240 have been incurred by the operator at Medway, £155,152 at Rainsbrook and £44,890 at Hassockfield.

  Mr. Ben James
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated(a) total legal cost to the Government and (b) cost of administration by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, to date, for proceedings related to the immigration case of Mr. Ben James; and if he will make a statement. [111322]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information that the hon. Member requires is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Racism
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for racially aggravated offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; what percentage of these prosecutions involved defendants who were not white; and if he will make a statement. [111320]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information available centrally indicates that 745 persons were prosecuted in magistrates courts in England and Wales for racially aggravated offences between October 1998 and June 1999. It is not possible centrally to identify those defendants that were not white.
  868W
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken in the Metropolitan Police Service to ensure proper communication between uniform and CID officers in relation to serious racist crime. [111103]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that his principal specialist organisations in the systems for the investigation of racist crime are the Racial and Violent Crime Task Force and Borough-based Community Safety Units. All are staffed by both uniform and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers. In addition, a range of measures are in place throughout the Metropolitan police to ensure that all officers, both CID and uniform, involved in the investigation of racist crime work together using corporate documentation and methods.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers of each rank have received anti-racism training; and how many of these have achieved minimum effective training levels. [111105]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office manages a three year contract with a specialist consultant to deliver community and race relations training to the police, and it is expected that 1,760 officers will have been trained under the terms of this contract by the end of February. A breakdown of these officers in terms of rank is not available. This training incorporates the applicable Minimum Effective Training Level. Other anti-racism training is carried out in forces and by National Police Training, particularly for probationer constables: the total number of officers who have received such training during their careers is not recorded centrally.

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training has been provided to Victim Support volunteer visitors on providing appropriate support for ethnic minority victims of racist crime. [110282]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Victim Support is an independent national charity which receives a substantial Home Office grant each year for its work in supporting victims of, and witnesses to, crime. Current grant conditions require Victim Support to continue to review how their work affects ethnic minorities, taking into account the recommendations of the Macpherson Report.

  Responsibility for the operational implementation of these requirements rests with Victim Support.

  I understand from the Chief Executive that Victim Support issued guidance to volunteers on racist crime in 1991 and 1996. And, following the Macpherson Inquiry, specialist training for volunteers dealing with racist incidents is to be developed and the general training for all volunteers is to be updated to include training on cultural diversity.

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been disciplined for using racist words or behaviour; how many have been dismissed following disciplinary action for such offences; and how many such disciplinary cases have been dismissed, since 1 April 1999. [110369]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The statistics of police misconduct cases in England and Wales for the 12 months from 1 April 1999 are not yet available.

  Rowe and Davis Case
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Rowe and Davis. [111495]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The powers of the Home Secretary to refer alleged miscarriages of justice to the Court of Appeal were replaced in 1997 by new powers vested in the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which is now responsible for the investigation of cases of alleged wrongful conviction. The Commission referred the cases of Rowe and Davis to the Court of Appeal on 7 April 1999, in the exercise of its powers under section 9 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It will be for the Court to decide in due course whether their convictions should be quashed.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take following the judgment of the House of Lords in the case of Rowe and Davis. [111494]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Michael Davis and Raphael Rowe were convicted, on 26 February 1990, of murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and three counts of robbery. Their appeal against conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 29 July 1993, and an application to the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal to the House of Lords was refused on 30 September 1993. However, the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred their cases to the Court of Appeal on 7 April 1999, in the exercise of its powers under section 9 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It will be for the Court to decide in due course whether their convictions should be quashed.

  Coroners
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of reference and timetable of his review of coroners. [111524]

  Mr. Boateng
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced on 1 February 2000,Official Report, columns 907–919, one of the actions being taken in the light of the Shipman trial is an urgent review of death certification procedures and the checks undertaken before cremation and burial. The work of this review is to be made available to the Inquiry chaired by Lord Laming of Tewin which is due to report in the autumn.

  The death certification review will also consider whether there should be a role for coroners in monitoring the proper procedures after death. Coroner arrangements may consequently need to be considered more widely in due course.

  Mr. Hector Harvey
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2000,Official Report, Column 49W, how many and which crimes Mr. Hector Harvey has pleaded guilty to that were committed since 5 August 1998 and which of these were committed (a) while in police custody and (b) whilst temporarily released from police custody; and if he will make a statement. [111648]
  870W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that Mr. Hector Harvey was arrested on 3 August 1998 for armed robbery. He has remained in custody from that date and has committed no offences in the intervening period.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2000,Official Report, column 49W, (a) under what powers, (b) for what duration and (c) for what purpose Hector Harvey was given temporary release from the custody of the CIB and Metropolitan Police; and if he will make a statement. [111647]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that since he was arrested on 3 August 1998 for armed robbery, Mr. Hector Harvey has not been released from police custody.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department takes to keep magistrates informed of legislative changes proposed by the Government. [109647]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Both the lay and professional branches of the magistracy are consulted by this department in relation to changes to the criminal justice system which would affect the work of the magistrates' courts.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent he intends that the Welsh Assembly will be empowered(a) to make decisions and (b) to implement regulations in respect of the release of information by local authorities that is at variance with guidance provided to English local authorities on information disclosure. [110646]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Freedom of Information Bill would apply to public authorities, including local authorities, in Wales in the same way as to those in England.

  There are no provisions under the Bill for the Welsh Assembly to make regulations or issue guidance. There are no plans at present for regulations under, or guidance relating to the Freedom of Information Bill to be varied for different parts of the United Kingdom.

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile remand prisoners and young adult remand prisoners are held in doubled-up cells in(a) Feltham Young Offenders Institution and (b) other young offenders institutions in England; and what were the numbers during 1999. [110958]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Prison Service does not collect centrally information to show the level of overcrowding separately for the remand population or for juveniles.
  871W
  Information in the table gives the average monthly number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one in Feltham and all other young offenders institutions in England during 1999.

  Young offender institutions: Average monthly numbers of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one—1999

  Prison name

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Feltham

  0

  0

  0

  0

  78

  86

  82

  82

  78

  72

  34

  0

  Ashfield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  Aylesbury

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Castington

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Deerbolt

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Dover

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Glen Parva

  140

  191

  200

  212

  208

  206

  440

  448

  444

  246

  426

  218

  Guys Marsh

  50

  22

  32

  32

  60

  40

  62

  70

  62

  70

  70

  70

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Huntercombe

  16

  16

  12

  12

  12

  12

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Onley

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Portland

  90

  90

  90

  90

  90

  150

  150

  150

  150

  150

  150

  150

  Reading

  154

  154

  143

  146

  134

  134

  160

  152

  134

  148

  148

  120

  Stoke Heath

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Swinfen Hall

  84

  72

  68

  70

  76

  64

  66

  66

  70

  64

  0

  0

  Thorn Cross

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wetherby

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of young offenders in Staffordshire who have committed(a) five offences or more, (b) 10 offences or more, (c) 20 offences or more and (d) 50 offences or more; and if he will make a statement. [110732]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The exact information requested is not held centrally.

  However, we do have the total number of convictions for recordable offences relating to persistent young offenders convicted of one or more recordable offences in 1998. 239 were sentenced on one or more occasions following apprehension by Staffordshire Police. Of these, 69 had been sentenced for a total of between five and nine recordable offences, 107 had been sentenced for between 10 and 19 recordable offences, 49 had been sentenced for between 20 and 49 recordable offences, and six had been sentenced for 50 or more recordable offences. The remaining eight individuals had been sentenced for four recordable offences each.

  Special Constables (Staffordshire)
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) civilians and (b) special constables have been employed by the Staffordshire Police in each of the last five years. [110734]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The strength of the civilians and special constables employed by Staffordshire Police in each of the last five years is recorded in the table.

  Year1

  Civilians2

  Special constables

  1995

  750.0

  725

  1996

  753.5

  702

  1997

  792.5

  685

  1998

  865.5

  595

  1999

  1,004.0

  468

  1 As at 31 March

  2 The civilian figures are full time equivalents, and do not include traffic wardens

  Source:

  Home Office, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate
  872W
  Establishments are categorised by their main function only and the most recent data for December are provisional and subject to validation by prisons.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers transferred from the Metropolitan Police to other forces in 1999. [110905]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that 225 officers transferred from the Metropolitan Police to other forces in 1999.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations in the Metropolitan Police area reduced the hours which they are open to the public in 1997, 1998 and 1999. [111489]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me this information is not recorded centrally, and could not be obtained from local records because of the extensive reorganisation in the period concerned.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications by officers in the Metropolitan Police to retire on medical grounds were approved in 1999. [110971]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that 316 officers retired from the Metropolitan Police due to ill health during 1999.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of service of police officers in the Metropolitan Police in 1999. [110904]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that the average length of service of police officers in the Metropolitan Police, as at July 1999, was 14.5 years.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) length of service and (b) age profile of police officers serving in the Metropolitan Police. [110970]
  873W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information requested is given in the tables, provided by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and represents the position as at 31 January 2000.

  Length of service

  Number of officers

  Less than 1 year

  1,114

  1 year

  1,148

  2 years

  972

  3 years

  689

  4 years

  926

  5 years

  1,042

  6 years

  923

  7 years

  719

  8 years

  843

  9 years

  754

  10 years

  1,070

  11 years

  1,356

  12 years

  1,222

  13 years

  984

  14 years

  807

  15 years

  698

  16 years

  760

  17 years

  1,210

  18 years

  1,237

  19 years

  1,066

  20 years

  922

  21 years

  679

  22 years

  648

  23 years

  1,049

  24 years

  778

  25 years

  483

  26 years

  487

  27 years

  448

  28 years

  391

  29 years

  372

  30 years

  172

  31 years

  107

  32 years

  110

  33 years

  59

  34 years

  58

  35 years

  24

  36 years

  20

  37 years

  7

  38 years

  3

  39 years

  4

  40 years

  2

  26,363

  Age

  Number of officers

  18

  4

  19

  61

  20

  142

  21

  174

  22

  271

  23

  381

  24

  467

  25

  562

  26

  699

  27

  739

  28

  747

  29

  841

  30

  945

  31

  1,115

  32

  1,196

  33

  1,357

  34

  1,353

  35

  1,226

  36

  1,214

  37

  1,365

  38

  1,357

  874W

  Age

  Number of officers

  39

  1,196

  40

  1,103

  41

  1,049

  42

  1,048

  43

  859

  44

  760

  45

  664

  46

  618

  47

  520

  48

  522

  49

  395

  50

  322

  51

  292

  52

  251

  53

  214

  54

  133

  55

  82

  56

  50

  57

  35

  58

  20

  59

  14

  26,363

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in the Metropolitan Police have applications to retire on the grounds of ill health outstanding; and how many such officers are(a) on full pay, (b) on half pay and (c) off pay. [110954]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that a total of 47 officers are currently awaiting ill health retirement. Thirty-nine are on full pay, six are on half pay and two are off pay.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers resigned from the Metropolitan Police in 1999. [110978]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police informs me that 347 officers resigned from the Metropolitan Police in 1999.

  Police Pensions
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the percentage of revenue budget apportioned to the payment of police pensions for each police authority in England and Wales for 1999–2000. [110903]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information is set out in the table.

  1999–2000

  Local authority

  Net expenditure (£000)

  Net pensions expenditure (£000)

  Percentage of expenditure apportioned to police pensions

  Avon and Somerset

  174,424

  28,419

  16.29

  Bedfordshire

  64,027

  8,155

  12.74

  Cambridgeshire

  75,363

  9,854

  13.08

  Cheshire

  111,094

  13,423

  12.08

  City of London

  58,719

  8,220

  14.00

  Cleveland

  85,397

  14,434

  16.90

  Cumbria

  64,693

  9,344

  14.44

  Derbyshire

  107,035

  14,789

  13.82

  Devon and Cornwall

  173,649

  24,502

  14.11

  Dorset

  77,749

  11,144

  14.33

  Durham

  80,712

  8,659

  10.73

  875W

  1999–2000

  Local authority

  Net expenditure (£000)

  Net pensions expenditure (£000)

  Percentage of expenditure apportioned to police pensions

  Dyfed Powys

  56,143

  7,406

  13.19

  Essex

  171,590

  19,605

  11.43

  Gloucestershire

  65,933

  8,884

  13.47

  Greater Manchester

  387,256

  63,349

  16.36

  Gwent

  71,414

  7,735

  10.83

  Hampshire

  196,955

  21,542

  10.94

  Hertfordshire

  102,361

  12,339

  12.05

  Humberside

  114,306

  15,379

  13.45

  Kent

  186,225

  23,509

  12.62

  Lancashire

  182,679

  25,206

  13.80

  Leicestershire

  106,279

  12,776

  12.02

  Lincolnshire

  69,970

  11,121

  15.89

  Merseyside

  249,522

  37,889

  15.18

  Metropolitan Police

  1,840,245

  230,449

  12.52

  Norfolk

  86,870

  11,211

  12.91

  North Wales

  80,505

  11,628

  14.44

  North Yorkshire

  78,085

  11,724

  15.01

  Northamptonshire

  70,432

  8,226

  11.68

  Northumbria

  213,010

  32,500

  15.26

  Nottinghamshire

  130,173

  17,414

  13.38

  South Wales

  169,968

  23,874

  14.05

  South Yorkshire

  173,933

  18,542

  10.66

  Staffordshire

  127,472

  21,016

  16.49

  Suffolk

  70,538

  9,340

  13.24

  Surrey

  100,375

  10,748

  10.71

  Sussex

  165,804

  26,105

  15.74

  Thames Valley Police

  232,729

  22,691

  9.75

  Warwickshire

  56,157

  8,000

  14.25

  West Mercia

  116,490

  13,813

  11.86

  West Midlands

  380,971

  44,728

  11.74

  West Yorkshire

  288,865

  40,770

  14.11

  Wiltshire

  69,715

  7,794

  11.18

  Total

  7,485,832

  988,256

  13.20

  Note:

  Estimated net expenditure and estimated pension costs taken from CIPFA Estimates for 2999–2000

  Prisoners (Tariff Date)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many current prisoners have(a) reached and (b) exceeded their tariff date; and if he will make a statement. [110847]

  Mr. Boateng
  On 31 January, 2000, a total of 4,407 life sentence prisoners and detainees at Her Majesty's pleasure were held in custody. Of these, approximately 1,400 had reached or exceeded their tariff expiry date.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens(a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110723]

  Mr. Straw
  The Home Office Greening Operations Policy includes a statement that slow renewables such as peat should be replaced by organic wastes such as coir, manure, leaf mould and bark. The Home Office Procurement Manual also states that peat free composts should be used.

  Police Recruitment
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to attract more recruits to the police force. [111033]

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

  Casino Staff
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff working in casinos were consulted in the preparation of the draft regulatory impact assessment on the proposal to extend casino opening hours; what their responses were; and if he will place in the Library a summary of their views. [111312]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Before publishing the draft regulatory impact assessment (RIA) in November 1999, we did not ourselves consult casino staff directly, but the draft did take account of the British Casino Association's forecast of likely staff reaction. The publication of the draft has provided an opportunity for staff themselves to comment, and a number have done so. We have received about 3,000 representations opposing the change, mostly from staff and interested unions, and are now considering them. If we decide to proceed with the deregulation order proposal, we shall publish with it a final RIA, a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who applied for licences PPL 170 04972 and PPL 170 04956 under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [110987]

  (2) in respect of Paragraph 5.13 of the Minutes of the Animal Procedures Committee of 13 October 1999, for what reasons animals suffering from convulsions are treated as not requiring intervention; [111048]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the use of animals in procedures aimed at identifying people who could be targeted for smoking cessation programmes; [110989]

  (4) for what reason it was concluded that animal experimentation is justified under licences PPL 70/04972 and PPL 70/04956; [111015]

  (5) pursuant to his answer of 10 February 2000, Official Report, column 258W, if he will make a statement on paragraph 5:11 of the Minutes of the Animal Procedures Committee of 13 October 1999; [111083]

  (6) in respect of paragraph 5:7 of the Minutes of the Animal Procedures Committee of 13 October 1999, what information beyond that gained over the past 30 years is expected to be realised by licences PPL 70/04972 and PPL 70/04956; [111013]

  (7) what weight he gave to the views of members of the Animal Procedures Committee opposed to the granting of applications PPL 170 04972 and PPL 170 04956 before deciding to authorise these. [110988]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 February 2000, Official Report, columns 257–58W.
  877W
  Project licences are only issued for legitimate purposes under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 after the likely benefits (to man, animals or the environment) have been weighed against the costs to the animals involved. Any alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals needed or refine the experimental design to minimise suffering must be employed. In the cases of these two project licences, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate and the Animal Procedures Committee have both advised that the use of animals can be fully justified.

  The Animal Procedures Committee gave careful consideration to these applications, most recently on 13 October. The views of all members as well as its overall advice was taken into account in reaching my conclusion.

  The minutes of this meeting show at paragraph 5:7 that the issue of smoking research during the last 30 years was raised. The Government have a firm policy of not granting applications to research tobacco products. Such research is an entirely different matter from research into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The benefits of the information gained through the use of newly available molecular biology will be a better understanding of the resulting condition, the ability to identify those most at risk of developing these conditions, and the development of new and improved treatments. The identification of people for possible smoking cessation programmes was given as only one possible example of the likely benefits of the work. It did not feature as a major reason for approving either of the applications and is considered to
  878W
  be nothing more than an incidental benefit which, if it were to be considered in isolation, would not have justified the issue of licenses.

  Paragraphs 5:11 and 5:13 of the minutes discuss some aspects of the applications. My previous statement that the animals are not expected to suffer convulsive spasms is correct. Reference to "convulsions" was made as this adverse effect is routinely included on the standard scoring system for assessing distress levels at the establishment where the work is to be performed. Such adverse effects seldom occur in isolation from other signs of distress and I am assured that they are not expected to occur at all in the context of these projects. The reference to scoring "normal" is, therefore, misleading. The Committee minutes make reference to the administration of spasmogens which are substances that may induce bronchospasm (wheezing). I am told that these will not cause convulsions or seizures mediated through the central nervous system and the reference to "convulsions" was subsequently removed from the application.

  Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prohibits me from naming the applicants.

  Court Transcripts
  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make court transcripts available via the Internet. [111223]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are currently no plans for making court transcripts available via the internet. Current court reporting equipment does not allow for automatic production of authorised transcripts and the cost of placing this information on the internet would outweight any benefits gained from doing so.

DEFENCE

  Army Trade Training
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the(a) contractual and (b) funding difficulties limiting the Army Training and Recruiting Agency's ability to provide trade training for vehicle mechanics; [109739]

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether the contracts let for trade training by the Army Training and Recruiting Agency contain sufficient flexibility to respond to changes in demand within the contract period. [109740]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 14 February 2000]: The Army Training and Recruiting Agency has had no specific contractual difficulties that have limited its ability to provide trade training for vehicle mechanics. The contracts in place for this and other trade training are sufficiently flexible to allow for changes to the requirement to be made within the contract period, subject, of course, to appropriate negotiations between the contractor and the customer. There have been some difficulties in aligning available funding with the required outputs in time to produce the necessary changes to throughput in any one year. However, changes to the budget structure from this year will give the Agency greater control over this process.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers based at Bordon were waiting for trade training on(a) 1 February 2000, (b) 1 October 1999, (c) 1 April 1999, (d) 1 October 1998, (e) 1 April 1998, (f) 1 October 1997, (g) 1 April 1997, (h) 1 October 1996 and (i) 1 April 1995. [109736]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 14 February 2000]: The information is not available prior to 30 April 1997. The figures requested, since that date, are as follows:

  Date

  Soldiers awaiting trade training

  1 February 2000

  154

  1 October 1999

  234

  1 April 1999

  140

  1 October 1998

  259

  1 April 1998

  189

  1 October 1997

  283

  30 April 1997

  207

  These numbers represent a "snap shot" on the date in question. Numbers will vary throughout the year, but tend to be particularly high in October when students passing out from the Army Apprentice College the previous month are awaiting allocation to courses.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the(a) financial provision and (b) expenditure by the Army Training and Recruiting Agency on trade training for the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at Bordon in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [109735]
  880W
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 14 February 2000]: The information requested is as follows:

  £000

  Financial year

  Financial provision at current (1999–2000) prices

  Actual expenditure at current (1999–2000) prices

  1994–95

  17,497

  17,298

  1995–96

  15,489

  15,755

  1996–97

  17,649

  18,106

  1997–98

  15,579

  15,991

  1998–99

  14,681

  15,248

  The downward trend over the last three years is as a result of efficiencies introduced by the ATRA, which was formed in 1996. The slight overspends against provision were accommodated within the Agency's overall provision.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what increases in funding for the Army Training and Recruiting Agency to cover trade training have been requested; and what was the response. [109737]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 14 February 2000]: All training conducted by the Army Training and Recruiting Agency is subject to review and the outcome is taken into account in the annual planning rounds. This process is being undertaken at present and no decisions have been made.

  Defence Export Services Organisation (Jakarta)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed at the Defence Export Sales Organisation's branch office in Jakarta; and if the office closed during the period of the EU arms embargo on Indonesia. [109853]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Export Services Organisation currently employs one UK-based civil servant in the British Embassy in Jakarta as the First Secretary (Defence Supply). There is also one locally engaged driver. The First Secretary post was filled during the period of the EU embargo, but had no role in the support of marketing and sales by British defence companies in Indonesia during that period.

  Armed Forces (Morale)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has in place to increase morale in the armed forces. [110593]

  Mr. Spellar
  We know that morale on operations, where personnel are doing what they joined up to do, is generally good. Our 'Policy for People' has introduced a series of measures designed to aid morale in the armed forces. We have reduced commitments where possible, thereby easing overstretch. We have made it easier for personnel deployed on operations to keep in touch with their families back home. The Service Families Task Force is addressing problems caused by the mobility of Service families. The 'Learning Forces' initiative is ensuring that personnel have access to modern learning
  881W
  facilities—both at home and when they are on operations. And we have again accepted in full the recommendations of the Pay Review Bodies on pay for the armed forces.

  Aircraft Crashes
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF aircraft and helicopters have crashed during(a) operational flying and (b) non-operational flying in each year from 1989 to date, stating in each case (i) the aircraft involved, (ii) the flight task being undertaken, (iii) the reason for loss of the aircraft and (iv) how many crew members (x) died and (y) sustained serious injury, and (v) what compensation was paid; and if he will make a statement. [111349]

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

  Dangerous Substances
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the (i) explosives and (ii) other substances currently licensed under the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 at Loch Straven in Argyll and (b) applications for explosives and substances licences currently under consideration for this area stating which substances or explosives they relate to. [111529]

  Mr. Spellar
  A single licence is held by the NATO Oil Fuel Depot Loch Striven under the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987. This licence sets the limit for the quantity of explosives or munitions that can be held on board a vessel while alongside the jetty. One of the terms of this licence is that explosives or munitions shall not be loaded, unloaded or otherwise handled and shall remain on board the vessel for the duration of the time that the vessel is at the Depot.

  The licence is granted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and to meet operational requirements, an application was made on 12 July 1999 to the HSE to increase the limit granted under the licence from 80,000 kilograms to 160,000 kilograms. Following a preliminary survey by the HSE, it has been agreed that the limit of the licence will be increased to 110,000 kilograms.

  Cluster Bombs
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what were the(a) types and (b) quantities of cluster bombs used during the trials at Luce Bay in 1999; [111074]

  (2) on what dates in 1999 were live cluster bombs used in trials at Luce Bay; [111075]

  (3) what was the purpose of the trials using live cluster bombs at Luce Bay in 1999. [111076]

  Mr. Spellar
  The type of cluster bomb used during the trials at Luce Bay in 1999 was the 600lb RBL 755 version. A total of 52 bombs were used of which 40 were inert and 12 were live. The live bombs were dropped on 6 and 7 April 1999. The purpose of the trials was to evaluate the performance of the bombs in response to an Urgent Operational Requirement, in direct support of UK 882W
  participation in the NATO action in Kosovo. To evaluate the performance of this weapon it was necessary to release them under a range of conditions, e.g. height, speed, altitude and from different aircraft types. This required a number of weapons to achieve all these parameters. While most of these conditions could be met using the available supply of inert bombs it was necessary to use some live variants to complete the series of trials. Although these weapons contained live bomblets, they were configured so that they were not deployed during flight and entered the water intact.

  Iraq
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of the military operations against Iraq (i) in Operation Desert Fox and (ii) since the end of Operation Desert Fox. [110697]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information required on the total cost of Operation Desert Fox cannot be reliably differentiated from the overall costs of military operations in the Gulf which for the financial year 1998–99 were £35 million. Costs for the current financial year are estimated to be in the region of £33 million.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many precision-guided weapons have been used by the UK in Iraq(a) in Operation Desert Fox and (b) since the end of Operation Desert Fox; and what was their total cost in each case. [110698]

  Mr. Hoon
  During Operation Desert Fox the RAF dropped 52 precision-guided weapons at a total cost of £2.12 million. Since then and up to 9 February 2000 the RAF have dropped 136 precision-guided weapons at a total cost of £5.464 million.

  Overseas Territories
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the Governments of the overseas territories provide(a) equipment and (b) funding for their own defence. [110673]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: I have been asked to reply.

  We are committed to guaranteeing the defence of our Overseas Territories. This was reiterated in the Strategic Defence Review of July 1998 and is reflected in the deployments of HM Forces. Four Territories also make provision from their own budget for a locally-recruited defence force:

  (i) The Bermuda Defence Force has sufficient equipment for a battalion-sized group. Its budget for 1999–2000 is $4.2 Bermuda million (£1 = $1.60 Bermuda).

  (ii) The Falkland Islands Defence Force is equipped to provide an infantry company and has a defined operational role. Provisional outturn for the year 1998–99 was £405,000. In addition the Falkland Islands Government provide some support services to the British garrison free of charge.

  (iii) The Gibraltar Government contributed £35,500 towards the pay of the territorial element of the Gibraltar Defence Force for 1999–2000.

  (iv) The Montserrat Government contributed £38,000 to the budget of the Royal Montserrat Defence Force for 1998–99.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes will be made to his Department's budget, departmental expenditure and Operating Cost limits for 1999–2000. [108701]

  Mr. Hoon
  [pursuant to his reply, 3 February 2000, c. 677]: I regret that there was an error in the information given. A technical error of £0.479 million was made in calculating the MOD's supplementary requirements and, subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate for Class VI Vote 1 Defence for 1999–2000, the figures are now as follows:

  (a) The overall limit increase will be increased by £583.803 million, from £22,283.085 million to £22,866.888 million.

  (b) The Ministry of Defence Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased by £582.421 million from £22,280.341 million to £22,862.762 million.

  (c) The Ministry of Defence Operating Cost limit increase remains at £778.972 million from £15,918.341 million to £16,697.313 million.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Qualifications
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of children in LEA and LEA-supported schools achieved(a) five GCSE A to C grades, (b) level 2 or above at Key Stage 1, (c) level 4 or above at Key Stage 2, (d) levels 5, 6 or above at Key Stage 3 in each of the three years (i) in the city of Newcastle, and (ii) in England; and what the average figure was in each category in each of these years for metropolitan authorities outside London. [111051]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is given in the five tables:

  (a) The percentage of 16 year olds who achieved 5 or more GCSE grades A *-C in LEA and LEA-supported schools in England in the last three years were:

  Percentage

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  (i) City of Newcastle

  31.6

  31.0

  33.6

  (ii) England

  42.5

  43.8

  45.7

  (iii) Metropolitan authorities

  37.0

  37.6

  39.6

  (b) The percentage of pupils who achieved Level 2 or above in Key Stage 1 task/tests in LEA and LEA-supported schools in England in the last three years were:

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (i) City of Newcastle:

  Reading task/test

  75

  78

  81

  Writing

  77

  81

  81

  Spelling

  62

  68

  71

  Mathematics

  81

  86

  87

  (ii) England:

  Reading task/test

  80

  80

  82

  Writing

  80

  81

  83

  Spelling

  62

  66

  71

  Mathematics

  84

  84

  87

  884W

  (b) The percentage of pupils who achieved Level 2 or above in Key Stage 1 task/tests in LEA and LEA-supported schools in England in the last three years were:

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (iii) Metropolitan authorities:

  Reading task/test

  79

  79

  80

  Writing

  79

  80

  81

  Spelling

  62

  66

  71

  Mathematics

  82

  83

  85

  (c) The percentage of pupils who achieved Level 4 or above in Key Stage 2 tests in LEA and LEA-supported schools in England in the last three years were:

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (i) City of Newcastle:

  English

  51

  55

  61

  Mathematics

  51

  49

  60

  Science

  60

  61

  72

  (ii) England:

  English

  63

  64

  70

  Mathematics

  61

  58

  68

  Science

  68

  69

  78

  (iii) Metropolitan authorities:

  English

  59

  61

  67

  Mathematics

  59

  55

  67

  Science

  66

  65

  76

  (d.i) The percentage of pupils who achieved Level 5 or above in Key Stage 3 tests in LEA and LEA-supported schools in England in the last three years were:

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (i) City of Newcastle:

  English

  41

  49

  52

  Mathematics

  48

  50

  52

  Science

  47

  45

  43

  (ii) England:

  English

  56

  64

  63

  Mathematics

  60

  59

  62

  Science

  60

  56

  55

  (iii) Metropolitan authorities:

  English

  53

  60

  59

  Mathematics

  53

  54

  56

  Science

  54

  50

  49

  (d.ii) The percentage of pupils who achieved Level 6 or above in Key Stage 3 tests in LEA and LEA-supported schools in England in the last three years were:

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (i) City of Newcastle:

  English

  18

  23

  22

  Mathematics

  26

  27

  29

  Science

  20

  19

  18

  (ii) England:

  English

  24

  34

  27

  Mathematics

  36

  35

  37

  Science

  29

  27

  24

  885W

  (d.ii) The percentage of pupils who achieved Level 6 or above in Key Stage 3 tests in LEA and LEA-supported schools in England in the last three years were:

  Percentage

  1997

  1998

  1999

  (iii) Metropolitan authorities

  English

  21

  31

  24

  Mathematics

  30

  30

  32

  Science

  24

  22

  19

  Numbers and percentage of pupils who receive, or are known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained schools 1 in the local education authority area of Newcastle upon Tyne: 1995–2000a

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1999

  1998

  1997

  1996

  21995

  Number on roll

  40,473

  40,745

  41,064

  41,182

  41,221

  Number of pupils who took a free school meal

  10,140

  10,448

  11,075

  11,508

  11,577

  Percentage of pupils who took a free school meal

  25

  26

  27

  28

  28

  Number of pupils who are known to be eligible for free school meals

  13,034

  13,604

  14,343

  14,670

  14,784

  Percentage of pupils who are known to be eligible for free meals

  32

  33

  35

  36

  36

  1 Includes maintained nursery, primary, middle, secondary, pupil referral units and maintained and non-maintained special schools.

  2 Excludes dually registered pupils educated in special schools who are otherwise included in the January 1996–99 figures.

  Employment Zones
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he has made to appoint contractors to run the remaining four employment zones. [111904]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Further to my announcement on 23 November 1999 of the previous 11 Zones, I am pleased to inform the House that the following organisations have been successful, subject to post-tender negotiations in their bids to run the four remaining Employment Zones. In Doncaster, Reed in Partnership has been successful, in North West Wales the North West Wales Partnership has been successful, in Nottingham City the Nottingham Employment Zone Partnership has been successful and in Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Working Links have been successful.

  GCSE Syllabus
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the(a) subjects and (b) syllabuses he intends to remove from the approved list for examinational GCSE giving the reasons for each decision. [111144]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is working with the awarding bodies to develop advice to the Department on the list of titles to be offered at GCSE in 2001. No decisions have been reached at this stage. If proposals are made to remove titles from the approved list, QCA will seek the views of teacher organisations, schools and colleges and appropriate subject organisations before submitting final recommendations.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on action he is taking to encourage equal opportunities in further and higher education. [110370]

  Free School Meals (Newcastle upon Tyne)
  Mr. cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of children received free school meals in LEA and LEA-supported schools in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne from 1995 to 2000. [111058]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: If we are to improve our international competitiveness and create a truly inclusive society, it is important that we ensure equality of opportunity in all sectors of education and training.

  We made clear in the Learning and Skills Council Prospectus that we want the Council to ensure that high quality opportunities are available to meet the needs of all learners across the range of abilities and aptitudes, including the very able. We will expect the Council to build equality of opportunity into all its policies, programmes and actions, working closely with key equality organisations including the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission which is being set up in April 2000.

  In November, we asked the Higher Education Funding Council for England to ensure that all higher education institutions have equal opportunities statements and they are accountable for their full and proper implementation. We placed particular emphasis on seeing that institutions make progress on racial equality for staff.

  We are determined to make increased participation by people who have been traditionally under-represented a priority for the expansion of post-secondary education, which is receiving record levels of funding.

  Higher Education (Disabled Persons)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he will put in place for the resolution of disputes over issues concerned with the provision of educational services to disabled persons in further and higher education. [110400]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: We have said that we will respond positively to the recommendations in the report of the Disability Rights Task force for legislation to secure civil rights for disabled people in further and higher education and in LEA—secured adult education. We will consult shortly on the contents of legislation and on implementation issues, including rights of redress.

  New Deal
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many long-term unemployed people living within the Greater London area have benefited from the New Deal measures since their introduction. [107290]

  Ms Jowell
  Up to November 1999, 59,700 young people and 42,850 long-term unemployed adults have benefited from entry to the New Deals in the Greater London area since these initiatives started in 1998. It is a measure of the success of the Government's Welfare to Work policies that 22,300 young people and 6,320 adults in London have found jobs through the New Deals. The remainder are benefiting from the help that the Personal Adviser can offer. This includes help with barriers to employment, access to specialist help and, training, education and work experience opportunities.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide a breakdown by destination of those who have left each New Deal scheme in Cumbria between the start of each scheme and up to the latest date for which figures are available. [109287]

  Ms Jowell
  Between January 1998 and November 1999, 2,702 people left the New Deal for Young People in Cumbria. Of these

  1,281 left for unsubsidised employment

  380 transferred to another benefit

  514 left for another known reason

  527 left for an unknown destination.

  A recent survey showed that 57 per cent. of young people leaving the New Deal gateway for unknown destinations, had found a job.

  Between July 1998 and November 1999, 1,514 people left the New Deal for long-term unemployed people aged 25+ in Cumbria. Of these

  238 left for unsubsidised employment

  206 transferred to another benefit

  50 left for another known reason

  116 left for an unknown destination

  903 continued their normal jobseeking activity.

  Between October 1998 and November 1999, 325 people left the New Deal for Lone Parents in Cumbria. Of these

  149 went into employment

  8 transferred to another benefit

  39 were no longer eligible for income support

  17 declined to join the caseload

  106 withdrew for other reasons

  6 left for an unknown destination.

  Exclusions
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total number of pupils excluded from schools in England in each of the last three years; and what is the total number of ethnic minority pupils excluded from schools. [111104]
  888W
  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Number of permanent exclusion, by ethnic group from schools in England1: 1995–96 to 1997–98

  Year

  Number of permanent exclusions 2

  Number of ethnic minority permanent exclusions

  1995–96

  12,476

  2,196

  1996–97

  12,668

  2,113

  1997–98

  12,298

  1,995

  1 Includes Maintained Primary, Secondary, Special and Non Maintained Special Schools

  2 Includes some pupils who were unclassified according to ethnic group

  Further Education
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to encourage young people to stay in further education. [110591]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Government want to see all young people staying in learning until 18 and beyond as part of its lifelong strategy. We have injected the biggest ever investment into Further Education to support the expansion of places. We recently announced the Connexions Strategy and Connexions Service to bring together a number of initiatives to secure greater participation by young people. We are also piloting Education Maintenance Allowances for young people in 15 areas, and we will consider extending them nationally if they are successful.

  Primary and Secondary Pupils (SSAs)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state(a) the primary school per pupil Standard Spending Assessment and (b) the secondary school per pupil Standard Spending Assessment for each English local education authority in 1999–2000 and 2000–01; and how many pupils (i) attract such Standard Spending Assessment and (ii) receive free school meals in each school sector and local education authority for the same years. [111352]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I will place a table in the Library that shows the Standard Spending Assessment per primary pupil and per secondary pupil for each English local education authority in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. The number of primary pupils and secondary pupils used in calculating the Standard Spending Assessment for each local education authority for the same years is also given in the table. We are unable to provide for each sector the number of primary and secondary pupils who receive free school meals: the table therefore lists the proportion of children under 18 who are entitled to free school meals.

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 18 to 24-year-olds have started the New Deal scheme in Shrewsbury and Atcham, broken down into(a) New Deal Options and (b) other destinations. [110128]
  889W
  Ms Jowell
  In the period to the end of November 1999, 321 young people had joined New Deal in the Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency. The following shows the breakdown requested:

  Number

  People joining a New Deal option:

  Employment

  14

  Full-time education/training

  46

  Voluntary sector

  46

  Environment task force

  50

  Total

  156

  People leaving from New Deal:

  Unsubsidised employment

  96

  Other destinations:

  Other benefits

  9

  Other known destination

  31

  Not known

  67

  Total

  213

  We know from a recent survey that many of those who left for unknown destinations will have found work.

  Ofsted Reports
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the local education authorities in respect of which Ofsted has expressed serious concern. [111575]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  School Meals
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each local education authority the average price of school meals in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [110702]

  Jacqui Smith
  This information is not collected centrally. Under education legislation, it is up to local education authorities, and schools with delegated budgets for school meals, to decide what price to charge.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of the total workforce in his Department is of ethnic minority origin; and what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of people from the ethnic minorities in his Department. [102736]

  Mr. Wills
  The percentage of the work force in my Department who, at 1 April 1999, declared themselves to be of ethnic minority origin is 8.3 per cent.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in her reply of 16 December 1999, Official Report, column 264W, corporate action that we are taking to encourage the employment of people from ethnic minority communities. We are developing a comprehensive outreach strategy which, for example
  890W
  includes contacting all organisations that help people from ethnic minorities into employment and establishing what further steps we should be taking to attract and retain people from ethnic minority backgrounds, this includes:
  Marketing the Department to applicants from ethnic minority communities by placing adverts in ethnic press; taking part in recruitment fairs aimed at ethnic minority graduates and undergraduates; and also making contact with over 100 ethnic minority organisations to research the barriers that prevent people from ethnic minority backgrounds joining the civil service.

  In June 1998 the Department appointed a Senior Equal Opportunities Adviser from outside the Department to work with staff and advise the Board on how to take forward equal opportunities in the Department.

  Moreover, in July 1999, we published a Race Equality Action Plan—"Race Equality in DfEE: Our Targets for the Future". This sets out targets for representation at senior management level (Grade 7 and above) grades in the Department. It includes action to improve the recruitment, career progression and retention of ethnic minority staff.

  The launch of a unique and high profile secondment/exchange initiative—aimed to encourage experienced, senior ethnic minority managers from other organisations to join us on secondments or exchanges. The initial response to this national exercise was high. We will currently be shortlisting the names of successful candidates from the first tranche of applicants and the first successful candidate will start his post on 10 January 2000.

  By providing opportunities for students to work with us on short term placement, for example we have increased the number of Windsor Fellowship graduates that we sponsor. The Department will continue to take measures which increase the numbers of people from ethnic minorities who are recruited, retained and promoted in the organisation.

  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of the total workforce in his Department is registered as disabled; and what steps he is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people in his Department. [102047]

  Ms Hodge
  The percentage of the work force in my Department who have identified themselves as having a disability under the definition contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is 6 per cent.

  Our recruitment strategy includes contacting all organisations that help people with disabilities into employment. We are examining what other steps we should take to attract people with disabilities in recruitment exercises.

  My Department has for a number of years used the Disability Symbol on all recruitment exercises. This employment initiative guarantees a person with a disability an interview as long as they meet the minimum criteria for that particular recruitment exercise. We are also members of the SCOPE fast track programme which provides personal development training and work placements for graduate level people with disabilities.

  In addition, as part of the Department's Equal Opportunities Strategy, an Advisory Group for People with Disabilities was established in 1996. This group

  891W
  advises the DfEE Board on any issue which affects people with disabilities including recruitment, retention and awareness raising.

  My Department will continue to take measures to increase the numbers of people with disabilities who are recruited and to ensure that the retention of people with disabilities is a priority within the organisation.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Stakeholder Pensions
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the tax regime for stakeholder pensions. [111928]

  Mr. Darling
  Our proposals for the stakeholder pension tax regime were well received when we announced these in September 1999. We are grateful for all of the constructive responses, which we have considered carefully.

  I am placing in the Library a copy of a document: "Stakeholder Pensions: Details of The Tax Regime And Draft Finance Bill Clauses". This outlines a number of key decisions on the tax regime and draft Finance Bill clauses to implement these.

  Stakeholder pensions are intended to fill the gap for many people who can afford to save for their retirement but do not currently have a suitable means of doing so. From April 2001 there will be a new single tax regime for stakeholder and personal pensions. Retirement savers currently excluded from taking out personal pensions will then be able to do so, enabling:
  people taking career breaks, for example mature students and carers, to take out a stakeholder pension and benefit from the tax relief it attracts;
  self employed people on low earnings to receive more tax relief on their pension contributions;
  costs to be kept down so that pension savers can be offered low cost, good value stakeholder products.

  The main aspects of the tax regime for stakeholder pensions confirmed today are:
  stakeholder pensions will be part of a radically reformed and much simplified tax regime for all defined contributions pensions;
  contributions up to £3,600 each tax year can be made irrespective of earnings. Higher level contributions can be made under the existing personal pension age and earnings related limits and can continue for up to five years after earnings have ceased or reduced;
  all contributions from individuals will be paid net of basis rate tax with the pension provider reclaiming that tax from the Inland Revenue;
  employers' money purchase schemes may opt onto this new tax regime;
  new and simpler rules will replace the existing personal pension "carry forward/carry back" rules;
  10 per cent. of the pension contribution can be used for life assurance;
  tax relief for waiver of pension contributions insurance will be simplified and broadened to circumstances other than ill-health, such as unemployment;
  shares from an approved employee share scheme can, within the contribution limits, be put into the pension and attract tax relief;
  892W
  contributors must be resident in UK unless serving or the spouse or someone serving, abroad and undertaking "Crown duties";
  simplification will be introduced into the administrative arrangements for DC pensions—for example, electronic and telephone applications will be permitted and various information requirements relaxed;
  the rules regarding benefits are being altered to allow phased vesting from within a single arrangement. This technical change will ease administration for new and existing PP providers.

  We have decided that stakeholder contributions should not be made if an individual is also contributing to a defined occupational scheme—ie so called "full concurrency" will not be allowed. We are however inviting employers representatives and bodies representing the pensions industry to bring forward any ideas they have which will, through some limited form of concurrency, help moderate earners to increase their pension provision.

  Benefits
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what measures his Department uses to gauge the effectiveness of moneys spent in(a) Scotland and (b) the UK on (i) reducing benefit fraud and (ii) increasing the uptake of benefit entitlements; and what assessment he has made of their effectiveness in each year between 1992–93 and 1998–99; [111165]

  (2) how much was spent on (a) reducing benefit fraud and (b) increasing the uptake of benefits in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK for each financial year between 1992–93 and 1998–99. [111168]

  Mr. Rooker
  In the past each agency and local authority was responsible for its own operational plans for countering fraud. Apart from Fraud investigations, the costs of most anti-fraud activities were not separately identified. However, the Benefits Agency has had a national security and control programme since 1995. The figures in the table show the funding for the Security Control programme since its introduction.

  £ million

  Actual security control programme funding

  Total funding including benefit fraud investigation service and benefit agency security investigation service

  1995–96

  106.5

  182.6

  1996–97

  164

  263.7

  1997–98

  246

  336

  1998–99

  264

  379.5

  Total

  780

  1,161.8

  However, this system had numerous flaws. In particular instead of a single goal, there was a series of centrally set targets, which failed to give staff a clear view of the overall outcome wanted. We have now replaced this with a single target. Our Public Service Agreement commits us to reduce by 30 per cent. benefit losses from fraud and errors in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance by March 2007, with at least a 10 per cent. reduction

  893W
  by March 2002. Customer fraud and error in these two benefits has been reduced by six per cent. for the 12 months ending March 1999, compared to the period ending September 1998.

  Figures for earlier years could not be given without incurring a disproportionate cost. Research on why pensioners do not take-up their entitlement to Income Support was published on 15 October 1999. The evaluation of the pilot initiatives will be published later this year. The cost of the qualitative and quantitative research was £316,000. The pilot evaluation and the contextual survey that will be published with it will cost £279,000.

  Pensions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of up-rating in line with inflation the basic state pension of those pensioners living abroad on frozen pensions, for each of the next 10 years. [111108]

  Mr. Rooker
  The precise information requested is not available.

  Benefit

  Disregard (£)

  Weekly hours at £3.60

  Weekly hours at £3.20

  Weekly hours at £3.00

  Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance

  15.00

  1.39

  1.56

  1.67

  110.00

  2.78

  3.13

  3.33

  115.00

  4.17

  4.69

  5.00

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit3

  15.00

  1.39

  1.56

  1.67

  110.00

  2.78

  3.13

  3.33

  115.00

  4.17

  4.69

  5.00

  121.05

  5.85

  6.58

  7.02

  125.00

  6.94

  7.81

  8.33

  126.05

  7.24

  8.14

  8.68

  136.05

  10.01

  11.27

  12.02

  Severe Disablement Allowance4

  158.00

  16.11

  18.13

  19.33

  Invalid Care Allowance

  150.00

  13.89

  15.63

  16.67

  Incapacity Benefit4

  158.00

  16.11

  18.13

  19.33

  War Pension Unemployability Supplement

  23,016.00

  16.11

  18.13

  19.33

  Industrial Injuries Benefit Unemployability Supplement

  23,016.00

  16.11

  18.13

  19.33

  1 Per week

  2 Per annum

  3 A child care earnings disregard of up to £70 per week for families who pay for child care for one child of qualifying age, and £105 for families who pay for child care for more than one child of qualifying age is also available in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. It is available to two earner couples, lone parents and couples where the non-working partner is incapacitated and is in addition to the standard earnings disregards.

  4 Earnings from work which their doctor has advised will be beneficial and would help recovery (known as therapeutic work).

  Benefit

  Disregard (£)

  Weekly hours at £3.60

  Weekly hours at £3.20

  Weekly hours at £3.00

  Adult dependency increases affected by partner's earnings

  Short-term incapacity benefit where claimant is:

  (a) under pension age

  31.15

  8.65

  9.73

  10.38

  (b) over pension age

  38.40

  10.67

  12.00

  12.80

  Maternity Allowance

  31.15

  8.65

  9.73

  12.80

  Retirement pension, long-term incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, Unemployability supplement where dependent:

  (a) is living with claimant

  51.40

  14.28

  16.06

  17.13

  (b) still qualifies for the tapered earnings rule

  45.09

  12.53

  14.09

  15.00

  Retirement pension, long-term incapacity benefit and Unemployability supplement where dependent is not living with claimant

  39.95

  11.10

  12.48

  13.32

  Severe disablement allowance where dependent is not living with claimant

  23.95

  6.65

  7.48

  7.97

  Invalid care allowance

  23.90

  6.64

  7.47

  7.97

  Child dependency increases

  Level at which increase is affected by earnings of claimant's spouse or partner:

  For the first child

  145.00

  40.28

  45.31

  48.33

  For each subsequent child

  19.00

  5.28

  5.94

  6.33

  894W
  The cost of paying the 1990–2000 uprating of the State Retirement Pension to pensioners in frozen rate countries is estimated to be £25 million.

  The cost of increasing all of these pensions to the rate paid to pensioners resident in the UK is currently estimated to be £300 million.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners living in the UK have state pensions from countries without reciprocal pension uprating agreements with the UK; and how many of them are claiming income support. [111107]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information is not available.

  Earnings Disregards
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the earnings disregards in those benefits for which he is responsible expressed in(a) cash terms and (b) terms of hours of permitted work at present minimum wage rates. [111362]

  Angela Eagle
  The information for those benefits which are affected by earnings is in the following tables.

  Capital Limits
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the capital limits in those benefits for which he is responsible expressed in(a) cash terms and (b) terms of years of maximum ISA allowances at (i) the first year rate and (ii) subsequent yearly rates. [111363]

  Mr. Bayley
  (a) The capital limits for the income-related benefits are given in the table.

  £

  Benefit

  Lower capital limit

  Upper capital limit

  Income Support

  3,000

  8,000

  110,000

  116,000

  Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

  3,000

  8,000

  110,000

  116,000

  Housing Benefit

  3,000

  16,000

  Council Tax Benefit

  3,000

  16,000

  1 For residential care and nursing home cases

  (b) (i) Expressed as years of maximum ISA allowances, for accounts opened in the period April 1999-March 2000, a person making the maximum investment of £7,000 would reach the £8,000 benefit upper limit during the second year, and the £16,000 limit during the third year. (ii) For investments started in subsequent years where the maximum ISA allowance is £5,000, a person would reach the £8,000 benefit upper limit during the second year, and the £16,000 limit during the fourth year.

  Savings (Income)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the tariff incomes schedule of attributed income from savings was last revised; what rate of return is assumed by the schedule; and what changes in the schedule would result if current bank rate plus 1 per cent. was used to determine the base for the Schedule. [111361]

  Mr. Bayley
  The tariff income rule has remained unchanged since its introduction in 1988. However, in 1990 the upper capital limit for Income Support was increased from £6,000 to £8,000. In 1996 higher capital limits for people living permanently in a residential care or a nursing home were introduced. The capital limits are kept under regular review but are not increased annually.

  The basis for the Department's calculation of tariff income in the income-related benefits, with a system of graduated deductions between lower and higher limits, is not intended to represent any return that could be obtained from investing capital and hence is not based on the current bank rate or any other rate of return. A tariff income of £1 per week is assumed for each £250, or part thereof, held between the appropriate lower and upper limits1. This system provides a straightforward method of
  896W
  calculating the weekly contribution which people with capital in excess of the lower limit are expected to make from those resources to help meet their normal living expenses.

  Notes:

  1. £3,000 and £8,000 in Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; except in residential care home and nursing home cases where the limits are £10,000 and £16,000; and Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit where the limits are £3,000 and 16,000.

  2. Based on Quoted (nominal) sterling interest rates—households sectors—Bank Timed Deposits—December 1999.

  3. Applying the notional interest rate to the band midpoint.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people have benefited from(a) the New Deal for disabled people and (b) the disabled person's tax credit in (i) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (ii) Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [111446]

  Mr. Bayley
  Three of the New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) innovative Schemes provide national coverage, so are available to disabled people in Shropshire. By the end of January 2000 the NDDP had helped 2,180 people into work out of over 8,000 participants. Separate figures for Shropshire are not available.

  The Inland Revenue has responsibility for Disabled Person's Tax Credit. By the end of January 2000 there have been 27 awards of the Disabled Person's Tax Credit in Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency and 88 awards in the county of Shropshire.

  Benefit Claims
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, for each month since January 1998, the number of counter applicants at the Benefits Agency offices at Finsbury Park and Highgate; and what is the Agency's estimate of the adequacy of staff numbers to deal with them. [110487]

  Angela Eagle
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 21 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if he will list, for each month since January 1998, the number of counter applicants at the Benefits Agency (BA) offices at Finsbury Park and Highgate; and what is the Agency's estimate of the adequacy of staff numbers to deal with them.
  The number of counter applicants at Finsbury Park and Highgate Branch Offices is shown in the attached tables.
  I am aware of the staffing position in both of these Branch Offices as well as the other Branch Offices in the Chilterns South district. I am satisfied that the current staffing levels are sufficient to meet BA service standards for customers who attend these offices. In addition, arrangements are in place to deal with any disruptions to services in the local office network.

  897W
  The estimate of staff required to deal with callers is termed as Highgate branch office complement, and is based on workload. It is detailed in the attached table. The actual staffing levels in the period are also included as "staff in post" figure.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Finsbury Park branch office counter applicants

  Month

  1998

  1998

  2000

  January

  5,426

  5,273

  5,556

  February

  5,131

  4,929

  March

  5,376

  6,038

  April

  5,377

  5,384

  May

  4,463

  4,775

  June

  5,317

  5,835

  July

  5,947

  5,692

  August

  4,730

  5,686

  September

  5,514

  6,363

  October

  5,410

  5,620

  November

  5,045

  6,264

  December

  3,841

  5,022

  Total

  61,577

  66,881

  Highgate branch office counter applicants

  Month

  1998

  1998

  2000

  January

  4,698

  4,280

  5,300

  February

  4,620

  4,225

  March

  4,668

  5,363

  April

  4,666

  4,608

  May

  4,402

  4,126

  June

  4,880

  5,066

  July

  5,090

  5,029

  August

  4,335

  5,154

  September

  4,955

  5,655

  October

  4,565

  5,097

  November

  4,635

  5,231

  December

  4,193

  4,420

  Total

  55,707

  58,254

  Finsbury Park branch office

  Staff in post

  Complement

  January 1998:

  C3

  —

  —

  B3

  6

  4

  A4

  16

  15

  A1

  2

  1

  Total

  24

  20

  January 1999:

  C3

  1

  1

  B3

  5

  5

  A4

  16.8

  17

  A1

  2

  3

  Total

  24.8

  26

  January 2000:

  C3

  1

  1

  B3

  8

  6

  A4

  16.5

  17

  A1

  2

  2

  Total

  27.5

  26

  898W

  Highgate branch office

  Staff in post

  Complement

  January 1998:

  C3

  —

  —

  B3

  7

  4

  A4

  20

  15

  A1

  1

  1

  Total

  28

  20

  January 1999:

  C3

  1

  1

  B3

  7

  5

  A4

  16

  15

  A1

  1

  1

  Total

  25

  22

  January 2000:

  C3

  1

  1

  B3

  7

  6

  A4

  16.8

  17

  A1

  1.8

  2

  Total

  26.6

  26

  Unclaimed Benefits
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the number of people over the age of 60 years who are not claiming the benefits to which they are entitled in(a) the UK and (b) Sefton. [110364]

  Mr. Rooker
  Latest estimates of take-up of income related benefits covering the year 1997–98 for Great Britain were placed in the Library on 24 September 1999.

  It is not possible to produce reliable estimates of numbers not claiming their entitlement at local level.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will review his policy on inclusion of invalid care allowance in a person's income when assessing eligibility for housing benefit; and if he will make a statement. [110774]

  Mr. Bayley
  Most income is taken into consideration when assessing income related benefits. There is no disregard of payments of Invalid Care Allowance when assessing eligibility for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. To do so would duplicate payments from public funds for the same purpose. There are no plans to change this policy.

  Winter Fuel Allowance
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the claim process for the winter fuel allowance for men between the ages of 60 and 65. [110808]

  Angela Eagle
  We are currently considering the options for the secure and accurate delivery of Winter Fuel payments. An announcement on this and the claim process will be made soon.

HEALTH

  Health Services (Hull)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for combating long-term illnesses in impoverished areas in(a) West Hull primary care group, (b) East Hull primary care group and (c) East Riding Primary care group. [110355]

  Yvette Cooper
  East Riding Health Authority has indicated that it plans to combat long-term illness in impoverished areas in the East Riding Health Authority Primary Care Groups through the following initiatives:

  Strategic review of continuing care services.

  Mental health promotion and prevention.

  Establishment of a Centre for Independent Living.

  Development of an integrated care scheme to provide social and nursing care.

  Primary care group name

  Primary care group unique reference number

  Total health authority allocation split to primary care groups (£000)

  Allocation devolved to primary care group responsibility (£000)

  percentage of allocating devolved to primary care groups

  Primary care group registered population1 (Thousand)

  Eastern Hull

  4XC94

  81,752

  41,032

  50.19

  126

  West Hull

  4LP07

  106,025

  53,432

  50.40

  166

  East Yorkshire

  4TG10

  83,377

  43,819

  52.56

  146

  Yorkshire Wolds and Coast

  4RV24

  89,934

  48,091

  53.47

  141

  HA total

  —

  361,088

  186,374

  —

  579

  1 Registered population represents:

  The resident population of East Riding Health Authority less those East Riding Health residents registered with a Primary Care Group outside the Health Authority boundary plus those residents of adjacent health authorities who are registered with a Primary Care Group within East Riding health authority boundary.

  Source:

  East Riding Health Authority

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the budget for the health authority encompassing the areas of(a) West Hull, (b) East Hull and (c) the East Riding. [110354]

  Mr. Denham
  For 2000–01 the unified allocation for East Riding health authority is £387.7 million.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the Government initiatives to address inequalities in the National Health System in(a) West Hull primary care group, (b) East Hull primary care group and (c) East Riding primary care group. [110356]

  Yvette Cooper
  East Riding health authority has indicated the following initiatives in:West Hull Primary Care Group

  Sure Start Programme in Orchard Park.

  Sexual Health Resource Centre.

  Establishment of smoking prevention and smoking cessation programme.

  Introduction of stroke prevention worker.

  Support and prevention project for domestic violence.

  Development of Prison Healthy Living Centre.

  Establishment of primary care centre in central Hull focusing on the provision of medical care for socially excluded groups.

  Development of a Dental Access Centre.

  Development of a mental health strategy.

  Intermediate Care Scheme.

  900W

  Expansion of renal dialysis services.

  Establishment of smoking prevention and smoking cessation programmes.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average level of public funding per ward for cancer services in(a) West Hull primary care group, (b) the East Hull primary care group, (c) the East Riding primary care group and (d) the United Kingdom. [110310]

  Yvette Cooper
  The information requested is not held at ward level.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the funding is for the primary care groups of(a) West Hull, (b) East Hull and (c) the East Riding in the current financial year. [110358]

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

  Review of substance misuse services.

  Established community based outpatient clinics.

  Eastern Hull Primary Care Group

  Sure Start Programme in Marfleet.

  Sexual Health Resource Centre.

  Establishment of smoking prevention and smoking cessation programme.

  Introduction of stroke prevention worker.

  Support and prevention project for domestic violence.

  Development of Prison Healthy Living Centre.

  Establishment of primary care centre in central Hull focusing on the provision of medical care for socially excluded groups.

  Development of a Dental Access Centre.

  Development of a mental health strategy.

  Intermediate Care Scheme.

  Review of substance misuse services.

  Established community based outpatient clinics.

  East Riding Primary Care Groups (East Yorkshire Primary Care Group and Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Group

  Introduction of a multi-agency programme to tackle rural stress.

  Introduction of Personal Dental Services Pilot.

  Sexual Health Resource Centre.

  Establishment of smoking prevention and smoking cessation programme.

  Introduction of stroke prevention worker.

  901W

  Support and prevention project for domestic violence.

  Development of Prison Healthy Living Centre.

  Undertakers (Southampton)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the undertakers who were invited to tender for the contract for the removal of bodies out of hours at Milford-on-Sea Community Hospital; [106390]

  (2) what is the price paid by Southampton University NHS Trust to undertakers for the removal of each cadaver under the existing out of hours contractual arrangements; [106392]

  (3) if he will list the hospitals which share the same contract for out of hours removal of bodies at Milford-on-Sea Community Hospital. [106391]

  Ms Stuart
  The undertakers invited to tender for the contract for the removal of bodies out of hours for the Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority area were:

  Beastons

  J. Bevois and Son

  Co-op Funeral Services

  Diamond and Sons

  B. Matthews

  Simplicity Funerals

  Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust is forecasting payment of between £20,000 to £23,000 this year as part of their contracts with local undertakers. The price paid by Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust for the removal of each cadaver under the existing out of hours contractual arrangements is not held centrally.

  Milford-on-Sea Hospital shares the same contract for out of hours removal of bodies with Lymington Hospital, both managed by Southampton Community Health Services NHS Trust.

  Table 1: Number of calls to NHS Direct sites, in thousands, since November

  NHS Direct site

  November 1999

  December 1999

  20–26 December

  27 December-2 January

  3–9 January

  10–16 January

  17–23 January

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

  —

  7

  2

  3

  2

  2

  2

  East Midlands

  11

  22

  6

  10

  6

  6

  5

  East Yorkshire

  4

  8

  2

  3

  2

  2

  1

  Essex

  8

  16

  4

  6

  4

  4

  3

  Hampshire

  6

  11

  3

  4

  3

  3

  3

  Kent, Surrey and Sussex

  —

  1

  2

  5

  2

  2

  1

  Lancashire

  7

  14

  4

  6

  4

  4

  3

  Manchester

  10

  19

  4

  7

  5

  5

  4

  North East

  14

  18

  5

  7

  6

  5

  4

  South East London

  5

  10

  2

  3

  3

  3

  2

  South West London

  —

  1

  2

  4

  2

  2

  2

  South Yorkshire/South Humber

  —

  4

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Thames Valley

  7

  10

  3

  3

  3

  3

  2

  West Country

  11

  22

  6

  8

  7

  7

  6

  West London

  15

  25

  7

  10

  7

  6

  5

  West Midlands

  10

  20

  6

  8

  5

  5

  4

  West Yorkshire

  11

  24

  5

  9

  6

  6

  5

  England

  120

  234

  65

  97

  68

  66

  55

  1 Sites unable to provide validated statistics for December.

  Notes:

  1. Kent, Surrey and Sussex; South West London; and South Yorkshire/South Humberside became operational at third wave at the end of November, while Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire became operational mid-November. These sites did not produce November activity statistics.

  2. Prior to December 1999 this information was collected only on a monthly basis.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the unit cost to his Department of handling a telephone inquiry at each call centre of NHS Direct. [107083]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 27 January 2000]: We envisage the cost of NHS Direct to be approximately £8 per telephone call. This compares favourably to the cost per accident and emergency attendance £42 (1997–98) and cost per general practitioner contact £10.55 (1996–97).

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state in respect of each call centre of NHS Direct(a) how many telephone calls were received from members of the public, (b) how many calls were answered by an answerphone or other courtesy message service, giving in each case the time and duration of the calls, (c) the average duration of a call and (d) how many callers were advised to contact their general practitioner in each week from the week beginning 1 November 1999 to date. [107079]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 27 January 2000]: The number of telephone calls answered by NHS Direct at each call centre is shown in the table for November and December and for each week since 20 December.

  The number of calls answered by a message or an answerphone is not collected. Over the Christmas and new year holiday period, the standard call-centre practice of using messages to inform the public about the service was incorporated into NHS Direct.

  As with any new telephone-based service, call lengths reduce over time as operators become more familiar with their system. Call lengths for nurse triage calls in December averaged about 12 minutes.

  The proportion of callers advised by NHS Direct to contact their general practitioner averages about 40 per cent. each month.

  903W

  Breakdown of calls per call centre

  Site

  Total calls

  Average call duration

  North East

  64,517

  453.33

  East Yorkshire

  16,222

  554.50

  West Yorkshire

  54,049

  302.73

  South Yorkshire

  12,542

  464.69

  Lancashire

  54,266

  361.02

  Manchester

  54,469

  433.27

  East Midlands

  51,903

  353.33

  West Midlands

  82,860

  466.95

  Beds and Herts

  18,732

  469.55

  Callers advised to contact their general practitioner

  site

  November

  December

  20–26 December

  27 December-2 January

  3–9 January

  10–16 January

  17–23 January

  North East

  2,553

  3,420

  783

  1,114

  947

  964

  858

  East Yorkshire

  1,434

  2,428

  354

  1,223

  739

  592

  491

  West Yorkshire

  2,489

  9,533

  1,848

  4,031

  2,759

  2,350

  2,040

  South Yorkshire

  —

  1,373

  123

  233

  153

  138

  112

  Lancashire

  2,143

  4,298

  1,031

  1,702

  1,247

  1,126

  1,023

  Manchester

  3,065

  5,225

  1,243

  1,934

  1,523

  1,668

  1,025

  East Midlands

  1,916

  4,031

  1,600

  3,596

  1,570

  1,420

  1,175

  West Midlands

  3,828

  7,026

  1,672

  2,425

  1,825

  1,585

  1,318

  Beds and Herts

  420

  2,540

  779

  1,087

  601

  677

  654

  Thames Valley

  2,045

  3,407

  813

  1,168

  964

  962

  792

  Essex

  2,750

  4,804

  960

  1,508

  1,122

  1,071

  937

  West London

  6,612

  10,559

  2,433

  4,153

  2,748

  2,019

  1,838

  South East London

  1,164

  202

  373

  716

  588

  508

  413

  South West London

  —

  4,900

  485

  734

  542

  382

  483

  South East Counties

  —

  —

  574

  751

  629

  548

  430

  West Country

  3,395

  10,802

  808

  2,465

  1,957

  1,889

  1,778

  Hampshire

  1,586

  3,504

  888

  1,346

  956

  987

  905

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the report his Department has received from Sheffield University on NHS Direct. [111121]

  Ms Stuart
  Sheffield University's interim report is in the Library. This was published in March 1999. Sheffield University's final report on NHS Direct is expected shortly. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls have been made to NHS Direct over the last six months; and what proportion of those calls were made by carers. [110735]

  Ms Stuart
  Between July and December 1999 NHS Direct received more than 750,000 calls. NHS Direct nurses ascertain the relationship between the caller and the patient for every call. Details for these relationships are shown in the table for December 1999.

  Percentage

  Self

  53

  Child

  25

  Parent

  6

  Spouse/Partner

  8

  Other relative

  4

  Friend/associate

  1

  In my professional care

  1

  other

  2

  Health Authority Funding
  Mr. Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the additional funding that 904W

  Breakdown of calls per call center

  Site

  Total calls

  Average call duration

  Thames Valley

  41,232

  392.91

  Essex

  51,313

  267.54

  West London

  79,005

  327.57

  South East London

  16,053

  299.91

  South West London

  15,046

  326.67

  South West Counties

  16,053

  445.99

  West Country

  63,464

  466.73

  Hampshire

  32,943

  355.01

  will be made available to Wakefield health authority in each of the next five years, following the Prime Minister's recent announcement on NHS spending. [107607]

  Mr. Denham
  2000–01 health authority allocations were announced on 21 December 1999. The allocation for Wakefield health authority for 2000–01 is £227.89 million. This represents an increase of £14.80 million (6.95 per cent.). Decisions on expenditure plans for 2001–02 to 2003–04 will be taken in due course as part of the current spending review.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what socio-economic factors and indices are included as part of the weighted capitation formula used when determining funding for health authorities and whether the formula is under review. [110942]

  Mr. Denham
  The weighted capitation formula used to inform allocations to English health authorities includes a wide range of socio-economic variables associated with the need for healthcare. These are described in "Resource Allocation: Weighted Capitation Formulas". Copies are available in the Library.

  There is currently a wide-ranging review of the formula.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on plans to employ social workers from South Africa; and what plans he has to encourage more people into the profession in Britain. [107598]

  Mr. Hutton
  Although vacancy rates for social workers are among some of the lowest for a decade, we are concerned that social workers must be available in the
  905W
  right numbers if we are to deliver the higher quality of services that users and their carers deserve, and if we are to make a success of vital new initiatives such as Quality Protects.

  It is the responsibility of local authorities, as employers, to ensure that they have sufficient social workers who are competent and safe to practise. It is a matter for each local authority to consider whether a possible answer to an immediate recruitment difficulty is to recruit social workers from abroad.

  We are maintaining the traditional professional social work courses in higher education. In addition we have funded the development of open and distant learning routes in social work to maintain a wide access gate to these professional qualifications. We also believe that the employers should be doing more to develop the skills and commitment of the nearly 900,000 staff they employ in social care and provide more of these staff with access to professional social work training.

  Without wishing to take away from the employers their responsibility for their own workforce, the Government can act positively to stimulate debate among employment interests as to how best to tackle problems of recruitment and retention and to give a boost to the morale and standing of staff in the social services.

  We therefore propose to host a summit meeting of all the key employment interests including employers, staff and professional associations across all sectors of social care. We intend to see employment interests put in place a positive campaign of action on the recruitment and retention issues of the whole social care workforce, not just those of professional social workers.

  Drugs Purchases (North Essex)
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the cost to the National Health Service of the purchase of drugs within the area of the North Essex Health Authority for each year since 1995. [109437]

  Ms Stuart
  The information available is in the table.

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  NHS Trust expenditure

  10,589,000

  12,514,000

  14,491,000

  Prescription pricing authority (PPA)1

  65,340,000

  70,898,000

  75,354,000

  Total

  75,929,000

  83,412,000

  89,845,000

  1estimates

  Notes:

  1. The figures for 1995–96 are not on a comparable basis, as although there was a North Essex District Health Authority, the Family Health Services Authority covered the whole of Essex.

  2. Trust expenditure on drugs and gases is from the Trust Financial Returns for the eight National Health Service Trusts where North Essex Health Authority is the major commissioner. This is not audited information and will include some expenditure incurred for other commissioners.

  3. An estimate of drugs expenditure is available by individual health authority from the Prescription Pricing Authority's EPACT system. The national estimated total expenditure for all health authorities supplied by the Prescription Pricing Authority does not equal the total included in their audited accounts of health authorities.

  Nurses
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses left the NHS for retirement in each of the last 10 years. [108222]

  Mr. Denham
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the NHS Pensions Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. A. F. Cowan. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase spending on NHS dentistry. [109854]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have accepted in full the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' remuneration. These include an increase of 3.3 per cent. in general dental practitioners' (GDPs') remuneration and awards totalling about £17 million per year in England to reward GDPs' commitment to the National Health Service. The Review Body's recommendations will increase expenditure by over £50 million a year. The other principal factor determining expenditure on the General Dental Service will be the number of patients registered and treated by individual GDPs. As they work within a non cash limited service, their activity is not constrained to a fixed, pre-set budget. Expenditure levels on the Community and Hospital Dental Services are set by individual health authorities in the light of their local operational needs and priorities. We are considering currently what, if any, further expenditure is needed.

  CCTV
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will install close circuit television in units for patients with mental or learning disabilities. [109675]

  Mr. Hutton
  The safety of both patients and staff is best protected by adequate staffing levels, appropriate training, clear operational policies, and proper supervision and monitoring. Use of CCTV would be a matter for local decision, and in cases of secure accommodation would be used to monitor public and secure perimeter areas.

  Austria (Bilateral Meetings)
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [109894]

  Ms Stuart
  No previously planned meetings have been cancelled since the new Austrian government was formed.

  Dental Laboratories
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to improve the quality of work produced by dental laboratories since May 1997. [109945]
  907W
  Mr. Hutton
  All dental materials used to manufacture dental appliances must be safe and fit for their purpose and must meet the requirements of the Medical Devices Regulations. Dental appliances must be manufactured in accordance with a dentist's instructions.

  Regulations provide that in providing general dental services a dentist shall employ a proper degree of skill and attention, and use only materials suitable for the purpose for which they are used.

  Clinical governance is being implemented in the general dental services which will improve the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of dental treatment There is a system by which restorations which are claimed to have been placed can be inspected by a Dental Reference Officer of the Dental Practice Board.

  Mind Report
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will assess the report, "Counting the Cost", published on 9 February by Mind. [109957]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are already making use of Mind's report, which we funded, in a series of events around the country designed to engage the media in constructive dialogue about the way they report mental health issues. The report, together with an evaluation of these events, will also help us to plan future initiatives.

  Drugs Supply
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many drug companies supply the NHS; and if he will list the major suppliers. [110555]

  Ms Stuart
  In 1998 approximately 700 companies supplied the National Health Service with proprietary medicines. This figure for all prescriptions dispensed in the community in England is based on statistics from the Prescription Cost Analysis system.

  The 40 major companies supplying the NHS with branded medicines (defined as those with NHS sales of £20 million or more in 1998) are listed.

  3M Health Care Ltd.

  Abbott Laboratories Ltd.

  Astra Pharmaceuticals

  Baxter Healthcare Ltd.

  Bayer plc

  Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd.

  Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Du Pont Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Eli Lilly and Company Ltd.

  Glaxo Wellcome

  Hoechst Marion Roussel

  Janssen Cilag Ltd.

  Knoll Ltd.

  Leo Laboratories Ltd.

  Lorex Synthelabo Ltd.

  Lundbeck Ltd.

  Medeva Pharma Ltd.

  Merck Sharpe & Dohme Ltd

  908W

  Napp Pharmaceuticals Group

  Norton Healthcare

  Novartis Pharmaceuticals Group

  Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Organon Laboratories Ltd.

  Pasteur Merieux Ltd.

  Pfizer Ltd.

  Pharmacia and Upjohn Ltd.

  Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals

  Reckitt and Colman Products Ltd.

  Rhone Poulenc Rorer Ltd.

  Roche Products Ltd.

  Sanofi Winthrop Ltd.

  Schering Health Care Ltd.

  Schering-Plough Ltd.

  Searle

  Servier Laboratories Ltd.

  SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals

  Solvay Healthcare Ltd.

  Warner Lambert

  Wyeth

  Zeneca Pharmaceuticals.

  We do not hold central information on suppliers of generic medicines in the UK in the same way as for branded medicines. Based on published accounts, the major suppliers of generic medicines in the UK (defined as those with sales in the UK of £20 million or more in 1998 (unless otherwise stated) are listed.

  Norton Healthcare (based on sales figures for 1997)

  Generics (UK) Ltd.

  Cox Pharmaceuticals

  APS Berk Pharmaceutical

  CP Pharmaceuticals (based on 12 month sales to end June 1998)

  Lagap Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Nurse Training
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what pre-training courses exist for people interested in taking up nursing as a profession; what steps he is taking to extend such courses; and if he will make a statement. [110559]

  Mr. Denham
  A number of steps are being taken to extend the accepted entry routes into nurse training. The new model of nurse education that was announced in "Making a Difference" will deliver more flexible career pathways into and through nursing and midwifery education. Initiatives include:Developing more access courses.
  The introduction of nurse 'cadet' schemes which lead to individuals being able to achieve the qualifications sufficient to meet the entry requirements to a pre-registration nursing or midwifery course, eg NVQ level 3.
  Stronger links between vocational training and pre-registration education allowing people to take up a career as a qualified nurse later in life.
  Expansion of part time and more flexible pre-registration nursing diploma programmes including the development of 'stepping on and off' points on nurse education programmes.
  Expansion of secondment opportunities for National Health Service employees to access pre-registration nursing and midwifery diploma programmes.
  909W
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that trainee nurses undergo practical experience with patients at an early stage of their training; and if he will make a statement. [110560]

  Mr. Denham
  Under the new model of nurse education that was announced in 'Making a Difference: Strengthening the nursing, midwifery and health visiting contribution to health and healthcare', steps are now being taken to ensure that nursing students have higher quality and longer placements and the opportunity to start to acquire the necessary clinical skills for practice from the beginning of their programme.

  Drugs Bill
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state the total cost of drugs to the NHS in(a) gross and (b) net terms for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [110557]

  Ms Stuart
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  £ million

  Year

  Gross NHS drugs bill

  Net NHS drugs bill

  1989–90

  1,951

  1,942

  1990–91

  2,092

  2,080

  1991–92

  2,335

  2,317

  1992–93

  2,651

  2,641

  1993–94

  2,979

  2,951

  1994–95

  3,252

  3,230

  1995–96

  3,505

  3,498

  1996–97

  3,808

  3,774

  1997–98

  4,107

  4,085

  1998–99

  4,356

  4,339

  Note:

  1.The gross figure represents FHS and HCHS costs

  2. The net figure has PPRS receipts deducted

  Drugs Recycling
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage the recycling of drugs not taken by patients; and if he will make a statement. [110554]

  Ms Stuart
  We are taking no such steps. Recycling of drugs is unsafe.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidance he has issued in respect of access to intensive care beds for elderly patients. [110433]

  Ms Stuart
  Guidelines on admissions to and discharge from intensive care and high dependency units were issued in March 1996. The guidelines provide advice according to severity of illness and not according to age. Copies of the guidelines are available in the Library.

  Stoma Services
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stoma nurses working in the NHS are sponsored by dispensing appliance contractors; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in respect of sponsored clinical personnel. [110929]
  910W
  Ms Stuart
  Sponsorship of Stoma nurses is by local arrangement.

  The Department expects all staff to adhere to high standards of business conduct, as set out in existing guidelines published in January 1993—Standards of business conduct for National Health Service staff (HSG(93)5).

  Consultation has recently taken place on updated guidance, which we expect to be available shortly, which will specifically address stoma care nurses.

  Hospital Outpatient Appointments
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to reduce the number of first appointments not attended by patients at hospital outpatient departments; and if he will make a statement. [110896]

  Ms Stuart
  There are a number of examples of good practice already introduced by National Health Service trusts to reduce the number of patients that fail to turn up for appointments. These include issuing reminder letters and installing dedicated 24 hour answerphones so that patients can call to cancel their appointments at a time that suits them.

  The recent report "Variations in NHS Outpatient Performance" recommends the introduction of partial booking systems as a step towards total booking systems. In a partial booking system, patients are informed upon receipt of the general practitioner's referral letter of the waiting time for that particular clinic, and the patient is asked to telephone the hospital a few weeks before that time to arrange a convenient date. Evidence suggests that this process reduces the number of occasions where patients fail to attend appointments.

  The introduction of booking systems—so that patients can pre-book an appointment/admission date that is convenient to them—is a key part of the modernisation agenda. 24 pilots began to introduce these systems in September 1998. Most of these booked admissions pilots have significantly reduced the "Did Not Attend" (DNA) rates, with some eliminating them altogether. In September 1999, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a further 60 pilots to take forward this part of the modernisation agenda, increasing the coverage to around 2 million patients.

  Devonshire Royal Hospital Site, Buxton
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the final plans for the disposal of the Devonshire Royal Hospital site, Buxton. [110843]

  Ms Stuart
  The process of selecting a preferred purchaser is not yet finalised, however, the National Health Service is planning to vacate the site in July this year and decommissioning should be completed by September 2000.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of hyperbaic oxygen therapy for MS; and if he will make a statement. [110707]
  911W
  Mr. Denham
  There are no current United Kingdom marketing authorisations for hyperbaic oxygen indicated for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. Therefore, it is not licensed in the UK as a medicinal product for this purpose and the Medicines Control Agency cannot comment as to its safety, quality and efficacy for this kind of treatment.

  Mrs. Hilary Pearce
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a public inquiry into the events and procedures surrounding the death of Mrs. Hilary Pearce at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge; and if he will make a statement. [110842]

  Ms Stuart
  Addenbrooke's Hospital National Health Service Trust has offered its sincerest apologies to the family of Mrs. Pearce following this dreadful mistake which caused her tragic death. The trust has conducted an internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this incident and Mrs. Pearce' s family has been given the full report of the findings. The trust has taken this matter seriously and has already put in place action in response to the recommendations of the inquiry.

  Too often we hear of incidents occurring in the NHS which should have been avoidable if the lessons of past experience had been properly learned. That is why last year we asked the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, to convene an expert group to examine the mechanisms by which the NHS currently analyses and learns from adverse health care events and to make recommendations for improvements. The group will report to Health Ministers shortly and we will be looking very carefully indeed at what it has to say.

  Premature Deaths (Somerset)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the principal causes of premature death in Somerset in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [110800]

  Ms Stuart
  The 10 most common causes of death in 1998 for residents of Somerset aged under 75-years-old is given in the tables:

  Females

  Total deaths—all causes

  721

  ICD1

  ICD9 410–414 Ischaemic heart disease

  100

  ICD9 174 Malignant neoplasm of female breast

  66

  ICD9 430–438 Cerebrovascular disease

  52

  ICD9 162 Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung,

  39

  ICD9 490–496 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions

  35

  ICD9 480–186 Pneumonia

  28

  ICD9 153 Malignant neoplasm of colon

  26

  ICD9 183 Malignant neoplasm of ovary and other uterine adnexa

  25

  ICD9 199 Malignant neoplasm without specification of site

  25

  ICD9 150 Malignant neoplasm of oesophagus

  14

  ICD 157 Malignant neoplasm of pancreas

  14

  ICD9 571 Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis

  14

  438

  1 Interational classification of diseases,ninth revision

  912W

  Males

  Total deaths—all causes

  1,132

  ICD1

  ICD9 410–414 Ischaemic heart disease

  294

  ICD9 162 Malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung

  88

  ICD9 430–438 Cerebrovascular disease

  54

  ICD9 490–496 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions

  45

  ICD9 480–486 Pneumonia

  41

  ICD9 185 Malignant neoplasm of prostate

  40

  ICD9 441 Aortic aneurysm

  37

  ICD9 E950–E959 Suicide and ICD E980-E989 exc. E988.8 Self inflicted injury where it is undetermined whether injury accidentally or purposely inflicted

  32

  ICD9 199 Malignant neoplasm without specification of site

  30

  ICD9 153 Malignant neoplasm of colon

  29

  690

  1 International classification of diseases, ninth revision

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics database.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), of 2 February to the hon. Member for Lewes, on xenotransplantation, what disposal methods are authorised for meat from pigs subject to xenotransplantation procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if such meat is deemed suitable for human consumption. [111049]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: The Home Office Code of Practice for the Humane Killing of Animals under Schedule 1 to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 lists appropriate methods for the killing of animals regulated by the Act and advice on disposal of carcases.

  Meat from genetically modified animals, such as those used in some xenotransplantation procedures, cannot enter the food chain without approval under the Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulations (258/7). Genetically modified animals would fall within the category of
  "foods and food ingredients containing or consisting of genetically modified organisms within the meaning of Directive 90/220/EEC".

  Before approval could be granted an application would have to be made within the European Union seeking clearance for meat from such animals to be placed on the market. Any application would have to demonstrate that the meat was safe for human consumption. No applications under the Novel Food Regulations have been made relating to meat from animals used in xenotransplantation procedures.

  Midwives
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified midwives were employed in the NHS(a) in 1979, (b) in 1997 and (c) at the latest available dates. [111316]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: Information about numbers of midwives employed by the National Health Service is collected as at 30 September each year. Latest figures are as at 30 September 1998. The information is shown in the table.
  913W

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): Midwives, in England, as at 30 September each year

  Number (headcount)

  19791

  14,620

  1997

  22,380

  1998

  22,840

  1 State certified midwives in hospital and at area and district. Figures exclude learners and agency staff. 1979 figure not directly comparable with later years.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for England (HPSSS)

  Voluntary Organisations (Grants)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances he renews a core grant to a voluntary organisation beyond the normal period for which such grants are payable. [110920]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: The Section 64 General Scheme of grants is the Department's main channel of support to the voluntary sector. Core grants, as well as project grants, are awarded for up to three years to national voluntary organisations. There is no bar to any voluntary organisation applying for renewal core funding, but a renewal application should concentrate on showing why and how continued funding would help the Department to achieve its aims, and the outputs and achievements that a grant would produce.

  Electro-convulsive Treatment
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients(a) under and (b) over the age of 18 years were given electro-convulsive treatment in England and Wales (i) with and (ii) without their consent for each of the last two years. [111416]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is not available in the form requested. A one-off survey covering the period from January 1999 to March 1999, England only, was undertaken to provide an up to date and accurate snapshot picture of the use of electro-convulsive treatment (ECT). Prior to this information previously recorded on ECT did not provide an accurate picture on the use of ECT. Any data collected in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.

  The results of the survey are contained in the Department of Health Statistical bulletin "Electro Convulsive Therapy: Survey covering the period from January 1999 to March 1999, England", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Naloxone/Nacran
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake a consultation exercise on extending the categories of health professionals qualified to administer the drug Naloxone/Nacran, to include ambulance technicians. [111166]

  Ms Stuart
  Any extension to the groups of professionals who may administer injectable medicines such as Naloxone without a doctor's directions and on their own initiative, would require an amendment to the Prescription Only Medicine (Human Use) Order 1997.914W
  There is an established process whereby advice is sought from the Committee on Safety of Medicines on an application prior to public consultation. Currently there is no application under consideration and I have no plans to undertake a consultation exercise. Naloxone may be administered by ambulance paramedics as they are one of the groups mentioned above.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the Government initiatives in the primary care system to address coronary heart disease. [110353]

  Yvette Cooper
  Primary care initiatives have an important role to play in health promotion and in preventing coronary heart disease (CHD). The main risk factors are smoking, physical inactivity, obesity and poor diet. Since 1990, the terms of services for general practitioners has obliged them to provide opportunistic health promotion services to patients, including advice about the significance of diet, exercise and the use of tobacco. A locally based health promotion programme for GPs was also introduced from October 1996.

  The National Priorities Guidance (NPG), which sets the Government's aim and objectives for the National Health Service, highlights CHD and smoking as key priorities for modernisation. The NPG directs health authorities and primary care groups to develop services for smoking cessation. Both primary care groups and individual practices should be working closely with these specialist services.

  On 2 February, my hon. Friend the Minister of State announced the launch of the National Primary Care Development Team, a major initiative to enable primary care to cut unnecessary deaths, improve patient access and tackle waiting lists and times. The primary care groups and trusts in this scheme will commit themselves to tackling CHD. In addition, the Government will publish shortly a National Service Framework for CHD, the first ever comprehensive plan to deal with all aspects of this disease. It is an ambitious 10 year strategy that will address both prevention and treatment of CHD, in which primary care teams will be playing a major part.

  Cancer Services
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to increase access to specialists for suspected cancers, with particular reference to the most disadvantaged patients. [110362]

  Yvette Cooper
  We have introduced a two week waiting time standard, which will be in place for all cases of suspected cancer by the end of this year, whereby all patients with suspected cancer referred urgently by their general practitioners for a specialist investigation should be seen within two weeks.

  We are also developing cancer referral guidelines to help GPs and other members of primary care identify more easily those symptoms that could be cancer and require an urgent appointment with a specialist within two weeks. The final guidelines will be published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in April 2000.
  915W
  We are also increasing the number of cancer specialists. There are currently 400 higher specialist trainees for main cancer specialties—oncology and palliative care. We expect these will emerge from training over the next five years increasing the number of specialists by 60 per cent. Professor Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, is developing a work force strategy and will work with professional bodies and local cancer networks to identify future work force demands and ways in which they could be met.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Congestion Charging
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the outcome was of his consultation on road user charging and the workplace parking levy. [111713]

  Mr. Hill
  Our consultation paper "Breaking the Logjam, the Government's consultation paper on fighting traffic congestion and pollution through road user and workplace parking charges" was published on 8 December 1998. It confirmed our intention to legislate on road user charging and on the workplace parking levy and invited comments by 31 March last year on a wide range on mainly practical issues.

  Some 8,000 copies of "Breaking the Logjam" were distributed, and we received 665 responses. 75 per cent. of the responses which gave an opinion supported or accepted the need for the new charges. The Transport Bill currently before Parliament implements these policies.

  Following our consultation, we are proposing an exemption or concession from the workplace parking levy for National Health Service hospitals.

  We have today published a report analysing the responses we received, and placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses and in the Vote Office. We are grateful to everyone who responded.

  Antibiotic Marker Genes
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of plant crops, listing the crops that have been released for research purposes in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the EU, in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [108623]

  Mr. Meacher
  Antibiotic resistance genes are included in some (but not all) GM plants to help identify them in the research and development phase of their production. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has considered the risks posed to the environment by antibiotic resistance genes. It was the Committee's view that, of the ones approved for release, there is little or no evidence that antibiotic resistance genes can escape from crop plants under field conditions, but even if it did happen it would not cause environmental harm, or add 916W
  significantly to the total amount of resistance already widespread in the environment, compared to other uses in medicine and agriculture.

  The table lists the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, used in genetic modification of crops for research releases in the United Kingdom during the past five years.

  Gene

  Antibiotic

  nptll or neo

  Aminoglycoside antibiotics including kanamycin, and neomycin

  Aad

  Streptomycin and spectinomycin

  Bla

  Narrow spectrum lactam antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin

  Hpt

  Hygromycin

  I have today placed in the House Library details of the specification of modified crops including antibiotic marker genes that have been released in the UK for research purposes over the last five years.

  The Joint Research Centre (JRC), through its Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, collate and distribute to member states, Norway and Iceland a summary of each part B (research and development) application received in the EU. In excess of 1,000 (approx.) crops containing antibiotic marker genes have been released for research purposes in the EU in the last five years. To provide information on each crop through this PQ would involve a disproportionate cost because member states have direct control over the licensing the release of GM crops in their own territory. Each member state would therefore need to be contacted individually to clarify the information.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the average time taken between a planning inspector submitting his report to ministers and a decision being taken by ministers in each of the last three years. [110229]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The information is as follows:

  Weeks

  Call ins

  Recovered Appeals

  1997

  21

  19

  1998

  20

  20

  1999

  21

  21

  Called-in and recovered appeal cases, by their nature, tend to raise issues which often need further consideration within the Department before decisions can be taken.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications he called in for decision in each of the last 10 years. [111526]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The figures are as follows:

  Number

  1989–90

  103

  1990–91

  132

  1991–92

  140

  1992–93

  101

  917W

  Number

  1993–94

  99

  1994–95

  167

  1995–96

  144

  1996–97

  139

  1997–98

  147

  1998–99

  138

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the outstanding planning applications which he has called in for decision. [111527]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information is as follows:

  288 High Street, Enfield

  Allied London, Bracknell Forest

  Amberswood, Wigan

  Arena Central redevelopment, Birmingham City

  ASDA Old Kent Road, Southwark

  ASDA Park Royal, Ealing

  Auberges des Foultanes, Barnsley

  BAA Logistics Facility, Berkshire

  Barkby Thorpe Lane, Thurmaston, Leics

  Barleycastle, Warrington

  Bietigheim Way, Surrey Heath

  Bietigheim Way, Main Square, Surrey Heath

  Bowden Derra, North Cornwall

  Brent Cross Shopping Centre, Barnet

  Brewery Road, Broxboume

  Broadoaks, Parvis Road, Surrey

  Brockham Park, Gadbrook Road, Mole Valley

  Burntwood Sports, Barnsley

  Bursting Stone Quarry, Lake District National Park Authority

  Bushcliff Farm, Wakefield

  Carina Road, Kettering, Northants

  Chesford Grange, Leek Wootton, Warwick

  Chilwell Dam Farm, Nottingham

  Clearview Tennis Centre, Brentwood

  Cobridge Road, Stoke on Trent

  Coghurst Wood, Rother

  Coghurst Wood, Rother

  Congleton Business Park

  Cottesmore Hunt Kennels, Rutland

  Crockford Bridge Farm, Runnymede

  Crownhill Water Treatment, Plymouth

  Cutacre Opencast Coal Site, Wigan

  Dawley II Opencast Coal Site, Telford and Wrekin

  Diamond Way, Irthlingborough Exeter City Centre, Exeter

  Fen Road, Fenland

  Five Acres Country Club, St. Albans

  Five Oaks Lane, Redbridge

  Flowers Brewery Site, Cheltenham

  Former Bus Depot, Haughton Road, Darlington

  Former Chantry Industrial Estate, Guildford

  Former London Rubber Co, Waltham Forest

  Former Quinton Bus depot, Birmingham City

  Former RAF buildings, Cotswold

  Former South London Hospital for Women, Lambeth

  918W

  Gatliff Road, Westminster

  George Washington County Hotel, Washington, Sunderland

  Glaxo-Wellcome, Bromley

  Goldings, East Hertfordshire

  Grain Silo Park and Ride, Oxford

  Grain Silo Park and Ride, Oxford

  Greenwich University, Greenwich

  Gunton Park, Waveney

  Hamer Ford Site, Tamworth

  Hanbury manor, East Hertfordshire

  Haslingden Road, Blackburn

  Highlands Farm, Rother

  Holborough cement works, Snodland

  Homebase retail, Basingstoke and Deane

  Honeypot Farm, Honeypot Lane, Tandridge

  Hornsey High Street, Haringey

  Hotel at Wotton House, Mole Valley

  Hotel at Wotton House, Mole Valley

  Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees

  Iver South Sewage Works (Linked to Terminal 5, Heathrow), Bucks

  Iver South Sewage Works (Linked to Terminal 5, Heathrow), Bucks

  Jaguar Land bounded by A46, Coventry City

  John Dickinson Site, Warrington

  Kenly and Anson Close and Gauntlet Crescent, Tandridge

  Kenyon Station, Warrington

  Key Site 1, Hounslow

  Lakeside Auto Park, Essex

  Land adjacent to Blossom Hill, East Devon

  Land at Coombe Farm, Plymouth

  Land at Lawley Middleway, Birmingham City

  Land North of Obelisk Way, Surrey Heath

  Land West of Park Street, Surrey Heath

  Land West of Park Street, Surrey Heath

  Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

  Legal and General, Bracknell Civic Centre, Bracknell Forest

  Legal and General, Bracknell Forest

  Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club, South Bedfordshire

  Lowestoft Road, Waveney

  Medway Valley Leisure Park, Strood

  Middleton Technology School, Middleton

  Multiplex, Kirkby-in-Ashfield

  Newdigate Brickworks, Mole Valley

  Newtown Service Station, South Staffordshire

  Norheads Farm, Bromley

  North Cornwall, Bowden Derra Park

  North Hertfordshire College, Stevenage

  North Wiltshire, Showell Farm

  Northern Gateway Access Road, Enfield

  Northern Gateway Access Road, Epping Forest

  Norton Canes Greyhound, Cannock Chase

  Octavia Road/Unwin Road, Hounslow

  Orbital Park, Wigan

  Portland Sidings, Mansfield, Nottingham

  Proposed new settlement at Corazely, Wokingham

  Proposed new settlement at Spencers Wood and three Mile Cross, Wokingham

  RAF Hendon East Camp, Camden

  919W

  Rawnsley Road (A), Cannock Chase

  Rawnsley Road (B), Cannock Chase

  Rawnsley Road (c), Cannock Chase

  Red Quadrant, Metrocentre, Gateshead

  Restormel, Victoria Business Park

  Restormel, Victoria Business Park

  Roaring Meg Retail Park South, Stevenage

  Roebuck Retail Park, Stevenage

  Rossfield Road, Ellesmere Port

  Rossmore Road, Ellesmere Port

  Safeway, Plough Lane, Merton

  Sandown Hall, Liverpool

  Scarisbrick, West Lancs

  Showell Farm, North Wiltshire

  South Church, Bishop Auckland, Wear Valley

  Spath, East Staffordshire

  Sports Village, Wakefield

  Stone Lodge, Dartford

  Strayfield Works, Enfield

  Sunny Dale, Newcastle under Lyme

  Tarporley Road, North Shropshire

  Tesco Stores Ltd, North Lincolnshire

  Tesco/Former Lorry Park, Enfield

  The Chapel, East Herefordshire

  The Gardens of the Rose, St Albans

  The Linkway, Bolton

  The Oaklands, North Shropshire

  The Valley, Bolton

  Town Square and Cambridge Walk, Surrey Heath

  Trentham Gardens, Stafford

  Year-on-year Council Tax1 changes in somerset 1994–95 to 1999–2000

  percentage

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  (a) Real change

  Mendip

  7.1

  -1.9

  4.3

  4.4

  2.5

  4.9

  Sedgemoor

  4.8

  0.6

  1.3

  5.4

  1.5

  4.8

  Taunton Deane

  2.9

  0.9

  8.5

  5.5

  4.1

  4.8

  West Somerset

  12.0

  0.7

  1.6

  4.1

  3.4

  4.4

  South Somerset

  3.7

  2.5

  -0.0

  4.8

  2.5

  4.7

  (b) Actual change

  Mendip

  8.6

  1.0

  7.7

  7.3

  5.8

  7.3

  Sedgemoor

  6.3

  3.5

  4.5

  8.3

  4.8

  7.2

  Taunton Deane

  4.3

  3.8

  12.0

  8.5

  7.5

  7.2

  West Somerset

  13.6

  3.7

  4.9

  7.1

  6.8

  6.7

  South Somerset

  5.2

  5.5

  3.2

  7.7

  5.8

  7.0

  1 The percentage changes are calculated from the headline Council Tax (Band D, 2 adults) amounts, before transitional relief and Council Tax benefit. These amounts cover the authority's own Council Tax plus the Council Tax of Somerset County Council and Avon and Somerset Police Authority.

  London Transport
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999,Official Report, column 337W, on London Transport, on what date he will report on London Transport's expenditure on external consultants up to the end of the first half of the current financial year. [110894]
  920W

  Upper beach adjacent to Crangon Cottages, Wealden

  Vic Hallam site, Langley Mill, Derbys

  Warnborough College, Vale of White Horse

  Warnborough College, Vale of White Horse

  Waste Transfer Station and Concrete Crushing Station, West Sussex

  Waste Transfer Station and Concrete Crushing Station, West Sussex

  Waterside Park, Tameside

  Weedon Depot, Northants

  Widnes Town Centre, Widnes

  Willow Farm, Havering

  Wilson Bowden Properties, Wakefield

  Woodbine Cottage, Vale Royal

  Xanadu Complex, Wigan

  Ye Olde Pounde Café, Stratford upon Avon

  The total number of applications listed above is 145. These are at different stages of the process. For instance, some have just been called in, or are at inquiry, or the inspectors' reports have been received following inquiry. Where applications are mentioned more than once this is because a called-in scheme comprises two or more separate applications.

  Council Tax (Somerset)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the(a) real terms and (b) cash terms rise in the Council Tax in Somerset for each year since 1983–84; and if he will make a statement. [110801]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information for each year since the introduction of Council Tax in 1993–94 is as follows:

  Mr. Hill
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 525W.

  Housing Development
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has
  921W
  to facilitate the building of more homes in villages of fewer than 3,000 people, through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme. [110787]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have asked the Housing Corporation to continue to ensure in the year 2000–01 that 3.4 per cent. of new approvals through the Approved Development Programme are in settlements with a population of 3,000 people or fewer. This will generate 750 new homes.

  The number of new homes produced through the Approved Development Programme in subsequent years will depend on the outcome of this year's Spending Review.

  Thameslink 2000
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the public inquiry into the Thameslink 2000 project will commence. [111006]

  Mr. Hill
  The inquiry arrangements have not yet been finalised. I hope to make an announcement about this shortly.

  Packaging Recovery
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total revenue raised by the Packaging Recovery Note system in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999. [110641]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: In 1998, my Department estimates that revenue raised by the Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) System was some £78,000,000. A final outturn for 1999 is not yet available but on the basis of the first three quarters' outtum, our preliminary estimate is that revenue from the PRN system in 1999 will have been in the region of £62,000,000.

  Hedgerow Regulations 1997
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to scrutinise the operation of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. [110907]

  Mr. Mullin
  The report of a review of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 was published in June 1998. This included information from a Local Government Association survey of its members on the operation of the Regulations. We are currently evaluating the results of research into the review proposals and in the light of that expect to publish draft regulations for consultation later this year.

  Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of installations to be affected by the introduction of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, specifying(a) pig installations and (b) poultry installations. [110738]

  Mr. Meacher
  Only farms with more than 2,000 places for pigs over 30 kilos or 750 places for sows, or 40,000 places for poultry, will be regulated under IPPC. The Environment Agency estimates that in England and Wales 922W
  this will encompass up to 435 pig installations and about 1,200 broiler installations, and 200 laying hen installations; for poultry, the great majority of installations will not come into IPPC until 2003, and for pigs until 2004.

  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the charges to be levied by other EU countries and by Scotland consequent upon the introduction of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive; and if he will make a statement. [110737]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Environment Agency is gathering information on charging practices associated with IPPC in other EU countries. This will inform the development of a long-term charging scheme. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency proposes to apply its existing charging schemes relating to discharges to air, land and water to IPPC as an interim measure, with an increase in tariff of 10 per cent. to reflect the extra regulatory activities associated with IPPC.

  Montreal Protocol
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Government will take with its counterparts in the European Union to ensure that the Montreal Protocol of 1987 is implemented; and if he will make a statement. [110773]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Montreal Protocol is implemented within the European Union by EC Regulation 3093/94 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The current Regulation enables the EU to meet its commitments under the Protocol as agreed by Parties at the Copenhagen Meeting in 1992. A new EC Regulation is currently being agreed which will implement subsequent revisions to the Protocol.

  Conservation
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect(a) vascular plants, (b) fungi, (c) lichens, (d) bryophytes and (e) stoneworts; and if he will make a statement. [110706]

  Mr. Mullin
  All wild plants are protected from picking, uprooting and destruction by unauthorised persons under section 13 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  The highest level of protection is given to wild plants of species listed in schedule 8 to the Act. All intentional picking, uprooting and destruction of wild plants of these species is prohibited. Sale of plant species listed in schedule 8 is also prohibited.

  Additionally, there are a number of Biodiversity Action Plans being implemented for many species of vascular plants, fungi, lichens, bryophytes and stoneworts.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of(a) wild flower meadows, (b) open heaths, (c) open peat bogs and (d) hedgerows were (i) destroyed and (ii) seriously damaged between 1979 and 1997 in (x) England and (y) Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [110705]
  923W
  Mr. Mullin
  Comprehensive information on loss and damage to wildflower meadows, open heaths, open peat bogs and hedgerows for England for the full period between 1979 and 1997 is not currently available. However, it is estimated that 18 per cent. of non-agriculturally improved grasslands and calcareous grasslands, 2 per cent. of open heaths and 2 per cent. of open peat bogs were converted for agriculture or forestry in Great Britain in the period between 1984 and 1990. It is estimated that 12 per cent. of hedgerows were removed in England and Wales in the period between 1984 and 1993. These losses were partly compensated for by creation and natural regeneration of habitats and planting of new hedges. No separate estimates of damage are currently available for any of these features.

  In Shropshire, the Shropshire Wildlife Trust have estimated that 20 per cent. of wildflower meadows, 6.1 per cent. of open heaths, and 3.5 per cent. of open peat bogs were lost between 1979 and 1989.

  The Department is currently funding Countryside Survey 2000, which will provide up-to-date estimates of change in broad habitat types for Great Britain.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amount of housing benefit paid to each local authority in respect of council housing for the years 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, and 1999–2000, indicating the average number of recipients for each authority. [110952]

  Mr. Mullin
  A table showing the available information has been placed in the Library. The table shows the Rent Rebate Subsidy Element of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy, which represents eligible expenditure by authorities on rent rebates offset by any assumed surplus on their Housing Element. For some authorities, no Rent Rebate Element is paid because the assumed surplus on the Housing Element exceeds their eligible spending on rent rebates.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which(a) have completed and (b) are in the process of transferring their housing stock by means of a large scale voluntary transfer, indicating the number of units involved for each authority. [110951]

  Mr. Mullin
  The local authorities which have transferred all or part of their housing stock to a new landlord are in the table:

  Local authority

  Number of units

  Chiltern DC

  4,650

  Sevenoaks DC

  6,526

  Newbury DC

  7,053

  Swale DC

  7,352

  Broadland DC

  3,721

  Bedford BC

  7,472

  Medina DC

  2,825

  Rochester CC

  8,029

  S. Wight DC

  2,119

  Mid Sussex DC

  4,466

  E. Dorset DC

  2,245

  Tonbridge and Mailing BC

  6,382

  924W

  Local authority

  Number of units

  Ryedale DC

  3,353

  South Buckinghamshire DC

  3,319

  Christchurch BC

  1,621

  Suffolk Coastal DC

  5,272

  Tunbridge Wells BC

  5,519

  LB Bromley

  12,393

  Surrey Heath BC

  2,885

  Brecklands DC

  6,781

  East Cambridgeshire DC

  4,266

  Hambleton DC

  4,268

  West Dorset DC

  5,279

  Havant BC

  3,561

  Espom and Ewell BC

  1,740

  Hart DC

  2,408

  S. Shropshire DC

  1,500

  Leominster DC

  1,832

  South Ribble BC

  3,445

  Hertsmere BC

  6,070

  Penwith DC

  3,354

  N. Dorset DC

  2,881

  Wychavon DC

  6,563

  Mid Bedfordshire DC

  2,971

  Thanet DC

  2,658

  Vale of White Horse DC

  5,028

  Cherwell DC

  1,322

  Basingstoke and Deane BC

  8,910

  Malvern Hills DC

  4,817

  Maldon DC

  2,006

  Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

  6,217

  Kennet DC

  4,915

  Rushmoor BC

  5,102

  N. Wiltshire DC

  6,100

  Spelthorne BC

  3,645

  E. Hampshire DC

  4,059

  Hastings BC

  4,560

  Eastleigh BC

  4,332

  Wyre BC

  2,951

  Walsall MBC

  1,485

  Manchester City Council

  9,706

  Stratford DC

  6,003

  West Wiltshire DC

  1,769

  Cotswold DC

  4,282

  South Staffs DC

  5,273

  Lichfield DC

  4,921

  South Oxfordshire DC

  5,018

  Eden DC

  1,510

  LB Lambeth

  4,587

  LB Bexley

  8,215

  Congleton DC

  4,061

  Oldham DC

  642

  Liverpool City Council

  5,521

  LB Merton

  1,018

  LB Tower Hamlets

  4,283

  Kerrier DC

  3,732

  LB Hackney

  3,696

  LB Brent

  1,481

  Basildon DC

  708

  West Somerset DC

  1,869

  Stoke-on-Trent CC

  917

  Tewkesbury DC

  3,066

  Rother DC

  3,058

  Wirral DC

  1,082

  Tameside MBC

  901

  West Devon BC

  1,446

  South Somerset DC

  8,883

  East Lindsey DC

  5,102

  South Hams DC

  3,096

  LB Hammersmith and Fulham

  668

  Telford and Wrekin DC

  13,081

  LB Enfield

  1,194

  Worthing DC

  2,525

  Bath and North East Somerset

  9,887

  LB Greenwich

  1,280

  AllerdaleDC

  4,431

  925W

  Local authority

  Number of units

  Preston BC

  1,121

  Birmingham CC

  2,813

  LB Islington

  1,386

  West Lindsey DC

  3,929

  Boston BC

  4,871

  Tynedale DC

  3,564

  Newcastle under Lyme BC

  9,887

  Restormel BC

  3,577

  The following authorities are in the process of transferring their stock:

  Local authority

  Number of units

  Burnley BC

  5,354

  Coventry CC

  20,479

  Elmbridge BC

  5,022

  Huntingdonshire DC

  7,134

  Manchester CC

  2,690

  North Devon DC

  3,382

  LB Richmond

  8,780

  Tameside MBC

  16,959

  Test Valley BC

  5,789

  Weymouth and Portland BC

  3,526

  Wyre Forest DC

  6,440

  LB Hackney

  2,394

  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the amount of council house subsidy paid to each local authority in the years 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, and 1999–2000, indicating the number of council houses in each authority in those years. [110950]

  Mr. Mullin
  A table showing the available information has been placed in the Library. For many authorities no housing subsidy was paid because they were in assumed surplus on their Housing Element subsidy and this assumed surplus was offset against payments of Rent Rebate subsidy.

  Care Leavers and Orphans
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of his plans to house care leavers and orphans between the ages 16 and 17 years; and by what amount these proposals will reduce the number of rough sleepers.[110955]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no plans to assist care leavers or orphans between the ages of 16 to 17 with housing unless they are homeless and vulnerable. Local authorities already have a duty to accommodate homeless young people whom they consider to be vulnerable, and therefore in priority need, under the provisions of the Housing Act 1996. We recognise that young people who are leaving care may face particular difficulties in making the transition to independent living, as a consequence of institutionalisation and perhaps having limited back-up support. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' revised draft Code of Guidance on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness, due to be published later this year, will therefore recommend that local authorities treat young care leavers, and 16 and 17-year-olds with little or no back-up support, as being vulnerable under the homelessness legislation. This 926W
  clarifies existing local authority duties in order to ensure a greater consistency of approach. As such, it should require no additional cost to public funds. Our Housing Green Paper, also due to be published later this year, will include further measures to improve the protection for unintentionally homeless people.

  The Government have set up the Rough Sleepers Unit, with a budget of almost £200 million, to reduce rough sleeping in England by at least two thirds by 2002. A commitment to focusing on the most vulnerable people on the streets is at the heart of the Unit's approach, and young rough sleepers are among the most vulnerable of all. The revised guidance on housing allocation is one of the ways in which we will prevent future rough sleeping among vulnerable young people. This will complement the provisions of the Children (Leaving Care) Bill, and the "Quality Protects" programme, which makes available £375 million to local authorities over three years to increase the support offered to care leavers.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the number of post offices which receive(a) 25 per cent., (b) 50 per cent., (c) 75 per cent. and (d) 100 per cent rate relief, for the latest year for which statistics are available; what plans he has to change the funding of, and guidelines for, such rate relief; and if he will make a statement. [110791]

  Ms Armstrong
  The number of post offices receiving rate relief is not held centrally. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  We have no plans to change the funding or extent to which rural post offices can qualify for rate relief under the village shop rate relief scheme.

  The Prime Minister announced on 21 October 1999, Official Report, column 630W, the Post Office Network Project, to identify the contribution made by post offices to the vitality of local communities, consider how the Post Office Network can best contribute to the Government's objectives in the future and in the process formulate objectives for the Post Office Network.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if a public sector comparator was used as a benchmark against which the judgment to proceed with a public/private partnership option for NATS was made in line with the recommendations in technical note 5-The Objectives of a PPP; [110551]

  (2) how he will ensure that an appropriate level of risk will be transferred in the proposed NATS public/private partnership to guarantee value for money for public funds; [110550]

  (3) what economic appraisal techniques were used fully to evaluate the key commercial risks of the public/private partnership for NATS to ensure value for money for public funds. [110549]

  Mr. Mullin
  As set out on page 3 of the Treasury Taskforce Private Finance Guidance (Technical Note No. 5), the Government will ensure a proper competition is
  927W
  held to identify a private sector strategic partner. The Government, along with their financial advisers, have also carried out a proper assessment of the economic and commercial risks, including on proceeds and for major projects such as the New En-Route Centre and the New Scottish Centre. This assessment included both qualitative and quantitative techniques such as risk-adjusted discounted cash flow analysis.

  The Government have also undertaken a comprehensive assessment of benefits offered to NATS, its customers and the public sector compared to retention of NATS in the public sector. In making this assessment, the Government considered a wide range of factors, including qualitative factors such as its objectives for the PPP to improve NATS efficiency and project management abilities. The Government concluded that only a private sector solution, by providing commercial disciplines and access to private sector project management skills, would offer the right combination of benefits to NATS, its customers and the public sector.

  A full analysis was made of how the risks could be best allocated between public and private sectors to ensure that the risks are borne where they are best managed and also to deliver value for money. In the case of the NATS PPP, the risk transfer will be commensurate with the transfer of control to the private sector. Following receipt of tenders from bidders, a final assessment will be made to ensure value for money and a proper transfer of risk.

  Racist Incidents
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many local authorities in England (1) have established schemes for co-operation with(a) the police and (b) other agencies for the purposes of sharing information concerning racist incidents; [111289]

  (2) how many local authorities in England have adopted the definition of racist incident given in the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report. [111290]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities in England(a) are and (b) are not participating in multi-agency panels to tackle racial harassment. [110297]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities in England(a) provide and (b) support the provision of facilities for the reporting of racist incidents. [110367]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  This information is not held centrally. However, following my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's Action Plan, my right hon. Friend will be announcing tomorrow the publication of the first annual report. It will set out the details of progress made and identify action still to be taken across public services.

  In addition, for 2000–01 the Audit Commission has required that local authorities publish annually the number of racial incidents recorded by the authority per 100,000 population and the percentage of such incidents that result in further action by the authority. For this purpose, racial incidents are
  "any incidents regarded as such by the victim or anyone else"
  928W
  which reflects the definition given in the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report. The indicators cover all an authority's services.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to(a) require and (b) request councils to sell off council housing. [111114]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have no plans to force local authorities to sell off their council housing. Housing transfers to registered social landlords will remain voluntary and require the approval of tenants before they can take place. However, we are keen for local authorities to pursue transfer where it is clearly part of their housing strategy and will improve the living conditions of tenants and the service which they receive.

  Driving Test Centres
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost of running the(a) Llandrindod Wells-Powys, (b) Newtown-Powys, (c) Brecon-Powys, (d) KingtonHerefordshire and (e) Hereford driving test centres for each of the last three years, indicating the total property rental costs in each case. [111101]

  Mr. Hill
  The Driving Standards Agency does not have a driving test centre in Kington, Herefordshire. The annual property costs, including rates, service charges, maintenance and utilities, for the other four locations are shown, with the rental shown separately.

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Rent

  Llandrindod Wells

  2,895

  3,256

  1,458

  379

  Newtown

  5,530

  6,342

  5,687

  3,408

  Brecon

  11,107

  4,234

  4,582

  1,000

  Hereford

  9,563

  5,530

  4,258

  2,450

  Land Use (Tyne and Wear)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate on the basis of the provisional national land use database the area of(a) vacant and (b) derelict land in each local authority in Tyne and Wear together with the area available for (i) conversion, (ii) reuse and (iii) redevelopment. [111358]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The available information for the local authority districts is in "Government Statistics Supplementary Table" on the NLUD website (www.nlud.org.uk); the table provides an extract for Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead. It shows the total amounts of previously developed vacant land, derelict land and land occupied by vacant buildings reported by each local authority. It is important to note that not all of this land will be available for redevelopment. The table shows the portions allocated
  929W
  for housing use in the local plan or with planning permission for housing. The table additionally shows amounts of land in use with allocation for redevelopment

  Supplementary table—Previously developed land that is unused or may be available for redevelopment1 by land type and planning Authority: England 1998

  hectares

  Previously developed vacant land

  Derelict land and buildings

  Land occupied by vacant buildings

  Land currently in use with planning allocation for any use or planning permission for housing

  Government Office Region2/Planning Authority and National Parks

  Area

  Of which proposed for housing

  Area

  Of which proposed for housing

  Area

  Of which proposed for housing

  Area

  Of which proposed for housing

  North East

  Gateshead

  93

  2

  93

  31

  4

  32

  68

  14

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  73

  46

  91

  1

  5

  1

  51

  9

  North Tyneside

  44

  34

  50

  16

  2

  5—

  3

  3

  South Tyneside

  30

  410

  29

  4,5—

  5—

  5—

  7

  2

  Sunderland

  97

  28

  148

  7

  40

  39

  66

  19

  1 Ungrossed totals as reported by the authority. Comprises previously developed vacant and derelict land: vacant buildings (excluding single dwellings except where they could be developed into 10 or more dwellings); land or buildings currently in use, which are allocated in the local plan for any developed use or have planning permission for housing.

  2 Excludes National Parks, which are given at the end of the table.

  3 Completion is less than 85 per cent.

  4 Figures have been revised against the May 1999 Supplementary Table because of duplicate sites; amendments made by the Local Authority; data resubmitted by the Local Authority after the May 1999 Supplementary Table; changes to assumptions used by the DETR.

  5 Nil or less than half the final digit shown.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many press officers were employed in his Department; and what was the total expenditure on press officers by his Department, at(a) May 1997, (b) January 1998, (c) January 1999 and (d) January 2000. [111620]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Detailed information on the numbers of permanent civil servants employed in Departmental Press Offices during the financial year 1997–98 were provided in a memorandum dated 16 June 1998 to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on the Government Information and Communication Service (HC 770) in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House. The number of press officers in post and their cost in January 1999 was 34.3 staff costing £109,000 and in January 2000 was 40.8 staff costing £131,000.

  Macpherson Report
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local authorities in England which have adopted action plans for tackling institutional racism following the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report. [110296]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  This information is not held centrally. However the "Local Authorities Race Relations Information Exchange" (LARRIE) is preparing a report for publication next month which will set out this information.

  Taxis
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to allow licensed private hire vehicles to be
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  or with planning permission for housing. The figures refer to the time of the survey in 1998, and have not been adjusted for some cases where the coverage was partial.

  driven by the spouses of licensed private hire vehicle drivers for non-hire purposes; and if he will make a statement. [110830]

  Mr. Hill
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East and Saddleworth (Mr. Woolas) on 21 December 1999,Official Report, column 521W.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which water companies(a) have and (b) have not accepted responsibility for a free leak repair service for domestic supply pipes. [111275]

  Mr. Mullin
  All water companies currently offer some degree of free repair to all domestic customers' supply pipes, with the exception of Mid Kent Water. Most companies have some restrictions, for example up to a maximum cost for each repair, although many companies offer free or subsidised pipe replacement. Mid Kent Water will undertake free repairs only in areas where it considers water resources to be tight, but has not currently designated any such areas.

  Full details for each company are provided in Appendix 2 of the Director General of Water Services' 1998–99 Report on Leakage and Water Efficiency.

  Pollution (Falmouth Harbour)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent directions he has given to the Environment Agency regarding pollution in Falmouth Harbour; and if he will make a statement. [111129]
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  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: Section 40 of the Environment Act 1995 provides for the Secretary of State to make directions to the Environment Agency in respect of the carrying out of any of its functions. No such directions have been made to the Environment Agency in respect of pollution in Falmouth Harbour.

  In July last year I announced the designation of an additional 76 new shellfish waters, and the extension of 17 existing designations in England, including the Fal Estuary. In addition, My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made a number of designations of Sensitive Areas pursuant to implementation of the EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The most recent, made on 30 July 1998, included designation of the upper reaches of the Truro, Tresillian and Fal estuaries. In such areas, the Environment Agency is required to ensure through its discharge consenting powers that appropriate nutrient removal requirements are imposed through sewage discharge.

  Pedestrians
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish a daughter document on facilities for pedestrians and strategies for promoting walking. [110746]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: Guidance to local authorities on encouraging walking will be published shortly.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received about producing guidance for local authorities on a strategy for pedestrians. [110748]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: The Secretary of State has received a letter from the Chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport about publishing guidance on encouraging walking. This is being considered by Ministers.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what planning guidance he will produce to encourage facilities for pedestrians and to promote walking. [110747]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: The Government published for consultation last year a draft revision to Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 on Transport, which encourages local authorities to promote walking by a range of measures including the creation of safe and secure walking routes, improved design and access to new developments, pedestrianisation schemes, traffic calming and pedestrian-friendly road crossings. We intend to publish the final version of PPG13 later this year.

  In September 1998, the Government published a good practice guide "Places, Streets and Movement: A companion guide to Design Bulletin 32. Residential roads and footpaths", which explains how the layout of residential areas can contribute to the promotion of walking.

  Rough Sleeper Deaths
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people sleeping rough died, broken down by cause of death, in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [111070]

  Mr. Hill
  The Government do not collect this information. Research has, however, shown that the mortality rate of rough sleepers is higher than that of the general population; that rough sleepers are more likely than the general population to die of unnatural causes; and that they are much more likely to commit suicide.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities that exceeded the council tax increase guideline set under the Council Tax Benefit subsidy limitation scheme in 1999–2000; what amount of subsidy is to be withdrawn from these local authorities in an individual basis; and on what date any withdrawal of subsidy will take effect. [111236]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Contributions to the cost of council tax benefit are required by 156 authorities in 1999–2000. Their contributions total £31.222 million. I have placed a table showing the individual figures for the 156 authorities in the Library.

  Council tax benefit subsidy is paid in 12 monthly instalments during the year based on estimates submitted by the authority before the start of the financial year, and adjusted at mid year when authorities submit updated estimates. At the end of the financial year authorities submit final subsidy claims to DSS on actual expenditure when adjustments are made against previous estimates. The first subsidy instalments taking account of local contributions under the council tax benefit subsidy limitation scheme were made in October 1999 after authorities had submitted mid year estimates based on their contribution to council tax benefit.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Helsinki Council
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 December 1999,Official Report, columns 59–60W, concerning parliamentary scrutiny of policy decisions or agreements on matters placed before the European Council at Helsinki on 10 to 11 December 1999, if he will list (a) the decisions approved there together with the title and reference numbers of related public documents; and (b) when they and related Government memoranda were placed in the Vote Office of the House. [105129]

  Mr. Vaz
  Strictly speaking, the European Council does not take decisions, but notes documents submitted to it in Council Conclusions. A number of documents were submitted to the Helsinki European Council on 10–11 December 1999. The table gives the titles, references and details of the scrutiny history of each document.
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  Scrutiny of documents submitted to Helsinki council

  Document title

  Reference

  Deposited in vote office

  Date of explanatory memoranda (EM)

  Comment

  Enlargement: Council report on the European Conference

  13764/99

  No

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee for information

  Enlargement: Commission Composite Paper

  12053/99

  3 November 1999

  FCO EMs of 22 and 29 November 1999

  —

  IGC on Institutional Reform: Presidency Report

  13636/99

  No

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee under cover of letter from FCO Minister of State

  Enlargement: Guidelines for reform and Operational Recommendations

  13863/99

  No

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee under cover of letter from FCO Minister of State

  CFSP: Presidency Reports on Military and Non-Military Crisis Management

  13619/1/99

  14 December 1999

  FCO EMs of 30 November 1999 addressing security and defence, and military crisis separately

  —

  Common Strategy on Russia: Presidency progress report and workplan

  13483/1/99

  No

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee for information

  Common Strategy on Ukraine

  13523/2/99

  14 December 1999

  FCO EM of 30 November 1999

  —

  Stability Pact for SE Europe: Report on EU action

  13814/99

  —

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee for information

  Economic and Monetary Affairs: Council Report on Economic Policy Co-ordination

  13123/1/99

  15 February 2000

  EM under preparation

  —

  Economic and Monetary Affairs: Council Report on Reinforced Tax Co-operation

  13140/1/99

  27 January 2000

  Treasury EM of 17 January 2000

  —

  Economic and Monetary Affairs: Presidency report reviewing the Fight against Fraud

  13329/99

  No

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee for information

  Employment: Joint Employment Report 1999

  10993/99, 13607/99

  8 October 1999 (version 10993/99)

  DfEE EM of 18 October 1999

  —

  Employment: Council Report on Employment Guidelines 2000

  10992/99, 13605/99

  8 October 1999 (version 10992/99)

  DfEE EM of 18 October 1999

  —

  Employment: Council recommendation on the implementation of member States' employment policies

  10994/99,13608/99

  11 October 1999 (version 10994/99)

  DfEE EM of 18 October 1999

  —

  Council Report: for Integrating environmental aspects and sustainable development into energy policy

  13773/99

  11 January 2000

  DTI EM of 4 January 2000

  —

  Council Report: on strategy on the integration of environmental and sustainable development into transport policy

  11717/99

  —

  —

  EM under preparation

  Council Report: Integration of environmental protection and sustainable development into the Internal Market policy

  11393/99, 13622/99

  7 January 2000 (version 11393/99)

  DTI EM of 11 January 2000

  —

  Council Report: Integrating sustainable development into the industry policy of the EU

  13549/1/99

  6 January 2000

  26 October 1999

  —

  Council Report: Strategy on the environmental integration and sustainable development in common agriculture policy established by the Agriculture Council

  12328/99, 13078/99

  26 November 1999 (version 12328/99)

  28 November 1999

  —

  Council Report on the integration of environment in the Community's development policies

  13644/99

  No

  DfID unnumbered EM of 29 October 1999

  —

  Commission Report on integrating environment and sustainable development into Community policies

  13572/99

  No

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee for information.

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  935W

  Scrutiny of documents submitted to Helsinki council

  Document title

  Reference

  Deposited in vote office

  Date of explanatory memoranda (EM)

  Comment

  Commission co-ordinated report on environmental indicators

  13573/99

  No

  —

  Sent to the European Scrutiny Committee for information

  Commission Communication on the global evaluation of the 5th action programme for the environment

  13598/99

  20 December 1999

  DETR EM of 12 January 2000

  —

  Commission Report on Better Lawmaking 1999, including Subsidiarity

  13725/99

  20 December 1999

  6 January 2000

  —

  Organised Crime: Report on the finalisation and evaluation of the Action Plan

  9917/99

  7 September 1999

  22 September 1999

  —

  European Strategy against Drugs

  12555/99

  26 November 1999

  26 November 1999

  —

  EU Action Plan on Russian Organised Crime: Basic Principles

  10532/99,13009/1/99

  7 September 1999 (version 10532/99)

  22 September 1999

  —

  Human Rights: Report on the reinforcement of EU action

  13557/99

  No

  —

  Sent to European Scrutiny Committee for information

  Commission Report on safeguarding current sport structures and maintaining the social function of sport within the Community framework

  COM(99)644

  14 December 1999

  DCMS EM of 20 December 1999

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999,Official Report, column 315W, 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. [108191]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 February 2000,Official Report, columns 135–37W.

  Austria
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [109876]

  Mr. Vaz
  From May 1997 until December 1999 there were many bilateral and other meetings involving Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and Officials and their Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs counterparts. A wide range of issues, mostly on EU related matters was discussed.

  Departmental Functions (Food)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required of domestic producers. [109784]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: All food served at official functions in my office is obtained from suppliers who are subject to the relevant legal requirements.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the enlarged European Union in the light of the Helsinki European Council agreement. [109952]

  Mr. Vaz
  On 14 February the member states of the European Union convened an Intergovernmental Conference to make the institutional changes necessary to prepare for enlargement. The following day they launched accession negotiations with six countries (Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovakia), increasing to 12 the total number of countries currently in negotiation. Both events represent important steps towards a swift and successful enlargement of the EU, in line with the Helsinki European Council conclusions.

  EU General Affairs Council
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 14 and 15 February; and if he will make a statement. [110552]

  Mr. Vaz
  The General Affairs Council in Brussels on 14–15 February adopted the A points listed in document no. 6075/00 and noted resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 3 February 2000 in Brussels, as listed in document no. 5316/00. Copies of these documents will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

  1. Preparations for Lisbon European Council

  The Presidency summarised discussions so far. The UK welcomed the proposals for modernisation of the EU economy, and stressed the need for the Lisbon Special Council to agree clear objectives and a timetable for action.
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  2. Defence

  The GAC agreed to establish three interim bodies as part of the follow-up to the Report to the Helsinki European Council on strengthening the Common European Security and Defence Policy: an interim Political and Security Committee, an interim military body, and a system for the detachment of national experts in the military field to the General Secretariat of the Council.

  3. Charter of Rights

  The Presidency gave a brief progress report on preparatory work on the draft EU Charter of Rights.

  4. Commission reform

  The GAC heard a presentation from the Commission Vice-President Neil Kinnock on proposals for management reform within the Commission. The GAC adopted conclusions welcoming these proposals and calling for their rapid implementation.

  5. Freelance interpreters

  The GAC did not reach agreement on the European Commission's proposal to restore the right of freelance interpreters employed by the Commission to be taxed at Community rates, rather than national rates. The issue will be reconsidered at a later date.

  6. Opening of Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC)

  Foreign Ministers inaugurated an Inter-Governmental Conference to decide institutional reforms necessary for enlargement. The President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, and the President of the Commission, Romano Prodi, made statements. Subsequent discussion focused on procedural arrangements for the IGC, such as the language regime for meetings and the order and scope of issues to be discussed.

  7. Western Balkans

  The GAC agreed to maintain its policy of applying maximum pressure on President Milosevic, without penalising the Serbian people. IT decided to suspend the flight ban for a period of six months, to extend the scope of the visa ban list and invited the Commission to present detailed proposals on enhancing the effectiveness of existing financial sanctions. The GAC repeated the urgency of re-establishing freedom of navigation on the Danube and agreed that responsibility in this regard lay mainly with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).

  The GAC invited the Commission to submit further proposals to address Montenegro's most pressing needs, including facilitation of trade. It reiterated the importance of including Montenegro in the regional projects to be presented at the Regional Funding Conference for the stability pact.

  The GAC reiterated its condemnation of all acts of violence in Kosovo and was particularly concerned by the renewed outbreak of ethnic violence in Mitrovica and the recent attacks against members of KFOR. The GAC warned that its assistance to Kosovo was dependent on progress in inter-ethnic reconciliation. The GAC took note of the High Representative's appeal to provide more police officers for the UN Civil Police mission, and welcomed the Commission's announcement of the early disbursement of 35 million euros to the consolidated Kosovo budget.
  938W
  The GAC agreed on an early visit by an EU Ministerial Troika to Croatia. It also invited the Commission to prepare a feasibility study on the prospects of a Stability and Association Agreement. The Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr. Ivica Racan, joined EU Ministers for coffee after lunch.

  The GAC reiterated its concern about the unwillingness of the leadership of Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement the New York declaration and efforts to unravel the Dayton-Paris General Frame Agreement for Peace.

  The GAC gave its full support to the efforts of the Special Co-ordinator, the European Commission and the World bank to give a strong impetus to the Stability Pact's goal of reinvigorating the political and economic reform process and stimulating regional co-operation.

  The GAC endorsed the principal findings in the Commission's report of the Stabilisation and Association process for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania. The Council hoped that the next conditionality review could show significant improvements and underlined the need for fulfilment of all conditions by these countries.

  8. Middle East Peace Process

  The GAC issued conclusions urging restraint in Lebanon; expressing regret and concern that the 13 February deadline for a Framework Agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians had been missed; and urging the Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations with a view to concluding permanent status negotiation within the agreed target period.

  9. Russia

  The GAC discussed the latest situation in Chechnya, called on the Russian government to take immediate steps towards a peaceful solution and stressed the need to meet the humanitarian needs of people displaced by the war. The GAC reiterated its support for the OSCE and Council of Europe's efforts to reach a peaceful settlement and expressed its concern about the missing Russian journalist Andrei Babitski.

  10. Mexico

  The GAC welcomed the outcome of negotiation between the EU and Mexico on a Free Trade Agreement, and reaffirmed the importance of the Agreement entering into force quickly. The GAC also agreed that the Commission should monitor and evaluate the impact of the tariff import quota granted to Mexico for orange juice, and that the provisions agreed regarding rules of origin for industrial products did not constitute a precedent for negotiations with third countries.

  11. EU/South Africa

  The Council discussed outstanding difficulties relating to the provisional application of the EU/South Africa Trade, development and Co-operation Agreement. The Council agreed a draft letter to South Africa, on the basis of earlier discussions between South Africa and the European Commission, proposing a solution to the outstanding difficulties and confirming the Council's agreement to the provisional application.

  12. Indonesia

  The Commission presented a communication on Indonesia. This will be the subject of detailed discussion at the March GAC.
  939W
  13. Association Council with Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia

  Associations Councils with Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia were held in the margins of the GAC on 14 February. The Association Councils covered preparations for accession, trade, international issues and implementation of the European Agreements.

  14. Enlargement

  On 15 February, six separate Inter-Governmental Conferences were launched establishing accession negotiations with Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovakia.

  Kazakhstan
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the UK Ambassador made to the proposal by the Kazakhstan Government to change the country's capital city. [110695]

  Mr. Vaz
  It is not for our Ambassador to comment on the change of Kazakhstan's capital city, which transferred formally from Almaty to Astana in June 1998.

  The British Embassy in Kazakhstan, which is also responsible for Krygyzstan, is still situated in Almaty, as are the Embassies of our EU partners and most other countries. We and our EU partners keep the question of transferring our Embassies to the new capital under regular review.

  Serbia
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government have for an expansion of the heating oil to Serbia scheme. [110694]

  Mr. Vaz
  The initial response of the Serbian government to the Energy for Democracy scheme was to block the first consignment of heating oil at the FRY/Macedonian border. They were forced to let the consignment through after public protests in the towns of Nis and Pirot. The scheme has helped to refute one of Milosevic' s main propaganda lies, that the West is anti-Serb. The EU has now agreed to consider the expansion of the scheme to a further five towns: Novi Sad, Subotica, Sombor, Kraljevo and Kragujevac.

  South-Eastern Europe
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what projects have been(a) agreed by and (b) put to, but not yet agreed by (i) the European Union, (ii) the World Bank, (iii) NATO and (iv) other institutions, as part of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe. [110691]

  Mr. Vaz
  A large number of projects for the Economic Reconstruction and Security Working Tables of the Stability Pact were tabled at Pact meetings in Skopje on 10–11 February and Sarajevo on 15–16 February. Democracy and Human Rights projects are to be tabled at a meeting in Budapest on 21–22 February. Others are being submitted directly to the Office of the Stability Pact Special Co-Ordinator.

  After the Budapest meeting the Special Co-ordinator's Office will begin tabulating, sifting and prioritising the projects, with a view to tabling a final list at a Regional
  940W
  Financing Conference to be held in Brussels on 29–30 March. International Financial Institutions (including the World Bank), the European Commission and other donors will then consider which of these projects might be financed.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what forthcoming conferences and meetings with UK Government involvement are planned to consider economic projects for South-Eastern Europe; and what is on the agendas. [110692]

  Mr. Vaz
  The UK expects to be represented at a South-Eastern Europe Regional Financing Conference in Brussels on 29–30 March, which will consider financing of projects for the region. The agenda for this meeting has not yet been set.

  Danube
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on cyanide pollution in the Danube; and if he will make a statement. [111003]

  Mr. Vaz
  We have followed with concern reports of the pollution in the Danube caused by a serious spill of cyanide-contaminated water from a gold mine in Western Romania. There is no UK involvement in this disaster. The UK supports the EU principle of "The Polluter Pays". We also support the EU initiative in calling for an investigation into the causes of this pollution.

  European Union Political and Security Committee
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the(a) terms of reference and (b) proposed composition of the European Union Political and Security Committee. [110701]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Presidency report adopted at the Helsinki European Council on strengthening the common European security and defence policy adopted at the Helsinki European Council, and placed in the Library of the House, proposed the establishment of a standing Political and Security Committee which would deal with all aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, including the common European security and defence policy, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty on European Union, and without prejudice to Community competence; and that the Committee would be composed of national representatives of senior/ambassadorial level.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in his Department; and how many of them are(a) men and (b) women. [110689]

  Mr. Hain
  Information on the ethnic origin of the Department's staff is collected on the understanding that it will be treated on a confidential basis. To protect the privacy of individual members of staff we do not disclose data relating to fewer than five people. My Department has fewer than five people of minority ethnic origin in its Senior Management Structure. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to ensuring that it
  941W
  reflects the diversity of modern Britain. The Department has a comprehensive minority strategy in place to ensure this happens.

  Russia
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the President of Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matters discussed. [111004]

  Mr. Vaz
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will meet Acting President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week. He expects to discuss the situation in Chechnya, the outlook for Russia, and a range of issues on the international agenda.

  Middle East
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Israeli(a) politicians and (b) political advisers who met Lord Levy on each of his visits to the Middle East as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy. [110509]

  Mr. Hain
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: I refer to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker).

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens(a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110725]

  Mr. Hain
  Our policy is that the use of peat should be avoided and manures, coir, bark chippings and organic fertilizers used instead.

  Departmental Energy Use
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the electricity used by his Department is generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement. [111036]

  Mr. Hain
  None of the electricity used by the Department is currently generated from renewable sources.

  British Council
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what extra Government grant will be allocated to the British Council for the opening of planned new country directorates in(a) Libya and (b) Iran. [111261]

  Mr. Hain
  The British Council is funded through grant-in-aid, voted by Parliament, for its activities world-wide rather than through specific grants for individual countries. The Council makes decisions about resource allocation for its activities in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to give the same percentage increase or decrease in 942W
  Government grant to the British Council at the annual spending review as his Department receives in the review; and if he will make a statement. [111244]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 9 February 2000,Official Report, column 181W.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what extra grant was allocated by his Department to the British Council for opening the new country directorates in(a) Bolivia and (b) Cuba. [111262]

  Mr. Hain
  The British Council is provided with grant-in-aid funding for its activities world-wide. This Government provided the Council with an increase in its grant-in-aid at the first opportunity, ie in the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement covering 1999–2000 to 2001–02. The Council makes decisions on the allocation of resources for its activities, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Export Licences (Pakistan)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2000,Official Report, column 336W, if he has amended any valid open general export licence since 12 October 1999 by removal of Pakistan as a permitted destination; whether he has issued any instructions to HM Customs and Excise to prevent the export to Pakistan of any specified goods for which a valid standard or open licence is in force; if he has revoked any licence for the export of licensable goods to Pakistan since 12 October 1999; and if he will make a statement. [111079]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 11 February 2000,Official Report, columns 336–37W. None of these steps have been taken. There is no arms embargo on Pakistan. It is possible that some exporters with valid licences agreed before 12 October have competed deliveries under these licences.

  Recycling
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of documentation used by his Department is(a) made from recycled paper and (b) collected for recycling. [111600]

  Mr. Hain
  The FCO does not have this information readily available.

  We are currently carrying out an Environmental Audit which will include recommendations on how to achieve the recycling targets set out in the 1st annual report of the Green Ministers committee.

  "Your Britain, Your Europe" Roadshow
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 33W, which business, educational and other organisations contributed to the "Your Britain, Your Europe", roadshow; and what they contributed. [111152]

  Mr. Vaz
  I visited a number of schools and businesses during the "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow. These included Woodham Comprehensive
  943W
  School (Newton Aycliffe), St. Joseph's School (Hebburn), Nissan Manufacturing (UK), Hull University, CORUS Engineering Steels, Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, Kwik Strip Eco Solutions (Bristol), Queen Elizabeth Hospital School (Bristol), the South West Regional Euro Forum, Bath University, King Edward VI College (Nuneaton), St. John's Primary School (Birmingham), Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and De Montfort University (Leicester). Some of these organised events to mark my visit.

  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was distributed during the "Your Britain, Your Europe" roadshow which directly related to the promotion of the European single currency. [111153]

  Mr. Vaz
  We did not distribute any material relating to the promotion of the European single currency during the roadshow.

  EuroMed
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 15 February 2000,Official Report, column 762, on EuroMed, if he will list matters covered by negotiations for EuroMed agreements. [111164]

  Mr. Vaz
  Association Agreements negotiated between the EU and individual EuroMed countries cover a wide range of topics, including:

  political dialogue

  respect for human rights

  free movement of goods

  agricultural and fisheries products

  right of establishment and services

  movement of capital

  competition

  economic cooperation

  dialogue and cooperation against money laundering, drugs, terrorism and illegal immigration

  treatment of legally resident nationals

  cultural matters

  financial cooperation (through the EU's MEDA funding programme).

  European Union
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to press for greater flexibility in institutional arrangements in the European Union. [111382]

  Mr. Vaz
  The Government's approach to flexibility is set out in the IGC White Paper which was laid before the House on 15 February.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 15 February 2000,Official Report, column 781, concerning a united Europe of states, what the Government's policy is on the powers which states within the EU should continue to be able to exercise independently. [111109]
  944W
  Mr. Vaz
  The independence of member states is not an issue which will be addressed at the IGC. It will be about those reforms necessary to ensure the Union continues to function effectively after enlargement.

  Seal Culling (Russia)
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Russian Government on the culling of baby seals in Russian waters. [111427]

  Mr. Vaz
  We raised the issue of seal culling with the Russian Ambassador in April last year. Our Embassy in Moscow raised it with the Russian authorities in July. On both occasions we reiterated the strong concerns felt about this issue by both parliamentarians and the British public.

  Colonel Gaddafi
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of transcripts of interviews he has given on allegations of British intelligence involvement in an attempted assassination of Colonel Gaddafi. [111591]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I have been asked about this subject in interviews given to the BBC on 9 August 1998 and 14 February 2000. These interviews are a matter of public record. The full text of the first of these interviews is available on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/news/newstext.asp?1401.

  Iran
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Government of Iran about the death sentences imposed on three Iranian Bahài in the city of Mashad on 3 February; and if he will make a statement. [111621]

  Mr. Hain
  We are concerned at reports that three members of the Bahài community were sentenced to death on 3 February. We therefore welcome the subsequent statement from a spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary that no such sentences have been passed, and that there remained the possibility that any convictions would be quashed. The Portuguese Presidency on behalf of the EU member states summoned the Iranian Ambassador to Lisbon on 17 February to express our concern at these reports and seek clarification. The Ambassador was unsighted but said that he would convey the concern of the EU to Tehran. We shall be taking similar action bilaterally.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Power Stations
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Eastern Merchant Generation's proposal to retrofit the flue gas desulphurisation plant at the West Burton coal-fired power station. [111901]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have today granted consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to Eastern Merchant Generation Limited for the construction of flue gas
  945W
  desulphurisation plant at the 2,000 MW coal-fired power station at West Burton in Nottinghamshire. Planning permission for the plant has also been deemed to be granted, subject to 49 planning conditions agreed with the Nottinghamshire County Council and the Bassetlaw District Council and also subject to the company entering into an agreement with the County Council under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to carry out necessary collateral works. The decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled 'Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee' (Cm 4071).

  Copies of the Press Notice and decision letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on Smith Kline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and Scottish Power plc's proposal to build a combined heat and power station at Irvine, Ayrshire. [111903]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have today given clearance under Section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 to SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and ScottishPower plc's notification to build a 45 MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the SmithKline Beecham works, Irvine. The decision has been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).

  The decision to give clearance to the proposal on energy policy grounds is without prejudice to any decision that may be taken on whether or not planning permission is granted.

  Copies of the Press Notice and the clearance letter are being placed in the Library of the House.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Neil Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will provide a detailed response to the Low Pay Commission's recommendations on the national minimum wage. [111902]

  Mr. Byers
  Yes. The Government are today publishing their detailed response to the recommendations and suggestions contained in the Low Pay Commission's second report. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses alongside the Report itself, which the Government published on Tuesday 15 February at the same time as they announced increases to the main and youth rates, and a new remit for the Low Pay Commission.

  British American Tobacco
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes to take regarding the trading activities of British American Tobacco; and if he will make a statement. [111486]

  Dr. Howells
  The Companies Acts enable me to investigate companies to establish the facts when there are suggestions of serious misconduct or fraud. The allegations here seem more appropriate for HM Customs and Excise, who are responsible for issues relating to 946W
  smuggling and VAT evasion. I understand that officials there have received documents on this matter and are considering them.

  The Health Select Committee is currently looking into aspects of this affair. My hon. Friend will understand that I cannot comment further.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implementation of the Working Time Directive. [110594]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government commissioned an interim report of research on the implementation of the Working Time Regulations. A copy of the report is available from the Library of the House.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the proportion of the(a) turnover and (b) profit of sub-post offices in Paisley, South that accrued from benefit transaction charges in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [111138]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  These figures are commercially confidential but I understand from the Post Office that, of the 17 post offices in the Paisley, South constituency, 12 derive 40 per cent. or more of their workload from Benefits Agency-related work.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many rural(a) banks and (b) post offices closed in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [110711]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  I understand from the Post Office that the numbers of rural post office closures are as follows:

  Year to March

  1992

  33

  1993

  163

  1994

  160

  1995

  55

  1996

  131

  1997

  149

  1998

  235

  1999

  214

  I understand from the British Bankers' Association that data on bank closures is not maintained in a form which identifies rural locations. The numbers of bank branch closures in total are as follows:

  Year to December

  1992

  522

  1993

  622

  1994

  432

  1995

  646

  1996

  820

  1997

  680

  1998

  355

  947W
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many pensioners he estimates use rural post offices for collecting pensions; and if he will make a statement. [110710]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Post Office does not hold details of benefit recipients individually or by category.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to improve access to post offices for people in rural areas. [110781]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Government are committed to ensuring that post offices are equipped and re-designed to face the future, and that they are thereby able to continue to play their role as an essential part of the country's social fabric. For the first time, under provisions in the Postal Services Bill, the Government will issue access criteria for post office counter services to ensure reasonable access to these services, particularly in rural areas and areas of social deprivation. Details of the access criteria will follow the conclusion of the work by the Performance and Innovation Unit.

  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the population lives(a) within one mile of a post office and (b) over three miles from a post office in (i) rural areas and (ii) urban areas. [110782]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  The Post Office have provided the following information:

  Percentage

  Distance

  Urban

  Rural

  Northern Ireland

  0.25 mile

  49

  19

  29

  0.50 mile

  92

  52

  60

  1 mile

  100

  85

  83

  2 miles

  100

  97

  96

  3 miles

  100

  99

  100

  5 miles

  100

  100

  100

  Rural areas comprise settlements of less than 6,300 people.

  Data for Northern Ireland are not split between urban and rural categories.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to help all sub-post offices to diversify into(a) bureau de change services, (b) car tax renewals, (c) National Lottery on-line and (d) mobile phone top-up cards; and if he will make a statement. [109479]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: A bureau de change service, introduced in 1996 and providing a wide range of currencies and travellers cheques, is available from all post offices nationwide. Currently 631 post offices offer an on demand bureau de change service whereby foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be bought over the counter. Bureau de change service is available to order throughout the rest of the network and provides delivery within four working days.

  The number of vehicle re-licensing offices has increased from some 2,000 in the early eighties to the present 4,000.
  948W
  National Lottery on-line terminals are sited in 4,303 post offices, of which 3,771 are sub-post offices and approximately 1,500 are located in rural areas.

  Mobile phone pre-pay vouchers are currently available from some 4,800 post offices. I am pleased to be able to inform the right hon. Member that this service will be available to a further 1,800 post offices by April.

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the additional income which will accrue to post offices from cash dispensers to be installed in post offices over the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [109478]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The additional income accruing to post offices from the installation of cash dispensers will be dependent on the size and location of the post offices concerned.

  Nannies
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date he will implement a code of practice for nanny agencies. [111251]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities announced on 17 January that the principles in the proposed voluntary code for nanny agencies would be reflected in the revised statutory regulations to govern the conduct of employment agencies which we expect to table in Spring. Specific guidance for nanny agencies will be issued around that time.

  Holocaust Survivors
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he is making in discussions with the banking industry concerning bank charges levied on Holocaust survivors in respect of conversion of pensions to sterling from Deutchmarks; what response he has received from the banking industry to his letter to them; when he will place the relevant correspondence in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [111653]

  Mr. Byers
  As I said in my reply on 29 October 1999,Official Report, column 1012W, I am pursuing this matter with the banking industry. I will send a substantive reply to my hon. Friend as soon as I have received a full response from the banking industry. I will place a copy of my response in the Libraries of the House.

  Departmental Staff
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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 (1) time-range and (2) 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. [109234]
  949W
  Dr. Howells
  In DTI Headquarters, the following data are available on women taking and returning from maternity leave in the last five years:

  Calendar year

  Number of staff going on maternity leave

  Number of staff returning from maternity leave

  1995

  116

  32

  1996

  101

  39

  1997

  67

  37

  1998

  69

  44

  1999

  67

  37

  Total

  420

  189

  Those returning in each year may, in addition to their maternity leave entitlement on full pay, have taken a period of unpaid maternity leave which may extend up to 41 weeks after the birth. They will not therefore have necessarily begun their leave in the same year. Other staff may continue on a career break for up to 5 years following their full maternity leave entitlement.It is not possible to obtain the full data requested on length of maternity leave or hours worked on return for Headquarters staff using the Department's current personnel database without incurring disproportionate cost. Chief Executives of the Departments Agencies have been asked to reply separately.

  Letter from Ian Jones to Caroline Flint, dated 22 February 2000:
  You tabled a Parliamentary Question on 4 February to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about women employees in his Department and executive agencies. I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) which is an executive agency of the DTI.
  Between 1997 and 1999 forty-three staff returned from maternity leave.
  I am able to inform you that the remaining information you have requested is either not available or could only be made available at disproportionate cost. It is not possible for ETS to identify most of the data requested, using the current Personnel data system (Permis), without more complex programming which would take several days.
  The information dates only from the period since the inception of the Employment Tribunals Service as an executive agency in 1997. There are no earlier records held on the Permis system.

  Letter from J. S. Holden to Caroline Flint, dated 22 February 2000:
  I have been asked to reply to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of Companies House Executive Agency.
  In the last five years, of the total number of women employees who have taken maternity leave.

  (a) 100% returned to work after childbirth. However, 5% left shortly afterwards as they only returned so that they would not lose their paid maternity leave benefit. They would have been accommodated in part-time posts if they had so wished.

  (b) 100% took their full paid maternity benefit.

  (c) 30% changed their hours immediately on their return to work, and then worked on average 19 hours per week.

  (d) 15% returned to full-time hours and changed to part-time hours subsequently, and then worked on average 24 hours per week.

  The remainder carried on working their previous working pattern by choice, which could be either full-time or part-time.
  950W
  Letter from David Hendon to Caroline Flint, dated 22 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your question on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency.
  The following information relates to women within the Radiocommunications Agency who have taken maternity leave in the last five years.

  (a) 84 percent of women returned to work after childbirth

  (b) 66 percent of those women returned to work before the end of maternity leave of which the time range was 41 weeks and the mean time was 18 weeks

  (c) 6 percent of women returned to work after childbirth on reduced working hours for which the average part-time hours worked was 19 hours per week

  (d) 9 percent of women returned work after childbirth on a full-time basis but subsequently reduced their hours.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Caroline Flint, dated 22 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to your question about the proportion of women employees in The Insolvency Service who in the last five years (a) returned to work after childbirth, (b) returned to work after childbirth before the end of maternity leave, indicating the (1) time-range and (2) 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.
  The table below provides limited information about the number and percentage* of female staff commencing and returning from maternity leave in the last five years:

  Year

  Number of women commencing maternity leave

  Percentage

  Number of women returning from maternity leave

  Percentage

  1995

  27

  3.75

  40

  5.6

  1996

  33

  4.6

  31

  4.3

  1997

  29

  4.0

  32

  4.4

  1998

  33

  4.6

  30

  4.2

  1999

  20

  2.8

  28

  3.9

  * Based on the estimated number of women working in The Service during the five years of 720.

  However, I regret that the information held centrally by The Service on its staff is not maintained in a form which would provide the specific details you have asked for except at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from Seton Bennett to Caroline Flint, dated 22 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of NWML to your question regarding women employees returning to work after childbirth.
  Within the Agency in the last 5 years, 3 women employees (12.5% of the female workforce here) have taken maternity leave. Thus, in response to your specific questions:

  (a) 100% returned to work after childbirth

  (b) None returned before the end of maternity leave

  (c) 100% returned to work on reduced working hours (although one employee had been part-time prior to maternity leave), the average hours being 20 per week.

  (d) None returned full-time and subsequently reduced their hours. I trust that this will be satisfactory.

  Letter from Alison Brimelow to Caroline Flint, dated 22 February 2000:
  I am replying on behalf of the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry relating to the return to work of women employees after childbirth during the last five years. The information is based on 77 cases.
  951W

  (a) 81.8% returned to work after childbirth.

  (b) 35% returned to work before the end of the Statutory Maternity Pay period.

  (i) time range 5–15 weeks

  (ii) mean time 14.04 weeks

  (c) 26.8% returned to work on reduced working hours at an average of 18 hours per week.

  (d) 15.6% returned to work full-time and subsequently reduced their hours.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in his Department; and how many of them are(a) men and (b) women. [110688]

  Dr. Howells
  As at 1 April 1999, 55 members of the senior civil service as a whole were from an ethnic minority background (1.7 per cent).

  Information on ethnic origin in the Civil Service is collected on the understanding that it will be treated on a confidential basis. To protect the privacy of individual members of staff we do not disclose data relating to fewer than five people.

  My Department has fewer than five people of ethnic minority background in the Senior Civil Service.

  Departmental Initiatives
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the initiatives launched by his Department since May 1997 under which specific grants are allocated, indicating in each case and for each financial year the funding provided by central Government. [109316]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: A detailed breakdown of the Department's activities is given in the annual Expenditure Plans Reports Trade and Industry: The Government's Expenditure Plans (Cm 3905, Cm 3605, Cm 4211), published by the Stationery Office Limited.

  Paid Parental Leave
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many recent representations he has received in support of paid parental leave from(a) hon. Members and (b) others. [110466]

  Mr. Byers
  From the start of the consultation on the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations on 4 August 1999, we have received approximately 310 representations in support of paid parental leave. This includes the consultation responses and around 260 letters received by the Department.

  In addition to these representations, we have discussed this issue with key representatives and we are setting up a group to monitor and evaluate the take-up of unpaid parental leave. Its findings will influence our future thinking.

  Retail Price Comparisons
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total net price in sterling of the 56 items surveyed in the AC Nielsen report for each of the four countries included in the project. [111059]
  952W
  Dr. Howells
  Information on the net price of each of the 56 items is included in AC Nielsen's report on international retail price comparisons, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. It is also available on the Internet.

  The research was designed to provide item by item comparisons and comparisons of totals for any sub-group of items, or for the list as whole, are not valid.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many arms export licences for Indonesia have been(a) applied for, (b) granted and (c) rejected since May 1997, in each case listing the categories of equipment they cover. [110772]

  Dr. Howells
  Details of export licensing decisions between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 1998 were set out in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in March and November 1999; copies are in the Library of the House.

  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. As regards export licences granted since 1 January 1999, the Export Control Organisation' s computer databases have been interrogated. Between 1 January 1999 and 11 February 2000, 16 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and eight Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or end-users in Indonesia of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, commonly known as the Military List. No applications for a SIEL or OIEL were refused during this period. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings (and OIELs may also cover a range of countries). Where this is so, the licence is included in the table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Individual Licences issued between 1 January 1999 and 11 February 2000 covering the export to Indonesia of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating

  ML1

  1

  0

  ML2

  2

  0

  ML3

  1

  0

  ML6

  0

  1

  ML9

  1

  3

  ML10

  8

  3

  ML11

  2

  1

  ML14

  1

  0

  ML21

  0

  1

  ML22

  0

  2

  PL5017

  0

  1

  No new licences were issued for the export to Indonesia of goods on the Military List during the four month period of the EU arms embargo which expired on 17 January 2000.
  953W
  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.

  As at 11 February 2000, decisions had not yet been taken on eight applications for a SIEL and 14 applications for an OIEL to export such goods to Indonesia.

  Individual Licence applications pending as at 11 February 2000 covering the export to Indonesia of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  Number of pending applications for SIELs covering goods with this rating

  Number of pending applications pending for OIELs covering goods with this rating

  ML4

  0

  1

  ML5

  0

  2

  ML9

  1

  3

  ML10

  6

  5

  ML11

  0

  4

  ML13

  0

  2

  ML14

  0

  1

  ML15

  0

  4

  ML17

  0

  1

  ML18

  0

  1

  ML22

  1

  1

  PL5001

  0

  1

  PL5017

  1

  2

  This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08W.

  In addition, between 2 May 1997 and 15 September 1999, Indonesia was a permitted destination on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid during this period are in the Library of the House.

  Arms Brokering
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to bring forward legislation to better regulate the brokering of arms. [110962]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government do have the powers to control trafficking and brokering under the United Nations Act 1946 where this is necessary to implement a binding UN Resolution. Under the European Communities Act 1972 the Government have the power to provide for enforcement of a Council Regulation prohibiting trafficking and brokering of specified goods, e.g. dual use goods where there is Community competence. However, competence to prohibit trafficking and brokering of arms or military equipment lies with the member states.

  The Government's White Paper on Strategic Export Controls, published in July 1998, proposed new legislation to extend the Government's power to control trafficking and brokering in several areas, including with respect to the supply of military equipment to destinations subject to any form of arms embargo and the supply of
  954W
  equipment, the export from the UK of which has been banned because of evidence that goods of the same type have been used in torture.

  The Government will announce proposals for new export control legislation in due course, following conclusion of the review of the White Paper proposals in the light of responses received.

  Recycling
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of documentation used by his Department is(a) made from recycled paper and (b) collected for recycling. [111609]

  Dr. Howells
  This Department purchases 44 per cent. recycled paper and 81 per cent. of waste paper is recycled.

  Credit Blacklisting
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his estimate of the percentage of adults in the UK who are credit blacklisted. [110733]

  Dr. Howells
  Most lenders use credit scoring techniques to help them decide whether they will lend to particular individuals. The Office of Fair Trading research for its 1999 report "Vulnerable Consumers and Financial Services" found that over six million households (out of a total of 24 million) were defined as having low or very low household income. Of these, 3.5 million did not use any form of credit. I would estimate that many of these would not satisfy the credit scoring test.

  Assisted Areas Map
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in reaching agreement with the European Commission on the determination of the new assisted areas map for Great Britain; and if he will make a statement. [111333]

  Dr. Howells
  Discussions with the Commission on the proposals for new Assisted Areas are continuing. We will announce the new map as soon as possible.

  Gardening Leave
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials in his Department are on gardening leave. [111623]

  Mr. Byers
  On 22 February 2000, two officials in the Department's headquarters were at home on full pay pending appointment to a new position in the Department.

  Transfer Technology Ltd.
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when his Department first informed 10 Downing Street that the matter of Transfer Technology grants was being referred to the West Midlands Police; [111627]

  (2) what was the grade of the official who advised that the matter of Transfer Technology grants should be referred to the West Midlands Police; [111625]

  (3) when he was first advised that the matter of Transfer Technology grants should be referred to the West Midlands Police. [111624]
  955W
  Mr. Byers
  I received advice on this matter from one of the Department's Directors on 3 February 2000.

  In accordance with normal procedure the No.10 Press Office was informed after I had taken my decision.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the grant paid to the hon. Member for Coventry, North-West (Mr. Robinson) in respect of Transfer Technology Ltd. as reference WMR 46414/Z1/1 was repaid. [111629]

  Mr. Byers
  A grant paid to Transfer Technology Ltd. under reference WMR 46414/Z1/1 has not been repaid.

  No grant has been paid to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, North-West.

  Austria (Trade)
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what nugatory costs have been incurred by(a) his Department, (b) British Trade International and (c) potential exhibitors as a result of the postponement of the fashion trade fair planned for May 2000 in Vienna; and if he will make a statement. [111635]

  Dr. Howells
  British Trade International had committed funding of £50,000 to 'Britain Now', spread equally over this and the next financial year.

  With the postponement of the event there will now be no call on the second tranche of our funding, ie for the financial year 2000–01. Of the £25,000 already transferred to the project, we are likely to incur some cancellation charges (eg for the fashion show models), although the scale of these is not yet clear. Other "logistic" sponsors (eg freight carriers/shippers and venue) and potential exhibitors have already confirmed that any cancellation fees incurred now will be offset against costs when we reactivate 'Britain Now' at a later date.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many British companies agreed to participate in the Trade Fair in Vienna in May 2000; and if he will list them. [111637]

  Dr. Howells
  The 'Britain Now' event was to be a showcase initiative, promoting the best of British Design in all its aspects, including the Millennium Product Static Exhibition. It was a joint effort by the British Embassy, Vienna, and British Trade International aimed at businesses, opinion formers and the general public in Eastern Austria, but also attracting visitors from the growing markets of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary.

  At the time of the postponement, the British Embassy was still receiving approaches from potential participants. Those participants already committed include the Crafts Council; The British Jewellery and Giftware Federation; Glasgow 1999; The Royal Institute of Architects; Jaguar; Rover; Morgan; Lotus; Rolls Royce; Bentley; Aston Martin; Williams Formula 1 (sponsored by Castrol); British Tourist Authority; British Council; Barbour; Burberry's; Chester Barry; Daks-Simpson; John Smedley; Johnstons of Elgin; Pringle of Scotland; Bella Freud; Jasper Conran and Tristan Webber.
  956W
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the British companies that have informed(a) his Department and (b) British Trade International that they will not participate in the Trade Fair planned for May 2000 in Vienna. [111634]

  Dr. Howells
  Bella Freud, fashion designer and granddaughter of Sigmund Freud, is the only participant to have withdrawn from participating in 'Britain Now' because of her family history in Austria. All other companies/organisations have already confirmed with the British Embassy and British Trade International their agreement to participate fully in 'Britain Now' at a later date.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what trade promotion activities to further UK trade with Austria(a) his Department and (b) British Trade International will be sponsoring or supporting financially during 2000. [111632]

  Dr. Howells
  It is important to stress that the sanctions imposed by the EU Member States on Austria are purely political measures. There is no trade embargo with Austria. British Trade International will therefore still be undertaking its normal trade promotion programme during 2000–01.

  Initiatives under consideration include attendance by UK companies sponsored by British Trade International to attend key trade fairs; inward/outward missions and seminars.

  Specifically:

  RETA, a fire and security trade fair in September 2000.
  British Trade International is aiming to recruit 10–20 UK companies to participate in the four-day exhibition. Cost to British Trade International will be approximately £7K.

  PSDB 2000 (Police Scientific Development Branch).
  In April, British Trade International will undertake a pan-European inward mission to this exhibition, recruiting from Poland, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. Two participants have been confirmed from Austria, out of a total of 20 missioners. Cost to British Trade International will be approximately £1K.

  Gartentreff (gardening trade fair).
  In October, British Trade International will be funding a UK brochure stand displaying brochures from approximately 20 UK companies. The stand will be manned by the British Embassy with a cost to British Trade International of approximately £2K.

  Anglo/Austrian Forum. May 2000.
  This is a business to business seminar focusing on Anglo-Austrian trade; Austria as a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe and young entrepreneurs. 10–15 UK companies will be participating at a cost to British Trade International of approximately £1K.

  Southampton Boat Show. September 2000.
  An inward mission with five Austrian buyers. Cost to British Trade International approximately £2K.

  Export Credit Guarantees
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for credit guarantees were received by the ECGD, from which companies, for what amount, and on what date in respect of(a) the Pergau Dam, (b) Singapore Utilities Water Project, (c) the Turkwell Dam, (d) the Ewaso Ngiro Dam,

  957W
  (e) the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, (f) the Katse Dam and (g) the Meula Dam; which applications were approved, for what amount, and on what date; what payment has been made against each project by the ECGD and on what date; what ECGD liability exists against each project; and if he will make a statement. [110393]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: ECGD can find no trace of applications for Credit Guarantees for the Singapore Utilities Water Project, the

  Project

  Exporter

  Amount of and date of application Amount

  Date

  Pergau Dam, Malaysia

  Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd. And Cementation International Ltd. (joint venture)

  1 buyer credit: £315m

  December 88

  Revised to £410m

  March 90

  4 supplier credits:

  £ 12.0m

  31 January 91

  £23.6m

  22 February 91

  £8.4m

  22 February 91

  £119.1m

  22 February 91

  Ewaso Ngiro Dam, Kenya

  WLPU Consultants (now called Knight Piesold)

  1 buyer credit: 1£43.8m

  9 April 90

  Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Nigeria

  Carillion Construction

  Figures unavailable

  —

  Katse Dam, Lesotho

  Kier International Ltd. and Sterling International Civil Engineering Ltd. (joint venture)

  1 buyer credit and 2 supplier credits} £267m

  10 December 90

  1 Loan value

  Note:

  Some figures are unavailable because repayments were lumped together with several other credits

  Project

  Amount approved

  Date approved

  Payments by ECGD and date Payment

  Date

  ECGD's liability

  Pergau Dam, Malaysia

  £327.9m

  13 March 1991

  Nil

  —

  £40.3m

  £ 10.8m

  21 March 1991

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  £23.4m

  13 March 1991

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  £7.6m

  21 March 1991

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  £119.1m

  21 March 1991

  Nil

  —

  £11.1m

  Ewaso Ngiro Dam, Kenya

  1£68.1m

  21 June 1990

  £377,043

  15 March 1992

  £10.2m

  £440,150

  15 September 1992

  £442,371

  15 March 1993

  £440,150

  15 September 1993

  £442,371

  15 March 1994

  £4,752

  15 September 1994

  £2,898

  15 March 1995

  Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Nigeria

  £22.4m

  1982

  £14.2m

  Date unavailable

  2£13.9m

  Katse Dam, Lesotho

  £26.5m

  4 March 1991

  Nil

  —

  Figure unavailable

  £40.1m

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  £6.9m

  Nil

  —

  Nil

  1 Loan value + interest

  2 Plus interest

  Note:

  Some figures are unavailable because repayments were lumped together with several other credits

  National Regional Aid
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measurement of sparsity he made of the Inverness travel-to-work area when proposing the Highlands and Islands as a NUTS 2 area under the sparsity provision of the European Commission Guidelines on national regional aid. [111332]

  Dr. Howells
  We proposed the Highlands and Islands as a single NUTS 2 level area with a population of between nine and 10 inhabitants per square kilometre.
  958W
  Turkwell Dam, and the Muela Dam. However ECGD was approached for support for the construction of an underground power station associated with the Muela Dam.

  The answers to the question on the remaining Projects are set out in the following table.

  The information on the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in Nigeria relates to an application for support for a Technical Training Centre associated with the Steel Plant.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Departmental Consultation
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the public consultation exercises on policy matters carried out by his Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; who was consulted and by what means; how responses were analysed; how and in what form the results were transmitted to those responsible for the consultation; how the results of the consultation were published; and what analysis has been carried out of the extent and nature of policy changes resulting from the consultation. [106291]
  959W
  Mr. Ingram
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Terrorist Violence (Victim Compensation)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what mechanisms are in place to monitor aftercare of victims of terrorist violence and punishment shootings; what is his assessment of the extent to which compensation payments have been subject to seizure by paramilitary organisations; how many incidents of such seizure have been reported; what is the RUC estimate of the extent of under-reporting; what steps are taken to prevent fraudulent claims; and what is his assessment of the proportion of claims that may be fraudulent. [107818]

  Mr. Ingram
  All patients receive the treatment and care necessary for their recovery. There are no mechanisms to monitor the aftercare of patients. There is no record of any incidents being reported to police relating to compensation payments being subject to seizure by paramilitary organisation. Consequently, the Royal Ulster Constabulary cannot give an assessment of the extent of such seizure and the level of under-reporting.

  Each claim for criminal injury compensation is investigated by the Compensation Agency to establish that the statutory criteria contained in the Criminal Injuries Compensation (NI) Order 1988 are satisfied. This includes confirming that the alleged offence was reported to the police, obtaining copies of the police investigation report and witness statements, and the court outcome of any prosecution of alleged offenders. Where liability to pay compensation under the 1988 Order is accepted the amount of compensation is determined by reference to medical reports detailing the nature and extent of the injury suffered. The policy of the Compensation Agency is to refer all cases of alleged fraud to the police for investigation. No criminal injury claim arising from terrorist violence or punishment shooting has been referred to the police.

  Departmental Research Contracts
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2000,Official Report, column 32W, 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. [108205]

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Category of employed

  Number of Protestant male employees

  Number of Roman Catholic male employees

  Number of male employees whose Community cannot be determined

  Number of Protestant female employees

  Number of Roman Catholic female employees

  Number of female employees whose Community cannot be determined

  Managers and administrators

  6

  7

  5

  9

  5

  5

  Professional occupations

  19

  23

  6

  35

  33

  20

  Associate professional and technical occupations

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Clerical and secretarial occupations

  5

  5

  3

  52

  32

  10

  960W
  Mr. Ingram
  Further to my reply to him of 10 January, contracts for research projects funded by this Department generally carry a clause highlighting the obligations of the contractor under the Official Secrets Act and/or a confidentiality clause preventing the contractor from printing, publishing or disclosing information gained during the course of the contract without the written consent of the Department.

  Twenty four contracts did not contain restrictions which prevented the contractor from discussing the findings with journalists until after publication because the letting organisation. Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, only part-funded the research. The copyright in these instances remain with the researcher.

  Deaths (Investigations)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost to date of the inquiries into the deaths of(a) Mrs. Rosemary Nelson and (b) Mr. John Finucane. [109035]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information on the total cost of these investigations is not available. However, on Mrs. Nelson, £767,000 has been spent on this inquiry to date. This figure includes travel, overtime, accommodation and incidental expenses. It does not include the salary costs of Deputy Chief Constable Colin Port and his team of officers.

  On the other death, (assuming that this refers to the murder of Patrick Finucane) the additional cost of police agencies' salaries, overtime, travel, accommodation and incidental expenses since 1989 is £2.3 million. The figure does not include RUC costs.

  Thiepval Memorial Tower
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's support for the Thiepval Memorial Tower on the Somme. [111093]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are responsible for the maintenance of the Memorial. It also provides financial assistance to the Somme Association Ltd. which manages the visitor access.

  Probation Service
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each category of employee within the Northern Ireland Probation Service and the numbers employed in each category, broken down by(a) gender and (b) perceived community origin. [110657]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested is given in the table:
  961W

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Category of employed

  Number of Protestant male employees

  Number of Roman Catholic male employees

  Number of male employees whose Community cannot be determined

  Number of Protestant female employees

  Number of Roman Catholic female employees

  Number of female employees whose Community cannot be determined

  Crafts and skilled manual occupations

  9

  10

  16

  2

  4

  5

  Personal and protective service occupations

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sales occupations

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Plant and machine operatives

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other occupations

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  Totals

  39

  45

  31

  99

  75

  41

  Prosecutions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases in each category of offence were referred by the RUC to the DPP in 1998 and 1999; and in how many and in what percentage of cases the DPP(a) directed no prosecutions and (b) brought a successful prosecution. [110659]

  The Solicitor-General
  I have been asked to reply as the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and his Department are superintended by the Attorney-General for Northern Ireland.

  The information sought is not available in the form requested. What information is available is set out in tabular form.

  The figures given in the table for the number of persons reported include persons referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland by investigative agencies other than the RUC.

  The figures relate to the number of persons proceeded against rather than the number of offences.

  The number of cases dealt with in a year does not correlate directly with the number of cases reported and directed in that year as a proportion of the results will relate to persons reported and directed in previous years. Further, the figures for 1999 are incomplete as additional returns have to be collated.

  1998

  1999

  Number of persons reported to DPP(NI)

  10,950

  10,170

  Directions issued

  Summary prosecution

  6,271

  5,362

  Prosecution on indictment

  1,043

  1,368

  Number prosecution

  3,614

  3,520

  Outcome of prosecutions Summary:

  Convictions

  4,977

  4,164

  Acquittals

  261

  214

  Conviction rate (%)

  95

  95

  Indictment:

  Convictions

  1,141

  943

  Acquittals

  86

  57

  Conviction rate (%)

  93

  94

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Kent magistrates courts committee's approach to consultation with local communities. [109643]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Justices of the Peace Act 1997 requires Magistrates Courts Committees to consult with the paying authority when proposing to close a courthouse.

  It is for Kent Magistrates Courts Committee to determine the scope of its consultation but Committees are encouraged to consult wider than the statute requires, for example, with magistrates, staff, police, Probation, Crown Prosecution Service and other professional users.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the future of magistrates courts in Worcestershire. [109645]

  Jane Kennedy
  It is for the Hereford and Worcester Magistrates Courts Committee to determine the future of magistrates courts in both Worcestershire and Herefordshire. This is in consultation with the local paying authorities, the Worcestershire County Council and the County of Herefordshire District Council.

  JPs
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the impact on justices of the peace of his proposals to achieve economies in the magistrates courts. [R] [109650]

  Jane Kennedy
  I have made no assessment.

  Magistrates Courts Committees are, under statute, responsible for the efficient and effective administration of the magistrates courts for their area.

  Central Government provide 80 per cent. of the funding for Magistrates Courts Committees. The grant allocated for 1999–2000 was £257.5 million. In 2000–01 it is £270.3 million. The Magistrates Courts Committees experiencing hardship have been invited to apply for additional funding.

  Immigration and Asylum
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on steps taken by his Department to process immigration and asylum cases. [109651]

  Jane Kennedy
  Plans are now in place to ensure that the Immigration Appellate Authorities have sufficient staff, judicial, IT and accommodation resources in order to meet the expected increase in workload in the year 2000–01.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens(a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110722]

  Jane Kennedy
  My Department does not use peat compost in the gardens that it owns. The Department's Environment Strategy, while not specifically referring to peat compost, makes a commitment to the integration of sound environmental practice into operational activities. The agents responsible for managing my Department's estate are required to integrate good environment practice into the procurement and supervision of grounds maintenance contracts.

  Information on the use of peat compost on land managed in trust my Department is not collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Recycling
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of documentation used by his Department is(a) made from recycled paper and (b) collected for recycling. [111604]

  Jane Kennedy
  The paper in the documentation used by my Department comes from various independently verified sustainable sources. Information on the percentage of documentation that comes from recycled paper could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All sensitive waste is either recycled or incinerated to generate electricity. Information on the percentage of documentation that is recycled by my Department is not collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Conditional Fees
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what advice he has given to the Rules Committee on the rules of court he considers necessary on conditional fees; and if he will make a statement. [111657]

  Mr. Lock
  The paper, "The Government's conclusions following consultation on Conditional Fees: sharing the risks of litigation" was published on 31 January. That paper sets out the Government's recommendations in respect of rules of court to govern the recovery of the success fee under a conditional fee agreement and of insurance premiums. A copy of the paper has been sent to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee.
  964W
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assistance will be offered to(a) the public and (b) the legal profession in relation to understanding and preparing for the new rules on conditional fees; and if he will make a statement. [111658]

  Mr. Lock
  The Government will introduce new regulations on 1 April requiring all legal representatives to provide information to lay clients who are considering entering conditional fee agreements. The regulations will require a legal representative, before entering a conditional fee agreement, to explore with the client whether alternative methods of funding the litigation are available, including whether the client's liability for their costs (including the costs of another party) may be covered by insurance. The regulations will require the legal representative to provide an oral explanation of the agreement in addition to providing written information. My Department is also working with the Legal Aid Board to prepare an information leaflet for members of the public explaining the options they will have for financing litigation.

  The report entitled "The Government's Conclusions Following Consultation on Conditional Fees: Sharing the Costs of Litigation", published on 1 February, announced the principles to be set out in regulations applying to conditional fee agreements and contained recommendations to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee concerning the detailed guidance of rules of court governing the recovery of success fees under conditional fee agreements and premiums for after the event insurance policies. Legal representatives can refer for guidance on the regulations to this document, and to the regulations and rules of court themselves once they are made.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received concerning(a) the substance of and (b) the procedure leading to, the new rules of court on conditional fees; and if he will make a statement. [111656]

  Mr. Lock
  The Government received 91 responses to their consultation paper "Conditional Fees: Sharing the Risks of Litigation" on 23 September 1999 from respondents providing views on the regulations and rules of court required to give effect to its policy on conditional fee agreements. 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. The views of respondents are summarised in the report entitled "The Government's Conclusions Following Consultation on Conditional Fees: Sharing the Costs of Litigation". That document also lists the names of respondents.

  Since the publication of the report I have received a number of letters from practitioners welcoming the principles the Government intend to set out in regulations applying to conditional fee agreements. These practitioners also welcomed the Government's recommendations to Civil Procedure Rule Committee concerning the detailed

  965W
  guidance in rules of court governing the recovery of success fees under conditional fee agreements and premiums for after the event insurance policies.

  I have also received representations from the President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers which among other things suggested that its representative and a representative of the Federation of Insurance Lawyers should be co-opted to assist the Civil Procedure Rule Committee draft rules of court, given their special interest in conditional fee agreements and insurance. The Government have no power under the Civil Procedure Act 1997 to co-opt representatives onto the Committee.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received concerning the proposed 1 April implementation date for rules of court concerning conditional fees; and if he will make a statement. [111655]

  Mr. Lock
  I have received two letters from the President of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers expressing concern that the Government might have to defer its plans to make success fees and insurance premiums recoverable from 1 April 2000. No such deferment is planned.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what will be recoverable in respect of conditional fee success fees by a successful litigant's lawyers by way of maximum percentage of cap, in relation to each type of work for which success fees can be recovered. [111587]

  Mr. Lock
  The maximum success fees in cases where success fees are permitted will remain at 100 per cent. Recoverability will be subject to the discretion of the court.

  Insurance Premiums
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure that after-the-event insurance premiums recoverable against a losing party will relate only to the risk against incurring a liability in a proceedings and not to financing or marketing expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [111654]

  Mr. Lock
  In its recommendations to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee the Government made clear their wish that rules of court relating to success fees under conditional fee agreements or litigation insurance premiums should provide that only the element relating to the risk that was being covered should be recoverable. A recoverable success fee or insurance premium, in the Government's view, should reflect the related business overheads including, for example, the cost of marketing the services or products concerned. It would be neither desirable nor practicable to attempt to identify and exclude particular elements of normal overhead costs from success fees or insurance premiums.

  The Government have also made clear that they do not believe that the costs relating to financing a case, such as actual or notional interest or credit charges, should be recoverable whether as part of the premium or the success fee.
  966W
  It is, however, for the Civil Procedure Rule Committee to decide what detailed rules of court are needed to govern the recoverability of success fees and insurance premiums.

  National Insurance Commissioners
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals by claimants to the National Insurance Commissioners were(a) granted leave, (b) successful and (c) remitted for rehearing to an appeal tribunal, for each region of the country, in each of the last three years. [111390]

  Jane Kennedy
  We do not categorise appeals by region and therefore are unable to provide the information in the form requested. However details of the number of applications in which leave was granted, in each of the last three years and, of the number of appeals determined in each of these years, the numbers which many were in the claimant's favour are set out in the tables.

  Applications

  Granted

  Leave Refused

  Closed

  Total

  1997

  1,865

  2,850

  37

  4,752

  1998

  1,364

  1,130

  35

  2,529

  1999

  2,010

  1,935

  31

  3,976

  Appeals

  Appeals decided

  Decision in claimant's favour

  1997

  3,926

  2,939

  1998

  4,317

  3,210

  1999

  4,140

  3,237

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) in relation to cases classed as lookalike, delayed behind a lead case before or beyond the NI commissioners what was(a) the average, (b) the median and (c) the longest delay (i) before disposal and (ii) so far while waiting for disposal in each of the last three years; [111395]

  (2) in relation to appeals heard by the National Insurance Commissioners, how many times the DSS was represented by (a) solicitors, (b) junior counsel or advocate, (c) a QC and (d) DSS in-house staff in each of the last three years; [111393]

  (3) what was the (a) average, (b) median and (c) longest delay between grant of leave to a claimant to appeal to the National Insurance Commissioners and the receipt of the (i) representations in writing of the DSS and (ii) representations in writing of the claimant in each of the last three years; [111392]

  (4) how many successful appeals to the National Insurance Commissioners were remitted for rehearing to appeal tribunals in each of the last three years. [111397]

  Jane Kennedy
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in relation to appeals heard by the National Insurance Commissioners(a) what was

  967W
  the total number of appeals heard and (b) how many claimants were represented (i) by solicitors, (ii) by junior counsel or advocate, (iii) by a QC, (iv) by an advice worker and (v) by his or her self in each of the last three years. [111394]

  Jane Kennedy
  Data regarding representation at appeal hearings are not kept, although it is unusual for claimants to be represented by solicitors, junior counsel or advocate or a QC. Claimants are on occasions represented by advice workers but in the main represent themselves.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many lead cases on appeal for the National Insurance Commissioners there were to higher courts; what was the name of each lead case; how many lookalike cases were held up in relation to each such case; and in relation to each such case in which court the case(a) was disposed of and (b) is awaiting disposal. [111396]

  Jane Kennedy
  The information is as follows:

  (1) Lead case—Bate (Income support severe disability premium)
  13 January 1993—Decided by the Commissioner adversely to the claimant on the question of backdating.
  30 November 1994—Appeal by claimant to Court of Appeal allowed on a fresh point.
  16 May 1996—Appeal by Secretary of State/Adjudication Officer to House of Lords allowed.
  There were approximately 5,000 lookalike cases.

  (2) Lead case—Fairey (Day attention condition of DLA)
  14 October 1994—Decided by Commissioner in favour of claimant.
  15 June 1995—Appeal by Secretary of State/Adjudication Officer to Court of Appeal dismissed by a majority.
  21 May 1997—Further appeal by Secretary of State/Adjudication Officer to House of Lords dismissed.
  There were approximately 320 lookalike cases.

  (3) Lead case—Plummer and Hammond (Retirement allowance (industrial injuries benefit replacing reduced earnings allowance))
  28 May 1997—Decided by Commissioner adverse to Claimant.
  8 December 1998—Appeal by claimant to Court of Appeal dismissed.
  Approximately 150 lookalike cases were then decided by the Commissioner.
  Of the original 350 cases the remainder still await a judgment of the European Court of Justice in five representative cases (Hepple, Stec and others).
  8 May 1998—Reference by Commissioner to ECJ.

  (4) Lead case—Stafford and Banks (Benefit for casual workers during school holidays)
  24 February 1999—Decided by Commissioner in claimant's favour.
  October 1999—Secretary of State/Adjudication Officer to Court of Appeal allowed.
  The claimant's petition for leave to appeal to House of Lords is outstanding.
  There are approximately 100 cases waiting decision.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the most recent figures for confirmed BSE cases broken down by year of birth. [111528]

  Ms Quin
  The position as at 16 February 2000 was as follows:

  Year of birth

  Total number of confirmed cases

  1974

  1

  1976

  2

  1977

  10

  1978

  6

  1979

  41

  1980

  101

  1981

  261

  1982

  1,393

  1983

  4,461

  1984

  8,067

  1985

  11,064

  1986

  19,728

  1987

  36,861

  1988

  22,175

  1989

  12,631

  1990

  5,620

  1991

  4,519

  1992

  3,010

  1993

  2,062

  1994

  849

  1995

  118

  1996

  1

  Unknown

  43,322

  Total

  176,303

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to publish the evidence given in the Phillips inquiry into BSE. [110501]

  Ms Quin
  The BSE Inquiry is responsible for decisions about the publication of the evidence it receives and its approach has been to make available the evidence on which it relies. It has published witness statements and transcripts of all oral hearings on the internet at http://www.bse.org.uk, and many other documents are publicly available at its offices.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) evidence and (b) observations relating to the use of organophosphates on cattle he has submitted to the Phillips inquiry. [110502]

  Ms Quin
  My Department has provided numerous documents on the use of organophosphorus based warblecides to the BSE Inquiry, including papers on the warble fly eradication programme and on the licensing of warblecides.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what live tests have resulted from the research which he sponsored as a result of the open competition for research on BSE diagnosis in cattle in 1994. [110527]

  Ms Quin
  No research on BSE diagnosis was funded following the open competition for research in 1994. This competition did not call for work in this area. There was,
  969W
  however, a competition in 1996 which resulted in three projects on diagnostic tests for BSE. One of these, which was designed to investigate the differences in metabolic markers in the live animal, is still in progress. None of this work has yet produced a test which can be used in the live animal. Useful post mortem tests have resulted from the completed projects. These are now being evaluated and developed further to improve their sensitivity.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to protect(a) British consumers and (b) the British cattle herd since he was informed of the contents of the report to Directorate D of the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General of a veterinary mission to France with regard to certain protective measures against BSE and scrapie with particular reference to implementation of Commission Decisions 94/381/EC, 98/272/EC, 98/703EC and 97/18/EC. [109788]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: Domestic legislation already in place to safeguard consumers prohibits the import of bovine specified risk material and the sale of any meat derived from cattle over 30 months old. Compliance with the prohibition on meat and bone meal in feed is monitored through regular sampling.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what dates he has(a) spoken by telephone to and (b) met (i) the French Minister of Agriculture, (ii) the European Commissioner with responsibility for agriculture and (iii) the European Commissioner with responsibility for health and consumer protection to discuss the contents of the report to Directorate D of the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General of a veterinary mission to France with regard to certain protective measures against BSE and scrapie, with particular reference to implementation of Commission Decisions 94/381/EC, 98/272/EC, 98/703EC and 97/18/EC. [109787]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: These issues are for the Commission and individual member states, not for bilateral discussion between member states.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he was first informed of the contents of the report to Directorate D of the Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General of a veterinary mission to France with regard to certain protective measures against BSE and scrapie, with particular reference to implementation of Commission Decisions 94/381/EC, 98/272/EC 98/703EC and 97/18/EC. [109789]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I was informed of the report on 6 February.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, for each of the last two years for which records are available, the ages at the time of diagnosis of all the cattle in the United Kingdom diagnosed as suffering from BSE. [109328]

  Ms Quin
  The table shows the number of confirmed cases of BSE reported in the UK in the calendar years 1998 and 19991, by age of the animals.
  970W

  Age in years

  1998

  1999 1

  1–2

  0

  0

  2–3

  1

  1

  3–4

  131

  42

  4–5

  772

  415

  5–6

  986

  713

  6–7

  626

  510

  7–8

  232

  220

  8–9

  140

  94

  9–10

  115

  42

  10–11

  83

  52

  11–12

  49

  32

  12–13

  11

  11

  13–14

  4

  11

  14–15

  1

  0

  15 or more

  1

  0

  Age unknown

  44

  27

  Totals

  3,196

  2,170

  1 Preliminary figures for 1999 as at 9 February 2000

  Lamb
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total tonnage of lamb offered in the United Kingdom under the private storage aid scheme adopted by the EU Sheepmeat Management Committee on 17 September 1999; how many carcases this represented; and what were the corresponding figures for Northern Ireland. [111248]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2099/1999 provided for aid for the private storage of lamb up to a limit of 2,350 tonnes in the United Kingdom.

  2,306 tonnes were offered into the Scheme from Great Britain with contracts issued in respect of 2,297 tonnes. The accepted figure represents 131,236 carcases.

  53 tonnes were offered and accepted from Northern Ireland representing 3,289 carcases.

  Feedingstuff Regulations
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy towards the proposals for the administering of vitamins and minerals contained within section 13 of the EU Draft Feedingstuff Regulations 2000. [110753]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: My Department's recent consultation on the draft Feedingstuff Regulations 2000, specifically requested comments on regulation 13 in order that all the implications of this proposed measure could be assessed. We will be in a position to make a decision on this issue shortly, when we have considered all the responses.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the availability of EU funds to offset the impact of fluctuations in the green pound. [110712]

  Ms Quin
  £264 million in agrimonetary compensation has been, or is being, paid to UK livestock and arable farmers as the 100 per cent. EU-funded first instalment of a compulsory three year package to compensate for the effects on direct payments of euro/sterling exchange rates
  971W
  in 1999. A further £132 million of EU funds will be paid over the period 2000 to 2001 if exchange rates remain as they are.

  Following further currency fluctuation, additional optional EU-funded compensation is available; details will be provided by the Commission at the end of next month. Any additional expenditure on agrimonetary compensation would have to be considered against other calls on public expenditure; because of the Fontainebleau rebate the UK taxpayer would pay about 71p for every £1 spent.

  Regulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives are being pursued to reduce the costs arising for agriculture from regulation in(a) the short-term and (b) the long-term. [110533]

  Ms Quin
  The new support package for farmers announced on 20 September 1999 included two measures which will save the industry £89 million over three years. Charges for inspection of the removal of Specified Risk Material from cattle and sheep carcases and for the provision of cattle passports will not be imposed before 2002–03 at the earliest. On 1 December 1999 we announced that meat hygiene inspection charges for the whole of 1999–2000 are being held at the levels fixed for 1998–99. The charges for 2000–01 will not rise by more than the rate of inflation over current levels.

  Following the review of regulatory burdens three priority reports were presented by the industry-led working groups before Christmas. They were asked to root out unnecessary burdens or to find ways of doing things better. They made 107 recommendations 98 of which were accepted and six will require further consideration. Twenty-three will need to be pursued in Brussels. The aim is to implement these recommendations as quickly as possible. Reports on other issues are expected shortly. We shall continue to work to minimise burdens wherever possible. The next phase will look at policies or schemes run by other Government Departments.

  Sheep Premium
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the effect that exchange rates have had on the sheep premium calculation; and if he will make a statement. [110526]

  Ms Quin
  I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 10 February 2000,Official Report, column 285W.

  British Cattle Movement Service
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proposals he has to audit the performance of the British Cattle Movement Service; [110595]

  (2) what initiatives he is pursuing to improve the efficiency and performance of the British Cattle Movement Service. [110535]
  972W
  Ms Quin
  The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) is subject to regular audit both from within my Department and by the National Audit Office.

  BCMS's performance is monitored against its Public Service Agreement Targets. Industry now has a key role in this process through the recently formed Cattle Tracing Industry Forum.

  As a relatively new organisation, BCMS has been developing its quality control procedures and these have already delivered significant improvements in efficiency. As a result of current management initiatives, together with the commitment of BCMS staff, it is expected that registration of the BCMS quality management system under International Standard ISO EN BS 9002 will be achieved during the next financial year.

  BCMS is also undertaking a programme of visits to commercial organisations and to other member states carrying out analogous services. The visits are intended as a best practice and benchmarking exercise to compare business efficiency. One comparison visit with the commercial sector has already taken place and efficiency visits to two other member states' cattle tracing organisations are arranged for March and April.

  Farming (Promotion)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives he is pursuing to promote a stronger partnership between farming, its customers and consumers. [110537]

  Ms Quin
  We are working on a number of initiatives with interested organisations, including the National Farmers Union and IGD (formerly the Institute of Grocery Distribution) to encourage primary producers to work together and with their customers, and to increase understanding of one another and of consumers. The importance of such partnerships was highlighted in the report of the Food Chain Group, which was published last November. The Group identified a range of issues for Government and for industry, and we intend to review progress in the summer.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of arable farms have hedgerow buffer strips around their fields; and if he will make a statement. [110704]

  Ms Quin
  Some figures are available for the length of arable margins on which payments are made under agri-environment schemes, but these do not take account of all other farms where farmers may voluntarily have buffer strips. Figures on the percentage of farms which have buffer strips are not collected and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Beef on the Bone
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what European Commission measures would regulate any bans on the sale of beef on the bone. [107238]
  973W
  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 27 January 2000]: In the light of public protection measures already taken in the UK and the professional advice available to government, we see no case for the re-introduction of such a ban by European Commission measures.

  Agriculture Development Scheme
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Dr. Naysmith) of 2 February 2000,Official Report, columns 641–42W, concerning the agriculture development scheme, what was the amount of grant aid offered to each of the lead organisations listed. [109689]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The size of individual awards is commercially confidential, but these grants range in value from £5,500 to £100,000.

  Food Chain Group
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Food Chain Group. [109795]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The Food Chain Group comprises senior figures from the National Farmers Union, Food and Drink Federation, IGD (formerly the Institute of Grocery Distribution) and MAFF, under the chairmanship of a senior MAFF official. The Group was invited to review the opportunities for working together and increasing understanding among the players in the food chain, and between the industry as a whole and consumers.

  The Group's report, which was published on 10 November last year and a copy placed in the Library of the House, has been welcomed by many across the supply chain as a significant contribution to the drive to improve agri-food competitiveness. I have asked the Policy Issues Council of IGD to consider how best to take forward those issues which are for the industry. We intend to review progress in the summer.

  GM Crops
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if EU Marketing Consent has been given for 98/294/CE Elgina Monsanto Bt maize; on which national seed lists the seed is currently included; and if it is subject to field trials in any EU state; [110290]

  (2) if EU marketing consent has been given for 98/293/CE Chardonell Aventis herbicide tolerant maize; on which national seed lists the seeds are currently included; and if they are subject to field trials in any EU state; [110291]

  (3) if EU marketing consent has been given for 97/98/CE Compa CB Novartis Bt/herbicide tolerant maize; on which national seed lists the seeds are currently included; and if they are subject to field trials in any EU state. [110293]

  Ms Quin
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions take the policy lead on marketing consents under Directive 90/220/EEC. They have advised that marketing consents have been given in 974W
  respect of all of the above Commission decisions. The position with regard to national listing for these varieties is as follows:

  Chardon LL—on the Dutch national list

  Compa CB—on Spanish national list

  Jordi—on the Spanish national list

  Elgina and Compa CB—were added to the Portuguese national list but the Portuguese authorities have notified the Commission that their registration has been suspended.

  We are not aware if any of these varieties are the subject of field trials in other EU member states.

  Pet Travel Scheme
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what representations he has received from airlines regarding the pet travel scheme; [109362]

  (2) when he plans to include airlines in the arrangements available under the pet travel scheme. [109360]

  Ms Quin
  All airlines flying into the UK were invited to express interest in taking part in the Pet Travel Scheme. Eight have done so. Discussions are still underway with the following airlines with a view to agreeing their "Required Methods of Operation":

  British Airways,

  British Midland,

  Finnair, Iberia Airlines,

  Lufthansa,

  Qantas.

  Once these have been agreed the airlines concerned will be able to enter the scheme.

TREASURY

  Underweight Babies
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the(a) number and (b) percentage of underweight babies born in each health authority area in each of the past 10 years. [110827]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 21 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on underweight babies by health authority for each of the past ten years.
  The number of live births under 2,500 grams and their percentage of all live births with a stated birthweight in each Regional Office and health Authority for 1990–1998 are shown in the attached table. Also provided are the number of live and stillbirths under 2,500 grams and their percentage of all births with stated birthweight in each Regional Office and Health Authority for 1990–1998. Data for 1989 are not available based on the latest health authority boundaries as at 1st April 1999.

  975W
  I will arrange for a copy of this letter to be placed in the House of Commons library.

  Note:

  The table referred to has been placed in the Library.

  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many underweight babies were born in each health authority for each of the past 10 years; and what percentage of live births this represented. [110766]

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

  Number of livebirths with a stated birthweight less than 2,500 grams England and Wales, England, regional offices and health authorities1, 1990–1998

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  England and Wales

  46,018

  46,326

  44,789

  44,557

  45,079

  47,251

  47,115

  46,761

  47,462

  England

  43,689

  43,870

  42,408

  42,327

  42,844

  44,851

  44,697

  45,338

  45,069

  Northern and Yorkshire

  5,833

  5,917

  5,755

  5,586

  5,652

  5,940

  5,630

  5,892

  5,568

  Bradford

  610

  606

  589

  627

  682

  630

  618

  625

  692

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  694

  656

  601

  611

  590

  681

  604

  646

  622

  County Durham

  512

  476

  526

  482

  464

  506

  495

  525

  468

  East Riding

  481

  527

  461

  459

  492

  471

  496

  531

  466

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  270

  317

  313

  288

  306

  334

  299

  331

  261

  Leeds

  698

  721

  728

  662

  695

  758

  712

  696

  702

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  442

  482

  423

  431

  445

  433

  426

  440

  391

  North Cumbria

  223

  252

  229

  233

  214

  225

  248

  261

  216

  North Yorkshire

  480

  480

  521

  457

  461

  531

  452

  537

  473

  Northumberland

  233

  225

  214

  222

  227

  241

  198

  223

  215

  Sunderland

  295

  266

  262

  272

  227

  267

  275

  268

  272

  Tees

  599

  621

  569

  533

  534

  555

  511

  515

  511

  Wakefield

  296

  288

  319

  309

  306

  308

  296

  294

  279

  Trent

  4,756

  4,689

  4,666

  4,505

  4,381

  4,502

  4,423

  4,492

  4,598

  Barnsley

  228

  221

  220

  221

  187

  215

  187

  183

  200

  Doncaster

  268

  280

  266

  255

  264

  281

  247

  315

  273

  Leicestershire

  860

  787

  788

  869

  856

  915

  931

  913

  893

  Lincolnshire

  406

  382

  417

  382

  419

  431

  420

  450

  487

  North Derbyshire

  254

  293

  283

  241

  280

  244

  253

  255

  252

  North Nottinghamshire

  360

  350

  330

  328

  348

  371

  382

  404

  346

  Nottingham

  855

  788

  764

  768

  626

  583

  562

  543

  573

  Rotherham

  244

  232

  226

  213

  239

  248

  228

  227

  234

  Sheffield

  465

  504

  524

  500

  504

  492

  483

  460

  513

  South Humber

  272

  301

  282

  300

  245

  274

  259

  272

  291

  Southern Derbyshire

  544

  551

  566

  428

  413

  448

  471

  470

  536

  West Midlands

  5,378

  5,401

  5,078

  5,207

  5,106

  5,366

  5,456

  5,425

  4,486

  Birmingham

  1,371

  1,435

  1,362

  1,335

  1,353

  1,435

  1,400

  1,430

  1,470

  Coventry

  375

  373

  354

  408

  368

  346

  386

  340

  323

  Dudley

  290

  289

  308

  306

  296

  307

  322

  310

  314

  Herefordshire

  135

  127

  106

  133

  112

  118

  123

  126

  122

  North Staffordshire

  419

  426

  383

  406

  351

  382

  395

  367

  422

  Sandwell

  376

  383

  379

  354

  403

  393

  395

  403

  402

  Shropshire

  318

  362

  293

  326

  311

  352

  358

  340

  347

  Solihull

  141

  187

  133

  147

  167

  152

  197

  159

  144

  South Staffordshire

  507

  434

  409

  425

  419

  456

  481

  439

  495

  Walsall

  261

  278

  275

  292

  265

  305

  312

  358

  358

  Warwickshire

  401

  395

  364

  353

  395

  392

  361

  382

  379

  Wolverhampton

  322

  314

  291

  333

  280

  290

  318

  325

  310

  Worcestershire

  462

  398

  421

  389

  386

  438

  408

  446

  400

  NorthWest

  6,450

  6,276

  6,076

  5,794

  5,678

  6,209

  6,247

  6,202

  6,321

  Bury and Rochdale

  421

  456

  472

  370

  416

  419

  424

  435

  461

  East Lancashire

  607

  578

  595

  599

  565

  629

  545

  570

  656

  Liverpool

  533

  442

  399

  411

  419

  489

  508

  434

  454

  Manchester

  651

  633

  613

  550

  506

  588

  562

  548

  540

  Morecambe Bay

  215

  204

  224

  192

  249

  239

  244

  202

  218

  North Cheshire

  248

  291

  238

  232

  218

  221

  260

  237

  261

  North West Lancashire

  400

  425

  363

  339

  381

  361

  403

  430

  413

  Salford and Trafford

  464

  481

  406

  433

  428

  434

  419

  451

  452

  976W
  Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Dari Taylor, dated 22 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on underweight babies by health authority for each of the past ten years.
  The number of live births under 2,500 grams and their percentage of all live births with a stated birthweight in each Regional Office and Health Authority for 1990–1998 are shown in the table. Data for 1989 are not available based on the latest health authority boundaries as at 1st April 1999.
  I will arrange a copy of this reply to be placed in the House of Commons library.
  977W

  Number of livebirths with a stated birthweight less than 2,500 grams England and Wales, England, regional offices and health authorities1, 1990–1998

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Sefton

  162

  200

  233

  191

  194

  214

  215

  234

  226

  South Cheshire

  480

  433

  483

  434

  425

  485

  491

  496

  448

  South Lancashire

  277

  248

  237

  237

  232

  231

  242

  244

  216

  St Helen's and Knowsley

  334

  317

  303

  285

  276

  334

  347

  331

  341

  Stockport

  245

  238

  229

  215

  174

  227

  209

  205

  234

  West Pennine

  542

  469

  465

  479

  457

  503

  481

  520

  507

  Wigan and Bolton

  554

  566

  556

  527

  484

  580

  608

  607

  609

  Wirral

  317

  295

  260

  300

  254

  255

  289

  258

  285

  Eastern

  3,842

  4,112

  4,045

  4,056

  4,177

  4,272

  4,284

  4,299

  4,346

  Bedfordshire

  526

  543

  498

  536

  531

  524

  561

  548

  575

  Cambridgeshire

  563

  548

  568

  572

  572

  632

  606

  595

  591

  East and North Hertfordshire

  362

  341

  395

  375

  444

  424

  414

  423

  390

  Norfolk

  501

  530

  514

  560

  562

  603

  569

  551

  576

  North Essex

  617

  677

  664

  640

  633

  668

  651

  644

  656

  South Essex

  493

  620

  535

  544

  530

  503

  524

  585

  445

  Suffolk

  479

  462

  449

  456

  506

  487

  490

  544

  536

  West Hertfordshire

  301

  391

  422

  373

  399

  431

  469

  408

  468

  London

  7,451

  7,397

  7,108

  7,170

  7,609

  8,139

  8,161

  8,379

  8,347

  Barking and Havering

  345

  339

  309

  331

  336

  300

  340

  365

  342

  Barnet

  242

  252

  232

  242

  271

  319

  316

  334

  302

  Bexley and Greenwich

  449

  431

  369

  361

  376

  411

  439

  422

  460

  Brent and Harrow

  588

  605

  608

  558

  556

  568

  609

  581

  558

  Bromley

  213

  220

  217

  232

  257

  250

  257

  233

  226

  Camden and Islington

  329

  325

  315

  373

  380

  377

  381

  406

  375

  Croydon

  349

  346

  338

  333

  331

  382

  358

  368

  404

  Baling, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  732

  705

  768

  721

  702

  760

  756

  780

  835

  East London and The City

  959

  957

  941

  997

  990

  1,053

  1,079

  1,165

  1,166

  Enfield and Haringey

  511

  538

  482

  499

  530

  601

  575

  619

  624

  Hillingdon

  252

  262

  245

  228

  232

  283

  250

  260

  291

  Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster

  275

  309

  276

  271

  267

  329

  328

  329

  320

  Kingston and Richmond

  198

  249

  219

  216

  234

  227

  247

  259

  237

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  915

  759

  744

  779

  985

  1,075

  1,063

  1,107

  1,074

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  614

  580

  565

  560

  619

  644

  627

  611

  614

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  480

  520

  480

  469

  453

  560

  536

  540

  519

  South East

  6,503

  6,613

  6,360

  6,455

  6,655

  6,777

  6,807

  6,943

  6,892

  Berkshire

  660

  691

  671

  655

  706

  737

  734

  779

  810

  Buckinghamshire

  520

  552

  513

  572

  583

  584

  593

  620

  573

  East Kent

  461

  497

  448

  412

  435

  438

  406

  508

  421

  East Surrey

  245

  258

  278

  294

  324

  323

  305

  285

  300

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  461

  474

  431

  515

  529

  504

  517

  565

  502

  Isle of Wight

  99

  73

  71

  89

  78

  81

  94

  88

  89

  North and Mid Hampshire

  424

  428

  419

  407

  409

  432

  497

  426

  451

  Northamptonshire

  521

  519

  560

  565

  605

  518

  565

  584

  558

  Oxfordshire

  481

  536

  450

  422

  408

  408

  448

  470

  436

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  469

  418

  437

  425

  443

  448

  434

  400

  410

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  448

  399

  389

  392

  390

  445

  420

  401

  421

  West Kent

  794

  822

  790

  769

  751

  832

  832

  785

  854

  West Surrey

  424

  436

  463

  446

  481

  499

  438

  473

  507

  West Sussex

  496

  480

  450

  492

  513

  528

  524

  559

  560

  SouthWest

  3,476

  3,465

  3,320

  3,554

  3,586

  3,646

  3,689

  3,706

  3,511

  Avon

  703

  696

  721

  756

  758

  808

  845

  835

  738

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  332

  349

  322

  328

  310

  340

  339

  295

  312

  Dorset

  459

  467

  396

  459

  452

  429

  456

  471

  480

  Gloucestershire

  410

  399

  355

  397

  469

  454

  420

  429

  421

  North and East Devon

  306

  321

  297

  323

  317

  324

  346

  309

  328

  Somerset

  335

  305

  323

  379

  324

  346

  352

  334

  332

  South and West Devon

  432

  470

  440

  427

  407

  419

  431

  468

  408

  Wiltshire

  499

  458

  466

  485

  549

  526

  500

  565

  492

  Wales

  2,329

  2,456

  2,381

  2,230

  2,235

  2,400

  2,418

  2,423

  2,393

  Bro Taf

  622

  667

  691

  645

  635

  665

  711

  656

  715

  Dyfed Powys

  296

  308

  309

  311

  311

  325

  342

  300

  316

  Gwent

  522

  564

  528

  507

  478

  528

  512

  522

  466

  Morgannwg

  372

  422

  413

  346

  330

  399

  373

  398

  398

  North Wales

  517

  495

  440

  421

  481

  483

  480

  537

  498

  1 Boundaries as at 1st April 1999

  978W 979W

  Percentage of livebirths with a stated birthweight less than 2,500 grams England and Wales, England, regional offices and health authorities1, 1990–1998

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  England and Wales

  6.8

  6.9

  6.8

  6.8

  7.0

  7.3

  7.3

  7.4

  7.5

  England

  6.8

  6.9

  6.8

  6.9

  7.0

  7.3

  7.3

  7.5

  7.5

  Northern and Yorkshire

  7.0

  7.0

  7.0

  7.0

  7.3

  7.7

  7.4

  7.9

  7.6

  Bradford

  8.1

  7.9

  7.9

  8.5

  9.3

  8.8

  8.7

  9.1

  9.8

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  8.4

  8.0

  7.4

  7.8

  7.7

  8.7

  7.7

  8.4

  8.2

  County Durham

  6.5

  6.1

  6.7

  6.5

  6.6

  7.3

  7.2

  7.8

  7.0

  East Riding

  6.5

  7.0

  6.4

  6.4

  7.2

  6.9

  7.4

  8.2

  7.4

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  5.9

  6.7

  6.9

  6.6

  7.3

  7.9

  7.4

  8.1

  6.8

  Leeds

  7.3

  7.5

  7.9

  7.4

  8.0

  8.5

  8.1

  8.3

  8.4

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  7.2

  7.9

  7.2

  7.5

  8.2

  7.7

  7.9

  8.3

  7.5

  North Cumbria

  5.8

  6.3

  5.9

  6.3

  5.9

  6.6

  7.0

  7.5

  6.6

  North Yorkshire

  5.6

  5.7

  6.2

  5.7

  5.8

  6.5

  5.5

  6.6

  6.0

  Northumberland

  6.7

  6.3

  6.1

  6.3

  6.7

  7.3

  6.0

  7.1

  6.7

  Sunderland

  7.1

  6.4

  6.5

  7.3

  6.3

  7.6

  8.0

  8.1

  8.4

  Tees

  7.5

  7.6

  7.3

  7.0

  7.3

  7.8

  7.3

  7.7

  7.8

  Wakefield

  6.6

  6.5

  7.3

  7.3

  7.6

  7.9

  7.6

  7.6

  7.7

  Trent

  7.2

  7.2

  7.2

  7.1

  7.0

  7.3

  7.3

  7.6

  7.8

  Barnsley

  7.4

  7.1

  7.1

  7.7

  6.7

  7.6

  6.6

  6.9

  7.8

  Doncaster

  6.3

  6.7

  6.5

  6.5

  6.9

  7.5

  6.8

  8.8

  7.7

  Leicestershire

  7.1

  6.9

  6.8

  7.6

  7.5

  8.0

  8.2

  8.2

  8.0

  Lincolnshire

  6.0

  5.8

  6.2

  5.7

  6.1

  6.4

  6.2

  6.8

  7.3

  North Derbyshire

  5.9

  6.7

  6.5

  5.6

  6.5

  5.9

  6.1

  6.5

  6.4

  North Nottinghamshire

  7.2

  6.8

  6.7

  6.7

  7.2

  8.0

  8.0

  8.9

  7.7

  Nottingham

  9.9

  9.1

  9.1

  9.3

  7.8

  7.5

  7.4

  7.2

  7.8

  Rotherham

  6.7

  6.4

  6.5

  6.2

  7.3

  8.0

  7.1

  7.3

  7.8

  Sheffield

  7.6

  7.5

  8.0

  7.5

  7.8

  7.9

  7.9

  7.6

  8.4

  South Humber

  6.3

  7.2

  6.9

  7.6

  6.3

  7.1

  7.0

  7.5

  8.2

  Southern Derbyshire

  7.3

  7.4

  7.8

  6.3

  6.2

  6.5

  6.9

  7.0

  7.9

  West Midlands

  7.3

  7.4

  7.2

  7.6

  7.6

  8.0

  8.1

  8.1

  8.4

  Birmingham

  8.3

  8.5

  8.5

  8.5

  8.8

  9.5

  9.2

  9.4

  10.0

  Coventry

  8.1

  8.3

  8.3

  9.5

  9.0

  8.7

  9.7

  8.7

  8.7

  Dudley

  7.2

  7.1

  7.6

  7.8

  7.7

  7.9

  8.5

  8.3

  8.8

  Herefordshire

  6.5

  6.2

  5.6

  7.1

  6.1

  6.4

  6.8

  6.8

  6.7

  North Staffordshire

  6.7

  6.9

  6.6

  7.3

  6.5

  7.1

  7.4

  7.0

  8.2

  Sandwell

  8.8

  9.0

  8.8

  8.6

  9.9

  9.7

  9.5

  10.0

  10.4

  Shropshire

  5.9

  6.7

  5.6

  6.4

  6.0

  7.1

  7.0

  6.7

  7.0

  Solihull

  5.5

  7.2

  5.3

  6.4

  7.1

  6.6

  8.5

  7.2

  6.6

  South Staffordshire

  6.6

  5.8

  5.9

  6.4

  6.7

  6.6

  7.0

  6.5

  7.4

  Walsall

  7.4

  8.0

  7.9

  8.3

  7.6

  8.8

  9.1

  10.1

  10.3

  Warwickshire

  6.3

  6.5

  6.3

  6.2

  6.8

  6.9

  6.3

  6.7

  6.7

  Wolverhampton

  9.0

  8.8

  8.3

  9.4

  8.3

  9.2

  9.6

  10.1

  10.0

  Worcestershire

  7.1

  6.3

  6.7

  6.4

  6.4

  7.1

  6.6

  7.2

  6.6

  NorthWest

  7.1

  6.9

  7.0

  7.0

  7.0

  7.7

  7.7

  7.8

  8.1

  Bury and Rochdale

  7.2

  7.9

  8.4

  6.9

  7.8

  8.3

  8.2

  8.6

  9.2

  East Lancashire

  7.7

  7.3

  7.8

  7.9

  7.8

  8.7

  7.7

  8.3

  9.5

  Liverpool

  7.9

  6.8

  7.6

  8.0

  7.9

  8.3

  8.5

  7.7

  8.2

  Manchester

  9.3

  9.2

  9.1

  8.4

  8.3

  9.9

  9.2

  9.2

  9.3

  MorecambeBay

  6.2

  5.6

  6.1

  5.4

  7.3

  7.4

  7.3

  6.2

  6.9

  North Cheshire

  5.6

  6.3

  5.5

  5.7

  5.4

  5.5

  6.6

  6.2

  6.5

  North West Lancashire

  6.8

  7.3

  6.6

  6.3

  7.1

  7.1

  7.6

  8.1

  8.3

  Salford and Trafford

  7.4

  7.7

  6.6

  7.6

  7.9

  8.0

  7.8

  8.3

  8.3

  Sefton

  6.2

  6.8

  7.1

  6.5

  6.6

  7.1

  7.2

  7.6

  7.9

  South Cheshire

  5.9

  5.4

  6.2

  5.8

  5.5

  6.5

  6.4

  6.6

  6.1

  South Lancashire

  6.6

  6.1

  6.2

  6.3

  6.5

  6.5

  6.9

  7.0

  6.3

  St Helen's and Knowsley

  6.8

  6.5

  6.8

  6.7

  6.6

  7.8

  8.0

  8.2

  8.5

  Stockport

  6.5

  6.2

  6.5

  6.3

  5.4

  6.9

  6.3

  6.1

  7.2

  West Pennine

  7.9

  6.9

  6.9

  7.3

  7.3

  7.8

  7.6

  8.3

  8.4

  Wigan and Bolton

  6.7

  7.0

  7.0

  7.1

  6.8

  8.2

  8.3

  8.7

  8.9

  Wirral

  7.1

  6.7

  6.4

  7.1

  6.3

  6.6

  7.6

  7.0

  8.0

  Eastern

  5.9

  6.2

  6.1

  6.1

  6.3

  6.6

  6.6

  6.6

  6.8

  Bedfordshire

  6.7

  7.0

  6.5

  6.8

  6.8

  6.7

  7.3

  7.2

  7.6

  Cambridgeshire

  6.3

  6.1

  6.4

  6.5

  6.4

  7.4

  7.1

  6.9

  6.9

  East and North Hertfordshire

  5.6

  5.2

  6.0

  5.8

  6.7

  6.8

  6.5

  6.6

  6.1

  Norfolk

  5.8

  6.2

  5.9

  6.5

  6.6

  7.1

  6.8

  6.6

  7.0

  North Essex

  5.5

  6.1

  6.0

  5.9

  6.0

  6.4

  6.3

  6.2

  6.4

  South Essex

  5.3

  6.7

  6.0

  6.0

  5.8

  5.7

  5.9

  6.7

  6.3

  980W

  981W

  Percentage of livebirths with a stated birthweight less than 2,500 grams England and Wales, England, regional offices and health authorities1, 1990–1998

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Suffolk

  5.8

  5.7

  5.7

  6.0

  6.4

  6.3

  6.5

  6.9

  7.0

  West Hertfordshire

  6.7

  6.7

  6.3

  5.7

  5.9

  6.5

  6.9

  6.0

  6.8

  London

  7.6

  7.6

  7.3

  7.5

  7.7

  7.9

  7.8

  8.0

  7.9

  Barking and Havering

  6.3

  6.4

  5.8

  6.4

  6.4

  6.2

  6.8

  7.4

  6.8

  Barnet

  7.0

  7.1

  6.4

  6.5

  7.0

  7.7

  7.5

  7.9

  7.2

  Bexley and Greenwich

  7.1

  7.1

  6.6

  6.3

  6.9

  6.9

  7.4

  7.3

  7.6

  Brent and Harrow

  9.2

  9.4

  9.0

  8.5

  8.6

  8.6

  8.9

  8.7

  8.4

  Bromley

  5.9

  6.2

  6.0

  6.4

  7.0

  6.9

  6.9

  6.4

  6.2

  Camden and Islington

  7.7

  7.2

  6.9

  7.9

  7.8

  7.4

  7.5

  7.8

  7.2

  Croydon

  7.2

  7.4

  7.3

  7.5

  7.4

  8.3

  7.8

  7.9

  8.7

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  7.8

  7.4

  7.7

  7.7

  7.4

  7.7

  7.7

  7.8

  8.2

  East London and The City

  8.6

  8.5

  8.5

  9.0

  9.0

  9.0

  8.9

  9.7

  9.7

  Enfield and Haringey

  7.6

  7.5

  6.8

  7.1

  7.5

  8.0

  7.7

  8.2

  8.3

  Hillingdon

  7.4

  7.4

  7.1

  6.8

  6.7

  8.3

  7.3

  7.5

  8.2

  Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster

  7.2

  7.7

  7.3

  7.8

  7.4

  7.8

  7.7

  7.6

  7.5

  Kingston and Richmond

  5.2

  6.3

  5.6

  5.7

  5.8

  5.7

  5.9

  6.2

  5.4

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  8.6

  9.1

  8.6

  8.3

  8.9

  9.1

  8.7

  8.8

  8.8

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  7.0

  6.7

  6.4

  6.4

  7.1

  7.1

  6.9

  6.7

  6.9

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  7.7

  8.5

  7.8

  7.9

  8.5

  8.3

  7.9

  8.0

  7.7

  South East

  6.1

  6.3

  6.1

  6.3

  6.4

  6.6

  6.6

  6.8

  6.7

  Berkshire

  6.6

  6.9

  6.4

  6.3

  6.6

  6.9

  6.8

  7.1

  7.6

  Buckinghamshire

  5.9

  6.2

  5.8

  6.6

  6.6

  6.8

  6.7

  7.2

  6.6

  East Kent

  6.5

  7.1

  6.3

  6.0

  6.4

  6.7

  6.2

  7.4

  6.3

  East Surrey

  5.2

  5.4

  6.0

  6.4

  6.9

  6.5

  6.3

  5.8

  5.9

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  5.9

  6.1

  5.7

  6.6

  6.6

  6.4

  6.7

  7.1

  6.3

  Isle of Wight

  7.1

  5.5

  5.4

  6.8

  5.9

  6.5

  7.1

  7.3

  7.3

  North and Mid Hampshire

  5.9

  6.3

  6.0

  5.8

  5.9

  6.2

  7.2

  6.2

  6.4

  Northamptonshire

  6.3

  6.8

  6.9

  7.6

  7.9

  7.0

  7.5

  7.8

  7.5

  Oxfordshire

  6.3

  7.0

  6.0

  5.8

  5.8

  5.7

  6.2

  6.3

  5.9

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  6.6

  6.0

  6.3

  6.2

  6.7

  6.9

  6.7

  6.4

  6.6

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  6.6

  6.2

  5.9

  6.2

  6.3

  7.1

  6.8

  6.6

  7.0

  West Kent

  6.0

  6.4

  6.1

  5.9

  5.9

  6.7

  6.6

  6.3

  6.9

  West Surrey

  5.6

  5.6

  5.8

  5.9

  6.3

  6.4

  5.7

  6.2

  6.5

  West Sussex

  5.9

  5.9

  5.6

  6.3

  6.3

  6.6

  6.4

  6.8

  6.6

  South West

  6.1

  6.2

  5.9

  6.4

  6.5

  6.7

  6.7

  6.8

  6.5

  Avon

  6.0

  5.9

  6.1

  6.3

  6.3

  6.8

  7.0

  7.0

  6.3

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  6.0

  6.5

  6.0

  6.3

  6.2

  6.8

  6.7

  5.8

  6.2

  Dorset

  6.2

  6.5

  5.7

  6.4

  6.5

  6.3

  6.5

  6.8

  7.0

  Gloucestershire

  6.0

  6.2

  5.4

  6.1

  7.3

  6.9

  6.5

  6.8

  6.5

  North and East Devon

  5.9

  6.4

  6.0

  6.4

  6.5

  6.7

  6.9

  6.3

  6.7

  Somerset

  5.8

  5.4

  5.8

  6.9

  6.0

  6.5

  6.7

  6.4

  6.3

  South and West Devon

  6.2

  6.7

  6.4

  6.5

  6.2

  6.6

  6.7

  7.4

  6.7

  Wiltshire

  6.3

  6.0

  6.0

  6.4

  6.9

  7.0

  6.6

  7.4

  6.5

  Wales

  6.2

  6.7

  6.6

  6.3

  6.5

  7.0

  6.9

  7.0

  7.2

  Bro Taf

  6.1

  6.7

  7.0

  6.8

  6.9

  7.2

  7.7

  7.2

  8.0

  Dyfed Powys

  5.4

  5.8

  6.0

  6.3

  6.4

  6.5

  6.7

  5.8

  6.4

  Gwent

  6.9

  7.5

  7.2

  6.9

  6.6

  7.6

  7.3

  7.7

  7.0

  Morgannwg

  6.0

  7.0

  6.9

  5.8

  5.8

  7.1

  6.4

  6.9

  7.4

  North Wales

  6.4

  6.2

  5.7

  5.5

  6.3

  6.4

  6.3

  7.2

  6.6

  1 Boundaries as at 1st April 1999

  Import/Export Traders
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been made to assess demand from import/export traders for simplified Customs procedures across the community. [111910]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs are planning to carry out pilot studies of a Single European Authorisation (SEA) which would allow multinational traders to be authorised by and pay customs duty to one Member State in respect of all their import and export operations within the European Union. Excise duties such as on alcohol and tobacco products are excluded from these arrangements. The Government considers that SEA will increase the 982W
  competitiveness of UK business by reducing their administrative burdens. It will facilitate the opportunities for speedy paperless movement of goods throughout the EU.

  SEA is actively promoted by the main UK trade associations and their affiliated associations in the EU, including the Freight Transport Association and the Confederation of British Industry.

  Under the terms of the trials businesses will be able to centralise the payment of duty in one accounting centre in one of the Member States, even though the movement of goods may take place elsewhere in the Community. VAT will be excluded from the trial because it is a

  983W
  'destination' based tax and has to be accounted for in the Member State where the goods are 'consumed'. The provision of trade statistics, too, will remain a national requirement.

  The United Kingdom plans to undertake up to 12 pilot studies. They will be closely assessed and each authorisation will be reviewed after 12 months. In addition, the project as a whole will be evaluated before any decision is taken to adopt the procedure permanently, which would require Community legislation. The procedure does not involve any transfer of responsibility from the Member States to the European Commission.

  To safeguard the interests of both the UK and other Member States with whom we enter into such arrangements, a Joint Understanding on Co-operation will be signed by the customs administrations involved to govern the conduct of the pilot studies. Discussions are at their most advanced with the Dutch customs administration and I am placing a copy of the draft understanding in the Libraries of both Houses. The document is expected to provide a template for similar agreements with other Member States.

  Although the pilot arrangements will allow duty to be paid in one Member State for goods imported into another, there will be no difference in the total amount the Member States' customs duty contributes to the Community. Customs will negotiate reciprocal arrangements with other Member States in respect of the 10 per cent. of duty which is retained by the Member States to cover their costs of collecting Community duties. It is envisaged that the arrangements will vary depending on the circumstances of each agreement.

  Customs have already undertaken a financial impact analysis of the top 500 UK customs duty payers to assess what would happen to duty payments for each of these traders if they were authorised for SEA. The analysis suggests that the consequences for the UK' s retained Own Resources (including interest) for duty collected under SEA if the arrangements were universally implemented would be likely to be positive.

  The SEA arrangements represent a significant departure from usual practice for collecting and making available Community own resources which would help to streamline and modernise the collection of customs duty, and facilitate trade by reducing traders' compliance costs.

  Personal Services (Taxation)
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the draft legislation covering the taxation of personal services provided through intermediaries (IR35) will be published. [111869]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The draft Finance Bill clauses, draft Social Security Regulations and accompanying Explanatory Notes have been published today. Copies have been placed on the Inland Revenue website (www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/ir35) and also in the Libraries of the House.

  The Social Security Regulations will come into force on 6 April 2000. The Finance Bill clauses will be debated during the passage of the Finance Bill and will become
  984W
  law once the Finance Bill has received Royal Assent. The tax changes will be applied retrospectively from 6 April 2000.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of changes in(a) indirect taxation, (b) direct taxation and (c) benefits since May 1997 on the real-terms incomes of an average pensioner household; and if he will indicate the method he used in making this calculation. [111169]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government have introduced a package of measures to provide support that is decent and fair and ensures that even the least well off pensioners can share in the increasing prosperity of the nation.

  As a result of the measures announced by the Government, pensioner households will be, on average, £300 a year better off.
  The Minimum Income Guarantee for pensioners was introduced in April 1999. The Government are committed to increase the MIG in line with earnings throughout the remainder of this Parliament;
  The five-fold increase in the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners means that pensioner households will receive a payment of £100 every winter;
  Under the Minimum Tax Guarantee, the age related personal allowances were increased by £200 more than statutory indexation in April 1999, thereby lifting 200,000 pensioners out of tax. Pensioners aged 65 or over now have to have an income of at least £110 a week before they pay any income tax;
  The extension of the lop rate of income tax to savings income will benefit 1.5 million pensioners;
  Free television licences for pensioners aged 75 and over will be introduced in autumn 2000 and will benefit over three million pensioner households.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate in(a) cash terms and (b) real terms using 1998–99 prices the total level of national insurance contributions received for each year from 1979–80 to 1999–2000, indicating for each of those years the real terms percentage growth of national insurance contributions received in relation to the preceding year's total. [110026]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: Available information for Great Britain is given in the table.

  Total NIC receipts (cash terms)

  Total NIC receipts (1998–99 prices)

  £ billion

  £ billion

  % increase on previous year

  1979–80

  11.45

  31.50

  n/a

  1980–81

  13.56

  31.55

  0.16

  1981–82

  15.43

  32.80

  3.96

  1982–83

  18.28

  36.32

  10.73

  1983–84

  20.11

  38.19

  5.15

  1984–85

  21.57

  38.92

  1.91

  1985–86

  23.74

  40.68

  4.52

  1986–87

  25.70

  42.71

  4.99

  1987–88

  28.31

  44.66

  4.57

  1988–89

  31.80

  47.00

  5.24

  1989–90

  34.61

  47.72

  1.53

  985W

  Total NIC receipts (cash terms)

  Total NIC receipts (1998–99 prices)

  £ billion

  £ billion

  % increase on previous year

  1990–91

  36.32

  46.43

  -2.70

  1991–92

  37.91

  45.64

  -1.70

  1992–93

  39.08

  45.54

  -0.22

  1993–94

  40.66

  46.16

  1.36

  1994–95

  43.09

  48.23

  4.48

  1995–96

  45.30

  49.29

  2.20

  1996–97

  47.42

  49.98

  1.40

  1997–98

  51.83

  53.14

  6.32

  1998–99

  55.48

  55.48

  4.40

  1999–2000

  57.41

  56.13

  1.17

  Notes:

  1. Constant prices using GDP deflator at market prices

  2. Figures for 1999–2000 are projections consistent with the November 1999 Pre-Budget Report

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests for employment histories are pending in the National Insurance Contributions Office; and what assessment he has made of the period of time required to clear the backlog. [110085]

  Dawn Primarolo
  As at Friday 4 February 2000 there were 5,790 employment history cases awaiting completion. It is estimated that it will take 34 weeks to recover and restore the normal target clearance of 13 weeks for these cases. We anticipate being back on target by 31 October 2000.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what target has been set for average response times for employment history requests when the new National Insurance Recording System is fully operational; and from what date the target will be applicable. [110086]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The target will remain at the current 13 weeks from receipt of the request.

  NIRS2
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if implementation milestones have been agreed for the rollout of the NIRS2 project; if those milestones have been revised; and on what dates, and in respect of what sums, penalty payments have been incurred by the NIRS2 project manager. [111670]

  Mr. Timms
  Implementation milestones were agreed for the NIRS2 project when the Private Finance Initiative contract was awarded in May 1995.

  The original implementation date for the first NIRS2 Release was on 10 February 1997. In July 1996 this milestone was revised to allow the first release to be phased in over three stages between 10 February and 5 April 1998. Subsequent releases, that have introduced changes to the system, have been successfully delivered and on time.

  The supplier, Andersen Consulting, has made compensation payments for the revised implementation strategy of £4.1 million.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the payments made for the commissioning of the NIRS2 project and the dates on which payments were made; and what further programme of payments to commission NIRS2 has been agreed. [111669]
  986W
  Mr. Timms
  The table shows the payments made to Andersen Consulting for the work commissioned from them during the NIRS2 project. The payments cover both the provisions of the NIRS2 service and changes that have been made to the system.

  £ million

  Period

  The following invoiced charges were due:

  April 1995 to March 1996

  0.139

  April 1996 to March 1997

  0.586

  April 1997 to March 1998

  1.118

  April 1998 to March 1999

  5.876

  April 1999 to January 2000

  11.726

  Total

  19.445

  Various credits were deducted from the above totaling

  6.347

  Net total

  13.098

  Future payments are estimated as follows:

  February 2000 to March 2000

  6.976

  April 2000 to March 2001

  9.990

  April 2001 to March 2002

  8.170

  April 2002 to March 2003

  8.640

  April 2003 to March 2004

  10.950

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take following allegations that tobacco companies are involved in smuggling and evasion of customs and excise duties; and if he will make a statement. [111487]

  Mr. Timms
  HM Customs and Excise will examine thoroughly any information provided to them about criminal involvement by any organisation or individual in the smuggling of tobacco or any other goods into the UK and will take appropriate action.

  E-commerce
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that e-commerce transactions bear the full tax liabilities; what examination he is making of e-commerce websites; and what revenue he anticipates from e-commerce transaction tax in the current financial year. [111357]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government's policy on the taxation of e-commerce was set out in a paper "Electronic Commerce: The UK's Taxation Agenda". This was published jointly by Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue in November 1999. A copy of the paper is in the Library.

  Office for National Statistics
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will hold an inquiry into the alleged leak of ONS average earnings figures on Wednesday 16 February. [111619]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government are committed to the highest standards in the handling and release of market sensitive data. Data leaks by their nature are serious. We have seen no evidence but if any did emerge we would take it very seriously indeed.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 February 2000,Official Report, column 451W, on asset sales if he will list projections of aggregate receipts by Department in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [111276]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Data for 1999–2000 and projections for the following two years will be published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report in March and Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses in April.

  Fuel Taxation
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the present level of fuel taxation on people in rural areas. [111282]

  Mr. Timms
  As the Chancellor made clear in the Pre-Budget Report he will take the Government's economic and social objectives as well as the UK's environmental commitments into account in deciding the appropriate level of fuel duties.

  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the present level of fuel taxation on small garage owners. [111167]

  Capital modernisation fund

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total

  Budget 99 allocation

  Crime Reduction Programme

  23

  68

  79

  170.0

  National IT Strategy

  59

  176

  235

  470.0

  A&E and primary modernisation

  120

  131

  179

  430.0

  Rural transport

  11.4

  —

  —

  11.4

  Venture Capital

  —

  20

  —

  20.0

  Round 1—subsequent winners

  London Underground

  0

  100

  0

  100

  Improving bus information

  0

  50

  0

  50

  IT integration in criminal justice system

  0

  20

  10

  30

  Action on cataracts

  0

  12

  8

  20

  Police DNA databases

  —

  20

  —

  20

  Internet job matching scheme

  0

  18

  0

  18

  Meningitis vaccinations

  14

  0

  0

  14

  Active Communities

  0.4

  3.63

  4.03

  8.06

  Networking of DSA test centres

  0

  2.8

  0

  2.8

  Biological munitions disposal

  0

  1

  1

  2

  Electronic procurement systems across government

  0

  0.8

  0.3

  1.1

  VED evasion: Automatic number plate readers

  0

  0.4

  0

  0.4

  Promotion of British Interests abroad

  0

  5

  7

  12

  Electronic procurement by posts overseas

  0

  0.6

  0

  0.6

  National telephone job-broking service

  —

  10

  40

  50

  Cambridge/MIT Institute

  —

  14

  14

  28

  Customs and Excise X-ray scanners

  —

  1

  22

  23

  VAT
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has undertaken into the impact of the changes in VAT on domestic fuel made in July 1997 on different groups of the population. [111366]

  Mr. Timms
  The rate of VAT on domestic fuel was reduced to 5 per cent. on 1 September 1997, the lowest
  988W
  Mr. Timms
  None.

  Russian Debt
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 February 2000,Official Report, column 616W, if he will place a copy of the agreement on restructuring Russian debt in the Library. [111342]

  Mr. Timms
  Her Majesty's Government were not a party to the agreement restructuring Russian debt owed to the London Club of private sector creditors reached on 11 February. The London office of Deutsche Bank, the lead bank of the London Club in this negotiation, may be able to provide further details.

  Capital Modernisation Fund
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the projects that will receive funding from the capital modernisation fund in the years (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 and (i) the funding for and (ii) the timing of spending on each project; and if he will make a statement. [111249]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Allocations from the Capital Modernisation Fund have been announced for the projects listed in the following table. A second round of bidding for the Fund is underway.

  rate possible under EC law. There has been no research into the impact of the cut.

  Recycling
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of documentation used by his Department is(a) made from recycled paper and (b) collected for recycling. [111599]
  989W
  Mr. Timms
  The Treasury does not purchase recycled paper. However, the paper purchased is produced using an ECF/TCF bleaching process and the paper fibres are obtained from a sustainable source. Approximately 74 per cent. of paper purchased is collected for recycling.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Government are taking to implement the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [111667]

  Mr. Timms
  So far this year, three countries have reached decision point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative: Mauritania, Bolivia and Uganda. We are working closely with International Financial Institutions and with the countries themselves, in a capacity building and advisory role, towards the G7 target that three quarters of eligible countries should reach their decision point by the end of the year.

  The Government have stepped in to bridge the IMF financing gap and have pledged to help other Multilateral Development Banks meet their costs of participating in the initiative. In total the Government have pledged $385 million to the Institutions involved in debt relief. The UK's contribution (including our share of the sum from the European Development Fund) is the largest resourced pledge of any bilateral donor. The European Development Fund contribution, released at the UK Government's urging, has been instrumental in allowing countries to be brought forward for debt relief before the delivery of the US's pledged financing.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to phase out the use of peat compost in gardens(a) owned and (b) tended by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [110717]

  Mr. Timms
  The Treasury does not own or maintain any gardens.

  Electricity
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the electricity used by his Department is generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement. [111035]

  Mr. Timms
  The Treasury's electricity contract does not include supply from renewable sources.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many senior civil servants from an ethnic minority background are employed in his Department; and how many of them are(a) men and (b) women. [110679]

  Mr. Timms
  As at 1 April 1999, 55 members of the senior civil service were from an ethnic minority background (1.7 per cent).

  Information on ethnic origin in the civil service is collected on the understanding that it will be treated on a confidential basis. To protect the privacy of individual members of staff we do not disclose data relating to fewer than five people.
  990W
  The aggregate total of ethnic minority staff in the senior civil service within HM Treasury, Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise is fewer than five people.

  Drug Enforcement
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the last 10 years the amount spent by Customs and Excise on drug enforcement for(a) the United Kingdom as a whole, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales. [111002]

  Mr. Timms
  Customs and Excise's estimated expenditure on drugs enforcement for 1999–2000 is £209 million. Comparable figures for previous years are not available separately from overall expenditure on protection of society. Nor are separate figures available for Scotland and Wales.

  National Minimum Wage
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the(a) gross earnings, (b) earnings after income tax and National Insurance Contributions and (c) entitlements to the Working Families Tax Credit of a dual-earner couple with two children under the age of 11 years, both earning the minimum wage and both working full-time. [111241]

  Mr. Timms
  The figures requested are given in the table.

  £/week

  Couple, both working full-time

  Gross earnings

  252.00

  Earnings net of income tax and National Insurance Contributions

  231.67

  Amount of Working Families' Tax Credit

  25.13

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years do not have a National Insurance number; and for what reasons; what assessment he has made of the effects on access to work of not possessing a National Insurance number; and if he will make a statement. [110809]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Statistics on young people without a National Insurance number are not available. Allocation of the National Insurance numbers is normally via the automatic data transfer of children approaching their 16th birthday from the Child Benefit system to the National Insurance Recording System (NIRS). Young people who fall outside the scope of the Child Benefit System do not automatically receive a National Insurance number. There is no legal requirement to have a National Insurance number before applying for employment. The legal requirement is to apply for a National Insurance number on entry to employment.

  When an individual without a National Insurance number registers for employment, the Employment Services Agency will issue them with a temporary number.

  Primary Care (Death Rates)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the standardised mortality rate for each ward in(a) West Hull primary care group, (b) East Hull primary care group and (c) East Riding primary care group; and what is the average figure for the United Kingdom. [110357]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 22 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on standardised mortality rates for each ward in the West Hull, East Hull and East Riding Primary Care Groups and the UK.
  East Riding Health Authority contains 4 Primary Care Groups: Western Hull, Eastern Hull, Yorkshire Coast and Wolds and East Yorkshire. The attached table shows European standardised mortality rates for each ward in East Riding HA based on deaths in 1991–3 and populations from the 1991 Census. Many of the wards in existence in 1991 are covered by more than one Primary Care Group. We have not provided data for all wards in the UK due to disproportionate cost.
  The European standardised mortality rate is a measure of the expected number of deaths per 100,000 population if the local population had the same age structure as the European standard population.

  Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 by Wards in East Riding health authority

  Wardname

  Wardcode

  Rate

  Airmyn and Rawcliffe

  KNFA

  971

  Crowle

  KNFB

  817

  EastDerwent

  KNFC

  814

  East Howdenshire

  KNFD

  934

  Gilberdyke

  KNFF

  856

  Goole Central and South

  KNFG

  892

  Goole East

  KNFH

  833

  Goole North

  KNFJ

  796

  Goole North-East

  KNFK

  882

  Goole West

  KNFL

  687

  Holme Upon Spalding Moor

  KNFN

  990

  Hook

  KNFP

  995

  Howden

  KNFQ

  910

  Marshland

  KNFS

  871

  Mid Howdenshire

  KNFT

  994

  North Axholme

  KNFU

  784

  North Cave

  KNFW

  596

  Snaith

  KNFX

  949

  Battleburn

  KQFA

  879

  Bridlington Bessingby

  KQFB

  899

  Bridlington Hilderthorpe

  KQFC

  932

  Bridlington Old Town East

  KQFD

  690

  Bridlington Old Town West

  KQFE

  840

  Bridlington Quay North

  KQFF

  657

  Bridlington Quay South

  KQFG

  916

  Coastal

  KQFH

  825

  Driffield North

  KQFJ

  808

  Driffield South

  KQFK

  850

  Garrowby

  KQFL

  719

  Hutton Cranwsick

  KQFM

  687

  Lowland

  KQFN

  749

  Market Weighton

  KQFP

  894

  Nafferton

  KQFQ

  889

  Pocklington

  KQFR

  700

  Roman

  KQFS

  741

  St. John

  KQFT

  742

  Stamford Bridge

  KQFU

  997

  Vale

  KQFW

  616

  992W

  Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 by Wards in East Riding health authority

  Wardname

  Wardcode

  Rate

  Viking

  KQFX

  766

  Wilberfoss

  KQFY

  795

  Wold

  KQFZ

  522

  Woodland

  KQGA

  827

  Anlaby

  KRFA

  631

  Brough

  KRFB

  699

  Castle

  KRFC

  548

  Cherry Holme

  KRFD

  755

  Hessle East

  KRFE

  660

  HessleWest

  KRFF

  851

  Kirk Ella

  KRFG

  696

  Leconfield

  KRFH

  571

  Leven

  KRFJ

  673

  Mill Beck and Croxby

  KRFK

  752

  Minster North

  KRFL

  669

  Minster South

  KRFM

  970

  Molescroft

  KRFN

  669

  Priory

  KRFP

  679

  St. Mary's East

  KRFQ

  767

  St. Mary's West

  KRFR

  612

  Skidby and Rowley

  KRFS

  836

  South Cave

  KRFT

  748

  Springfield

  KRFU

  720

  Swanland

  KRFW

  757

  Tickton

  KRFX

  760

  Walkington

  KRFY

  656

  Willerby

  KRFZ

  769

  Woodmansey

  KRGA

  565

  Ulceby

  KSFW

  789

  Aldbrough

  KUFA

  602

  Bilton

  KUFB

  909

  Brandesburton

  KUFC

  908

  Burstwick

  KUFD

  1,152

  Burton Pidsea

  KUFE

  559

  Easington

  KUFF

  1,008

  Hedon

  KUFG

  953

  Hornsea North

  KUFH

  851

  Hornsea South

  KUFJ

  656

  Keyingham

  KUFK

  684

  Patrington

  KUFL

  661

  Paull

  KUFM

  920

  Preston North

  KUFN

  817

  Roos

  KUFP

  813

  Seaton

  KUFQ

  689

  Skirlaugh

  KUFR

  705

  Sproatley

  KUFS

  670

  Thorngumbald

  KUFT

  841

  Withernsea North

  KUFU

  758

  Withernsea South

  KUFW

  939

  Avenue

  KWFA

  1,055

  Beverley

  KWFB

  831

  Boothferry

  KWFC

  649

  Derringham

  KWFD

  681

  Drypool

  KWFE

  939

  Holderness

  KWFF

  690

  Ings

  KWFG

  963

  Longhill

  KWFH

  851

  Marfleet

  KWFJ

  884

  Myton

  KWFK

  892

  Newington

  KWFL

  882

  Newland

  KWFM

  808

  Noddle Hill

  KWFN

  1,172

  Orchard Park

  KWFP

  873

  Pickering

  KWFQ

  1,005

  St. Andrews

  KWFR

  1,266

  Southcoates

  KWFS

  859

  Stoneferry

  KWFT

  833

  Sutton

  KWFU

  737

  University

  KWFW

  772

  Birdsall

  PBFC

  959

  Sherburn

  PBFY

  703

  Hertford

  PCFM

  660

  993W

  Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 by Wards in East Riding health authority

  Wardname

  Wardcode

  Rate

  Barlby with Osgodby

  PDFC

  722

  Brayton

  PDFF

  802

  Dunnington

  PDFN

  679

  Eggborough

  PDFP

  746

  Hemingbrough

  PDFU

  840

  Wheldrake with Elvington

  PDGL

  692

  UK

  —

  810

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what are the average death rates by ward allowing for age and sex standardisation in(a) West Hull Primary Care Group, (b) East Hull Primary Care Group, (c) East Riding Primary Care Group and (d) the UK; [110374]

  (2) what are the average cancer-related death rates by ward allowing for age and sex standardisation in (a) West Hull Primary Care Group, (b) East Hull Primary Care Group, (c) East Riding Primary Care Group and (d) the UK; [110375]

  (3) what are the average death rates for cervical cancer by ward allowing for age and sex standardisation in (a) West Hull Primary Care Group, (b) East Hull Primary Care Group, (c) East Riding Primary Care Group and (d) the UK; [110376]

  (4) what are the average coronary heart disease death rates by ward allowing for age and sex standardisation in (a) West Hull Primary Care Group, (b) East Hull Primary Care Group, (c) East Riding Primary Care Group and (d) the UK; [110377]

  Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMR) by ward and cause of death, 1991–93.

  Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR)

  Wards in East Riding health authority

  Wardcode

  All-causes

  CHD

  Stroke

  Cancer

  Airmyn and Rawcliffe

  KNFA

  117

  84

  110

  143

  Crowle

  KNFB

  98

  77

  72

  136

  East Derwent

  KNFC

  96

  122

  45

  93

  East Howdenshire

  KNFD

  111

  81

  170

  106

  Gilberdyke

  KNFF

  110

  148

  108

  76

  Goole Central and South

  KNFG

  99

  115

  91

  100

  Goole East

  KNFH

  100

  119

  96

  82

  Goole North

  KNFJ

  102

  113

  104

  82

  Goole North-East

  KNFK

  107

  153

  107

  126

  Goole West

  KNFL

  77

  101

  56

  73

  Holme upon Spalding Moor

  KNFN

  119

  168

  97

  83

  Hook

  KNFP

  129

  108

  184

  150

  Howden

  KNFQ

  117

  124

  162

  68

  Marshland

  KNFS

  121

  82

  154

  76

  Mid Howdenshire

  KNFT

  117

  84

  208

  165

  North Axholme

  KNFU

  88

  103

  120

  79

  North Cave

  KNFW

  74

  93

  78

  75

  Snaith

  KNFX

  113

  113

  188

  104

  Battleburn

  KQFA

  108

  142

  89

  66

  Bridlington Bessingby

  KQFB

  118

  123

  108

  103

  Bridlington Hilderthorpe

  KQFC

  116

  134

  120

  90

  Bridlington Old Town East

  KQFD

  85

  78

  101

  86

  Bridlington Old Town West

  KQFE

  102

  124

  96

  92

  Bridlington Quay North

  KQFF

  81

  86

  85

  83

  Bridlington Quay South

  KQFG

  117

  137

  108

  116

  Coastal

  KQFH

  108

  156

  82

  79

  Driffield North

  KQFJ

  102

  116

  95

  88

  Driffield South

  KQFK

  110

  107

  118

  106

  994W
  (5) what are the average stroke death rates by ward allowing for age and sex standardisation in (a) West Hull Primary Care Group, (b) East Hull Primary Care Group, (c) East Riding Primary Care Group and (d) the UK. [110378]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 22 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on average death rates, average cancer related death rates, average death rates for cervical cancer, average coronary heart disease death rates and average stroke death rates. You asked for the rates for each ward in the West Hull, East Hull and East Riding Primary Care Groups and the UK.
  East Riding Health Authority is made up of 4 Primary care Groups: Western Hull, Eastern Hull, Yorkshire Coast and Wolds and East Yorkshire. The attached table shows indirectly standardised mortality ratios (SMR) for all-causes of death, coronary heart disease, cancer and stroke, for each ward in East Riding HA during 1991–1993, based on populations from the 1991 Census.
  We have provided indirectly standardised ratios rather than European standardised rates as the latter does not incorporate sex standardisation and is likely to be less accurate for small numbers of deaths by cause in each ward. Many of the wards in existence in the 1991 Census are covered by more than one Primary Care Group. We have not provided data for all wards in the UK due to disproportionate cost and we have not provided data for cervical cancer deaths as the maximum number of deaths over the three year period in any ward in East Riding HA is three and most wards had no deaths.
  An SMR is defined as the ratio for the observed deaths in a given population over the expected deaths in that population if it experienced the age-specific death rates of a standard population (in this case the United Kingdom). The SMR for the UK is 100. Values greater than 100 indicate higher than average mortality and values lower than 100 indicate lower than average mortality.
  995W

  Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMR) by ward and cause of death, 1991–93

  Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR)

  Wards in East Riding health authority

  Wardcode

  All-causes

  CHD

  Stroke

  Cancer

  Garrowby

  KQFL

  84

  107

  85

  54

  Hutton Cranswick

  KQFM

  78

  82

  90

  130

  Lowland

  KQFN

  88

  120

  28

  52

  Market Weighton

  KQFP

  114

  107

  97

  120

  Nafferton

  KQFQ

  107

  94

  84

  97

  Pocklington

  KQFR

  87

  82

  77

  107

  Roman

  KQFS

  90

  115

  111

  92

  St. John

  KQFT

  91

  117

  53

  116

  Stamford Bridge

  KQFU

  134

  82

  184

  126

  Vale

  KQFW

  74

  37

  134

  79

  Viking

  KQFX

  96

  112

  103

  79

  Wilberfoss

  KQFY

  96

  126

  67

  108

  Wold

  KQFZ

  67

  55

  87

  76

  Woodland

  KQGA

  99

  117

  117

  83

  Anlaby

  KRFA

  76

  103

  73

  86

  Brough

  KRFB

  88

  94

  80

  101

  Castle

  KRFC

  71

  85

  76

  81

  Cherry Holme

  KRFD

  86

  106

  15

  74

  Hessle East

  KRFE

  84

  93

  85

  82

  Hessle West

  KRFF

  119

  105

  144

  95

  Kirk Ella

  KRFG

  92

  88

  104

  71

  Leconfield

  KRFH

  73

  82

  30

  90

  Leven

  KRFJ

  78

  108

  92

  64

  Mill Beck and Croxby

  KRFK

  96

  97

  94

  94

  Minster North

  KRFL

  85

  89

  120

  79

  Minster South

  KRFM

  128

  105

  207

  127

  Molescroft

  KRFN

  83

  99

  73

  73

  Priory

  KRFP

  90

  79

  114

  72

  St. Mary's East

  KRFQ

  96

  112

  97

  87

  St. Mary's West

  KRFR

  86

  78

  94

  75

  Skidby and Rowley

  KRFS

  102

  109

  124

  104

  South Cave

  KRFT

  92

  98

  99

  88

  Springfield

  KRFU

  90

  108

  63

  97

  Swanland

  KRFW

  96

  100

  111

  84

  Tickton

  KRFX

  93

  86

  132

  101

  Walkington

  KRFY

  78

  33

  119

  93

  Willerby

  KRFZ

  92

  75

  55

  97

  Woodmansey

  KRGA

  68

  68

  89

  90

  Ulceby

  KSFW

  97

  112

  168

  118

  Aldbrough

  KUFA

  71

  73

  43

  62

  Bilton

  KUFB

  109

  68

  155

  117

  Brandesburton

  KUFC

  106

  107

  60

  62

  Burstwick

  KUFD

  136

  229

  48

  126

  Burton Pidsea

  KUFE

  77

  92

  49

  120

  Easington

  KUFF

  124

  153

  65

  142

  Hedon

  KUFG

  120

  122

  123

  113

  Hornsea North

  KUFH

  113

  108

  85

  104

  Hornsea South

  KUFJ

  76

  87

  86

  84

  Keyingham

  KUFK

  85

  78

  74

  79

  Patrington

  KUFL

  78

  76

  75

  70

  Paull

  KUFM

  108

  53

  102

  146

  Preston North

  KUFN

  107

  129

  195

  80

  Roos

  KUFP

  98

  120

  53

  97

  Seaton

  KUFQ

  81

  112

  135

  66

  Skirlaugh

  KUFR

  85

  127

  59

  77

  Sproatley

  KUFS

  82

  91

  43

  117

  Thorngumbald

  KUFT

  96

  108

  143

  88

  Withernsea North

  KUFU

  87

  109

  60

  100

  Withernsea South

  KUFW

  115

  114

  88

  109

  Avenue

  KWFA

  134

  112

  173

  117

  Beverley

  KWFB

  106

  97

  119

  101

  Boothferry

  KWFC

  80

  95

  79

  93

  Derringham

  KWFD

  85

  91

  66

  116

  Drypool

  KWFE

  115

  140

  78

  128

  Holderness

  KWFF

  85

  109

  59

  88

  Ings

  KWFG

  117

  113

  94

  116

  Longhill

  KWFH

  100

  107

  85

  101

  Marfleet

  KWFJ

  111

  122

  110

  121

  Myton

  KWFK

  106

  107

  78

  130

  Newington

  KWFL

  107

  112

  106

  116

  996W

  997W

  Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) by ward and cause of death, 1991–93

  Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR)

  Wards in East Riding health authority

  Wardcode

  All-causes

  CHD

  Stroke

  Cancer

  Newland

  KWFM

  102

  104

  109

  116

  Noddle Hill

  KWFN

  144

  157

  140

  134

  Orchard Park

  KWFP

  109

  117

  77

  130

  Pickering

  KWFQ

  125

  105

  151

  145

  St. Andrews

  KWFR

  151

  140

  172

  162

  Southcoates

  KWFS

  103

  113

  72

  124

  Stoneferry

  KWFT

  109

  137

  113

  123

  Sutton

  KWFU

  93

  97

  74

  102

  University

  KWFW

  96

  107

  63

  108

  Birdsall

  PBFC

  116

  123

  191

  53

  Sherburn

  PBFY

  87

  90

  85

  120

  Hertford

  PCFM

  80

  82

  135

  76

  Barlby with Osgodby

  PDFC

  90

  87

  90

  104

  Brayton

  PDFF

  92

  115

  92

  92

  Dunnington

  PDFN

  85

  84

  74

  81

  Eggborough

  PDFP

  90

  91

  84

  46

  Hemingbrough

  PDFU

  102

  115

  148

  88

  Wheldrake with Elvington

  PDGL

  86

  65

  136

  66

  UK

  —

  100

  100

  100

  100

  Job Vacancies (Newcastle upon Tyne)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the number of job vacancies in Newcastle upon Tyne each December from 1992 to 1999; and if he will analyse in which broad occupational group those vacancies fall. [111359]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 22 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of job vacancies in Newcastle upon Tyne.
  Jobcentre vacancies information analysed by occupational groups are only available quarterly for the months of January, April, July and October and can be obtained from the Nomis database at the House of Commons Library.
  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. This proportion may vary between regions and between occupations as well as over time.

  Percentage of gross income taken in direct and indirect tax by quintile group, 1997–98

  Quintile groups of households 1

  Bottom

  Second

  Third

  Fourth

  Top

  All households

  Total direct taxes

  10

  13

  18

  21

  24

  20

  Income tax2

  3

  6

  10

  13

  17

  13

  Employees' NIC3

  2

  3

  5

  5

  4

  4

  Local taxes4

  6

  5

  3

  3

  2

  3

  Total indirect taxes

  28

  22

  19

  17

  12

  16

  VAT

  10

  8

  8

  7

  5

  7

  Duty on petrol/oil

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1

  2

  Duty on tobacco

  4

  3

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Duty on alcohol

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Other indirect taxes5

  10

  8

  6

  6

  4

  6

  1 Households are ranked by equivalised disposable income

  2 Income tax is net of tax relief on mortgage interest and life assurance premiums

  3 National Insurance Contributions

  4 Council tax, domestic rates and water charges after deducting discounts, council tax benefits and rates rebates

  5 Includes intermediate taxes, vehicle excise duty and lottery and betting taxes

  Taxation
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the percentage of the income of each quintile group of the population which is taken in(a) direct tax and (b) indirect tax; and if he will provide a breakdown of this estimate for each of the main taxes. [111151]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 22 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question asking for an estimate of the percentage of the income of each quintile group of the population which is taken in (a) direct tax and (b) indirect tax; and for a breakdown of this estimate for each of the main taxes.
  The information that you requested is set out in the attached table. These figures are derived from Table 2A in Appendix 1 of the article `The effects of taxes and benefits on household income, 1997-98' published in the April 1999 edition of Economic Trends. The analyses in the article are based on data from the Family Expenditure Survey.

  Youth Unemployment (Sundorne)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage change has been in youth unemployment in the ward of Sundorne in Shrewsbury and Atcham since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [110834]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Paul Marsden, dated 22 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the percentage change in youth unemployment in the ward of Sundome in Shrewsbury and Atcham since May 1997.
  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.
  In May 1997, in the Sundome ward there were 32 computerised claims among the 18–24 year olds compared with 16 in January 2000. This represents a fall of 50%. Claimant count figures are not

  Suicides and undetermined deaths1 for usual residents of Somerset, by age, 1980–982

  Year

  Total

  10–14

  15–19

  20–24

  25–29

  30–34

  35–39

  40–44

  45–49

  1980

  43

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  3

  6

  0

  1981

  65

  0

  2

  5

  0

  4

  6

  4

  3

  1982

  43

  0

  0

  2

  2

  3

  4

  3

  8

  1983

  53

  0

  0

  3

  3

  3

  5

  2

  5

  1984

  55

  0

  1

  3

  0

  3

  4

  3

  6

  1985

  48

  0

  0

  0

  4

  5

  6

  2

  3

  1986

  62

  0

  0

  3

  0

  3

  3

  5

  7

  1987

  57

  2

  2

  2

  4

  5

  3

  7

  2

  1988

  44

  0

  1

  4

  3

  2

  3

  2

  2

  1989

  47

  0

  2

  1

  5

  4

  5

  1

  1

  1990

  69

  0

  3

  3

  6

  4

  6

  13

  3

  1991

  53

  0

  2

  6

  5

  5

  6

  7

  6

  1992

  50

  0

  0

  2

  3

  4

  4

  5

  11

  1993

  49

  0

  1

  2

  4

  5

  2

  3

  4

  1994

  53

  0

  0

  5

  1

  5

  7

  5

  7

  1995

  50

  0

  1

  2

  4

  5

  6

  8

  4

  1996

  46

  0

  1

  0

  5

  5

  0

  4

  9

  1997

  47

  0

  1

  4

  5

  4

  4

  8

  5

  1998

  43

  0

  2

  3

  5

  10

  5

  2

  2

  Suicides and undetermined deaths 1for usual residents of Somerset, by age, 1980–982

  Year

  50–54

  55–59

  60–64

  65–68

  70–74

  75–79

  80–84

  85+

  1980

  4

  5

  2

  4

  6

  3

  2

  1

  1981

  3

  5

  9

  9

  4

  2

  5

  4

  1982

  5

  3

  2

  6

  1

  1

  3

  0

  1983

  9

  5

  2

  5

  5

  4

  1

  1

  1984

  5

  6

  5

  3

  7

  8

  1

  0

  1985

  3

  6

  7

  5

  2

  3

  2

  0

  1986

  7

  6

  8

  5

  5

  6

  4

  0

  1987

  7

  4

  2

  5

  4

  5

  2

  1

  1988

  7

  2

  2

  3

  3

  4

  5

  1

  1989

  4

  5

  4

  5

  3

  5

  2

  0

  1990

  7

  2

  4

  1

  9

  3

  3

  2

  1991

  1

  5

  2

  3

  1

  1

  3

  0

  1992

  3

  2

  5

  5

  4

  1

  0

  1

  1993

  5

  4

  6

  4

  4

  1

  2

  2

  1994

  7

  3

  1

  3

  3

  1

  4

  1

  1995

  4

  3

  1

  1

  4

  4

  1

  2

  1996

  4

  2

  2

  2

  4

  3

  3

  2

  1997

  1

  4

  3

  5

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1998

  1

  2

  1

  3

  3

  0

  2

  2

  1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes E950–E959 and E980– E989 excluding E988.8.

  2 For 1980 to 1992 the year is the year when the deaths were registered.

  Note:

  For 1993–98 the year is the year when death occurred.
  1000W
  seasonally adjusted at ward level. Computerised claims do not include clerical claims which make up around 1 per cent. of the total claimant count.

  Suicides (Somerset)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides there have been in(a) Somerset and (b) Yeovil constituency in each year since 1980, broken down by age; and if he will make a statement. [110794]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Paddy Ashdown, dated 22 February 2000:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking how many suicides there have been in Somerset and Yeovil.
  Figures for the county of Somerset are presented in the attached table for years up to 1998 (the latest available.) Boundary changes to the Yeovil constituency mean that figures are not available for years prior to 1988. Figures for Yeovil are therefore presented in the attached table only for years 1988 to 1998, based on the 1999 constituency boundary.
  1001W

  Suicides and undetermined deaths 1 for usual residents of the electoral constituency of Yeovil, by age, 1988–982

  Year

  Total

  15–19

  20–24

  25–29

  30–34

  35–39

  40–44

  45–49

  50–54

  1988

  10

  0

  2

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  2

  1989

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1990

  14

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  4

  1

  1

  1991

  9

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  3

  1

  0

  1992

  9

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  3

  0

  1993

  12

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1994

  15

  0

  2

  1

  1

  4

  0

  1

  4

  1995

  6

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1996

  10

  1

  0

  1

  2

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1997

  8

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  1998

  8

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  1

  Suicides and undetermined deaths 1 for usual residents of the electoral constituency of Yeovil, by age, 1988–982

  Year

  55–59

  60–64

  65–69

  70–74

  75–79

  80–84

  85+

  1988

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1989

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1990

  0

  1

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1991

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1992

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1993

  0

  2

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1994

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1995

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1996

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1997

  0

  2

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1998

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes E950–E959 and E980–E989 excluding E988.8.

  2 For 1988 to 1992 the year is the year when the deaths were registered.

  Note:

  For 1993 to 1998 the year is the year when death occurred.

  Wages (Somerset)
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in(a) Somerset and (b) Yeovil constituency earn (a) £3.60 per hour, (b) £3.61 per hour to £3.80 per hour, (c) £3.81p per hour to £4.00 per hour and (d) £4.00 to £4.50 per hour; and what percentage of total employees this constitutes in each case. [110795]

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

  Letter from Jim Holt to Mr. Paddy Ashdown, dated 22 February 2000:
  As the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question regarding earnings for employees in Somerset and Yeovil.
  The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for small geographical areas. However, the release of NES data is restricted to figures which are derived from a sufficiently large sample of employees, and have an acceptable level of accuracy.
  1002W
  I have provided the available data for Somerset and Yeovil in the attached table. These are based on the 1999 NES, the latest survey for which data are available.
  We are only able to give percentage earning below specified thresholds, rather than numbers because appropriate grossing factors for the NES sample are not available at very detailed levels of disaggregation such as parliamentary constituencies.
  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.

  New Earnings Survey, April 1999 (GB): Employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence

  Gross hourly earnings excluding overtime

  Percentage earning

  £3.60

  £3.61-£3.80

  £3.81-£4.00

  £4.01-£4.50

  Somerset

  Full-time

  0.6

  0.3

  1.4

  6.3

  Part-time

  3.8

  6.9

  7.7

  16.2

  All

  1.3

  1.9

  2.9

  8.6

  Yeovil

  Full-time

  0.8

  0.0

  0.8

  6.3

  Part-time

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  All

  1.4

  1.0

  3.1

  9.7

  1 Denotes reliable estimate unavailable

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