Written Answers of 29 February 2000

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Minimum Wage (Wales)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning estimates of the impact of the minimum wage in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [112020]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had the opportunity to discuss the findings of the Low Pay Commission's report on the impact of the national minimum wage with the First Secretary. The report confirms that the introduction of the minimum wage has helped take over 1.5 million low-paid workers throughout the United Kingdom out of the trap of poverty wages. As in the other parts of the United Kingdom, many thousands of workers in Wales have benefited.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to place a statutory obligation upon the utilities to purchase renewable energy; and what discussions he has had with those utilities to make sure that they purchase renewable energy at a realistic price. [111493]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Utilities Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Commons on 31 January 2000, contains provisions giving the Secretary of State powers to impose obligations on licensed electricity suppliers to secure the supply of renewables electricity. The Government's proposals for renewables electricity are the subject of extensive consultation with the industry.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the United Kingdom's total exports received ECGD cover in each of the last three years. [111010]

  Mr. Caborn
  The data required to answer this question accurately is not readily available.

  In particular, whereas UK Export statistics relate to the year in which the goods were delivered or the work performed, ECGD business statistics relate to the year of guarantee issue. Deliveries of goods or performance of work under guaranteed contracts may continue for a period of several years thereafter.

  In view of this lack of correlation it is not possible to provide the year-by-year analysis which you have requested. However, from data readily available, ECGD estimates that it may have covered some 2.3 per cent. of the total UK exports in this period.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Jubilee Line Extension
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions the service on the Jubilee Line extension has been suspended since its opening; and what the reasons were in each case. [109834]

  Mr. Hill
  Service has never been suspended over the whole line. However, on occasion, trains had to stop while the control computer was rebooted. This typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. There have also been signal-related problems at Stratford (the most complex area) sometimes resulting in suspension of service on the Stratford-North Greenwich section.

  The challenges arising from the start of through running were expected since problems are anticipated when bedding in a new railway. London Underground is doing all it can to stabilise and improve performance. The service showed dramatic improvement over the Christmas/New Year period and through January, with the number of incidents lasting 15 minutes dropping from 37 in December to 20 in January. Signal modifications have had a negative impact on recent performance but these changes will improve service. Work is in hand which should improve performance significantly over the next few months.

  The table details the number of reported incidents of 15 minutes or more (some of which involved partial suspension of services) since through running began on 20 November 1999. Detailed explanation in each case is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Week commencing

  Number of incidents 15 minutes or more

  20 November 1999

  5

  27 November 1999

  7

  4 December 1999

  3

  11 December 1999

  14

  18 December 1999

  14

  25 December 1999

  6

  1 January 2000

  6

  8 January 2000

  6

  15 January 2000

  2

  22 January 2000

  6

  Total

  69

  Road Accident Deaths
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the total road accident fatalities in the United Kingdom since 1970(a) in total and (b) for each year; and if he will make a statement. [110806]
  187W
  Mr. Hill
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Road accident fatalities: UK 1970–1998

  Number of fatalities

  1970

  7,771

  1971

  8,003

  1972

  8,135

  1973

  7,741

  1974

  7,199

  1975

  6,679

  1976

  6,870

  1977

  6,969

  1978

  7,119

  1979

  6,645

  1980

  6,239

  1981

  6,069

  1982

  6,150

  1983

  5,618

  1984

  5,788

  1985

  5,342

  1986

  5,618

  1987

  5,339

  1988

  5,230

  1989

  5,554

  1990

  5,402

  1991

  4,753

  1992

  4,379

  1993

  3,957

  1994

  3,807

  1995

  3,765

  1996

  3,740

  1997

  3,743

  1998

  3,581

  Total

  167,205

  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total of road accident fatalities in England for each year since 1990; what has been the total of road accident fatalities in each English county since 1990, expressed(a) in absolute terms and (b) in relation to the population of each such county; and if he will make a statement. [110805]

  Mr. Hill
  The information requested is shown in the following tables.

  Table (a) shows the fatalities by county and in total and Table (b) shows fatality rates by county per 100,000 population.

  Table (a) English road accident fatalities: 1990–98

  Year

  Number

  1990

  4,423

  1991

  3,854

  1992

  3,549

  1993

  3,228

  1994

  3,077

  1995

  2,995

  1996

  3,024

  1997

  3,001

  1998

  2,834

  188W

  Table (b) Road accident fatalities: English counties: 1990–98

  County

  1990–98 Total fatalities

  1990–98 Average rate per 100,000 population

  Avon

  581

  59.4

  Bedfordshire

  408

  75.2

  Berkshire

  376

  48.6

  Buckinghamshire

  493

  74.9

  Cambridgeshire

  677

  98.2

  Cheshire

  712

  73.1

  Cleveland

  279

  49.9

  Cornwall

  356

  74.3

  Cumbria

  536

  109.3

  Derbyshire

  634

  66.4

  Devon

  515

  48.9

  Dorset

  436

  64.7

  Durham

  424

  69.9

  East Sussex

  460

  63.2

  Essex

  888

  56.5

  Gloucestershire

  480

  87.5

  Greater London

  2,616

  37.4

  Greater Manchester

  1,222

  47.5

  Hampshire

  945

  54.5

  Hereford and Worceser

  569

  81.9

  Hertfordshire

  576

  57.2

  Humberside

  613

  69.3

  Kent

  947

  61.1

  Lancashire

  923

  65.0

  Leicestershire

  747

  81.8

  Lincolnshire

  738

  121.8

  Merseyside

  630

  44.0

  Norfolk

  725

  94.2

  Northants

  505

  84.6

  Northumberland

  297

  96.6

  North Yorkshire

  796

  109.4

  Nottinghamshire

  828

  80.6

  Oxfordshire

  533

  89.6

  Shropshire

  381

  91.2

  Somerset

  459

  96.1

  South Yorkshire

  664

  50.9

  Staffordshire

  703

  66.7

  Suffolk

  403

  61.5

  Surrey

  629

  60.3

  Tyne and Wear

  485

  43.0

  Warwickshire

  464

  93.5

  West Midlands

  1,133

  43.1

  West Sussex

  484

  66.6

  West Yorkshire

  1,202

  57.2

  Wiltshire

  513

  87.5

  Public Transport Deaths
  Mr Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total of public transport accident fatalities in the UK since 1970(a) in total and (b) for each year; and if he will make a statement. [110807]

  Mr. Hill
  Between 1970 and 1998, 2,700 passengers and staff were killed in bus and rail accidents in Great Britain (including movement accidents, such as passengers alighting from a bus or train). Detailed annual data are attached. Data are not yet available for 1999.

  Public transport accident fatalities1: Great Britain

  Railways2

  Bus and coach3

  1970

  108

  74

  1971

  97

  64

  1972

  66

  69

  1973

  73

  57

  1974

  63

  69

  189W

  Public transport accident fatalities 1: Great Britain

  Railways 2

  Bus and coach 3

  1975

  103

  115

  1976

  66

  69

  1977

  58

  64

  1978

  81

  60

  1979

  82

  34

  1980

  49

  29

  1981

  57

  20

  1982

  43

  33

  1983

  52

  38

  1984

  59

  37

  1985

  47

  32

  1986

  45

  24

  1987

  51

  15

  1988

  81

  17

  1989

  45

  20

  1990

  55

  19

  19914

  54

  25

  19925

  22

  19

  1993

  17

  35

  1994

  23

  21

  1995

  11

  35

  1996

  16

  11

  1997

  25

  14

  1998

  17

  18

  1 Includes movement accidents eg passengers alighting from a train or bus

  2 Passengers and railway staff

  3 Passengers and drivers

  4 Rail data cover 15 months to March 1992

  5 From 1992 rail data are for financial years

  Air Services
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what account he will take of United Kingdom regional interests in future discussions he has concerning the development of air services between the United Kingdom and the United States; [111303]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the likely economic impact on the North-West of the liberalisation of air service agreements between the United States and the United Kingdom; [111302]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the likely impact on the North-West of full liberalisation of air service agreements. [111301]

  Mr. Mullin
  In all our bilateral aviation discussions, the interests of the regions are given full weight in determining the overall balance of UK interests. Manchester airport contributes significantly to the economy of the north-west, a contribution which should increase as the aviation market is liberalised. Indeed, the Government believes that the liberalisation of air services agreement would bring widespread benefits—to consumers and to the industry, as well as to the regional and national economies. This is why the UK continues work towards the liberalisation of air services generally. The "open skies" template proposed by the United States does not constitute liberalisation. We shall continue to impress upon the US Government the need for them to abandon their protectionist aviation policies and embrace true liberalisation.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to initiate further discussions with the United States concerning the development of air services between the United Kingdom and the United States. [111304]
  190W
  Mr. Mullin
  The United Kingdom and United States governments are currently in discussion on matters concerning the liberalisation of air services.

  Roads (North Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has for trunk road improvements in North Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement; [111375]

  (2) what proposals he has to assist motor traffic circulation in North Yorkshire during the course of 2000. [111381]

  Mr. Hill
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Miss Anne McIntosh, dated 29 February 2000:
  Trunk Road Improvements—North Yorkshire
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions. You asked "what proposals he has to assist motor traffic circulation in North Yorkshire during the course of 2000" and "what plans he has for trunk road improvements in North Yorkshire".
  The counties' Local Transport Plan will include policies and proposals to assist motor traffic in North Yorkshire. Information on the plan can be obtained from the County Council.
  The Highways Agency is progressing the following trunk road improvement proposals in North Yorkshire. All of these projects will contribute to improving traffic flows in North Yorkshire taking account of the needs of both road users and those affected by our roads.

  A63 Selby Bypass
  Is in the Targeted Programme of Improvements schemes and progress is being made towards a start of works during 2001–2002.
  In addition, we are developing a small bypass scheme on the A63 Osgodby costing about £1 million. Subject to satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, the scheme could be taken forward in conjunction with the A63 Selby Bypass.

  A1(M) Wetherby to Washforth
  We are taking forward the next major Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) project on the A1 between Darrington and Dishforth. This project includes in North Yorkshire, a scheme to improve the A1 to dual three lane carriageway between Wetherby and Walshforth. Start of construction is planned for Spring 2003.

  A1 Rainton
  As promised in previous correspondence, we are reviewing the need for street lighting at Rainton crossroads. If this is found to be needed it will be undertaken in 2000–2001.

  A1 Between Bramham and Barton
  A safety study has started which will investigate safety problems between Bramham and Barton on the A1, and will consolidate previous work, consider options and recommend an improvement strategy for the A1. The report is due in Autumn 2000. Depending on the findings, the report recommendations may need to be referred to the Regional Planning Body to consider compatibility with emerging Regional Planning Guidance and the Regional Transport Strategy.

  A66 Safety Study
  A safety study is about to start to investigate the poor safety record on this route between Scotch Corner and Penrith. The study will recommend options for improving safety. It is due to report in Autumn 2000. Again, depending on the findings, the recommendations may need to be referred to the Regional Planning Body to consider compatibility with emerging Regional Planning Guidance and the Regional Transport Strategy.

  191W
  We are already developing two schemes to address known safety problems on the A66. These will provide two short lengths of dual carriageway on the A66 between Greta Bridge to Stephen Bank and Carkin to Scotch Corner.

  A64 Trunk Road (A1 Bramham to Scarborough)
  A Route Improvement Strategy for improving safety on the A64 between the A1 and Scarborough has recently been put to the Regional Planning Forum for Yorkshire and the Humber for their agreement. The Strategy includes the following improvement proposals:

  A1 to York
  Subject to satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, schemes could start as follows:
  A64 Top Lane Improvement—March 2001—to remove traffic signals
  A64 Bilborough Top Improvement—2002–2003—provision of new junction to enable gaps in the central reservation to be closed.
  A64 Tadcaster Bar Improvement—2002–2003—improvement to existing junction to enable gaps in the central reservation to be closed.

  York to Scarborough
  Public consultation could start during 2000 on the following schemes:
  A64 Barton Hill Junction—options for a two level junction are being investigated
  A64 Whitwell on the Hill Junctions—options for a two level junction are being investigated
  A64 Whitwell to Malton By Pass—options for a two level junction and possible dual carriageway are being investigated
  A64 Rillington By Pass—options for a bypass are being investigated including a review of the previous bypass scheme.

  In the meantime, beneficial low cost (less than £100,000) safety schemes such as improved signing and lining, red surfacing, small-scale junction improvements and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be identified and implemented on this route. Schemes of this nature will be undertaken in 2000–2001 at the following locations:

  A64 Hopgrove Roundabout

  A64 North Lane to Hazelbush

  A64 Hazelbush to Lobster House

  A64 Lobster House to Flamingoland

  A64 Whitwell

  A64 Malton Bypass

  A64 Brambling Fields to Rillington

  A64 Rilling to East Knapton

  A64 East Knapton to Sherburn

  A64 Sherburn Gateways

  A64 Serburn to Saxton

  A64 Staxton to Musham Bank

  A64 Musham Bank to Queen Mary Roundabout

  A64 Whitwell to Malton

  A64 York Bypass

  A1237 Rawcliffe Roundabout

  Safety and congestion problems are being addressed along with provision for a Park and Ride facility in partnership with York City Council

  Traffic Calming

  In addition we will be undertaking the following four traffic calming schemes. Whilst these will not assist in improving traffic flows, they are being taken forward in the interests of safety, environmental improvements and accessibility for non-road users.
  192W

  A63 Thorpe Willoughby

  A63 Cliffe

  A63 Hemingborough

  A63 Hambleton

  Should you require any further information, please contact Kevin Lasbury, Divisional Director for Norther Region, on 0113 283 6405.

  Local Authority Housing (North-West)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each housing authority in the North-West of England(a) the total housing stock available for rent by that authority, (b) the number of households registered on the general needs waiting list and (c) the number of properties vacant for longer than six months for each of the last four years for which figures are available. [111668]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information reported on the HIP Operational Information returns is as follows:

  Local authority housing stock available for rent 1 as at 1 April

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Allerdale

  4,704

  4,586

  4,497

  0

  Barrow-in-Furness

  3,650

  3,616

  3,585

  3,561

  Blackburn

  11,305

  11,044

  10,371

  10,167

  Blackpool

  6,362

  6,341

  6,298

  6.261

  Bolton

  2,417

  2,292

  22,234

  22,045

  Burnley

  5,676

  5,582

  5,545

  5,490

  Bury

  9,923

  9,819

  9,712

  9,609

  Carlisle

  8,833

  8,745

  8,596

  8,287

  Chester

  7,382

  7,338

  7,269

  7,120

  Chorley

  3,558

  3,534

  3,515

  3,472

  Congleton

  4,214

  4,170

  0

  0

  Copeland

  4,649

  4,598

  4,525

  4,425

  Crewe and Nantwich

  7,055

  6,936

  6,838

  6,627

  Eden

  1,616

  1,524

  0

  0

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  7,442

  7,353

  7,251

  7,149

  Fylde

  2,032

  1,998

  1,970

  1,945

  Halton

  7,855

  7,851

  7,781

  7,636

  Hyndburn

  4,019

  3,971

  3,899

  3.829

  Knowsley

  20,115

  19,737

  19,304

  18,838

  Lancaster

  4,480

  4,460

  4,424

  4,376

  Liverpool

  44,643

  43,591

  41,711

  40,731

  Macclesfield

  6,836

  6,750

  6,551

  6,270

  Manchester

  80,281

  77,304

  74,661

  65,233

  Oldham

  20,837

  20,562

  19,517

  19,184

  Pendle

  4,250

  4,213

  4,211

  4,160

  Preston

  9,334

  9,247

  9,173

  8.735

  Ribble Valley

  1,512

  1,438

  1,412

  1.391

  Rochdale

  17,671

  17,513

  17,353

  17,234

  Rossendale

  4,995

  4,953

  4,902

  4,800

  Salford

  32,007

  31,969

  31,776

  30,867

  Sefton

  14,593

  14,406

  14,169

  13,919

  South Lakeland

  4,185

  4,101

  4,004

  3,881

  South Ribble

  0

  0

  0

  0

  St. Helens

  16,506

  16,369

  16,168

  15,765

  Stockport

  13,750

  13,718

  13,624

  13,380

  Tameside

  18,612

  18,171

  17,813

  16,532

  Trafford

  11,546

  11,400

  11,321

  11,200

  Vale Royal

  8,104

  8,034

  7,877

  7,718

  Warrington

  11,583

  11,444

  11,270

  11,112

  West Lancashire

  8,845

  8,721

  8,587

  8,423

  Wigan

  28,235

  27,877

  27,314

  27,139

  Wirral

  19,108

  18,606

  18,893

  16,827

  Wyre

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 Stock available for rent is defined here as tenanted properties plus any homes vacant for management purposes (ie available for immediate letting or after minor repairs)

  193W

  Households on the Housing Register as at 1 April

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Allerdale

  1,863

  1,377

  1,856

  1,330

  Barrow-in-Furness

  879

  853

  394

  926

  Blackburn

  2,764

  2,316

  1,854

  1,493

  Blackpool

  4,201

  4,159

  4,491

  3,611

  Bolton

  5,626

  4,460

  4,434

  5,005

  Burnley

  2,313

  2,466

  1,793

  2,035

  Bury

  2,081

  2,414

  2,441

  3,739

  Carlisle

  4,049

  2,642

  3,207

  3,681

  Chester

  4,384

  3,614

  3,797

  4,482

  Chorley

  830

  726

  843

  869

  Congleton

  1,832

  1,616

  1,513

  1,223

  Copeland

  1,609

  1,609

  1,432

  1,109

  Crewe and Nantwich

  1,224

  643

  1,227

  1,355

  Eden

  693

  698

  717

  657

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  4,230

  3,429

  1,823

  1,971

  Fylde

  1,536

  1,655

  1,271

  1,475

  Halton

  5,143

  2,573

  1,021

  1,152

  Hyndburn

  1,001

  1,203

  909

  640

  Knowsley

  4,185

  4,636

  4,651

  2,794

  Lancaster

  1,326

  1,443

  1,346

  1,237

  Liverpool

  5,225

  4,321

  4,295

  4,430

  Macclesfield

  3,409

  2,205

  2,421

  2,575

  Manchester

  13,601

  9,739

  10,397

  9,715

  Oldham

  4,365

  3,529

  4,218

  3,581

  Pendle

  1,325

  1,508

  1,731

  1,820

  Preston

  2,448

  2,233

  2,109

  1,913

  Ribble Valley

  887

  669

  784

  776

  Rochdale

  5,018

  4,648

  5,425

  3,582

  Rossendale

  2,188

  1,515

  1,394

  1,715

  Salford

  5,673

  5,655

  4,428

  3,452

  Sefton

  5,776

  5,220

  4,890

  4,810

  South Lakeland

  1,625

  1,567

  1,524

  1,405

  South Ribble

  2,079

  967

  1,102

  961

  St. Helens

  2,070

  2,194

  2,009

  2,160

  Stockport

  6,421

  5,999

  6,805

  6,841

  Tameside

  5,770

  4,950

  5,139

  4,287

  Trafford

  3,131

  3,681

  5,184

  5,198

  Vale Royal

  3,600

  3,512

  3,215

  2,583

  Warrington

  2,852

  2,516

  1,497

  2,442

  West Lancashire

  1,603

  1,422

  1,912

  1,712

  Wigan

  5,458

  5,391

  5,025

  5,151

  Wirral

  6,643

  4,949

  6,912

  5,725

  Wyre

  1,618

  1,720

  1,557

  1,458

  All local authority stock vacant for longer than six months 1 as at 1 April

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Allerdale

  41

  52

  19

  0

  Barrow-in-Furness

  6

  0

  0

  0

  Blackburn

  133

  412

  716

  332

  Blackpool

  10

  1

  1

  25

  Bolton

  39

  49

  55

  57

  Pedestrians and motor vehicle occupant casualties in accidents at the Bayley Island junction 1,2 between the A49 and A5: 1992–98

  Pedestrian

  MV Occupant 3

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  All

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  All

  1992

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1993

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  5

  1994

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  7

  8

  1995

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  6

  6

  1996

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  6

  1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  1998

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  3

  1 Accidents on or within 20 metres of a junction

  2 Includes casualties where A5112 intersects A5 and or A49

  3 Motor vehicle occupant or rider

  194W

  All local authority stock vacant for longer than six months 1 as at 1 April

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Burnley

  34

  121

  187

  287

  Bury

  6

  1

  12

  51

  Carlisle

  48

  129

  277

  365

  Chester

  37

  24

  12

  48

  Chorley

  8

  7

  6

  8

  Congleton

  29

  1

  0

  0

  Copeland

  40

  70

  106

  98

  Crewe and Nantwich

  29

  40

  28

  97

  Eden

  8

  10

  0

  0

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  1

  3

  1

  6

  Fylde

  1

  2

  2

  0

  Halton

  106

  62

  34

  48

  Hyndburn

  6

  4

  48

  83

  Knowsley

  181

  202

  387

  383

  Lancaster

  1

  3

  1

  3

  Liverpool

  3,208

  n/a

  2,022

  1,671

  Macclesfield

  13

  12

  36

  222

  Manchester

  166

  279

  1,661

  2,007

  Oldham

  44

  73

  58

  42

  Pendle

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Preston

  6

  33

  3

  40

  Ribble Valley

  0

  3

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  37

  29

  23

  8

  Rossendale

  4

  7

  33

  32

  Salford

  726

  423

  693

  790

  Sefton

  26

  31

  69

  104

  South Lakeland

  11

  19

  19

  19

  South Ribble

  0

  0

  0

  0

  St. Helens

  55

  72

  129

  206

  Stockport

  154

  98

  109

  85

  Tameside

  104

  265

  224

  137

  Trafford

  156

  119

  71

  57

  Vale Royal

  11

  2

  5

  6

  Warrington

  23

  7

  4

  20

  West Lancashire

  39

  36

  28

  50

  Wigan

  34

  87

  265

  196

  Wirral

  47

  436

  121

  201

  Wyre

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 Includes properties vacant for other than management reasons (eg stock scheduled for, or undergoing, major repair work, or awaiting sale or demolition)

  Bayley Island Junction
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) pedestrians and (b) vehicle occupants were (i) killed and (ii) seriously injured in road accidents at Bayley Island junction between the A49 and A5 in each year from 1992; and if he will make a statement. [111068]

  Mr. Hill
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Greater London Authority Elections
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the purpose of the computer bar code which is to be on the ballot papers for the Greater London Authority elections; and what safeguards relate to them. [111581]

  Mr. Hill
  It is proposed that the ballot papers for the Greater London Authority elections on 4 May 2000 should be counted by electronic scanning equipment. The unique bar code which will appear on each ballot paper enables the electronic scanning equipment to identify each ballot paper as having been properly issued. Ballot papers without a proper bar code will not be counted. The bar code does not contain any information about the voter, but puts the number normally present on a traditional ballot paper in a form which can be read by the scanning equipment. The computer system supporting the scanning equipment has a number of security features which prevent unauthorised access.

  Driving Test Centres
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the consultative process used for the closure of driving test centres involves seeking the approval of(a) the Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency and (b) a Minister for the closure proposal before other interested parties are consulted. [111695]

  Mr. Hill
  The consultative process currently used by the Driving Standards Agency when the closure of a driving test centre is being considered involves seeking the approval of the Agency's Chief Executive and the Minister to consult about the proposed closure. Then other interested parties are consulted. A final decision has to be approved by the Chief Executive and the Minister, taking into account the results of the consultation. Consultation before closure is not always possible, for instance when a test centre has to be closed at short notice for health and safety or operational reasons.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum round trip distance that driving test candidates are expected to travel to a driving test centre in an area of 23 persons per square kilometre. [111102]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The guideline currently operated by the Driving Standards Agency is that in areas with a population density of less than 100 persons per square kilometre, candidates should not have to travel more than 30 miles to a practical driving test centre.

  Parking Revenue (London)
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the revenue derived from parking by each London borough in the last full year for which figures are available. [112002]

  Mr. Hill
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  196W

  London Local Authorities—1998–99 Parking Income

  Income £000

  Barking and Dagenham

  935

  Barnet

  3,060

  Bexley

  2,618

  Brent

  4,052

  Bromley

  5,404

  Camden

  21,286

  Corporation of London

  12,702

  Croydon

  10,148

  Ealing

  3,120

  Enfield

  3,777

  Greenwich

  5,570

  Hackney

  3,473

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  13,194

  Haringey

  4,129

  Harrow

  3,408

  Havering

  3,478

  Hillingdon

  3,192

  Hounslow

  3,339

  Islington

  5,793

  Kensington and Chelsea

  25,946

  Kingston

  4,775

  Lambeth

  5,476

  Lewisham

  1,338

  Merton

  2,365

  Newham

  2,542

  Redbridge

  2,312

  Richmond

  5,561

  Southwark

  4,749

  Sutton

  3,484

  Tower Hamlets

  7,469

  Waltham Forest

  3,173

  Wandsworth

  6,160

  Westminster

  101,894

  Total

  289,922

  Note:

  The figures for parking revenue in the table are derived from the RO2 (Revenue Expenditure) form which all local authorities (including the London boroughs) must submit to DETR. Parking revenue covers all parking income i.e. revenue from parking meters, pay and Display, off-street parking, car parks, parking tickets, clamping, removal etc.

  The R02 form splits revenue expenditure into two categories—(i) "Sales, Fees and Charges" and (ii) "Other Non-Grant income". These are terms used by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The figures in the table represent the total of these two categories.

  Local Government Ombudsman
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the jurisdiction of the Local Government Ombudsman to consider complaints against parish councils; and if he will make a statement. [112023]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  We have no plans to bring parish councils within the jurisdiction of the Local Government Ombudsman. Every elector has a right to raise any concerns that they may have about the business or conduct of their parish council at the annual public meeting.

  Urban Foxes
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who has responsibility for the control of urban fox populations; and what powers local authorities have in this area. [112013]
  197W
  Mr. Mullin
  The fox is not a protected species and may be killed or taken by owners and occupiers of land using any method, eg shooting or trapping, which is not prohibited by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Local authorities are therefore able to take action to control foxes if they deem it appropriate.

  Housing
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses have been improved in Shrewsbury and Atcham from funding released from capital receipts in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [111914]

  Mr. Mullin
  The table shows the capital allocations that have been made to Shrewsbury and Atcham under the Capital Receipts Initiative (CRI), together with the number of properties which have been renovated using these resources. Allocations are made in the form of Supplementary Credit Approvals.

  Allocations (£)

  Number of properties renovated

  1997–98

  219,000

  75

  1998–99

  757,000

  136

  1999–2000

  685,000

  153

  Note:

  There has been no separate allocation of resources under the CRI since 1999–2000, following the introduction of the single housing capital pot from 2000–01

  Road Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's research into the involvement of drugs in road traffic accidents with particular reference to(a) road traffic accident and (b) road traffic accidents involving pedestrians. [112077]

  Mr. Hill
  The Department's research into the numbers of road accident fatalities (drivers/riders, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians) with a measurable trace of drugs in their body will be published in July. The research will help to provide data on the incidence of drugs—both illegal and medicinal. However, the presence of drugs in a fatality is not evidence of accident causation, although there may be an association.

  Drugs and driving is an issue addressed in our road safety strategy, on which an announcement is to be made tomorrow. Relevant documents will be placed in the Library tomorrow morning.

  Section 28
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 February 2000,Official Report, column 712W, if he will provide a full list of the organisations which have made representations to him calling for (a) the repeal and (b) the retention of section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. [111931]
  198W
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  A have made representations concerning the repeal of Government Act 1988 has Libraries.full list of organisations that to the Secretary of State section 28 of the Local been placed in the House Libraries.

  London Research Centre
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has for the transfer of the London Research Centre to the Greater London Authority. [111993]

  Mr. Hill
  The London Borough of Islington has been directed to prepare a transfer scheme for the transfer of the appropriate staff, property, rights and liabilities of the London Research Centre to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The transfer will take place on 1 April 2000. The intention is that the property, rights and liabilities will then transfer to the Greater London Authority on 8 May 2000, with the exception of a small number of functions of the LRC which will transfer to Transport for London on 3 July 2000. My officials are in contact with Islington Council as to the detailed contents of the transfer scheme.

  Marine Conservation
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to introduce a marine conservation Bill to promote the sustainable conservation of marine habitats and species. [111923]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Government have no plans at present to introduce a marine conservation Bill. My Department conducted a review of coastal byelaw powers in 1998. We have given a long-term commitment to introduce legislation to take forward those recommendations in the review which require changes to the law.

  We are also actively considering what measures might be warranted to improve protection of marine habitats and species. My Department has established a review group to look at ways of improving marine nature conservation. The group's final report is expected to be presented to DETR Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales by the end of this year.

  In addition, the Countryside Amenity and Conservation Bill will include provisions on wildlife enforcement, and wildlife crime, including crime relating to marine species, will be punishable by tougher measures such as custodial sentences.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his oral statement of 22 February 2000,Official Report, columns 1373–76, relating to the installation of train protection warning systems, applies to all freight rolling stock. [112040]

  Mr. Hill
  The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 require all trains, including freight trains where they are running on passenger lines, to be fitted with train protection warning systems by the end of 2003. A freight train which will never run on a passenger line will not require train protection.

  Neighbourhood Forums
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to introduce neighbourhood forums in place of parish and town councils. [111956]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Neighbourhood Forums could have a valuable role in making local government more effective, but the Government do not intend that they should take the place of parish councils. Our White Paper, "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People", set out our policy that parish councils are an essential part of the structure of local democracy in our country and that they would continue to play a vital part in the life of our towns, villages and rural communities, as they have in the past.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the Strategic Rail Authority and its potential impact upon Wales; and if he will make a statement. [112022]

  Mr. Hill
  The First Secretary has made representations on the railways provisions of the Transport Bill. The shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has consulted the National Assembly for Wales in connection with proposals for franchise replacement. Wales will benefit, along with the rest of Great Britain, from the strategic and coherent direction which the SRA will bring to the railway industry. Specific Welsh concerns will be addressed by having a Welsh representative on the Authority and by consultation with the National Assembly both on that appointment and on the SRA' s strategies.

  Windermere
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make a statement on the proposed byelaws for a 10 mph speed limit on Lake Windermere. [112500]

  Mr. Mullin
  I have today announced that I have confirmed the Windermere byelaws. A copy of the decision letter setting out my reasons for the decision will be placed in the House Libraries.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Firearms
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many privately owned, legally held(a) shotguns, (b) rifles and (c) handguns have been used for (i) murders and (ii) attempted murders in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years and the current year to date; and how many of the deaths and injuries were self-inflicted. [102156]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Chief Constable has advised me that the information about the number of attempted murders in which legally held privately owned firearms used is not readily available and would incur disproportionate cost to provide. Tables A and B, however, show the number of 200W
  murders and suicides involving legally held, privately owned shotguns, rifles and handguns in each of the last five years.

  A: Number of murders

  Year

  Shotguns

  Rifles

  Handguns

  Total murders

  1995

  1

  0

  1

  2

  1996

  3

  0

  4

  7

  1997

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1998

  1

  0

  2

  3

  1999

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  6

  0

  7

  13

  B: Number of suicides

  Year

  Shotguns

  Rifles

  Handguns

  Total suicides

  1995

  7

  2

  0

  9

  1996

  5

  0

  2

  7

  1997

  12

  0

  2

  14

  1998

  7

  2

  1

  10

  1999

  8

  1

  3

  12

  2000

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  39

  5

  8

  52

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many questions on policing matters in Northern Ireland have been tabled by the hon. Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) since 1 June; and what has been the cost of providing answers to those questions. [103673]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 January 2000]: I apologise to the hon. Gentleman for the time taken to answer his question. During the period 1 June 1999 to 31 January 2000, my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) has asked a total of 153 parliamentary questions on policing matters in Northern Ireland. It is estimated that the total cost of answering these questions was £52,020.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which projects relating to his Department that appeared in the Private Finance Panel's list of 29 November 1995(a) have been completed, (b) are still pending, (c) have been dropped and (d) are being pursued by means other than a public private partnership. [105878]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 24 January 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 January 2000, Official Report, columns 117–18W.

  Paramilitaries
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (i) on what date the most recent use of violence for political ends was thought to be the responsibility of or claimed by(a) the Irish Republican Army, (b) the Real IRA, (c) Oglaigh na'hEireann,

  201W
  (d) Cumann na mBann, (e) Fianna na h'Eireann, (f) the Red Hand Commando, (g) Saor Eire, (h) the Ulster Freedom Fighters, (i) the Ulster Volunteer Force, (j) the Irish National Liberation Army, (k) the Irish People's Liberation Organisation, (l) the Ulster Defence Association, (m) the Loyalist Volunteer Force, (n) the Continuity Army Council, (o) the Orange Volunteers and (p) the Red Hand Defenders, (ii) how many persons have been charged or successfully prosecuted for belonging to each, (iii) how many persons have been charged or successfully prosecuted for soliciting support for each, (iv) how many persons have been charged or successfully prosecuted for contributing money or property to each, (v) how many persons have been charged or successfully prosecuted for displaying support for each and (vi) what is his estimate of the numerical strength of each organisation. [107832]

  Mr. Ingram
  Attribution for paramilitary style incidents is generally confined to the generic terms Loyalist and Republican. In some cases the police are unable to attribute individual incidents to a particular group. In the absence of a claim of responsibility they can consider only the physical evidence available or intelligence information. Where attribution may be determined by any of these means, it is not Royal Ulster Constabulary policy to make this known except where it is specifically in the public interest to do so. It is not therefore possible to provide the information requested and to obtain the details necessary would incur a disproportionate cost owing to the manner in which the offences are recorded.

  However, the following tables may be helpful. They show the number of persons proceeded against and found guilty for offences under the EPA and PTA. The figures include primary and secondary offences. Details of paramilitary groupings are not recorded on the statistical return used to collate this information.

  1: Persons proceeded against for belonging to a proscribed organisation

  Year

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  1991

  1

  1

  1992

  16

  15

  1993

  26

  22

  1994

  19

  17

  1995

  28

  24

  1996

  7

  6

  1997

  5

  2

  1998

  3

  3

  2: Persons proceeded against for soliciting support for proscribed organisations

  Year

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  1991

  0

  0

  1992

  0

  0

  1993

  0

  0

  1994

  2

  2

  1995

  0

  0

  1996

  0

  0

  1997

  3

  3

  1998

  0

  0

  202W

  :3: Receiving or accepting money or other property for terrorism

  Year

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  1991

  0

  0

  1992

  0

  0

  1993

  0

  0

  1994

  0

  0

  1995

  1

  1

  1996

  0

  0

  1997

  0

  0

  1998

  0

  0

  4: Persons proceeded against for contributing money or property to proscribed organisations

  Year

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  1991

  30

  25

  1992

  19

  18

  1993

  15

  14

  1994

  18

  11

  1995

  11

  11

  1996

  4

  3

  1997

  1

  1

  1998

  0

  0

  5: Persons proceeded against for displaying support for a proscribed organisation

  Year

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons found guilty

  1991

  0

  0

  1992

  0

  0

  1993

  0

  0

  1994

  0

  0

  1995

  0

  0

  1996

  0

  0

  1997

  2

  2

  1998

  0

  0

  Note:

  The statistical database is unable to relate charges against prosecutions.

  Public Bodies (Fees)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which fees his Department, its agencies and associated public bodies collect; how much has been raised and will be raised from each of these fees from 1989–90 to 2004–05; and which of these fees count as negative expenditure. [107978]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 2 February 2000,Official Report, columns 624–25W.

  Politically Motivated Offences
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many politically motivated offences have been committed by(a) Republican and (b) Loyalist groups since Good Friday 1999; if he will break the numbers down into categories of offences; and if he will make a statement. [109555]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table shows the number of security related offences recorded since 2 April 1999. It is not possible to answer the question with the detail
  203W
  requested because of the difficulty in distinguishing between a security related and a non security related offence1.

  By

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Total

  Deaths

  3

  3

  6

  Shooting incidents

  n/a

  n/a

  290

  Bombing incidents

  n/a

  n/a

  261

  Casualties as a result of Paramilitary style attacks

  Shootings

  37

  16

  53

  Assaults

  59

  26

  85

  1 A bank robbery is a criminal offence and will be recorded as such but may be carried out with criminal or paramilitary motivation.

  2 Attribution for these incidents is assessed by the police, and cannot be guaranteed. A single recorded shooting incident may lead to more than one casualty.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number and value of contracts let by his Department since May 1997 to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. [109452]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: Since May 1997 10 contracts have been let by this Department to external consultants and advisers for the management of competitive tendering processes. The total value of these contracts was £1,411,104.03.

  Terrorist Activity
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people from Northern Ireland have been forced into exile by terrorist activity since the Good Friday Agreement. [110055]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 14 February 2000]: There are no figures available which may indicate the number of persons who may have been forced to leave the Province.

  CCTV (Portadown)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements there are for monitoring the CCTV system in Portadown Town Centre; what regulations will safeguard exposed film for evidential purposes; and what target will be set for average police call-out and response time. [110653]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Portadown CCTV system is currently monitored by staff based at Craigavon police station. They are in direct communication with Portadown police control room who deploy resources to incidents as considered appropriate. Strict procedures are in place to ensure the safeguard of video tapes for evidential purposes including secure storage and cataloguing, complying with guidelines set out in the CCTV Code of conduct. There are no set targets for police call-out and response times as each incident requires to be carefully assessed and the most appropriate response determined within available resources.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [110684]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) is in the process, for the first time, of introducing monitoring of ethnic origin. Consequently, ethnic origin data will not be available until later this year. Home Civil Servants (HCS) employed in the Northern Ireland Office are already subject to monitoring, but none at Senior Civil Service level are from an ethnic minority background.

  Police Reform
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of(a) women and (b) Catholics are involved in work at a senior policy level on police reform within the (i) Northern Ireland Office, (ii) Police Authority and (iii) RUC. [110846]

  Mr. Ingram
  The percentage of women involved in work on policing reform at a senior policy level in the RUC is nil, in the Police Authority for Northern Ireland it is 30 per cent. and in the Northern Ireland Office it is 27 per cent. Percentages cover a very small number of individuals. Senior officials are included in PANI and NIO percentages as appropriate, though it is Authority members and Ministers respectively who take policy decisions.

  There are strict requirements governing the confidentiality and proper use of community background monitoring data. The provision of community background data at the level asked for would breach those requirements.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [110721]

  Mr. Ingram
  No peat or products containing peat are used in gardens owned or tended by my Department, except for recycled peat, such as spent mushroom compost, or peat needed for ericaceous planting where specifically indigenous to the habitat.

  Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what costs have been incurred through action under the Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999 to date; how many bodies have been recovered to date in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) in the Irish Republic and (c) elsewhere; and if he will provide a breakdown of these costs under the principal headings used in accounting for this expenditure. [110902]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following implementation of the Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999, the cost to the UK for the operation of the independent Commission for the location of victims remains amounts to £3,104.13 to date.
  205W
  The remains of three individuals have been recovered: Eamon Molloy in Dundalk on 28 May and Brian McKinney and John McClory on 29 June at Colgagh, County Monaghan.

  A breakdown of costs is as follows:

  Transport—£530.13

  Fees—£2,338.00

  Other—£236.00

  Total—£3,104.13.

  Civil Service Entrants
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many candidates who entered the 1999 Civil Service grade 7 competition were(a) male Protestants, (b) female Protestants, (c) male Roman Catholics and (d) female Roman Catholics; and how many in each of the above categories were successful at stage 1. [111084]

  Mr. Ingram
  A competition for promotion to Administrative Grade 7 in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) was launched in September 1999. The competition is a two stage exercise with candidates deemed eligible at the end of Stage 1 to compete in individual departmental competitions for promotion to Grade 7. A total of 437 candidates participated in Stage 1 of the competition and of these 131 were deemed eligible to participate in stage two departmental competitions. The gender/community background of those candidates who entered the 1999 competition and those who were successful at stage 1 is as follows:

  Protestant

  Roman Catholic

  Not Determined

  Total

  Candidates who entered the Stage 1 Competition

  Male

  194

  100

  16

  310

  Female

  61

  57

  9

  127

  Total

  255

  157

  25

  437

  Candidates who were successful at Stage 1

  Male

  55

  26

  2

  83

  Female

  21

  22

  5

  48

  Total

  76

  48

  7

  131

  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, if he will place a copy of the standard research contract in use by his Department in the Library. [111673]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 28 February 2000]: This Department does not use a standard research contract.

  TransTec
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the Government grants or loans received by TransTec plc. or its subsidiaries for use in Northern Ireland since 1991. [111582]

  Mr. Ingram
  TransTec Automotive (Campsie) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of TransTec Plc, based at Campsie in Londonderry, and now in administrative 206W
  receivership, was paid grants directly and also benefited in leasing terms from capital grants paid to the lessors of capital equipment as shown:

  £

  (1) From the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland Paid to the Company

  Capital Grant

  565,671

  Employment Grant

  2,901.999

  Total paid to the Company

  3,467,670

  Paid to Lombard Initial Leasing Ltd. Capital Grant

  13,192,196

  (2) From the Training and Employment Agency Investment Support for Training

  875,083

  1 Where assets are leased grant is paid to the leasing company with TransTec Automotive (Campsie) Ltd. benefiting by way of reduced lease rental

  Prisoner Releases
  Mr. MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many terrorist prisoners have successfully applied for early release under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998; and of those how many are still in prison. [111877]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date, 430 prisoners have successfully applied for early release under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. Of these, 115 still remain in prison. This information is taken from statistics which are current at 22 February 2000.

  Mr. MacKay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners have been released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998; and what is their perceived paramilitary affiliation. [111878]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date there have been 315 prisoners released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. Information is held in relation to the perceived paramilitary affiliation of prisoners, where applicable, for management purposes. It should be noted, however, that, with the exception of HMP Maze, where links are more clearly defined, this information is based on a combination of factors including the offence, sympathies and associates. The table provides the breakdown by perceived affiliation and is taken from statistics which are current at 22 February 2000.

  Perceived affiliation of prisoners released on licence under the NI (Sentences) Act 1998

  Total (as at 22 February 2000)

  UDA

  71

  No trace

  9

  UFF

  8

  PIRA

  142

  UVF

  53

  Former INLA

  7

  Loyalist

  5

  Rep Sym

  2

  RHC

  2

  Criminal

  1

  LVF

  6

  Republican

  1

  INLA

  8

  Grand total

  315

  Union Flag
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who authorised the removal of the Union flag from the headquarters of(a) the Department of Education and (b) the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. [112064]

  Mr. Ingram
  These flags were removed during the period of devolution. This is therefore a matter for the NI Legislative Assembly which is currently in suspension.

DEFENCE

  Tracer/FSCS System
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stage has been reached in the development of the Tracer/FSCS system; and if he will make a statement about its future prospects. [109860]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Christopher Gill, dated 29 February 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the stage that has been reached in the development of the TRACER/FSCS system; and whether he would make a statement about its future prospects. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  TRACER is a UK/US collaborative programme. Contracts for project definition studies, worth a total of some £180m. were awarded in January 1999 to two consortia: LANCER, an alliance of BAE SYSTEMS and Alvis Vehicles with United Defense and Raytheon; and SIKA, a joint venture company formed by BAE SYSTEMS and Lockheed Martin. The consortia are competing for a single demonstration phase contract although neither nation is formally committed beyond the current phase, and any decision to proceed to future project phases will be the subject of further national approvals.
  The current phase of the programme is of 42 months duration, completing in July 2002. The key aims of this phase of the programme are to reduce progressively areas of programme risk and to secure firm price proposals for the demonstration and initial manufacture phases. The programme is proceeding to schedule and both participating governments are pleased with progress to date. In parallel, studies are being conducted to examine the potential use of unmanned air vehicles. The outcome of these studies will be used to inform the UK decision on the optimum mix of platforms, technologies and sensors, and the role that TRACER will play in the Army's future battlefield information gathering system.
  A feature of defence procurement is the high cost of the sophisticated systems being brought into service. Conflicting demands on the available resources inevitably lead to priorities being under systematic review. The current budgetary review process in the US, which could have implications for the TRACER programme, is being closely monitored; and we are in regular contact with the US DoD.

  Container Ships
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to procure four new roll-on roll-off container ships. [109391]

  Dr. Moonie
  [holding answer 14 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
  208W
  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Ms Rachel Squire, dated 29 February 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Ministry of Defence's plans to procure four new roll on roll off container ships. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The Strategic Defence Review confirmed the requirement for four ships in addition to two then in service. The Department is currently conducting a competition for this expanded sealift capability. As this is defined as a non-warlike requirement, the competition is being conducted under European and World Trade Organisation public procurement rules. As stated in the Department's press statement of 13 December 1999, a copy of which is enclosed, we plan to announce a single preferred bidder in late spring and to place a contract in July 2000.

  Trigat Project
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if statement on the future of the medium ject. [110494]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 29 February 2000:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Medium Range (MR) TRIGAT Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Programme. This matter falls to me for answer within my responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  Germany, France and UK, as the major participants in the programme, have signed the MR TRIGAT Industrialisation and Production Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Netherlands and Belgium have still to sign and we expect decisions to be made by both nations by Spring 2000, once their Governmental and Parliamentary procedures are complete.
  The Industrialisation and Production contract has now been initialled by the Prime Contractor Aerospatiale but is awaiting completion of the MOU signatory process before it is formally notified (and placed) by France, acting as the contracting authority on behalf of the participating nations. Despite the delay in signing the MOU by the Netherlands and Belgium, contract placement by Spring 2000 would, on current plans, maintain the programme on schedule to meet the UK's in-service date.

  Future Transport Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft types fully meet the European Staff Requirement for a Future Transport Aircraft. [111340]

  Dr. Moonie
  Within the four nation Future Transport Aircraft competition, bids are being assessed on merit against a baseline derived from the European Staff Requirement (ESR). We have made clear to bidders that strict compliance with the ESR will not necessarily be a deciding factor and is but one factor in the assessment by which nations judge the solution offering the best value for money. This assessment includes analysis of operational performance, investment appraisal, risks and commercial and industrial considerations. It would be inappropriate for me to disclose, at this stage in the competition, any aspect of our assessment of the comparative merits of the proposals which we have received.

  CHARM Contract
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what impact the 10-year partnering deal between BAe and his Department had on the decision on the CHARM contract; and if he will make a statement; [111455]

  (2) what conditions were specified for the competition to supply CHARM munitions as regards providing fixed and firm proposals; if all the bids met those conditions; and if the final decision was based on a fixed-price solution; [111459]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the value for money offered by the contract with BAe to supply CHARM munitions; and if he will make a statement; [111457]

  (4) for what reasons the declared non-compliances in Portsmouth Aviation Team's proposals relating to the CHARM contract were not raised during the Phase 1 negotiations in time to enable a compliant bid to be prepared for Phase 2; and if he will make a statement; [111456]

  (5) what provisions have been included in the contract for the supply of CHARM munitions to cover the possibility of BAe being unable to design and manufacture to the price offered; and if he will make a statement; [111458]

  (6) what account was taken of (a) scheduled BAe plant closures and (b) BAe' s past performance and costs when determining the award of the CHARM contract; what assurances were requested on these matters; and if he will make a statement. [111462]

  Dr. Moonie
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 29 February 2000:
  I am replying to your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the CHARM 3 Training Round contract. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
  The decision on the CHARM 3 Training Round contract was taken following a fair and open competition. The 10 year partnering arrangement recently agreed between MOD and BAe (Royal Ordnance) was negotiated separately and had no impact on the outcome.
  The CHARM 3 Training Round competition was conducted in two phases. For reasons of intellectual property rights, limited information regarding the performance requirement was released to bidders during the first phase. In response to the proposals received during phase one the technical specification was revised for the second phase of the competition and further, more detailed technical information on the Challenger 2 armament system was released. It was therefore only possible to judge the extent of the technical compliance of the bids (including that from Portsmouth Aviation) at the end of the second phase.
  The contract proposals were assessed against the standard criteria of technical compliance, performance whole life cost and value for money which apply to all MoD contracting. The competition specified that proposals were to be based on firm prices.
  Final bids when received met the firm price criterion and the contract will be awarded against a firm price proposal.
  The terms and conditions of the contract for the supply of the CHARM 3 training Round will be those contained in the Invitation to Tender. These include standard contractual conditions to safeguard the Department's interests in the event of breach of contract or default by the contractor.
  210W
  BAe (Royal Ordnance) have been selected as the preferred bidder because their bid best met the requirement. The contract will be awarded subject to agreement of satisfactory terms and conditions, independently of any consideration of scheduled BAe plant closures. Past performance was considered at the ITT stage of the competition in the usual way. The contract will clearly state the time cost and performance standards that this contract will have to meet.

  Computers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answers of 14 February 2000,Official Report, column 372W, and 2 February 2000, column 590W, on computers, what were the grade and post of each of his Department's staff involved in internal hacking incidents over the past five years; and what was the date and location of each incident. [111111]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Government-wide Unified Incident Reporting and Alert Scheme (UNIRAS) accepts reports on the understanding that the anonymity of the organisation submitting the report is maintained. The records held within the UNIRAS system do not include the grades and posts of those involved in each incident, or the disciplinary action taken. The details requested cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost, or in the case of location of incidents, risking prejudicing the anonymity of the UNIRAS system.

  SERCO
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) number, (b) details of service involved, (c) length of contract and (d) location of contracts his Department has entered into with SERCO. [111785]

  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested is not readily available in the form requested. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  RAF Aircraft Crashes
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the causes of the crashes of(a) RAF Tornado GR1 near Everton, Nottinghamshire, on 21 January 1999, (b) RAF Harrier GR7 over Rollins Air Force Base, Nevada on 29 January 1999, (c) RAF Harrier GR7 over RAF Laarbruck, Germany on 4 February 1999, (d) RAF Bulldog T1 over RAF Leuchars on 5 March 1999, (e) Army Lynx MK7 over Tilton Hill on 18 May 1999, (f) RN Sea King HAS 6 over SNS Reina on 12 June 1999, (g) Army Turbo Islander AL1 over Broughton on 13 June 1999, (h) RAF Harrier GR7 south of Boston on 9 July 1999, (i) RAF Hercules C130 over Kukes, Albania, on 11 July 1999, (j) Army Gazelle AH1 over Belize on 11 September 1999, (k) RAF Tornado GR1 near Kirkheaton on 14 October 1999, (l) RAF Hawk T1 over Shap on 22 October 1999, (m) RAF Tornado F3 near Torness on 17 November 1999, (n) RAF Chinook HC2 in Oman on 25 November 1999, (o) RAF Harrier GR7 over Coldstream on 14 July 1999 and (p) RAF Jaguar GR1 over Moray Firth on 20 October 1999; what measures have been taken to prevent similar accidents in each case; what were the costs of each crash in terms of (i) equipment and (ii) lives; and if he will make a statement. [111710]
  211W
  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of value for money in relation to the requirement of(a) the Boeing C17 and (b) the Antonov 124. [111930]

  Dr. Moonie
  In deciding how to meet our future air transport requirements, we will take into account a range of factors, including the need to achieve our military requirements while at the same time obtaining value for money for the taxpayer.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Recycling
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of documentation used by her Department is(a) made from recycled paper and (b) collected for recycling. [111603]

  Clare Short
  (a) Presently less than 1 per cent. of documentation used by my Department is made from recycled paper. However, the wood used in the production of the paper is from sustainable forests.

  We are currently in the process of setting up an Environmental Management System and addressing the issue of how to increase the amount of recycled paper.

  (b) The percentage of paper that we currently recycle is 23 per cent. I expect this figure to rise in the coming years.

  Multi-national Trade Agreements
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to help build the capacity of developing countries to allow them(a) to take advantage of, (b) to understand and (c) to comply with multi-national trade agreements. [111518]

  Clare Short
  My Department is working bilaterally and with a wide range of other organisations, to help build the capacity of developing countries to participate more effectively in the WTO. To date, the UK has committed over £15 million to capacity building programmes of this type and a full list of activities has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Helping developing countries better understand the WTO is the first step. This is a principal objective for the technical assistance programmes of the WTO, ITC and UNCTAD, all of which are supported by the UK through substantial financial contributions. Commonwealth developing countries are also benefiting from technical assistance of this type through the Trade and Investment Access Facility, to which the UK is a principal donor.

  Assisting developing countries comply with their obligations and take advantage of their rights/ opportunities in the WTO is a longer term process. In this regard, the UK is supporting bilateral technical assistance programmes in Bangladesh, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. A focus of such technical assistance is often
  212W
  implementation of the WTO Agreements relating to trade remedies, where developing countries need help to utilise WTO-sanctioned instruments. In addition, the UK is a founder member and substantial donor of the Advisory Centre on WTO Law which enables developing countries to take better advantage of the WTO' s Dispute Settlement process.

  The UK has been very active in calling for the World Bank to give practical effect to its commitments to mainstream trade into its Comprehensive Development Framework for developing countries. We believe that the World Bank has a key role to play in enhancing developing countries' capacity to implement trade agreements and in expanding their trade capacity.

  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to help build the capacity of developing countries to take part in multi-national trade talks. [111434]

  Clare Short
  We are working bilaterally and with a wide range of other organisations, including United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank, ITC and the Commonwealth Secretariat, to help build the capacity of developing countries to participate in multi-national trade talks in the WTO and in the context of the EU-ACP post-Lome arrangements. To date, the UK has committed over £15 million to trade-related capacity building programmes of this type and a full list of activities has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

  More specifically, the UK is supporting bilateral technical assistance programmes in Bangladesh (£0.56 million), Malawi (£0.25 million), South Africa (£0.1 million), Zimbabwe (£0.5 million) and the 14 CARICOM countries in the Caribbean (£1.1 million). A project in Pakistan is currently under review and a new project in Ghana is being finalised. This technical assistance comprises expert technical advice, training, trade policy studies and negotiating skills and is typically provided to a broad base of stakeholders from national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations who are involved in trade policy negotiations.

  At the multilateral level, developing countries' participation in the WTO negotiations is being particularly supported by a major World Bank Trade Policy Development Programme (TPDP), to which the UK has committed £3 million. TPDP comprises trade policy research and analytical studies; seminars on key issues for the WTO negotiations; training for trade policy officials; and a handbook for trade negotiators from developing countries.

  In addition, Commonwealth developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific are benefiting from the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Access Facility (TIAF), to which the UK has committed £1.4 million. TIAF' s technical assistance projects including full-time specialist WTO and Trade Policy Advisers based in Geneva and in the Pacific, who played a key role in helping Commonwealth developing countries prepare for, and participate in, the WTO Seattle Ministerial meeting.

  Grants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the initiatives launched by her 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. [109311]

  Clare Short
  Practically all of our programme expenditure is on grant terms.

  Our voted allocation for 1999–2000 was increased in respect of the following amounts from the Central Reserve: £68 million towards DFID's Kosovo humanitarian relief, £3.25 million in respect of East Timor humanitarian relief, and a £33.3 million additional contribution to the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative.

  Information on all new initiatives could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Information on DFID's spending is published in Statistics on International Development and the Departmental Report, both of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Remploy
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what Remploy products her Department has purchased in the last three years. [109930]

  Clare Short
  The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Peat Compost
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [110715]

  Clare Short
  Peat compost is not used in any gardens owned or tended by my Department.

  China
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to co-operate with China in the field of poverty elimination. [111255]

  Clare Short
  We have a strong and growing development partnership with China, which has at its core the shared objective of poverty elimination. Our programme in China provides assistance in the key areas of health, education, economic reform and the environment. We are also looking for opportunities to work with and through other organisations, such as the World Bank, in order to strengthen the collective development effort in China. Our strategy underpinning our work in China is available in the Library.

  Child Labour
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to assist developing countries to comply with ILO agreements aimed at preventing child labour. [111435]

  Clare Short
  The United Nations provides a framework for promoting the rights of working children through its Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and through the conventions established by International Labour Organisation (ILO).

  Last year, we provided $1 million funding to the ILO' s in-focus programme on child labour: the International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC). This money is just part of DFID's collaboration with IPEC, which extends from particular operational alliances in India, Tanzania, South East Asia (for example), to engagement in IPEC policy making in Geneva.

  In 1999, the Department for International Development, in collaboration with the Department for Education and Employment, worked strenuously to help reach agreement on the new ILO convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. The convention provides an accessible target for poor countries in relation to ending the worst abuses of children's rights in the most exploitative forms of child labour (including child pornography and prostitution, drugs trafficking and slave labour).

  Female Genital Mutilation
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which girls' and women's health projects supported by her Department have included education on female genital mutilation in the years 1997, 1998 and 1999; which non-Governmental organisations have carried out those projects and in which countries; and what was the total amount of funding for these projects in each of the years 1997, 1998 and 1999. [111294]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 28 February 2000]: During 1997–99, my Department supported the following organisations and projects aimed at educating and informing communities about the harmful consequences of female genital mutilation:

  Country: Gambia

  Project: Women's health promotion

  Institution: FORWARD

  Total Commitment: £226,013

  215W

  Expenditure: 1997/98–£21,269, 1998/99–£91,542, 1999/2000–n/a

  Region: Horn of Africa

  Project: Well women media project

  Institution: Christian Aid/Health Unlimited Total commitment: £200,000

  Expenditure: 1997/98–£32,957, 1998/99–£82,831, 1999/2000–n/a.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the aid projects being carried out jointly with Zimbabwe, listing the amount of British aid in each case. [112115]

  Clare Short
  Current projects in Zimbabwe are as follows:

  £ million

  1.

  Support for the Privatisation Agency

  2.48

  2.

  Farm Community Trust

  1.6

  3.

  Wills and Inheritance Laws Project

  0.86

  4.

  Women's Civic Education Project

  0.98

  5.

  Rural District Council Institutional Development

  10.6

  6.

  National Water Resources Management Strategy

  0.5

  7.

  Public Service Reforms

  0.48

  8.

  Police Organisational Development Project

  6.44

  9.

  Agricultural Services and Management support

  5.75

  10.

  Assistance to Developing Enterprises Project

  1.4

  11.

  Agribusiness Entrepreneur Network and Training Development

  0.49

  12.

  Credit for the Informal Sector

  1.3

  13.

  Bikita Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project

  2.27

  14.

  Lupane Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project

  3.54

  15.

  Rural Water-Point Upgrading/Rehabilitation Project

  0.87

  16.

  Small Dams Rehabilitation

  1.96

  17.

  Bulilima-Mangwe Water Supply and Environmental Rehabilitation

  0.31

  18.

  Community Based Maintenance of Water Points in Binga

  0.24

  19.

  Small Engineering Workshops

  0.39

  20.

  Sexual Health Project

  9.2

  21.

  Social Marketing of Condoms

  2.0

  22.

  Adolescent reproductive health education

  0.5

  23.

  Civil participation in Health Services

  0.04

  24.

  Riders for Health

  0.28

  25.

  Everyone's Child (AIDS orphans)

  0.17

  26.

  Air Traffic Control Radar (Former ATP project)

  4.3

  27.

  Police Landrover supply (Former ATP project)

  8.5

  AIDS (Africa)
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the Government's budget for the current financial year for AIDS and HIV measures in Africa. [112323]

  Clare Short
  Our estimated expenditure for work to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa for 1999–2000 is around £25 million. Exact figures are to be confirmed.

  Nuclear Power Projects
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the Government's policy on contributing funds to nuclear power projects in developing countries; what Government funds have recently been made available to such projects and in 216W
  respect of which projects; what plans she has for funding such projects in the future; and what recent discussions she has had with international development organisations, the World Bank and the IMF concerning the funding of nuclear power projects in developing countries. [112070]

  Clare Short
  My Department's policy is not to contribute funds to nuclear power projects in developing counties with the exception of help with safety and training where there is a genuine developmental objective. Under the previous Administration, a small nuclear safety project was committed for China. This project is due to be completed in March 2000. I have had no recent discussions with international development organisations, the World Bank and the IMF concerning the funding of nuclear power projects in developing countries.

  Euro
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money has been spent to date by her Department and by bodies funded by her Department in connection with the National Changeover Plan; on what headings this money has been spent; and how much her Department plans to spend on implementing the plan over the next 12 months. [112137]

  Mr. Foulkes
  To date, we have spent £61,000 in connection with the Euro Changeover Plan. This was in respect of a scoping study carried out by external consultants on the implications of Economic and Monetary Union for the Department as a whole.

  We do not anticipate any further external expenditure in the next 12 months.

HEALTH

  Complementary Therapies
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to issue guidelines to primary care trust executives regarding the provision of complementary therapies. [110864]

  Yvette Cooper
  Provision of complementary therapies is a matter for Primary Care Groups to decide in line with locally agreed priorities. We are aware that some PCGs have said they would welcome guidelines on the provision of complementary therapies. Given the limitations of the evidence base and the variety of complementary medicine, we are examining the feasibility of objective guidelines that could be of real assistance.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support he plans to give to the development of community hospitals. [110865]

  Mr. Denham
  This Government made clear its commitment to the future role of community hospitals in the National Health Service in the White Paper, The New NHS, provided that they can offer facilities to meet modern needs. They can also play an important role in the future development of intermediate care.

  Consultant Waiting Times
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish on a regular basis waiting times for patients for appointments with consultants in each specialty at each NHS hospital. [110866]

  Mr. Denham
  Data on outpatient waiting times by specialty in each National Health Service trust are published quarterly. Figures for the quarter ended 31 December 1999 show that 75 per cent. of patients were seen within 13 weeks of written referral by a general practitioner, with 93 per cent. seen with 26 weeks.

  Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs): Inguinal hernia operations in Doncaster and Barnsley 1994–95 to 1998–99

  District of Residence/Main operation

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Barnsley DHA

  Inguinal hernia

  441

  407

  401

  347

  390

  Recurrent inguinal hernia

  36

  31

  17

  35

  38

  Total

  477

  438

  418

  382

  428

  Doncaster DHA

  Inguinal hernia

  452

  481

  412

  440

  495

  Recurrent inguinal hernia

  42

  42

  41

  35

  27

  Total

  494

  523

  453

  475

  522

  Notes:

  1. An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.

  2. The figures for 1998–99 and 1997–98 are provisional, as no adjustments have yet been made for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed) but for 1994–95 to 1996–97 figures are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  Medicine Costs
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding increases in drug and medicine costs. [110868]

  Ms Stuart
  We have received various representations. In recent months, many have been about sharp increases in the price of generic medicines to the National Health Service. We very much share the concern about these. We have given the NHS an additional £90 million to help meet the cost and have commissioned a fundamental review of the generics market.

  A and E Waiting Times
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the time that patients are waiting for treatment at hospital accident and emergency departments. [110869]

  Ms Stuart
  We are tackling waiting times in Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments as a matter of priority, backed by the biggest investment in A&E services in the history of the National Health Service. Long waits for treatment in A&E departments are unacceptable. We have issued guidance requiring senior managers and clinicians to intervene personally to resolve the problem if long waits start to occur.

  Wakefield Health Authority
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future provision of hospital services by Wakefield health authority. [110870]

  Hernia Operations
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of hernia operations carried out in the NHS in 1998–99. [110867]

  Yvette Cooper
  There were 82,139 inguinal hernia operations carried out in National Health Service hospitals in 1998–99.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hernia operations have been carried out in(a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster in each of the last five years. [111367]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is in the table.

  Mr. Hutton
  The Wakefield Health Authority completed a public consultation exercise on the future options for configuration of hospital services on 25 January 2000. The results of the consultation, and the Health Authority's proposals on the outcome of consultation were the subject of a public meeting on 25 February 2000.

  Appointments
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he applies in respect of appointments to health authorities and trusts, with particular reference to political balance. [110871]

  Ms Stuart
  All candidates for these appointments must be able to demonstrate a strong personal commitment to the National Health Service and to the needs of their local community. Candidates are considered on their merits and the contribution they can make, not on their politics.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the selection and appointment system for posts in NHS trusts, authorities and boards; and if he will make a statement. [110877]

  Ms Stuart
  Appointments to NHS boards are widely advertised in the national and local press, as well as in publications aimed at ethnic minority groups and people with a disability. All candidates are considered according to Nolan principles and guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  General Medical Council
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of the General Medical Council. [110872]

  Mr. Denham
  The General Medical Council is an independent statutory body set up by the Medical Act 1983.

  The Government are determined that all the bodies involved in the regulation of the healthcare professions should be modernised and we have been working towards this aim with the professions over the past year.

  It is vital that the GMC maintains public confidence that it will put patients' interest in the forefront of all they do—especially when dealing with doctors who have not met the standard expected of the profession.

  Infliximab
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the current situation regarding the prescription of Infliximab. [110873]

  Ms Stuart
  Infliximab was licensed last year for limited categories of Crohn's disease where conventional treatment has proved ineffective. The decision to prescribe infliximab is based on clinical opinion, taking into account some concerns about the long-term safety and efficacy of this drug. Healthcare commissioners will need to consider its clinical and cost effectiveness before making any decisions about funding.

  Acute Beds (North-east London)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase acute bed numbers in north-east London. [110876]

  Mr. Denham
  We published the National Beds Inquiry for three month's consultation on 10 February. This set out that under any future scenario the overall number of acute, residential and intermediate care beds are likely to rise. The consultation will focus on the balance of acute and other beds in the whole system. The Government's plans for acute care beds will be announced once the consultation is complete.

  GP Co-operatives
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy towards general practitioners' co-operatives. [110878]

  Mr. Denham
  Our policy is that patients should have access to high quality care 24 hours a day. We have increased the out-of-hours development fund to £43.4 million to support the development of out-of-hours services. General Practitioner Co-ops are the single largest provider of such services and they have demonstrated that they can deliver flexible, responsive emergency general medical services and reduce the burden of out-of-hours work for GPs involved.

  Acute Waiting Times
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on acute waiting times. [110879]
  220W
  Mr. Denham
  The average waiting time for those on the in-patient list has fallen. At the end of December 1999, the average wait was 13 weeks, two weeks less than in June 1998.

  We remain on track to achieve our manifesto commitment to reduce in-patient waiting lists to 100,000 below the inherited level of 1.158 million. The in-patient waiting list is now 50,000 below the level inherited.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the quality of work and efficiency of primary care groups; and if he will make a statement. [110881]

  Mr. Denham
  Primary Care Groups (PCGs) are vital components in this Government's plan to improve and modernise the National Health Service. They will ensure that innovative, patient-centred services are delivered to their patients. From April, we expect most PCGs to have taken on responsibility for managing at least 60 per cent. of their population's health service budget. PCGs must have the resources, skills and competencies necessary to deliver on these responsibilities. I have recently written to all health authorities to make clear my expectation that they must develop each PCG to achieve this and support them in meeting the objectives agreed locally to improve healthcare for their patients.

  Smoking
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his measures to ensure the protection of young people from the dangers of tobacco smoking. [110882]

  Yvette Cooper
  As part of its comprehensive programme of action to tackle smoking, the Government are taking a number of measures which will protect children against the dangers of tobacco. This includes implementation of Directive 98/43/EC banning tobacco advertising as soon as possible; work with local government to strengthen enforcement of legislation on under-age sales of cigarettes and oral tobacco; encouragement of proof-of-age cards; and a targeted education campaign aimed at young people to be launched later this year.

  Hospital Beds (Leicestershire)
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of hospital beds in Leicestershire. [110883]

  Mr. Denham
  We published the National Beds Inquiry for three month's consultation on 10 February. This set out that under any future scenario the overall number of acute, residential and intermediate care beds are likely to rise. The consultation will focus on the balance of acute and other beds in the whole system. The Government's plans for acute care beds will be announced once the consultation is complete.

  At present, Leicestershire Health Authority is carrying out a review of acute services, which will be informed by the National Bed Inquiry.

  Private Sector Resources
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate ways in which the NHS could make greater use of private sector resources. [110884]

  Ms Stuart
  We do not believe that there needs to be greater reliance on private medicine in order to achieve modern standards in healthcare. We remain committed to a National Health Service funded from general taxation, available to all on the basis of need and need alone.

  We are committed to providing good-quality services that represent best value for money to patients and the taxpayer, and we encourage the NHS to enter into Public-Private Partnerships with the private sector when this is the best way of achieving these aims.

  Northamptonshire Health Authority
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the funding of Northamptonshire Health Authority since 1992. [110885]

  Mr. Denham
  The table details the allocations Northamptonshire Health Authority has received each year since 1996–97.

  Allocation (£000)

  Cash increase (£000)

  Percentage cash increase

  Percentage distance from target

  1996–97

  230,629

  7,246

  3.24

  0.59

  1997–98

  241,142

  9,401

  4.06

  -1.07

  1998–99

  252,747

  11,331

  4.69

  0.43

  1999–20001

  326,245

  19,621

  6.40

  1.51

  2000–011

  350,167

  21,186

  6.44

  0.89

  1 The figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are not comparable with previous years

  1999–2000 was the first year of unified allocations, covering hospital and community health services, prescribing and general medical services cash limited.

  The allocation figures prior to 1996–97 are not readily available as a result of the changes in regional boundaries in those year. We will write to my hon. Friend when these figures have been calculated.

  Dentists
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to increase the professional accountability of dentists. [110886]

  Mr. Hutton
  The General Dental Council has drawn up proposals for increasing its lay membership, introducing a mandatory requirement for dentists to participate in continuing education and empowering the Council to investigate and sanction complaints about dentists which fall short of serious professional misconduct, but still throw doubt upon the dentist's fitness to practise. We support these measures and are discussing with the Council the best way of bringing these into effect.

  Dentistry (Pregnant Women)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what preparation is normally used to insert necessary fillings into the teeth of pregnant women under NHS treatment; and for what reason this is used. [110887]
  222W
  Mr. Hutton
  The most commonly used tooth-filling material in the general dental service for all adults, including expectant mothers, is dental amalgam. This is because it has the strength and durability necessary to restore cavities in back (posterior) teeth, particularly when restoration of the biting surfaces are involved. This is important to securing and maintaining oral health when treating tooth decay. The health benefits of using dental amalgam outweigh any theoretical risks from their use.

  In April 1998, a statement from the Government's Advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) on the toxicity of dental amalgam was published. This confirmed that there was no evidence that the placement or removal of amalgam fillings during pregnancy was harmful. The Committee did, however, advise that it might be prudent to avoid, where clinically reasonable, the placement or removal of amalgam fillings during pregnancy.

  Breast Cancer Services
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the development of breast cancer services in the NHS. [110888]

  Yvette Cooper
  We are committed to modernising cancer services and have invested an extra £30 million in breast cancer services since 1997. This is being used to implement evidence-based guidance to improve survival outcomes by helping to speed access to diagnosis and treatment by specialist multi-professional breast cancer teams.

  From April 1999, all patients suspected of having breast cancer are guaranteed an outpatient appointment within 14 days of their general practitioner making an urgent referral. In the period April—September 1999, 35,000 women benefited from this high standard of care.

  Through the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme, over one million women in England are screened each year at a cost of around £35 million. Nearly 8,000 women had breast cancer detected and treated through screening in 1997–98, and thousands of others had the reassurance of knowing that they are being checked every three years for the disease.

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of cataract operations carried out in the NHS in 1998–99. [110889]

  Mr. Denham
  According to provisional data for 1998–99, the number of cataract operations carried out in National Health Service hospitals in England was 201,682.

  ENT Treatment (Southmead Hospital)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of delays in the provision of in-patient ear, nose and throat treatment at Southmead hospital in Bristol. [110890]
  223W
  Ms Stuart
  I understand, from information received from North Bristol National Health Service Trust, that a large number of medical admissions in recent weeks necessitated the postponement of a number of routine ear, nose and throat operations. Decisions about the postponement of operations are taken by clinicians on the basis of clinical priority.

  The trust is taking action to maintain its elective capacity by the use of weekend operating lists, the use of local independent hospitals to enable routine surgical operations to be performed by NHS surgeons operating in NHS time, and buying places in private nursing homes to facilitate the discharge of medical patients.

  Dentistry
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's funding of the use of palladium-based precious metals in dentistry. [110891]

  Mr. Hutton
  Precious metal casting alloys for use in the General Dental Services (GDS) must contain not less than 33⅓ per cent. fine gold, platinum or palladium. Decisions on any particular precious metal alloy is a matter for the individual dentist.

  Fees for items of service in the GDS are adjusted annually in line with the recommendations of the independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.

  Whittington Hospital (PFI)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the costs to the public purse of private finance initiative bids for the reconstruction of the Whittington hospital. [110892]

  Mr. Denham
  The outline business case for this much-needed redevelopment was approved by the regional office of the National Health Service Executive in November at a value of £23 million. The regional office is currently working with the trust to decide what elements of the scheme are suitable for private finance initiative and which may be more suitable for public funding. This decision will be taken in the next few months. Until then, it is not possible to make an estimate of the cost of seeking and securing private finance bids.

  NHS Spending Statistics
  Mr. Ashdown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of expenditure per head in real terms on the National Health Service for(a) each English county and (b) each English health authority for each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [106744]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 26 January 2000]: Levels of spending on health per weighted head of population in real terms are shown in the table.

  Expenditure levels per weighted head of population on health are not available by county. Figures based on health authorities have been provided. In some cases the health authority may approximate to a county but this is not the position for all health authorities.
  224W
  Expenditure in 1995–96 and earlier years is not included because information is not available on a comparable basis.

  Figures are taken from health authority annual accounts which are prepared on resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in each year.

  For 1997–98 and 1998–99, the majority of drugs expenditure has been accounted for by the Prescription Pricing Authority rather than individual health authorities. For all three years the majority of General Dental Service expenditure is not accounted for by health authorities. A total national position is shown including these two elements.

  England—Expenditure by weighted head of population expressed in real terms

  £

  Health Authority

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Avon

  677.73

  626.04

  672.26

  Barking and Havering

  637.87

  583.12

  652.23

  Barnet

  693.57

  667.13

  661.27

  Barnsley

  616.31

  555.74

  567.41

  Bedfordshire

  649.29

  590.12

  626.61

  Berkshire

  645.19

  602.80

  644.68

  Bexley and Greenwich

  657.41

  646.38

  674.90

  Birmingham

  716.31

  667.16

  700.88

  Bradford

  661.28

  619.22

  611.56

  Brent and Harrow

  684.09

  666.49

  706.46

  Bromley

  618.87

  603.91

  753.95

  Buckinghamshire

  648.47

  619.44

  637.24

  Bury and Rochdale

  685.42

  618.94

  609.57

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  624.32

  576.49

  586.74

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  672.53

  625.47

  675.05

  Camden and Islington

  777.46

  668.94

  789.56

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  654.67

  613.29

  627.65

  County Durham

  628.31

  582.51

  602.19

  Coventry

  644.98

  609.55

  635.01

  Croydon

  638.10

  594.90

  646.09

  Doncaster

  629.25

  612.55

  692.17

  Dorset

  638.30

  596.63

  634.75

  Dudley

  624.60

  591.05

  686.50

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  702.89

  648.66

  678.49

  East and North Hertfordshire

  682.09

  656.44

  689.22

  East Kent

  614.50

  589.72

  628.75

  East Lancashire

  640.78

  607.24

  619.47

  East London and the City

  706.50

  631.84

  659.33

  East Norfolk

  681.01

  636.05

  686.35

  East Riding

  655.74

  607.23

  624.72

  East Surrey

  756.23

  717.08

  764.04

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  603.51

  603.34

  641.16

  Enfield and Haringey

  656.73

  606.00

  628.56

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  685.36

  634.45

  631.75

  Gloucestershire

  678.80

  638.24

  646.29

  Herefordshire

  660.72

  682.28

  664.77

  Hillingdon

  675.53

  615.47

  650.26

  Isle of Wight

  654.59

  670.20

  698.15

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  787.69

  692.32

  751.47

  Kingston and Richmond

  710.12

  701.99

  751.49

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  690.70

  633.28

  659.47

  Leeds

  718.83

  690.10

  725.55

  Leicestershire

  674.91

  637.69

  654.02

  Lincolnshire

  664.17

  674.47

  664.17

  Liverpool

  684.66

  626.55

  677.80

  Manchester

  722.55

  667.76

  692.35

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  707.29

  660.25

  695.34

  Morecambe Bay

  684.35

  672.73

  809.16

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  680.45

  625.49

  652.08

  North and East Devon

  674.09

  647.88

  669.42

  North and Mid-Hampshire

  667.47

  641.32

  671.24

  North Cheshire

  697.23

  655.46

  656.23

  North Cumbria

  656.89

  622.31

  643.42

  North Derbyshire

  609.29

  630.75

  658.32

  North Essex

  632.42

  617.01

  660.35

  North Nottinghamshire

  637.43

  597.72

  602.79

  North Staffordshire

  626.67

  609.59

  602.89

  North West Anglia

  650.80

  601.67

  625.29

  North West Lancashire

  643.71

  592.53

  597.69

  North Yorkshire

  640.24

  647.10

  692.21

  225W

  England—Expenditure by weighted head of population expressed in real terms

  £

  Health Authority

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Northamptonshire

  643.38

  605.63

  669.00

  Northumberland

  662.08

  655.28

  693.85

  Nottingham

  650.16

  593.97

  681.76

  Oxfordshire

  642.80

  621.98

  645.00

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  607.52

  559.07

  621.30

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  658.33

  644.17

  687.03

  Rotherham

  630.01

  573.78

  582.97

  Salford and Trafford

  661.61

  602.83

  652.22

  Sandwell

  647.23

  622.56

  648.70

  Sefton

  678.01

  590.39

  631.57

  Sheffield

  819.64

  785.08

  780.61

  Shropshire

  647.08

  618.03

  630.13

  Solihull

  713.82

  678.11

  695.51

  Somerset

  646.11

  630.28

  652.65

  South and West Devon

  659.84

  610.58

  625.77

  South Cheshire

  664.44

  632.96

  669.48

  South Derbyshire

  658.61

  645.53

  647.23

  South Essex

  589.60

  587.31

  636.27

  South Humber

  636.63

  668.41

  696.41

  South Lancashire

  647.60

  630.87

  669.35

  South Staffordshire

  673.45

  642.55

  677.99

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  623.52

  622.69

  663.64

  St. Helens and Knowsley

  642.86

  596.93

  615.64

  Stockport

  647.03

  595.08

  618.59

  Suffolk

  659.10

  618.09

  654.67

  Sunderland

  642.04

  593.58

  643.55

  Tees

  636.28

  574.15

  623.15

  Wakefield

  705.43

  718.04

  723.21

  Walsall

  644.44

  598.16

  634.57

  Warwickshire

  723.65

  688.90

  688.56

  West Hertfordshire

  684.36

  648.50

  672.37

  West Kent

  653.94

  624.27

  648.89

  West Pennine

  614.51

  567.14

  580.15

  West Surrey

  735.84

  660.76

  694.12

  West Sussex

  630.64

  605.84

  650.35

  Wigan and Bolton

  595.01

  563.37

  581.77

  Wiltshire

  695.48

  644.00

  678.43

  Wirral

  626.86

  575.39

  627.91

  Wolverhampton

  652.30

  589.11

  609.50

  Worcestershire

  661.47

  684.27

  696.57

  All England before national adjustment for drugs and GDS

  664.15

  627.68

  659.76

  All England after national adjustment for drugs and GDS

  684.00

  697.19

  722.25

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 have been shown in real terms, with 1998–99 as the baseline using the GDP deflator.

  2. Figures are taken from the health authority annual audited accounts which are prepared on a resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in each year.

  Sources:

  Health Authority accounts for 1996–97,1997–98, and 1998–99 Weighted population estimates for 1996–97,1997–98 and 1998–99 GDP Deflator: 1963–64 to 1998–99 calculated from ONS data for GDP (YBHA and ABMI)

  Comparative Statistics
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish figures showing the composite index for infant deaths in(a) 1995–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99 for (i) England, (ii) East and North Hertfordshire, (iii) West Hertfordshire and (iv) the health authority in the prospering growth area with the (1) lowest figure and (2) highest figure. [109757]

  Mr. Denham
  The 1995–97 figures for the infant deaths indicator were published in "Quality and Performance in the NHS: High Level Performance Indicators" in June 1999. Figures for 1996–98 will be published later this year.
  226W
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish figures showing the composite index for available deaths in(a) 1995–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99 for (i) England, (ii) East and North Hertfordshire, (iii) West Hertfordshire and (iv) the health authority in the prospering growth area with the (1) lowest figure and (2) highest figure. [109758]

  Mr. Denham
  Information on the composite index for avoidable deaths has been supplied.

  The 1995–97 figures for the avoidable deaths indicator were published in "Quality and Performance in the NHS: High Level Performance Indicators" in June 1999. Figures for 1996–98 will be published later this year.

  Due to the nature of the indicator there are no plans to publish for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has had made of the number of people who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder; and if he will make a statement. [109680]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of reported admissions to National Health Service hospitals in England with a diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder during the financial year 1997–98 was 121.

  NHS Dentistry (Shropshire)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of NHS dentistry in Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [109829]

  Mr. Hutton
  National Health Service Dental Services are accessible for much of the population of Shropshire, although I am aware that in some areas, there are longstanding problems of availability of NHS Dentistry. Shropshire Health Authority, through its Health Improvement Programme for 2000–01, has taken steps to enhance registration opportunities. These include a pilot for a Dental Access Centre, where services are offered to non-registered patients, as well as a number of "Investing in Dentistry" initiatives.

  NICE
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the relevant interests declared by(a) members of the Appraisal Committee of NICE and (b) specialist advisers appointed in respect of each evaluation commissioned by NICE since its establishment; [109703]

  (2) if he will list the names and qualifications of the members of the Appraisal Committee of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; [109701]

  (3) when the specialist advisers who will be called upon to provide evidence to NICE on beta interferon will be appointed; and how many will be appointed. [109702]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State, is responsible for

  227W
  deciding the members of their Appraisal Committee. NICE operates in an open and transparent way, and the list of members and interests for the Appraisal Committee will be placed in the Library, or can be found on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk. NICE will also be publishing the names and interests of its specialist advisers when the appraisal committee has met, and any interests of Appraisal Committee members will also be recorded in the Minutes of the Appraisal Board meetings. The appraisal on beta-interferon is scheduled for August this year. The specialist advisers for beta-interferon will be appointed shortly, and their appointments will be available in the Library or on the NICE website.

  The members of the NICE appraisal Committee are:

  Professor David Barnett

  Professor Ronald Akehurst

  Professor Sir Colin Berry

  Professor Martin Buxby

  Professor Yvonne Carter

  Dr. Karl Claxton

  Professor Duncan Colin-Jones

  Professor Sarah Cowley

  Dr. Nicki Cullum

  Mr. Christopher Evennett

  Ms Jean Gaffin

  Dr. Trevor Gibbs

  Dr. Sheila Gore

  Mr. John Goulston

  Professor Philip Home

  Dr. Terry John

  Dr. Diane Ketley

  Mr. Mayur Lakhani

  Mr. Muntzer Mughal

  Mr. James Partridge

  Dr. Linda Patterson

  Professor Philip Routledge

  Professor Andrew Stevens

  Mrs. Sue Gallagher.

  NHS Direct
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects NHS Direct to cover(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [110134]

  Ms Stuart
  NHS Direct will be available to the whole of England, including Shrewsbury and Atcham and Shropshire, by the end of October 2000.

  Drugs
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average price inflation of drugs supplied to the NHS for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [110558]

  Ms Stuart
  Information on the average price increase over previous year's prices is given in the table. It covers all prescriptions dispensed in the community in England.228W

  Percentage increase

  1993

  -3.2

  1994

  -1.7

  1995

  -1.3

  1996

  0.0

  1997

  -0.4

  1998

  -2.6

  Notes:

  1. The table has been composed using the Paasche index, which gives the percentage change in the average price of products which existed in both years.

  2. Data is only available from 1992 onwards.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is provided by drug companies to the NHS; what form these donations take; which companies provide the major contributions; and if he will make a statement. [110556]

  Ms Stuart
  The Department expects all significant donations to be declared at local level, 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.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which EU regulations govern the pricing and supply of drugs; and if he will make a statement. [111468]

  Ms Stuart
  The pricing and supply of medicines are not governed directly by EU regulations, but left to member states. However the measures adopted by member states have to conform to the general requirements of European law and in particular Council Directive 89/105/EEC relating to the transparency of measures regulating the pricing of medicinal products for human use and their inclusion in the scope of national health insurance systems.

  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the NHS's purchasing policy for(a) generic and (b) branded drugs. [111469]

  Ms Stuart
  Our policy is to secure purchasing arrangements which ensure a reliable and secure supply of medicines to patients and value for money for the National Health Service.

  In the case of branded medicines, we have negotiated a new five-year Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). The PPRS includes a 4.5 per cent. reduction in the price of branded medicines from October 1999. Thereafter, the only changes permitted until 1 January 2001 are cost-neutral modulations, with strict controls on price increases after that date. The Health Act 1999 includes reserve powers to deal with companies that elect not to be scheme members or cease to be scheme members. Regulations came into force on 14 February 2000 to ensure that the prices of medicines supplied by

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  companies outside the voluntary scheme may be controlled, and the price reduction implemented where appropriate. At the same time the PPRS contains incentives to companies to develop new medicines, and allowances for the cost of research and development.

  Generic medicines are not covered by the PPRS. We have commissioned a fundamental review of arrangements for the supply of generic medicines to the NHS in England to examine whether existing arrangements best serve the health service and to identify possible alternatives. The conclusions of the programme of work are expected in the summer.

  The NHS Supplies Authority plays a part in the procurement of medicines for hospitals. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency will be set up from 1 April to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of purchasing in the NHS in England.

  Epilepsy
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many surgical interventions for epilepsy have been carried out in each region in each of the last 10 years. [110933]

  Year

  Erased from the medical register

  Suspended from the medical register

  Admonished1

  Conditions on registration

  Referred to health committee

  1995

  8

  4

  6

  2

  —

  1996

  12

  5

  4

  9

  —

  1997

  7

  5

  6

  2

  —

  1998

  10

  1

  7

  —

  —

  1999

  28

  3

  2

  7

  2

  Jan 2000

  4

  1

  2

  1

  —

  Total

  69

  19

  27

  21

  2

  1 Found guilty of serious professional misconduct but have no restrictions placed on registration.

  Source:

  General Medical Council statistics on erasures and other sanctions imposed on general practioners by the Professional Conduct Committee.

  NHS Management Costs
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the total management costs and (b) the management costs as a percentage of income for each NHS trust in England in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [110709]

  Mr. Denham
  The latest year for which figures are available is 1997–98. The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Eye Tests (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people over 65 have received free eye tests in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire since April 1999; and if he will make a statement. [110833]

  Mr. Denham
  Eligibility for National Health Service sight tests was extended to all those aged 60 and over from 1 April 1999. Figures for the numbers of over 60s who have received free eye tests in particular areas are not collected centrally.
  230W
  Mr. Hutton
  The Information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to ask the Secretary of State for Health when the report of the Clinical Standards Advisory Group on epilepsy will be published. [111504]

  Mr. Hutton
  We are currently considering the report's conclusions and recommendations and their implications for the National Health Service. The report will be published in the near future.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for changes to NHS services for people with epilepsy. [111505]

  Mr. Hutton
  When we have published the report from the Clinical Standards Advisory Group on epilepsy, officials will meet with members of the Joint Epilepsy Council to carry work on epilepsy services forward.

  General Practitioners (Negligence)
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners have been(a) struck off and (b) reprimanded for professional negligence in each year since 1995. [110790]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is contained in the table:

  However, the increase in the total number of sight tests paid for by Shropshire Health Authority in the six months April to September 1999 was just under 11,0001 . It is fair to assume that the majority of this increase was due to newly eligible people aged over 60 obtaining NHS sight tests.
  1 There is a one-month lag in payments so this figure will increase.

  Source:

  Department of Health—General Ophthalmic Services Activity Statistics

  NHS Dentistry (Wansdyke)
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase the accessibility of NHS dental provision in the Wansdyke parliamentary constituency. [111155]

  Mr. Hutton
  Avon health authority is developing a proposal for a Personal Dental Services pilot project. If the proposal is successful the project will offer a full range of high quality National Health Service dentistry across most of the health authority area, including Wansdyke.

  Waterhouse Report
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date an urgent search was ordered in England for those people named in the Waterhouse report as being unsuitable to work with children. [111369]

  Mr. Hutton
  Immediately following publication of the Waterhouse Report on 15 February, the Department wrote to chief executives of every local authority, health authority, National Health Service trust and to major children's services providers in the voluntary sector. Local authorities, health authorities and trusts were required to check their employment records and respond to the Department by 5pm on Thursday 17 February 2000 and voluntary organisations by 3pm on Friday 18 February.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on the provision of beds in nursing homes for post-operative patients, following the report of the Royal Commission on Long-term Care. [111117]

  Mr. Hutton
  We share the Royal Commission's views on the importance of rehabilitation. The Royal Commission recommended ways in which the charging system for residential social care could help promote rehabilitation and we are considering these as part of the current review of Government spending.

  There is an important role for intermediate care, which enables people to avoid being admitted to hospital and to be discharged earlier. Schemes involve health and social
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  care services working together and include rapid response teams, community support teams, hospital at home nurse-led units, step down facilities and community-based rehabilitation services.

  MRSA
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on MRSA and the advice his Department gives on combating and containing it. [110874]

  Yvette Cooper
  MRSA is the antibiotic resistant form of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium which is carried harmlessly on the skin by at least a third of the population. Action is in hand to improve the surveillance of MRSA and also to strengthen arrangements for the prevention and control of all hospital acquired infections, including new standards on infection control and a programme of action with a timetable to improve control arrangements.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of eye tests carried out on people aged over 65 years since April 1999. [110875]

  Mr. Hutton
  From April to September 1999, nearly 1.3 million more sight tests were paid for by health authorities in England and Wales than in the equivalent period in 1998. Most of this increase may be attributed to the Government's decision to restore eligibility for National Health Service sight tests to everyone aged 60 and over with effect from 1 April 1999.

TREASURY

  Euro
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the Government agencies that have been involved in implementing the National Changeover Plan; and what guidance he has issued to them; [112142]

  (2) how much money has been allocated to public sector bodies for the purpose of implementing the National Changeover Plan over the next 12 months. [112144]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer made clear in his speech to the British American Chamber of Commerce in New York on 22 February that the second Outline National Changeover Plan would be published in the coming weeks.

  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much money has been spent by the public sector to date in connection with the National Changeover Plan; [112151]

  (2) if he will publish a breakdown of how funds for the National Changeover Plan have been spent to date. [112141]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 13 December 1999,Official Report, column 78W.

  Euro-related Events
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the diary of euro-related events for(a) the Welsh Euro Forum and (b) the Scottish Euro Club. [112344]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  This information, which is regularly updated, is available on the websites of the Welsh Euro Taskforce (www.waleseic.org.uk) and the Scottish Euro Forum (www.euro-info.co.uk/euro).

  Tax Law
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on further progress on the Tax Law Rewrite Project. [112498]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I am pleased to be able to tell the House that the Tax Law Rewrite project is continuing to make good progress. The Inland Revenue today publish the project's ninth Exposure Draft, containing more draft rewritten clauses on capital allowances. This publication also includes the rewritten clauses from earlier exposure drafts on capital allowances, making up a first draft Bill. Some—but not all—of this earlier material has been revised in the light of comments received. I hope the final Bill—which will completely rewrite the current capital allowances legislation—will be ready to be introduced in Parliament later this year. Copies of the Exposure Draft will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Recycling
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of documentation used by his Department is(a) made from recycled paper and (b) collected for recycling. [111607]

  Mr. Bayley
  All envelopes used are made from recycled paper or post-consumer waste and all forms and leaflets are made from part mechanical paper which uses the whole tree and is more environmentally friendly than wood-free paper. All paper stock used by this Department is certified as coming from sustainable forests that are replanted to ensure effective use of available land. Approximately 60 per cent. of the Department's waste is currently collected for recycling and the Department is working with its estates partners to maximise recycling potential with the aim of ensuring that all suitable waste paper is sent for recycling.

  Internet
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of DSS benefit offices; how many are linked to the Internet; what estimate he has made of the cost of linking DSS offices to the Internet which are not so linked; and if he will make a statement. [111398]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 28 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the total number of DSS benefit offices; how many are linked to the Internet; and what estimate he has made of the cost of linking DSS offices to the Internet which are not so linked.
  I can confirm that the total number of DSS benefit offices is 440. In this instance I have assumed you refer to Benefits Agency local and district offices and the Benefits Centres. Of these, 26 are linked to the Internet via a standalone telephone connection.
  The estimated cost of linking the remaining 414 offices in a similar way would be around £400,000.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ex-miners
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to apply the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 to compensation awards made to ex-miners with serious respiratory disease under the handling agreement on compensation principles signed by the DTI on 24 September 1999; and if he will estimate the numbers of likely claimants subject to such recovery in each region and nation of the United Kingdom. [111347]

  Mr. Bayley
  The provisions of the Social Security Recovery of Benefits Act 1997 will apply to miners in the same way as they do for other victims of accident, injury or disease. The compensation recovery scheme is intended to ensure that people do not receive double compensation for the same need. Compensation paid in respect of loss of past earnings, cost of past care or loss of past mobility is therefore reduced to take account of all benefits paid
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  for the same purpose, but only for a maximum period of five years from the date of claim to benefit in respect of the disease. Whether miners see a reduction in the amount of compensation they actually receive, therefore, will depend on the make-up of their compensation payment. However, compensation awarded to miners in respect of pain and suffering will be paid at the full amount awarded under the terms of the handling agreement.

  The information on likely claimants subject to benefit recovery is not available in the form requested. The claims handlers IRISC have estimated a total of 150,000 claims under the handling agreement, distributed as follows:

  England—97,500

  Wales—40,500

  Scotland—12,000.

  Not all of these claims will be subject to benefit recovery.

  Asbestos-related Diseases
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much benefit, and for how many cases, has been recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit for asbestos-related illnesses and diseases in each of the past five years. [111685]

  Mr. Bayley
  The administration of the Compensation Recovery Unit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 28 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how much benefit, and for how many cases, has been recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit for asbestos-related illnesses and diseases in each of the past five years.
  The computer system is unable to identify asbestos related illnesses and diseases, however, we are able to provide details relating to asbestosis cases.
  The available information is in the table below.

  Year

  Number of cases

  Total amount recovered (£)

  1 April 1994–31 March 1995

  138

  1,030,457.77

  1 April 1995–31 March 1996

  173

  1,507,320.58

  1 April 1996–31 March 1997

  240

  1,860,957.46

  1 April 1997–31 March 1998

  255

  2,029,302.49

  1 April 1998–31 March 1999

  353

  3,433,959.90

  1 April 1999–31 December 1999

  235

  2,338,166.37

  I hope this is helpful.

  Benefit Statistics
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of(a) fraud and (b) error committed by officials from his Department or its agencies in connection with (i) jobseeker's allowance and (ii) income support in the most recent year for which figures are available. [111711]

  Mr. Rooker
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my right hon. Friend.
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  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 28 February 2000:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what was the amount of (a) fraud and (b) error committed by officials from his Department or its agencies in connection with (i) jobseeker's allowance and (ii) income support in the most recent year for which figures are available.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) keeps a close eye on Internal Fraud, the Probity and Transformation Section in BA Security is tasked with developing a strong security culture among BA staff.
  In April 99, approximately 9,000 were employed in paying JSA and approximately 15,000 in paying IS.
  The following figures relate to (BA) staff for the period April 1998 to March 1999.
  a) Cases of fraud involving officials

  (i) Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA)

  Number of cases

  2

  Loss to public funds

  £4,454.85

  (ii) Income Support (IS)

  Number of cases

  16

  Loss to public funds

  £426,947.86

  Of the cases outlined, nineteen BA officials were involved. Of these, eight were prosecuted resulting in seven being jailed and one fined, a further two were reprimanded and three were dismissed, three resigned before further action could be taken and there was insufficient evidence to take action on the remaining three. This demonstrates our commitment to protecting the system and that staff who abuse their position for personal gain will take the consequences of their action. The member of staff who misused the computer system to create four false claims and embezzle over £100,000 was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

  b) Official error

  (i) Jobseeker's Allowance

  Percentage accuracy

  88.02

  Percentage error

  11.98

  Monetary value of error:

  Underpayment

  £22.16m

  Overpayment

  £221.68m

  Total

  £243.84m

  (ii) Income Support

  Percentage accuracy

  83.4

  Percentage error

  16.6

  Monetary value of error:

  Underpayment

  £210.91m

  Overpayment

  £425.90m

  Total

  £636.81m

  Between April 1998 and March 1999 the BA dealt with 2,827,315 claims to JSA paying out £3.5 billion in benefit and dealt with 1,202,792 claims to IS and paid out £12 billion in benefit.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Single Room Rent Restrictions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Marsden) of 7 February 2000,
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  Official Report, column 57W, what changes to single room rent restrictions on young people aged under 25 years he plans in order to address the localised difficulties caused by the present rules; and if he will make a statement. [111723]

  Angela Eagle
  We are considering the future of the single room rent as part of our wider review of housing. We will be taking account of all the available research which will include the localised reports we received from a variety of organisations on the effects of the single room rent, and the research we commissioned jointly with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on Housing Benefit and the private rented sector to gauge the effects of the rent restriction rules which were introduced in 1996.

  Mobility Equipment
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the future of the Mobility Equipment Fund and Drivers Fund. [112743]

  Mr. Bayley
  A review of the Mobility Equipment Fund (MEF) and Drivers Fund was completed last year, and we are grateful to Motability's Tenth Anniversary Trust for their financial support to the Funds while that was ongoing. The purpose of both funds, to provide major adaptations to vehicles to allow severely disabled people to travel as drivers or passengers, is in line with our objective of providing more support for seriously disabled people. We have therefore decided that the pilot status of both funds should be ended, that they should be made substantive, and that they should continue to be administered on our behalf by Motability.

  We are aware of the funding problems recently experienced by the funds and have recently agreed revised financing for the Funds with Motability. By restructuring our total support for Motability we shall be making available an additional £1 million for grants in the current financial year, and about £2.7 million extra from 2000–01. This will ease some of the current strain upon the MEF in particular, and start to reduce the waiting list. We recognise that to further reduce the MEF waiting list will require additional funding in the future. Further funding for the MEF will be considered alongside other Government spending priorities in the forthcoming spending review.

  Euro
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money has been spent to date by his Department and by bodies funded by his Department in connection with the National Changeover Plan; on what headings this money has been spent; and how much his Department plans to spend on implementing the plan over the next 12 months. [112147]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the right hon. Member to the written answers which my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary has given the right hon. Member today.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Learning and Skills Council
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans for the location of the local arms of the Learning and Skills Council. [112499]

  Mr. Wicks
  My noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment in the Lords announced in October 1999 the boundaries of the 47 local arms of the Learning and Skills Council. She is today announcing, subject to the passage of the legislation to set up the Learning and Skills Council, the location of the offices of the local Councils. In reaching decisions, she has taken account of the need to get best value for public money by using, where appropriate, premises currently occupied by Training and Enterprise Councils, and of the need for locations that will facilitate effective operation of the LSC.

  The announcement relates to England only. Letters giving details have today been sent to all hon. Members with English constituencies, the contents of which have been placed in the Library.

  Euro
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money has been spent to date by his Department and by bodies funded by his Department in connection with the National Changeover Plan; on what headings this money has been spent; and how much his Department plans to spend on implementing the plan over the next 12 months. [112148]

  Mr. Wills
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary.

  Surplus School Places
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what his policy is on surplus places in schools and if he will list the(a) numbers and (b) percentages of surplus places in each local education authority in England. [112646]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The focus of all our policies is raising educational standards. Maintaining empty school places is a poor use of resources which could be better directed towards improving standards. When planning school provision, local education authorities should consider the options for removing surplus places, initially focusing on those schools with a quarter or more of their places unfilled and with particular regard to standards at those schools. The aim should be to bring the supply and demand for school places more closely together, maximise parental preference and provide good quality education in the most cost effective way. The Department collects information on surplus places annually which provides an opportunity to monitor the position in each authority.

  The tables set out the numbers of surplus places as at January 1999 for each local authority area, listing primary and secondary separately, together with the proportion that these represent of total capacity. They also include the numbers of schools which at that date had surplus of

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  25 per cent. or more, and at least 30 surplus places, together with the proportion that these represent of the total number of schools. The data are drawn from the returns made during 1999 by local education authorities in respect of all maintained primary and secondary schools in their area. Included for the first time are a number of former grant-maintained schools for which data were not previously available. The returns indicate that there were 732,366 surplus school places in January 1999, representing 9 per cent. of the total capacity of 7.8 million places. This is an overall reduction of just over 29,305

  Surplus places by local authority area at January 1999

  Primary 1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus2

  Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more 3

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more 3

  LEA

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  301 Barking and Dagenham

  1,164

  7

  3

  6

  811

  7

  0

  0

  302 Barnet

  1,384

  6

  5

  5

  1,060

  5

  1

  5

  370 Barnsley

  1,468

  7

  2

  2

  1,571

  11

  2

  14

  800 Bath and North East Somerset

  1,127

  8

  3

  4

  970

  8

  2

  15

  820 Bedfordshire

  3,548

  13

  21

  14

  5,340

  13

  11

  19

  303 Bexley

  829

  4

  1

  2

  1,405

  8

  1

  6

  330 Birmingham

  7,600

  7

  25

  8

  5,717

  8

  8

  10

  889 Blackburn with Darwen

  855

  6

  4

  7

  509

  5

  0

  0

  890 Blackpool

  393

  3

  1

  3

  704

  9

  2

  25

  350 Bolton

  1,872

  7

  11

  10

  883

  5

  1

  6

  837 Bournemouth

  390

  4

  1

  4

  778

  8

  1

  10

  867 Bracknell Forest

  678

  7

  2

  6

  926

  13

  1

  17

  380 Bradford

  5,021

  13

  26

  16

  5,195

  11

  17

  21

  304 Brent

  1,837

  9

  6

  10

  1,489

  10

  1

  8

  846 Brighton and Hove

  2,026

  11

  10

  16

  1,503

  12

  2

  20

  801 Bristol

  2,508

  8

  12

  10

  3,777

  18

  7

  32

  305 Bromley

  425

  2

  1

  1

  528

  3

  0

  0

  825 Buckinghamshire

  6,125

  13

  46

  23

  1,378

  5

  3

  9

  351 Bury

  581

  4

  3

  4

  290

  3

  0

  0

  381 Calderdale

  1,588

  8

  7

  8

  1,069

  7

  0

  0

  873 Cambridgeshire

  3,461

  7

  14

  7

  1,123

  4

  1

  3

  202 Camden

  549

  5

  1

  2

  697

  6

  1

  10

  875 Cheshire

  6,806

  11

  35

  12

  3,509

  7

  4

  9

  831 City of Derby

  1,505

  7

  5

  6

  2,533

  15

  3

  21

  810 City of Kingston upon Hull

  5,125

  18

  20

  25

  2,861

  16

  5

  31

  201 City of London

  10

  5

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  892 City of Nottingham

  3,359

  12

  21

  21

  4,763

  26

  10

  48

  874 City of Peterborough

  1,661

  10

  7

  12

  1,186

  9

  2

  15

  879 City of Plymouth

  4,622

  18

  23

  29

  1,875

  9

  2

  11

  213 City of Westminster

  487

  5

  1

  3

  796

  10

  2

  25

  908 Cornwall

  2,608

  6

  16

  7

  324

  1

  0

  0

  331 Coventry

  3,114

  10

  13

  15

  2,268

  10

  3

  16

  306 Croydon

  1,355

  5

  3

  3

  2,060

  12

  2

  10

  909 Cumbria

  5,133

  11

  44

  15

  3,637

  10

  6

  14

  841 Darlington

  736

  8

  6

  16

  1,128

  17

  2

  29

  830 Derbyshire

  5,549

  9

  39

  11

  4,854

  10

  9

  19

  878 Devon

  4,266

  7

  18

  6

  1,819

  5

  1

  3

  371 Doncaster

  5,865

  18

  30

  27

  2,826

  12

  3

  18

  835 Dorset

  2,096

  8

  9

  7

  2,279

  8

  2

  5

  332 Dudley

  2,981

  10

  12

  15

  1,009

  5

  1

  5

  840 Durham

  6,157

  13

  50

  20

  4,728

  13

  8

  22

  307 Ealing

  2,796

  11

  8

  12

  276

  2

  0

  0

  811 East Riding of Yorkshire

  2,601

  9

  17

  13

  1,357

  6

  1

  6

  845 East Sussex

  2,441

  6

  11

  7

  1,703

  6

  1

  4

  308 Enfield

  938

  4

  3

  5

  1,551

  7

  1

  6

  881 Essex

  9,379

  8

  33

  7

  9,384

  10

  8

  10

  390 Gateshead

  1,668

  9

  8

  11

  1,016

  8

  0

  0

  916 Gloucestershire

  4,963

  10

  20

  8

  2,320

  6

  5

  12

  203 Greenwich

  2,106

  10

  5

  7

  1,673

  12

  1

  7

  204 Hackney

  1,679

  10

  7

  12

  1,058

  12

  0

  0

  876 Halton

  3,183

  21

  18

  33

  1,140

  12

  2

  22

  205 Hammersmith and Fulham

  955

  10

  5

  14

  926

  13

  2

  25

  850 Hampshire

  9,490

  8

  38

  9

  5,462

  8

  5

  7

  309 Haringey

  617

  3

  2

  3

  1,042

  9

  0

  0

  310 Harrow

  1,340

  7

  1

  2

  971

  11

  2

  20

  805 Hartlepool

  755

  8

  2

  7

  657

  9

  0

  0

  311 Havering

  1,217

  6

  2

  3

  2,098

  13

  3

  17

  884 Herefordshire

  1,639

  10

  9

  11

  1,320

  13

  4

  29

  919 Hertfordshire

  7,885

  8

  38

  9

  9,426

  12

  14

  16

  240W
  places on 1998 figures. The number of schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more, and at least 30 surplus places, also fell by 138 to 2,391, which represents 11 per cent. of the total number of schools.

  The returns also provide the Department with details of what action authorities propose to take on schools with 25 per cent. or more surplus. The returns indicate that in many cases action is being taken. Where there is no indication of action to reduce surplus and no substantial reasons given, the Department will be taking follow-up action with these authorities.
  241W

  Surplus places by local authority area at January 1999

  Primary 1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus2

  Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more3

  Actual surplus 2

  Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more 3

  LEA

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  312 Hillingdon

  1,293

  6

  2

  3

  900

  6

  1

  7

  313 Hounslow

  2,011

  11

  7

  11

  659

  4

  0

  0

  921 Isle of Wight

  371

  5

  1

  2

  615

  5

  0

  0

  420 Isles of Scilly

  85

  39

  2

  50

  49

  31

  1

  100

  206 Islington

  1,930

  12

  7

  14

  1,291

  15

  2

  22

  207 Kensington and Chelsea

  1,144

  16

  7

  27

  756

  18

  1

  25

  886 Kent

  6,309

  6

  18

  4

  10,107

  11

  12

  11

  314 Kingston upon Thames

  69

  1

  0

  0

  631

  7

  0

  0

  382 Kirklees

  2,644

  7

  8

  5

  2,277

  8

  3

  9

  340 Knowsley

  2,742

  15

  13

  22

  1,859

  16

  1

  9

  208 Lambeth

  2,352

  12

  9

  13

  1,611

  19

  3

  30

  888 Lancashire

  9,889

  9

  57

  11

  6,500

  8

  12

  13

  383 Leeds

  8,953

  13

  46

  19

  5,602

  11

  9

  20

  856 Leicester City

  4,160

  14

  18

  21

  3,795

  18

  8

  38

  855 Leicestershire

  2,990

  6

  11

  5

  4,791

  10

  10

  18

  209 Lewisham

  951

  5

  3

  4

  2,318

  17

  2

  15

  925 Lincolnshire

  4,937

  9

  36

  12

  4,389

  10

  10

  16

  341 Liverpool

  7,571

  16

  29

  18

  5,019

  14

  6

  17

  821 Luton

  2,355

  11

  7

  11

  772

  6

  0

  0

  352 Manchester

  7,215

  16

  30

  19

  6,161

  22

  12

  43

  887 Medway

  1,506

  6

  7

  8

  2,557

  12

  4

  20

  315 Merton

  873

  6

  5

  10

  1,202

  14

  2

  18

  806 Middlesbrough

  1,412

  9

  1

  2

  975

  10

  1

  9

  826 Milton Keynes

  3,885

  15

  18

  21

  1,358

  11

  3

  30

  391 Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,692

  16

  22

  29

  2,160

  11

  4

  19

  315 Newham

  810

  3

  2

  3

  1,396

  8

  0

  0

  926 Norfolk

  4,722

  7

  20

  5

  3,700

  8

  5

  10

  812 North East Lincolnshire

  2,684

  15

  13

  20

  1,788

  14

  3

  25

  813 North Lincolnshire

  1,463

  10

  6

  9

  1,325

  11

  3

  21

  802 North Somerset

  886

  6

  2

  3

  984

  8

  0

  0

  392 North Tyneside

  2,486

  15

  11

  20

  2,274

  14

  5

  22

  815 North Yorkshire

  5,609

  11

  31

  9

  2,196

  6

  3

  6

  928 Northamptonshire

  4,728

  9

  26

  10

  4,626

  9

  10

  16

  929 Northumberland

  3,414

  15

  27

  19

  4,377

  13

  13

  21

  891 Nottinghamshire

  5,203

  8

  21

  7

  9,751

  16

  15

  26

  353 Oldham

  2,224

  10

  12

  12

  1,162

  7

  2

  13

  931 Oxfordshire

  4,741

  10

  23

  10

  5,408

  13

  6

  13

  836 Poole

  506

  4

  1

  3

  430

  5

  1

  11

  851 Portsmouth

  1,368

  8

  6

  11

  151

  2

  0

  0

  870 Reading

  813

  8

  5

  13

  1,769

  22

  3

  38

  317 Redbridge

  964

  5

  1

  2

  486

  3

  1

  7

  807 Redcar and Cleveland

  1,453

  10

  5

  9

  1,274

  11

  2

  15

  318 Richmond upon Thames

  286

  3

  0

  0

  519

  7

  1

  13

  354 Rochdale

  1,262

  6

  2

  3

  1,747

  11

  3

  21

  372 Rotherham

  2,242

  9

  6

  5

  1,455

  7

  1

  6

  868 Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

  398

  5

  2

  4

  785

  8

  2

  14

  857 Rutland

  660

  21

  3

  17

  262

  12

  1

  33

  355 Salford

  3,881

  16

  21

  24

  2,882

  19

  5

  29

  333 Sandwell

  1,725

  6

  5

  5

  2,613

  12

  2

  10

  343 Sefton

  3,237

  12

  18

  19

  1,633

  8

  3

  14

  373 Sheffield

  4,249

  9

  18

  12

  2,071

  7

  1

  4

  893 Shropshire

  2,674

  11

  18

  12

  1,149

  7

  1

  5

  871 Slough

  785

  7

  0

  0

  366

  5

  0

  0

  334 Solihull

  1,277

  6

  5

  7

  707

  5

  1

  8

  933 Somerset

  2,524

  6

  9

  4

  3,993

  12

  6

  15

  803 South Gloucestershire

  1,734

  7

  7

  7

  946

  6

  1

  7

  393 South Tyneside

  1,940

  13

  9

  16

  1,356

  12

  2

  18

  852 Southampton

  2,335

  12

  12

  17

  925

  7

  0

  0

  882 Southend

  891

  6

  1

  2

  1,074

  9

  1

  8

  210 Southwark

  2,034

  9

  6

  8

  1,277

  12

  3

  23

  342 St. Helens

  1,556

  9

  7

  11

  959

  8

  0

  0

  860 Staffordshire

  8,121

  11

  40

  13

  1,661

  3

  3

  4

  356 Stockport

  2,235

  8

  9

  9

  1,368

  8

  0

  0

  808 Stockton-on-Tees

  1,751

  9

  5

  8

  1,359

  10

  2

  14

  861 Stoke on Trent

  3,907

  15

  19

  22

  1,567

  10

  3

  18

  935 Suffolk

  4,863

  10

  26

  10

  5,061

  9

  6

  8

  394 Sunderland

  3,813

  13

  17

  18

  1,276

  6

  1

  6

  936 Surrey

  9,658

  11

  44

  13

  4,200

  8

  6

  11

  319 Sutton

  322

  2

  0

  0

  435

  3

  0

  0

  866 Swindon

  1,864

  10

  10

  14

  1,299

  11

  1

  9

  357 Tameside

  1,148

  5

  4

  5

  1,003

  7

  2

  11

  894 Telford and Wrekin

  840

  5

  1

  2

  891

  9

  2

  15

  883 Thurrock

  1,556

  10

  4

  9

  1,868

  19

  3

  30

  242W

  243W

  Surplus places by local authority area at January 1999

  Primary 1

  Secondary

  Actual surplus2

  Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more3

  Actual surplus2

  Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more 3

  LEA

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  880 Torbay

  238

  3

  2

  6

  117

  1

  0

  0

  211 Tower Hamlets

  2,667

  12

  9

  12

  1,400

  9

  1

  7

  358 Trafford

  1,362

  7

  4

  5

  1,177

  7

  1

  6

  384 Wakefield

  2,851

  9

  12

  9

  1,534

  7

  2

  11

  335 Walsall

  2,873

  11

  11

  11

  1,384

  6

  1

  5

  320 Waltham Forest

  1,537

  7

  5

  8

  1,190

  9

  1

  6

  212 Wandsworth

  1,493

  9

  5

  8

  728

  7

  1

  11

  877 Warrington

  2,428

  12

  14

  19

  752

  6

  0

  0

  937 Warwickshire

  7,060

  15

  39

  20

  3,283

  10

  5

  14

  869 West Berkshire

  1,132

  9

  3

  4

  531

  5

  2

  18

  938 West Sussex

  5,398

  8

  20

  8

  4,818

  11

  5

  13

  359 Wigan

  3,292

  11

  22

  20

  1,184

  6

  2

  10

  865 Wiltshire

  4,081

  10

  32

  15

  2,523

  9

  3

  9

  344 Wirral

  3,799

  12

  18

  18

  2,235

  9

  2

  9

  872 Wokingham

  735

  6

  5

  9

  252

  2

  0

  0

  336 Wolverhampton

  2,816

  11

  13

  14

  1,834

  11

  4

  22

  885 Worcestershire

  4,397

  10

  17

  9

  4,629

  11

  9

  15

  816 York

  1,938

  13

  11

  18

  1,285

  12

  4

  33

  Total

  415,794

  9

  1,930

  11

  316,572

  9

  461

  13

  1 Primary figures show surplus after taking account of any summer entry

  2 Actual surplus is defined as the difference between capacity and number on roll for all schools where capacity exceeds number on roll

  3 Schools with less than 30 surplus places are not included

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Day-old Chick Imports
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many day-old chicks were imported into the UK from(a) within and (b) outside the EU in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998 and (iv) 1999 to date. [98590]

  Ms Quin
  (a) The number of live day old chicks imported into the United Kingdom from other member states from 1996 to 1999 is given in the table. These figures are derived from the information messages which European law requires exporting countries to send to the importing country to inform them of the number of animals certified for export in a given consignment.

  Number of day old chicks

  1996

  16,616,815

  1997

  1,342,848,163

  1998

  84,497,843

  1999

  98,280,536

  (b) The number of live day old chicks imported into the United Kingdom from countries outside the EU is given in the table.

  Number of day old chicks

  1996

  0

  1997

  28,100

  1998

  28,806

  1999

  192,126

  Note:

  1. These figures are provisional and subject to validation.

  2. These data are subject to a degree of statistical error and care is needed when interpreting them.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to introduce arrangements under which the Ministry will(a) nominate which local veterinary inspector is to inspect a specific consignment of live farm animals prior to export and (b) pay the LVI and recover the cost for this service through charges on the exporter; and if he will make a statement. [101634]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 7 December 1999]: We are in discussion with the Scottish and Welsh administrations about the implications of carrying forward these further changes to the pre-export procedures for live food animals, in the light of views expressed in response to our consultation paper last year.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxembourg on 24 to 25 January; and if he will make a statement. [107151]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I represented the UK at the Agriculture Council meeting in Brussels on 24 January, accompanied by the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin) and by Mrs. Brid Rodgers, MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  The Council held an in-depth debate on the Commission's proposal for compulsory labelling of beef, notably on the indications which are necessary to guarantee traceability and on how to define the origin of beef. I welcomed the aims of the proposal and stressed my desire that British beef, a premium quality product, be marketed around the world as such. I supported including essential traceability information on the label, while

  245W
  stressing the need for some simplification of the Commission's approach. The proposal will return to the Council for decisions in the coming months.

  Commissioner Byrne introduced the Commission's White Paper on Food Safety, which outlines plans for a European Food Authority and sets out an action plan for a comprehensive legislative framework intended to guarantee the highest level of consumer protection. Along with all other Council members, I welcomed the White Paper and the Commission's commitment to a new integrated approach to EU food law with food safety at its heart. The White Paper will now be considered intensively within the Council framework to prepare a report for the Feira European Council in June.

  The Council agreed by qualified majority (Germany, Austria and Netherlands opposing) a common position deferring the deadline for introducing compulsory pig databases.

  Grants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [109317]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 February 2000]: The initiatives launched by this Department since May 1997 under which specific grants are allocated are given in the table:

  £ million

  Year/Initiative

  Funding

  1999–2000 Organic Farming Scheme

  11.35

  2000–01 Agricultural Development Scheme

  2.00

  In addition to the above, in December 1999, the Government announced their intended expenditure under the England Rural Development Plan for the period 2000 to 2006, which includes the Organic Farming scheme. For details of the planned expenditure I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 16 December 1999, Official Report, columns 284–85W; and to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on 20 December 1999, Official Report, column 442W.

  EU Compensation
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much EU agri-money compensation was available to the United Kingdom to claim in the years(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998 and (e) 1999, and how much of this money was drawn down by the United Kingdom for those years. [1101335]

  Ms Quin
  No compensation is payable in respect of the strength of sterling in 1995. The table sets out the amounts of compensation available and the amounts actually paid or being paid in each year for the strength of sterling in 246W
  the years shown at the left of the table. Compensation is paid on a degressive basis for the three years following a year in which sterling's value has triggered compensation.

  EU funded agrimonetary compensation payable since 1997

  £ million

  Year for which compensation relates

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Amount payable in each year

  1996

  344

  229

  114

  —

  —

  1997

  —

  90

  60

  30

  —

  1998

  —

  —

  276

  92

  46

  Amount paid or being paid

  1996

  85

  48

  —

  —

  —

  1997

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1998

  —

  —

  264

  88

  44

  Compensation for the strength of sterling before 1998 was optional, and 50 per cent. EU and 50 per cent. nationally funded. For 1998, compensation is compulsory and 100 per cent. EU funded in the first year. Only the EU funded amounts are shown in the table.

  Paper and Timber Products
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [110148]

  Mr. Morley
  The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label is accepted by buyers as demonstrating that timber and timber products have come from sustainably managed sources. This Department has encouraged such schemes.

  However, it is not practicable to require that all paper and timber products purchased by the Ministry are independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council because this might discriminate against any equally valid schemes based on similar sustainable criteria and therefore be against public procurement rules.

  Specifying just the FSC label might also result in us failing to meet all our requirements as currently only a tiny percentage of timber products are FSC certified. This is why the Ministry's policy statement for greening its operations suggests that evidence of sustainability might take the form of a certificate issued under a credible, preferably independent, verification scheme; or other documents which demonstrate the operation of an environmental management system incorporating forest management criteria that conform with internationally recognised principles such as the Helsinki Guidelines.

  Farmers' Markets
  Mr. Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers' markets there are in England; what steps he is taking to encourage the setting up of such markets; what steps he is taking to encourage shops in market towns to purchase produce from local farmers; and if he will make a statement. [110561]

  Ms Quin
  The National Association of Farmers' Markets (NAFM) estimate that there are about 150 farmers' markets currently operating in England and expect that number to rise significantly over the coming year. We fully support NAFM and their work to promote the farmers' market movement. We also wish to encourage farmers to
  £ million Funding
  247W
  better market their products through shops and other outlets, and financial support for new marketing initiatives will be a key feature of the England Rural Development Plan which will come into operation later this year.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the electricity used by his Department is generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement. [111034]

  Mr. Morley
  My Department supports the Government's aim of obtaining 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and remains committed to playing its part in this.

  The Department's Greening Operations Strategy, which was updated and re-published last June, has a key objective to encourage the supply of "green electricity" (electricity produced from renewable sources) where this provides value for money. We are therefore investigating the cost effectiveness and practicality of obtaining electricity from renewable sources.

  We are also committed to schemes that combine heating with other energy efficiency benefits. At our Central Veterinary Laboratory we have a system whereby a waste heat boiler is linked to the main incinerator to provide a large proportion of the heating and hot water for the site. A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant will also be on stream by the middle of this year to provide energy for new buildings on the Laboratory site. My Department is also connected to the Whitehall CHP system.

  Broiler Chickens
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to implement the Farm Animal Welfare Council's 1992 recommendation that a maximum stocking density for broiler chickens should be controlled by regulation. [110770]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have made clear their wish to improve minimum standards for broiler welfare. But we wish to do so on a EU-wide basis since simply exposing the home market to lower welfare products produced elsewhere would bring little benefit to birds' welfare. We do however reflect the Farm Animal Welfare Council's recommendation in our broiler chicken welfare code and plan to maintain it in the revised version.

  Pig Industry (Ireland)
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Minister of Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland concerning the aid package introduced there for pig farmers in the border regions; what reasons the Irish Minister gave for its introduction; and if he will make a statement. [111247]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: The Government in the Republic of Ireland have announced an aid scheme to help their pig producers in the border region and have linked the proposed payments to a fire at the Ballymoney pig processing plant. The UK Government have already paid state aid totalling £700,000
  248W
  to pig producers in Northern Ireland for the welfare problems resulting from this same fire. The Irish Government have submitted a formal state aid notification to the European Commission and await the Commission's response.

  Farms (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the contribution to GDP from farms in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [111073]

  Ms Quin
  The agriculture industry in Shropshire contributed 5.5 per cent. to the county's GDP in 1996 and 0.04 per cent. to national GDP, as measured at factor cost. Data for Shrewsbury and Atcham are not available. Later figures are not yet available at regional level.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under what circumstances the Millennium Dome is available for whole-day private hire; and what such deals have been done. [105244]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 17 January 2000]: NMEC is willing to consider any approaches it receives for such hire arrangements and will consider them in the context of its business and public accessibility objectives. To date, one such booking has been made: by the TUC for Monday 1 May.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total number of tickets sold for the dome to date; and how many have been provided for corporate use. [107275]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 31 January 2000]: As at 23 February, 718,961 people had visited the dome, including 18,907 whose bookings were made through the corporate hospitality facility.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his latest estimate of receipts to the New Millennium Experience Company arising from(a) catering and (b) merchandising; and if he will make a statement. [109724]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company undertakes regular reviews of its overall budget, like any other commercial company but with the added imperative of achieving its estimated income within only 12 months of operation. New forecasts are made, and changes are implemented on the basis of actual financial achievements as the year moves forward. The reviews are discussed in full, and changes agreed with the Millennium Commission. The latest review is currently being finalised and is the subject of ongoing discussion with the Commission. At this stage, the provisional estimate of income from the two categories in question is: catering (excluding hospitality)—£6 million net; merchandise—£20 million net.
  249W
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage more school children from Scotland to visit the Millennium Experience at Greenwich. [111091]

  Janet Anderson
  NMEC is providing up to one million free school tickets under the Education Tour scheme. All schools in the UK can apply for these tickets. The tickets are allocated over a series of four ballots and schools can apply for up to 100 pupil tickets each. NMEC, through the Education and Learning Experience Managers in its 12 offices countrywide (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the North-East, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North-West, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, the East, the South-East, the South-West and London), and through the regional media will continue to ensure that all schools are fully aware of the free ticket scheme and of the education visit arrangements. NMEC has also worked hard to negotiate deals with travel providers and operators which represent good value for money for visitors to the Dome. NMEC has informed schools about these providers and operators in their area.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many free tickets to the dome have been issued to VIP visitors. [109721]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The policy of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is that where there is a benefit to the business, guests (whether VIPs or not) invited to the dome can attend on a non-paying basis. This policy also applies where there is a relevance to the NMEC's public accountability remit—Millennium Commissioners and certain of their staff are allowed free access to enable them to satisfy themselves that the project is meeting the conditions of the national lottery grant; and parliamentary representatives, including Ministers and Select Committee members, would also not pay in recognition of the company's responsibilities to Parliament. Additionally, because the dome has such a high profile as the centrepiece of the UK's Millennium celebrations, many VIPs whether on official or State visits, often request that the dome be included on their itinerary. Over 390 such individuals have attended from 14 countries to date. In most cases the host body of the visiting group reimburses NMEC.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he plans to encourage the new Millennium Experience Company to make reductions in ticket prices for entry to the millennium dome. [109911]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The ticket pricing structure is a matter for the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) which, under the terms of its lottery grant from the Millennium Commission, must consult and obtain the agreement of the Commission to any in-year changes in ticket pricing. NMEC has no plans to change the overall ticket price structure but is currently looking at ways in which it can increase value for money for visitors to the dome.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff are employed at the Millennium Dome; and how many are nationals of(a) the UK, (b) other EU member states and (c) other countries. [109720]
  250W
  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 11 February 2000]: The information is not available in the form requested. Of the 2,077 employees of the New Millennium Experience Company, 31 are from non-EU countries and the remainder are from EU member states.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the range of ethnic minority food options available for public purchase at outlets at the Millennium Dome; and what representations have been received from the public in respect of the variety and cost of food at the dome. [110665]

  Janet Anderson
  There are more than 50 separate catering outlets at the dome, providing a wide range of food and drink options at high street prices. As well as high-quality British cuisine and a range of fast food and snack options, visitors to the dome can enjoy food from across the world, including Afro-Caribbean, Asian, Chinese, Thai and Kosher catering. Anecdotal feedback indicates that the wide variety of food on offer and the prices are being well received by the majority of visitors.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy that no further funds, by way of(a) loan, (b) grant and (c) otherwise, will be (1) received by the New Millennium Experience Company from any Lottery fund; [110472]

  (2) provided from the Millennium Commission to the New Millennium Experience Company. [110473]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: The distribution of Lottery funds is a matter for the Lottery Distributors who operate independent of the Government. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will write in more detail, in his capacity as Chairman of the Millennium Commission, to my hon. and learned Friend.

  Mr. Marshall-Andrews
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will provide in respect of(a) advances, (b) loans and (c) grants agreed to be made to the New Millennium Experience Company by the Millennium Commission since 1 January, details of undertakings as to the personal liability of (i) officers and (ii) directors of the New Millennium Experience Company and the Millennium Commissioners. [110474]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 17 February 2000]: I refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply I gave him on 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 90W. Both the Non-Executive and Executive Directors of the New Millennium Experience Company are bound by the normal Companies Act regulations applying to Directors of Companies.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many contracts were awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company to caterers to operate on the site of the Millennium Dome; what net revenue was received by the NMEC from the granting of those contracts; how many of those contracts were awarded after a process of competitive tendering; and how many of those contracts are still in force. [110912]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: Sixteen catering and supply contracts have been awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) to contractors to operate in and around the dome. All

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  contracts have been let following competitive tender processes and all contracts are still in force. Each contractor will pay NMEC an agreed percentage of net sales as a concession fee, the precise details of which are commercially confidential while the contracts are current.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been paid by the New Millennium Experience Company in overtime payments since the commencement of the Millennium Dome project. [110915]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 21 February 2000]: The total sum paid by the New Millennium Experience Company in overtime since the start of the Millennium Experience Project (March 1997) is £677,418.

  National Audit Office
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his oral answer of 21 February 2000,Official Report, column 1246, on what basis he concluded that the NAO (a) does not have expertise in fair trading issues and (b) is not able to undertake a politically independent scrutiny role. [112051]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 28 February 2000]: My right hon. Friend fully accepts the need for external scrutiny of the BBC's fair trading commitment. He considers, however, that other organisations would be better placed than the NAO, whose core work is financial audit and value for money exercises, to form a view on the adequacy of the BBC's fair trading policies. Taking account of this, and while in no way questioning the NAO's ability to undertake a politically independent scrutiny role, he believes the most effective way to meet the concerns raised in the Davies report is for him to appoint independent auditors and for their reports to him to be made available to the House and to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.

  BBC
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the mechanism he intends to deploy to review the BBC digital service; and what safeguards will be in place to prevent any compromise of the BBC's editorial independence. [112053]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 28 February 2000]: The Government will be announcing details of the review of digital services in due course and we will ensure that the BBC's editorial independence is not compromised in any way.

  Sir Denis Mahon's Paintings
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the plans of Sir Denis Mahon with regard to his collection of paintings. [112612]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The art historian and connoisseur Sir Denis Mahon has recently made it known that he intends to arrange for the great majority of his pre-eminent collection of Baroque pictures painted in Italy to pass after his death to the National Art Collections Fund for permanent allocation to public galleries and museums in Britain. At that time 58 paintings (with a252W
  present estimated value of approximately £20 million) will be deposited by the Fund permanently in British institutions with the stipulation, warmly endorsed by the Government, that they may remain only with galleries where free admission to the public is in place. Two further paintings, both by Guercino, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and Elijah fed by Ravens, are to pass to the National Gallery in London by other means.

  This is a magnificent gesture. I thank Sir Denis, on behalf of the Government, for his generosity in taking steps to ensure that most of his wonderful collection will be available for the greatest possible number of people to enjoy in this country after his death. They are at present on indefinite loan to the galleries and museums concerned. The works and their proposed permanent allocation are as follows:

  The National Gallery, London:
  Gioacchino Assereto, The Angel appears to Hagar and Ishmael; Ludovico Carracci The Agony in the Garden; Valerio Castello, The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist; Guiseppe Maria Crespi, Musicians, Peasants with Donkeys; Donato Creti, Artemisia drinking the Ashes of Mausolus; Domenichino, Landscape with a Fortified Town; Luca Giordano, Mythological Scene of Agriculture, Allegory of Divine Wisdom, Allegory of Fortitude, Allegory of Justice, Allegory of Prudence, Allegory of Temperance, Apotheosis of the Medici, The Cave and Eternity, Minerva as Protectress of the Arts and Science, Mythological Scene with the Rape of Proserpine; Guercino, Saint Gregory the Great with Saints Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier, The Cumaean Sybil with a Putto, The Angel appears to Hagar and Ishmael; Jan Lingelbach (attr.), Roman Street Scene with Card Players; Johann Liss, The Fall of Phaeton; Guido Reni, The Rape of Europa; Salvator Rosa, Landscape with Travellers asking the Way; Bartolomeo Schedoni, The Holy Family with the Virgin teaching the Child to Read; Matthias Stom, Salome receiving the head of Saint John the Baptist.

  The National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh:
  Corrado Giaquinto, Madonna and Child in Glory appearing to Four Saints; Andrea Locatelli, Landscape with a Waterfall and Distant Lake, Rocky Landscape with a Natural Arch and Distant Tower; Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, Jepthah returning from Battle is greeted by his Daughter; Salvator Rosa, Desolate Landscape with Two Figures, Landscape with Saint Anthony Abbot and Paul the Hermit; Andrea Sacchi, Saint Anthony of Padua reviving a Dead man; Francesco Solimena, The Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saint Peter Martyr and Two Warrior Saints.

  The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford:
  Paulus Brill, Mythological Landscape with Nymphs and Satyrs; Michelangelo Cerquozzi, Spring (Flora), Summer (Ceres); Pietro da Cortona, The Oath of Semiramis, Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Noli Me Tangere; Domenichino, The Vision of Saint Jerome; Gaspard Dughet, Landscape in the Roman Campagna; Guercino, Head of an Old Man; Pierre Patel, Landscape in the Roman Campagna; Giovanni Francesco Romanelli, Angelica encountering the wounded Medoro; Ippolito Scarsella, The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Bernardo Strozzi; Horatius Cocles Defending the Bridge.

  The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge:
  Francesco Albani, The Trinity with the Virgin Mary and Musician Angels; Ciro Ferri, The Adoration of the Shepherds; Andrea Sacchi, The Baptism of Christ; Bartolomeo Schedoni, The Coronation of the Virgin; Francesco Solimena (attr.), The Rest on the Flight into Egypt; Pierre Subleyras, The Holy Family with Saints Elizabeth, Zacharias and John the Baptist.
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  City Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham:
  Francesco Albani (studio), Faith, Hope and Charity; Giovanni Battista Gaulli, The Virgin, with the Child piercing the Head of the Serpent; Pieter van Laer (attr.), A Franciscan Saint distributing Food to Peasants; Pier Francesco Mola, Mercury and Argus; Salvator Rosa, Head of a Man with a Turban.

  Temple Newsam House, Leeds:
  Pier Francesco Mola, Landscape with two Carthusian Monks.

  The free access stipulation does not apply to this single exceptional case. The picture by Mola originated from the Temple Newsam collection, and it seems fitting that it should return there. Temple Newsam is treated by Leeds City Council as a country house involving admission charges, but its associated institution, the Leeds City Art Gallery, has no plans to charge admission.

  In addition Sir Denis has said that he wishes seven pictures to pass to the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna in Italy, and eight to the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. These pictures are at present on long-term loan to the galleries in question. They are as follows:

  Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, Italy:
  Annibale Carracci, Saint John the Baptist in a Landscape; Domenichino, Landscape with River and Boats; Benedetto Gennari (after Guercino), Portrait of Guercino; Guercino, The Madonna of the Sparrow, A Sibyl holding a Scroll; Guido Reni, Saint Francis consoled by a Musician Angel, A Sibyl.

  The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin:
  Sébastien Bourdon, Abraham's Sacrifice near Beth-el (?); Annibale Carracci, Mary Magdalene in a Landscape; Domenichino, Saint Mary Magdalene; Luca Giordano, Venus, Mars and the Forge of Vulcan; Guercino, Jacob blessing the Sons of Joseph, Saint John the Baptist visited in Prison by Salome; Pier Francesco Mola, Landscape with Saint Bruno in Ecstasy; Guido Reni, Cleopatra.
  Taking all the considerations into account, including the advice of the Government's advisory body on these matters—the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art—I have granted export licences for these paintings (including those which are of national importance) to supersede the temporary licences already granted. I am also pleased to say that, in recognition of Sir Denis' generosity, two charities related to these galleries have agreed—after his death and the passing of title—to make donations to the National Art Collections Fund in Great Britain of $1,600,000 and £100,000 respectively.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [110680]

  Mr. Straw
  As at 1 April 1999, five members of the senior civil service were from an ethnic minority background (3 per cent). These staff were all men. I am committed to increasing the level of representation and, as part of the Modernisation of Government agenda, targets have been published to cover recruitment, progression and retention of ethnic minority staff at all 254W
  grades within the Home Office. There are also separate senior civil service targets for women. The Government are committed to meeting these targets.

  Wheelclamping
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking further to regulate wheelclamping. [111613]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In the White Paper, "The Government's Proposals for Regulating the Private Security Industry in England and Wales", issued last year, we announced proposals to regulate wheelclampers as part of a package of statutory measures for the private security industry as a whole. We are currently analysing the responses we received to the White Paper and will introduce legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

  Prison Liaison Officers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales have a foreign national liaison officer available to work with prison inmates. [111936]

  Mr. Boateng
  All prisons have a race relations liaison officer and a race relations management team which are responsible for the local implementation of the Prison Service race relations policies set out in Prison Service Order 2800, a copy of which is in the Library. This Order seeks to ensure the fair treatment of ethnic minority and foreign national prisoners. Some establishments with larger numbers of foreign national prisoners have appointed a member of staff to work specifically with foreign national prisoners. Information on these is not held centrally.

  Discharged Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if a questionnaire is issued to all prison inmates before they are discharged from prisons in England and Wales. [111939]

  Mr. Boateng
  The issuing of questionnaires to prisoners before discharge is not a standard procedure within the discharge process.

  Individual prison establishments may use questionnaires as a means of gathering feedback and information locally, and questionnaires may be used from time to time as a means of gathering information relating to specific initiatives on a national basis.

  Prisons (Foreign Nationals)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals were being held in prisons in England and Wales on 1 February. [111937]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available information is for the last day of December 1999. On that date, there were 5,323 foreign nationals in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales.

  Prisons (Foreign-language Materials)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prison induction booklets that are in a foreign language in prisons in England and Wales; and what those languages are. [111935]
  255W
  Mr. Boateng
  The prison induction booklets available in foreign languages and issued centrally are: the prisoners' information book for life sentenced prisoners; the prisoners' information book for male prisoners and young offenders; the prisoners' information book for women prisoners and female young offenders; and the prisoners' information book about visiting and keeping in touch.

  These provide information on prison life relevant to all prisoners and have been translated into the following 20 languages: Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Welsh, Turkish, Greek, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Bengali, Gujerati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil and Urdu. Copies are being sent to prison libraries.

  The foreign prisoners' resource pack has been produced in the following 12 languages: English, Arabic, Bengali, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Gujerati, Hindi, Italian, Spanish and Urdu.

  Other foreign language induction material may also have been produced locally by establishments or by other agencies. Details of these are not held centrally.

  Prisons (Showers)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the rules followed by prisons in England and Wales as to how often an inmate should be allowed to shower; and if he will make a statement. [111933]

  Mr. Boateng
  Rule 28 of the Prison Rules 1999 states that every prisoner shall be required to wash at proper times, have a hot bath or shower on reception and thereafter at least once a week.

  No exact information is available, but it is understood that most prisoners have the opportunity to shower at least two or three times a week. Many prisoners take a shower on a daily or almost daily basis.

  Preston Prison
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason Dylan Wyn Roberts, Prisoner No. CB. 8719 at Preston Prison, was held for several weeks in his cell for 23 hours per day; if he is still being so held; if this is standard treatment for Category C prisoners; and what aspects of the situation at Preston Prison make such treatment necessary. [111716]

  Mr. Boateng
  Throughout his time at Preston, Mr. Roberts had access to the normal regime for prisoners on normal location. This included the opportunity to go to work or education for half a day each working day, an hour's exercise every day, and two and half hours association on alternate days. Mr. Roberts chose not to go to work or education and, therefore, spent most of these periods in his cell. Mr. Roberts is now at Wymott prison.

  Asylum Seekers
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to address delays in the asylum decision-making process. [112634]
  256W
  Mr. Straw
  The Government are devoting great effort and substantial additional resources into the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) in Croydon to reduce the backlogs there and to deliver faster decisions as part of the commitment to delivering a fairer, faster and firmer immigration and asylum system. The asylum system we inherited required a radical overhaul to the processes used in making asylum decisions and the legislative basis for appeals to deliver these faster.

  The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, now on the Statute Book, will help achieve this. Its provision will progressively be introduced, but a fairer and faster system cannot be delivered by legislation alone.

  One of our actions was to undertake a thorough review of the asylum decision-making processes. Vantagepoint was commissioned by the IND to help with its review of the asylum decision process. The aim of the review was to identify where there were delays in the procedures which might affect the ability of IND and the Lord Chancellor's Department to achieve the White Paper targets, and to make recommendations for change.

  A number of ways in which IND could improve its procedures and introduce more flexibility into the asylum decision-making process were identified and are being implemented as part of a systematic overhaul of the asylum business.

  Changes that have already been made include the following:
  In this year and the next two years, we are investing a minimum of £120 million in IND, including an extra £60 million on speeding up casework. Hundreds more staff are being deployed as caseworkers. Output in the Integrated Casework Directorate (ICD) is improving and staffing levels remain under review to ensure that output targets are met. There has already been a significant increase in asylum productivity as our new recruits to asylum decision making gain experience and we expect this to continue.
  Ports and the ICD are jointly taking forward the implementation of streamlined processes aimed at ensuring as far as possible consistency in the processes for handling asylum casework. A new Statement of Evidence Form has been introduced for use by both the ports and the ICD, where appropriate.
  Outside consultants are currently training existing staff and new staff in effective and efficient interview skills.
  All health and safety issues concerning interview rooms have been addressed and resolved. Safety alarms have been issued to all interviewing staff and guards are readily available.
  Country policy advice is being systematically reviewed. There is a full library of country information available for the top asylum producing countries and short country background briefs are, additionally, being provided in a consistent format. A chief caseworker post has been created with particular focus on co-ordinating needs of asylum caseworkers for country policy advice.

  We are also committed to achieving the targets set out in the White Paper published in July 1998 to deliver most initial asylum decisions within two months and most appeals within a further four months. The White Paper target is to do this by April 2001. For families with children, we are already meeting the targets.

  We are taking radical measures to reduce the backlog of cases in IND dating from 1996 onwards. The rate at which we do this will be dependent on a wide range of variables, not least of which will be future application rates, but we remain committed to the White Paper target

  257W
  of reducing the backlog of initial asylum decisions to fractional levels by April 2001. We expect to make major inroads into this backlog by the end of the year.

  Other actions taken include piloting new procedures in respect of both port and in-country asylum applications. Measures have been introduced which aim to obtain the maximum amount of information at the outset. These, together with enhanced computer links between ports and the IND in Croydon, have reduced the stages and time in the decision-making process.

  Copies of the report dated July 1999 by consultants Vantagepoint (formerly called BDO Stoy Hayward) on the asylum decision-making process have been placed in the Library.

  Anti-terrorism Legislation
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has appointed a reviewer for those sections of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 which are not already included in the existing review of anti-terrorism legislation. [112635]

  Mr. Straw
  I am pleased to announce that Mr. John Rowe QC has accepted my invitation to carry out the annual review of sections 5 to 7 of the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998 which deal with conspiracy in this country to commit criminal offences abroad.

  Alternative Voting Procedures
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when(a) local authorities, (b) the Local Government Association and (c) the press were informed of his decision to approve pilot projects of alternative voting procedures under the provisions of the Representation of the People Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matters raised by the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) on 17 February 2000, Official Report, column 1118; [112029]

  (2) what pilot projects of alternative voting procedures he has approved under the provisions of the Representation of the People Bill; what alternative procedures he has approved in each case; and when each local authority was informed that its pilot project had been approved. [112030]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Following a discussion I had with the hon. Members for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) and for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes), provisional approval has been given to the following schemes. A final decision will be taken on each scheme once the Representation of the People Bill has received Royal Assent.

  Early Voting

  Blackburn

  Blackpool

  Chester

  Coventry

  Kingston upon Hull

  Knowsley (3 wards)

  Manchester

  Norwich1

  Pendle

  Plymouth

  258W

  Redditch

  St. Helens (6 wards)

  Stoke on Trent

  Sunderland1

  Telford and the Wrekin (2 wards)

  Watford1

  Electronic Voting/Counting

  Broxbourne

  Bury (1 ward)

  Salford (2 wards)1

  Stratford on Avon

  Three Rivers

  Warrington

  Extension of Hours of Poll

  Leeds

  Mole Valley

  Weekend Voting
  Watford1

  All Postal Ballots

  Bolton (3 wards)

  Doncaster (1 ward)

  Gateshead (2 wards)

  Norwich (2 wards)1

  Salford (1 ward)1

  Stevenage (2 wards)

  Swindon (4 wards)

  Wigan (3 wards)

  Extension of Postal Vote Entitlement

  Amber Valley (2 wards)

  Eastleigh

  Gloucester (3 wards)

  Milton Keynes

  Mobile Polling Facility

  Norwich1

  Sunderland (8 wards)1

  Watford1

  Windsor and Maidenhead (2 wards)

  Freepost

  Watford1

  1 Councils running more than one scheme.

  Most of the local authorities concerned were informed of my provisional decision on 14 February. In a number of cases where I was not yet in a position to reach a provisional decision, the information was communicated to the local authority later in that week.

  On 15 February, the Local Government Association were given details of the provisional decisions that had, by that point, been taken, as were a number of journalists. No Home Office press notice has been issued since final decisions have yet to be made.

  The hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) was not correct to say that newspapers, the Press Association and other bodies were told before Parliament about which pilot schemes will take place in May, as the final decisions have yet to be made.

  Correspondence
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Parliamentary questions have been asked by hon. Members regarding correspondence which has not been replied to by his Department in each month from May 1997 onwards; what was the average time taken to reply to the correspondence; and what was the time taken to reply to each individual item of correspondence raised by hon. Members in this way. [112028]

  Mr. Straw
  On the basis of the information available, hon. Members have asked 91 Parliamentary questions since May 1997 about correspondence to which they had not received a reply at the time of tabling the question. The number of such Parliamentary questions asked in each month for each year is given in the table.

  Parliamentary questions tabled by month

  1997 1

  1998

  1999

  2000 2

  January

  —

  2

  1

  16

  February

  —

  5

  2

  5

  March

  —

  5

  4

  —

  April

  —

  1

  2

  —

  May

  —

  —

  2

  —

  June

  —

  3

  4

  —

  July

  2

  3

  5

  —

  August

  —

  —

  —

  —

  September

  —

  —

  —

  —

  October

  —

  —

  4

  —

  November

  3

  3

  10

  —

  December

  2

  2

  5

  —

  Total

  1

  24

  39

  21

  Overall total

  91

  1 From May

  2 To end February

  Information on the time taken to deal with the individual items of correspondence about which the Parliamentary questions were asked is held centrally in only 69 of cases. The average time taken to reply to these items of correspondence was 64 working days.

  The time taken to reply to each item of correspondence (in working days) where information is available is given in the table.

  Time taken for reply in working days

  Number of items

  6

  1

  15

  1

  22

  3

  23

  1

  27

  2

  30

  1

  31

  1

  32

  1

  33

  1

  36

  1

  37

  1

  38

  2

  39

  1

  40

  3

  41

  3

  42

  1

  44

  2

  45

  1

  46

  1

  47

  1

  260W

  Time taken for reply in working days

  Number of items

  48

  1

  51

  1

  56

  1

  58

  1

  62

  1

  63

  1

  65

  2

  66

  1

  69

  1

  71

  1

  74

  1

  78

  3

  80

  2

  82

  1

  84

  1

  85

  1

  86

  3

  88

  1

  89

  1

  90

  1

  91

  2

  97

  3

  103

  1

  104

  2

  108

  2

  109

  1

  115

  1

  131

  1

  134

  1

  My Department deals with large amounts of correspondence each year from both hon. Members and members of the public. In 1999, we replied to 17,703 letters from hon. Members. We aim to send a substantive reply to all correspondence as quickly as possible, and we are committed to monitoring and achieving a high standard of performance in this area.

SCOTLAND

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network about the non-publication of the new assisted areas map of Great Britain. [111327]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: I have received representations from Highlands and Islands Enterprise about various aspects of the assisted area map proposals. At the present time, the absence of a new assisted area map should have little practical impact on the processing of applications for financial assistance to business developments in the Highlands and Islands.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors underlay his proposal that the 1993 assisted area map for the Highlands should be extended from 54 per cent. to 100 per cent. [111329]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Highlands and Islands Enterprise area was proposed as a whole for inclusion in the new assisted areas map in recognition of the problems arising from its population sparsity.
  261W
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on proposed business developments in the Highlands of the non-publication of the new assisted areas map of Great Britain. [111328]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: I understand that Highlands and Islands Enterprise had prepared on a contingency basis for the possibility that there might be a delay in approval of the new Assisted Areas map and issued formal advice to Local Enterprise Companies within its area in December 1999. At the present time, there is little practical impact on the processing of applications for financial assistance to business developments in the Highlands.

  Highlands and Islands
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measurement of need he made in proposing the inclusion of the Inverness travel-to-work area in the proposed designation of the Highlands and Islands under Article 87(3)c (Tier 2) of the Amsterdam Treaty. [111330]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Highlands and Islands Enterprise area was proposed as a whole under Article 87(3)c in recognition of the problems resulting from its sparse population.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of regional selective assistance to enterprises in the Highlands and Islands paid in each quarter of 1999. [111331]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 22 February 2000]: In the quarter from January to March 1999, Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) payments to businesses in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area amounted to £800,000. In the quarter April to June, no payments of RSA were made. From 1 July 1999, the administration of RSA has been the devolved responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Rules Committee
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the(a) names, (b) qualifications, (c) experience and (d) specialist professional expertise of the members of the Rules Committee; for what term each member of the Committee is appointed; and what procedure is employed in the selection and appointment of members of the Committee. [111588]

  Mr. Lock
  This reply relates to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee established by the Civil Procedure Act 1997.

  Lord Woolf, the master of the Rolls and Sir Richard Scott, Vice-Chancellor, are members of the Committee by virtue of the judicial offices they hold.

  Under section 2(2) of the Civil Procedure Act 1997, the Lord Chancellor is required to appoint:

  (a) One judge of the Supreme Court
  Lord Justice May, a judge of the Court of Appeal. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.
  262W
  (b) One Circuit Judge
  Judge Richard Holman, designated civil judge in Manchester. Formerly a solicitor in private practice. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.

  (c) One district judge
  District Judge Godfrey Gypps. Sits mainly in Southend county court. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2001.

  (d) One person who is a Master of the Supreme Court
  Master John Leslie. Appointed deputy Master in 1992 and full-time Master in 1996. Originally appointed in July 1997 until July 1999. Re-appointed until July 2001.

  (e) Three persons who have a Supreme Court qualification, including at least one with particular experience of practice in county courts
  David Foskett QC, called to the Bar in 1972, taking Silk in 1991. Practises in commercial and common law and sits as a Deputy High Court Judge. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2001.
  Michael Black QC, called to the Bar in 1978, taking Silk in 1995. Practises mainly in commercial law and professional liability claims arising from construction disputes. Appointed a Recorder in 1999. Appointed to fill a vacancy in February 2000 until August 2002.
  Henrietta Manners, called to the Bar in 1981. Particular experience of practice in the county courts in general common law and landlord and tenant. Previously a member of the County Court Rule Committee and sits as a deputy district judge. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.

  (f) Three persons who have been granted the right to conduct litigation in relation to all proceedings in the Supreme Court, including at least one with particular experience of practice in county courts
  David Greene of Edwin Coe, Solicitors. Admitted as a solicitor in 1980 and became a partner in 1984. Now Senior Litigation Partner. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.
  Peter Watson of Allen & Overy, Solicitors. Admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and became a partner in 1987. Specialises in commercial and administrative law litigation. Originally appointed in July 1997 until July 1999. Re-appointed until July 2001.
  Peter Haworth, of Southerns, Solicitors. Admitted as a solicitor in 1975 and became a partner in 1978. Particular experience of practice in county courts in personal injuries, construction disputes and general civil litigation. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2001.

  (g) One person with experience in and knowledge of consumer affairs
  Harriet Kimbell. Associate Professor at the College of Law and member of the Consumers' Association Council since 1988. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.

  (h) One person with experience in and knowledge of the lay advice sector
  Olivia Morrison-Lyons. Manager of the Consumer and Money Advice Unit of Camden Citizen's Advice Bureau from 1982 to 1993. Originally appointed in July 1997 until July 1999. Re-appointed until July 2001.

  The procedures for appointing members of the Committee are in accordance with the accepted principles on public appointments with advertisements in the press, the taking of references, the sifting and interviewing of candidates and the presence of an independent member on the Selection Board. Such consultation as is required by the Civil Procedure Act 1997 is undertaken.

  Judges
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of trials involved a change in the judge presiding in each of the last 10 years. [111990]
  263W
  Jane Kennedy
  This information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what monitoring the Lord Chancellor's Department undertakes of the training of judges. [112025]

  Jane Kennedy
  Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB), which is an non-departmental public body funded by the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, which defines the relationship of the JSB with the Lord Chancellor's Department, the JSB is required to draw up and publish, by 30 June each year, a report to the Lord Chancellor on its activities. Copies are placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what procedures are in place for the continuous assessment of judges. [112026]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor is not persuaded that continuous assessment of full-time judges is necessary or desirable or consistent with judicial independence.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment is made of judges' competence in interpretation of new legislation. [112027]

  Mr. Lock
  The Lord Chancellor only appoints judges who he is confident have the skills and experience suitable for judicial office, including the very basic ability to interpret new legislation. The Judicial Studies Board is running courses for judges on the Human Rights Act 1998 and all full-time and part-time judges are due to receive 264W
  training in this Act before implementation in October 2000. Where judges err in law, the appellate courts are available to correct them.

  Family Court Officers
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the recommendations made by family court officers have been accepted by the courts in each of the last three years. [112310]

  Jane Kennedy
  We do not have information about what percentage of the recommendations made by family court officers have been accepted by the courts in each of the last three years. In all questions that come before the courts about the upbringing of a child, the courts are required to treat the welfare of the child concerned as their paramount consideration. Courts will take account of any recommendation made by a welfare officer, but are not bound to follow it.

CABINET OFFICE

  Departmental Functions (Food)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required of domestic producers. [109778]

  Mr. Stringer
  My Department and its agencies have offices, and hold official functions, in numerous locations in different parts of the country. Food is obtained from a range of professional catering undertakings appropriate to each occasion. It would be impracticable to establish that all such food meets the criteria of domestic production.

  Milk Development Council
  Milk Development Council
  E.coli 0157 Poisoning Outbreaks
  E.coli 0157 Poisoning Outbreaks
  Countryside Stewardship Scheme: Expansion
  Countryside Stewardship Scheme: Expansion
  Diazinon-based Sheep Dips
  Diazinon-based Sheep Dips
  Pigmeat Labelling
  Pigmeat Labelling
  Film and Television Working Conditions
  Film and Television Working Conditions
  Rough Sleeping
  Rough Sleeping
  Newspaper Licensing Agency: Photocopying Charges
  Newspaper Licensing Agency: Photocopying Charges
  Human Rights Joint Committee
  Human Rights Joint Committee
  House of Lords: Government Defeats 1997–99
  House of Lords: Government Defeats 1997–99
  Commonwealth of Australia: Centenary
  Commonwealth of Australia: Centenary
  Act of Union: Bicentenary
  Act of Union: Bicentenary
  Chechnya: Oil Wells and Pipelines
  Chechnya: Oil Wells and Pipelines
  Relations with Communist Regimes
  Relations with Communist Regimes
  European Commissioners: Immunity
  European Commissioners: Immunity
  Adverse Drug Reactions
  Adverse Drug Reactions
  NHS Cochlear Implant Services
  NHS Cochlear Implant Services
  NHS Specialised Services: Annual Reports
  NHS Specialised Services: Annual Reports
  Independent Living Fund: Client Contribution
  Independent Living Fund: Client Contribution
  Learning and Skills Local Councils
  Learning and Skills Local Councils
  Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, Sections 5–7: Review
  Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1998, Sections 5–7: Review
  Asylum Decisions: Improvement of Procedures
  Asylum Decisions: Improvement of Procedures